2013-05-21 Hui Zhu <hui@codesourcery.com>
[deliverable/binutils-gdb.git] / gdb / doc / gdb.texinfo
1 \input texinfo @c -*-texinfo-*-
2 @c Copyright (C) 1988-2013 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
3 @c
4 @c %**start of header
5 @c makeinfo ignores cmds prev to setfilename, so its arg cannot make use
6 @c of @set vars. However, you can override filename with makeinfo -o.
7 @setfilename gdb.info
8 @c
9 @c man begin INCLUDE
10 @include gdb-cfg.texi
11 @c man end
12 @c
13 @settitle Debugging with @value{GDBN}
14 @setchapternewpage odd
15 @c %**end of header
16
17 @iftex
18 @c @smallbook
19 @c @cropmarks
20 @end iftex
21
22 @finalout
23 @c To avoid file-name clashes between index.html and Index.html, when
24 @c the manual is produced on a Posix host and then moved to a
25 @c case-insensitive filesystem (e.g., MS-Windows), we separate the
26 @c indices into two: Concept Index and all the rest.
27 @syncodeindex ky fn
28 @syncodeindex tp fn
29
30 @c readline appendices use @vindex, @findex and @ftable,
31 @c annotate.texi and gdbmi use @findex.
32 @syncodeindex vr fn
33
34 @c !!set GDB manual's edition---not the same as GDB version!
35 @c This is updated by GNU Press.
36 @set EDITION Tenth
37
38 @c !!set GDB edit command default editor
39 @set EDITOR /bin/ex
40
41 @c THIS MANUAL REQUIRES TEXINFO 4.0 OR LATER.
42
43 @c This is a dir.info fragment to support semi-automated addition of
44 @c manuals to an info tree.
45 @dircategory Software development
46 @direntry
47 * Gdb: (gdb). The GNU debugger.
48 @end direntry
49
50 @copying
51 @c man begin COPYRIGHT
52 Copyright @copyright{} 1988-2013 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
53
54 Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
55 under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.3 or
56 any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with the
57 Invariant Sections being ``Free Software'' and ``Free Software Needs
58 Free Documentation'', with the Front-Cover Texts being ``A GNU Manual,''
59 and with the Back-Cover Texts as in (a) below.
60
61 (a) The FSF's Back-Cover Text is: ``You are free to copy and modify
62 this GNU Manual. Buying copies from GNU Press supports the FSF in
63 developing GNU and promoting software freedom.''
64 @c man end
65 @end copying
66
67 @ifnottex
68 This file documents the @sc{gnu} debugger @value{GDBN}.
69
70 This is the @value{EDITION} Edition, of @cite{Debugging with
71 @value{GDBN}: the @sc{gnu} Source-Level Debugger} for @value{GDBN}
72 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
73 @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
74 @end ifset
75 Version @value{GDBVN}.
76
77 @insertcopying
78 @end ifnottex
79
80 @titlepage
81 @title Debugging with @value{GDBN}
82 @subtitle The @sc{gnu} Source-Level Debugger
83 @sp 1
84 @subtitle @value{EDITION} Edition, for @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN}
85 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
86 @sp 1
87 @subtitle @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
88 @end ifset
89 @author Richard Stallman, Roland Pesch, Stan Shebs, et al.
90 @page
91 @tex
92 {\parskip=0pt
93 \hfill (Send bugs and comments on @value{GDBN} to @value{BUGURL}.)\par
94 \hfill {\it Debugging with @value{GDBN}}\par
95 \hfill \TeX{}info \texinfoversion\par
96 }
97 @end tex
98
99 @vskip 0pt plus 1filll
100 Published by the Free Software Foundation @*
101 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor,
102 Boston, MA 02110-1301, USA@*
103 ISBN 978-0-9831592-3-0 @*
104
105 @insertcopying
106 @end titlepage
107 @page
108
109 @ifnottex
110 @node Top, Summary, (dir), (dir)
111
112 @top Debugging with @value{GDBN}
113
114 This file describes @value{GDBN}, the @sc{gnu} symbolic debugger.
115
116 This is the @value{EDITION} Edition, for @value{GDBN}
117 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
118 @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
119 @end ifset
120 Version @value{GDBVN}.
121
122 Copyright (C) 1988-2013 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
123
124 This edition of the GDB manual is dedicated to the memory of Fred
125 Fish. Fred was a long-standing contributor to GDB and to Free
126 software in general. We will miss him.
127
128 @menu
129 * Summary:: Summary of @value{GDBN}
130 * Sample Session:: A sample @value{GDBN} session
131
132 * Invocation:: Getting in and out of @value{GDBN}
133 * Commands:: @value{GDBN} commands
134 * Running:: Running programs under @value{GDBN}
135 * Stopping:: Stopping and continuing
136 * Reverse Execution:: Running programs backward
137 * Process Record and Replay:: Recording inferior's execution and replaying it
138 * Stack:: Examining the stack
139 * Source:: Examining source files
140 * Data:: Examining data
141 * Optimized Code:: Debugging optimized code
142 * Macros:: Preprocessor Macros
143 * Tracepoints:: Debugging remote targets non-intrusively
144 * Overlays:: Debugging programs that use overlays
145
146 * Languages:: Using @value{GDBN} with different languages
147
148 * Symbols:: Examining the symbol table
149 * Altering:: Altering execution
150 * GDB Files:: @value{GDBN} files
151 * Targets:: Specifying a debugging target
152 * Remote Debugging:: Debugging remote programs
153 * Configurations:: Configuration-specific information
154 * Controlling GDB:: Controlling @value{GDBN}
155 * Extending GDB:: Extending @value{GDBN}
156 * Interpreters:: Command Interpreters
157 * TUI:: @value{GDBN} Text User Interface
158 * Emacs:: Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
159 * GDB/MI:: @value{GDBN}'s Machine Interface.
160 * Annotations:: @value{GDBN}'s annotation interface.
161 * JIT Interface:: Using the JIT debugging interface.
162 * In-Process Agent:: In-Process Agent
163
164 * GDB Bugs:: Reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
165
166 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
167 * Command Line Editing: (rluserman). Command Line Editing
168 * Using History Interactively: (history). Using History Interactively
169 @end ifset
170 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
171 * Command Line Editing:: Command Line Editing
172 * Using History Interactively:: Using History Interactively
173 @end ifclear
174 * In Memoriam:: In Memoriam
175 * Formatting Documentation:: How to format and print @value{GDBN} documentation
176 * Installing GDB:: Installing GDB
177 * Maintenance Commands:: Maintenance Commands
178 * Remote Protocol:: GDB Remote Serial Protocol
179 * Agent Expressions:: The GDB Agent Expression Mechanism
180 * Target Descriptions:: How targets can describe themselves to
181 @value{GDBN}
182 * Operating System Information:: Getting additional information from
183 the operating system
184 * Trace File Format:: GDB trace file format
185 * Index Section Format:: .gdb_index section format
186 * Man Pages:: Manual pages
187 * Copying:: GNU General Public License says
188 how you can copy and share GDB
189 * GNU Free Documentation License:: The license for this documentation
190 * Concept Index:: Index of @value{GDBN} concepts
191 * Command and Variable Index:: Index of @value{GDBN} commands, variables,
192 functions, and Python data types
193 @end menu
194
195 @end ifnottex
196
197 @contents
198
199 @node Summary
200 @unnumbered Summary of @value{GDBN}
201
202 The purpose of a debugger such as @value{GDBN} is to allow you to see what is
203 going on ``inside'' another program while it executes---or what another
204 program was doing at the moment it crashed.
205
206 @value{GDBN} can do four main kinds of things (plus other things in support of
207 these) to help you catch bugs in the act:
208
209 @itemize @bullet
210 @item
211 Start your program, specifying anything that might affect its behavior.
212
213 @item
214 Make your program stop on specified conditions.
215
216 @item
217 Examine what has happened, when your program has stopped.
218
219 @item
220 Change things in your program, so you can experiment with correcting the
221 effects of one bug and go on to learn about another.
222 @end itemize
223
224 You can use @value{GDBN} to debug programs written in C and C@t{++}.
225 For more information, see @ref{Supported Languages,,Supported Languages}.
226 For more information, see @ref{C,,C and C++}.
227
228 Support for D is partial. For information on D, see
229 @ref{D,,D}.
230
231 @cindex Modula-2
232 Support for Modula-2 is partial. For information on Modula-2, see
233 @ref{Modula-2,,Modula-2}.
234
235 Support for OpenCL C is partial. For information on OpenCL C, see
236 @ref{OpenCL C,,OpenCL C}.
237
238 @cindex Pascal
239 Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or
240 nested functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
241 entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal
242 syntax.
243
244 @cindex Fortran
245 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, although
246 it may be necessary to refer to some variables with a trailing
247 underscore.
248
249 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Objective-C,
250 using either the Apple/NeXT or the GNU Objective-C runtime.
251
252 @menu
253 * Free Software:: Freely redistributable software
254 * Free Documentation:: Free Software Needs Free Documentation
255 * Contributors:: Contributors to GDB
256 @end menu
257
258 @node Free Software
259 @unnumberedsec Free Software
260
261 @value{GDBN} is @dfn{free software}, protected by the @sc{gnu}
262 General Public License
263 (GPL). The GPL gives you the freedom to copy or adapt a licensed
264 program---but every person getting a copy also gets with it the
265 freedom to modify that copy (which means that they must get access to
266 the source code), and the freedom to distribute further copies.
267 Typical software companies use copyrights to limit your freedoms; the
268 Free Software Foundation uses the GPL to preserve these freedoms.
269
270 Fundamentally, the General Public License is a license which says that
271 you have these freedoms and that you cannot take these freedoms away
272 from anyone else.
273
274 @node Free Documentation
275 @unnumberedsec Free Software Needs Free Documentation
276
277 The biggest deficiency in the free software community today is not in
278 the software---it is the lack of good free documentation that we can
279 include with the free software. Many of our most important
280 programs do not come with free reference manuals and free introductory
281 texts. Documentation is an essential part of any software package;
282 when an important free software package does not come with a free
283 manual and a free tutorial, that is a major gap. We have many such
284 gaps today.
285
286 Consider Perl, for instance. The tutorial manuals that people
287 normally use are non-free. How did this come about? Because the
288 authors of those manuals published them with restrictive terms---no
289 copying, no modification, source files not available---which exclude
290 them from the free software world.
291
292 That wasn't the first time this sort of thing happened, and it was far
293 from the last. Many times we have heard a GNU user eagerly describe a
294 manual that he is writing, his intended contribution to the community,
295 only to learn that he had ruined everything by signing a publication
296 contract to make it non-free.
297
298 Free documentation, like free software, is a matter of freedom, not
299 price. The problem with the non-free manual is not that publishers
300 charge a price for printed copies---that in itself is fine. (The Free
301 Software Foundation sells printed copies of manuals, too.) The
302 problem is the restrictions on the use of the manual. Free manuals
303 are available in source code form, and give you permission to copy and
304 modify. Non-free manuals do not allow this.
305
306 The criteria of freedom for a free manual are roughly the same as for
307 free software. Redistribution (including the normal kinds of
308 commercial redistribution) must be permitted, so that the manual can
309 accompany every copy of the program, both on-line and on paper.
310
311 Permission for modification of the technical content is crucial too.
312 When people modify the software, adding or changing features, if they
313 are conscientious they will change the manual too---so they can
314 provide accurate and clear documentation for the modified program. A
315 manual that leaves you no choice but to write a new manual to document
316 a changed version of the program is not really available to our
317 community.
318
319 Some kinds of limits on the way modification is handled are
320 acceptable. For example, requirements to preserve the original
321 author's copyright notice, the distribution terms, or the list of
322 authors, are ok. It is also no problem to require modified versions
323 to include notice that they were modified. Even entire sections that
324 may not be deleted or changed are acceptable, as long as they deal
325 with nontechnical topics (like this one). These kinds of restrictions
326 are acceptable because they don't obstruct the community's normal use
327 of the manual.
328
329 However, it must be possible to modify all the @emph{technical}
330 content of the manual, and then distribute the result in all the usual
331 media, through all the usual channels. Otherwise, the restrictions
332 obstruct the use of the manual, it is not free, and we need another
333 manual to replace it.
334
335 Please spread the word about this issue. Our community continues to
336 lose manuals to proprietary publishing. If we spread the word that
337 free software needs free reference manuals and free tutorials, perhaps
338 the next person who wants to contribute by writing documentation will
339 realize, before it is too late, that only free manuals contribute to
340 the free software community.
341
342 If you are writing documentation, please insist on publishing it under
343 the GNU Free Documentation License or another free documentation
344 license. Remember that this decision requires your approval---you
345 don't have to let the publisher decide. Some commercial publishers
346 will use a free license if you insist, but they will not propose the
347 option; it is up to you to raise the issue and say firmly that this is
348 what you want. If the publisher you are dealing with refuses, please
349 try other publishers. If you're not sure whether a proposed license
350 is free, write to @email{licensing@@gnu.org}.
351
352 You can encourage commercial publishers to sell more free, copylefted
353 manuals and tutorials by buying them, and particularly by buying
354 copies from the publishers that paid for their writing or for major
355 improvements. Meanwhile, try to avoid buying non-free documentation
356 at all. Check the distribution terms of a manual before you buy it,
357 and insist that whoever seeks your business must respect your freedom.
358 Check the history of the book, and try to reward the publishers that
359 have paid or pay the authors to work on it.
360
361 The Free Software Foundation maintains a list of free documentation
362 published by other publishers, at
363 @url{http://www.fsf.org/doc/other-free-books.html}.
364
365 @node Contributors
366 @unnumberedsec Contributors to @value{GDBN}
367
368 Richard Stallman was the original author of @value{GDBN}, and of many
369 other @sc{gnu} programs. Many others have contributed to its
370 development. This section attempts to credit major contributors. One
371 of the virtues of free software is that everyone is free to contribute
372 to it; with regret, we cannot actually acknowledge everyone here. The
373 file @file{ChangeLog} in the @value{GDBN} distribution approximates a
374 blow-by-blow account.
375
376 Changes much prior to version 2.0 are lost in the mists of time.
377
378 @quotation
379 @emph{Plea:} Additions to this section are particularly welcome. If you
380 or your friends (or enemies, to be evenhanded) have been unfairly
381 omitted from this list, we would like to add your names!
382 @end quotation
383
384 So that they may not regard their many labors as thankless, we
385 particularly thank those who shepherded @value{GDBN} through major
386 releases:
387 Andrew Cagney (releases 6.3, 6.2, 6.1, 6.0, 5.3, 5.2, 5.1 and 5.0);
388 Jim Blandy (release 4.18);
389 Jason Molenda (release 4.17);
390 Stan Shebs (release 4.14);
391 Fred Fish (releases 4.16, 4.15, 4.13, 4.12, 4.11, 4.10, and 4.9);
392 Stu Grossman and John Gilmore (releases 4.8, 4.7, 4.6, 4.5, and 4.4);
393 John Gilmore (releases 4.3, 4.2, 4.1, 4.0, and 3.9);
394 Jim Kingdon (releases 3.5, 3.4, and 3.3);
395 and Randy Smith (releases 3.2, 3.1, and 3.0).
396
397 Richard Stallman, assisted at various times by Peter TerMaat, Chris
398 Hanson, and Richard Mlynarik, handled releases through 2.8.
399
400 Michael Tiemann is the author of most of the @sc{gnu} C@t{++} support
401 in @value{GDBN}, with significant additional contributions from Per
402 Bothner and Daniel Berlin. James Clark wrote the @sc{gnu} C@t{++}
403 demangler. Early work on C@t{++} was by Peter TerMaat (who also did
404 much general update work leading to release 3.0).
405
406 @value{GDBN} uses the BFD subroutine library to examine multiple
407 object-file formats; BFD was a joint project of David V.
408 Henkel-Wallace, Rich Pixley, Steve Chamberlain, and John Gilmore.
409
410 David Johnson wrote the original COFF support; Pace Willison did
411 the original support for encapsulated COFF.
412
413 Brent Benson of Harris Computer Systems contributed DWARF 2 support.
414
415 Adam de Boor and Bradley Davis contributed the ISI Optimum V support.
416 Per Bothner, Noboyuki Hikichi, and Alessandro Forin contributed MIPS
417 support.
418 Jean-Daniel Fekete contributed Sun 386i support.
419 Chris Hanson improved the HP9000 support.
420 Noboyuki Hikichi and Tomoyuki Hasei contributed Sony/News OS 3 support.
421 David Johnson contributed Encore Umax support.
422 Jyrki Kuoppala contributed Altos 3068 support.
423 Jeff Law contributed HP PA and SOM support.
424 Keith Packard contributed NS32K support.
425 Doug Rabson contributed Acorn Risc Machine support.
426 Bob Rusk contributed Harris Nighthawk CX-UX support.
427 Chris Smith contributed Convex support (and Fortran debugging).
428 Jonathan Stone contributed Pyramid support.
429 Michael Tiemann contributed SPARC support.
430 Tim Tucker contributed support for the Gould NP1 and Gould Powernode.
431 Pace Willison contributed Intel 386 support.
432 Jay Vosburgh contributed Symmetry support.
433 Marko Mlinar contributed OpenRISC 1000 support.
434
435 Andreas Schwab contributed M68K @sc{gnu}/Linux support.
436
437 Rich Schaefer and Peter Schauer helped with support of SunOS shared
438 libraries.
439
440 Jay Fenlason and Roland McGrath ensured that @value{GDBN} and GAS agree
441 about several machine instruction sets.
442
443 Patrick Duval, Ted Goldstein, Vikram Koka and Glenn Engel helped develop
444 remote debugging. Intel Corporation, Wind River Systems, AMD, and ARM
445 contributed remote debugging modules for the i960, VxWorks, A29K UDI,
446 and RDI targets, respectively.
447
448 Brian Fox is the author of the readline libraries providing
449 command-line editing and command history.
450
451 Andrew Beers of SUNY Buffalo wrote the language-switching code, the
452 Modula-2 support, and contributed the Languages chapter of this manual.
453
454 Fred Fish wrote most of the support for Unix System Vr4.
455 He also enhanced the command-completion support to cover C@t{++} overloaded
456 symbols.
457
458 Hitachi America (now Renesas America), Ltd. sponsored the support for
459 H8/300, H8/500, and Super-H processors.
460
461 NEC sponsored the support for the v850, Vr4xxx, and Vr5xxx processors.
462
463 Mitsubishi (now Renesas) sponsored the support for D10V, D30V, and M32R/D
464 processors.
465
466 Toshiba sponsored the support for the TX39 Mips processor.
467
468 Matsushita sponsored the support for the MN10200 and MN10300 processors.
469
470 Fujitsu sponsored the support for SPARClite and FR30 processors.
471
472 Kung Hsu, Jeff Law, and Rick Sladkey added support for hardware
473 watchpoints.
474
475 Michael Snyder added support for tracepoints.
476
477 Stu Grossman wrote gdbserver.
478
479 Jim Kingdon, Peter Schauer, Ian Taylor, and Stu Grossman made
480 nearly innumerable bug fixes and cleanups throughout @value{GDBN}.
481
482 The following people at the Hewlett-Packard Company contributed
483 support for the PA-RISC 2.0 architecture, HP-UX 10.20, 10.30, and 11.0
484 (narrow mode), HP's implementation of kernel threads, HP's aC@t{++}
485 compiler, and the Text User Interface (nee Terminal User Interface):
486 Ben Krepp, Richard Title, John Bishop, Susan Macchia, Kathy Mann,
487 Satish Pai, India Paul, Steve Rehrauer, and Elena Zannoni. Kim Haase
488 provided HP-specific information in this manual.
489
490 DJ Delorie ported @value{GDBN} to MS-DOS, for the DJGPP project.
491 Robert Hoehne made significant contributions to the DJGPP port.
492
493 Cygnus Solutions has sponsored @value{GDBN} maintenance and much of its
494 development since 1991. Cygnus engineers who have worked on @value{GDBN}
495 fulltime include Mark Alexander, Jim Blandy, Per Bothner, Kevin
496 Buettner, Edith Epstein, Chris Faylor, Fred Fish, Martin Hunt, Jim
497 Ingham, John Gilmore, Stu Grossman, Kung Hsu, Jim Kingdon, John Metzler,
498 Fernando Nasser, Geoffrey Noer, Dawn Perchik, Rich Pixley, Zdenek
499 Radouch, Keith Seitz, Stan Shebs, David Taylor, and Elena Zannoni. In
500 addition, Dave Brolley, Ian Carmichael, Steve Chamberlain, Nick Clifton,
501 JT Conklin, Stan Cox, DJ Delorie, Ulrich Drepper, Frank Eigler, Doug
502 Evans, Sean Fagan, David Henkel-Wallace, Richard Henderson, Jeff
503 Holcomb, Jeff Law, Jim Lemke, Tom Lord, Bob Manson, Michael Meissner,
504 Jason Merrill, Catherine Moore, Drew Moseley, Ken Raeburn, Gavin
505 Romig-Koch, Rob Savoye, Jamie Smith, Mike Stump, Ian Taylor, Angela
506 Thomas, Michael Tiemann, Tom Tromey, Ron Unrau, Jim Wilson, and David
507 Zuhn have made contributions both large and small.
508
509 Andrew Cagney, Fernando Nasser, and Elena Zannoni, while working for
510 Cygnus Solutions, implemented the original @sc{gdb/mi} interface.
511
512 Jim Blandy added support for preprocessor macros, while working for Red
513 Hat.
514
515 Andrew Cagney designed @value{GDBN}'s architecture vector. Many
516 people including Andrew Cagney, Stephane Carrez, Randolph Chung, Nick
517 Duffek, Richard Henderson, Mark Kettenis, Grace Sainsbury, Kei
518 Sakamoto, Yoshinori Sato, Michael Snyder, Andreas Schwab, Jason
519 Thorpe, Corinna Vinschen, Ulrich Weigand, and Elena Zannoni, helped
520 with the migration of old architectures to this new framework.
521
522 Andrew Cagney completely re-designed and re-implemented @value{GDBN}'s
523 unwinder framework, this consisting of a fresh new design featuring
524 frame IDs, independent frame sniffers, and the sentinel frame. Mark
525 Kettenis implemented the @sc{dwarf 2} unwinder, Jeff Johnston the
526 libunwind unwinder, and Andrew Cagney the dummy, sentinel, tramp, and
527 trad unwinders. The architecture-specific changes, each involving a
528 complete rewrite of the architecture's frame code, were carried out by
529 Jim Blandy, Joel Brobecker, Kevin Buettner, Andrew Cagney, Stephane
530 Carrez, Randolph Chung, Orjan Friberg, Richard Henderson, Daniel
531 Jacobowitz, Jeff Johnston, Mark Kettenis, Theodore A. Roth, Kei
532 Sakamoto, Yoshinori Sato, Michael Snyder, Corinna Vinschen, and Ulrich
533 Weigand.
534
535 Christian Zankel, Ross Morley, Bob Wilson, and Maxim Grigoriev from
536 Tensilica, Inc.@: contributed support for Xtensa processors. Others
537 who have worked on the Xtensa port of @value{GDBN} in the past include
538 Steve Tjiang, John Newlin, and Scott Foehner.
539
540 Michael Eager and staff of Xilinx, Inc., contributed support for the
541 Xilinx MicroBlaze architecture.
542
543 @node Sample Session
544 @chapter A Sample @value{GDBN} Session
545
546 You can use this manual at your leisure to read all about @value{GDBN}.
547 However, a handful of commands are enough to get started using the
548 debugger. This chapter illustrates those commands.
549
550 @iftex
551 In this sample session, we emphasize user input like this: @b{input},
552 to make it easier to pick out from the surrounding output.
553 @end iftex
554
555 @c FIXME: this example may not be appropriate for some configs, where
556 @c FIXME...primary interest is in remote use.
557
558 One of the preliminary versions of @sc{gnu} @code{m4} (a generic macro
559 processor) exhibits the following bug: sometimes, when we change its
560 quote strings from the default, the commands used to capture one macro
561 definition within another stop working. In the following short @code{m4}
562 session, we define a macro @code{foo} which expands to @code{0000}; we
563 then use the @code{m4} built-in @code{defn} to define @code{bar} as the
564 same thing. However, when we change the open quote string to
565 @code{<QUOTE>} and the close quote string to @code{<UNQUOTE>}, the same
566 procedure fails to define a new synonym @code{baz}:
567
568 @smallexample
569 $ @b{cd gnu/m4}
570 $ @b{./m4}
571 @b{define(foo,0000)}
572
573 @b{foo}
574 0000
575 @b{define(bar,defn(`foo'))}
576
577 @b{bar}
578 0000
579 @b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
580
581 @b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
582 @b{baz}
583 @b{Ctrl-d}
584 m4: End of input: 0: fatal error: EOF in string
585 @end smallexample
586
587 @noindent
588 Let us use @value{GDBN} to try to see what is going on.
589
590 @smallexample
591 $ @b{@value{GDBP} m4}
592 @c FIXME: this falsifies the exact text played out, to permit smallbook
593 @c FIXME... format to come out better.
594 @value{GDBN} is free software and you are welcome to distribute copies
595 of it under certain conditions; type "show copying" to see
596 the conditions.
597 There is absolutely no warranty for @value{GDBN}; type "show warranty"
598 for details.
599
600 @value{GDBN} @value{GDBVN}, Copyright 1999 Free Software Foundation, Inc...
601 (@value{GDBP})
602 @end smallexample
603
604 @noindent
605 @value{GDBN} reads only enough symbol data to know where to find the
606 rest when needed; as a result, the first prompt comes up very quickly.
607 We now tell @value{GDBN} to use a narrower display width than usual, so
608 that examples fit in this manual.
609
610 @smallexample
611 (@value{GDBP}) @b{set width 70}
612 @end smallexample
613
614 @noindent
615 We need to see how the @code{m4} built-in @code{changequote} works.
616 Having looked at the source, we know the relevant subroutine is
617 @code{m4_changequote}, so we set a breakpoint there with the @value{GDBN}
618 @code{break} command.
619
620 @smallexample
621 (@value{GDBP}) @b{break m4_changequote}
622 Breakpoint 1 at 0x62f4: file builtin.c, line 879.
623 @end smallexample
624
625 @noindent
626 Using the @code{run} command, we start @code{m4} running under @value{GDBN}
627 control; as long as control does not reach the @code{m4_changequote}
628 subroutine, the program runs as usual:
629
630 @smallexample
631 (@value{GDBP}) @b{run}
632 Starting program: /work/Editorial/gdb/gnu/m4/m4
633 @b{define(foo,0000)}
634
635 @b{foo}
636 0000
637 @end smallexample
638
639 @noindent
640 To trigger the breakpoint, we call @code{changequote}. @value{GDBN}
641 suspends execution of @code{m4}, displaying information about the
642 context where it stops.
643
644 @smallexample
645 @b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
646
647 Breakpoint 1, m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
648 at builtin.c:879
649 879 if (bad_argc(TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[0]),argc,1,3))
650 @end smallexample
651
652 @noindent
653 Now we use the command @code{n} (@code{next}) to advance execution to
654 the next line of the current function.
655
656 @smallexample
657 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
658 882 set_quotes((argc >= 2) ? TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[1])\
659 : nil,
660 @end smallexample
661
662 @noindent
663 @code{set_quotes} looks like a promising subroutine. We can go into it
664 by using the command @code{s} (@code{step}) instead of @code{next}.
665 @code{step} goes to the next line to be executed in @emph{any}
666 subroutine, so it steps into @code{set_quotes}.
667
668 @smallexample
669 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
670 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
671 at input.c:530
672 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
673 @end smallexample
674
675 @noindent
676 The display that shows the subroutine where @code{m4} is now
677 suspended (and its arguments) is called a stack frame display. It
678 shows a summary of the stack. We can use the @code{backtrace}
679 command (which can also be spelled @code{bt}), to see where we are
680 in the stack as a whole: the @code{backtrace} command displays a
681 stack frame for each active subroutine.
682
683 @smallexample
684 (@value{GDBP}) @b{bt}
685 #0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
686 at input.c:530
687 #1 0x6344 in m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
688 at builtin.c:882
689 #2 0x8174 in expand_macro (sym=0x33320) at macro.c:242
690 #3 0x7a88 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=209696, td=0xf7fffa30)
691 at macro.c:71
692 #4 0x79dc in expand_input () at macro.c:40
693 #5 0x2930 in main (argc=0, argv=0xf7fffb20) at m4.c:195
694 @end smallexample
695
696 @noindent
697 We step through a few more lines to see what happens. The first two
698 times, we can use @samp{s}; the next two times we use @code{n} to avoid
699 falling into the @code{xstrdup} subroutine.
700
701 @smallexample
702 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
703 0x3b5c 532 if (rquote != def_rquote)
704 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
705 0x3b80 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? \
706 def_lquote : xstrdup(lq);
707 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
708 536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
709 : xstrdup(rq);
710 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
711 538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
712 @end smallexample
713
714 @noindent
715 The last line displayed looks a little odd; we can examine the variables
716 @code{lquote} and @code{rquote} to see if they are in fact the new left
717 and right quotes we specified. We use the command @code{p}
718 (@code{print}) to see their values.
719
720 @smallexample
721 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p lquote}
722 $1 = 0x35d40 "<QUOTE>"
723 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p rquote}
724 $2 = 0x35d50 "<UNQUOTE>"
725 @end smallexample
726
727 @noindent
728 @code{lquote} and @code{rquote} are indeed the new left and right quotes.
729 To look at some context, we can display ten lines of source
730 surrounding the current line with the @code{l} (@code{list}) command.
731
732 @smallexample
733 (@value{GDBP}) @b{l}
734 533 xfree(rquote);
735 534
736 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? def_lquote\
737 : xstrdup (lq);
738 536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
739 : xstrdup (rq);
740 537
741 538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
742 539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
743 540 @}
744 541
745 542 void
746 @end smallexample
747
748 @noindent
749 Let us step past the two lines that set @code{len_lquote} and
750 @code{len_rquote}, and then examine the values of those variables.
751
752 @smallexample
753 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
754 539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
755 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
756 540 @}
757 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote}
758 $3 = 9
759 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote}
760 $4 = 7
761 @end smallexample
762
763 @noindent
764 That certainly looks wrong, assuming @code{len_lquote} and
765 @code{len_rquote} are meant to be the lengths of @code{lquote} and
766 @code{rquote} respectively. We can set them to better values using
767 the @code{p} command, since it can print the value of
768 any expression---and that expression can include subroutine calls and
769 assignments.
770
771 @smallexample
772 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote=strlen(lquote)}
773 $5 = 7
774 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote=strlen(rquote)}
775 $6 = 9
776 @end smallexample
777
778 @noindent
779 Is that enough to fix the problem of using the new quotes with the
780 @code{m4} built-in @code{defn}? We can allow @code{m4} to continue
781 executing with the @code{c} (@code{continue}) command, and then try the
782 example that caused trouble initially:
783
784 @smallexample
785 (@value{GDBP}) @b{c}
786 Continuing.
787
788 @b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
789
790 baz
791 0000
792 @end smallexample
793
794 @noindent
795 Success! The new quotes now work just as well as the default ones. The
796 problem seems to have been just the two typos defining the wrong
797 lengths. We allow @code{m4} exit by giving it an EOF as input:
798
799 @smallexample
800 @b{Ctrl-d}
801 Program exited normally.
802 @end smallexample
803
804 @noindent
805 The message @samp{Program exited normally.} is from @value{GDBN}; it
806 indicates @code{m4} has finished executing. We can end our @value{GDBN}
807 session with the @value{GDBN} @code{quit} command.
808
809 @smallexample
810 (@value{GDBP}) @b{quit}
811 @end smallexample
812
813 @node Invocation
814 @chapter Getting In and Out of @value{GDBN}
815
816 This chapter discusses how to start @value{GDBN}, and how to get out of it.
817 The essentials are:
818 @itemize @bullet
819 @item
820 type @samp{@value{GDBP}} to start @value{GDBN}.
821 @item
822 type @kbd{quit} or @kbd{Ctrl-d} to exit.
823 @end itemize
824
825 @menu
826 * Invoking GDB:: How to start @value{GDBN}
827 * Quitting GDB:: How to quit @value{GDBN}
828 * Shell Commands:: How to use shell commands inside @value{GDBN}
829 * Logging Output:: How to log @value{GDBN}'s output to a file
830 @end menu
831
832 @node Invoking GDB
833 @section Invoking @value{GDBN}
834
835 Invoke @value{GDBN} by running the program @code{@value{GDBP}}. Once started,
836 @value{GDBN} reads commands from the terminal until you tell it to exit.
837
838 You can also run @code{@value{GDBP}} with a variety of arguments and options,
839 to specify more of your debugging environment at the outset.
840
841 The command-line options described here are designed
842 to cover a variety of situations; in some environments, some of these
843 options may effectively be unavailable.
844
845 The most usual way to start @value{GDBN} is with one argument,
846 specifying an executable program:
847
848 @smallexample
849 @value{GDBP} @var{program}
850 @end smallexample
851
852 @noindent
853 You can also start with both an executable program and a core file
854 specified:
855
856 @smallexample
857 @value{GDBP} @var{program} @var{core}
858 @end smallexample
859
860 You can, instead, specify a process ID as a second argument, if you want
861 to debug a running process:
862
863 @smallexample
864 @value{GDBP} @var{program} 1234
865 @end smallexample
866
867 @noindent
868 would attach @value{GDBN} to process @code{1234} (unless you also have a file
869 named @file{1234}; @value{GDBN} does check for a core file first).
870
871 Taking advantage of the second command-line argument requires a fairly
872 complete operating system; when you use @value{GDBN} as a remote
873 debugger attached to a bare board, there may not be any notion of
874 ``process'', and there is often no way to get a core dump. @value{GDBN}
875 will warn you if it is unable to attach or to read core dumps.
876
877 You can optionally have @code{@value{GDBP}} pass any arguments after the
878 executable file to the inferior using @code{--args}. This option stops
879 option processing.
880 @smallexample
881 @value{GDBP} --args gcc -O2 -c foo.c
882 @end smallexample
883 This will cause @code{@value{GDBP}} to debug @code{gcc}, and to set
884 @code{gcc}'s command-line arguments (@pxref{Arguments}) to @samp{-O2 -c foo.c}.
885
886 You can run @code{@value{GDBP}} without printing the front material, which describes
887 @value{GDBN}'s non-warranty, by specifying @code{-silent}:
888
889 @smallexample
890 @value{GDBP} -silent
891 @end smallexample
892
893 @noindent
894 You can further control how @value{GDBN} starts up by using command-line
895 options. @value{GDBN} itself can remind you of the options available.
896
897 @noindent
898 Type
899
900 @smallexample
901 @value{GDBP} -help
902 @end smallexample
903
904 @noindent
905 to display all available options and briefly describe their use
906 (@samp{@value{GDBP} -h} is a shorter equivalent).
907
908 All options and command line arguments you give are processed
909 in sequential order. The order makes a difference when the
910 @samp{-x} option is used.
911
912
913 @menu
914 * File Options:: Choosing files
915 * Mode Options:: Choosing modes
916 * Startup:: What @value{GDBN} does during startup
917 @end menu
918
919 @node File Options
920 @subsection Choosing Files
921
922 When @value{GDBN} starts, it reads any arguments other than options as
923 specifying an executable file and core file (or process ID). This is
924 the same as if the arguments were specified by the @samp{-se} and
925 @samp{-c} (or @samp{-p}) options respectively. (@value{GDBN} reads the
926 first argument that does not have an associated option flag as
927 equivalent to the @samp{-se} option followed by that argument; and the
928 second argument that does not have an associated option flag, if any, as
929 equivalent to the @samp{-c}/@samp{-p} option followed by that argument.)
930 If the second argument begins with a decimal digit, @value{GDBN} will
931 first attempt to attach to it as a process, and if that fails, attempt
932 to open it as a corefile. If you have a corefile whose name begins with
933 a digit, you can prevent @value{GDBN} from treating it as a pid by
934 prefixing it with @file{./}, e.g.@: @file{./12345}.
935
936 If @value{GDBN} has not been configured to included core file support,
937 such as for most embedded targets, then it will complain about a second
938 argument and ignore it.
939
940 Many options have both long and short forms; both are shown in the
941 following list. @value{GDBN} also recognizes the long forms if you truncate
942 them, so long as enough of the option is present to be unambiguous.
943 (If you prefer, you can flag option arguments with @samp{--} rather
944 than @samp{-}, though we illustrate the more usual convention.)
945
946 @c NOTE: the @cindex entries here use double dashes ON PURPOSE. This
947 @c way, both those who look for -foo and --foo in the index, will find
948 @c it.
949
950 @table @code
951 @item -symbols @var{file}
952 @itemx -s @var{file}
953 @cindex @code{--symbols}
954 @cindex @code{-s}
955 Read symbol table from file @var{file}.
956
957 @item -exec @var{file}
958 @itemx -e @var{file}
959 @cindex @code{--exec}
960 @cindex @code{-e}
961 Use file @var{file} as the executable file to execute when appropriate,
962 and for examining pure data in conjunction with a core dump.
963
964 @item -se @var{file}
965 @cindex @code{--se}
966 Read symbol table from file @var{file} and use it as the executable
967 file.
968
969 @item -core @var{file}
970 @itemx -c @var{file}
971 @cindex @code{--core}
972 @cindex @code{-c}
973 Use file @var{file} as a core dump to examine.
974
975 @item -pid @var{number}
976 @itemx -p @var{number}
977 @cindex @code{--pid}
978 @cindex @code{-p}
979 Connect to process ID @var{number}, as with the @code{attach} command.
980
981 @item -command @var{file}
982 @itemx -x @var{file}
983 @cindex @code{--command}
984 @cindex @code{-x}
985 Execute commands from file @var{file}. The contents of this file is
986 evaluated exactly as the @code{source} command would.
987 @xref{Command Files,, Command files}.
988
989 @item -eval-command @var{command}
990 @itemx -ex @var{command}
991 @cindex @code{--eval-command}
992 @cindex @code{-ex}
993 Execute a single @value{GDBN} command.
994
995 This option may be used multiple times to call multiple commands. It may
996 also be interleaved with @samp{-command} as required.
997
998 @smallexample
999 @value{GDBP} -ex 'target sim' -ex 'load' \
1000 -x setbreakpoints -ex 'run' a.out
1001 @end smallexample
1002
1003 @item -init-command @var{file}
1004 @itemx -ix @var{file}
1005 @cindex @code{--init-command}
1006 @cindex @code{-ix}
1007 Execute commands from file @var{file} before loading the inferior (but
1008 after loading gdbinit files).
1009 @xref{Startup}.
1010
1011 @item -init-eval-command @var{command}
1012 @itemx -iex @var{command}
1013 @cindex @code{--init-eval-command}
1014 @cindex @code{-iex}
1015 Execute a single @value{GDBN} command before loading the inferior (but
1016 after loading gdbinit files).
1017 @xref{Startup}.
1018
1019 @item -directory @var{directory}
1020 @itemx -d @var{directory}
1021 @cindex @code{--directory}
1022 @cindex @code{-d}
1023 Add @var{directory} to the path to search for source and script files.
1024
1025 @item -r
1026 @itemx -readnow
1027 @cindex @code{--readnow}
1028 @cindex @code{-r}
1029 Read each symbol file's entire symbol table immediately, rather than
1030 the default, which is to read it incrementally as it is needed.
1031 This makes startup slower, but makes future operations faster.
1032
1033 @end table
1034
1035 @node Mode Options
1036 @subsection Choosing Modes
1037
1038 You can run @value{GDBN} in various alternative modes---for example, in
1039 batch mode or quiet mode.
1040
1041 @table @code
1042 @anchor{-nx}
1043 @item -nx
1044 @itemx -n
1045 @cindex @code{--nx}
1046 @cindex @code{-n}
1047 Do not execute commands found in any initialization file.
1048 There are three init files, loaded in the following order:
1049
1050 @table @code
1051 @item @file{system.gdbinit}
1052 This is the system-wide init file.
1053 Its location is specified with the @code{--with-system-gdbinit}
1054 configure option (@pxref{System-wide configuration}).
1055 It is loaded first when @value{GDBN} starts, before command line options
1056 have been processed.
1057 @item @file{~/.gdbinit}
1058 This is the init file in your home directory.
1059 It is loaded next, after @file{system.gdbinit}, and before
1060 command options have been processed.
1061 @item @file{./.gdbinit}
1062 This is the init file in the current directory.
1063 It is loaded last, after command line options other than @code{-x} and
1064 @code{-ex} have been processed. Command line options @code{-x} and
1065 @code{-ex} are processed last, after @file{./.gdbinit} has been loaded.
1066 @end table
1067
1068 For further documentation on startup processing, @xref{Startup}.
1069 For documentation on how to write command files,
1070 @xref{Command Files,,Command Files}.
1071
1072 @anchor{-nh}
1073 @item -nh
1074 @cindex @code{--nh}
1075 Do not execute commands found in @file{~/.gdbinit}, the init file
1076 in your home directory.
1077 @xref{Startup}.
1078
1079 @item -quiet
1080 @itemx -silent
1081 @itemx -q
1082 @cindex @code{--quiet}
1083 @cindex @code{--silent}
1084 @cindex @code{-q}
1085 ``Quiet''. Do not print the introductory and copyright messages. These
1086 messages are also suppressed in batch mode.
1087
1088 @item -batch
1089 @cindex @code{--batch}
1090 Run in batch mode. Exit with status @code{0} after processing all the
1091 command files specified with @samp{-x} (and all commands from
1092 initialization files, if not inhibited with @samp{-n}). Exit with
1093 nonzero status if an error occurs in executing the @value{GDBN} commands
1094 in the command files. Batch mode also disables pagination, sets unlimited
1095 terminal width and height @pxref{Screen Size}, and acts as if @kbd{set confirm
1096 off} were in effect (@pxref{Messages/Warnings}).
1097
1098 Batch mode may be useful for running @value{GDBN} as a filter, for
1099 example to download and run a program on another computer; in order to
1100 make this more useful, the message
1101
1102 @smallexample
1103 Program exited normally.
1104 @end smallexample
1105
1106 @noindent
1107 (which is ordinarily issued whenever a program running under
1108 @value{GDBN} control terminates) is not issued when running in batch
1109 mode.
1110
1111 @item -batch-silent
1112 @cindex @code{--batch-silent}
1113 Run in batch mode exactly like @samp{-batch}, but totally silently. All
1114 @value{GDBN} output to @code{stdout} is prevented (@code{stderr} is
1115 unaffected). This is much quieter than @samp{-silent} and would be useless
1116 for an interactive session.
1117
1118 This is particularly useful when using targets that give @samp{Loading section}
1119 messages, for example.
1120
1121 Note that targets that give their output via @value{GDBN}, as opposed to
1122 writing directly to @code{stdout}, will also be made silent.
1123
1124 @item -return-child-result
1125 @cindex @code{--return-child-result}
1126 The return code from @value{GDBN} will be the return code from the child
1127 process (the process being debugged), with the following exceptions:
1128
1129 @itemize @bullet
1130 @item
1131 @value{GDBN} exits abnormally. E.g., due to an incorrect argument or an
1132 internal error. In this case the exit code is the same as it would have been
1133 without @samp{-return-child-result}.
1134 @item
1135 The user quits with an explicit value. E.g., @samp{quit 1}.
1136 @item
1137 The child process never runs, or is not allowed to terminate, in which case
1138 the exit code will be -1.
1139 @end itemize
1140
1141 This option is useful in conjunction with @samp{-batch} or @samp{-batch-silent},
1142 when @value{GDBN} is being used as a remote program loader or simulator
1143 interface.
1144
1145 @item -nowindows
1146 @itemx -nw
1147 @cindex @code{--nowindows}
1148 @cindex @code{-nw}
1149 ``No windows''. If @value{GDBN} comes with a graphical user interface
1150 (GUI) built in, then this option tells @value{GDBN} to only use the command-line
1151 interface. If no GUI is available, this option has no effect.
1152
1153 @item -windows
1154 @itemx -w
1155 @cindex @code{--windows}
1156 @cindex @code{-w}
1157 If @value{GDBN} includes a GUI, then this option requires it to be
1158 used if possible.
1159
1160 @item -cd @var{directory}
1161 @cindex @code{--cd}
1162 Run @value{GDBN} using @var{directory} as its working directory,
1163 instead of the current directory.
1164
1165 @item -data-directory @var{directory}
1166 @cindex @code{--data-directory}
1167 Run @value{GDBN} using @var{directory} as its data directory.
1168 The data directory is where @value{GDBN} searches for its
1169 auxiliary files. @xref{Data Files}.
1170
1171 @item -fullname
1172 @itemx -f
1173 @cindex @code{--fullname}
1174 @cindex @code{-f}
1175 @sc{gnu} Emacs sets this option when it runs @value{GDBN} as a
1176 subprocess. It tells @value{GDBN} to output the full file name and line
1177 number in a standard, recognizable fashion each time a stack frame is
1178 displayed (which includes each time your program stops). This
1179 recognizable format looks like two @samp{\032} characters, followed by
1180 the file name, line number and character position separated by colons,
1181 and a newline. The Emacs-to-@value{GDBN} interface program uses the two
1182 @samp{\032} characters as a signal to display the source code for the
1183 frame.
1184
1185 @item -annotate @var{level}
1186 @cindex @code{--annotate}
1187 This option sets the @dfn{annotation level} inside @value{GDBN}. Its
1188 effect is identical to using @samp{set annotate @var{level}}
1189 (@pxref{Annotations}). The annotation @var{level} controls how much
1190 information @value{GDBN} prints together with its prompt, values of
1191 expressions, source lines, and other types of output. Level 0 is the
1192 normal, level 1 is for use when @value{GDBN} is run as a subprocess of
1193 @sc{gnu} Emacs, level 3 is the maximum annotation suitable for programs
1194 that control @value{GDBN}, and level 2 has been deprecated.
1195
1196 The annotation mechanism has largely been superseded by @sc{gdb/mi}
1197 (@pxref{GDB/MI}).
1198
1199 @item --args
1200 @cindex @code{--args}
1201 Change interpretation of command line so that arguments following the
1202 executable file are passed as command line arguments to the inferior.
1203 This option stops option processing.
1204
1205 @item -baud @var{bps}
1206 @itemx -b @var{bps}
1207 @cindex @code{--baud}
1208 @cindex @code{-b}
1209 Set the line speed (baud rate or bits per second) of any serial
1210 interface used by @value{GDBN} for remote debugging.
1211
1212 @item -l @var{timeout}
1213 @cindex @code{-l}
1214 Set the timeout (in seconds) of any communication used by @value{GDBN}
1215 for remote debugging.
1216
1217 @item -tty @var{device}
1218 @itemx -t @var{device}
1219 @cindex @code{--tty}
1220 @cindex @code{-t}
1221 Run using @var{device} for your program's standard input and output.
1222 @c FIXME: kingdon thinks there is more to -tty. Investigate.
1223
1224 @c resolve the situation of these eventually
1225 @item -tui
1226 @cindex @code{--tui}
1227 Activate the @dfn{Text User Interface} when starting. The Text User
1228 Interface manages several text windows on the terminal, showing
1229 source, assembly, registers and @value{GDBN} command outputs
1230 (@pxref{TUI, ,@value{GDBN} Text User Interface}). Do not use this
1231 option if you run @value{GDBN} from Emacs (@pxref{Emacs, ,
1232 Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}).
1233
1234 @c @item -xdb
1235 @c @cindex @code{--xdb}
1236 @c Run in XDB compatibility mode, allowing the use of certain XDB commands.
1237 @c For information, see the file @file{xdb_trans.html}, which is usually
1238 @c installed in the directory @code{/opt/langtools/wdb/doc} on HP-UX
1239 @c systems.
1240
1241 @item -interpreter @var{interp}
1242 @cindex @code{--interpreter}
1243 Use the interpreter @var{interp} for interface with the controlling
1244 program or device. This option is meant to be set by programs which
1245 communicate with @value{GDBN} using it as a back end.
1246 @xref{Interpreters, , Command Interpreters}.
1247
1248 @samp{--interpreter=mi} (or @samp{--interpreter=mi2}) causes
1249 @value{GDBN} to use the @dfn{@sc{gdb/mi} interface} (@pxref{GDB/MI, ,
1250 The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface}) included since @value{GDBN} version 6.0. The
1251 previous @sc{gdb/mi} interface, included in @value{GDBN} version 5.3 and
1252 selected with @samp{--interpreter=mi1}, is deprecated. Earlier
1253 @sc{gdb/mi} interfaces are no longer supported.
1254
1255 @item -write
1256 @cindex @code{--write}
1257 Open the executable and core files for both reading and writing. This
1258 is equivalent to the @samp{set write on} command inside @value{GDBN}
1259 (@pxref{Patching}).
1260
1261 @item -statistics
1262 @cindex @code{--statistics}
1263 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print statistics about time and
1264 memory usage after it completes each command and returns to the prompt.
1265
1266 @item -version
1267 @cindex @code{--version}
1268 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print its version number and
1269 no-warranty blurb, and exit.
1270
1271 @item -configuration
1272 @cindex @code{--configuration}
1273 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print details about its build-time
1274 configuration parameters, and then exit. These details can be
1275 important when reporting @value{GDBN} bugs (@pxref{GDB Bugs}).
1276
1277 @end table
1278
1279 @node Startup
1280 @subsection What @value{GDBN} Does During Startup
1281 @cindex @value{GDBN} startup
1282
1283 Here's the description of what @value{GDBN} does during session startup:
1284
1285 @enumerate
1286 @item
1287 Sets up the command interpreter as specified by the command line
1288 (@pxref{Mode Options, interpreter}).
1289
1290 @item
1291 @cindex init file
1292 Reads the system-wide @dfn{init file} (if @option{--with-system-gdbinit} was
1293 used when building @value{GDBN}; @pxref{System-wide configuration,
1294 ,System-wide configuration and settings}) and executes all the commands in
1295 that file.
1296
1297 @anchor{Home Directory Init File}
1298 @item
1299 Reads the init file (if any) in your home directory@footnote{On
1300 DOS/Windows systems, the home directory is the one pointed to by the
1301 @code{HOME} environment variable.} and executes all the commands in
1302 that file.
1303
1304 @anchor{Option -init-eval-command}
1305 @item
1306 Executes commands and command files specified by the @samp{-iex} and
1307 @samp{-ix} options in their specified order. Usually you should use the
1308 @samp{-ex} and @samp{-x} options instead, but this way you can apply
1309 settings before @value{GDBN} init files get executed and before inferior
1310 gets loaded.
1311
1312 @item
1313 Processes command line options and operands.
1314
1315 @anchor{Init File in the Current Directory during Startup}
1316 @item
1317 Reads and executes the commands from init file (if any) in the current
1318 working directory as long as @samp{set auto-load local-gdbinit} is set to
1319 @samp{on} (@pxref{Init File in the Current Directory}).
1320 This is only done if the current directory is
1321 different from your home directory. Thus, you can have more than one
1322 init file, one generic in your home directory, and another, specific
1323 to the program you are debugging, in the directory where you invoke
1324 @value{GDBN}.
1325
1326 @item
1327 If the command line specified a program to debug, or a process to
1328 attach to, or a core file, @value{GDBN} loads any auto-loaded
1329 scripts provided for the program or for its loaded shared libraries.
1330 @xref{Auto-loading}.
1331
1332 If you wish to disable the auto-loading during startup,
1333 you must do something like the following:
1334
1335 @smallexample
1336 $ gdb -iex "set auto-load python-scripts off" myprogram
1337 @end smallexample
1338
1339 Option @samp{-ex} does not work because the auto-loading is then turned
1340 off too late.
1341
1342 @item
1343 Executes commands and command files specified by the @samp{-ex} and
1344 @samp{-x} options in their specified order. @xref{Command Files}, for
1345 more details about @value{GDBN} command files.
1346
1347 @item
1348 Reads the command history recorded in the @dfn{history file}.
1349 @xref{Command History}, for more details about the command history and the
1350 files where @value{GDBN} records it.
1351 @end enumerate
1352
1353 Init files use the same syntax as @dfn{command files} (@pxref{Command
1354 Files}) and are processed by @value{GDBN} in the same way. The init
1355 file in your home directory can set options (such as @samp{set
1356 complaints}) that affect subsequent processing of command line options
1357 and operands. Init files are not executed if you use the @samp{-nx}
1358 option (@pxref{Mode Options, ,Choosing Modes}).
1359
1360 To display the list of init files loaded by gdb at startup, you
1361 can use @kbd{gdb --help}.
1362
1363 @cindex init file name
1364 @cindex @file{.gdbinit}
1365 @cindex @file{gdb.ini}
1366 The @value{GDBN} init files are normally called @file{.gdbinit}.
1367 The DJGPP port of @value{GDBN} uses the name @file{gdb.ini}, due to
1368 the limitations of file names imposed by DOS filesystems. The Windows
1369 port of @value{GDBN} uses the standard name, but if it finds a
1370 @file{gdb.ini} file in your home directory, it warns you about that
1371 and suggests to rename the file to the standard name.
1372
1373
1374 @node Quitting GDB
1375 @section Quitting @value{GDBN}
1376 @cindex exiting @value{GDBN}
1377 @cindex leaving @value{GDBN}
1378
1379 @table @code
1380 @kindex quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1381 @kindex q @r{(@code{quit})}
1382 @item quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1383 @itemx q
1384 To exit @value{GDBN}, use the @code{quit} command (abbreviated
1385 @code{q}), or type an end-of-file character (usually @kbd{Ctrl-d}). If you
1386 do not supply @var{expression}, @value{GDBN} will terminate normally;
1387 otherwise it will terminate using the result of @var{expression} as the
1388 error code.
1389 @end table
1390
1391 @cindex interrupt
1392 An interrupt (often @kbd{Ctrl-c}) does not exit from @value{GDBN}, but rather
1393 terminates the action of any @value{GDBN} command that is in progress and
1394 returns to @value{GDBN} command level. It is safe to type the interrupt
1395 character at any time because @value{GDBN} does not allow it to take effect
1396 until a time when it is safe.
1397
1398 If you have been using @value{GDBN} to control an attached process or
1399 device, you can release it with the @code{detach} command
1400 (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an Already-running Process}).
1401
1402 @node Shell Commands
1403 @section Shell Commands
1404
1405 If you need to execute occasional shell commands during your
1406 debugging session, there is no need to leave or suspend @value{GDBN}; you can
1407 just use the @code{shell} command.
1408
1409 @table @code
1410 @kindex shell
1411 @kindex !
1412 @cindex shell escape
1413 @item shell @var{command-string}
1414 @itemx !@var{command-string}
1415 Invoke a standard shell to execute @var{command-string}.
1416 Note that no space is needed between @code{!} and @var{command-string}.
1417 If it exists, the environment variable @code{SHELL} determines which
1418 shell to run. Otherwise @value{GDBN} uses the default shell
1419 (@file{/bin/sh} on Unix systems, @file{COMMAND.COM} on MS-DOS, etc.).
1420 @end table
1421
1422 The utility @code{make} is often needed in development environments.
1423 You do not have to use the @code{shell} command for this purpose in
1424 @value{GDBN}:
1425
1426 @table @code
1427 @kindex make
1428 @cindex calling make
1429 @item make @var{make-args}
1430 Execute the @code{make} program with the specified
1431 arguments. This is equivalent to @samp{shell make @var{make-args}}.
1432 @end table
1433
1434 @node Logging Output
1435 @section Logging Output
1436 @cindex logging @value{GDBN} output
1437 @cindex save @value{GDBN} output to a file
1438
1439 You may want to save the output of @value{GDBN} commands to a file.
1440 There are several commands to control @value{GDBN}'s logging.
1441
1442 @table @code
1443 @kindex set logging
1444 @item set logging on
1445 Enable logging.
1446 @item set logging off
1447 Disable logging.
1448 @cindex logging file name
1449 @item set logging file @var{file}
1450 Change the name of the current logfile. The default logfile is @file{gdb.txt}.
1451 @item set logging overwrite [on|off]
1452 By default, @value{GDBN} will append to the logfile. Set @code{overwrite} if
1453 you want @code{set logging on} to overwrite the logfile instead.
1454 @item set logging redirect [on|off]
1455 By default, @value{GDBN} output will go to both the terminal and the logfile.
1456 Set @code{redirect} if you want output to go only to the log file.
1457 @kindex show logging
1458 @item show logging
1459 Show the current values of the logging settings.
1460 @end table
1461
1462 @node Commands
1463 @chapter @value{GDBN} Commands
1464
1465 You can abbreviate a @value{GDBN} command to the first few letters of the command
1466 name, if that abbreviation is unambiguous; and you can repeat certain
1467 @value{GDBN} commands by typing just @key{RET}. You can also use the @key{TAB}
1468 key to get @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest of a word in a command (or to
1469 show you the alternatives available, if there is more than one possibility).
1470
1471 @menu
1472 * Command Syntax:: How to give commands to @value{GDBN}
1473 * Completion:: Command completion
1474 * Help:: How to ask @value{GDBN} for help
1475 @end menu
1476
1477 @node Command Syntax
1478 @section Command Syntax
1479
1480 A @value{GDBN} command is a single line of input. There is no limit on
1481 how long it can be. It starts with a command name, which is followed by
1482 arguments whose meaning depends on the command name. For example, the
1483 command @code{step} accepts an argument which is the number of times to
1484 step, as in @samp{step 5}. You can also use the @code{step} command
1485 with no arguments. Some commands do not allow any arguments.
1486
1487 @cindex abbreviation
1488 @value{GDBN} command names may always be truncated if that abbreviation is
1489 unambiguous. Other possible command abbreviations are listed in the
1490 documentation for individual commands. In some cases, even ambiguous
1491 abbreviations are allowed; for example, @code{s} is specially defined as
1492 equivalent to @code{step} even though there are other commands whose
1493 names start with @code{s}. You can test abbreviations by using them as
1494 arguments to the @code{help} command.
1495
1496 @cindex repeating commands
1497 @kindex RET @r{(repeat last command)}
1498 A blank line as input to @value{GDBN} (typing just @key{RET}) means to
1499 repeat the previous command. Certain commands (for example, @code{run})
1500 will not repeat this way; these are commands whose unintentional
1501 repetition might cause trouble and which you are unlikely to want to
1502 repeat. User-defined commands can disable this feature; see
1503 @ref{Define, dont-repeat}.
1504
1505 The @code{list} and @code{x} commands, when you repeat them with
1506 @key{RET}, construct new arguments rather than repeating
1507 exactly as typed. This permits easy scanning of source or memory.
1508
1509 @value{GDBN} can also use @key{RET} in another way: to partition lengthy
1510 output, in a way similar to the common utility @code{more}
1511 (@pxref{Screen Size,,Screen Size}). Since it is easy to press one
1512 @key{RET} too many in this situation, @value{GDBN} disables command
1513 repetition after any command that generates this sort of display.
1514
1515 @kindex # @r{(a comment)}
1516 @cindex comment
1517 Any text from a @kbd{#} to the end of the line is a comment; it does
1518 nothing. This is useful mainly in command files (@pxref{Command
1519 Files,,Command Files}).
1520
1521 @cindex repeating command sequences
1522 @kindex Ctrl-o @r{(operate-and-get-next)}
1523 The @kbd{Ctrl-o} binding is useful for repeating a complex sequence of
1524 commands. This command accepts the current line, like @key{RET}, and
1525 then fetches the next line relative to the current line from the history
1526 for editing.
1527
1528 @node Completion
1529 @section Command Completion
1530
1531 @cindex completion
1532 @cindex word completion
1533 @value{GDBN} can fill in the rest of a word in a command for you, if there is
1534 only one possibility; it can also show you what the valid possibilities
1535 are for the next word in a command, at any time. This works for @value{GDBN}
1536 commands, @value{GDBN} subcommands, and the names of symbols in your program.
1537
1538 Press the @key{TAB} key whenever you want @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest
1539 of a word. If there is only one possibility, @value{GDBN} fills in the
1540 word, and waits for you to finish the command (or press @key{RET} to
1541 enter it). For example, if you type
1542
1543 @c FIXME "@key" does not distinguish its argument sufficiently to permit
1544 @c complete accuracy in these examples; space introduced for clarity.
1545 @c If texinfo enhancements make it unnecessary, it would be nice to
1546 @c replace " @key" by "@key" in the following...
1547 @smallexample
1548 (@value{GDBP}) info bre @key{TAB}
1549 @end smallexample
1550
1551 @noindent
1552 @value{GDBN} fills in the rest of the word @samp{breakpoints}, since that is
1553 the only @code{info} subcommand beginning with @samp{bre}:
1554
1555 @smallexample
1556 (@value{GDBP}) info breakpoints
1557 @end smallexample
1558
1559 @noindent
1560 You can either press @key{RET} at this point, to run the @code{info
1561 breakpoints} command, or backspace and enter something else, if
1562 @samp{breakpoints} does not look like the command you expected. (If you
1563 were sure you wanted @code{info breakpoints} in the first place, you
1564 might as well just type @key{RET} immediately after @samp{info bre},
1565 to exploit command abbreviations rather than command completion).
1566
1567 If there is more than one possibility for the next word when you press
1568 @key{TAB}, @value{GDBN} sounds a bell. You can either supply more
1569 characters and try again, or just press @key{TAB} a second time;
1570 @value{GDBN} displays all the possible completions for that word. For
1571 example, you might want to set a breakpoint on a subroutine whose name
1572 begins with @samp{make_}, but when you type @kbd{b make_@key{TAB}} @value{GDBN}
1573 just sounds the bell. Typing @key{TAB} again displays all the
1574 function names in your program that begin with those characters, for
1575 example:
1576
1577 @smallexample
1578 (@value{GDBP}) b make_ @key{TAB}
1579 @exdent @value{GDBN} sounds bell; press @key{TAB} again, to see:
1580 make_a_section_from_file make_environ
1581 make_abs_section make_function_type
1582 make_blockvector make_pointer_type
1583 make_cleanup make_reference_type
1584 make_command make_symbol_completion_list
1585 (@value{GDBP}) b make_
1586 @end smallexample
1587
1588 @noindent
1589 After displaying the available possibilities, @value{GDBN} copies your
1590 partial input (@samp{b make_} in the example) so you can finish the
1591 command.
1592
1593 If you just want to see the list of alternatives in the first place, you
1594 can press @kbd{M-?} rather than pressing @key{TAB} twice. @kbd{M-?}
1595 means @kbd{@key{META} ?}. You can type this either by holding down a
1596 key designated as the @key{META} shift on your keyboard (if there is
1597 one) while typing @kbd{?}, or as @key{ESC} followed by @kbd{?}.
1598
1599 @cindex quotes in commands
1600 @cindex completion of quoted strings
1601 Sometimes the string you need, while logically a ``word'', may contain
1602 parentheses or other characters that @value{GDBN} normally excludes from
1603 its notion of a word. To permit word completion to work in this
1604 situation, you may enclose words in @code{'} (single quote marks) in
1605 @value{GDBN} commands.
1606
1607 The most likely situation where you might need this is in typing the
1608 name of a C@t{++} function. This is because C@t{++} allows function
1609 overloading (multiple definitions of the same function, distinguished
1610 by argument type). For example, when you want to set a breakpoint you
1611 may need to distinguish whether you mean the version of @code{name}
1612 that takes an @code{int} parameter, @code{name(int)}, or the version
1613 that takes a @code{float} parameter, @code{name(float)}. To use the
1614 word-completion facilities in this situation, type a single quote
1615 @code{'} at the beginning of the function name. This alerts
1616 @value{GDBN} that it may need to consider more information than usual
1617 when you press @key{TAB} or @kbd{M-?} to request word completion:
1618
1619 @smallexample
1620 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble( @kbd{M-?}
1621 bubble(double,double) bubble(int,int)
1622 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble(
1623 @end smallexample
1624
1625 In some cases, @value{GDBN} can tell that completing a name requires using
1626 quotes. When this happens, @value{GDBN} inserts the quote for you (while
1627 completing as much as it can) if you do not type the quote in the first
1628 place:
1629
1630 @smallexample
1631 (@value{GDBP}) b bub @key{TAB}
1632 @exdent @value{GDBN} alters your input line to the following, and rings a bell:
1633 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble(
1634 @end smallexample
1635
1636 @noindent
1637 In general, @value{GDBN} can tell that a quote is needed (and inserts it) if
1638 you have not yet started typing the argument list when you ask for
1639 completion on an overloaded symbol.
1640
1641 For more information about overloaded functions, see @ref{C Plus Plus
1642 Expressions, ,C@t{++} Expressions}. You can use the command @code{set
1643 overload-resolution off} to disable overload resolution;
1644 see @ref{Debugging C Plus Plus, ,@value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}}.
1645
1646 @cindex completion of structure field names
1647 @cindex structure field name completion
1648 @cindex completion of union field names
1649 @cindex union field name completion
1650 When completing in an expression which looks up a field in a
1651 structure, @value{GDBN} also tries@footnote{The completer can be
1652 confused by certain kinds of invalid expressions. Also, it only
1653 examines the static type of the expression, not the dynamic type.} to
1654 limit completions to the field names available in the type of the
1655 left-hand-side:
1656
1657 @smallexample
1658 (@value{GDBP}) p gdb_stdout.@kbd{M-?}
1659 magic to_fputs to_rewind
1660 to_data to_isatty to_write
1661 to_delete to_put to_write_async_safe
1662 to_flush to_read
1663 @end smallexample
1664
1665 @noindent
1666 This is because the @code{gdb_stdout} is a variable of the type
1667 @code{struct ui_file} that is defined in @value{GDBN} sources as
1668 follows:
1669
1670 @smallexample
1671 struct ui_file
1672 @{
1673 int *magic;
1674 ui_file_flush_ftype *to_flush;
1675 ui_file_write_ftype *to_write;
1676 ui_file_write_async_safe_ftype *to_write_async_safe;
1677 ui_file_fputs_ftype *to_fputs;
1678 ui_file_read_ftype *to_read;
1679 ui_file_delete_ftype *to_delete;
1680 ui_file_isatty_ftype *to_isatty;
1681 ui_file_rewind_ftype *to_rewind;
1682 ui_file_put_ftype *to_put;
1683 void *to_data;
1684 @}
1685 @end smallexample
1686
1687
1688 @node Help
1689 @section Getting Help
1690 @cindex online documentation
1691 @kindex help
1692
1693 You can always ask @value{GDBN} itself for information on its commands,
1694 using the command @code{help}.
1695
1696 @table @code
1697 @kindex h @r{(@code{help})}
1698 @item help
1699 @itemx h
1700 You can use @code{help} (abbreviated @code{h}) with no arguments to
1701 display a short list of named classes of commands:
1702
1703 @smallexample
1704 (@value{GDBP}) help
1705 List of classes of commands:
1706
1707 aliases -- Aliases of other commands
1708 breakpoints -- Making program stop at certain points
1709 data -- Examining data
1710 files -- Specifying and examining files
1711 internals -- Maintenance commands
1712 obscure -- Obscure features
1713 running -- Running the program
1714 stack -- Examining the stack
1715 status -- Status inquiries
1716 support -- Support facilities
1717 tracepoints -- Tracing of program execution without
1718 stopping the program
1719 user-defined -- User-defined commands
1720
1721 Type "help" followed by a class name for a list of
1722 commands in that class.
1723 Type "help" followed by command name for full
1724 documentation.
1725 Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1726 (@value{GDBP})
1727 @end smallexample
1728 @c the above line break eliminates huge line overfull...
1729
1730 @item help @var{class}
1731 Using one of the general help classes as an argument, you can get a
1732 list of the individual commands in that class. For example, here is the
1733 help display for the class @code{status}:
1734
1735 @smallexample
1736 (@value{GDBP}) help status
1737 Status inquiries.
1738
1739 List of commands:
1740
1741 @c Line break in "show" line falsifies real output, but needed
1742 @c to fit in smallbook page size.
1743 info -- Generic command for showing things
1744 about the program being debugged
1745 show -- Generic command for showing things
1746 about the debugger
1747
1748 Type "help" followed by command name for full
1749 documentation.
1750 Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1751 (@value{GDBP})
1752 @end smallexample
1753
1754 @item help @var{command}
1755 With a command name as @code{help} argument, @value{GDBN} displays a
1756 short paragraph on how to use that command.
1757
1758 @kindex apropos
1759 @item apropos @var{args}
1760 The @code{apropos} command searches through all of the @value{GDBN}
1761 commands, and their documentation, for the regular expression specified in
1762 @var{args}. It prints out all matches found. For example:
1763
1764 @smallexample
1765 apropos alias
1766 @end smallexample
1767
1768 @noindent
1769 results in:
1770
1771 @smallexample
1772 @c @group
1773 alias -- Define a new command that is an alias of an existing command
1774 aliases -- Aliases of other commands
1775 d -- Delete some breakpoints or auto-display expressions
1776 del -- Delete some breakpoints or auto-display expressions
1777 delete -- Delete some breakpoints or auto-display expressions
1778 @c @end group
1779 @end smallexample
1780
1781 @kindex complete
1782 @item complete @var{args}
1783 The @code{complete @var{args}} command lists all the possible completions
1784 for the beginning of a command. Use @var{args} to specify the beginning of the
1785 command you want completed. For example:
1786
1787 @smallexample
1788 complete i
1789 @end smallexample
1790
1791 @noindent results in:
1792
1793 @smallexample
1794 @group
1795 if
1796 ignore
1797 info
1798 inspect
1799 @end group
1800 @end smallexample
1801
1802 @noindent This is intended for use by @sc{gnu} Emacs.
1803 @end table
1804
1805 In addition to @code{help}, you can use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{info}
1806 and @code{show} to inquire about the state of your program, or the state
1807 of @value{GDBN} itself. Each command supports many topics of inquiry; this
1808 manual introduces each of them in the appropriate context. The listings
1809 under @code{info} and under @code{show} in the Command, Variable, and
1810 Function Index point to all the sub-commands. @xref{Command and Variable
1811 Index}.
1812
1813 @c @group
1814 @table @code
1815 @kindex info
1816 @kindex i @r{(@code{info})}
1817 @item info
1818 This command (abbreviated @code{i}) is for describing the state of your
1819 program. For example, you can show the arguments passed to a function
1820 with @code{info args}, list the registers currently in use with @code{info
1821 registers}, or list the breakpoints you have set with @code{info breakpoints}.
1822 You can get a complete list of the @code{info} sub-commands with
1823 @w{@code{help info}}.
1824
1825 @kindex set
1826 @item set
1827 You can assign the result of an expression to an environment variable with
1828 @code{set}. For example, you can set the @value{GDBN} prompt to a $-sign with
1829 @code{set prompt $}.
1830
1831 @kindex show
1832 @item show
1833 In contrast to @code{info}, @code{show} is for describing the state of
1834 @value{GDBN} itself.
1835 You can change most of the things you can @code{show}, by using the
1836 related command @code{set}; for example, you can control what number
1837 system is used for displays with @code{set radix}, or simply inquire
1838 which is currently in use with @code{show radix}.
1839
1840 @kindex info set
1841 To display all the settable parameters and their current
1842 values, you can use @code{show} with no arguments; you may also use
1843 @code{info set}. Both commands produce the same display.
1844 @c FIXME: "info set" violates the rule that "info" is for state of
1845 @c FIXME...program. Ck w/ GNU: "info set" to be called something else,
1846 @c FIXME...or change desc of rule---eg "state of prog and debugging session"?
1847 @end table
1848 @c @end group
1849
1850 Here are several miscellaneous @code{show} subcommands, all of which are
1851 exceptional in lacking corresponding @code{set} commands:
1852
1853 @table @code
1854 @kindex show version
1855 @cindex @value{GDBN} version number
1856 @item show version
1857 Show what version of @value{GDBN} is running. You should include this
1858 information in @value{GDBN} bug-reports. If multiple versions of
1859 @value{GDBN} are in use at your site, you may need to determine which
1860 version of @value{GDBN} you are running; as @value{GDBN} evolves, new
1861 commands are introduced, and old ones may wither away. Also, many
1862 system vendors ship variant versions of @value{GDBN}, and there are
1863 variant versions of @value{GDBN} in @sc{gnu}/Linux distributions as well.
1864 The version number is the same as the one announced when you start
1865 @value{GDBN}.
1866
1867 @kindex show copying
1868 @kindex info copying
1869 @cindex display @value{GDBN} copyright
1870 @item show copying
1871 @itemx info copying
1872 Display information about permission for copying @value{GDBN}.
1873
1874 @kindex show warranty
1875 @kindex info warranty
1876 @item show warranty
1877 @itemx info warranty
1878 Display the @sc{gnu} ``NO WARRANTY'' statement, or a warranty,
1879 if your version of @value{GDBN} comes with one.
1880
1881 @kindex show configuration
1882 @item show configuration
1883 Display detailed information about the way @value{GDBN} was configured
1884 when it was built. This displays the optional arguments passed to the
1885 @file{configure} script and also configuration parameters detected
1886 automatically by @command{configure}. When reporting a @value{GDBN}
1887 bug (@pxref{GDB Bugs}), it is important to include this information in
1888 your report.
1889
1890 @end table
1891
1892 @node Running
1893 @chapter Running Programs Under @value{GDBN}
1894
1895 When you run a program under @value{GDBN}, you must first generate
1896 debugging information when you compile it.
1897
1898 You may start @value{GDBN} with its arguments, if any, in an environment
1899 of your choice. If you are doing native debugging, you may redirect
1900 your program's input and output, debug an already running process, or
1901 kill a child process.
1902
1903 @menu
1904 * Compilation:: Compiling for debugging
1905 * Starting:: Starting your program
1906 * Arguments:: Your program's arguments
1907 * Environment:: Your program's environment
1908
1909 * Working Directory:: Your program's working directory
1910 * Input/Output:: Your program's input and output
1911 * Attach:: Debugging an already-running process
1912 * Kill Process:: Killing the child process
1913
1914 * Inferiors and Programs:: Debugging multiple inferiors and programs
1915 * Threads:: Debugging programs with multiple threads
1916 * Forks:: Debugging forks
1917 * Checkpoint/Restart:: Setting a @emph{bookmark} to return to later
1918 @end menu
1919
1920 @node Compilation
1921 @section Compiling for Debugging
1922
1923 In order to debug a program effectively, you need to generate
1924 debugging information when you compile it. This debugging information
1925 is stored in the object file; it describes the data type of each
1926 variable or function and the correspondence between source line numbers
1927 and addresses in the executable code.
1928
1929 To request debugging information, specify the @samp{-g} option when you run
1930 the compiler.
1931
1932 Programs that are to be shipped to your customers are compiled with
1933 optimizations, using the @samp{-O} compiler option. However, some
1934 compilers are unable to handle the @samp{-g} and @samp{-O} options
1935 together. Using those compilers, you cannot generate optimized
1936 executables containing debugging information.
1937
1938 @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C/C@t{++} compiler, supports @samp{-g} with or
1939 without @samp{-O}, making it possible to debug optimized code. We
1940 recommend that you @emph{always} use @samp{-g} whenever you compile a
1941 program. You may think your program is correct, but there is no sense
1942 in pushing your luck. For more information, see @ref{Optimized Code}.
1943
1944 Older versions of the @sc{gnu} C compiler permitted a variant option
1945 @w{@samp{-gg}} for debugging information. @value{GDBN} no longer supports this
1946 format; if your @sc{gnu} C compiler has this option, do not use it.
1947
1948 @value{GDBN} knows about preprocessor macros and can show you their
1949 expansion (@pxref{Macros}). Most compilers do not include information
1950 about preprocessor macros in the debugging information if you specify
1951 the @option{-g} flag alone. Version 3.1 and later of @value{NGCC},
1952 the @sc{gnu} C compiler, provides macro information if you are using
1953 the DWARF debugging format, and specify the option @option{-g3}.
1954
1955 @xref{Debugging Options,,Options for Debugging Your Program or GCC,
1956 gcc.info, Using the @sc{gnu} Compiler Collection (GCC)}, for more
1957 information on @value{NGCC} options affecting debug information.
1958
1959 You will have the best debugging experience if you use the latest
1960 version of the DWARF debugging format that your compiler supports.
1961 DWARF is currently the most expressive and best supported debugging
1962 format in @value{GDBN}.
1963
1964 @need 2000
1965 @node Starting
1966 @section Starting your Program
1967 @cindex starting
1968 @cindex running
1969
1970 @table @code
1971 @kindex run
1972 @kindex r @r{(@code{run})}
1973 @item run
1974 @itemx r
1975 Use the @code{run} command to start your program under @value{GDBN}.
1976 You must first specify the program name (except on VxWorks) with an
1977 argument to @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Invocation, ,Getting In and Out of
1978 @value{GDBN}}), or by using the @code{file} or @code{exec-file} command
1979 (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
1980
1981 @end table
1982
1983 If you are running your program in an execution environment that
1984 supports processes, @code{run} creates an inferior process and makes
1985 that process run your program. In some environments without processes,
1986 @code{run} jumps to the start of your program. Other targets,
1987 like @samp{remote}, are always running. If you get an error
1988 message like this one:
1989
1990 @smallexample
1991 The "remote" target does not support "run".
1992 Try "help target" or "continue".
1993 @end smallexample
1994
1995 @noindent
1996 then use @code{continue} to run your program. You may need @code{load}
1997 first (@pxref{load}).
1998
1999 The execution of a program is affected by certain information it
2000 receives from its superior. @value{GDBN} provides ways to specify this
2001 information, which you must do @emph{before} starting your program. (You
2002 can change it after starting your program, but such changes only affect
2003 your program the next time you start it.) This information may be
2004 divided into four categories:
2005
2006 @table @asis
2007 @item The @emph{arguments.}
2008 Specify the arguments to give your program as the arguments of the
2009 @code{run} command. If a shell is available on your target, the shell
2010 is used to pass the arguments, so that you may use normal conventions
2011 (such as wildcard expansion or variable substitution) in describing
2012 the arguments.
2013 In Unix systems, you can control which shell is used with the
2014 @code{SHELL} environment variable.
2015 @xref{Arguments, ,Your Program's Arguments}.
2016
2017 @item The @emph{environment.}
2018 Your program normally inherits its environment from @value{GDBN}, but you can
2019 use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{set environment} and @code{unset
2020 environment} to change parts of the environment that affect
2021 your program. @xref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}.
2022
2023 @item The @emph{working directory.}
2024 Your program inherits its working directory from @value{GDBN}. You can set
2025 the @value{GDBN} working directory with the @code{cd} command in @value{GDBN}.
2026 @xref{Working Directory, ,Your Program's Working Directory}.
2027
2028 @item The @emph{standard input and output.}
2029 Your program normally uses the same device for standard input and
2030 standard output as @value{GDBN} is using. You can redirect input and output
2031 in the @code{run} command line, or you can use the @code{tty} command to
2032 set a different device for your program.
2033 @xref{Input/Output, ,Your Program's Input and Output}.
2034
2035 @cindex pipes
2036 @emph{Warning:} While input and output redirection work, you cannot use
2037 pipes to pass the output of the program you are debugging to another
2038 program; if you attempt this, @value{GDBN} is likely to wind up debugging the
2039 wrong program.
2040 @end table
2041
2042 When you issue the @code{run} command, your program begins to execute
2043 immediately. @xref{Stopping, ,Stopping and Continuing}, for discussion
2044 of how to arrange for your program to stop. Once your program has
2045 stopped, you may call functions in your program, using the @code{print}
2046 or @code{call} commands. @xref{Data, ,Examining Data}.
2047
2048 If the modification time of your symbol file has changed since the last
2049 time @value{GDBN} read its symbols, @value{GDBN} discards its symbol
2050 table, and reads it again. When it does this, @value{GDBN} tries to retain
2051 your current breakpoints.
2052
2053 @table @code
2054 @kindex start
2055 @item start
2056 @cindex run to main procedure
2057 The name of the main procedure can vary from language to language.
2058 With C or C@t{++}, the main procedure name is always @code{main}, but
2059 other languages such as Ada do not require a specific name for their
2060 main procedure. The debugger provides a convenient way to start the
2061 execution of the program and to stop at the beginning of the main
2062 procedure, depending on the language used.
2063
2064 The @samp{start} command does the equivalent of setting a temporary
2065 breakpoint at the beginning of the main procedure and then invoking
2066 the @samp{run} command.
2067
2068 @cindex elaboration phase
2069 Some programs contain an @dfn{elaboration} phase where some startup code is
2070 executed before the main procedure is called. This depends on the
2071 languages used to write your program. In C@t{++}, for instance,
2072 constructors for static and global objects are executed before
2073 @code{main} is called. It is therefore possible that the debugger stops
2074 before reaching the main procedure. However, the temporary breakpoint
2075 will remain to halt execution.
2076
2077 Specify the arguments to give to your program as arguments to the
2078 @samp{start} command. These arguments will be given verbatim to the
2079 underlying @samp{run} command. Note that the same arguments will be
2080 reused if no argument is provided during subsequent calls to
2081 @samp{start} or @samp{run}.
2082
2083 It is sometimes necessary to debug the program during elaboration. In
2084 these cases, using the @code{start} command would stop the execution of
2085 your program too late, as the program would have already completed the
2086 elaboration phase. Under these circumstances, insert breakpoints in your
2087 elaboration code before running your program.
2088
2089 @kindex set exec-wrapper
2090 @item set exec-wrapper @var{wrapper}
2091 @itemx show exec-wrapper
2092 @itemx unset exec-wrapper
2093 When @samp{exec-wrapper} is set, the specified wrapper is used to
2094 launch programs for debugging. @value{GDBN} starts your program
2095 with a shell command of the form @kbd{exec @var{wrapper}
2096 @var{program}}. Quoting is added to @var{program} and its
2097 arguments, but not to @var{wrapper}, so you should add quotes if
2098 appropriate for your shell. The wrapper runs until it executes
2099 your program, and then @value{GDBN} takes control.
2100
2101 You can use any program that eventually calls @code{execve} with
2102 its arguments as a wrapper. Several standard Unix utilities do
2103 this, e.g.@: @code{env} and @code{nohup}. Any Unix shell script ending
2104 with @code{exec "$@@"} will also work.
2105
2106 For example, you can use @code{env} to pass an environment variable to
2107 the debugged program, without setting the variable in your shell's
2108 environment:
2109
2110 @smallexample
2111 (@value{GDBP}) set exec-wrapper env 'LD_PRELOAD=libtest.so'
2112 (@value{GDBP}) run
2113 @end smallexample
2114
2115 This command is available when debugging locally on most targets, excluding
2116 @sc{djgpp}, Cygwin, MS Windows, and QNX Neutrino.
2117
2118 @kindex set disable-randomization
2119 @item set disable-randomization
2120 @itemx set disable-randomization on
2121 This option (enabled by default in @value{GDBN}) will turn off the native
2122 randomization of the virtual address space of the started program. This option
2123 is useful for multiple debugging sessions to make the execution better
2124 reproducible and memory addresses reusable across debugging sessions.
2125
2126 This feature is implemented only on certain targets, including @sc{gnu}/Linux.
2127 On @sc{gnu}/Linux you can get the same behavior using
2128
2129 @smallexample
2130 (@value{GDBP}) set exec-wrapper setarch `uname -m` -R
2131 @end smallexample
2132
2133 @item set disable-randomization off
2134 Leave the behavior of the started executable unchanged. Some bugs rear their
2135 ugly heads only when the program is loaded at certain addresses. If your bug
2136 disappears when you run the program under @value{GDBN}, that might be because
2137 @value{GDBN} by default disables the address randomization on platforms, such
2138 as @sc{gnu}/Linux, which do that for stand-alone programs. Use @kbd{set
2139 disable-randomization off} to try to reproduce such elusive bugs.
2140
2141 On targets where it is available, virtual address space randomization
2142 protects the programs against certain kinds of security attacks. In these
2143 cases the attacker needs to know the exact location of a concrete executable
2144 code. Randomizing its location makes it impossible to inject jumps misusing
2145 a code at its expected addresses.
2146
2147 Prelinking shared libraries provides a startup performance advantage but it
2148 makes addresses in these libraries predictable for privileged processes by
2149 having just unprivileged access at the target system. Reading the shared
2150 library binary gives enough information for assembling the malicious code
2151 misusing it. Still even a prelinked shared library can get loaded at a new
2152 random address just requiring the regular relocation process during the
2153 startup. Shared libraries not already prelinked are always loaded at
2154 a randomly chosen address.
2155
2156 Position independent executables (PIE) contain position independent code
2157 similar to the shared libraries and therefore such executables get loaded at
2158 a randomly chosen address upon startup. PIE executables always load even
2159 already prelinked shared libraries at a random address. You can build such
2160 executable using @command{gcc -fPIE -pie}.
2161
2162 Heap (malloc storage), stack and custom mmap areas are always placed randomly
2163 (as long as the randomization is enabled).
2164
2165 @item show disable-randomization
2166 Show the current setting of the explicit disable of the native randomization of
2167 the virtual address space of the started program.
2168
2169 @end table
2170
2171 @node Arguments
2172 @section Your Program's Arguments
2173
2174 @cindex arguments (to your program)
2175 The arguments to your program can be specified by the arguments of the
2176 @code{run} command.
2177 They are passed to a shell, which expands wildcard characters and
2178 performs redirection of I/O, and thence to your program. Your
2179 @code{SHELL} environment variable (if it exists) specifies what shell
2180 @value{GDBN} uses. If you do not define @code{SHELL}, @value{GDBN} uses
2181 the default shell (@file{/bin/sh} on Unix).
2182
2183 On non-Unix systems, the program is usually invoked directly by
2184 @value{GDBN}, which emulates I/O redirection via the appropriate system
2185 calls, and the wildcard characters are expanded by the startup code of
2186 the program, not by the shell.
2187
2188 @code{run} with no arguments uses the same arguments used by the previous
2189 @code{run}, or those set by the @code{set args} command.
2190
2191 @table @code
2192 @kindex set args
2193 @item set args
2194 Specify the arguments to be used the next time your program is run. If
2195 @code{set args} has no arguments, @code{run} executes your program
2196 with no arguments. Once you have run your program with arguments,
2197 using @code{set args} before the next @code{run} is the only way to run
2198 it again without arguments.
2199
2200 @kindex show args
2201 @item show args
2202 Show the arguments to give your program when it is started.
2203 @end table
2204
2205 @node Environment
2206 @section Your Program's Environment
2207
2208 @cindex environment (of your program)
2209 The @dfn{environment} consists of a set of environment variables and
2210 their values. Environment variables conventionally record such things as
2211 your user name, your home directory, your terminal type, and your search
2212 path for programs to run. Usually you set up environment variables with
2213 the shell and they are inherited by all the other programs you run. When
2214 debugging, it can be useful to try running your program with a modified
2215 environment without having to start @value{GDBN} over again.
2216
2217 @table @code
2218 @kindex path
2219 @item path @var{directory}
2220 Add @var{directory} to the front of the @code{PATH} environment variable
2221 (the search path for executables) that will be passed to your program.
2222 The value of @code{PATH} used by @value{GDBN} does not change.
2223 You may specify several directory names, separated by whitespace or by a
2224 system-dependent separator character (@samp{:} on Unix, @samp{;} on
2225 MS-DOS and MS-Windows). If @var{directory} is already in the path, it
2226 is moved to the front, so it is searched sooner.
2227
2228 You can use the string @samp{$cwd} to refer to whatever is the current
2229 working directory at the time @value{GDBN} searches the path. If you
2230 use @samp{.} instead, it refers to the directory where you executed the
2231 @code{path} command. @value{GDBN} replaces @samp{.} in the
2232 @var{directory} argument (with the current path) before adding
2233 @var{directory} to the search path.
2234 @c 'path' is explicitly nonrepeatable, but RMS points out it is silly to
2235 @c document that, since repeating it would be a no-op.
2236
2237 @kindex show paths
2238 @item show paths
2239 Display the list of search paths for executables (the @code{PATH}
2240 environment variable).
2241
2242 @kindex show environment
2243 @item show environment @r{[}@var{varname}@r{]}
2244 Print the value of environment variable @var{varname} to be given to
2245 your program when it starts. If you do not supply @var{varname},
2246 print the names and values of all environment variables to be given to
2247 your program. You can abbreviate @code{environment} as @code{env}.
2248
2249 @kindex set environment
2250 @item set environment @var{varname} @r{[}=@var{value}@r{]}
2251 Set environment variable @var{varname} to @var{value}. The value
2252 changes for your program only, not for @value{GDBN} itself. @var{value} may
2253 be any string; the values of environment variables are just strings, and
2254 any interpretation is supplied by your program itself. The @var{value}
2255 parameter is optional; if it is eliminated, the variable is set to a
2256 null value.
2257 @c "any string" here does not include leading, trailing
2258 @c blanks. Gnu asks: does anyone care?
2259
2260 For example, this command:
2261
2262 @smallexample
2263 set env USER = foo
2264 @end smallexample
2265
2266 @noindent
2267 tells the debugged program, when subsequently run, that its user is named
2268 @samp{foo}. (The spaces around @samp{=} are used for clarity here; they
2269 are not actually required.)
2270
2271 @kindex unset environment
2272 @item unset environment @var{varname}
2273 Remove variable @var{varname} from the environment to be passed to your
2274 program. This is different from @samp{set env @var{varname} =};
2275 @code{unset environment} removes the variable from the environment,
2276 rather than assigning it an empty value.
2277 @end table
2278
2279 @emph{Warning:} On Unix systems, @value{GDBN} runs your program using
2280 the shell indicated
2281 by your @code{SHELL} environment variable if it exists (or
2282 @code{/bin/sh} if not). If your @code{SHELL} variable names a shell
2283 that runs an initialization file---such as @file{.cshrc} for C-shell, or
2284 @file{.bashrc} for BASH---any variables you set in that file affect
2285 your program. You may wish to move setting of environment variables to
2286 files that are only run when you sign on, such as @file{.login} or
2287 @file{.profile}.
2288
2289 @node Working Directory
2290 @section Your Program's Working Directory
2291
2292 @cindex working directory (of your program)
2293 Each time you start your program with @code{run}, it inherits its
2294 working directory from the current working directory of @value{GDBN}.
2295 The @value{GDBN} working directory is initially whatever it inherited
2296 from its parent process (typically the shell), but you can specify a new
2297 working directory in @value{GDBN} with the @code{cd} command.
2298
2299 The @value{GDBN} working directory also serves as a default for the commands
2300 that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate on. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
2301 Specify Files}.
2302
2303 @table @code
2304 @kindex cd
2305 @cindex change working directory
2306 @item cd @r{[}@var{directory}@r{]}
2307 Set the @value{GDBN} working directory to @var{directory}. If not
2308 given, @var{directory} uses @file{'~'}.
2309
2310 @kindex pwd
2311 @item pwd
2312 Print the @value{GDBN} working directory.
2313 @end table
2314
2315 It is generally impossible to find the current working directory of
2316 the process being debugged (since a program can change its directory
2317 during its run). If you work on a system where @value{GDBN} is
2318 configured with the @file{/proc} support, you can use the @code{info
2319 proc} command (@pxref{SVR4 Process Information}) to find out the
2320 current working directory of the debuggee.
2321
2322 @node Input/Output
2323 @section Your Program's Input and Output
2324
2325 @cindex redirection
2326 @cindex i/o
2327 @cindex terminal
2328 By default, the program you run under @value{GDBN} does input and output to
2329 the same terminal that @value{GDBN} uses. @value{GDBN} switches the terminal
2330 to its own terminal modes to interact with you, but it records the terminal
2331 modes your program was using and switches back to them when you continue
2332 running your program.
2333
2334 @table @code
2335 @kindex info terminal
2336 @item info terminal
2337 Displays information recorded by @value{GDBN} about the terminal modes your
2338 program is using.
2339 @end table
2340
2341 You can redirect your program's input and/or output using shell
2342 redirection with the @code{run} command. For example,
2343
2344 @smallexample
2345 run > outfile
2346 @end smallexample
2347
2348 @noindent
2349 starts your program, diverting its output to the file @file{outfile}.
2350
2351 @kindex tty
2352 @cindex controlling terminal
2353 Another way to specify where your program should do input and output is
2354 with the @code{tty} command. This command accepts a file name as
2355 argument, and causes this file to be the default for future @code{run}
2356 commands. It also resets the controlling terminal for the child
2357 process, for future @code{run} commands. For example,
2358
2359 @smallexample
2360 tty /dev/ttyb
2361 @end smallexample
2362
2363 @noindent
2364 directs that processes started with subsequent @code{run} commands
2365 default to do input and output on the terminal @file{/dev/ttyb} and have
2366 that as their controlling terminal.
2367
2368 An explicit redirection in @code{run} overrides the @code{tty} command's
2369 effect on the input/output device, but not its effect on the controlling
2370 terminal.
2371
2372 When you use the @code{tty} command or redirect input in the @code{run}
2373 command, only the input @emph{for your program} is affected. The input
2374 for @value{GDBN} still comes from your terminal. @code{tty} is an alias
2375 for @code{set inferior-tty}.
2376
2377 @cindex inferior tty
2378 @cindex set inferior controlling terminal
2379 You can use the @code{show inferior-tty} command to tell @value{GDBN} to
2380 display the name of the terminal that will be used for future runs of your
2381 program.
2382
2383 @table @code
2384 @item set inferior-tty /dev/ttyb
2385 @kindex set inferior-tty
2386 Set the tty for the program being debugged to /dev/ttyb.
2387
2388 @item show inferior-tty
2389 @kindex show inferior-tty
2390 Show the current tty for the program being debugged.
2391 @end table
2392
2393 @node Attach
2394 @section Debugging an Already-running Process
2395 @kindex attach
2396 @cindex attach
2397
2398 @table @code
2399 @item attach @var{process-id}
2400 This command attaches to a running process---one that was started
2401 outside @value{GDBN}. (@code{info files} shows your active
2402 targets.) The command takes as argument a process ID. The usual way to
2403 find out the @var{process-id} of a Unix process is with the @code{ps} utility,
2404 or with the @samp{jobs -l} shell command.
2405
2406 @code{attach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} a second time after
2407 executing the command.
2408 @end table
2409
2410 To use @code{attach}, your program must be running in an environment
2411 which supports processes; for example, @code{attach} does not work for
2412 programs on bare-board targets that lack an operating system. You must
2413 also have permission to send the process a signal.
2414
2415 When you use @code{attach}, the debugger finds the program running in
2416 the process first by looking in the current working directory, then (if
2417 the program is not found) by using the source file search path
2418 (@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying Source Directories}). You can also use
2419 the @code{file} command to load the program. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
2420 Specify Files}.
2421
2422 The first thing @value{GDBN} does after arranging to debug the specified
2423 process is to stop it. You can examine and modify an attached process
2424 with all the @value{GDBN} commands that are ordinarily available when
2425 you start processes with @code{run}. You can insert breakpoints; you
2426 can step and continue; you can modify storage. If you would rather the
2427 process continue running, you may use the @code{continue} command after
2428 attaching @value{GDBN} to the process.
2429
2430 @table @code
2431 @kindex detach
2432 @item detach
2433 When you have finished debugging the attached process, you can use the
2434 @code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control. Detaching
2435 the process continues its execution. After the @code{detach} command,
2436 that process and @value{GDBN} become completely independent once more, and you
2437 are ready to @code{attach} another process or start one with @code{run}.
2438 @code{detach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
2439 executing the command.
2440 @end table
2441
2442 If you exit @value{GDBN} while you have an attached process, you detach
2443 that process. If you use the @code{run} command, you kill that process.
2444 By default, @value{GDBN} asks for confirmation if you try to do either of these
2445 things; you can control whether or not you need to confirm by using the
2446 @code{set confirm} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
2447 Messages}).
2448
2449 @node Kill Process
2450 @section Killing the Child Process
2451
2452 @table @code
2453 @kindex kill
2454 @item kill
2455 Kill the child process in which your program is running under @value{GDBN}.
2456 @end table
2457
2458 This command is useful if you wish to debug a core dump instead of a
2459 running process. @value{GDBN} ignores any core dump file while your program
2460 is running.
2461
2462 On some operating systems, a program cannot be executed outside @value{GDBN}
2463 while you have breakpoints set on it inside @value{GDBN}. You can use the
2464 @code{kill} command in this situation to permit running your program
2465 outside the debugger.
2466
2467 The @code{kill} command is also useful if you wish to recompile and
2468 relink your program, since on many systems it is impossible to modify an
2469 executable file while it is running in a process. In this case, when you
2470 next type @code{run}, @value{GDBN} notices that the file has changed, and
2471 reads the symbol table again (while trying to preserve your current
2472 breakpoint settings).
2473
2474 @node Inferiors and Programs
2475 @section Debugging Multiple Inferiors and Programs
2476
2477 @value{GDBN} lets you run and debug multiple programs in a single
2478 session. In addition, @value{GDBN} on some systems may let you run
2479 several programs simultaneously (otherwise you have to exit from one
2480 before starting another). In the most general case, you can have
2481 multiple threads of execution in each of multiple processes, launched
2482 from multiple executables.
2483
2484 @cindex inferior
2485 @value{GDBN} represents the state of each program execution with an
2486 object called an @dfn{inferior}. An inferior typically corresponds to
2487 a process, but is more general and applies also to targets that do not
2488 have processes. Inferiors may be created before a process runs, and
2489 may be retained after a process exits. Inferiors have unique
2490 identifiers that are different from process ids. Usually each
2491 inferior will also have its own distinct address space, although some
2492 embedded targets may have several inferiors running in different parts
2493 of a single address space. Each inferior may in turn have multiple
2494 threads running in it.
2495
2496 To find out what inferiors exist at any moment, use @w{@code{info
2497 inferiors}}:
2498
2499 @table @code
2500 @kindex info inferiors
2501 @item info inferiors
2502 Print a list of all inferiors currently being managed by @value{GDBN}.
2503
2504 @value{GDBN} displays for each inferior (in this order):
2505
2506 @enumerate
2507 @item
2508 the inferior number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2509
2510 @item
2511 the target system's inferior identifier
2512
2513 @item
2514 the name of the executable the inferior is running.
2515
2516 @end enumerate
2517
2518 @noindent
2519 An asterisk @samp{*} preceding the @value{GDBN} inferior number
2520 indicates the current inferior.
2521
2522 For example,
2523 @end table
2524 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2525
2526 @smallexample
2527 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2528 Num Description Executable
2529 2 process 2307 hello
2530 * 1 process 3401 goodbye
2531 @end smallexample
2532
2533 To switch focus between inferiors, use the @code{inferior} command:
2534
2535 @table @code
2536 @kindex inferior @var{infno}
2537 @item inferior @var{infno}
2538 Make inferior number @var{infno} the current inferior. The argument
2539 @var{infno} is the inferior number assigned by @value{GDBN}, as shown
2540 in the first field of the @samp{info inferiors} display.
2541 @end table
2542
2543
2544 You can get multiple executables into a debugging session via the
2545 @code{add-inferior} and @w{@code{clone-inferior}} commands. On some
2546 systems @value{GDBN} can add inferiors to the debug session
2547 automatically by following calls to @code{fork} and @code{exec}. To
2548 remove inferiors from the debugging session use the
2549 @w{@code{remove-inferiors}} command.
2550
2551 @table @code
2552 @kindex add-inferior
2553 @item add-inferior [ -copies @var{n} ] [ -exec @var{executable} ]
2554 Adds @var{n} inferiors to be run using @var{executable} as the
2555 executable. @var{n} defaults to 1. If no executable is specified,
2556 the inferiors begins empty, with no program. You can still assign or
2557 change the program assigned to the inferior at any time by using the
2558 @code{file} command with the executable name as its argument.
2559
2560 @kindex clone-inferior
2561 @item clone-inferior [ -copies @var{n} ] [ @var{infno} ]
2562 Adds @var{n} inferiors ready to execute the same program as inferior
2563 @var{infno}. @var{n} defaults to 1. @var{infno} defaults to the
2564 number of the current inferior. This is a convenient command when you
2565 want to run another instance of the inferior you are debugging.
2566
2567 @smallexample
2568 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2569 Num Description Executable
2570 * 1 process 29964 helloworld
2571 (@value{GDBP}) clone-inferior
2572 Added inferior 2.
2573 1 inferiors added.
2574 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2575 Num Description Executable
2576 2 <null> helloworld
2577 * 1 process 29964 helloworld
2578 @end smallexample
2579
2580 You can now simply switch focus to inferior 2 and run it.
2581
2582 @kindex remove-inferiors
2583 @item remove-inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2584 Removes the inferior or inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}. It is not
2585 possible to remove an inferior that is running with this command. For
2586 those, use the @code{kill} or @code{detach} command first.
2587
2588 @end table
2589
2590 To quit debugging one of the running inferiors that is not the current
2591 inferior, you can either detach from it by using the @w{@code{detach
2592 inferior}} command (allowing it to run independently), or kill it
2593 using the @w{@code{kill inferiors}} command:
2594
2595 @table @code
2596 @kindex detach inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2597 @item detach inferior @var{infno}@dots{}
2598 Detach from the inferior or inferiors identified by @value{GDBN}
2599 inferior number(s) @var{infno}@dots{}. Note that the inferior's entry
2600 still stays on the list of inferiors shown by @code{info inferiors},
2601 but its Description will show @samp{<null>}.
2602
2603 @kindex kill inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2604 @item kill inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2605 Kill the inferior or inferiors identified by @value{GDBN} inferior
2606 number(s) @var{infno}@dots{}. Note that the inferior's entry still
2607 stays on the list of inferiors shown by @code{info inferiors}, but its
2608 Description will show @samp{<null>}.
2609 @end table
2610
2611 After the successful completion of a command such as @code{detach},
2612 @code{detach inferiors}, @code{kill} or @code{kill inferiors}, or after
2613 a normal process exit, the inferior is still valid and listed with
2614 @code{info inferiors}, ready to be restarted.
2615
2616
2617 To be notified when inferiors are started or exit under @value{GDBN}'s
2618 control use @w{@code{set print inferior-events}}:
2619
2620 @table @code
2621 @kindex set print inferior-events
2622 @cindex print messages on inferior start and exit
2623 @item set print inferior-events
2624 @itemx set print inferior-events on
2625 @itemx set print inferior-events off
2626 The @code{set print inferior-events} command allows you to enable or
2627 disable printing of messages when @value{GDBN} notices that new
2628 inferiors have started or that inferiors have exited or have been
2629 detached. By default, these messages will not be printed.
2630
2631 @kindex show print inferior-events
2632 @item show print inferior-events
2633 Show whether messages will be printed when @value{GDBN} detects that
2634 inferiors have started, exited or have been detached.
2635 @end table
2636
2637 Many commands will work the same with multiple programs as with a
2638 single program: e.g., @code{print myglobal} will simply display the
2639 value of @code{myglobal} in the current inferior.
2640
2641
2642 Occasionaly, when debugging @value{GDBN} itself, it may be useful to
2643 get more info about the relationship of inferiors, programs, address
2644 spaces in a debug session. You can do that with the @w{@code{maint
2645 info program-spaces}} command.
2646
2647 @table @code
2648 @kindex maint info program-spaces
2649 @item maint info program-spaces
2650 Print a list of all program spaces currently being managed by
2651 @value{GDBN}.
2652
2653 @value{GDBN} displays for each program space (in this order):
2654
2655 @enumerate
2656 @item
2657 the program space number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2658
2659 @item
2660 the name of the executable loaded into the program space, with e.g.,
2661 the @code{file} command.
2662
2663 @end enumerate
2664
2665 @noindent
2666 An asterisk @samp{*} preceding the @value{GDBN} program space number
2667 indicates the current program space.
2668
2669 In addition, below each program space line, @value{GDBN} prints extra
2670 information that isn't suitable to display in tabular form. For
2671 example, the list of inferiors bound to the program space.
2672
2673 @smallexample
2674 (@value{GDBP}) maint info program-spaces
2675 Id Executable
2676 2 goodbye
2677 Bound inferiors: ID 1 (process 21561)
2678 * 1 hello
2679 @end smallexample
2680
2681 Here we can see that no inferior is running the program @code{hello},
2682 while @code{process 21561} is running the program @code{goodbye}. On
2683 some targets, it is possible that multiple inferiors are bound to the
2684 same program space. The most common example is that of debugging both
2685 the parent and child processes of a @code{vfork} call. For example,
2686
2687 @smallexample
2688 (@value{GDBP}) maint info program-spaces
2689 Id Executable
2690 * 1 vfork-test
2691 Bound inferiors: ID 2 (process 18050), ID 1 (process 18045)
2692 @end smallexample
2693
2694 Here, both inferior 2 and inferior 1 are running in the same program
2695 space as a result of inferior 1 having executed a @code{vfork} call.
2696 @end table
2697
2698 @node Threads
2699 @section Debugging Programs with Multiple Threads
2700
2701 @cindex threads of execution
2702 @cindex multiple threads
2703 @cindex switching threads
2704 In some operating systems, such as HP-UX and Solaris, a single program
2705 may have more than one @dfn{thread} of execution. The precise semantics
2706 of threads differ from one operating system to another, but in general
2707 the threads of a single program are akin to multiple processes---except
2708 that they share one address space (that is, they can all examine and
2709 modify the same variables). On the other hand, each thread has its own
2710 registers and execution stack, and perhaps private memory.
2711
2712 @value{GDBN} provides these facilities for debugging multi-thread
2713 programs:
2714
2715 @itemize @bullet
2716 @item automatic notification of new threads
2717 @item @samp{thread @var{threadno}}, a command to switch among threads
2718 @item @samp{info threads}, a command to inquire about existing threads
2719 @item @samp{thread apply [@var{threadno}] [@var{all}] @var{args}},
2720 a command to apply a command to a list of threads
2721 @item thread-specific breakpoints
2722 @item @samp{set print thread-events}, which controls printing of
2723 messages on thread start and exit.
2724 @item @samp{set libthread-db-search-path @var{path}}, which lets
2725 the user specify which @code{libthread_db} to use if the default choice
2726 isn't compatible with the program.
2727 @end itemize
2728
2729 @quotation
2730 @emph{Warning:} These facilities are not yet available on every
2731 @value{GDBN} configuration where the operating system supports threads.
2732 If your @value{GDBN} does not support threads, these commands have no
2733 effect. For example, a system without thread support shows no output
2734 from @samp{info threads}, and always rejects the @code{thread} command,
2735 like this:
2736
2737 @smallexample
2738 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2739 (@value{GDBP}) thread 1
2740 Thread ID 1 not known. Use the "info threads" command to
2741 see the IDs of currently known threads.
2742 @end smallexample
2743 @c FIXME to implementors: how hard would it be to say "sorry, this GDB
2744 @c doesn't support threads"?
2745 @end quotation
2746
2747 @cindex focus of debugging
2748 @cindex current thread
2749 The @value{GDBN} thread debugging facility allows you to observe all
2750 threads while your program runs---but whenever @value{GDBN} takes
2751 control, one thread in particular is always the focus of debugging.
2752 This thread is called the @dfn{current thread}. Debugging commands show
2753 program information from the perspective of the current thread.
2754
2755 @cindex @code{New} @var{systag} message
2756 @cindex thread identifier (system)
2757 @c FIXME-implementors!! It would be more helpful if the [New...] message
2758 @c included GDB's numeric thread handle, so you could just go to that
2759 @c thread without first checking `info threads'.
2760 Whenever @value{GDBN} detects a new thread in your program, it displays
2761 the target system's identification for the thread with a message in the
2762 form @samp{[New @var{systag}]}. @var{systag} is a thread identifier
2763 whose form varies depending on the particular system. For example, on
2764 @sc{gnu}/Linux, you might see
2765
2766 @smallexample
2767 [New Thread 0x41e02940 (LWP 25582)]
2768 @end smallexample
2769
2770 @noindent
2771 when @value{GDBN} notices a new thread. In contrast, on an SGI system,
2772 the @var{systag} is simply something like @samp{process 368}, with no
2773 further qualifier.
2774
2775 @c FIXME!! (1) Does the [New...] message appear even for the very first
2776 @c thread of a program, or does it only appear for the
2777 @c second---i.e.@: when it becomes obvious we have a multithread
2778 @c program?
2779 @c (2) *Is* there necessarily a first thread always? Or do some
2780 @c multithread systems permit starting a program with multiple
2781 @c threads ab initio?
2782
2783 @cindex thread number
2784 @cindex thread identifier (GDB)
2785 For debugging purposes, @value{GDBN} associates its own thread
2786 number---always a single integer---with each thread in your program.
2787
2788 @table @code
2789 @kindex info threads
2790 @item info threads @r{[}@var{id}@dots{}@r{]}
2791 Display a summary of all threads currently in your program. Optional
2792 argument @var{id}@dots{} is one or more thread ids separated by spaces, and
2793 means to print information only about the specified thread or threads.
2794 @value{GDBN} displays for each thread (in this order):
2795
2796 @enumerate
2797 @item
2798 the thread number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2799
2800 @item
2801 the target system's thread identifier (@var{systag})
2802
2803 @item
2804 the thread's name, if one is known. A thread can either be named by
2805 the user (see @code{thread name}, below), or, in some cases, by the
2806 program itself.
2807
2808 @item
2809 the current stack frame summary for that thread
2810 @end enumerate
2811
2812 @noindent
2813 An asterisk @samp{*} to the left of the @value{GDBN} thread number
2814 indicates the current thread.
2815
2816 For example,
2817 @end table
2818 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2819
2820 @smallexample
2821 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2822 Id Target Id Frame
2823 3 process 35 thread 27 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2824 2 process 35 thread 23 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2825 * 1 process 35 thread 13 main (argc=1, argv=0x7ffffff8)
2826 at threadtest.c:68
2827 @end smallexample
2828
2829 On Solaris, you can display more information about user threads with a
2830 Solaris-specific command:
2831
2832 @table @code
2833 @item maint info sol-threads
2834 @kindex maint info sol-threads
2835 @cindex thread info (Solaris)
2836 Display info on Solaris user threads.
2837 @end table
2838
2839 @table @code
2840 @kindex thread @var{threadno}
2841 @item thread @var{threadno}
2842 Make thread number @var{threadno} the current thread. The command
2843 argument @var{threadno} is the internal @value{GDBN} thread number, as
2844 shown in the first field of the @samp{info threads} display.
2845 @value{GDBN} responds by displaying the system identifier of the thread
2846 you selected, and its current stack frame summary:
2847
2848 @smallexample
2849 (@value{GDBP}) thread 2
2850 [Switching to thread 2 (Thread 0xb7fdab70 (LWP 12747))]
2851 #0 some_function (ignore=0x0) at example.c:8
2852 8 printf ("hello\n");
2853 @end smallexample
2854
2855 @noindent
2856 As with the @samp{[New @dots{}]} message, the form of the text after
2857 @samp{Switching to} depends on your system's conventions for identifying
2858 threads.
2859
2860 @vindex $_thread@r{, convenience variable}
2861 The debugger convenience variable @samp{$_thread} contains the number
2862 of the current thread. You may find this useful in writing breakpoint
2863 conditional expressions, command scripts, and so forth. See
2864 @xref{Convenience Vars,, Convenience Variables}, for general
2865 information on convenience variables.
2866
2867 @kindex thread apply
2868 @cindex apply command to several threads
2869 @item thread apply [@var{threadno} | all] @var{command}
2870 The @code{thread apply} command allows you to apply the named
2871 @var{command} to one or more threads. Specify the numbers of the
2872 threads that you want affected with the command argument
2873 @var{threadno}. It can be a single thread number, one of the numbers
2874 shown in the first field of the @samp{info threads} display; or it
2875 could be a range of thread numbers, as in @code{2-4}. To apply a
2876 command to all threads, type @kbd{thread apply all @var{command}}.
2877
2878 @kindex thread name
2879 @cindex name a thread
2880 @item thread name [@var{name}]
2881 This command assigns a name to the current thread. If no argument is
2882 given, any existing user-specified name is removed. The thread name
2883 appears in the @samp{info threads} display.
2884
2885 On some systems, such as @sc{gnu}/Linux, @value{GDBN} is able to
2886 determine the name of the thread as given by the OS. On these
2887 systems, a name specified with @samp{thread name} will override the
2888 system-give name, and removing the user-specified name will cause
2889 @value{GDBN} to once again display the system-specified name.
2890
2891 @kindex thread find
2892 @cindex search for a thread
2893 @item thread find [@var{regexp}]
2894 Search for and display thread ids whose name or @var{systag}
2895 matches the supplied regular expression.
2896
2897 As well as being the complement to the @samp{thread name} command,
2898 this command also allows you to identify a thread by its target
2899 @var{systag}. For instance, on @sc{gnu}/Linux, the target @var{systag}
2900 is the LWP id.
2901
2902 @smallexample
2903 (@value{GDBN}) thread find 26688
2904 Thread 4 has target id 'Thread 0x41e02940 (LWP 26688)'
2905 (@value{GDBN}) info thread 4
2906 Id Target Id Frame
2907 4 Thread 0x41e02940 (LWP 26688) 0x00000031ca6cd372 in select ()
2908 @end smallexample
2909
2910 @kindex set print thread-events
2911 @cindex print messages on thread start and exit
2912 @item set print thread-events
2913 @itemx set print thread-events on
2914 @itemx set print thread-events off
2915 The @code{set print thread-events} command allows you to enable or
2916 disable printing of messages when @value{GDBN} notices that new threads have
2917 started or that threads have exited. By default, these messages will
2918 be printed if detection of these events is supported by the target.
2919 Note that these messages cannot be disabled on all targets.
2920
2921 @kindex show print thread-events
2922 @item show print thread-events
2923 Show whether messages will be printed when @value{GDBN} detects that threads
2924 have started and exited.
2925 @end table
2926
2927 @xref{Thread Stops,,Stopping and Starting Multi-thread Programs}, for
2928 more information about how @value{GDBN} behaves when you stop and start
2929 programs with multiple threads.
2930
2931 @xref{Set Watchpoints,,Setting Watchpoints}, for information about
2932 watchpoints in programs with multiple threads.
2933
2934 @anchor{set libthread-db-search-path}
2935 @table @code
2936 @kindex set libthread-db-search-path
2937 @cindex search path for @code{libthread_db}
2938 @item set libthread-db-search-path @r{[}@var{path}@r{]}
2939 If this variable is set, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
2940 directories @value{GDBN} will use to search for @code{libthread_db}.
2941 If you omit @var{path}, @samp{libthread-db-search-path} will be reset to
2942 its default value (@code{$sdir:$pdir} on @sc{gnu}/Linux and Solaris systems).
2943 Internally, the default value comes from the @code{LIBTHREAD_DB_SEARCH_PATH}
2944 macro.
2945
2946 On @sc{gnu}/Linux and Solaris systems, @value{GDBN} uses a ``helper''
2947 @code{libthread_db} library to obtain information about threads in the
2948 inferior process. @value{GDBN} will use @samp{libthread-db-search-path}
2949 to find @code{libthread_db}. @value{GDBN} also consults first if inferior
2950 specific thread debugging library loading is enabled
2951 by @samp{set auto-load libthread-db} (@pxref{libthread_db.so.1 file}).
2952
2953 A special entry @samp{$sdir} for @samp{libthread-db-search-path}
2954 refers to the default system directories that are
2955 normally searched for loading shared libraries. The @samp{$sdir} entry
2956 is the only kind not needing to be enabled by @samp{set auto-load libthread-db}
2957 (@pxref{libthread_db.so.1 file}).
2958
2959 A special entry @samp{$pdir} for @samp{libthread-db-search-path}
2960 refers to the directory from which @code{libpthread}
2961 was loaded in the inferior process.
2962
2963 For any @code{libthread_db} library @value{GDBN} finds in above directories,
2964 @value{GDBN} attempts to initialize it with the current inferior process.
2965 If this initialization fails (which could happen because of a version
2966 mismatch between @code{libthread_db} and @code{libpthread}), @value{GDBN}
2967 will unload @code{libthread_db}, and continue with the next directory.
2968 If none of @code{libthread_db} libraries initialize successfully,
2969 @value{GDBN} will issue a warning and thread debugging will be disabled.
2970
2971 Setting @code{libthread-db-search-path} is currently implemented
2972 only on some platforms.
2973
2974 @kindex show libthread-db-search-path
2975 @item show libthread-db-search-path
2976 Display current libthread_db search path.
2977
2978 @kindex set debug libthread-db
2979 @kindex show debug libthread-db
2980 @cindex debugging @code{libthread_db}
2981 @item set debug libthread-db
2982 @itemx show debug libthread-db
2983 Turns on or off display of @code{libthread_db}-related events.
2984 Use @code{1} to enable, @code{0} to disable.
2985 @end table
2986
2987 @node Forks
2988 @section Debugging Forks
2989
2990 @cindex fork, debugging programs which call
2991 @cindex multiple processes
2992 @cindex processes, multiple
2993 On most systems, @value{GDBN} has no special support for debugging
2994 programs which create additional processes using the @code{fork}
2995 function. When a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug the
2996 parent process and the child process will run unimpeded. If you have
2997 set a breakpoint in any code which the child then executes, the child
2998 will get a @code{SIGTRAP} signal which (unless it catches the signal)
2999 will cause it to terminate.
3000
3001 However, if you want to debug the child process there is a workaround
3002 which isn't too painful. Put a call to @code{sleep} in the code which
3003 the child process executes after the fork. It may be useful to sleep
3004 only if a certain environment variable is set, or a certain file exists,
3005 so that the delay need not occur when you don't want to run @value{GDBN}
3006 on the child. While the child is sleeping, use the @code{ps} program to
3007 get its process ID. Then tell @value{GDBN} (a new invocation of
3008 @value{GDBN} if you are also debugging the parent process) to attach to
3009 the child process (@pxref{Attach}). From that point on you can debug
3010 the child process just like any other process which you attached to.
3011
3012 On some systems, @value{GDBN} provides support for debugging programs that
3013 create additional processes using the @code{fork} or @code{vfork} functions.
3014 Currently, the only platforms with this feature are HP-UX (11.x and later
3015 only?) and @sc{gnu}/Linux (kernel version 2.5.60 and later).
3016
3017 By default, when a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug
3018 the parent process and the child process will run unimpeded.
3019
3020 If you want to follow the child process instead of the parent process,
3021 use the command @w{@code{set follow-fork-mode}}.
3022
3023 @table @code
3024 @kindex set follow-fork-mode
3025 @item set follow-fork-mode @var{mode}
3026 Set the debugger response to a program call of @code{fork} or
3027 @code{vfork}. A call to @code{fork} or @code{vfork} creates a new
3028 process. The @var{mode} argument can be:
3029
3030 @table @code
3031 @item parent
3032 The original process is debugged after a fork. The child process runs
3033 unimpeded. This is the default.
3034
3035 @item child
3036 The new process is debugged after a fork. The parent process runs
3037 unimpeded.
3038
3039 @end table
3040
3041 @kindex show follow-fork-mode
3042 @item show follow-fork-mode
3043 Display the current debugger response to a @code{fork} or @code{vfork} call.
3044 @end table
3045
3046 @cindex debugging multiple processes
3047 On Linux, if you want to debug both the parent and child processes, use the
3048 command @w{@code{set detach-on-fork}}.
3049
3050 @table @code
3051 @kindex set detach-on-fork
3052 @item set detach-on-fork @var{mode}
3053 Tells gdb whether to detach one of the processes after a fork, or
3054 retain debugger control over them both.
3055
3056 @table @code
3057 @item on
3058 The child process (or parent process, depending on the value of
3059 @code{follow-fork-mode}) will be detached and allowed to run
3060 independently. This is the default.
3061
3062 @item off
3063 Both processes will be held under the control of @value{GDBN}.
3064 One process (child or parent, depending on the value of
3065 @code{follow-fork-mode}) is debugged as usual, while the other
3066 is held suspended.
3067
3068 @end table
3069
3070 @kindex show detach-on-fork
3071 @item show detach-on-fork
3072 Show whether detach-on-fork mode is on/off.
3073 @end table
3074
3075 If you choose to set @samp{detach-on-fork} mode off, then @value{GDBN}
3076 will retain control of all forked processes (including nested forks).
3077 You can list the forked processes under the control of @value{GDBN} by
3078 using the @w{@code{info inferiors}} command, and switch from one fork
3079 to another by using the @code{inferior} command (@pxref{Inferiors and
3080 Programs, ,Debugging Multiple Inferiors and Programs}).
3081
3082 To quit debugging one of the forked processes, you can either detach
3083 from it by using the @w{@code{detach inferiors}} command (allowing it
3084 to run independently), or kill it using the @w{@code{kill inferiors}}
3085 command. @xref{Inferiors and Programs, ,Debugging Multiple Inferiors
3086 and Programs}.
3087
3088 If you ask to debug a child process and a @code{vfork} is followed by an
3089 @code{exec}, @value{GDBN} executes the new target up to the first
3090 breakpoint in the new target. If you have a breakpoint set on
3091 @code{main} in your original program, the breakpoint will also be set on
3092 the child process's @code{main}.
3093
3094 On some systems, when a child process is spawned by @code{vfork}, you
3095 cannot debug the child or parent until an @code{exec} call completes.
3096
3097 If you issue a @code{run} command to @value{GDBN} after an @code{exec}
3098 call executes, the new target restarts. To restart the parent
3099 process, use the @code{file} command with the parent executable name
3100 as its argument. By default, after an @code{exec} call executes,
3101 @value{GDBN} discards the symbols of the previous executable image.
3102 You can change this behaviour with the @w{@code{set follow-exec-mode}}
3103 command.
3104
3105 @table @code
3106 @kindex set follow-exec-mode
3107 @item set follow-exec-mode @var{mode}
3108
3109 Set debugger response to a program call of @code{exec}. An
3110 @code{exec} call replaces the program image of a process.
3111
3112 @code{follow-exec-mode} can be:
3113
3114 @table @code
3115 @item new
3116 @value{GDBN} creates a new inferior and rebinds the process to this
3117 new inferior. The program the process was running before the
3118 @code{exec} call can be restarted afterwards by restarting the
3119 original inferior.
3120
3121 For example:
3122
3123 @smallexample
3124 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3125 (gdb) info inferior
3126 Id Description Executable
3127 * 1 <null> prog1
3128 (@value{GDBP}) run
3129 process 12020 is executing new program: prog2
3130 Program exited normally.
3131 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3132 Id Description Executable
3133 * 2 <null> prog2
3134 1 <null> prog1
3135 @end smallexample
3136
3137 @item same
3138 @value{GDBN} keeps the process bound to the same inferior. The new
3139 executable image replaces the previous executable loaded in the
3140 inferior. Restarting the inferior after the @code{exec} call, with
3141 e.g., the @code{run} command, restarts the executable the process was
3142 running after the @code{exec} call. This is the default mode.
3143
3144 For example:
3145
3146 @smallexample
3147 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3148 Id Description Executable
3149 * 1 <null> prog1
3150 (@value{GDBP}) run
3151 process 12020 is executing new program: prog2
3152 Program exited normally.
3153 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3154 Id Description Executable
3155 * 1 <null> prog2
3156 @end smallexample
3157
3158 @end table
3159 @end table
3160
3161 You can use the @code{catch} command to make @value{GDBN} stop whenever
3162 a @code{fork}, @code{vfork}, or @code{exec} call is made. @xref{Set
3163 Catchpoints, ,Setting Catchpoints}.
3164
3165 @node Checkpoint/Restart
3166 @section Setting a @emph{Bookmark} to Return to Later
3167
3168 @cindex checkpoint
3169 @cindex restart
3170 @cindex bookmark
3171 @cindex snapshot of a process
3172 @cindex rewind program state
3173
3174 On certain operating systems@footnote{Currently, only
3175 @sc{gnu}/Linux.}, @value{GDBN} is able to save a @dfn{snapshot} of a
3176 program's state, called a @dfn{checkpoint}, and come back to it
3177 later.
3178
3179 Returning to a checkpoint effectively undoes everything that has
3180 happened in the program since the @code{checkpoint} was saved. This
3181 includes changes in memory, registers, and even (within some limits)
3182 system state. Effectively, it is like going back in time to the
3183 moment when the checkpoint was saved.
3184
3185 Thus, if you're stepping thru a program and you think you're
3186 getting close to the point where things go wrong, you can save
3187 a checkpoint. Then, if you accidentally go too far and miss
3188 the critical statement, instead of having to restart your program
3189 from the beginning, you can just go back to the checkpoint and
3190 start again from there.
3191
3192 This can be especially useful if it takes a lot of time or
3193 steps to reach the point where you think the bug occurs.
3194
3195 To use the @code{checkpoint}/@code{restart} method of debugging:
3196
3197 @table @code
3198 @kindex checkpoint
3199 @item checkpoint
3200 Save a snapshot of the debugged program's current execution state.
3201 The @code{checkpoint} command takes no arguments, but each checkpoint
3202 is assigned a small integer id, similar to a breakpoint id.
3203
3204 @kindex info checkpoints
3205 @item info checkpoints
3206 List the checkpoints that have been saved in the current debugging
3207 session. For each checkpoint, the following information will be
3208 listed:
3209
3210 @table @code
3211 @item Checkpoint ID
3212 @item Process ID
3213 @item Code Address
3214 @item Source line, or label
3215 @end table
3216
3217 @kindex restart @var{checkpoint-id}
3218 @item restart @var{checkpoint-id}
3219 Restore the program state that was saved as checkpoint number
3220 @var{checkpoint-id}. All program variables, registers, stack frames
3221 etc.@: will be returned to the values that they had when the checkpoint
3222 was saved. In essence, gdb will ``wind back the clock'' to the point
3223 in time when the checkpoint was saved.
3224
3225 Note that breakpoints, @value{GDBN} variables, command history etc.
3226 are not affected by restoring a checkpoint. In general, a checkpoint
3227 only restores things that reside in the program being debugged, not in
3228 the debugger.
3229
3230 @kindex delete checkpoint @var{checkpoint-id}
3231 @item delete checkpoint @var{checkpoint-id}
3232 Delete the previously-saved checkpoint identified by @var{checkpoint-id}.
3233
3234 @end table
3235
3236 Returning to a previously saved checkpoint will restore the user state
3237 of the program being debugged, plus a significant subset of the system
3238 (OS) state, including file pointers. It won't ``un-write'' data from
3239 a file, but it will rewind the file pointer to the previous location,
3240 so that the previously written data can be overwritten. For files
3241 opened in read mode, the pointer will also be restored so that the
3242 previously read data can be read again.
3243
3244 Of course, characters that have been sent to a printer (or other
3245 external device) cannot be ``snatched back'', and characters received
3246 from eg.@: a serial device can be removed from internal program buffers,
3247 but they cannot be ``pushed back'' into the serial pipeline, ready to
3248 be received again. Similarly, the actual contents of files that have
3249 been changed cannot be restored (at this time).
3250
3251 However, within those constraints, you actually can ``rewind'' your
3252 program to a previously saved point in time, and begin debugging it
3253 again --- and you can change the course of events so as to debug a
3254 different execution path this time.
3255
3256 @cindex checkpoints and process id
3257 Finally, there is one bit of internal program state that will be
3258 different when you return to a checkpoint --- the program's process
3259 id. Each checkpoint will have a unique process id (or @var{pid}),
3260 and each will be different from the program's original @var{pid}.
3261 If your program has saved a local copy of its process id, this could
3262 potentially pose a problem.
3263
3264 @subsection A Non-obvious Benefit of Using Checkpoints
3265
3266 On some systems such as @sc{gnu}/Linux, address space randomization
3267 is performed on new processes for security reasons. This makes it
3268 difficult or impossible to set a breakpoint, or watchpoint, on an
3269 absolute address if you have to restart the program, since the
3270 absolute location of a symbol will change from one execution to the
3271 next.
3272
3273 A checkpoint, however, is an @emph{identical} copy of a process.
3274 Therefore if you create a checkpoint at (eg.@:) the start of main,
3275 and simply return to that checkpoint instead of restarting the
3276 process, you can avoid the effects of address randomization and
3277 your symbols will all stay in the same place.
3278
3279 @node Stopping
3280 @chapter Stopping and Continuing
3281
3282 The principal purposes of using a debugger are so that you can stop your
3283 program before it terminates; or so that, if your program runs into
3284 trouble, you can investigate and find out why.
3285
3286 Inside @value{GDBN}, your program may stop for any of several reasons,
3287 such as a signal, a breakpoint, or reaching a new line after a
3288 @value{GDBN} command such as @code{step}. You may then examine and
3289 change variables, set new breakpoints or remove old ones, and then
3290 continue execution. Usually, the messages shown by @value{GDBN} provide
3291 ample explanation of the status of your program---but you can also
3292 explicitly request this information at any time.
3293
3294 @table @code
3295 @kindex info program
3296 @item info program
3297 Display information about the status of your program: whether it is
3298 running or not, what process it is, and why it stopped.
3299 @end table
3300
3301 @menu
3302 * Breakpoints:: Breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints
3303 * Continuing and Stepping:: Resuming execution
3304 * Skipping Over Functions and Files::
3305 Skipping over functions and files
3306 * Signals:: Signals
3307 * Thread Stops:: Stopping and starting multi-thread programs
3308 @end menu
3309
3310 @node Breakpoints
3311 @section Breakpoints, Watchpoints, and Catchpoints
3312
3313 @cindex breakpoints
3314 A @dfn{breakpoint} makes your program stop whenever a certain point in
3315 the program is reached. For each breakpoint, you can add conditions to
3316 control in finer detail whether your program stops. You can set
3317 breakpoints with the @code{break} command and its variants (@pxref{Set
3318 Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}), to specify the place where your program
3319 should stop by line number, function name or exact address in the
3320 program.
3321
3322 On some systems, you can set breakpoints in shared libraries before
3323 the executable is run. There is a minor limitation on HP-UX systems:
3324 you must wait until the executable is run in order to set breakpoints
3325 in shared library routines that are not called directly by the program
3326 (for example, routines that are arguments in a @code{pthread_create}
3327 call).
3328
3329 @cindex watchpoints
3330 @cindex data breakpoints
3331 @cindex memory tracing
3332 @cindex breakpoint on memory address
3333 @cindex breakpoint on variable modification
3334 A @dfn{watchpoint} is a special breakpoint that stops your program
3335 when the value of an expression changes. The expression may be a value
3336 of a variable, or it could involve values of one or more variables
3337 combined by operators, such as @samp{a + b}. This is sometimes called
3338 @dfn{data breakpoints}. You must use a different command to set
3339 watchpoints (@pxref{Set Watchpoints, ,Setting Watchpoints}), but aside
3340 from that, you can manage a watchpoint like any other breakpoint: you
3341 enable, disable, and delete both breakpoints and watchpoints using the
3342 same commands.
3343
3344 You can arrange to have values from your program displayed automatically
3345 whenever @value{GDBN} stops at a breakpoint. @xref{Auto Display,,
3346 Automatic Display}.
3347
3348 @cindex catchpoints
3349 @cindex breakpoint on events
3350 A @dfn{catchpoint} is another special breakpoint that stops your program
3351 when a certain kind of event occurs, such as the throwing of a C@t{++}
3352 exception or the loading of a library. As with watchpoints, you use a
3353 different command to set a catchpoint (@pxref{Set Catchpoints, ,Setting
3354 Catchpoints}), but aside from that, you can manage a catchpoint like any
3355 other breakpoint. (To stop when your program receives a signal, use the
3356 @code{handle} command; see @ref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
3357
3358 @cindex breakpoint numbers
3359 @cindex numbers for breakpoints
3360 @value{GDBN} assigns a number to each breakpoint, watchpoint, or
3361 catchpoint when you create it; these numbers are successive integers
3362 starting with one. In many of the commands for controlling various
3363 features of breakpoints you use the breakpoint number to say which
3364 breakpoint you want to change. Each breakpoint may be @dfn{enabled} or
3365 @dfn{disabled}; if disabled, it has no effect on your program until you
3366 enable it again.
3367
3368 @cindex breakpoint ranges
3369 @cindex ranges of breakpoints
3370 Some @value{GDBN} commands accept a range of breakpoints on which to
3371 operate. A breakpoint range is either a single breakpoint number, like
3372 @samp{5}, or two such numbers, in increasing order, separated by a
3373 hyphen, like @samp{5-7}. When a breakpoint range is given to a command,
3374 all breakpoints in that range are operated on.
3375
3376 @menu
3377 * Set Breaks:: Setting breakpoints
3378 * Set Watchpoints:: Setting watchpoints
3379 * Set Catchpoints:: Setting catchpoints
3380 * Delete Breaks:: Deleting breakpoints
3381 * Disabling:: Disabling breakpoints
3382 * Conditions:: Break conditions
3383 * Break Commands:: Breakpoint command lists
3384 * Dynamic Printf:: Dynamic printf
3385 * Save Breakpoints:: How to save breakpoints in a file
3386 * Static Probe Points:: Listing static probe points
3387 * Error in Breakpoints:: ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
3388 * Breakpoint-related Warnings:: ``Breakpoint address adjusted...''
3389 @end menu
3390
3391 @node Set Breaks
3392 @subsection Setting Breakpoints
3393
3394 @c FIXME LMB what does GDB do if no code on line of breakpt?
3395 @c consider in particular declaration with/without initialization.
3396 @c
3397 @c FIXME 2 is there stuff on this already? break at fun start, already init?
3398
3399 @kindex break
3400 @kindex b @r{(@code{break})}
3401 @vindex $bpnum@r{, convenience variable}
3402 @cindex latest breakpoint
3403 Breakpoints are set with the @code{break} command (abbreviated
3404 @code{b}). The debugger convenience variable @samp{$bpnum} records the
3405 number of the breakpoint you've set most recently; see @ref{Convenience
3406 Vars,, Convenience Variables}, for a discussion of what you can do with
3407 convenience variables.
3408
3409 @table @code
3410 @item break @var{location}
3411 Set a breakpoint at the given @var{location}, which can specify a
3412 function name, a line number, or an address of an instruction.
3413 (@xref{Specify Location}, for a list of all the possible ways to
3414 specify a @var{location}.) The breakpoint will stop your program just
3415 before it executes any of the code in the specified @var{location}.
3416
3417 When using source languages that permit overloading of symbols, such as
3418 C@t{++}, a function name may refer to more than one possible place to break.
3419 @xref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous Expressions}, for a discussion of
3420 that situation.
3421
3422 It is also possible to insert a breakpoint that will stop the program
3423 only if a specific thread (@pxref{Thread-Specific Breakpoints})
3424 or a specific task (@pxref{Ada Tasks}) hits that breakpoint.
3425
3426 @item break
3427 When called without any arguments, @code{break} sets a breakpoint at
3428 the next instruction to be executed in the selected stack frame
3429 (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the Stack}). In any selected frame but the
3430 innermost, this makes your program stop as soon as control
3431 returns to that frame. This is similar to the effect of a
3432 @code{finish} command in the frame inside the selected frame---except
3433 that @code{finish} does not leave an active breakpoint. If you use
3434 @code{break} without an argument in the innermost frame, @value{GDBN} stops
3435 the next time it reaches the current location; this may be useful
3436 inside loops.
3437
3438 @value{GDBN} normally ignores breakpoints when it resumes execution, until at
3439 least one instruction has been executed. If it did not do this, you
3440 would be unable to proceed past a breakpoint without first disabling the
3441 breakpoint. This rule applies whether or not the breakpoint already
3442 existed when your program stopped.
3443
3444 @item break @dots{} if @var{cond}
3445 Set a breakpoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
3446 @var{cond} each time the breakpoint is reached, and stop only if the
3447 value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
3448 @samp{@dots{}} stands for one of the possible arguments described
3449 above (or no argument) specifying where to break. @xref{Conditions,
3450 ,Break Conditions}, for more information on breakpoint conditions.
3451
3452 @kindex tbreak
3453 @item tbreak @var{args}
3454 Set a breakpoint enabled only for one stop. @var{args} are the
3455 same as for the @code{break} command, and the breakpoint is set in the same
3456 way, but the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the first time your
3457 program stops there. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}.
3458
3459 @kindex hbreak
3460 @cindex hardware breakpoints
3461 @item hbreak @var{args}
3462 Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint. @var{args} are the same as for the
3463 @code{break} command and the breakpoint is set in the same way, but the
3464 breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware may not
3465 have this support. The main purpose of this is EPROM/ROM code
3466 debugging, so you can set a breakpoint at an instruction without
3467 changing the instruction. This can be used with the new trap-generation
3468 provided by SPARClite DSU and most x86-based targets. These targets
3469 will generate traps when a program accesses some data or instruction
3470 address that is assigned to the debug registers. However the hardware
3471 breakpoint registers can take a limited number of breakpoints. For
3472 example, on the DSU, only two data breakpoints can be set at a time, and
3473 @value{GDBN} will reject this command if more than two are used. Delete
3474 or disable unused hardware breakpoints before setting new ones
3475 (@pxref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}).
3476 @xref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}.
3477 For remote targets, you can restrict the number of hardware
3478 breakpoints @value{GDBN} will use, see @ref{set remote
3479 hardware-breakpoint-limit}.
3480
3481 @kindex thbreak
3482 @item thbreak @var{args}
3483 Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint enabled only for one stop. @var{args}
3484 are the same as for the @code{hbreak} command and the breakpoint is set in
3485 the same way. However, like the @code{tbreak} command,
3486 the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the
3487 first time your program stops there. Also, like the @code{hbreak}
3488 command, the breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware
3489 may not have this support. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}.
3490 See also @ref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}.
3491
3492 @kindex rbreak
3493 @cindex regular expression
3494 @cindex breakpoints at functions matching a regexp
3495 @cindex set breakpoints in many functions
3496 @item rbreak @var{regex}
3497 Set breakpoints on all functions matching the regular expression
3498 @var{regex}. This command sets an unconditional breakpoint on all
3499 matches, printing a list of all breakpoints it set. Once these
3500 breakpoints are set, they are treated just like the breakpoints set with
3501 the @code{break} command. You can delete them, disable them, or make
3502 them conditional the same way as any other breakpoint.
3503
3504 The syntax of the regular expression is the standard one used with tools
3505 like @file{grep}. Note that this is different from the syntax used by
3506 shells, so for instance @code{foo*} matches all functions that include
3507 an @code{fo} followed by zero or more @code{o}s. There is an implicit
3508 @code{.*} leading and trailing the regular expression you supply, so to
3509 match only functions that begin with @code{foo}, use @code{^foo}.
3510
3511 @cindex non-member C@t{++} functions, set breakpoint in
3512 When debugging C@t{++} programs, @code{rbreak} is useful for setting
3513 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
3514 classes.
3515
3516 @cindex set breakpoints on all functions
3517 The @code{rbreak} command can be used to set breakpoints in
3518 @strong{all} the functions in a program, like this:
3519
3520 @smallexample
3521 (@value{GDBP}) rbreak .
3522 @end smallexample
3523
3524 @item rbreak @var{file}:@var{regex}
3525 If @code{rbreak} is called with a filename qualification, it limits
3526 the search for functions matching the given regular expression to the
3527 specified @var{file}. This can be used, for example, to set breakpoints on
3528 every function in a given file:
3529
3530 @smallexample
3531 (@value{GDBP}) rbreak file.c:.
3532 @end smallexample
3533
3534 The colon separating the filename qualifier from the regex may
3535 optionally be surrounded by spaces.
3536
3537 @kindex info breakpoints
3538 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info breakpoints}
3539 @item info breakpoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
3540 @itemx info break @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
3541 Print a table of all breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints set and
3542 not deleted. Optional argument @var{n} means print information only
3543 about the specified breakpoint(s) (or watchpoint(s) or catchpoint(s)).
3544 For each breakpoint, following columns are printed:
3545
3546 @table @emph
3547 @item Breakpoint Numbers
3548 @item Type
3549 Breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint.
3550 @item Disposition
3551 Whether the breakpoint is marked to be disabled or deleted when hit.
3552 @item Enabled or Disabled
3553 Enabled breakpoints are marked with @samp{y}. @samp{n} marks breakpoints
3554 that are not enabled.
3555 @item Address
3556 Where the breakpoint is in your program, as a memory address. For a
3557 pending breakpoint whose address is not yet known, this field will
3558 contain @samp{<PENDING>}. Such breakpoint won't fire until a shared
3559 library that has the symbol or line referred by breakpoint is loaded.
3560 See below for details. A breakpoint with several locations will
3561 have @samp{<MULTIPLE>} in this field---see below for details.
3562 @item What
3563 Where the breakpoint is in the source for your program, as a file and
3564 line number. For a pending breakpoint, the original string passed to
3565 the breakpoint command will be listed as it cannot be resolved until
3566 the appropriate shared library is loaded in the future.
3567 @end table
3568
3569 @noindent
3570 If a breakpoint is conditional, there are two evaluation modes: ``host'' and
3571 ``target''. If mode is ``host'', breakpoint condition evaluation is done by
3572 @value{GDBN} on the host's side. If it is ``target'', then the condition
3573 is evaluated by the target. The @code{info break} command shows
3574 the condition on the line following the affected breakpoint, together with
3575 its condition evaluation mode in between parentheses.
3576
3577 Breakpoint commands, if any, are listed after that. A pending breakpoint is
3578 allowed to have a condition specified for it. The condition is not parsed for
3579 validity until a shared library is loaded that allows the pending
3580 breakpoint to resolve to a valid location.
3581
3582 @noindent
3583 @code{info break} with a breakpoint
3584 number @var{n} as argument lists only that breakpoint. The
3585 convenience variable @code{$_} and the default examining-address for
3586 the @code{x} command are set to the address of the last breakpoint
3587 listed (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}).
3588
3589 @noindent
3590 @code{info break} displays a count of the number of times the breakpoint
3591 has been hit. This is especially useful in conjunction with the
3592 @code{ignore} command. You can ignore a large number of breakpoint
3593 hits, look at the breakpoint info to see how many times the breakpoint
3594 was hit, and then run again, ignoring one less than that number. This
3595 will get you quickly to the last hit of that breakpoint.
3596
3597 @noindent
3598 For a breakpoints with an enable count (xref) greater than 1,
3599 @code{info break} also displays that count.
3600
3601 @end table
3602
3603 @value{GDBN} allows you to set any number of breakpoints at the same place in
3604 your program. There is nothing silly or meaningless about this. When
3605 the breakpoints are conditional, this is even useful
3606 (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
3607
3608 @cindex multiple locations, breakpoints
3609 @cindex breakpoints, multiple locations
3610 It is possible that a breakpoint corresponds to several locations
3611 in your program. Examples of this situation are:
3612
3613 @itemize @bullet
3614 @item
3615 Multiple functions in the program may have the same name.
3616
3617 @item
3618 For a C@t{++} constructor, the @value{NGCC} compiler generates several
3619 instances of the function body, used in different cases.
3620
3621 @item
3622 For a C@t{++} template function, a given line in the function can
3623 correspond to any number of instantiations.
3624
3625 @item
3626 For an inlined function, a given source line can correspond to
3627 several places where that function is inlined.
3628 @end itemize
3629
3630 In all those cases, @value{GDBN} will insert a breakpoint at all
3631 the relevant locations.
3632
3633 A breakpoint with multiple locations is displayed in the breakpoint
3634 table using several rows---one header row, followed by one row for
3635 each breakpoint location. The header row has @samp{<MULTIPLE>} in the
3636 address column. The rows for individual locations contain the actual
3637 addresses for locations, and show the functions to which those
3638 locations belong. The number column for a location is of the form
3639 @var{breakpoint-number}.@var{location-number}.
3640
3641 For example:
3642
3643 @smallexample
3644 Num Type Disp Enb Address What
3645 1 breakpoint keep y <MULTIPLE>
3646 stop only if i==1
3647 breakpoint already hit 1 time
3648 1.1 y 0x080486a2 in void foo<int>() at t.cc:8
3649 1.2 y 0x080486ca in void foo<double>() at t.cc:8
3650 @end smallexample
3651
3652 Each location can be individually enabled or disabled by passing
3653 @var{breakpoint-number}.@var{location-number} as argument to the
3654 @code{enable} and @code{disable} commands. Note that you cannot
3655 delete the individual locations from the list, you can only delete the
3656 entire list of locations that belong to their parent breakpoint (with
3657 the @kbd{delete @var{num}} command, where @var{num} is the number of
3658 the parent breakpoint, 1 in the above example). Disabling or enabling
3659 the parent breakpoint (@pxref{Disabling}) affects all of the locations
3660 that belong to that breakpoint.
3661
3662 @cindex pending breakpoints
3663 It's quite common to have a breakpoint inside a shared library.
3664 Shared libraries can be loaded and unloaded explicitly,
3665 and possibly repeatedly, as the program is executed. To support
3666 this use case, @value{GDBN} updates breakpoint locations whenever
3667 any shared library is loaded or unloaded. Typically, you would
3668 set a breakpoint in a shared library at the beginning of your
3669 debugging session, when the library is not loaded, and when the
3670 symbols from the library are not available. When you try to set
3671 breakpoint, @value{GDBN} will ask you if you want to set
3672 a so called @dfn{pending breakpoint}---breakpoint whose address
3673 is not yet resolved.
3674
3675 After the program is run, whenever a new shared library is loaded,
3676 @value{GDBN} reevaluates all the breakpoints. When a newly loaded
3677 shared library contains the symbol or line referred to by some
3678 pending breakpoint, that breakpoint is resolved and becomes an
3679 ordinary breakpoint. When a library is unloaded, all breakpoints
3680 that refer to its symbols or source lines become pending again.
3681
3682 This logic works for breakpoints with multiple locations, too. For
3683 example, if you have a breakpoint in a C@t{++} template function, and
3684 a newly loaded shared library has an instantiation of that template,
3685 a new location is added to the list of locations for the breakpoint.
3686
3687 Except for having unresolved address, pending breakpoints do not
3688 differ from regular breakpoints. You can set conditions or commands,
3689 enable and disable them and perform other breakpoint operations.
3690
3691 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling what
3692 happens when the @samp{break} command cannot resolve breakpoint
3693 address specification to an address:
3694
3695 @kindex set breakpoint pending
3696 @kindex show breakpoint pending
3697 @table @code
3698 @item set breakpoint pending auto
3699 This is the default behavior. When @value{GDBN} cannot find the breakpoint
3700 location, it queries you whether a pending breakpoint should be created.
3701
3702 @item set breakpoint pending on
3703 This indicates that an unrecognized breakpoint location should automatically
3704 result in a pending breakpoint being created.
3705
3706 @item set breakpoint pending off
3707 This indicates that pending breakpoints are not to be created. Any
3708 unrecognized breakpoint location results in an error. This setting does
3709 not affect any pending breakpoints previously created.
3710
3711 @item show breakpoint pending
3712 Show the current behavior setting for creating pending breakpoints.
3713 @end table
3714
3715 The settings above only affect the @code{break} command and its
3716 variants. Once breakpoint is set, it will be automatically updated
3717 as shared libraries are loaded and unloaded.
3718
3719 @cindex automatic hardware breakpoints
3720 For some targets, @value{GDBN} can automatically decide if hardware or
3721 software breakpoints should be used, depending on whether the
3722 breakpoint address is read-only or read-write. This applies to
3723 breakpoints set with the @code{break} command as well as to internal
3724 breakpoints set by commands like @code{next} and @code{finish}. For
3725 breakpoints set with @code{hbreak}, @value{GDBN} will always use hardware
3726 breakpoints.
3727
3728 You can control this automatic behaviour with the following commands::
3729
3730 @kindex set breakpoint auto-hw
3731 @kindex show breakpoint auto-hw
3732 @table @code
3733 @item set breakpoint auto-hw on
3734 This is the default behavior. When @value{GDBN} sets a breakpoint, it
3735 will try to use the target memory map to decide if software or hardware
3736 breakpoint must be used.
3737
3738 @item set breakpoint auto-hw off
3739 This indicates @value{GDBN} should not automatically select breakpoint
3740 type. If the target provides a memory map, @value{GDBN} will warn when
3741 trying to set software breakpoint at a read-only address.
3742 @end table
3743
3744 @value{GDBN} normally implements breakpoints by replacing the program code
3745 at the breakpoint address with a special instruction, which, when
3746 executed, given control to the debugger. By default, the program
3747 code is so modified only when the program is resumed. As soon as
3748 the program stops, @value{GDBN} restores the original instructions. This
3749 behaviour guards against leaving breakpoints inserted in the
3750 target should gdb abrubptly disconnect. However, with slow remote
3751 targets, inserting and removing breakpoint can reduce the performance.
3752 This behavior can be controlled with the following commands::
3753
3754 @kindex set breakpoint always-inserted
3755 @kindex show breakpoint always-inserted
3756 @table @code
3757 @item set breakpoint always-inserted off
3758 All breakpoints, including newly added by the user, are inserted in
3759 the target only when the target is resumed. All breakpoints are
3760 removed from the target when it stops.
3761
3762 @item set breakpoint always-inserted on
3763 Causes all breakpoints to be inserted in the target at all times. If
3764 the user adds a new breakpoint, or changes an existing breakpoint, the
3765 breakpoints in the target are updated immediately. A breakpoint is
3766 removed from the target only when breakpoint itself is removed.
3767
3768 @cindex non-stop mode, and @code{breakpoint always-inserted}
3769 @item set breakpoint always-inserted auto
3770 This is the default mode. If @value{GDBN} is controlling the inferior
3771 in non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}), gdb behaves as if
3772 @code{breakpoint always-inserted} mode is on. If @value{GDBN} is
3773 controlling the inferior in all-stop mode, @value{GDBN} behaves as if
3774 @code{breakpoint always-inserted} mode is off.
3775 @end table
3776
3777 @value{GDBN} handles conditional breakpoints by evaluating these conditions
3778 when a breakpoint breaks. If the condition is true, then the process being
3779 debugged stops, otherwise the process is resumed.
3780
3781 If the target supports evaluating conditions on its end, @value{GDBN} may
3782 download the breakpoint, together with its conditions, to it.
3783
3784 This feature can be controlled via the following commands:
3785
3786 @kindex set breakpoint condition-evaluation
3787 @kindex show breakpoint condition-evaluation
3788 @table @code
3789 @item set breakpoint condition-evaluation host
3790 This option commands @value{GDBN} to evaluate the breakpoint
3791 conditions on the host's side. Unconditional breakpoints are sent to
3792 the target which in turn receives the triggers and reports them back to GDB
3793 for condition evaluation. This is the standard evaluation mode.
3794
3795 @item set breakpoint condition-evaluation target
3796 This option commands @value{GDBN} to download breakpoint conditions
3797 to the target at the moment of their insertion. The target
3798 is responsible for evaluating the conditional expression and reporting
3799 breakpoint stop events back to @value{GDBN} whenever the condition
3800 is true. Due to limitations of target-side evaluation, some conditions
3801 cannot be evaluated there, e.g., conditions that depend on local data
3802 that is only known to the host. Examples include
3803 conditional expressions involving convenience variables, complex types
3804 that cannot be handled by the agent expression parser and expressions
3805 that are too long to be sent over to the target, specially when the
3806 target is a remote system. In these cases, the conditions will be
3807 evaluated by @value{GDBN}.
3808
3809 @item set breakpoint condition-evaluation auto
3810 This is the default mode. If the target supports evaluating breakpoint
3811 conditions on its end, @value{GDBN} will download breakpoint conditions to
3812 the target (limitations mentioned previously apply). If the target does
3813 not support breakpoint condition evaluation, then @value{GDBN} will fallback
3814 to evaluating all these conditions on the host's side.
3815 @end table
3816
3817
3818 @cindex negative breakpoint numbers
3819 @cindex internal @value{GDBN} breakpoints
3820 @value{GDBN} itself sometimes sets breakpoints in your program for
3821 special purposes, such as proper handling of @code{longjmp} (in C
3822 programs). These internal breakpoints are assigned negative numbers,
3823 starting with @code{-1}; @samp{info breakpoints} does not display them.
3824 You can see these breakpoints with the @value{GDBN} maintenance command
3825 @samp{maint info breakpoints} (@pxref{maint info breakpoints}).
3826
3827
3828 @node Set Watchpoints
3829 @subsection Setting Watchpoints
3830
3831 @cindex setting watchpoints
3832 You can use a watchpoint to stop execution whenever the value of an
3833 expression changes, without having to predict a particular place where
3834 this may happen. (This is sometimes called a @dfn{data breakpoint}.)
3835 The expression may be as simple as the value of a single variable, or
3836 as complex as many variables combined by operators. Examples include:
3837
3838 @itemize @bullet
3839 @item
3840 A reference to the value of a single variable.
3841
3842 @item
3843 An address cast to an appropriate data type. For example,
3844 @samp{*(int *)0x12345678} will watch a 4-byte region at the specified
3845 address (assuming an @code{int} occupies 4 bytes).
3846
3847 @item
3848 An arbitrarily complex expression, such as @samp{a*b + c/d}. The
3849 expression can use any operators valid in the program's native
3850 language (@pxref{Languages}).
3851 @end itemize
3852
3853 You can set a watchpoint on an expression even if the expression can
3854 not be evaluated yet. For instance, you can set a watchpoint on
3855 @samp{*global_ptr} before @samp{global_ptr} is initialized.
3856 @value{GDBN} will stop when your program sets @samp{global_ptr} and
3857 the expression produces a valid value. If the expression becomes
3858 valid in some other way than changing a variable (e.g.@: if the memory
3859 pointed to by @samp{*global_ptr} becomes readable as the result of a
3860 @code{malloc} call), @value{GDBN} may not stop until the next time
3861 the expression changes.
3862
3863 @cindex software watchpoints
3864 @cindex hardware watchpoints
3865 Depending on your system, watchpoints may be implemented in software or
3866 hardware. @value{GDBN} does software watchpointing by single-stepping your
3867 program and testing the variable's value each time, which is hundreds of
3868 times slower than normal execution. (But this may still be worth it, to
3869 catch errors where you have no clue what part of your program is the
3870 culprit.)
3871
3872 On some systems, such as HP-UX, PowerPC, @sc{gnu}/Linux and most other
3873 x86-based targets, @value{GDBN} includes support for hardware
3874 watchpoints, which do not slow down the running of your program.
3875
3876 @table @code
3877 @kindex watch
3878 @item watch @r{[}-l@r{|}-location@r{]} @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]} @r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}
3879 Set a watchpoint for an expression. @value{GDBN} will break when the
3880 expression @var{expr} is written into by the program and its value
3881 changes. The simplest (and the most popular) use of this command is
3882 to watch the value of a single variable:
3883
3884 @smallexample
3885 (@value{GDBP}) watch foo
3886 @end smallexample
3887
3888 If the command includes a @code{@r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]}}
3889 argument, @value{GDBN} breaks only when the thread identified by
3890 @var{threadnum} changes the value of @var{expr}. If any other threads
3891 change the value of @var{expr}, @value{GDBN} will not break. Note
3892 that watchpoints restricted to a single thread in this way only work
3893 with Hardware Watchpoints.
3894
3895 Ordinarily a watchpoint respects the scope of variables in @var{expr}
3896 (see below). The @code{-location} argument tells @value{GDBN} to
3897 instead watch the memory referred to by @var{expr}. In this case,
3898 @value{GDBN} will evaluate @var{expr}, take the address of the result,
3899 and watch the memory at that address. The type of the result is used
3900 to determine the size of the watched memory. If the expression's
3901 result does not have an address, then @value{GDBN} will print an
3902 error.
3903
3904 The @code{@r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}} argument allows creation
3905 of masked watchpoints, if the current architecture supports this
3906 feature (e.g., PowerPC Embedded architecture, see @ref{PowerPC
3907 Embedded}.) A @dfn{masked watchpoint} specifies a mask in addition
3908 to an address to watch. The mask specifies that some bits of an address
3909 (the bits which are reset in the mask) should be ignored when matching
3910 the address accessed by the inferior against the watchpoint address.
3911 Thus, a masked watchpoint watches many addresses simultaneously---those
3912 addresses whose unmasked bits are identical to the unmasked bits in the
3913 watchpoint address. The @code{mask} argument implies @code{-location}.
3914 Examples:
3915
3916 @smallexample
3917 (@value{GDBP}) watch foo mask 0xffff00ff
3918 (@value{GDBP}) watch *0xdeadbeef mask 0xffffff00
3919 @end smallexample
3920
3921 @kindex rwatch
3922 @item rwatch @r{[}-l@r{|}-location@r{]} @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]} @r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}
3923 Set a watchpoint that will break when the value of @var{expr} is read
3924 by the program.
3925
3926 @kindex awatch
3927 @item awatch @r{[}-l@r{|}-location@r{]} @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]} @r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}
3928 Set a watchpoint that will break when @var{expr} is either read from
3929 or written into by the program.
3930
3931 @kindex info watchpoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
3932 @item info watchpoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
3933 This command prints a list of watchpoints, using the same format as
3934 @code{info break} (@pxref{Set Breaks}).
3935 @end table
3936
3937 If you watch for a change in a numerically entered address you need to
3938 dereference it, as the address itself is just a constant number which will
3939 never change. @value{GDBN} refuses to create a watchpoint that watches
3940 a never-changing value:
3941
3942 @smallexample
3943 (@value{GDBP}) watch 0x600850
3944 Cannot watch constant value 0x600850.
3945 (@value{GDBP}) watch *(int *) 0x600850
3946 Watchpoint 1: *(int *) 6293584
3947 @end smallexample
3948
3949 @value{GDBN} sets a @dfn{hardware watchpoint} if possible. Hardware
3950 watchpoints execute very quickly, and the debugger reports a change in
3951 value at the exact instruction where the change occurs. If @value{GDBN}
3952 cannot set a hardware watchpoint, it sets a software watchpoint, which
3953 executes more slowly and reports the change in value at the next
3954 @emph{statement}, not the instruction, after the change occurs.
3955
3956 @cindex use only software watchpoints
3957 You can force @value{GDBN} to use only software watchpoints with the
3958 @kbd{set can-use-hw-watchpoints 0} command. With this variable set to
3959 zero, @value{GDBN} will never try to use hardware watchpoints, even if
3960 the underlying system supports them. (Note that hardware-assisted
3961 watchpoints that were set @emph{before} setting
3962 @code{can-use-hw-watchpoints} to zero will still use the hardware
3963 mechanism of watching expression values.)
3964
3965 @table @code
3966 @item set can-use-hw-watchpoints
3967 @kindex set can-use-hw-watchpoints
3968 Set whether or not to use hardware watchpoints.
3969
3970 @item show can-use-hw-watchpoints
3971 @kindex show can-use-hw-watchpoints
3972 Show the current mode of using hardware watchpoints.
3973 @end table
3974
3975 For remote targets, you can restrict the number of hardware
3976 watchpoints @value{GDBN} will use, see @ref{set remote
3977 hardware-breakpoint-limit}.
3978
3979 When you issue the @code{watch} command, @value{GDBN} reports
3980
3981 @smallexample
3982 Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: @var{expr}
3983 @end smallexample
3984
3985 @noindent
3986 if it was able to set a hardware watchpoint.
3987
3988 Currently, the @code{awatch} and @code{rwatch} commands can only set
3989 hardware watchpoints, because accesses to data that don't change the
3990 value of the watched expression cannot be detected without examining
3991 every instruction as it is being executed, and @value{GDBN} does not do
3992 that currently. If @value{GDBN} finds that it is unable to set a
3993 hardware breakpoint with the @code{awatch} or @code{rwatch} command, it
3994 will print a message like this:
3995
3996 @smallexample
3997 Expression cannot be implemented with read/access watchpoint.
3998 @end smallexample
3999
4000 Sometimes, @value{GDBN} cannot set a hardware watchpoint because the
4001 data type of the watched expression is wider than what a hardware
4002 watchpoint on the target machine can handle. For example, some systems
4003 can only watch regions that are up to 4 bytes wide; on such systems you
4004 cannot set hardware watchpoints for an expression that yields a
4005 double-precision floating-point number (which is typically 8 bytes
4006 wide). As a work-around, it might be possible to break the large region
4007 into a series of smaller ones and watch them with separate watchpoints.
4008
4009 If you set too many hardware watchpoints, @value{GDBN} might be unable
4010 to insert all of them when you resume the execution of your program.
4011 Since the precise number of active watchpoints is unknown until such
4012 time as the program is about to be resumed, @value{GDBN} might not be
4013 able to warn you about this when you set the watchpoints, and the
4014 warning will be printed only when the program is resumed:
4015
4016 @smallexample
4017 Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: Could not insert watchpoint
4018 @end smallexample
4019
4020 @noindent
4021 If this happens, delete or disable some of the watchpoints.
4022
4023 Watching complex expressions that reference many variables can also
4024 exhaust the resources available for hardware-assisted watchpoints.
4025 That's because @value{GDBN} needs to watch every variable in the
4026 expression with separately allocated resources.
4027
4028 If you call a function interactively using @code{print} or @code{call},
4029 any watchpoints you have set will be inactive until @value{GDBN} reaches another
4030 kind of breakpoint or the call completes.
4031
4032 @value{GDBN} automatically deletes watchpoints that watch local
4033 (automatic) variables, or expressions that involve such variables, when
4034 they go out of scope, that is, when the execution leaves the block in
4035 which these variables were defined. In particular, when the program
4036 being debugged terminates, @emph{all} local variables go out of scope,
4037 and so only watchpoints that watch global variables remain set. If you
4038 rerun the program, you will need to set all such watchpoints again. One
4039 way of doing that would be to set a code breakpoint at the entry to the
4040 @code{main} function and when it breaks, set all the watchpoints.
4041
4042 @cindex watchpoints and threads
4043 @cindex threads and watchpoints
4044 In multi-threaded programs, watchpoints will detect changes to the
4045 watched expression from every thread.
4046
4047 @quotation
4048 @emph{Warning:} In multi-threaded programs, software watchpoints
4049 have only limited usefulness. If @value{GDBN} creates a software
4050 watchpoint, it can only watch the value of an expression @emph{in a
4051 single thread}. If you are confident that the expression can only
4052 change due to the current thread's activity (and if you are also
4053 confident that no other thread can become current), then you can use
4054 software watchpoints as usual. However, @value{GDBN} may not notice
4055 when a non-current thread's activity changes the expression. (Hardware
4056 watchpoints, in contrast, watch an expression in all threads.)
4057 @end quotation
4058
4059 @xref{set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit}.
4060
4061 @node Set Catchpoints
4062 @subsection Setting Catchpoints
4063 @cindex catchpoints, setting
4064 @cindex exception handlers
4065 @cindex event handling
4066
4067 You can use @dfn{catchpoints} to cause the debugger to stop for certain
4068 kinds of program events, such as C@t{++} exceptions or the loading of a
4069 shared library. Use the @code{catch} command to set a catchpoint.
4070
4071 @table @code
4072 @kindex catch
4073 @item catch @var{event}
4074 Stop when @var{event} occurs. @var{event} can be any of the following:
4075
4076 @table @code
4077 @item throw @r{[}@var{regexp}@r{]}
4078 @itemx rethrow @r{[}@var{regexp}@r{]}
4079 @itemx catch @r{[}@var{regexp}@r{]}
4080 @cindex stop on C@t{++} exceptions
4081 The throwing, re-throwing, or catching of a C@t{++} exception.
4082
4083 If @var{regexp} is given, then only exceptions whose type matches the
4084 regular expression will be caught.
4085
4086 @vindex $_exception@r{, convenience variable}
4087 The convenience variable @code{$_exception} is available at an
4088 exception-related catchpoint, on some systems. This holds the
4089 exception being thrown.
4090
4091 There are currently some limitations to C@t{++} exception handling in
4092 @value{GDBN}:
4093
4094 @itemize @bullet
4095 @item
4096 The support for these commands is system-dependent. Currently, only
4097 systems using the @samp{gnu-v3} C@t{++} ABI (@pxref{ABI}) are
4098 supported.
4099
4100 @item
4101 The regular expression feature and the @code{$_exception} convenience
4102 variable rely on the presence of some SDT probes in @code{libstdc++}.
4103 If these probes are not present, then these features cannot be used.
4104 These probes were first available in the GCC 4.8 release, but whether
4105 or not they are available in your GCC also depends on how it was
4106 built.
4107
4108 @item
4109 The @code{$_exception} convenience variable is only valid at the
4110 instruction at which an exception-related catchpoint is set.
4111
4112 @item
4113 When an exception-related catchpoint is hit, @value{GDBN} stops at a
4114 location in the system library which implements runtime exception
4115 support for C@t{++}, usually @code{libstdc++}. You can use @code{up}
4116 (@pxref{Selection}) to get to your code.
4117
4118 @item
4119 If you call a function interactively, @value{GDBN} normally returns
4120 control to you when the function has finished executing. If the call
4121 raises an exception, however, the call may bypass the mechanism that
4122 returns control to you and cause your program either to abort or to
4123 simply continue running until it hits a breakpoint, catches a signal
4124 that @value{GDBN} is listening for, or exits. This is the case even if
4125 you set a catchpoint for the exception; catchpoints on exceptions are
4126 disabled within interactive calls. @xref{Calling}, for information on
4127 controlling this with @code{set unwind-on-terminating-exception}.
4128
4129 @item
4130 You cannot raise an exception interactively.
4131
4132 @item
4133 You cannot install an exception handler interactively.
4134 @end itemize
4135
4136 @item exception
4137 @cindex Ada exception catching
4138 @cindex catch Ada exceptions
4139 An Ada exception being raised. If an exception name is specified
4140 at the end of the command (eg @code{catch exception Program_Error}),
4141 the debugger will stop only when this specific exception is raised.
4142 Otherwise, the debugger stops execution when any Ada exception is raised.
4143
4144 When inserting an exception catchpoint on a user-defined exception whose
4145 name is identical to one of the exceptions defined by the language, the
4146 fully qualified name must be used as the exception name. Otherwise,
4147 @value{GDBN} will assume that it should stop on the pre-defined exception
4148 rather than the user-defined one. For instance, assuming an exception
4149 called @code{Constraint_Error} is defined in package @code{Pck}, then
4150 the command to use to catch such exceptions is @kbd{catch exception
4151 Pck.Constraint_Error}.
4152
4153 @item exception unhandled
4154 An exception that was raised but is not handled by the program.
4155
4156 @item assert
4157 A failed Ada assertion.
4158
4159 @item exec
4160 @cindex break on fork/exec
4161 A call to @code{exec}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
4162 and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
4163
4164 @item syscall
4165 @itemx syscall @r{[}@var{name} @r{|} @var{number}@r{]} @dots{}
4166 @cindex break on a system call.
4167 A call to or return from a system call, a.k.a.@: @dfn{syscall}. A
4168 syscall is a mechanism for application programs to request a service
4169 from the operating system (OS) or one of the OS system services.
4170 @value{GDBN} can catch some or all of the syscalls issued by the
4171 debuggee, and show the related information for each syscall. If no
4172 argument is specified, calls to and returns from all system calls
4173 will be caught.
4174
4175 @var{name} can be any system call name that is valid for the
4176 underlying OS. Just what syscalls are valid depends on the OS. On
4177 GNU and Unix systems, you can find the full list of valid syscall
4178 names on @file{/usr/include/asm/unistd.h}.
4179
4180 @c For MS-Windows, the syscall names and the corresponding numbers
4181 @c can be found, e.g., on this URL:
4182 @c http://www.metasploit.com/users/opcode/syscalls.html
4183 @c but we don't support Windows syscalls yet.
4184
4185 Normally, @value{GDBN} knows in advance which syscalls are valid for
4186 each OS, so you can use the @value{GDBN} command-line completion
4187 facilities (@pxref{Completion,, command completion}) to list the
4188 available choices.
4189
4190 You may also specify the system call numerically. A syscall's
4191 number is the value passed to the OS's syscall dispatcher to
4192 identify the requested service. When you specify the syscall by its
4193 name, @value{GDBN} uses its database of syscalls to convert the name
4194 into the corresponding numeric code, but using the number directly
4195 may be useful if @value{GDBN}'s database does not have the complete
4196 list of syscalls on your system (e.g., because @value{GDBN} lags
4197 behind the OS upgrades).
4198
4199 The example below illustrates how this command works if you don't provide
4200 arguments to it:
4201
4202 @smallexample
4203 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall
4204 Catchpoint 1 (syscall)
4205 (@value{GDBP}) r
4206 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
4207
4208 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'close'), \
4209 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4210 (@value{GDBP}) c
4211 Continuing.
4212
4213 Catchpoint 1 (returned from syscall 'close'), \
4214 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4215 (@value{GDBP})
4216 @end smallexample
4217
4218 Here is an example of catching a system call by name:
4219
4220 @smallexample
4221 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall chroot
4222 Catchpoint 1 (syscall 'chroot' [61])
4223 (@value{GDBP}) r
4224 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
4225
4226 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'chroot'), \
4227 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4228 (@value{GDBP}) c
4229 Continuing.
4230
4231 Catchpoint 1 (returned from syscall 'chroot'), \
4232 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4233 (@value{GDBP})
4234 @end smallexample
4235
4236 An example of specifying a system call numerically. In the case
4237 below, the syscall number has a corresponding entry in the XML
4238 file, so @value{GDBN} finds its name and prints it:
4239
4240 @smallexample
4241 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 252
4242 Catchpoint 1 (syscall(s) 'exit_group')
4243 (@value{GDBP}) r
4244 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
4245
4246 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'exit_group'), \
4247 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4248 (@value{GDBP}) c
4249 Continuing.
4250
4251 Program exited normally.
4252 (@value{GDBP})
4253 @end smallexample
4254
4255 However, there can be situations when there is no corresponding name
4256 in XML file for that syscall number. In this case, @value{GDBN} prints
4257 a warning message saying that it was not able to find the syscall name,
4258 but the catchpoint will be set anyway. See the example below:
4259
4260 @smallexample
4261 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 764
4262 warning: The number '764' does not represent a known syscall.
4263 Catchpoint 2 (syscall 764)
4264 (@value{GDBP})
4265 @end smallexample
4266
4267 If you configure @value{GDBN} using the @samp{--without-expat} option,
4268 it will not be able to display syscall names. Also, if your
4269 architecture does not have an XML file describing its system calls,
4270 you will not be able to see the syscall names. It is important to
4271 notice that these two features are used for accessing the syscall
4272 name database. In either case, you will see a warning like this:
4273
4274 @smallexample
4275 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall
4276 warning: Could not open "syscalls/i386-linux.xml"
4277 warning: Could not load the syscall XML file 'syscalls/i386-linux.xml'.
4278 GDB will not be able to display syscall names.
4279 Catchpoint 1 (syscall)
4280 (@value{GDBP})
4281 @end smallexample
4282
4283 Of course, the file name will change depending on your architecture and system.
4284
4285 Still using the example above, you can also try to catch a syscall by its
4286 number. In this case, you would see something like:
4287
4288 @smallexample
4289 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 252
4290 Catchpoint 1 (syscall(s) 252)
4291 @end smallexample
4292
4293 Again, in this case @value{GDBN} would not be able to display syscall's names.
4294
4295 @item fork
4296 A call to @code{fork}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
4297 and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
4298
4299 @item vfork
4300 A call to @code{vfork}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
4301 and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
4302
4303 @item load @r{[}regexp@r{]}
4304 @itemx unload @r{[}regexp@r{]}
4305 The loading or unloading of a shared library. If @var{regexp} is
4306 given, then the catchpoint will stop only if the regular expression
4307 matches one of the affected libraries.
4308
4309 @item signal @r{[}@var{signal}@dots{} @r{|} @samp{all}@r{]}
4310 The delivery of a signal.
4311
4312 With no arguments, this catchpoint will catch any signal that is not
4313 used internally by @value{GDBN}, specifically, all signals except
4314 @samp{SIGTRAP} and @samp{SIGINT}.
4315
4316 With the argument @samp{all}, all signals, including those used by
4317 @value{GDBN}, will be caught. This argument cannot be used with other
4318 signal names.
4319
4320 Otherwise, the arguments are a list of signal names as given to
4321 @code{handle} (@pxref{Signals}). Only signals specified in this list
4322 will be caught.
4323
4324 One reason that @code{catch signal} can be more useful than
4325 @code{handle} is that you can attach commands and conditions to the
4326 catchpoint.
4327
4328 When a signal is caught by a catchpoint, the signal's @code{stop} and
4329 @code{print} settings, as specified by @code{handle}, are ignored.
4330 However, whether the signal is still delivered to the inferior depends
4331 on the @code{pass} setting; this can be changed in the catchpoint's
4332 commands.
4333
4334 @end table
4335
4336 @item tcatch @var{event}
4337 Set a catchpoint that is enabled only for one stop. The catchpoint is
4338 automatically deleted after the first time the event is caught.
4339
4340 @end table
4341
4342 Use the @code{info break} command to list the current catchpoints.
4343
4344
4345 @node Delete Breaks
4346 @subsection Deleting Breakpoints
4347
4348 @cindex clearing breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
4349 @cindex deleting breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
4350 It is often necessary to eliminate a breakpoint, watchpoint, or
4351 catchpoint once it has done its job and you no longer want your program
4352 to stop there. This is called @dfn{deleting} the breakpoint. A
4353 breakpoint that has been deleted no longer exists; it is forgotten.
4354
4355 With the @code{clear} command you can delete breakpoints according to
4356 where they are in your program. With the @code{delete} command you can
4357 delete individual breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints by specifying
4358 their breakpoint numbers.
4359
4360 It is not necessary to delete a breakpoint to proceed past it. @value{GDBN}
4361 automatically ignores breakpoints on the first instruction to be executed
4362 when you continue execution without changing the execution address.
4363
4364 @table @code
4365 @kindex clear
4366 @item clear
4367 Delete any breakpoints at the next instruction to be executed in the
4368 selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}). When
4369 the innermost frame is selected, this is a good way to delete a
4370 breakpoint where your program just stopped.
4371
4372 @item clear @var{location}
4373 Delete any breakpoints set at the specified @var{location}.
4374 @xref{Specify Location}, for the various forms of @var{location}; the
4375 most useful ones are listed below:
4376
4377 @table @code
4378 @item clear @var{function}
4379 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{function}
4380 Delete any breakpoints set at entry to the named @var{function}.
4381
4382 @item clear @var{linenum}
4383 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
4384 Delete any breakpoints set at or within the code of the specified
4385 @var{linenum} of the specified @var{filename}.
4386 @end table
4387
4388 @cindex delete breakpoints
4389 @kindex delete
4390 @kindex d @r{(@code{delete})}
4391 @item delete @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4392 Delete the breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints of the breakpoint
4393 ranges specified as arguments. If no argument is specified, delete all
4394 breakpoints (@value{GDBN} asks confirmation, unless you have @code{set
4395 confirm off}). You can abbreviate this command as @code{d}.
4396 @end table
4397
4398 @node Disabling
4399 @subsection Disabling Breakpoints
4400
4401 @cindex enable/disable a breakpoint
4402 Rather than deleting a breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint, you might
4403 prefer to @dfn{disable} it. This makes the breakpoint inoperative as if
4404 it had been deleted, but remembers the information on the breakpoint so
4405 that you can @dfn{enable} it again later.
4406
4407 You disable and enable breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints with
4408 the @code{enable} and @code{disable} commands, optionally specifying
4409 one or more breakpoint numbers as arguments. Use @code{info break} to
4410 print a list of all breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints if you
4411 do not know which numbers to use.
4412
4413 Disabling and enabling a breakpoint that has multiple locations
4414 affects all of its locations.
4415
4416 A breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint can have any of several
4417 different states of enablement:
4418
4419 @itemize @bullet
4420 @item
4421 Enabled. The breakpoint stops your program. A breakpoint set
4422 with the @code{break} command starts out in this state.
4423 @item
4424 Disabled. The breakpoint has no effect on your program.
4425 @item
4426 Enabled once. The breakpoint stops your program, but then becomes
4427 disabled.
4428 @item
4429 Enabled for a count. The breakpoint stops your program for the next
4430 N times, then becomes disabled.
4431 @item
4432 Enabled for deletion. The breakpoint stops your program, but
4433 immediately after it does so it is deleted permanently. A breakpoint
4434 set with the @code{tbreak} command starts out in this state.
4435 @end itemize
4436
4437 You can use the following commands to enable or disable breakpoints,
4438 watchpoints, and catchpoints:
4439
4440 @table @code
4441 @kindex disable
4442 @kindex dis @r{(@code{disable})}
4443 @item disable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4444 Disable the specified breakpoints---or all breakpoints, if none are
4445 listed. A disabled breakpoint has no effect but is not forgotten. All
4446 options such as ignore-counts, conditions and commands are remembered in
4447 case the breakpoint is enabled again later. You may abbreviate
4448 @code{disable} as @code{dis}.
4449
4450 @kindex enable
4451 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4452 Enable the specified breakpoints (or all defined breakpoints). They
4453 become effective once again in stopping your program.
4454
4455 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} once @var{range}@dots{}
4456 Enable the specified breakpoints temporarily. @value{GDBN} disables any
4457 of these breakpoints immediately after stopping your program.
4458
4459 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} count @var{count} @var{range}@dots{}
4460 Enable the specified breakpoints temporarily. @value{GDBN} records
4461 @var{count} with each of the specified breakpoints, and decrements a
4462 breakpoint's count when it is hit. When any count reaches 0,
4463 @value{GDBN} disables that breakpoint. If a breakpoint has an ignore
4464 count (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}), that will be
4465 decremented to 0 before @var{count} is affected.
4466
4467 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} delete @var{range}@dots{}
4468 Enable the specified breakpoints to work once, then die. @value{GDBN}
4469 deletes any of these breakpoints as soon as your program stops there.
4470 Breakpoints set by the @code{tbreak} command start out in this state.
4471 @end table
4472
4473 @c FIXME: I think the following ``Except for [...] @code{tbreak}'' is
4474 @c confusing: tbreak is also initially enabled.
4475 Except for a breakpoint set with @code{tbreak} (@pxref{Set Breaks,
4476 ,Setting Breakpoints}), breakpoints that you set are initially enabled;
4477 subsequently, they become disabled or enabled only when you use one of
4478 the commands above. (The command @code{until} can set and delete a
4479 breakpoint of its own, but it does not change the state of your other
4480 breakpoints; see @ref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and
4481 Stepping}.)
4482
4483 @node Conditions
4484 @subsection Break Conditions
4485 @cindex conditional breakpoints
4486 @cindex breakpoint conditions
4487
4488 @c FIXME what is scope of break condition expr? Context where wanted?
4489 @c in particular for a watchpoint?
4490 The simplest sort of breakpoint breaks every time your program reaches a
4491 specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for a
4492 breakpoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
4493 programming language (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). A breakpoint with
4494 a condition evaluates the expression each time your program reaches it,
4495 and your program stops only if the condition is @emph{true}.
4496
4497 This is the converse of using assertions for program validation; in that
4498 situation, you want to stop when the assertion is violated---that is,
4499 when the condition is false. In C, if you want to test an assertion expressed
4500 by the condition @var{assert}, you should set the condition
4501 @samp{! @var{assert}} on the appropriate breakpoint.
4502
4503 Conditions are also accepted for watchpoints; you may not need them,
4504 since a watchpoint is inspecting the value of an expression anyhow---but
4505 it might be simpler, say, to just set a watchpoint on a variable name,
4506 and specify a condition that tests whether the new value is an interesting
4507 one.
4508
4509 Break conditions can have side effects, and may even call functions in
4510 your program. This can be useful, for example, to activate functions
4511 that log program progress, or to use your own print functions to
4512 format special data structures. The effects are completely predictable
4513 unless there is another enabled breakpoint at the same address. (In
4514 that case, @value{GDBN} might see the other breakpoint first and stop your
4515 program without checking the condition of this one.) Note that
4516 breakpoint commands are usually more convenient and flexible than break
4517 conditions for the
4518 purpose of performing side effects when a breakpoint is reached
4519 (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint Command Lists}).
4520
4521 Breakpoint conditions can also be evaluated on the target's side if
4522 the target supports it. Instead of evaluating the conditions locally,
4523 @value{GDBN} encodes the expression into an agent expression
4524 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}) suitable for execution on the target,
4525 independently of @value{GDBN}. Global variables become raw memory
4526 locations, locals become stack accesses, and so forth.
4527
4528 In this case, @value{GDBN} will only be notified of a breakpoint trigger
4529 when its condition evaluates to true. This mechanism may provide faster
4530 response times depending on the performance characteristics of the target
4531 since it does not need to keep @value{GDBN} informed about
4532 every breakpoint trigger, even those with false conditions.
4533
4534 Break conditions can be specified when a breakpoint is set, by using
4535 @samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{break} command. @xref{Set
4536 Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}. They can also be changed at any time
4537 with the @code{condition} command.
4538
4539 You can also use the @code{if} keyword with the @code{watch} command.
4540 The @code{catch} command does not recognize the @code{if} keyword;
4541 @code{condition} is the only way to impose a further condition on a
4542 catchpoint.
4543
4544 @table @code
4545 @kindex condition
4546 @item condition @var{bnum} @var{expression}
4547 Specify @var{expression} as the break condition for breakpoint,
4548 watchpoint, or catchpoint number @var{bnum}. After you set a condition,
4549 breakpoint @var{bnum} stops your program only if the value of
4550 @var{expression} is true (nonzero, in C). When you use
4551 @code{condition}, @value{GDBN} checks @var{expression} immediately for
4552 syntactic correctness, and to determine whether symbols in it have
4553 referents in the context of your breakpoint. If @var{expression} uses
4554 symbols not referenced in the context of the breakpoint, @value{GDBN}
4555 prints an error message:
4556
4557 @smallexample
4558 No symbol "foo" in current context.
4559 @end smallexample
4560
4561 @noindent
4562 @value{GDBN} does
4563 not actually evaluate @var{expression} at the time the @code{condition}
4564 command (or a command that sets a breakpoint with a condition, like
4565 @code{break if @dots{}}) is given, however. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
4566
4567 @item condition @var{bnum}
4568 Remove the condition from breakpoint number @var{bnum}. It becomes
4569 an ordinary unconditional breakpoint.
4570 @end table
4571
4572 @cindex ignore count (of breakpoint)
4573 A special case of a breakpoint condition is to stop only when the
4574 breakpoint has been reached a certain number of times. This is so
4575 useful that there is a special way to do it, using the @dfn{ignore
4576 count} of the breakpoint. Every breakpoint has an ignore count, which
4577 is an integer. Most of the time, the ignore count is zero, and
4578 therefore has no effect. But if your program reaches a breakpoint whose
4579 ignore count is positive, then instead of stopping, it just decrements
4580 the ignore count by one and continues. As a result, if the ignore count
4581 value is @var{n}, the breakpoint does not stop the next @var{n} times
4582 your program reaches it.
4583
4584 @table @code
4585 @kindex ignore
4586 @item ignore @var{bnum} @var{count}
4587 Set the ignore count of breakpoint number @var{bnum} to @var{count}.
4588 The next @var{count} times the breakpoint is reached, your program's
4589 execution does not stop; other than to decrement the ignore count, @value{GDBN}
4590 takes no action.
4591
4592 To make the breakpoint stop the next time it is reached, specify
4593 a count of zero.
4594
4595 When you use @code{continue} to resume execution of your program from a
4596 breakpoint, you can specify an ignore count directly as an argument to
4597 @code{continue}, rather than using @code{ignore}. @xref{Continuing and
4598 Stepping,,Continuing and Stepping}.
4599
4600 If a breakpoint has a positive ignore count and a condition, the
4601 condition is not checked. Once the ignore count reaches zero,
4602 @value{GDBN} resumes checking the condition.
4603
4604 You could achieve the effect of the ignore count with a condition such
4605 as @w{@samp{$foo-- <= 0}} using a debugger convenience variable that
4606 is decremented each time. @xref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
4607 Variables}.
4608 @end table
4609
4610 Ignore counts apply to breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints.
4611
4612
4613 @node Break Commands
4614 @subsection Breakpoint Command Lists
4615
4616 @cindex breakpoint commands
4617 You can give any breakpoint (or watchpoint or catchpoint) a series of
4618 commands to execute when your program stops due to that breakpoint. For
4619 example, you might want to print the values of certain expressions, or
4620 enable other breakpoints.
4621
4622 @table @code
4623 @kindex commands
4624 @kindex end@r{ (breakpoint commands)}
4625 @item commands @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4626 @itemx @dots{} @var{command-list} @dots{}
4627 @itemx end
4628 Specify a list of commands for the given breakpoints. The commands
4629 themselves appear on the following lines. Type a line containing just
4630 @code{end} to terminate the commands.
4631
4632 To remove all commands from a breakpoint, type @code{commands} and
4633 follow it immediately with @code{end}; that is, give no commands.
4634
4635 With no argument, @code{commands} refers to the last breakpoint,
4636 watchpoint, or catchpoint set (not to the breakpoint most recently
4637 encountered). If the most recent breakpoints were set with a single
4638 command, then the @code{commands} will apply to all the breakpoints
4639 set by that command. This applies to breakpoints set by
4640 @code{rbreak}, and also applies when a single @code{break} command
4641 creates multiple breakpoints (@pxref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous
4642 Expressions}).
4643 @end table
4644
4645 Pressing @key{RET} as a means of repeating the last @value{GDBN} command is
4646 disabled within a @var{command-list}.
4647
4648 You can use breakpoint commands to start your program up again. Simply
4649 use the @code{continue} command, or @code{step}, or any other command
4650 that resumes execution.
4651
4652 Any other commands in the command list, after a command that resumes
4653 execution, are ignored. This is because any time you resume execution
4654 (even with a simple @code{next} or @code{step}), you may encounter
4655 another breakpoint---which could have its own command list, leading to
4656 ambiguities about which list to execute.
4657
4658 @kindex silent
4659 If the first command you specify in a command list is @code{silent}, the
4660 usual message about stopping at a breakpoint is not printed. This may
4661 be desirable for breakpoints that are to print a specific message and
4662 then continue. If none of the remaining commands print anything, you
4663 see no sign that the breakpoint was reached. @code{silent} is
4664 meaningful only at the beginning of a breakpoint command list.
4665
4666 The commands @code{echo}, @code{output}, and @code{printf} allow you to
4667 print precisely controlled output, and are often useful in silent
4668 breakpoints. @xref{Output, ,Commands for Controlled Output}.
4669
4670 For example, here is how you could use breakpoint commands to print the
4671 value of @code{x} at entry to @code{foo} whenever @code{x} is positive.
4672
4673 @smallexample
4674 break foo if x>0
4675 commands
4676 silent
4677 printf "x is %d\n",x
4678 cont
4679 end
4680 @end smallexample
4681
4682 One application for breakpoint commands is to compensate for one bug so
4683 you can test for another. Put a breakpoint just after the erroneous line
4684 of code, give it a condition to detect the case in which something
4685 erroneous has been done, and give it commands to assign correct values
4686 to any variables that need them. End with the @code{continue} command
4687 so that your program does not stop, and start with the @code{silent}
4688 command so that no output is produced. Here is an example:
4689
4690 @smallexample
4691 break 403
4692 commands
4693 silent
4694 set x = y + 4
4695 cont
4696 end
4697 @end smallexample
4698
4699 @node Dynamic Printf
4700 @subsection Dynamic Printf
4701
4702 @cindex dynamic printf
4703 @cindex dprintf
4704 The dynamic printf command @code{dprintf} combines a breakpoint with
4705 formatted printing of your program's data to give you the effect of
4706 inserting @code{printf} calls into your program on-the-fly, without
4707 having to recompile it.
4708
4709 In its most basic form, the output goes to the GDB console. However,
4710 you can set the variable @code{dprintf-style} for alternate handling.
4711 For instance, you can ask to format the output by calling your
4712 program's @code{printf} function. This has the advantage that the
4713 characters go to the program's output device, so they can recorded in
4714 redirects to files and so forth.
4715
4716 If you are doing remote debugging with a stub or agent, you can also
4717 ask to have the printf handled by the remote agent. In addition to
4718 ensuring that the output goes to the remote program's device along
4719 with any other output the program might produce, you can also ask that
4720 the dprintf remain active even after disconnecting from the remote
4721 target. Using the stub/agent is also more efficient, as it can do
4722 everything without needing to communicate with @value{GDBN}.
4723
4724 @table @code
4725 @kindex dprintf
4726 @item dprintf @var{location},@var{template},@var{expression}[,@var{expression}@dots{}]
4727 Whenever execution reaches @var{location}, print the values of one or
4728 more @var{expressions} under the control of the string @var{template}.
4729 To print several values, separate them with commas.
4730
4731 @item set dprintf-style @var{style}
4732 Set the dprintf output to be handled in one of several different
4733 styles enumerated below. A change of style affects all existing
4734 dynamic printfs immediately. (If you need individual control over the
4735 print commands, simply define normal breakpoints with
4736 explicitly-supplied command lists.)
4737
4738 @item gdb
4739 @kindex dprintf-style gdb
4740 Handle the output using the @value{GDBN} @code{printf} command.
4741
4742 @item call
4743 @kindex dprintf-style call
4744 Handle the output by calling a function in your program (normally
4745 @code{printf}).
4746
4747 @item agent
4748 @kindex dprintf-style agent
4749 Have the remote debugging agent (such as @code{gdbserver}) handle
4750 the output itself. This style is only available for agents that
4751 support running commands on the target.
4752
4753 @item set dprintf-function @var{function}
4754 Set the function to call if the dprintf style is @code{call}. By
4755 default its value is @code{printf}. You may set it to any expression.
4756 that @value{GDBN} can evaluate to a function, as per the @code{call}
4757 command.
4758
4759 @item set dprintf-channel @var{channel}
4760 Set a ``channel'' for dprintf. If set to a non-empty value,
4761 @value{GDBN} will evaluate it as an expression and pass the result as
4762 a first argument to the @code{dprintf-function}, in the manner of
4763 @code{fprintf} and similar functions. Otherwise, the dprintf format
4764 string will be the first argument, in the manner of @code{printf}.
4765
4766 As an example, if you wanted @code{dprintf} output to go to a logfile
4767 that is a standard I/O stream assigned to the variable @code{mylog},
4768 you could do the following:
4769
4770 @example
4771 (gdb) set dprintf-style call
4772 (gdb) set dprintf-function fprintf
4773 (gdb) set dprintf-channel mylog
4774 (gdb) dprintf 25,"at line 25, glob=%d\n",glob
4775 Dprintf 1 at 0x123456: file main.c, line 25.
4776 (gdb) info break
4777 1 dprintf keep y 0x00123456 in main at main.c:25
4778 call (void) fprintf (mylog,"at line 25, glob=%d\n",glob)
4779 continue
4780 (gdb)
4781 @end example
4782
4783 Note that the @code{info break} displays the dynamic printf commands
4784 as normal breakpoint commands; you can thus easily see the effect of
4785 the variable settings.
4786
4787 @item set disconnected-dprintf on
4788 @itemx set disconnected-dprintf off
4789 @kindex set disconnected-dprintf
4790 Choose whether @code{dprintf} commands should continue to run if
4791 @value{GDBN} has disconnected from the target. This only applies
4792 if the @code{dprintf-style} is @code{agent}.
4793
4794 @item show disconnected-dprintf off
4795 @kindex show disconnected-dprintf
4796 Show the current choice for disconnected @code{dprintf}.
4797
4798 @end table
4799
4800 @value{GDBN} does not check the validity of function and channel,
4801 relying on you to supply values that are meaningful for the contexts
4802 in which they are being used. For instance, the function and channel
4803 may be the values of local variables, but if that is the case, then
4804 all enabled dynamic prints must be at locations within the scope of
4805 those locals. If evaluation fails, @value{GDBN} will report an error.
4806
4807 @node Save Breakpoints
4808 @subsection How to save breakpoints to a file
4809
4810 To save breakpoint definitions to a file use the @w{@code{save
4811 breakpoints}} command.
4812
4813 @table @code
4814 @kindex save breakpoints
4815 @cindex save breakpoints to a file for future sessions
4816 @item save breakpoints [@var{filename}]
4817 This command saves all current breakpoint definitions together with
4818 their commands and ignore counts, into a file @file{@var{filename}}
4819 suitable for use in a later debugging session. This includes all
4820 types of breakpoints (breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints,
4821 tracepoints). To read the saved breakpoint definitions, use the
4822 @code{source} command (@pxref{Command Files}). Note that watchpoints
4823 with expressions involving local variables may fail to be recreated
4824 because it may not be possible to access the context where the
4825 watchpoint is valid anymore. Because the saved breakpoint definitions
4826 are simply a sequence of @value{GDBN} commands that recreate the
4827 breakpoints, you can edit the file in your favorite editing program,
4828 and remove the breakpoint definitions you're not interested in, or
4829 that can no longer be recreated.
4830 @end table
4831
4832 @node Static Probe Points
4833 @subsection Static Probe Points
4834
4835 @cindex static probe point, SystemTap
4836 @value{GDBN} supports @dfn{SDT} probes in the code. @acronym{SDT} stands
4837 for Statically Defined Tracing, and the probes are designed to have a tiny
4838 runtime code and data footprint, and no dynamic relocations. They are
4839 usable from assembly, C and C@t{++} languages. See
4840 @uref{http://sourceware.org/systemtap/wiki/UserSpaceProbeImplementation}
4841 for a good reference on how the @acronym{SDT} probes are implemented.
4842
4843 Currently, @code{SystemTap} (@uref{http://sourceware.org/systemtap/})
4844 @acronym{SDT} probes are supported on ELF-compatible systems. See
4845 @uref{http://sourceware.org/systemtap/wiki/AddingUserSpaceProbingToApps}
4846 for more information on how to add @code{SystemTap} @acronym{SDT} probes
4847 in your applications.
4848
4849 @cindex semaphores on static probe points
4850 Some probes have an associated semaphore variable; for instance, this
4851 happens automatically if you defined your probe using a DTrace-style
4852 @file{.d} file. If your probe has a semaphore, @value{GDBN} will
4853 automatically enable it when you specify a breakpoint using the
4854 @samp{-probe-stap} notation. But, if you put a breakpoint at a probe's
4855 location by some other method (e.g., @code{break file:line}), then
4856 @value{GDBN} will not automatically set the semaphore.
4857
4858 You can examine the available static static probes using @code{info
4859 probes}, with optional arguments:
4860
4861 @table @code
4862 @kindex info probes
4863 @item info probes stap @r{[}@var{provider} @r{[}@var{name} @r{[}@var{objfile}@r{]}@r{]}@r{]}
4864 If given, @var{provider} is a regular expression used to match against provider
4865 names when selecting which probes to list. If omitted, probes by all
4866 probes from all providers are listed.
4867
4868 If given, @var{name} is a regular expression to match against probe names
4869 when selecting which probes to list. If omitted, probe names are not
4870 considered when deciding whether to display them.
4871
4872 If given, @var{objfile} is a regular expression used to select which
4873 object files (executable or shared libraries) to examine. If not
4874 given, all object files are considered.
4875
4876 @item info probes all
4877 List the available static probes, from all types.
4878 @end table
4879
4880 @vindex $_probe_arg@r{, convenience variable}
4881 A probe may specify up to twelve arguments. These are available at the
4882 point at which the probe is defined---that is, when the current PC is
4883 at the probe's location. The arguments are available using the
4884 convenience variables (@pxref{Convenience Vars})
4885 @code{$_probe_arg0}@dots{}@code{$_probe_arg11}. Each probe argument is
4886 an integer of the appropriate size; types are not preserved. The
4887 convenience variable @code{$_probe_argc} holds the number of arguments
4888 at the current probe point.
4889
4890 These variables are always available, but attempts to access them at
4891 any location other than a probe point will cause @value{GDBN} to give
4892 an error message.
4893
4894
4895 @c @ifclear BARETARGET
4896 @node Error in Breakpoints
4897 @subsection ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
4898
4899 If you request too many active hardware-assisted breakpoints and
4900 watchpoints, you will see this error message:
4901
4902 @c FIXME: the precise wording of this message may change; the relevant
4903 @c source change is not committed yet (Sep 3, 1999).
4904 @smallexample
4905 Stopped; cannot insert breakpoints.
4906 You may have requested too many hardware breakpoints and watchpoints.
4907 @end smallexample
4908
4909 @noindent
4910 This message is printed when you attempt to resume the program, since
4911 only then @value{GDBN} knows exactly how many hardware breakpoints and
4912 watchpoints it needs to insert.
4913
4914 When this message is printed, you need to disable or remove some of the
4915 hardware-assisted breakpoints and watchpoints, and then continue.
4916
4917 @node Breakpoint-related Warnings
4918 @subsection ``Breakpoint address adjusted...''
4919 @cindex breakpoint address adjusted
4920
4921 Some processor architectures place constraints on the addresses at
4922 which breakpoints may be placed. For architectures thus constrained,
4923 @value{GDBN} will attempt to adjust the breakpoint's address to comply
4924 with the constraints dictated by the architecture.
4925
4926 One example of such an architecture is the Fujitsu FR-V. The FR-V is
4927 a VLIW architecture in which a number of RISC-like instructions may be
4928 bundled together for parallel execution. The FR-V architecture
4929 constrains the location of a breakpoint instruction within such a
4930 bundle to the instruction with the lowest address. @value{GDBN}
4931 honors this constraint by adjusting a breakpoint's address to the
4932 first in the bundle.
4933
4934 It is not uncommon for optimized code to have bundles which contain
4935 instructions from different source statements, thus it may happen that
4936 a breakpoint's address will be adjusted from one source statement to
4937 another. Since this adjustment may significantly alter @value{GDBN}'s
4938 breakpoint related behavior from what the user expects, a warning is
4939 printed when the breakpoint is first set and also when the breakpoint
4940 is hit.
4941
4942 A warning like the one below is printed when setting a breakpoint
4943 that's been subject to address adjustment:
4944
4945 @smallexample
4946 warning: Breakpoint address adjusted from 0x00010414 to 0x00010410.
4947 @end smallexample
4948
4949 Such warnings are printed both for user settable and @value{GDBN}'s
4950 internal breakpoints. If you see one of these warnings, you should
4951 verify that a breakpoint set at the adjusted address will have the
4952 desired affect. If not, the breakpoint in question may be removed and
4953 other breakpoints may be set which will have the desired behavior.
4954 E.g., it may be sufficient to place the breakpoint at a later
4955 instruction. A conditional breakpoint may also be useful in some
4956 cases to prevent the breakpoint from triggering too often.
4957
4958 @value{GDBN} will also issue a warning when stopping at one of these
4959 adjusted breakpoints:
4960
4961 @smallexample
4962 warning: Breakpoint 1 address previously adjusted from 0x00010414
4963 to 0x00010410.
4964 @end smallexample
4965
4966 When this warning is encountered, it may be too late to take remedial
4967 action except in cases where the breakpoint is hit earlier or more
4968 frequently than expected.
4969
4970 @node Continuing and Stepping
4971 @section Continuing and Stepping
4972
4973 @cindex stepping
4974 @cindex continuing
4975 @cindex resuming execution
4976 @dfn{Continuing} means resuming program execution until your program
4977 completes normally. In contrast, @dfn{stepping} means executing just
4978 one more ``step'' of your program, where ``step'' may mean either one
4979 line of source code, or one machine instruction (depending on what
4980 particular command you use). Either when continuing or when stepping,
4981 your program may stop even sooner, due to a breakpoint or a signal. (If
4982 it stops due to a signal, you may want to use @code{handle}, or use
4983 @samp{signal 0} to resume execution. @xref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
4984
4985 @table @code
4986 @kindex continue
4987 @kindex c @r{(@code{continue})}
4988 @kindex fg @r{(resume foreground execution)}
4989 @item continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4990 @itemx c @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4991 @itemx fg @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4992 Resume program execution, at the address where your program last stopped;
4993 any breakpoints set at that address are bypassed. The optional argument
4994 @var{ignore-count} allows you to specify a further number of times to
4995 ignore a breakpoint at this location; its effect is like that of
4996 @code{ignore} (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
4997
4998 The argument @var{ignore-count} is meaningful only when your program
4999 stopped due to a breakpoint. At other times, the argument to
5000 @code{continue} is ignored.
5001
5002 The synonyms @code{c} and @code{fg} (for @dfn{foreground}, as the
5003 debugged program is deemed to be the foreground program) are provided
5004 purely for convenience, and have exactly the same behavior as
5005 @code{continue}.
5006 @end table
5007
5008 To resume execution at a different place, you can use @code{return}
5009 (@pxref{Returning, ,Returning from a Function}) to go back to the
5010 calling function; or @code{jump} (@pxref{Jumping, ,Continuing at a
5011 Different Address}) to go to an arbitrary location in your program.
5012
5013 A typical technique for using stepping is to set a breakpoint
5014 (@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints; Watchpoints; and Catchpoints}) at the
5015 beginning of the function or the section of your program where a problem
5016 is believed to lie, run your program until it stops at that breakpoint,
5017 and then step through the suspect area, examining the variables that are
5018 interesting, until you see the problem happen.
5019
5020 @table @code
5021 @kindex step
5022 @kindex s @r{(@code{step})}
5023 @item step
5024 Continue running your program until control reaches a different source
5025 line, then stop it and return control to @value{GDBN}. This command is
5026 abbreviated @code{s}.
5027
5028 @quotation
5029 @c "without debugging information" is imprecise; actually "without line
5030 @c numbers in the debugging information". (gcc -g1 has debugging info but
5031 @c not line numbers). But it seems complex to try to make that
5032 @c distinction here.
5033 @emph{Warning:} If you use the @code{step} command while control is
5034 within a function that was compiled without debugging information,
5035 execution proceeds until control reaches a function that does have
5036 debugging information. Likewise, it will not step into a function which
5037 is compiled without debugging information. To step through functions
5038 without debugging information, use the @code{stepi} command, described
5039 below.
5040 @end quotation
5041
5042 The @code{step} command only stops at the first instruction of a source
5043 line. This prevents the multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
5044 @code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc. @code{step} continues
5045 to stop if a function that has debugging information is called within
5046 the line. In other words, @code{step} @emph{steps inside} any functions
5047 called within the line.
5048
5049 Also, the @code{step} command only enters a function if there is line
5050 number information for the function. Otherwise it acts like the
5051 @code{next} command. This avoids problems when using @code{cc -gl}
5052 on @acronym{MIPS} machines. Previously, @code{step} entered subroutines if there
5053 was any debugging information about the routine.
5054
5055 @item step @var{count}
5056 Continue running as in @code{step}, but do so @var{count} times. If a
5057 breakpoint is reached, or a signal not related to stepping occurs before
5058 @var{count} steps, stepping stops right away.
5059
5060 @kindex next
5061 @kindex n @r{(@code{next})}
5062 @item next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5063 Continue to the next source line in the current (innermost) stack frame.
5064 This is similar to @code{step}, but function calls that appear within
5065 the line of code are executed without stopping. Execution stops when
5066 control reaches a different line of code at the original stack level
5067 that was executing when you gave the @code{next} command. This command
5068 is abbreviated @code{n}.
5069
5070 An argument @var{count} is a repeat count, as for @code{step}.
5071
5072
5073 @c FIX ME!! Do we delete this, or is there a way it fits in with
5074 @c the following paragraph? --- Vctoria
5075 @c
5076 @c @code{next} within a function that lacks debugging information acts like
5077 @c @code{step}, but any function calls appearing within the code of the
5078 @c function are executed without stopping.
5079
5080 The @code{next} command only stops at the first instruction of a
5081 source line. This prevents multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
5082 @code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc.
5083
5084 @kindex set step-mode
5085 @item set step-mode
5086 @cindex functions without line info, and stepping
5087 @cindex stepping into functions with no line info
5088 @itemx set step-mode on
5089 The @code{set step-mode on} command causes the @code{step} command to
5090 stop at the first instruction of a function which contains no debug line
5091 information rather than stepping over it.
5092
5093 This is useful in cases where you may be interested in inspecting the
5094 machine instructions of a function which has no symbolic info and do not
5095 want @value{GDBN} to automatically skip over this function.
5096
5097 @item set step-mode off
5098 Causes the @code{step} command to step over any functions which contains no
5099 debug information. This is the default.
5100
5101 @item show step-mode
5102 Show whether @value{GDBN} will stop in or step over functions without
5103 source line debug information.
5104
5105 @kindex finish
5106 @kindex fin @r{(@code{finish})}
5107 @item finish
5108 Continue running until just after function in the selected stack frame
5109 returns. Print the returned value (if any). This command can be
5110 abbreviated as @code{fin}.
5111
5112 Contrast this with the @code{return} command (@pxref{Returning,
5113 ,Returning from a Function}).
5114
5115 @kindex until
5116 @kindex u @r{(@code{until})}
5117 @cindex run until specified location
5118 @item until
5119 @itemx u
5120 Continue running until a source line past the current line, in the
5121 current stack frame, is reached. This command is used to avoid single
5122 stepping through a loop more than once. It is like the @code{next}
5123 command, except that when @code{until} encounters a jump, it
5124 automatically continues execution until the program counter is greater
5125 than the address of the jump.
5126
5127 This means that when you reach the end of a loop after single stepping
5128 though it, @code{until} makes your program continue execution until it
5129 exits the loop. In contrast, a @code{next} command at the end of a loop
5130 simply steps back to the beginning of the loop, which forces you to step
5131 through the next iteration.
5132
5133 @code{until} always stops your program if it attempts to exit the current
5134 stack frame.
5135
5136 @code{until} may produce somewhat counterintuitive results if the order
5137 of machine code does not match the order of the source lines. For
5138 example, in the following excerpt from a debugging session, the @code{f}
5139 (@code{frame}) command shows that execution is stopped at line
5140 @code{206}; yet when we use @code{until}, we get to line @code{195}:
5141
5142 @smallexample
5143 (@value{GDBP}) f
5144 #0 main (argc=4, argv=0xf7fffae8) at m4.c:206
5145 206 expand_input();
5146 (@value{GDBP}) until
5147 195 for ( ; argc > 0; NEXTARG) @{
5148 @end smallexample
5149
5150 This happened because, for execution efficiency, the compiler had
5151 generated code for the loop closure test at the end, rather than the
5152 start, of the loop---even though the test in a C @code{for}-loop is
5153 written before the body of the loop. The @code{until} command appeared
5154 to step back to the beginning of the loop when it advanced to this
5155 expression; however, it has not really gone to an earlier
5156 statement---not in terms of the actual machine code.
5157
5158 @code{until} with no argument works by means of single
5159 instruction stepping, and hence is slower than @code{until} with an
5160 argument.
5161
5162 @item until @var{location}
5163 @itemx u @var{location}
5164 Continue running your program until either the specified location is
5165 reached, or the current stack frame returns. @var{location} is any of
5166 the forms described in @ref{Specify Location}.
5167 This form of the command uses temporary breakpoints, and
5168 hence is quicker than @code{until} without an argument. The specified
5169 location is actually reached only if it is in the current frame. This
5170 implies that @code{until} can be used to skip over recursive function
5171 invocations. For instance in the code below, if the current location is
5172 line @code{96}, issuing @code{until 99} will execute the program up to
5173 line @code{99} in the same invocation of factorial, i.e., after the inner
5174 invocations have returned.
5175
5176 @smallexample
5177 94 int factorial (int value)
5178 95 @{
5179 96 if (value > 1) @{
5180 97 value *= factorial (value - 1);
5181 98 @}
5182 99 return (value);
5183 100 @}
5184 @end smallexample
5185
5186
5187 @kindex advance @var{location}
5188 @item advance @var{location}
5189 Continue running the program up to the given @var{location}. An argument is
5190 required, which should be of one of the forms described in
5191 @ref{Specify Location}.
5192 Execution will also stop upon exit from the current stack
5193 frame. This command is similar to @code{until}, but @code{advance} will
5194 not skip over recursive function calls, and the target location doesn't
5195 have to be in the same frame as the current one.
5196
5197
5198 @kindex stepi
5199 @kindex si @r{(@code{stepi})}
5200 @item stepi
5201 @itemx stepi @var{arg}
5202 @itemx si
5203 Execute one machine instruction, then stop and return to the debugger.
5204
5205 It is often useful to do @samp{display/i $pc} when stepping by machine
5206 instructions. This makes @value{GDBN} automatically display the next
5207 instruction to be executed, each time your program stops. @xref{Auto
5208 Display,, Automatic Display}.
5209
5210 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{step}.
5211
5212 @need 750
5213 @kindex nexti
5214 @kindex ni @r{(@code{nexti})}
5215 @item nexti
5216 @itemx nexti @var{arg}
5217 @itemx ni
5218 Execute one machine instruction, but if it is a function call,
5219 proceed until the function returns.
5220
5221 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{next}.
5222 @end table
5223
5224 @node Skipping Over Functions and Files
5225 @section Skipping Over Functions and Files
5226 @cindex skipping over functions and files
5227
5228 The program you are debugging may contain some functions which are
5229 uninteresting to debug. The @code{skip} comand lets you tell @value{GDBN} to
5230 skip a function or all functions in a file when stepping.
5231
5232 For example, consider the following C function:
5233
5234 @smallexample
5235 101 int func()
5236 102 @{
5237 103 foo(boring());
5238 104 bar(boring());
5239 105 @}
5240 @end smallexample
5241
5242 @noindent
5243 Suppose you wish to step into the functions @code{foo} and @code{bar}, but you
5244 are not interested in stepping through @code{boring}. If you run @code{step}
5245 at line 103, you'll enter @code{boring()}, but if you run @code{next}, you'll
5246 step over both @code{foo} and @code{boring}!
5247
5248 One solution is to @code{step} into @code{boring} and use the @code{finish}
5249 command to immediately exit it. But this can become tedious if @code{boring}
5250 is called from many places.
5251
5252 A more flexible solution is to execute @kbd{skip boring}. This instructs
5253 @value{GDBN} never to step into @code{boring}. Now when you execute
5254 @code{step} at line 103, you'll step over @code{boring} and directly into
5255 @code{foo}.
5256
5257 You can also instruct @value{GDBN} to skip all functions in a file, with, for
5258 example, @code{skip file boring.c}.
5259
5260 @table @code
5261 @kindex skip function
5262 @item skip @r{[}@var{linespec}@r{]}
5263 @itemx skip function @r{[}@var{linespec}@r{]}
5264 After running this command, the function named by @var{linespec} or the
5265 function containing the line named by @var{linespec} will be skipped over when
5266 stepping. @xref{Specify Location}.
5267
5268 If you do not specify @var{linespec}, the function you're currently debugging
5269 will be skipped.
5270
5271 (If you have a function called @code{file} that you want to skip, use
5272 @kbd{skip function file}.)
5273
5274 @kindex skip file
5275 @item skip file @r{[}@var{filename}@r{]}
5276 After running this command, any function whose source lives in @var{filename}
5277 will be skipped over when stepping.
5278
5279 If you do not specify @var{filename}, functions whose source lives in the file
5280 you're currently debugging will be skipped.
5281 @end table
5282
5283 Skips can be listed, deleted, disabled, and enabled, much like breakpoints.
5284 These are the commands for managing your list of skips:
5285
5286 @table @code
5287 @kindex info skip
5288 @item info skip @r{[}@var{range}@r{]}
5289 Print details about the specified skip(s). If @var{range} is not specified,
5290 print a table with details about all functions and files marked for skipping.
5291 @code{info skip} prints the following information about each skip:
5292
5293 @table @emph
5294 @item Identifier
5295 A number identifying this skip.
5296 @item Type
5297 The type of this skip, either @samp{function} or @samp{file}.
5298 @item Enabled or Disabled
5299 Enabled skips are marked with @samp{y}. Disabled skips are marked with @samp{n}.
5300 @item Address
5301 For function skips, this column indicates the address in memory of the function
5302 being skipped. If you've set a function skip on a function which has not yet
5303 been loaded, this field will contain @samp{<PENDING>}. Once a shared library
5304 which has the function is loaded, @code{info skip} will show the function's
5305 address here.
5306 @item What
5307 For file skips, this field contains the filename being skipped. For functions
5308 skips, this field contains the function name and its line number in the file
5309 where it is defined.
5310 @end table
5311
5312 @kindex skip delete
5313 @item skip delete @r{[}@var{range}@r{]}
5314 Delete the specified skip(s). If @var{range} is not specified, delete all
5315 skips.
5316
5317 @kindex skip enable
5318 @item skip enable @r{[}@var{range}@r{]}
5319 Enable the specified skip(s). If @var{range} is not specified, enable all
5320 skips.
5321
5322 @kindex skip disable
5323 @item skip disable @r{[}@var{range}@r{]}
5324 Disable the specified skip(s). If @var{range} is not specified, disable all
5325 skips.
5326
5327 @end table
5328
5329 @node Signals
5330 @section Signals
5331 @cindex signals
5332
5333 A signal is an asynchronous event that can happen in a program. The
5334 operating system defines the possible kinds of signals, and gives each
5335 kind a name and a number. For example, in Unix @code{SIGINT} is the
5336 signal a program gets when you type an interrupt character (often @kbd{Ctrl-c});
5337 @code{SIGSEGV} is the signal a program gets from referencing a place in
5338 memory far away from all the areas in use; @code{SIGALRM} occurs when
5339 the alarm clock timer goes off (which happens only if your program has
5340 requested an alarm).
5341
5342 @cindex fatal signals
5343 Some signals, including @code{SIGALRM}, are a normal part of the
5344 functioning of your program. Others, such as @code{SIGSEGV}, indicate
5345 errors; these signals are @dfn{fatal} (they kill your program immediately) if the
5346 program has not specified in advance some other way to handle the signal.
5347 @code{SIGINT} does not indicate an error in your program, but it is normally
5348 fatal so it can carry out the purpose of the interrupt: to kill the program.
5349
5350 @value{GDBN} has the ability to detect any occurrence of a signal in your
5351 program. You can tell @value{GDBN} in advance what to do for each kind of
5352 signal.
5353
5354 @cindex handling signals
5355 Normally, @value{GDBN} is set up to let the non-erroneous signals like
5356 @code{SIGALRM} be silently passed to your program
5357 (so as not to interfere with their role in the program's functioning)
5358 but to stop your program immediately whenever an error signal happens.
5359 You can change these settings with the @code{handle} command.
5360
5361 @table @code
5362 @kindex info signals
5363 @kindex info handle
5364 @item info signals
5365 @itemx info handle
5366 Print a table of all the kinds of signals and how @value{GDBN} has been told to
5367 handle each one. You can use this to see the signal numbers of all
5368 the defined types of signals.
5369
5370 @item info signals @var{sig}
5371 Similar, but print information only about the specified signal number.
5372
5373 @code{info handle} is an alias for @code{info signals}.
5374
5375 @item catch signal @r{[}@var{signal}@dots{} @r{|} @samp{all}@r{]}
5376 Set a catchpoint for the indicated signals. @xref{Set Catchpoints},
5377 for details about this command.
5378
5379 @kindex handle
5380 @item handle @var{signal} @r{[}@var{keywords}@dots{}@r{]}
5381 Change the way @value{GDBN} handles signal @var{signal}. @var{signal}
5382 can be the number of a signal or its name (with or without the
5383 @samp{SIG} at the beginning); a list of signal numbers of the form
5384 @samp{@var{low}-@var{high}}; or the word @samp{all}, meaning all the
5385 known signals. Optional arguments @var{keywords}, described below,
5386 say what change to make.
5387 @end table
5388
5389 @c @group
5390 The keywords allowed by the @code{handle} command can be abbreviated.
5391 Their full names are:
5392
5393 @table @code
5394 @item nostop
5395 @value{GDBN} should not stop your program when this signal happens. It may
5396 still print a message telling you that the signal has come in.
5397
5398 @item stop
5399 @value{GDBN} should stop your program when this signal happens. This implies
5400 the @code{print} keyword as well.
5401
5402 @item print
5403 @value{GDBN} should print a message when this signal happens.
5404
5405 @item noprint
5406 @value{GDBN} should not mention the occurrence of the signal at all. This
5407 implies the @code{nostop} keyword as well.
5408
5409 @item pass
5410 @itemx noignore
5411 @value{GDBN} should allow your program to see this signal; your program
5412 can handle the signal, or else it may terminate if the signal is fatal
5413 and not handled. @code{pass} and @code{noignore} are synonyms.
5414
5415 @item nopass
5416 @itemx ignore
5417 @value{GDBN} should not allow your program to see this signal.
5418 @code{nopass} and @code{ignore} are synonyms.
5419 @end table
5420 @c @end group
5421
5422 When a signal stops your program, the signal is not visible to the
5423 program until you
5424 continue. Your program sees the signal then, if @code{pass} is in
5425 effect for the signal in question @emph{at that time}. In other words,
5426 after @value{GDBN} reports a signal, you can use the @code{handle}
5427 command with @code{pass} or @code{nopass} to control whether your
5428 program sees that signal when you continue.
5429
5430 The default is set to @code{nostop}, @code{noprint}, @code{pass} for
5431 non-erroneous signals such as @code{SIGALRM}, @code{SIGWINCH} and
5432 @code{SIGCHLD}, and to @code{stop}, @code{print}, @code{pass} for the
5433 erroneous signals.
5434
5435 You can also use the @code{signal} command to prevent your program from
5436 seeing a signal, or cause it to see a signal it normally would not see,
5437 or to give it any signal at any time. For example, if your program stopped
5438 due to some sort of memory reference error, you might store correct
5439 values into the erroneous variables and continue, hoping to see more
5440 execution; but your program would probably terminate immediately as
5441 a result of the fatal signal once it saw the signal. To prevent this,
5442 you can continue with @samp{signal 0}. @xref{Signaling, ,Giving your
5443 Program a Signal}.
5444
5445 @cindex extra signal information
5446 @anchor{extra signal information}
5447
5448 On some targets, @value{GDBN} can inspect extra signal information
5449 associated with the intercepted signal, before it is actually
5450 delivered to the program being debugged. This information is exported
5451 by the convenience variable @code{$_siginfo}, and consists of data
5452 that is passed by the kernel to the signal handler at the time of the
5453 receipt of a signal. The data type of the information itself is
5454 target dependent. You can see the data type using the @code{ptype
5455 $_siginfo} command. On Unix systems, it typically corresponds to the
5456 standard @code{siginfo_t} type, as defined in the @file{signal.h}
5457 system header.
5458
5459 Here's an example, on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, printing the stray
5460 referenced address that raised a segmentation fault.
5461
5462 @smallexample
5463 @group
5464 (@value{GDBP}) continue
5465 Program received signal SIGSEGV, Segmentation fault.
5466 0x0000000000400766 in main ()
5467 69 *(int *)p = 0;
5468 (@value{GDBP}) ptype $_siginfo
5469 type = struct @{
5470 int si_signo;
5471 int si_errno;
5472 int si_code;
5473 union @{
5474 int _pad[28];
5475 struct @{...@} _kill;
5476 struct @{...@} _timer;
5477 struct @{...@} _rt;
5478 struct @{...@} _sigchld;
5479 struct @{...@} _sigfault;
5480 struct @{...@} _sigpoll;
5481 @} _sifields;
5482 @}
5483 (@value{GDBP}) ptype $_siginfo._sifields._sigfault
5484 type = struct @{
5485 void *si_addr;
5486 @}
5487 (@value{GDBP}) p $_siginfo._sifields._sigfault.si_addr
5488 $1 = (void *) 0x7ffff7ff7000
5489 @end group
5490 @end smallexample
5491
5492 Depending on target support, @code{$_siginfo} may also be writable.
5493
5494 @node Thread Stops
5495 @section Stopping and Starting Multi-thread Programs
5496
5497 @cindex stopped threads
5498 @cindex threads, stopped
5499
5500 @cindex continuing threads
5501 @cindex threads, continuing
5502
5503 @value{GDBN} supports debugging programs with multiple threads
5504 (@pxref{Threads,, Debugging Programs with Multiple Threads}). There
5505 are two modes of controlling execution of your program within the
5506 debugger. In the default mode, referred to as @dfn{all-stop mode},
5507 when any thread in your program stops (for example, at a breakpoint
5508 or while being stepped), all other threads in the program are also stopped by
5509 @value{GDBN}. On some targets, @value{GDBN} also supports
5510 @dfn{non-stop mode}, in which other threads can continue to run freely while
5511 you examine the stopped thread in the debugger.
5512
5513 @menu
5514 * All-Stop Mode:: All threads stop when GDB takes control
5515 * Non-Stop Mode:: Other threads continue to execute
5516 * Background Execution:: Running your program asynchronously
5517 * Thread-Specific Breakpoints:: Controlling breakpoints
5518 * Interrupted System Calls:: GDB may interfere with system calls
5519 * Observer Mode:: GDB does not alter program behavior
5520 @end menu
5521
5522 @node All-Stop Mode
5523 @subsection All-Stop Mode
5524
5525 @cindex all-stop mode
5526
5527 In all-stop mode, whenever your program stops under @value{GDBN} for any reason,
5528 @emph{all} threads of execution stop, not just the current thread. This
5529 allows you to examine the overall state of the program, including
5530 switching between threads, without worrying that things may change
5531 underfoot.
5532
5533 Conversely, whenever you restart the program, @emph{all} threads start
5534 executing. @emph{This is true even when single-stepping} with commands
5535 like @code{step} or @code{next}.
5536
5537 In particular, @value{GDBN} cannot single-step all threads in lockstep.
5538 Since thread scheduling is up to your debugging target's operating
5539 system (not controlled by @value{GDBN}), other threads may
5540 execute more than one statement while the current thread completes a
5541 single step. Moreover, in general other threads stop in the middle of a
5542 statement, rather than at a clean statement boundary, when the program
5543 stops.
5544
5545 You might even find your program stopped in another thread after
5546 continuing or even single-stepping. This happens whenever some other
5547 thread runs into a breakpoint, a signal, or an exception before the
5548 first thread completes whatever you requested.
5549
5550 @cindex automatic thread selection
5551 @cindex switching threads automatically
5552 @cindex threads, automatic switching
5553 Whenever @value{GDBN} stops your program, due to a breakpoint or a
5554 signal, it automatically selects the thread where that breakpoint or
5555 signal happened. @value{GDBN} alerts you to the context switch with a
5556 message such as @samp{[Switching to Thread @var{n}]} to identify the
5557 thread.
5558
5559 On some OSes, you can modify @value{GDBN}'s default behavior by
5560 locking the OS scheduler to allow only a single thread to run.
5561
5562 @table @code
5563 @item set scheduler-locking @var{mode}
5564 @cindex scheduler locking mode
5565 @cindex lock scheduler
5566 Set the scheduler locking mode. If it is @code{off}, then there is no
5567 locking and any thread may run at any time. If @code{on}, then only the
5568 current thread may run when the inferior is resumed. The @code{step}
5569 mode optimizes for single-stepping; it prevents other threads
5570 from preempting the current thread while you are stepping, so that
5571 the focus of debugging does not change unexpectedly.
5572 Other threads only rarely (or never) get a chance to run
5573 when you step. They are more likely to run when you @samp{next} over a
5574 function call, and they are completely free to run when you use commands
5575 like @samp{continue}, @samp{until}, or @samp{finish}. However, unless another
5576 thread hits a breakpoint during its timeslice, @value{GDBN} does not change
5577 the current thread away from the thread that you are debugging.
5578
5579 @item show scheduler-locking
5580 Display the current scheduler locking mode.
5581 @end table
5582
5583 @cindex resume threads of multiple processes simultaneously
5584 By default, when you issue one of the execution commands such as
5585 @code{continue}, @code{next} or @code{step}, @value{GDBN} allows only
5586 threads of the current inferior to run. For example, if @value{GDBN}
5587 is attached to two inferiors, each with two threads, the
5588 @code{continue} command resumes only the two threads of the current
5589 inferior. This is useful, for example, when you debug a program that
5590 forks and you want to hold the parent stopped (so that, for instance,
5591 it doesn't run to exit), while you debug the child. In other
5592 situations, you may not be interested in inspecting the current state
5593 of any of the processes @value{GDBN} is attached to, and you may want
5594 to resume them all until some breakpoint is hit. In the latter case,
5595 you can instruct @value{GDBN} to allow all threads of all the
5596 inferiors to run with the @w{@code{set schedule-multiple}} command.
5597
5598 @table @code
5599 @kindex set schedule-multiple
5600 @item set schedule-multiple
5601 Set the mode for allowing threads of multiple processes to be resumed
5602 when an execution command is issued. When @code{on}, all threads of
5603 all processes are allowed to run. When @code{off}, only the threads
5604 of the current process are resumed. The default is @code{off}. The
5605 @code{scheduler-locking} mode takes precedence when set to @code{on},
5606 or while you are stepping and set to @code{step}.
5607
5608 @item show schedule-multiple
5609 Display the current mode for resuming the execution of threads of
5610 multiple processes.
5611 @end table
5612
5613 @node Non-Stop Mode
5614 @subsection Non-Stop Mode
5615
5616 @cindex non-stop mode
5617
5618 @c This section is really only a place-holder, and needs to be expanded
5619 @c with more details.
5620
5621 For some multi-threaded targets, @value{GDBN} supports an optional
5622 mode of operation in which you can examine stopped program threads in
5623 the debugger while other threads continue to execute freely. This
5624 minimizes intrusion when debugging live systems, such as programs
5625 where some threads have real-time constraints or must continue to
5626 respond to external events. This is referred to as @dfn{non-stop} mode.
5627
5628 In non-stop mode, when a thread stops to report a debugging event,
5629 @emph{only} that thread is stopped; @value{GDBN} does not stop other
5630 threads as well, in contrast to the all-stop mode behavior. Additionally,
5631 execution commands such as @code{continue} and @code{step} apply by default
5632 only to the current thread in non-stop mode, rather than all threads as
5633 in all-stop mode. This allows you to control threads explicitly in
5634 ways that are not possible in all-stop mode --- for example, stepping
5635 one thread while allowing others to run freely, stepping
5636 one thread while holding all others stopped, or stepping several threads
5637 independently and simultaneously.
5638
5639 To enter non-stop mode, use this sequence of commands before you run
5640 or attach to your program:
5641
5642 @smallexample
5643 # Enable the async interface.
5644 set target-async 1
5645
5646 # If using the CLI, pagination breaks non-stop.
5647 set pagination off
5648
5649 # Finally, turn it on!
5650 set non-stop on
5651 @end smallexample
5652
5653 You can use these commands to manipulate the non-stop mode setting:
5654
5655 @table @code
5656 @kindex set non-stop
5657 @item set non-stop on
5658 Enable selection of non-stop mode.
5659 @item set non-stop off
5660 Disable selection of non-stop mode.
5661 @kindex show non-stop
5662 @item show non-stop
5663 Show the current non-stop enablement setting.
5664 @end table
5665
5666 Note these commands only reflect whether non-stop mode is enabled,
5667 not whether the currently-executing program is being run in non-stop mode.
5668 In particular, the @code{set non-stop} preference is only consulted when
5669 @value{GDBN} starts or connects to the target program, and it is generally
5670 not possible to switch modes once debugging has started. Furthermore,
5671 since not all targets support non-stop mode, even when you have enabled
5672 non-stop mode, @value{GDBN} may still fall back to all-stop operation by
5673 default.
5674
5675 In non-stop mode, all execution commands apply only to the current thread
5676 by default. That is, @code{continue} only continues one thread.
5677 To continue all threads, issue @code{continue -a} or @code{c -a}.
5678
5679 You can use @value{GDBN}'s background execution commands
5680 (@pxref{Background Execution}) to run some threads in the background
5681 while you continue to examine or step others from @value{GDBN}.
5682 The MI execution commands (@pxref{GDB/MI Program Execution}) are
5683 always executed asynchronously in non-stop mode.
5684
5685 Suspending execution is done with the @code{interrupt} command when
5686 running in the background, or @kbd{Ctrl-c} during foreground execution.
5687 In all-stop mode, this stops the whole process;
5688 but in non-stop mode the interrupt applies only to the current thread.
5689 To stop the whole program, use @code{interrupt -a}.
5690
5691 Other execution commands do not currently support the @code{-a} option.
5692
5693 In non-stop mode, when a thread stops, @value{GDBN} doesn't automatically make
5694 that thread current, as it does in all-stop mode. This is because the
5695 thread stop notifications are asynchronous with respect to @value{GDBN}'s
5696 command interpreter, and it would be confusing if @value{GDBN} unexpectedly
5697 changed to a different thread just as you entered a command to operate on the
5698 previously current thread.
5699
5700 @node Background Execution
5701 @subsection Background Execution
5702
5703 @cindex foreground execution
5704 @cindex background execution
5705 @cindex asynchronous execution
5706 @cindex execution, foreground, background and asynchronous
5707
5708 @value{GDBN}'s execution commands have two variants: the normal
5709 foreground (synchronous) behavior, and a background
5710 (asynchronous) behavior. In foreground execution, @value{GDBN} waits for
5711 the program to report that some thread has stopped before prompting for
5712 another command. In background execution, @value{GDBN} immediately gives
5713 a command prompt so that you can issue other commands while your program runs.
5714
5715 You need to explicitly enable asynchronous mode before you can use
5716 background execution commands. You can use these commands to
5717 manipulate the asynchronous mode setting:
5718
5719 @table @code
5720 @kindex set target-async
5721 @item set target-async on
5722 Enable asynchronous mode.
5723 @item set target-async off
5724 Disable asynchronous mode.
5725 @kindex show target-async
5726 @item show target-async
5727 Show the current target-async setting.
5728 @end table
5729
5730 If the target doesn't support async mode, @value{GDBN} issues an error
5731 message if you attempt to use the background execution commands.
5732
5733 To specify background execution, add a @code{&} to the command. For example,
5734 the background form of the @code{continue} command is @code{continue&}, or
5735 just @code{c&}. The execution commands that accept background execution
5736 are:
5737
5738 @table @code
5739 @kindex run&
5740 @item run
5741 @xref{Starting, , Starting your Program}.
5742
5743 @item attach
5744 @kindex attach&
5745 @xref{Attach, , Debugging an Already-running Process}.
5746
5747 @item step
5748 @kindex step&
5749 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, step}.
5750
5751 @item stepi
5752 @kindex stepi&
5753 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, stepi}.
5754
5755 @item next
5756 @kindex next&
5757 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, next}.
5758
5759 @item nexti
5760 @kindex nexti&
5761 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, nexti}.
5762
5763 @item continue
5764 @kindex continue&
5765 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, continue}.
5766
5767 @item finish
5768 @kindex finish&
5769 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, finish}.
5770
5771 @item until
5772 @kindex until&
5773 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, until}.
5774
5775 @end table
5776
5777 Background execution is especially useful in conjunction with non-stop
5778 mode for debugging programs with multiple threads; see @ref{Non-Stop Mode}.
5779 However, you can also use these commands in the normal all-stop mode with
5780 the restriction that you cannot issue another execution command until the
5781 previous one finishes. Examples of commands that are valid in all-stop
5782 mode while the program is running include @code{help} and @code{info break}.
5783
5784 You can interrupt your program while it is running in the background by
5785 using the @code{interrupt} command.
5786
5787 @table @code
5788 @kindex interrupt
5789 @item interrupt
5790 @itemx interrupt -a
5791
5792 Suspend execution of the running program. In all-stop mode,
5793 @code{interrupt} stops the whole process, but in non-stop mode, it stops
5794 only the current thread. To stop the whole program in non-stop mode,
5795 use @code{interrupt -a}.
5796 @end table
5797
5798 @node Thread-Specific Breakpoints
5799 @subsection Thread-Specific Breakpoints
5800
5801 When your program has multiple threads (@pxref{Threads,, Debugging
5802 Programs with Multiple Threads}), you can choose whether to set
5803 breakpoints on all threads, or on a particular thread.
5804
5805 @table @code
5806 @cindex breakpoints and threads
5807 @cindex thread breakpoints
5808 @kindex break @dots{} thread @var{threadno}
5809 @item break @var{linespec} thread @var{threadno}
5810 @itemx break @var{linespec} thread @var{threadno} if @dots{}
5811 @var{linespec} specifies source lines; there are several ways of
5812 writing them (@pxref{Specify Location}), but the effect is always to
5813 specify some source line.
5814
5815 Use the qualifier @samp{thread @var{threadno}} with a breakpoint command
5816 to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
5817 particular thread reaches this breakpoint. @var{threadno} is one of the
5818 numeric thread identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown in the first
5819 column of the @samp{info threads} display.
5820
5821 If you do not specify @samp{thread @var{threadno}} when you set a
5822 breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} threads of your
5823 program.
5824
5825 You can use the @code{thread} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
5826 well; in this case, place @samp{thread @var{threadno}} before or
5827 after the breakpoint condition, like this:
5828
5829 @smallexample
5830 (@value{GDBP}) break frik.c:13 thread 28 if bartab > lim
5831 @end smallexample
5832
5833 @end table
5834
5835 @node Interrupted System Calls
5836 @subsection Interrupted System Calls
5837
5838 @cindex thread breakpoints and system calls
5839 @cindex system calls and thread breakpoints
5840 @cindex premature return from system calls
5841 There is an unfortunate side effect when using @value{GDBN} to debug
5842 multi-threaded programs. If one thread stops for a
5843 breakpoint, or for some other reason, and another thread is blocked in a
5844 system call, then the system call may return prematurely. This is a
5845 consequence of the interaction between multiple threads and the signals
5846 that @value{GDBN} uses to implement breakpoints and other events that
5847 stop execution.
5848
5849 To handle this problem, your program should check the return value of
5850 each system call and react appropriately. This is good programming
5851 style anyways.
5852
5853 For example, do not write code like this:
5854
5855 @smallexample
5856 sleep (10);
5857 @end smallexample
5858
5859 The call to @code{sleep} will return early if a different thread stops
5860 at a breakpoint or for some other reason.
5861
5862 Instead, write this:
5863
5864 @smallexample
5865 int unslept = 10;
5866 while (unslept > 0)
5867 unslept = sleep (unslept);
5868 @end smallexample
5869
5870 A system call is allowed to return early, so the system is still
5871 conforming to its specification. But @value{GDBN} does cause your
5872 multi-threaded program to behave differently than it would without
5873 @value{GDBN}.
5874
5875 Also, @value{GDBN} uses internal breakpoints in the thread library to
5876 monitor certain events such as thread creation and thread destruction.
5877 When such an event happens, a system call in another thread may return
5878 prematurely, even though your program does not appear to stop.
5879
5880 @node Observer Mode
5881 @subsection Observer Mode
5882
5883 If you want to build on non-stop mode and observe program behavior
5884 without any chance of disruption by @value{GDBN}, you can set
5885 variables to disable all of the debugger's attempts to modify state,
5886 whether by writing memory, inserting breakpoints, etc. These operate
5887 at a low level, intercepting operations from all commands.
5888
5889 When all of these are set to @code{off}, then @value{GDBN} is said to
5890 be @dfn{observer mode}. As a convenience, the variable
5891 @code{observer} can be set to disable these, plus enable non-stop
5892 mode.
5893
5894 Note that @value{GDBN} will not prevent you from making nonsensical
5895 combinations of these settings. For instance, if you have enabled
5896 @code{may-insert-breakpoints} but disabled @code{may-write-memory},
5897 then breakpoints that work by writing trap instructions into the code
5898 stream will still not be able to be placed.
5899
5900 @table @code
5901
5902 @kindex observer
5903 @item set observer on
5904 @itemx set observer off
5905 When set to @code{on}, this disables all the permission variables
5906 below (except for @code{insert-fast-tracepoints}), plus enables
5907 non-stop debugging. Setting this to @code{off} switches back to
5908 normal debugging, though remaining in non-stop mode.
5909
5910 @item show observer
5911 Show whether observer mode is on or off.
5912
5913 @kindex may-write-registers
5914 @item set may-write-registers on
5915 @itemx set may-write-registers off
5916 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to alter the values of
5917 registers, such as with assignment expressions in @code{print}, or the
5918 @code{jump} command. It defaults to @code{on}.
5919
5920 @item show may-write-registers
5921 Show the current permission to write registers.
5922
5923 @kindex may-write-memory
5924 @item set may-write-memory on
5925 @itemx set may-write-memory off
5926 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to alter the contents
5927 of memory, such as with assignment expressions in @code{print}. It
5928 defaults to @code{on}.
5929
5930 @item show may-write-memory
5931 Show the current permission to write memory.
5932
5933 @kindex may-insert-breakpoints
5934 @item set may-insert-breakpoints on
5935 @itemx set may-insert-breakpoints off
5936 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert breakpoints.
5937 This affects all breakpoints, including internal breakpoints defined
5938 by @value{GDBN}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5939
5940 @item show may-insert-breakpoints
5941 Show the current permission to insert breakpoints.
5942
5943 @kindex may-insert-tracepoints
5944 @item set may-insert-tracepoints on
5945 @itemx set may-insert-tracepoints off
5946 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert (regular)
5947 tracepoints at the beginning of a tracing experiment. It affects only
5948 non-fast tracepoints, fast tracepoints being under the control of
5949 @code{may-insert-fast-tracepoints}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5950
5951 @item show may-insert-tracepoints
5952 Show the current permission to insert tracepoints.
5953
5954 @kindex may-insert-fast-tracepoints
5955 @item set may-insert-fast-tracepoints on
5956 @itemx set may-insert-fast-tracepoints off
5957 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert fast
5958 tracepoints at the beginning of a tracing experiment. It affects only
5959 fast tracepoints, regular (non-fast) tracepoints being under the
5960 control of @code{may-insert-tracepoints}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5961
5962 @item show may-insert-fast-tracepoints
5963 Show the current permission to insert fast tracepoints.
5964
5965 @kindex may-interrupt
5966 @item set may-interrupt on
5967 @itemx set may-interrupt off
5968 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to interrupt or stop
5969 program execution. When this variable is @code{off}, the
5970 @code{interrupt} command will have no effect, nor will
5971 @kbd{Ctrl-c}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5972
5973 @item show may-interrupt
5974 Show the current permission to interrupt or stop the program.
5975
5976 @end table
5977
5978 @node Reverse Execution
5979 @chapter Running programs backward
5980 @cindex reverse execution
5981 @cindex running programs backward
5982
5983 When you are debugging a program, it is not unusual to realize that
5984 you have gone too far, and some event of interest has already happened.
5985 If the target environment supports it, @value{GDBN} can allow you to
5986 ``rewind'' the program by running it backward.
5987
5988 A target environment that supports reverse execution should be able
5989 to ``undo'' the changes in machine state that have taken place as the
5990 program was executing normally. Variables, registers etc.@: should
5991 revert to their previous values. Obviously this requires a great
5992 deal of sophistication on the part of the target environment; not
5993 all target environments can support reverse execution.
5994
5995 When a program is executed in reverse, the instructions that
5996 have most recently been executed are ``un-executed'', in reverse
5997 order. The program counter runs backward, following the previous
5998 thread of execution in reverse. As each instruction is ``un-executed'',
5999 the values of memory and/or registers that were changed by that
6000 instruction are reverted to their previous states. After executing
6001 a piece of source code in reverse, all side effects of that code
6002 should be ``undone'', and all variables should be returned to their
6003 prior values@footnote{
6004 Note that some side effects are easier to undo than others. For instance,
6005 memory and registers are relatively easy, but device I/O is hard. Some
6006 targets may be able undo things like device I/O, and some may not.
6007
6008 The contract between @value{GDBN} and the reverse executing target
6009 requires only that the target do something reasonable when
6010 @value{GDBN} tells it to execute backwards, and then report the
6011 results back to @value{GDBN}. Whatever the target reports back to
6012 @value{GDBN}, @value{GDBN} will report back to the user. @value{GDBN}
6013 assumes that the memory and registers that the target reports are in a
6014 consistant state, but @value{GDBN} accepts whatever it is given.
6015 }.
6016
6017 If you are debugging in a target environment that supports
6018 reverse execution, @value{GDBN} provides the following commands.
6019
6020 @table @code
6021 @kindex reverse-continue
6022 @kindex rc @r{(@code{reverse-continue})}
6023 @item reverse-continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
6024 @itemx rc @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
6025 Beginning at the point where your program last stopped, start executing
6026 in reverse. Reverse execution will stop for breakpoints and synchronous
6027 exceptions (signals), just like normal execution. Behavior of
6028 asynchronous signals depends on the target environment.
6029
6030 @kindex reverse-step
6031 @kindex rs @r{(@code{step})}
6032 @item reverse-step @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
6033 Run the program backward until control reaches the start of a
6034 different source line; then stop it, and return control to @value{GDBN}.
6035
6036 Like the @code{step} command, @code{reverse-step} will only stop
6037 at the beginning of a source line. It ``un-executes'' the previously
6038 executed source line. If the previous source line included calls to
6039 debuggable functions, @code{reverse-step} will step (backward) into
6040 the called function, stopping at the beginning of the @emph{last}
6041 statement in the called function (typically a return statement).
6042
6043 Also, as with the @code{step} command, if non-debuggable functions are
6044 called, @code{reverse-step} will run thru them backward without stopping.
6045
6046 @kindex reverse-stepi
6047 @kindex rsi @r{(@code{reverse-stepi})}
6048 @item reverse-stepi @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
6049 Reverse-execute one machine instruction. Note that the instruction
6050 to be reverse-executed is @emph{not} the one pointed to by the program
6051 counter, but the instruction executed prior to that one. For instance,
6052 if the last instruction was a jump, @code{reverse-stepi} will take you
6053 back from the destination of the jump to the jump instruction itself.
6054
6055 @kindex reverse-next
6056 @kindex rn @r{(@code{reverse-next})}
6057 @item reverse-next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
6058 Run backward to the beginning of the previous line executed in
6059 the current (innermost) stack frame. If the line contains function
6060 calls, they will be ``un-executed'' without stopping. Starting from
6061 the first line of a function, @code{reverse-next} will take you back
6062 to the caller of that function, @emph{before} the function was called,
6063 just as the normal @code{next} command would take you from the last
6064 line of a function back to its return to its caller
6065 @footnote{Unless the code is too heavily optimized.}.
6066
6067 @kindex reverse-nexti
6068 @kindex rni @r{(@code{reverse-nexti})}
6069 @item reverse-nexti @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
6070 Like @code{nexti}, @code{reverse-nexti} executes a single instruction
6071 in reverse, except that called functions are ``un-executed'' atomically.
6072 That is, if the previously executed instruction was a return from
6073 another function, @code{reverse-nexti} will continue to execute
6074 in reverse until the call to that function (from the current stack
6075 frame) is reached.
6076
6077 @kindex reverse-finish
6078 @item reverse-finish
6079 Just as the @code{finish} command takes you to the point where the
6080 current function returns, @code{reverse-finish} takes you to the point
6081 where it was called. Instead of ending up at the end of the current
6082 function invocation, you end up at the beginning.
6083
6084 @kindex set exec-direction
6085 @item set exec-direction
6086 Set the direction of target execution.
6087 @item set exec-direction reverse
6088 @cindex execute forward or backward in time
6089 @value{GDBN} will perform all execution commands in reverse, until the
6090 exec-direction mode is changed to ``forward''. Affected commands include
6091 @code{step, stepi, next, nexti, continue, and finish}. The @code{return}
6092 command cannot be used in reverse mode.
6093 @item set exec-direction forward
6094 @value{GDBN} will perform all execution commands in the normal fashion.
6095 This is the default.
6096 @end table
6097
6098
6099 @node Process Record and Replay
6100 @chapter Recording Inferior's Execution and Replaying It
6101 @cindex process record and replay
6102 @cindex recording inferior's execution and replaying it
6103
6104 On some platforms, @value{GDBN} provides a special @dfn{process record
6105 and replay} target that can record a log of the process execution, and
6106 replay it later with both forward and reverse execution commands.
6107
6108 @cindex replay mode
6109 When this target is in use, if the execution log includes the record
6110 for the next instruction, @value{GDBN} will debug in @dfn{replay
6111 mode}. In the replay mode, the inferior does not really execute code
6112 instructions. Instead, all the events that normally happen during
6113 code execution are taken from the execution log. While code is not
6114 really executed in replay mode, the values of registers (including the
6115 program counter register) and the memory of the inferior are still
6116 changed as they normally would. Their contents are taken from the
6117 execution log.
6118
6119 @cindex record mode
6120 If the record for the next instruction is not in the execution log,
6121 @value{GDBN} will debug in @dfn{record mode}. In this mode, the
6122 inferior executes normally, and @value{GDBN} records the execution log
6123 for future replay.
6124
6125 The process record and replay target supports reverse execution
6126 (@pxref{Reverse Execution}), even if the platform on which the
6127 inferior runs does not. However, the reverse execution is limited in
6128 this case by the range of the instructions recorded in the execution
6129 log. In other words, reverse execution on platforms that don't
6130 support it directly can only be done in the replay mode.
6131
6132 When debugging in the reverse direction, @value{GDBN} will work in
6133 replay mode as long as the execution log includes the record for the
6134 previous instruction; otherwise, it will work in record mode, if the
6135 platform supports reverse execution, or stop if not.
6136
6137 For architecture environments that support process record and replay,
6138 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands:
6139
6140 @table @code
6141 @kindex target record
6142 @kindex target record-full
6143 @kindex target record-btrace
6144 @kindex record
6145 @kindex record full
6146 @kindex record btrace
6147 @kindex rec
6148 @kindex rec full
6149 @kindex rec btrace
6150 @item record @var{method}
6151 This command starts the process record and replay target. The
6152 recording method can be specified as parameter. Without a parameter
6153 the command uses the @code{full} recording method. The following
6154 recording methods are available:
6155
6156 @table @code
6157 @item full
6158 Full record/replay recording using @value{GDBN}'s software record and
6159 replay implementation. This method allows replaying and reverse
6160 execution.
6161
6162 @item btrace
6163 Hardware-supported instruction recording. This method does not allow
6164 replaying and reverse execution.
6165
6166 This recording method may not be available on all processors.
6167 @end table
6168
6169 The process record and replay target can only debug a process that is
6170 already running. Therefore, you need first to start the process with
6171 the @kbd{run} or @kbd{start} commands, and then start the recording
6172 with the @kbd{record @var{method}} command.
6173
6174 Both @code{record @var{method}} and @code{rec @var{method}} are
6175 aliases of @code{target record-@var{method}}.
6176
6177 @cindex displaced stepping, and process record and replay
6178 Displaced stepping (@pxref{Maintenance Commands,, displaced stepping})
6179 will be automatically disabled when process record and replay target
6180 is started. That's because the process record and replay target
6181 doesn't support displaced stepping.
6182
6183 @cindex non-stop mode, and process record and replay
6184 @cindex asynchronous execution, and process record and replay
6185 If the inferior is in the non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}) or in
6186 the asynchronous execution mode (@pxref{Background Execution}), not
6187 all recording methods are available. The @code{full} recording method
6188 does not support these two modes.
6189
6190 @kindex record stop
6191 @kindex rec s
6192 @item record stop
6193 Stop the process record and replay target. When process record and
6194 replay target stops, the entire execution log will be deleted and the
6195 inferior will either be terminated, or will remain in its final state.
6196
6197 When you stop the process record and replay target in record mode (at
6198 the end of the execution log), the inferior will be stopped at the
6199 next instruction that would have been recorded. In other words, if
6200 you record for a while and then stop recording, the inferior process
6201 will be left in the same state as if the recording never happened.
6202
6203 On the other hand, if the process record and replay target is stopped
6204 while in replay mode (that is, not at the end of the execution log,
6205 but at some earlier point), the inferior process will become ``live''
6206 at that earlier state, and it will then be possible to continue the
6207 usual ``live'' debugging of the process from that state.
6208
6209 When the inferior process exits, or @value{GDBN} detaches from it,
6210 process record and replay target will automatically stop itself.
6211
6212 @kindex record goto
6213 @item record goto
6214 Go to a specific location in the execution log. There are several
6215 ways to specify the location to go to:
6216
6217 @table @code
6218 @item record goto begin
6219 @itemx record goto start
6220 Go to the beginning of the execution log.
6221
6222 @item record goto end
6223 Go to the end of the execution log.
6224
6225 @item record goto @var{n}
6226 Go to instruction number @var{n} in the execution log.
6227 @end table
6228
6229 @kindex record save
6230 @item record save @var{filename}
6231 Save the execution log to a file @file{@var{filename}}.
6232 Default filename is @file{gdb_record.@var{process_id}}, where
6233 @var{process_id} is the process ID of the inferior.
6234
6235 This command may not be available for all recording methods.
6236
6237 @kindex record restore
6238 @item record restore @var{filename}
6239 Restore the execution log from a file @file{@var{filename}}.
6240 File must have been created with @code{record save}.
6241
6242 @kindex set record full
6243 @item set record full insn-number-max @var{limit}
6244 @itemx set record full insn-number-max unlimited
6245 Set the limit of instructions to be recorded for the @code{full}
6246 recording method. Default value is 200000.
6247
6248 If @var{limit} is a positive number, then @value{GDBN} will start
6249 deleting instructions from the log once the number of the record
6250 instructions becomes greater than @var{limit}. For every new recorded
6251 instruction, @value{GDBN} will delete the earliest recorded
6252 instruction to keep the number of recorded instructions at the limit.
6253 (Since deleting recorded instructions loses information, @value{GDBN}
6254 lets you control what happens when the limit is reached, by means of
6255 the @code{stop-at-limit} option, described below.)
6256
6257 If @var{limit} is @code{unlimited} or zero, @value{GDBN} will never
6258 delete recorded instructions from the execution log. The number of
6259 recorded instructions is limited only by the available memory.
6260
6261 @kindex show record full
6262 @item show record full insn-number-max
6263 Show the limit of instructions to be recorded with the @code{full}
6264 recording method.
6265
6266 @item set record full stop-at-limit
6267 Control the behavior of the @code{full} recording method when the
6268 number of recorded instructions reaches the limit. If ON (the
6269 default), @value{GDBN} will stop when the limit is reached for the
6270 first time and ask you whether you want to stop the inferior or
6271 continue running it and recording the execution log. If you decide
6272 to continue recording, each new recorded instruction will cause the
6273 oldest one to be deleted.
6274
6275 If this option is OFF, @value{GDBN} will automatically delete the
6276 oldest record to make room for each new one, without asking.
6277
6278 @item show record full stop-at-limit
6279 Show the current setting of @code{stop-at-limit}.
6280
6281 @item set record full memory-query
6282 Control the behavior when @value{GDBN} is unable to record memory
6283 changes caused by an instruction for the @code{full} recording method.
6284 If ON, @value{GDBN} will query whether to stop the inferior in that
6285 case.
6286
6287 If this option is OFF (the default), @value{GDBN} will automatically
6288 ignore the effect of such instructions on memory. Later, when
6289 @value{GDBN} replays this execution log, it will mark the log of this
6290 instruction as not accessible, and it will not affect the replay
6291 results.
6292
6293 @item show record full memory-query
6294 Show the current setting of @code{memory-query}.
6295
6296 @kindex info record
6297 @item info record
6298 Show various statistics about the recording depending on the recording
6299 method:
6300
6301 @table @code
6302 @item full
6303 For the @code{full} recording method, it shows the state of process
6304 record and its in-memory execution log buffer, including:
6305
6306 @itemize @bullet
6307 @item
6308 Whether in record mode or replay mode.
6309 @item
6310 Lowest recorded instruction number (counting from when the current execution log started recording instructions).
6311 @item
6312 Highest recorded instruction number.
6313 @item
6314 Current instruction about to be replayed (if in replay mode).
6315 @item
6316 Number of instructions contained in the execution log.
6317 @item
6318 Maximum number of instructions that may be contained in the execution log.
6319 @end itemize
6320
6321 @item btrace
6322 For the @code{btrace} recording method, it shows the number of
6323 instructions that have been recorded and the number of blocks of
6324 sequential control-flow that is formed by the recorded instructions.
6325 @end table
6326
6327 @kindex record delete
6328 @kindex rec del
6329 @item record delete
6330 When record target runs in replay mode (``in the past''), delete the
6331 subsequent execution log and begin to record a new execution log starting
6332 from the current address. This means you will abandon the previously
6333 recorded ``future'' and begin recording a new ``future''.
6334
6335 @kindex record instruction-history
6336 @kindex rec instruction-history
6337 @item record instruction-history
6338 Disassembles instructions from the recorded execution log. By
6339 default, ten instructions are disassembled. This can be changed using
6340 the @code{set record instruction-history-size} command. Instructions
6341 are printed in execution order. There are several ways to specify
6342 what part of the execution log to disassemble:
6343
6344 @table @code
6345 @item record instruction-history @var{insn}
6346 Disassembles ten instructions starting from instruction number
6347 @var{insn}.
6348
6349 @item record instruction-history @var{insn}, +/-@var{n}
6350 Disassembles @var{n} instructions around instruction number
6351 @var{insn}. If @var{n} is preceded with @code{+}, disassembles
6352 @var{n} instructions after instruction number @var{insn}. If
6353 @var{n} is preceded with @code{-}, disassembles @var{n}
6354 instructions before instruction number @var{insn}.
6355
6356 @item record instruction-history
6357 Disassembles ten more instructions after the last disassembly.
6358
6359 @item record instruction-history -
6360 Disassembles ten more instructions before the last disassembly.
6361
6362 @item record instruction-history @var{begin} @var{end}
6363 Disassembles instructions beginning with instruction number
6364 @var{begin} until instruction number @var{end}. The instruction
6365 number @var{end} is not included.
6366 @end table
6367
6368 This command may not be available for all recording methods.
6369
6370 @kindex set record
6371 @item set record instruction-history-size @var{size}
6372 @itemx set record instruction-history-size unlimited
6373 Define how many instructions to disassemble in the @code{record
6374 instruction-history} command. The default value is 10.
6375 A @var{size} of @code{unlimited} means unlimited instructions.
6376
6377 @kindex show record
6378 @item show record instruction-history-size
6379 Show how many instructions to disassemble in the @code{record
6380 instruction-history} command.
6381
6382 @kindex record function-call-history
6383 @kindex rec function-call-history
6384 @item record function-call-history
6385 Prints the execution history at function granularity. It prints one
6386 line for each sequence of instructions that belong to the same
6387 function giving the name of that function, the source lines
6388 for this instruction sequence (if the @code{/l} modifier is
6389 specified), and the instructions numbers that form the sequence (if
6390 the @code{/i} modifier is specified).
6391
6392 @smallexample
6393 (@value{GDBP}) @b{list 1, 10}
6394 1 void foo (void)
6395 2 @{
6396 3 @}
6397 4
6398 5 void bar (void)
6399 6 @{
6400 7 ...
6401 8 foo ();
6402 9 ...
6403 10 @}
6404 (@value{GDBP}) @b{record function-call-history /l}
6405 1 foo.c:6-8 bar
6406 2 foo.c:2-3 foo
6407 3 foo.c:9-10 bar
6408 @end smallexample
6409
6410 By default, ten lines are printed. This can be changed using the
6411 @code{set record function-call-history-size} command. Functions are
6412 printed in execution order. There are several ways to specify what
6413 to print:
6414
6415 @table @code
6416 @item record function-call-history @var{func}
6417 Prints ten functions starting from function number @var{func}.
6418
6419 @item record function-call-history @var{func}, +/-@var{n}
6420 Prints @var{n} functions around function number @var{func}. If
6421 @var{n} is preceded with @code{+}, prints @var{n} functions after
6422 function number @var{func}. If @var{n} is preceded with @code{-},
6423 prints @var{n} functions before function number @var{func}.
6424
6425 @item record function-call-history
6426 Prints ten more functions after the last ten-line print.
6427
6428 @item record function-call-history -
6429 Prints ten more functions before the last ten-line print.
6430
6431 @item record function-call-history @var{begin} @var{end}
6432 Prints functions beginning with function number @var{begin} until
6433 function number @var{end}. The function number @var{end} is not
6434 included.
6435 @end table
6436
6437 This command may not be available for all recording methods.
6438
6439 @item set record function-call-history-size @var{size}
6440 @itemx set record function-call-history-size unlimited
6441 Define how many lines to print in the
6442 @code{record function-call-history} command. The default value is 10.
6443 A size of @code{unlimited} means unlimited lines.
6444
6445 @item show record function-call-history-size
6446 Show how many lines to print in the
6447 @code{record function-call-history} command.
6448 @end table
6449
6450
6451 @node Stack
6452 @chapter Examining the Stack
6453
6454 When your program has stopped, the first thing you need to know is where it
6455 stopped and how it got there.
6456
6457 @cindex call stack
6458 Each time your program performs a function call, information about the call
6459 is generated.
6460 That information includes the location of the call in your program,
6461 the arguments of the call,
6462 and the local variables of the function being called.
6463 The information is saved in a block of data called a @dfn{stack frame}.
6464 The stack frames are allocated in a region of memory called the @dfn{call
6465 stack}.
6466
6467 When your program stops, the @value{GDBN} commands for examining the
6468 stack allow you to see all of this information.
6469
6470 @cindex selected frame
6471 One of the stack frames is @dfn{selected} by @value{GDBN} and many
6472 @value{GDBN} commands refer implicitly to the selected frame. In
6473 particular, whenever you ask @value{GDBN} for the value of a variable in
6474 your program, the value is found in the selected frame. There are
6475 special @value{GDBN} commands to select whichever frame you are
6476 interested in. @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
6477
6478 When your program stops, @value{GDBN} automatically selects the
6479 currently executing frame and describes it briefly, similar to the
6480 @code{frame} command (@pxref{Frame Info, ,Information about a Frame}).
6481
6482 @menu
6483 * Frames:: Stack frames
6484 * Backtrace:: Backtraces
6485 * Frame Filter Management:: Managing frame filters
6486 * Selection:: Selecting a frame
6487 * Frame Info:: Information on a frame
6488
6489 @end menu
6490
6491 @node Frames
6492 @section Stack Frames
6493
6494 @cindex frame, definition
6495 @cindex stack frame
6496 The call stack is divided up into contiguous pieces called @dfn{stack
6497 frames}, or @dfn{frames} for short; each frame is the data associated
6498 with one call to one function. The frame contains the arguments given
6499 to the function, the function's local variables, and the address at
6500 which the function is executing.
6501
6502 @cindex initial frame
6503 @cindex outermost frame
6504 @cindex innermost frame
6505 When your program is started, the stack has only one frame, that of the
6506 function @code{main}. This is called the @dfn{initial} frame or the
6507 @dfn{outermost} frame. Each time a function is called, a new frame is
6508 made. Each time a function returns, the frame for that function invocation
6509 is eliminated. If a function is recursive, there can be many frames for
6510 the same function. The frame for the function in which execution is
6511 actually occurring is called the @dfn{innermost} frame. This is the most
6512 recently created of all the stack frames that still exist.
6513
6514 @cindex frame pointer
6515 Inside your program, stack frames are identified by their addresses. A
6516 stack frame consists of many bytes, each of which has its own address; each
6517 kind of computer has a convention for choosing one byte whose
6518 address serves as the address of the frame. Usually this address is kept
6519 in a register called the @dfn{frame pointer register}
6520 (@pxref{Registers, $fp}) while execution is going on in that frame.
6521
6522 @cindex frame number
6523 @value{GDBN} assigns numbers to all existing stack frames, starting with
6524 zero for the innermost frame, one for the frame that called it,
6525 and so on upward. These numbers do not really exist in your program;
6526 they are assigned by @value{GDBN} to give you a way of designating stack
6527 frames in @value{GDBN} commands.
6528
6529 @c The -fomit-frame-pointer below perennially causes hbox overflow
6530 @c underflow problems.
6531 @cindex frameless execution
6532 Some compilers provide a way to compile functions so that they operate
6533 without stack frames. (For example, the @value{NGCC} option
6534 @smallexample
6535 @samp{-fomit-frame-pointer}
6536 @end smallexample
6537 generates functions without a frame.)
6538 This is occasionally done with heavily used library functions to save
6539 the frame setup time. @value{GDBN} has limited facilities for dealing
6540 with these function invocations. If the innermost function invocation
6541 has no stack frame, @value{GDBN} nevertheless regards it as though
6542 it had a separate frame, which is numbered zero as usual, allowing
6543 correct tracing of the function call chain. However, @value{GDBN} has
6544 no provision for frameless functions elsewhere in the stack.
6545
6546 @table @code
6547 @kindex frame@r{, command}
6548 @cindex current stack frame
6549 @item frame @var{args}
6550 The @code{frame} command allows you to move from one stack frame to another,
6551 and to print the stack frame you select. @var{args} may be either the
6552 address of the frame or the stack frame number. Without an argument,
6553 @code{frame} prints the current stack frame.
6554
6555 @kindex select-frame
6556 @cindex selecting frame silently
6557 @item select-frame
6558 The @code{select-frame} command allows you to move from one stack frame
6559 to another without printing the frame. This is the silent version of
6560 @code{frame}.
6561 @end table
6562
6563 @node Backtrace
6564 @section Backtraces
6565
6566 @cindex traceback
6567 @cindex call stack traces
6568 A backtrace is a summary of how your program got where it is. It shows one
6569 line per frame, for many frames, starting with the currently executing
6570 frame (frame zero), followed by its caller (frame one), and on up the
6571 stack.
6572
6573 @anchor{backtrace-command}
6574 @table @code
6575 @kindex backtrace
6576 @kindex bt @r{(@code{backtrace})}
6577 @item backtrace
6578 @itemx bt
6579 Print a backtrace of the entire stack: one line per frame for all
6580 frames in the stack.
6581
6582 You can stop the backtrace at any time by typing the system interrupt
6583 character, normally @kbd{Ctrl-c}.
6584
6585 @item backtrace @var{n}
6586 @itemx bt @var{n}
6587 Similar, but print only the innermost @var{n} frames.
6588
6589 @item backtrace -@var{n}
6590 @itemx bt -@var{n}
6591 Similar, but print only the outermost @var{n} frames.
6592
6593 @item backtrace full
6594 @itemx bt full
6595 @itemx bt full @var{n}
6596 @itemx bt full -@var{n}
6597 Print the values of the local variables also. @var{n} specifies the
6598 number of frames to print, as described above.
6599
6600 @item backtrace no-filters
6601 @itemx bt no-filters
6602 @itemx bt no-filters @var{n}
6603 @itemx bt no-filters -@var{n}
6604 @itemx bt no-filters full
6605 @itemx bt no-filters full @var{n}
6606 @itemx bt no-filters full -@var{n}
6607 Do not run Python frame filters on this backtrace. @xref{Frame
6608 Filter API}, for more information. Additionally use @ref{disable
6609 frame-filter all} to turn off all frame filters. This is only
6610 relevant when @value{GDBN} has been configured with @code{Python}
6611 support.
6612 @end table
6613
6614 @kindex where
6615 @kindex info stack
6616 The names @code{where} and @code{info stack} (abbreviated @code{info s})
6617 are additional aliases for @code{backtrace}.
6618
6619 @cindex multiple threads, backtrace
6620 In a multi-threaded program, @value{GDBN} by default shows the
6621 backtrace only for the current thread. To display the backtrace for
6622 several or all of the threads, use the command @code{thread apply}
6623 (@pxref{Threads, thread apply}). For example, if you type @kbd{thread
6624 apply all backtrace}, @value{GDBN} will display the backtrace for all
6625 the threads; this is handy when you debug a core dump of a
6626 multi-threaded program.
6627
6628 Each line in the backtrace shows the frame number and the function name.
6629 The program counter value is also shown---unless you use @code{set
6630 print address off}. The backtrace also shows the source file name and
6631 line number, as well as the arguments to the function. The program
6632 counter value is omitted if it is at the beginning of the code for that
6633 line number.
6634
6635 Here is an example of a backtrace. It was made with the command
6636 @samp{bt 3}, so it shows the innermost three frames.
6637
6638 @smallexample
6639 @group
6640 #0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
6641 at builtin.c:993
6642 #1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=0x2b600, data=...) at macro.c:242
6643 #2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=177664, td=0xf7fffb08)
6644 at macro.c:71
6645 (More stack frames follow...)
6646 @end group
6647 @end smallexample
6648
6649 @noindent
6650 The display for frame zero does not begin with a program counter
6651 value, indicating that your program has stopped at the beginning of the
6652 code for line @code{993} of @code{builtin.c}.
6653
6654 @noindent
6655 The value of parameter @code{data} in frame 1 has been replaced by
6656 @code{@dots{}}. By default, @value{GDBN} prints the value of a parameter
6657 only if it is a scalar (integer, pointer, enumeration, etc). See command
6658 @kbd{set print frame-arguments} in @ref{Print Settings} for more details
6659 on how to configure the way function parameter values are printed.
6660
6661 @cindex optimized out, in backtrace
6662 @cindex function call arguments, optimized out
6663 If your program was compiled with optimizations, some compilers will
6664 optimize away arguments passed to functions if those arguments are
6665 never used after the call. Such optimizations generate code that
6666 passes arguments through registers, but doesn't store those arguments
6667 in the stack frame. @value{GDBN} has no way of displaying such
6668 arguments in stack frames other than the innermost one. Here's what
6669 such a backtrace might look like:
6670
6671 @smallexample
6672 @group
6673 #0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
6674 at builtin.c:993
6675 #1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=<optimized out>) at macro.c:242
6676 #2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=<optimized out>, td=0xf7fffb08)
6677 at macro.c:71
6678 (More stack frames follow...)
6679 @end group
6680 @end smallexample
6681
6682 @noindent
6683 The values of arguments that were not saved in their stack frames are
6684 shown as @samp{<optimized out>}.
6685
6686 If you need to display the values of such optimized-out arguments,
6687 either deduce that from other variables whose values depend on the one
6688 you are interested in, or recompile without optimizations.
6689
6690 @cindex backtrace beyond @code{main} function
6691 @cindex program entry point
6692 @cindex startup code, and backtrace
6693 Most programs have a standard user entry point---a place where system
6694 libraries and startup code transition into user code. For C this is
6695 @code{main}@footnote{
6696 Note that embedded programs (the so-called ``free-standing''
6697 environment) are not required to have a @code{main} function as the
6698 entry point. They could even have multiple entry points.}.
6699 When @value{GDBN} finds the entry function in a backtrace
6700 it will terminate the backtrace, to avoid tracing into highly
6701 system-specific (and generally uninteresting) code.
6702
6703 If you need to examine the startup code, or limit the number of levels
6704 in a backtrace, you can change this behavior:
6705
6706 @table @code
6707 @item set backtrace past-main
6708 @itemx set backtrace past-main on
6709 @kindex set backtrace
6710 Backtraces will continue past the user entry point.
6711
6712 @item set backtrace past-main off
6713 Backtraces will stop when they encounter the user entry point. This is the
6714 default.
6715
6716 @item show backtrace past-main
6717 @kindex show backtrace
6718 Display the current user entry point backtrace policy.
6719
6720 @item set backtrace past-entry
6721 @itemx set backtrace past-entry on
6722 Backtraces will continue past the internal entry point of an application.
6723 This entry point is encoded by the linker when the application is built,
6724 and is likely before the user entry point @code{main} (or equivalent) is called.
6725
6726 @item set backtrace past-entry off
6727 Backtraces will stop when they encounter the internal entry point of an
6728 application. This is the default.
6729
6730 @item show backtrace past-entry
6731 Display the current internal entry point backtrace policy.
6732
6733 @item set backtrace limit @var{n}
6734 @itemx set backtrace limit 0
6735 @itemx set backtrace limit unlimited
6736 @cindex backtrace limit
6737 Limit the backtrace to @var{n} levels. A value of @code{unlimited}
6738 or zero means unlimited levels.
6739
6740 @item show backtrace limit
6741 Display the current limit on backtrace levels.
6742 @end table
6743
6744 You can control how file names are displayed.
6745
6746 @table @code
6747 @item set filename-display
6748 @itemx set filename-display relative
6749 @cindex filename-display
6750 Display file names relative to the compilation directory. This is the default.
6751
6752 @item set filename-display basename
6753 Display only basename of a filename.
6754
6755 @item set filename-display absolute
6756 Display an absolute filename.
6757
6758 @item show filename-display
6759 Show the current way to display filenames.
6760 @end table
6761
6762 @node Frame Filter Management
6763 @section Management of Frame Filters.
6764 @cindex managing frame filters
6765
6766 Frame filters are Python based utilities to manage and decorate the
6767 output of frames. @xref{Frame Filter API}, for further information.
6768
6769 Managing frame filters is performed by several commands available
6770 within @value{GDBN}, detailed here.
6771
6772 @table @code
6773 @kindex info frame-filter
6774 @item info frame-filter
6775 Print a list of installed frame filters from all dictionaries, showing
6776 their name, priority and enabled status.
6777
6778 @kindex disable frame-filter
6779 @anchor{disable frame-filter all}
6780 @item disable frame-filter @var{filter-dictionary} @var{filter-name}
6781 Disable a frame filter in the dictionary matching
6782 @var{filter-dictionary}, or @code{all}, and @var{filter-name}.
6783 @var{filter-dictionary} may be @code{all}, @code{global},
6784 @code{progspace} or the name of the object file where the frame filter
6785 dictionary resides. When @code{all} is specified, all frame filters
6786 across all dictionaries are disabled. @var{filter-name} is the name
6787 of the frame filter and is used when @code{all} is not the option for
6788 @var{filter-dictionary}. A disabled frame-filter is not deleted, it
6789 may be enabled again later.
6790
6791 @kindex enable frame-filter
6792 @item enable frame-filter @var{filter-dictionary} @var{filter-name}
6793 Enable a frame filter in the dictionary matching
6794 @var{filter-dictionary}, or @code{all}, and @var{filter-name}.
6795 @var{filter-dictionary} may be @code{all}, @code{global},
6796 @code{progspace} or the name of the object file where the frame filter
6797 dictionary resides. When @code{all} is specified, all frame filters across
6798 all dictionaries are enabled. @var{filter-name} is the name of the frame
6799 filter and is used when @code{all} is not the option for
6800 @var{filter-dictionary}.
6801
6802 Example:
6803
6804 @smallexample
6805 (gdb) info frame-filter
6806
6807 global frame-filters:
6808 Priority Enabled Name
6809 1000 No PrimaryFunctionFilter
6810 100 Yes Reverse
6811
6812 progspace /build/test frame-filters:
6813 Priority Enabled Name
6814 100 Yes ProgspaceFilter
6815
6816 objfile /build/test frame-filters:
6817 Priority Enabled Name
6818 999 Yes BuildProgra Filter
6819
6820 (gdb) disable frame-filter /build/test BuildProgramFilter
6821 (gdb) info frame-filter
6822
6823 global frame-filters:
6824 Priority Enabled Name
6825 1000 No PrimaryFunctionFilter
6826 100 Yes Reverse
6827
6828 progspace /build/test frame-filters:
6829 Priority Enabled Name
6830 100 Yes ProgspaceFilter
6831
6832 objfile /build/test frame-filters:
6833 Priority Enabled Name
6834 999 No BuildProgramFilter
6835
6836 (gdb) enable frame-filter global PrimaryFunctionFilter
6837 (gdb) info frame-filter
6838
6839 global frame-filters:
6840 Priority Enabled Name
6841 1000 Yes PrimaryFunctionFilter
6842 100 Yes Reverse
6843
6844 progspace /build/test frame-filters:
6845 Priority Enabled Name
6846 100 Yes ProgspaceFilter
6847
6848 objfile /build/test frame-filters:
6849 Priority Enabled Name
6850 999 No BuildProgramFilter
6851 @end smallexample
6852
6853 @kindex set frame-filter priority
6854 @item set frame-filter priority @var{filter-dictionary} @var{filter-name} @var{priority}
6855 Set the @var{priority} of a frame filter in the dictionary matching
6856 @var{filter-dictionary}, and the frame filter name matching
6857 @var{filter-name}. @var{filter-dictionary} may be @code{global},
6858 @code{progspace} or the name of the object file where the frame filter
6859 dictionary resides. @var{priority} is an integer.
6860
6861 @kindex show frame-filter priority
6862 @item show frame-filter priority @var{filter-dictionary} @var{filter-name}
6863 Show the @var{priority} of a frame filter in the dictionary matching
6864 @var{filter-dictionary}, and the frame filter name matching
6865 @var{filter-name}. @var{filter-dictionary} may be @code{global},
6866 @code{progspace} or the name of the object file where the frame filter
6867 dictionary resides.
6868
6869 Example:
6870
6871 @smallexample
6872 (gdb) info frame-filter
6873
6874 global frame-filters:
6875 Priority Enabled Name
6876 1000 Yes PrimaryFunctionFilter
6877 100 Yes Reverse
6878
6879 progspace /build/test frame-filters:
6880 Priority Enabled Name
6881 100 Yes ProgspaceFilter
6882
6883 objfile /build/test frame-filters:
6884 Priority Enabled Name
6885 999 No BuildProgramFilter
6886
6887 (gdb) set frame-filter priority global Reverse 50
6888 (gdb) info frame-filter
6889
6890 global frame-filters:
6891 Priority Enabled Name
6892 1000 Yes PrimaryFunctionFilter
6893 50 Yes Reverse
6894
6895 progspace /build/test frame-filters:
6896 Priority Enabled Name
6897 100 Yes ProgspaceFilter
6898
6899 objfile /build/test frame-filters:
6900 Priority Enabled Name
6901 999 No BuildProgramFilter
6902 @end smallexample
6903 @end table
6904
6905 @node Selection
6906 @section Selecting a Frame
6907
6908 Most commands for examining the stack and other data in your program work on
6909 whichever stack frame is selected at the moment. Here are the commands for
6910 selecting a stack frame; all of them finish by printing a brief description
6911 of the stack frame just selected.
6912
6913 @table @code
6914 @kindex frame@r{, selecting}
6915 @kindex f @r{(@code{frame})}
6916 @item frame @var{n}
6917 @itemx f @var{n}
6918 Select frame number @var{n}. Recall that frame zero is the innermost
6919 (currently executing) frame, frame one is the frame that called the
6920 innermost one, and so on. The highest-numbered frame is the one for
6921 @code{main}.
6922
6923 @item frame @var{addr}
6924 @itemx f @var{addr}
6925 Select the frame at address @var{addr}. This is useful mainly if the
6926 chaining of stack frames has been damaged by a bug, making it
6927 impossible for @value{GDBN} to assign numbers properly to all frames. In
6928 addition, this can be useful when your program has multiple stacks and
6929 switches between them.
6930
6931 On the SPARC architecture, @code{frame} needs two addresses to
6932 select an arbitrary frame: a frame pointer and a stack pointer.
6933
6934 On the @acronym{MIPS} and Alpha architecture, it needs two addresses: a stack
6935 pointer and a program counter.
6936
6937 On the 29k architecture, it needs three addresses: a register stack
6938 pointer, a program counter, and a memory stack pointer.
6939
6940 @kindex up
6941 @item up @var{n}
6942 Move @var{n} frames up the stack. For positive numbers @var{n}, this
6943 advances toward the outermost frame, to higher frame numbers, to frames
6944 that have existed longer. @var{n} defaults to one.
6945
6946 @kindex down
6947 @kindex do @r{(@code{down})}
6948 @item down @var{n}
6949 Move @var{n} frames down the stack. For positive numbers @var{n}, this
6950 advances toward the innermost frame, to lower frame numbers, to frames
6951 that were created more recently. @var{n} defaults to one. You may
6952 abbreviate @code{down} as @code{do}.
6953 @end table
6954
6955 All of these commands end by printing two lines of output describing the
6956 frame. The first line shows the frame number, the function name, the
6957 arguments, and the source file and line number of execution in that
6958 frame. The second line shows the text of that source line.
6959
6960 @need 1000
6961 For example:
6962
6963 @smallexample
6964 @group
6965 (@value{GDBP}) up
6966 #1 0x22f0 in main (argc=1, argv=0xf7fffbf4, env=0xf7fffbfc)
6967 at env.c:10
6968 10 read_input_file (argv[i]);
6969 @end group
6970 @end smallexample
6971
6972 After such a printout, the @code{list} command with no arguments
6973 prints ten lines centered on the point of execution in the frame.
6974 You can also edit the program at the point of execution with your favorite
6975 editing program by typing @code{edit}.
6976 @xref{List, ,Printing Source Lines},
6977 for details.
6978
6979 @table @code
6980 @kindex down-silently
6981 @kindex up-silently
6982 @item up-silently @var{n}
6983 @itemx down-silently @var{n}
6984 These two commands are variants of @code{up} and @code{down},
6985 respectively; they differ in that they do their work silently, without
6986 causing display of the new frame. They are intended primarily for use
6987 in @value{GDBN} command scripts, where the output might be unnecessary and
6988 distracting.
6989 @end table
6990
6991 @node Frame Info
6992 @section Information About a Frame
6993
6994 There are several other commands to print information about the selected
6995 stack frame.
6996
6997 @table @code
6998 @item frame
6999 @itemx f
7000 When used without any argument, this command does not change which
7001 frame is selected, but prints a brief description of the currently
7002 selected stack frame. It can be abbreviated @code{f}. With an
7003 argument, this command is used to select a stack frame.
7004 @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
7005
7006 @kindex info frame
7007 @kindex info f @r{(@code{info frame})}
7008 @item info frame
7009 @itemx info f
7010 This command prints a verbose description of the selected stack frame,
7011 including:
7012
7013 @itemize @bullet
7014 @item
7015 the address of the frame
7016 @item
7017 the address of the next frame down (called by this frame)
7018 @item
7019 the address of the next frame up (caller of this frame)
7020 @item
7021 the language in which the source code corresponding to this frame is written
7022 @item
7023 the address of the frame's arguments
7024 @item
7025 the address of the frame's local variables
7026 @item
7027 the program counter saved in it (the address of execution in the caller frame)
7028 @item
7029 which registers were saved in the frame
7030 @end itemize
7031
7032 @noindent The verbose description is useful when
7033 something has gone wrong that has made the stack format fail to fit
7034 the usual conventions.
7035
7036 @item info frame @var{addr}
7037 @itemx info f @var{addr}
7038 Print a verbose description of the frame at address @var{addr}, without
7039 selecting that frame. The selected frame remains unchanged by this
7040 command. This requires the same kind of address (more than one for some
7041 architectures) that you specify in the @code{frame} command.
7042 @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
7043
7044 @kindex info args
7045 @item info args
7046 Print the arguments of the selected frame, each on a separate line.
7047
7048 @item info locals
7049 @kindex info locals
7050 Print the local variables of the selected frame, each on a separate
7051 line. These are all variables (declared either static or automatic)
7052 accessible at the point of execution of the selected frame.
7053
7054 @end table
7055
7056
7057 @node Source
7058 @chapter Examining Source Files
7059
7060 @value{GDBN} can print parts of your program's source, since the debugging
7061 information recorded in the program tells @value{GDBN} what source files were
7062 used to build it. When your program stops, @value{GDBN} spontaneously prints
7063 the line where it stopped. Likewise, when you select a stack frame
7064 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}), @value{GDBN} prints the line where
7065 execution in that frame has stopped. You can print other portions of
7066 source files by explicit command.
7067
7068 If you use @value{GDBN} through its @sc{gnu} Emacs interface, you may
7069 prefer to use Emacs facilities to view source; see @ref{Emacs, ,Using
7070 @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}.
7071
7072 @menu
7073 * List:: Printing source lines
7074 * Specify Location:: How to specify code locations
7075 * Edit:: Editing source files
7076 * Search:: Searching source files
7077 * Source Path:: Specifying source directories
7078 * Machine Code:: Source and machine code
7079 @end menu
7080
7081 @node List
7082 @section Printing Source Lines
7083
7084 @kindex list
7085 @kindex l @r{(@code{list})}
7086 To print lines from a source file, use the @code{list} command
7087 (abbreviated @code{l}). By default, ten lines are printed.
7088 There are several ways to specify what part of the file you want to
7089 print; see @ref{Specify Location}, for the full list.
7090
7091 Here are the forms of the @code{list} command most commonly used:
7092
7093 @table @code
7094 @item list @var{linenum}
7095 Print lines centered around line number @var{linenum} in the
7096 current source file.
7097
7098 @item list @var{function}
7099 Print lines centered around the beginning of function
7100 @var{function}.
7101
7102 @item list
7103 Print more lines. If the last lines printed were printed with a
7104 @code{list} command, this prints lines following the last lines
7105 printed; however, if the last line printed was a solitary line printed
7106 as part of displaying a stack frame (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the
7107 Stack}), this prints lines centered around that line.
7108
7109 @item list -
7110 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
7111 @end table
7112
7113 @cindex @code{list}, how many lines to display
7114 By default, @value{GDBN} prints ten source lines with any of these forms of
7115 the @code{list} command. You can change this using @code{set listsize}:
7116
7117 @table @code
7118 @kindex set listsize
7119 @item set listsize @var{count}
7120 @itemx set listsize unlimited
7121 Make the @code{list} command display @var{count} source lines (unless
7122 the @code{list} argument explicitly specifies some other number).
7123 Setting @var{count} to @code{unlimited} or 0 means there's no limit.
7124
7125 @kindex show listsize
7126 @item show listsize
7127 Display the number of lines that @code{list} prints.
7128 @end table
7129
7130 Repeating a @code{list} command with @key{RET} discards the argument,
7131 so it is equivalent to typing just @code{list}. This is more useful
7132 than listing the same lines again. An exception is made for an
7133 argument of @samp{-}; that argument is preserved in repetition so that
7134 each repetition moves up in the source file.
7135
7136 In general, the @code{list} command expects you to supply zero, one or two
7137 @dfn{linespecs}. Linespecs specify source lines; there are several ways
7138 of writing them (@pxref{Specify Location}), but the effect is always
7139 to specify some source line.
7140
7141 Here is a complete description of the possible arguments for @code{list}:
7142
7143 @table @code
7144 @item list @var{linespec}
7145 Print lines centered around the line specified by @var{linespec}.
7146
7147 @item list @var{first},@var{last}
7148 Print lines from @var{first} to @var{last}. Both arguments are
7149 linespecs. When a @code{list} command has two linespecs, and the
7150 source file of the second linespec is omitted, this refers to
7151 the same source file as the first linespec.
7152
7153 @item list ,@var{last}
7154 Print lines ending with @var{last}.
7155
7156 @item list @var{first},
7157 Print lines starting with @var{first}.
7158
7159 @item list +
7160 Print lines just after the lines last printed.
7161
7162 @item list -
7163 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
7164
7165 @item list
7166 As described in the preceding table.
7167 @end table
7168
7169 @node Specify Location
7170 @section Specifying a Location
7171 @cindex specifying location
7172 @cindex linespec
7173
7174 Several @value{GDBN} commands accept arguments that specify a location
7175 of your program's code. Since @value{GDBN} is a source-level
7176 debugger, a location usually specifies some line in the source code;
7177 for that reason, locations are also known as @dfn{linespecs}.
7178
7179 Here are all the different ways of specifying a code location that
7180 @value{GDBN} understands:
7181
7182 @table @code
7183 @item @var{linenum}
7184 Specifies the line number @var{linenum} of the current source file.
7185
7186 @item -@var{offset}
7187 @itemx +@var{offset}
7188 Specifies the line @var{offset} lines before or after the @dfn{current
7189 line}. For the @code{list} command, the current line is the last one
7190 printed; for the breakpoint commands, this is the line at which
7191 execution stopped in the currently selected @dfn{stack frame}
7192 (@pxref{Frames, ,Frames}, for a description of stack frames.) When
7193 used as the second of the two linespecs in a @code{list} command,
7194 this specifies the line @var{offset} lines up or down from the first
7195 linespec.
7196
7197 @item @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
7198 Specifies the line @var{linenum} in the source file @var{filename}.
7199 If @var{filename} is a relative file name, then it will match any
7200 source file name with the same trailing components. For example, if
7201 @var{filename} is @samp{gcc/expr.c}, then it will match source file
7202 name of @file{/build/trunk/gcc/expr.c}, but not
7203 @file{/build/trunk/libcpp/expr.c} or @file{/build/trunk/gcc/x-expr.c}.
7204
7205 @item @var{function}
7206 Specifies the line that begins the body of the function @var{function}.
7207 For example, in C, this is the line with the open brace.
7208
7209 @item @var{function}:@var{label}
7210 Specifies the line where @var{label} appears in @var{function}.
7211
7212 @item @var{filename}:@var{function}
7213 Specifies the line that begins the body of the function @var{function}
7214 in the file @var{filename}. You only need the file name with a
7215 function name to avoid ambiguity when there are identically named
7216 functions in different source files.
7217
7218 @item @var{label}
7219 Specifies the line at which the label named @var{label} appears.
7220 @value{GDBN} searches for the label in the function corresponding to
7221 the currently selected stack frame. If there is no current selected
7222 stack frame (for instance, if the inferior is not running), then
7223 @value{GDBN} will not search for a label.
7224
7225 @item *@var{address}
7226 Specifies the program address @var{address}. For line-oriented
7227 commands, such as @code{list} and @code{edit}, this specifies a source
7228 line that contains @var{address}. For @code{break} and other
7229 breakpoint oriented commands, this can be used to set breakpoints in
7230 parts of your program which do not have debugging information or
7231 source files.
7232
7233 Here @var{address} may be any expression valid in the current working
7234 language (@pxref{Languages, working language}) that specifies a code
7235 address. In addition, as a convenience, @value{GDBN} extends the
7236 semantics of expressions used in locations to cover the situations
7237 that frequently happen during debugging. Here are the various forms
7238 of @var{address}:
7239
7240 @table @code
7241 @item @var{expression}
7242 Any expression valid in the current working language.
7243
7244 @item @var{funcaddr}
7245 An address of a function or procedure derived from its name. In C,
7246 C@t{++}, Java, Objective-C, Fortran, minimal, and assembly, this is
7247 simply the function's name @var{function} (and actually a special case
7248 of a valid expression). In Pascal and Modula-2, this is
7249 @code{&@var{function}}. In Ada, this is @code{@var{function}'Address}
7250 (although the Pascal form also works).
7251
7252 This form specifies the address of the function's first instruction,
7253 before the stack frame and arguments have been set up.
7254
7255 @item '@var{filename}'::@var{funcaddr}
7256 Like @var{funcaddr} above, but also specifies the name of the source
7257 file explicitly. This is useful if the name of the function does not
7258 specify the function unambiguously, e.g., if there are several
7259 functions with identical names in different source files.
7260 @end table
7261
7262 @cindex breakpoint at static probe point
7263 @item -pstap|-probe-stap @r{[}@var{objfile}:@r{[}@var{provider}:@r{]}@r{]}@var{name}
7264 The @sc{gnu}/Linux tool @code{SystemTap} provides a way for
7265 applications to embed static probes. @xref{Static Probe Points}, for more
7266 information on finding and using static probes. This form of linespec
7267 specifies the location of such a static probe.
7268
7269 If @var{objfile} is given, only probes coming from that shared library
7270 or executable matching @var{objfile} as a regular expression are considered.
7271 If @var{provider} is given, then only probes from that provider are considered.
7272 If several probes match the spec, @value{GDBN} will insert a breakpoint at
7273 each one of those probes.
7274
7275 @end table
7276
7277
7278 @node Edit
7279 @section Editing Source Files
7280 @cindex editing source files
7281
7282 @kindex edit
7283 @kindex e @r{(@code{edit})}
7284 To edit the lines in a source file, use the @code{edit} command.
7285 The editing program of your choice
7286 is invoked with the current line set to
7287 the active line in the program.
7288 Alternatively, there are several ways to specify what part of the file you
7289 want to print if you want to see other parts of the program:
7290
7291 @table @code
7292 @item edit @var{location}
7293 Edit the source file specified by @code{location}. Editing starts at
7294 that @var{location}, e.g., at the specified source line of the
7295 specified file. @xref{Specify Location}, for all the possible forms
7296 of the @var{location} argument; here are the forms of the @code{edit}
7297 command most commonly used:
7298
7299 @table @code
7300 @item edit @var{number}
7301 Edit the current source file with @var{number} as the active line number.
7302
7303 @item edit @var{function}
7304 Edit the file containing @var{function} at the beginning of its definition.
7305 @end table
7306
7307 @end table
7308
7309 @subsection Choosing your Editor
7310 You can customize @value{GDBN} to use any editor you want
7311 @footnote{
7312 The only restriction is that your editor (say @code{ex}), recognizes the
7313 following command-line syntax:
7314 @smallexample
7315 ex +@var{number} file
7316 @end smallexample
7317 The optional numeric value +@var{number} specifies the number of the line in
7318 the file where to start editing.}.
7319 By default, it is @file{@value{EDITOR}}, but you can change this
7320 by setting the environment variable @code{EDITOR} before using
7321 @value{GDBN}. For example, to configure @value{GDBN} to use the
7322 @code{vi} editor, you could use these commands with the @code{sh} shell:
7323 @smallexample
7324 EDITOR=/usr/bin/vi
7325 export EDITOR
7326 gdb @dots{}
7327 @end smallexample
7328 or in the @code{csh} shell,
7329 @smallexample
7330 setenv EDITOR /usr/bin/vi
7331 gdb @dots{}
7332 @end smallexample
7333
7334 @node Search
7335 @section Searching Source Files
7336 @cindex searching source files
7337
7338 There are two commands for searching through the current source file for a
7339 regular expression.
7340
7341 @table @code
7342 @kindex search
7343 @kindex forward-search
7344 @kindex fo @r{(@code{forward-search})}
7345 @item forward-search @var{regexp}
7346 @itemx search @var{regexp}
7347 The command @samp{forward-search @var{regexp}} checks each line,
7348 starting with the one following the last line listed, for a match for
7349 @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can use the
7350 synonym @samp{search @var{regexp}} or abbreviate the command name as
7351 @code{fo}.
7352
7353 @kindex reverse-search
7354 @item reverse-search @var{regexp}
7355 The command @samp{reverse-search @var{regexp}} checks each line, starting
7356 with the one before the last line listed and going backward, for a match
7357 for @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can abbreviate
7358 this command as @code{rev}.
7359 @end table
7360
7361 @node Source Path
7362 @section Specifying Source Directories
7363
7364 @cindex source path
7365 @cindex directories for source files
7366 Executable programs sometimes do not record the directories of the source
7367 files from which they were compiled, just the names. Even when they do,
7368 the directories could be moved between the compilation and your debugging
7369 session. @value{GDBN} has a list of directories to search for source files;
7370 this is called the @dfn{source path}. Each time @value{GDBN} wants a source file,
7371 it tries all the directories in the list, in the order they are present
7372 in the list, until it finds a file with the desired name.
7373
7374 For example, suppose an executable references the file
7375 @file{/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}, and our source path is
7376 @file{/mnt/cross}. The file is first looked up literally; if this
7377 fails, @file{/mnt/cross/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c} is tried; if this
7378 fails, @file{/mnt/cross/foo.c} is opened; if this fails, an error
7379 message is printed. @value{GDBN} does not look up the parts of the
7380 source file name, such as @file{/mnt/cross/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}.
7381 Likewise, the subdirectories of the source path are not searched: if
7382 the source path is @file{/mnt/cross}, and the binary refers to
7383 @file{foo.c}, @value{GDBN} would not find it under
7384 @file{/mnt/cross/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib}.
7385
7386 Plain file names, relative file names with leading directories, file
7387 names containing dots, etc.@: are all treated as described above; for
7388 instance, if the source path is @file{/mnt/cross}, and the source file
7389 is recorded as @file{../lib/foo.c}, @value{GDBN} would first try
7390 @file{../lib/foo.c}, then @file{/mnt/cross/../lib/foo.c}, and after
7391 that---@file{/mnt/cross/foo.c}.
7392
7393 Note that the executable search path is @emph{not} used to locate the
7394 source files.
7395
7396 Whenever you reset or rearrange the source path, @value{GDBN} clears out
7397 any information it has cached about where source files are found and where
7398 each line is in the file.
7399
7400 @kindex directory
7401 @kindex dir
7402 When you start @value{GDBN}, its source path includes only @samp{cdir}
7403 and @samp{cwd}, in that order.
7404 To add other directories, use the @code{directory} command.
7405
7406 The search path is used to find both program source files and @value{GDBN}
7407 script files (read using the @samp{-command} option and @samp{source} command).
7408
7409 In addition to the source path, @value{GDBN} provides a set of commands
7410 that manage a list of source path substitution rules. A @dfn{substitution
7411 rule} specifies how to rewrite source directories stored in the program's
7412 debug information in case the sources were moved to a different
7413 directory between compilation and debugging. A rule is made of
7414 two strings, the first specifying what needs to be rewritten in
7415 the path, and the second specifying how it should be rewritten.
7416 In @ref{set substitute-path}, we name these two parts @var{from} and
7417 @var{to} respectively. @value{GDBN} does a simple string replacement
7418 of @var{from} with @var{to} at the start of the directory part of the
7419 source file name, and uses that result instead of the original file
7420 name to look up the sources.
7421
7422 Using the previous example, suppose the @file{foo-1.0} tree has been
7423 moved from @file{/usr/src} to @file{/mnt/cross}, then you can tell
7424 @value{GDBN} to replace @file{/usr/src} in all source path names with
7425 @file{/mnt/cross}. The first lookup will then be
7426 @file{/mnt/cross/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c} in place of the original location
7427 of @file{/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}. To define a source path
7428 substitution rule, use the @code{set substitute-path} command
7429 (@pxref{set substitute-path}).
7430
7431 To avoid unexpected substitution results, a rule is applied only if the
7432 @var{from} part of the directory name ends at a directory separator.
7433 For instance, a rule substituting @file{/usr/source} into
7434 @file{/mnt/cross} will be applied to @file{/usr/source/foo-1.0} but
7435 not to @file{/usr/sourceware/foo-2.0}. And because the substitution
7436 is applied only at the beginning of the directory name, this rule will
7437 not be applied to @file{/root/usr/source/baz.c} either.
7438
7439 In many cases, you can achieve the same result using the @code{directory}
7440 command. However, @code{set substitute-path} can be more efficient in
7441 the case where the sources are organized in a complex tree with multiple
7442 subdirectories. With the @code{directory} command, you need to add each
7443 subdirectory of your project. If you moved the entire tree while
7444 preserving its internal organization, then @code{set substitute-path}
7445 allows you to direct the debugger to all the sources with one single
7446 command.
7447
7448 @code{set substitute-path} is also more than just a shortcut command.
7449 The source path is only used if the file at the original location no
7450 longer exists. On the other hand, @code{set substitute-path} modifies
7451 the debugger behavior to look at the rewritten location instead. So, if
7452 for any reason a source file that is not relevant to your executable is
7453 located at the original location, a substitution rule is the only
7454 method available to point @value{GDBN} at the new location.
7455
7456 @cindex @samp{--with-relocated-sources}
7457 @cindex default source path substitution
7458 You can configure a default source path substitution rule by
7459 configuring @value{GDBN} with the
7460 @samp{--with-relocated-sources=@var{dir}} option. The @var{dir}
7461 should be the name of a directory under @value{GDBN}'s configured
7462 prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or @samp{--exec-prefix}), and
7463 directory names in debug information under @var{dir} will be adjusted
7464 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
7465 location. This is useful if @value{GDBN}, libraries or executables
7466 with debug information and corresponding source code are being moved
7467 together.
7468
7469 @table @code
7470 @item directory @var{dirname} @dots{}
7471 @item dir @var{dirname} @dots{}
7472 Add directory @var{dirname} to the front of the source path. Several
7473 directory names may be given to this command, separated by @samp{:}
7474 (@samp{;} on MS-DOS and MS-Windows, where @samp{:} usually appears as
7475 part of absolute file names) or
7476 whitespace. You may specify a directory that is already in the source
7477 path; this moves it forward, so @value{GDBN} searches it sooner.
7478
7479 @kindex cdir
7480 @kindex cwd
7481 @vindex $cdir@r{, convenience variable}
7482 @vindex $cwd@r{, convenience variable}
7483 @cindex compilation directory
7484 @cindex current directory
7485 @cindex working directory
7486 @cindex directory, current
7487 @cindex directory, compilation
7488 You can use the string @samp{$cdir} to refer to the compilation
7489 directory (if one is recorded), and @samp{$cwd} to refer to the current
7490 working directory. @samp{$cwd} is not the same as @samp{.}---the former
7491 tracks the current working directory as it changes during your @value{GDBN}
7492 session, while the latter is immediately expanded to the current
7493 directory at the time you add an entry to the source path.
7494
7495 @item directory
7496 Reset the source path to its default value (@samp{$cdir:$cwd} on Unix systems). This requires confirmation.
7497
7498 @c RET-repeat for @code{directory} is explicitly disabled, but since
7499 @c repeating it would be a no-op we do not say that. (thanks to RMS)
7500
7501 @item set directories @var{path-list}
7502 @kindex set directories
7503 Set the source path to @var{path-list}.
7504 @samp{$cdir:$cwd} are added if missing.
7505
7506 @item show directories
7507 @kindex show directories
7508 Print the source path: show which directories it contains.
7509
7510 @anchor{set substitute-path}
7511 @item set substitute-path @var{from} @var{to}
7512 @kindex set substitute-path
7513 Define a source path substitution rule, and add it at the end of the
7514 current list of existing substitution rules. If a rule with the same
7515 @var{from} was already defined, then the old rule is also deleted.
7516
7517 For example, if the file @file{/foo/bar/baz.c} was moved to
7518 @file{/mnt/cross/baz.c}, then the command
7519
7520 @smallexample
7521 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src /mnt/cross
7522 @end smallexample
7523
7524 @noindent
7525 will tell @value{GDBN} to replace @samp{/usr/src} with
7526 @samp{/mnt/cross}, which will allow @value{GDBN} to find the file
7527 @file{baz.c} even though it was moved.
7528
7529 In the case when more than one substitution rule have been defined,
7530 the rules are evaluated one by one in the order where they have been
7531 defined. The first one matching, if any, is selected to perform
7532 the substitution.
7533
7534 For instance, if we had entered the following commands:
7535
7536 @smallexample
7537 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src/include /mnt/include
7538 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src /mnt/src
7539 @end smallexample
7540
7541 @noindent
7542 @value{GDBN} would then rewrite @file{/usr/src/include/defs.h} into
7543 @file{/mnt/include/defs.h} by using the first rule. However, it would
7544 use the second rule to rewrite @file{/usr/src/lib/foo.c} into
7545 @file{/mnt/src/lib/foo.c}.
7546
7547
7548 @item unset substitute-path [path]
7549 @kindex unset substitute-path
7550 If a path is specified, search the current list of substitution rules
7551 for a rule that would rewrite that path. Delete that rule if found.
7552 A warning is emitted by the debugger if no rule could be found.
7553
7554 If no path is specified, then all substitution rules are deleted.
7555
7556 @item show substitute-path [path]
7557 @kindex show substitute-path
7558 If a path is specified, then print the source path substitution rule
7559 which would rewrite that path, if any.
7560
7561 If no path is specified, then print all existing source path substitution
7562 rules.
7563
7564 @end table
7565
7566 If your source path is cluttered with directories that are no longer of
7567 interest, @value{GDBN} may sometimes cause confusion by finding the wrong
7568 versions of source. You can correct the situation as follows:
7569
7570 @enumerate
7571 @item
7572 Use @code{directory} with no argument to reset the source path to its default value.
7573
7574 @item
7575 Use @code{directory} with suitable arguments to reinstall the
7576 directories you want in the source path. You can add all the
7577 directories in one command.
7578 @end enumerate
7579
7580 @node Machine Code
7581 @section Source and Machine Code
7582 @cindex source line and its code address
7583
7584 You can use the command @code{info line} to map source lines to program
7585 addresses (and vice versa), and the command @code{disassemble} to display
7586 a range of addresses as machine instructions. You can use the command
7587 @code{set disassemble-next-line} to set whether to disassemble next
7588 source line when execution stops. When run under @sc{gnu} Emacs
7589 mode, the @code{info line} command causes the arrow to point to the
7590 line specified. Also, @code{info line} prints addresses in symbolic form as
7591 well as hex.
7592
7593 @table @code
7594 @kindex info line
7595 @item info line @var{linespec}
7596 Print the starting and ending addresses of the compiled code for
7597 source line @var{linespec}. You can specify source lines in any of
7598 the ways documented in @ref{Specify Location}.
7599 @end table
7600
7601 For example, we can use @code{info line} to discover the location of
7602 the object code for the first line of function
7603 @code{m4_changequote}:
7604
7605 @c FIXME: I think this example should also show the addresses in
7606 @c symbolic form, as they usually would be displayed.
7607 @smallexample
7608 (@value{GDBP}) info line m4_changequote
7609 Line 895 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x634c and ends at 0x6350.
7610 @end smallexample
7611
7612 @noindent
7613 @cindex code address and its source line
7614 We can also inquire (using @code{*@var{addr}} as the form for
7615 @var{linespec}) what source line covers a particular address:
7616 @smallexample
7617 (@value{GDBP}) info line *0x63ff
7618 Line 926 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x63e4 and ends at 0x6404.
7619 @end smallexample
7620
7621 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info line}
7622 @cindex @code{x} command, default address
7623 @kindex x@r{(examine), and} info line
7624 After @code{info line}, the default address for the @code{x} command
7625 is changed to the starting address of the line, so that @samp{x/i} is
7626 sufficient to begin examining the machine code (@pxref{Memory,
7627 ,Examining Memory}). Also, this address is saved as the value of the
7628 convenience variable @code{$_} (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
7629 Variables}).
7630
7631 @table @code
7632 @kindex disassemble
7633 @cindex assembly instructions
7634 @cindex instructions, assembly
7635 @cindex machine instructions
7636 @cindex listing machine instructions
7637 @item disassemble
7638 @itemx disassemble /m
7639 @itemx disassemble /r
7640 This specialized command dumps a range of memory as machine
7641 instructions. It can also print mixed source+disassembly by specifying
7642 the @code{/m} modifier and print the raw instructions in hex as well as
7643 in symbolic form by specifying the @code{/r}.
7644 The default memory range is the function surrounding the
7645 program counter of the selected frame. A single argument to this
7646 command is a program counter value; @value{GDBN} dumps the function
7647 surrounding this value. When two arguments are given, they should
7648 be separated by a comma, possibly surrounded by whitespace. The
7649 arguments specify a range of addresses to dump, in one of two forms:
7650
7651 @table @code
7652 @item @var{start},@var{end}
7653 the addresses from @var{start} (inclusive) to @var{end} (exclusive)
7654 @item @var{start},+@var{length}
7655 the addresses from @var{start} (inclusive) to
7656 @code{@var{start}+@var{length}} (exclusive).
7657 @end table
7658
7659 @noindent
7660 When 2 arguments are specified, the name of the function is also
7661 printed (since there could be several functions in the given range).
7662
7663 The argument(s) can be any expression yielding a numeric value, such as
7664 @samp{0x32c4}, @samp{&main+10} or @samp{$pc - 8}.
7665
7666 If the range of memory being disassembled contains current program counter,
7667 the instruction at that location is shown with a @code{=>} marker.
7668 @end table
7669
7670 The following example shows the disassembly of a range of addresses of
7671 HP PA-RISC 2.0 code:
7672
7673 @smallexample
7674 (@value{GDBP}) disas 0x32c4, 0x32e4
7675 Dump of assembler code from 0x32c4 to 0x32e4:
7676 0x32c4 <main+204>: addil 0,dp
7677 0x32c8 <main+208>: ldw 0x22c(sr0,r1),r26
7678 0x32cc <main+212>: ldil 0x3000,r31
7679 0x32d0 <main+216>: ble 0x3f8(sr4,r31)
7680 0x32d4 <main+220>: ldo 0(r31),rp
7681 0x32d8 <main+224>: addil -0x800,dp
7682 0x32dc <main+228>: ldo 0x588(r1),r26
7683 0x32e0 <main+232>: ldil 0x3000,r31
7684 End of assembler dump.
7685 @end smallexample
7686
7687 Here is an example showing mixed source+assembly for Intel x86, when the
7688 program is stopped just after function prologue:
7689
7690 @smallexample
7691 (@value{GDBP}) disas /m main
7692 Dump of assembler code for function main:
7693 5 @{
7694 0x08048330 <+0>: push %ebp
7695 0x08048331 <+1>: mov %esp,%ebp
7696 0x08048333 <+3>: sub $0x8,%esp
7697 0x08048336 <+6>: and $0xfffffff0,%esp
7698 0x08048339 <+9>: sub $0x10,%esp
7699
7700 6 printf ("Hello.\n");
7701 => 0x0804833c <+12>: movl $0x8048440,(%esp)
7702 0x08048343 <+19>: call 0x8048284 <puts@@plt>
7703
7704 7 return 0;
7705 8 @}
7706 0x08048348 <+24>: mov $0x0,%eax
7707 0x0804834d <+29>: leave
7708 0x0804834e <+30>: ret
7709
7710 End of assembler dump.
7711 @end smallexample
7712
7713 Here is another example showing raw instructions in hex for AMD x86-64,
7714
7715 @smallexample
7716 (gdb) disas /r 0x400281,+10
7717 Dump of assembler code from 0x400281 to 0x40028b:
7718 0x0000000000400281: 38 36 cmp %dh,(%rsi)
7719 0x0000000000400283: 2d 36 34 2e 73 sub $0x732e3436,%eax
7720 0x0000000000400288: 6f outsl %ds:(%rsi),(%dx)
7721 0x0000000000400289: 2e 32 00 xor %cs:(%rax),%al
7722 End of assembler dump.
7723 @end smallexample
7724
7725 Addresses cannot be specified as a linespec (@pxref{Specify Location}).
7726 So, for example, if you want to disassemble function @code{bar}
7727 in file @file{foo.c}, you must type @samp{disassemble 'foo.c'::bar}
7728 and not @samp{disassemble foo.c:bar}.
7729
7730 Some architectures have more than one commonly-used set of instruction
7731 mnemonics or other syntax.
7732
7733 For programs that were dynamically linked and use shared libraries,
7734 instructions that call functions or branch to locations in the shared
7735 libraries might show a seemingly bogus location---it's actually a
7736 location of the relocation table. On some architectures, @value{GDBN}
7737 might be able to resolve these to actual function names.
7738
7739 @table @code
7740 @kindex set disassembly-flavor
7741 @cindex Intel disassembly flavor
7742 @cindex AT&T disassembly flavor
7743 @item set disassembly-flavor @var{instruction-set}
7744 Select the instruction set to use when disassembling the
7745 program via the @code{disassemble} or @code{x/i} commands.
7746
7747 Currently this command is only defined for the Intel x86 family. You
7748 can set @var{instruction-set} to either @code{intel} or @code{att}.
7749 The default is @code{att}, the AT&T flavor used by default by Unix
7750 assemblers for x86-based targets.
7751
7752 @kindex show disassembly-flavor
7753 @item show disassembly-flavor
7754 Show the current setting of the disassembly flavor.
7755 @end table
7756
7757 @table @code
7758 @kindex set disassemble-next-line
7759 @kindex show disassemble-next-line
7760 @item set disassemble-next-line
7761 @itemx show disassemble-next-line
7762 Control whether or not @value{GDBN} will disassemble the next source
7763 line or instruction when execution stops. If ON, @value{GDBN} will
7764 display disassembly of the next source line when execution of the
7765 program being debugged stops. This is @emph{in addition} to
7766 displaying the source line itself, which @value{GDBN} always does if
7767 possible. If the next source line cannot be displayed for some reason
7768 (e.g., if @value{GDBN} cannot find the source file, or there's no line
7769 info in the debug info), @value{GDBN} will display disassembly of the
7770 next @emph{instruction} instead of showing the next source line. If
7771 AUTO, @value{GDBN} will display disassembly of next instruction only
7772 if the source line cannot be displayed. This setting causes
7773 @value{GDBN} to display some feedback when you step through a function
7774 with no line info or whose source file is unavailable. The default is
7775 OFF, which means never display the disassembly of the next line or
7776 instruction.
7777 @end table
7778
7779
7780 @node Data
7781 @chapter Examining Data
7782
7783 @cindex printing data
7784 @cindex examining data
7785 @kindex print
7786 @kindex inspect
7787 The usual way to examine data in your program is with the @code{print}
7788 command (abbreviated @code{p}), or its synonym @code{inspect}. It
7789 evaluates and prints the value of an expression of the language your
7790 program is written in (@pxref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with
7791 Different Languages}). It may also print the expression using a
7792 Python-based pretty-printer (@pxref{Pretty Printing}).
7793
7794 @table @code
7795 @item print @var{expr}
7796 @itemx print /@var{f} @var{expr}
7797 @var{expr} is an expression (in the source language). By default the
7798 value of @var{expr} is printed in a format appropriate to its data type;
7799 you can choose a different format by specifying @samp{/@var{f}}, where
7800 @var{f} is a letter specifying the format; see @ref{Output Formats,,Output
7801 Formats}.
7802
7803 @item print
7804 @itemx print /@var{f}
7805 @cindex reprint the last value
7806 If you omit @var{expr}, @value{GDBN} displays the last value again (from the
7807 @dfn{value history}; @pxref{Value History, ,Value History}). This allows you to
7808 conveniently inspect the same value in an alternative format.
7809 @end table
7810
7811 A more low-level way of examining data is with the @code{x} command.
7812 It examines data in memory at a specified address and prints it in a
7813 specified format. @xref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}.
7814
7815 If you are interested in information about types, or about how the
7816 fields of a struct or a class are declared, use the @code{ptype @var{exp}}
7817 command rather than @code{print}. @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol
7818 Table}.
7819
7820 @cindex exploring hierarchical data structures
7821 @kindex explore
7822 Another way of examining values of expressions and type information is
7823 through the Python extension command @code{explore} (available only if
7824 the @value{GDBN} build is configured with @code{--with-python}). It
7825 offers an interactive way to start at the highest level (or, the most
7826 abstract level) of the data type of an expression (or, the data type
7827 itself) and explore all the way down to leaf scalar values/fields
7828 embedded in the higher level data types.
7829
7830 @table @code
7831 @item explore @var{arg}
7832 @var{arg} is either an expression (in the source language), or a type
7833 visible in the current context of the program being debugged.
7834 @end table
7835
7836 The working of the @code{explore} command can be illustrated with an
7837 example. If a data type @code{struct ComplexStruct} is defined in your
7838 C program as
7839
7840 @smallexample
7841 struct SimpleStruct
7842 @{
7843 int i;
7844 double d;
7845 @};
7846
7847 struct ComplexStruct
7848 @{
7849 struct SimpleStruct *ss_p;
7850 int arr[10];
7851 @};
7852 @end smallexample
7853
7854 @noindent
7855 followed by variable declarations as
7856
7857 @smallexample
7858 struct SimpleStruct ss = @{ 10, 1.11 @};
7859 struct ComplexStruct cs = @{ &ss, @{ 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 @} @};
7860 @end smallexample
7861
7862 @noindent
7863 then, the value of the variable @code{cs} can be explored using the
7864 @code{explore} command as follows.
7865
7866 @smallexample
7867 (gdb) explore cs
7868 The value of `cs' is a struct/class of type `struct ComplexStruct' with
7869 the following fields:
7870
7871 ss_p = <Enter 0 to explore this field of type `struct SimpleStruct *'>
7872 arr = <Enter 1 to explore this field of type `int [10]'>
7873
7874 Enter the field number of choice:
7875 @end smallexample
7876
7877 @noindent
7878 Since the fields of @code{cs} are not scalar values, you are being
7879 prompted to chose the field you want to explore. Let's say you choose
7880 the field @code{ss_p} by entering @code{0}. Then, since this field is a
7881 pointer, you will be asked if it is pointing to a single value. From
7882 the declaration of @code{cs} above, it is indeed pointing to a single
7883 value, hence you enter @code{y}. If you enter @code{n}, then you will
7884 be asked if it were pointing to an array of values, in which case this
7885 field will be explored as if it were an array.
7886
7887 @smallexample
7888 `cs.ss_p' is a pointer to a value of type `struct SimpleStruct'
7889 Continue exploring it as a pointer to a single value [y/n]: y
7890 The value of `*(cs.ss_p)' is a struct/class of type `struct
7891 SimpleStruct' with the following fields:
7892
7893 i = 10 .. (Value of type `int')
7894 d = 1.1100000000000001 .. (Value of type `double')
7895
7896 Press enter to return to parent value:
7897 @end smallexample
7898
7899 @noindent
7900 If the field @code{arr} of @code{cs} was chosen for exploration by
7901 entering @code{1} earlier, then since it is as array, you will be
7902 prompted to enter the index of the element in the array that you want
7903 to explore.
7904
7905 @smallexample
7906 `cs.arr' is an array of `int'.
7907 Enter the index of the element you want to explore in `cs.arr': 5
7908
7909 `(cs.arr)[5]' is a scalar value of type `int'.
7910
7911 (cs.arr)[5] = 4
7912
7913 Press enter to return to parent value:
7914 @end smallexample
7915
7916 In general, at any stage of exploration, you can go deeper towards the
7917 leaf values by responding to the prompts appropriately, or hit the
7918 return key to return to the enclosing data structure (the @i{higher}
7919 level data structure).
7920
7921 Similar to exploring values, you can use the @code{explore} command to
7922 explore types. Instead of specifying a value (which is typically a
7923 variable name or an expression valid in the current context of the
7924 program being debugged), you specify a type name. If you consider the
7925 same example as above, your can explore the type
7926 @code{struct ComplexStruct} by passing the argument
7927 @code{struct ComplexStruct} to the @code{explore} command.
7928
7929 @smallexample
7930 (gdb) explore struct ComplexStruct
7931 @end smallexample
7932
7933 @noindent
7934 By responding to the prompts appropriately in the subsequent interactive
7935 session, you can explore the type @code{struct ComplexStruct} in a
7936 manner similar to how the value @code{cs} was explored in the above
7937 example.
7938
7939 The @code{explore} command also has two sub-commands,
7940 @code{explore value} and @code{explore type}. The former sub-command is
7941 a way to explicitly specify that value exploration of the argument is
7942 being invoked, while the latter is a way to explicitly specify that type
7943 exploration of the argument is being invoked.
7944
7945 @table @code
7946 @item explore value @var{expr}
7947 @cindex explore value
7948 This sub-command of @code{explore} explores the value of the
7949 expression @var{expr} (if @var{expr} is an expression valid in the
7950 current context of the program being debugged). The behavior of this
7951 command is identical to that of the behavior of the @code{explore}
7952 command being passed the argument @var{expr}.
7953
7954 @item explore type @var{arg}
7955 @cindex explore type
7956 This sub-command of @code{explore} explores the type of @var{arg} (if
7957 @var{arg} is a type visible in the current context of program being
7958 debugged), or the type of the value/expression @var{arg} (if @var{arg}
7959 is an expression valid in the current context of the program being
7960 debugged). If @var{arg} is a type, then the behavior of this command is
7961 identical to that of the @code{explore} command being passed the
7962 argument @var{arg}. If @var{arg} is an expression, then the behavior of
7963 this command will be identical to that of the @code{explore} command
7964 being passed the type of @var{arg} as the argument.
7965 @end table
7966
7967 @menu
7968 * Expressions:: Expressions
7969 * Ambiguous Expressions:: Ambiguous Expressions
7970 * Variables:: Program variables
7971 * Arrays:: Artificial arrays
7972 * Output Formats:: Output formats
7973 * Memory:: Examining memory
7974 * Auto Display:: Automatic display
7975 * Print Settings:: Print settings
7976 * Pretty Printing:: Python pretty printing
7977 * Value History:: Value history
7978 * Convenience Vars:: Convenience variables
7979 * Convenience Funs:: Convenience functions
7980 * Registers:: Registers
7981 * Floating Point Hardware:: Floating point hardware
7982 * Vector Unit:: Vector Unit
7983 * OS Information:: Auxiliary data provided by operating system
7984 * Memory Region Attributes:: Memory region attributes
7985 * Dump/Restore Files:: Copy between memory and a file
7986 * Core File Generation:: Cause a program dump its core
7987 * Character Sets:: Debugging programs that use a different
7988 character set than GDB does
7989 * Caching Remote Data:: Data caching for remote targets
7990 * Searching Memory:: Searching memory for a sequence of bytes
7991 @end menu
7992
7993 @node Expressions
7994 @section Expressions
7995
7996 @cindex expressions
7997 @code{print} and many other @value{GDBN} commands accept an expression and
7998 compute its value. Any kind of constant, variable or operator defined
7999 by the programming language you are using is valid in an expression in
8000 @value{GDBN}. This includes conditional expressions, function calls,
8001 casts, and string constants. It also includes preprocessor macros, if
8002 you compiled your program to include this information; see
8003 @ref{Compilation}.
8004
8005 @cindex arrays in expressions
8006 @value{GDBN} supports array constants in expressions input by
8007 the user. The syntax is @{@var{element}, @var{element}@dots{}@}. For example,
8008 you can use the command @code{print @{1, 2, 3@}} to create an array
8009 of three integers. If you pass an array to a function or assign it
8010 to a program variable, @value{GDBN} copies the array to memory that
8011 is @code{malloc}ed in the target program.
8012
8013 Because C is so widespread, most of the expressions shown in examples in
8014 this manual are in C. @xref{Languages, , Using @value{GDBN} with Different
8015 Languages}, for information on how to use expressions in other
8016 languages.
8017
8018 In this section, we discuss operators that you can use in @value{GDBN}
8019 expressions regardless of your programming language.
8020
8021 @cindex casts, in expressions
8022 Casts are supported in all languages, not just in C, because it is so
8023 useful to cast a number into a pointer in order to examine a structure
8024 at that address in memory.
8025 @c FIXME: casts supported---Mod2 true?
8026
8027 @value{GDBN} supports these operators, in addition to those common
8028 to programming languages:
8029
8030 @table @code
8031 @item @@
8032 @samp{@@} is a binary operator for treating parts of memory as arrays.
8033 @xref{Arrays, ,Artificial Arrays}, for more information.
8034
8035 @item ::
8036 @samp{::} allows you to specify a variable in terms of the file or
8037 function where it is defined. @xref{Variables, ,Program Variables}.
8038
8039 @cindex @{@var{type}@}
8040 @cindex type casting memory
8041 @cindex memory, viewing as typed object
8042 @cindex casts, to view memory
8043 @item @{@var{type}@} @var{addr}
8044 Refers to an object of type @var{type} stored at address @var{addr} in
8045 memory. @var{addr} may be any expression whose value is an integer or
8046 pointer (but parentheses are required around binary operators, just as in
8047 a cast). This construct is allowed regardless of what kind of data is
8048 normally supposed to reside at @var{addr}.
8049 @end table
8050
8051 @node Ambiguous Expressions
8052 @section Ambiguous Expressions
8053 @cindex ambiguous expressions
8054
8055 Expressions can sometimes contain some ambiguous elements. For instance,
8056 some programming languages (notably Ada, C@t{++} and Objective-C) permit
8057 a single function name to be defined several times, for application in
8058 different contexts. This is called @dfn{overloading}. Another example
8059 involving Ada is generics. A @dfn{generic package} is similar to C@t{++}
8060 templates and is typically instantiated several times, resulting in
8061 the same function name being defined in different contexts.
8062
8063 In some cases and depending on the language, it is possible to adjust
8064 the expression to remove the ambiguity. For instance in C@t{++}, you
8065 can specify the signature of the function you want to break on, as in
8066 @kbd{break @var{function}(@var{types})}. In Ada, using the fully
8067 qualified name of your function often makes the expression unambiguous
8068 as well.
8069
8070 When an ambiguity that needs to be resolved is detected, the debugger
8071 has the capability to display a menu of numbered choices for each
8072 possibility, and then waits for the selection with the prompt @samp{>}.
8073 The first option is always @samp{[0] cancel}, and typing @kbd{0 @key{RET}}
8074 aborts the current command. If the command in which the expression was
8075 used allows more than one choice to be selected, the next option in the
8076 menu is @samp{[1] all}, and typing @kbd{1 @key{RET}} selects all possible
8077 choices.
8078
8079 For example, the following session excerpt shows an attempt to set a
8080 breakpoint at the overloaded symbol @code{String::after}.
8081 We choose three particular definitions of that function name:
8082
8083 @c FIXME! This is likely to change to show arg type lists, at least
8084 @smallexample
8085 @group
8086 (@value{GDBP}) b String::after
8087 [0] cancel
8088 [1] all
8089 [2] file:String.cc; line number:867
8090 [3] file:String.cc; line number:860
8091 [4] file:String.cc; line number:875
8092 [5] file:String.cc; line number:853
8093 [6] file:String.cc; line number:846
8094 [7] file:String.cc; line number:735
8095 > 2 4 6
8096 Breakpoint 1 at 0xb26c: file String.cc, line 867.
8097 Breakpoint 2 at 0xb344: file String.cc, line 875.
8098 Breakpoint 3 at 0xafcc: file String.cc, line 846.
8099 Multiple breakpoints were set.
8100 Use the "delete" command to delete unwanted
8101 breakpoints.
8102 (@value{GDBP})
8103 @end group
8104 @end smallexample
8105
8106 @table @code
8107 @kindex set multiple-symbols
8108 @item set multiple-symbols @var{mode}
8109 @cindex multiple-symbols menu
8110
8111 This option allows you to adjust the debugger behavior when an expression
8112 is ambiguous.
8113
8114 By default, @var{mode} is set to @code{all}. If the command with which
8115 the expression is used allows more than one choice, then @value{GDBN}
8116 automatically selects all possible choices. For instance, inserting
8117 a breakpoint on a function using an ambiguous name results in a breakpoint
8118 inserted on each possible match. However, if a unique choice must be made,
8119 then @value{GDBN} uses the menu to help you disambiguate the expression.
8120 For instance, printing the address of an overloaded function will result
8121 in the use of the menu.
8122
8123 When @var{mode} is set to @code{ask}, the debugger always uses the menu
8124 when an ambiguity is detected.
8125
8126 Finally, when @var{mode} is set to @code{cancel}, the debugger reports
8127 an error due to the ambiguity and the command is aborted.
8128
8129 @kindex show multiple-symbols
8130 @item show multiple-symbols
8131 Show the current value of the @code{multiple-symbols} setting.
8132 @end table
8133
8134 @node Variables
8135 @section Program Variables
8136
8137 The most common kind of expression to use is the name of a variable
8138 in your program.
8139
8140 Variables in expressions are understood in the selected stack frame
8141 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}); they must be either:
8142
8143 @itemize @bullet
8144 @item
8145 global (or file-static)
8146 @end itemize
8147
8148 @noindent or
8149
8150 @itemize @bullet
8151 @item
8152 visible according to the scope rules of the
8153 programming language from the point of execution in that frame
8154 @end itemize
8155
8156 @noindent This means that in the function
8157
8158 @smallexample
8159 foo (a)
8160 int a;
8161 @{
8162 bar (a);
8163 @{
8164 int b = test ();
8165 bar (b);
8166 @}
8167 @}
8168 @end smallexample
8169
8170 @noindent
8171 you can examine and use the variable @code{a} whenever your program is
8172 executing within the function @code{foo}, but you can only use or
8173 examine the variable @code{b} while your program is executing inside
8174 the block where @code{b} is declared.
8175
8176 @cindex variable name conflict
8177 There is an exception: you can refer to a variable or function whose
8178 scope is a single source file even if the current execution point is not
8179 in this file. But it is possible to have more than one such variable or
8180 function with the same name (in different source files). If that
8181 happens, referring to that name has unpredictable effects. If you wish,
8182 you can specify a static variable in a particular function or file by
8183 using the colon-colon (@code{::}) notation:
8184
8185 @cindex colon-colon, context for variables/functions
8186 @ifnotinfo
8187 @c info cannot cope with a :: index entry, but why deprive hard copy readers?
8188 @cindex @code{::}, context for variables/functions
8189 @end ifnotinfo
8190 @smallexample
8191 @var{file}::@var{variable}
8192 @var{function}::@var{variable}
8193 @end smallexample
8194
8195 @noindent
8196 Here @var{file} or @var{function} is the name of the context for the
8197 static @var{variable}. In the case of file names, you can use quotes to
8198 make sure @value{GDBN} parses the file name as a single word---for example,
8199 to print a global value of @code{x} defined in @file{f2.c}:
8200
8201 @smallexample
8202 (@value{GDBP}) p 'f2.c'::x
8203 @end smallexample
8204
8205 The @code{::} notation is normally used for referring to
8206 static variables, since you typically disambiguate uses of local variables
8207 in functions by selecting the appropriate frame and using the
8208 simple name of the variable. However, you may also use this notation
8209 to refer to local variables in frames enclosing the selected frame:
8210
8211 @smallexample
8212 void
8213 foo (int a)
8214 @{
8215 if (a < 10)
8216 bar (a);
8217 else
8218 process (a); /* Stop here */
8219 @}
8220
8221 int
8222 bar (int a)
8223 @{
8224 foo (a + 5);
8225 @}
8226 @end smallexample
8227
8228 @noindent
8229 For example, if there is a breakpoint at the commented line,
8230 here is what you might see
8231 when the program stops after executing the call @code{bar(0)}:
8232
8233 @smallexample
8234 (@value{GDBP}) p a
8235 $1 = 10
8236 (@value{GDBP}) p bar::a
8237 $2 = 5
8238 (@value{GDBP}) up 2
8239 #2 0x080483d0 in foo (a=5) at foobar.c:12
8240 (@value{GDBP}) p a
8241 $3 = 5
8242 (@value{GDBP}) p bar::a
8243 $4 = 0
8244 @end smallexample
8245
8246 @cindex C@t{++} scope resolution
8247 These uses of @samp{::} are very rarely in conflict with the very similar
8248 use of the same notation in C@t{++}. @value{GDBN} also supports use of the C@t{++}
8249 scope resolution operator in @value{GDBN} expressions.
8250 @c FIXME: Um, so what happens in one of those rare cases where it's in
8251 @c conflict?? --mew
8252
8253 @cindex wrong values
8254 @cindex variable values, wrong
8255 @cindex function entry/exit, wrong values of variables
8256 @cindex optimized code, wrong values of variables
8257 @quotation
8258 @emph{Warning:} Occasionally, a local variable may appear to have the
8259 wrong value at certain points in a function---just after entry to a new
8260 scope, and just before exit.
8261 @end quotation
8262 You may see this problem when you are stepping by machine instructions.
8263 This is because, on most machines, it takes more than one instruction to
8264 set up a stack frame (including local variable definitions); if you are
8265 stepping by machine instructions, variables may appear to have the wrong
8266 values until the stack frame is completely built. On exit, it usually
8267 also takes more than one machine instruction to destroy a stack frame;
8268 after you begin stepping through that group of instructions, local
8269 variable definitions may be gone.
8270
8271 This may also happen when the compiler does significant optimizations.
8272 To be sure of always seeing accurate values, turn off all optimization
8273 when compiling.
8274
8275 @cindex ``No symbol "foo" in current context''
8276 Another possible effect of compiler optimizations is to optimize
8277 unused variables out of existence, or assign variables to registers (as
8278 opposed to memory addresses). Depending on the support for such cases
8279 offered by the debug info format used by the compiler, @value{GDBN}
8280 might not be able to display values for such local variables. If that
8281 happens, @value{GDBN} will print a message like this:
8282
8283 @smallexample
8284 No symbol "foo" in current context.
8285 @end smallexample
8286
8287 To solve such problems, either recompile without optimizations, or use a
8288 different debug info format, if the compiler supports several such
8289 formats. @xref{Compilation}, for more information on choosing compiler
8290 options. @xref{C, ,C and C@t{++}}, for more information about debug
8291 info formats that are best suited to C@t{++} programs.
8292
8293 If you ask to print an object whose contents are unknown to
8294 @value{GDBN}, e.g., because its data type is not completely specified
8295 by the debug information, @value{GDBN} will say @samp{<incomplete
8296 type>}. @xref{Symbols, incomplete type}, for more about this.
8297
8298 If you append @kbd{@@entry} string to a function parameter name you get its
8299 value at the time the function got called. If the value is not available an
8300 error message is printed. Entry values are available only with some compilers.
8301 Entry values are normally also printed at the function parameter list according
8302 to @ref{set print entry-values}.
8303
8304 @smallexample
8305 Breakpoint 1, d (i=30) at gdb.base/entry-value.c:29
8306 29 i++;
8307 (gdb) next
8308 30 e (i);
8309 (gdb) print i
8310 $1 = 31
8311 (gdb) print i@@entry
8312 $2 = 30
8313 @end smallexample
8314
8315 Strings are identified as arrays of @code{char} values without specified
8316 signedness. Arrays of either @code{signed char} or @code{unsigned char} get
8317 printed as arrays of 1 byte sized integers. @code{-fsigned-char} or
8318 @code{-funsigned-char} @value{NGCC} options have no effect as @value{GDBN}
8319 defines literal string type @code{"char"} as @code{char} without a sign.
8320 For program code
8321
8322 @smallexample
8323 char var0[] = "A";
8324 signed char var1[] = "A";
8325 @end smallexample
8326
8327 You get during debugging
8328 @smallexample
8329 (gdb) print var0
8330 $1 = "A"
8331 (gdb) print var1
8332 $2 = @{65 'A', 0 '\0'@}
8333 @end smallexample
8334
8335 @node Arrays
8336 @section Artificial Arrays
8337
8338 @cindex artificial array
8339 @cindex arrays
8340 @kindex @@@r{, referencing memory as an array}
8341 It is often useful to print out several successive objects of the
8342 same type in memory; a section of an array, or an array of
8343 dynamically determined size for which only a pointer exists in the
8344 program.
8345
8346 You can do this by referring to a contiguous span of memory as an
8347 @dfn{artificial array}, using the binary operator @samp{@@}. The left
8348 operand of @samp{@@} should be the first element of the desired array
8349 and be an individual object. The right operand should be the desired length
8350 of the array. The result is an array value whose elements are all of
8351 the type of the left argument. The first element is actually the left
8352 argument; the second element comes from bytes of memory immediately
8353 following those that hold the first element, and so on. Here is an
8354 example. If a program says
8355
8356 @smallexample
8357 int *array = (int *) malloc (len * sizeof (int));
8358 @end smallexample
8359
8360 @noindent
8361 you can print the contents of @code{array} with
8362
8363 @smallexample
8364 p *array@@len
8365 @end smallexample
8366
8367 The left operand of @samp{@@} must reside in memory. Array values made
8368 with @samp{@@} in this way behave just like other arrays in terms of
8369 subscripting, and are coerced to pointers when used in expressions.
8370 Artificial arrays most often appear in expressions via the value history
8371 (@pxref{Value History, ,Value History}), after printing one out.
8372
8373 Another way to create an artificial array is to use a cast.
8374 This re-interprets a value as if it were an array.
8375 The value need not be in memory:
8376 @smallexample
8377 (@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[2])0x12345678
8378 $1 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
8379 @end smallexample
8380
8381 As a convenience, if you leave the array length out (as in
8382 @samp{(@var{type}[])@var{value}}) @value{GDBN} calculates the size to fill
8383 the value (as @samp{sizeof(@var{value})/sizeof(@var{type})}:
8384 @smallexample
8385 (@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[])0x12345678
8386 $2 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
8387 @end smallexample
8388
8389 Sometimes the artificial array mechanism is not quite enough; in
8390 moderately complex data structures, the elements of interest may not
8391 actually be adjacent---for example, if you are interested in the values
8392 of pointers in an array. One useful work-around in this situation is
8393 to use a convenience variable (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
8394 Variables}) as a counter in an expression that prints the first
8395 interesting value, and then repeat that expression via @key{RET}. For
8396 instance, suppose you have an array @code{dtab} of pointers to
8397 structures, and you are interested in the values of a field @code{fv}
8398 in each structure. Here is an example of what you might type:
8399
8400 @smallexample
8401 set $i = 0
8402 p dtab[$i++]->fv
8403 @key{RET}
8404 @key{RET}
8405 @dots{}
8406 @end smallexample
8407
8408 @node Output Formats
8409 @section Output Formats
8410
8411 @cindex formatted output
8412 @cindex output formats
8413 By default, @value{GDBN} prints a value according to its data type. Sometimes
8414 this is not what you want. For example, you might want to print a number
8415 in hex, or a pointer in decimal. Or you might want to view data in memory
8416 at a certain address as a character string or as an instruction. To do
8417 these things, specify an @dfn{output format} when you print a value.
8418
8419 The simplest use of output formats is to say how to print a value
8420 already computed. This is done by starting the arguments of the
8421 @code{print} command with a slash and a format letter. The format
8422 letters supported are:
8423
8424 @table @code
8425 @item x
8426 Regard the bits of the value as an integer, and print the integer in
8427 hexadecimal.
8428
8429 @item d
8430 Print as integer in signed decimal.
8431
8432 @item u
8433 Print as integer in unsigned decimal.
8434
8435 @item o
8436 Print as integer in octal.
8437
8438 @item t
8439 Print as integer in binary. The letter @samp{t} stands for ``two''.
8440 @footnote{@samp{b} cannot be used because these format letters are also
8441 used with the @code{x} command, where @samp{b} stands for ``byte'';
8442 see @ref{Memory,,Examining Memory}.}
8443
8444 @item a
8445 @cindex unknown address, locating
8446 @cindex locate address
8447 Print as an address, both absolute in hexadecimal and as an offset from
8448 the nearest preceding symbol. You can use this format used to discover
8449 where (in what function) an unknown address is located:
8450
8451 @smallexample
8452 (@value{GDBP}) p/a 0x54320
8453 $3 = 0x54320 <_initialize_vx+396>
8454 @end smallexample
8455
8456 @noindent
8457 The command @code{info symbol 0x54320} yields similar results.
8458 @xref{Symbols, info symbol}.
8459
8460 @item c
8461 Regard as an integer and print it as a character constant. This
8462 prints both the numerical value and its character representation. The
8463 character representation is replaced with the octal escape @samp{\nnn}
8464 for characters outside the 7-bit @sc{ascii} range.
8465
8466 Without this format, @value{GDBN} displays @code{char},
8467 @w{@code{unsigned char}}, and @w{@code{signed char}} data as character
8468 constants. Single-byte members of vectors are displayed as integer
8469 data.
8470
8471 @item f
8472 Regard the bits of the value as a floating point number and print
8473 using typical floating point syntax.
8474
8475 @item s
8476 @cindex printing strings
8477 @cindex printing byte arrays
8478 Regard as a string, if possible. With this format, pointers to single-byte
8479 data are displayed as null-terminated strings and arrays of single-byte data
8480 are displayed as fixed-length strings. Other values are displayed in their
8481 natural types.
8482
8483 Without this format, @value{GDBN} displays pointers to and arrays of
8484 @code{char}, @w{@code{unsigned char}}, and @w{@code{signed char}} as
8485 strings. Single-byte members of a vector are displayed as an integer
8486 array.
8487
8488 @item r
8489 @cindex raw printing
8490 Print using the @samp{raw} formatting. By default, @value{GDBN} will
8491 use a Python-based pretty-printer, if one is available (@pxref{Pretty
8492 Printing}). This typically results in a higher-level display of the
8493 value's contents. The @samp{r} format bypasses any Python
8494 pretty-printer which might exist.
8495 @end table
8496
8497 For example, to print the program counter in hex (@pxref{Registers}), type
8498
8499 @smallexample
8500 p/x $pc
8501 @end smallexample
8502
8503 @noindent
8504 Note that no space is required before the slash; this is because command
8505 names in @value{GDBN} cannot contain a slash.
8506
8507 To reprint the last value in the value history with a different format,
8508 you can use the @code{print} command with just a format and no
8509 expression. For example, @samp{p/x} reprints the last value in hex.
8510
8511 @node Memory
8512 @section Examining Memory
8513
8514 You can use the command @code{x} (for ``examine'') to examine memory in
8515 any of several formats, independently of your program's data types.
8516
8517 @cindex examining memory
8518 @table @code
8519 @kindex x @r{(examine memory)}
8520 @item x/@var{nfu} @var{addr}
8521 @itemx x @var{addr}
8522 @itemx x
8523 Use the @code{x} command to examine memory.
8524 @end table
8525
8526 @var{n}, @var{f}, and @var{u} are all optional parameters that specify how
8527 much memory to display and how to format it; @var{addr} is an
8528 expression giving the address where you want to start displaying memory.
8529 If you use defaults for @var{nfu}, you need not type the slash @samp{/}.
8530 Several commands set convenient defaults for @var{addr}.
8531
8532 @table @r
8533 @item @var{n}, the repeat count
8534 The repeat count is a decimal integer; the default is 1. It specifies
8535 how much memory (counting by units @var{u}) to display.
8536 @c This really is **decimal**; unaffected by 'set radix' as of GDB
8537 @c 4.1.2.
8538
8539 @item @var{f}, the display format
8540 The display format is one of the formats used by @code{print}
8541 (@samp{x}, @samp{d}, @samp{u}, @samp{o}, @samp{t}, @samp{a}, @samp{c},
8542 @samp{f}, @samp{s}), and in addition @samp{i} (for machine instructions).
8543 The default is @samp{x} (hexadecimal) initially. The default changes
8544 each time you use either @code{x} or @code{print}.
8545
8546 @item @var{u}, the unit size
8547 The unit size is any of
8548
8549 @table @code
8550 @item b
8551 Bytes.
8552 @item h
8553 Halfwords (two bytes).
8554 @item w
8555 Words (four bytes). This is the initial default.
8556 @item g
8557 Giant words (eight bytes).
8558 @end table
8559
8560 Each time you specify a unit size with @code{x}, that size becomes the
8561 default unit the next time you use @code{x}. For the @samp{i} format,
8562 the unit size is ignored and is normally not written. For the @samp{s} format,
8563 the unit size defaults to @samp{b}, unless it is explicitly given.
8564 Use @kbd{x /hs} to display 16-bit char strings and @kbd{x /ws} to display
8565 32-bit strings. The next use of @kbd{x /s} will again display 8-bit strings.
8566 Note that the results depend on the programming language of the
8567 current compilation unit. If the language is C, the @samp{s}
8568 modifier will use the UTF-16 encoding while @samp{w} will use
8569 UTF-32. The encoding is set by the programming language and cannot
8570 be altered.
8571
8572 @item @var{addr}, starting display address
8573 @var{addr} is the address where you want @value{GDBN} to begin displaying
8574 memory. The expression need not have a pointer value (though it may);
8575 it is always interpreted as an integer address of a byte of memory.
8576 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information on expressions. The default for
8577 @var{addr} is usually just after the last address examined---but several
8578 other commands also set the default address: @code{info breakpoints} (to
8579 the address of the last breakpoint listed), @code{info line} (to the
8580 starting address of a line), and @code{print} (if you use it to display
8581 a value from memory).
8582 @end table
8583
8584 For example, @samp{x/3uh 0x54320} is a request to display three halfwords
8585 (@code{h}) of memory, formatted as unsigned decimal integers (@samp{u}),
8586 starting at address @code{0x54320}. @samp{x/4xw $sp} prints the four
8587 words (@samp{w}) of memory above the stack pointer (here, @samp{$sp};
8588 @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}) in hexadecimal (@samp{x}).
8589
8590 Since the letters indicating unit sizes are all distinct from the
8591 letters specifying output formats, you do not have to remember whether
8592 unit size or format comes first; either order works. The output
8593 specifications @samp{4xw} and @samp{4wx} mean exactly the same thing.
8594 (However, the count @var{n} must come first; @samp{wx4} does not work.)
8595
8596 Even though the unit size @var{u} is ignored for the formats @samp{s}
8597 and @samp{i}, you might still want to use a count @var{n}; for example,
8598 @samp{3i} specifies that you want to see three machine instructions,
8599 including any operands. For convenience, especially when used with
8600 the @code{display} command, the @samp{i} format also prints branch delay
8601 slot instructions, if any, beyond the count specified, which immediately
8602 follow the last instruction that is within the count. The command
8603 @code{disassemble} gives an alternative way of inspecting machine
8604 instructions; see @ref{Machine Code,,Source and Machine Code}.
8605
8606 All the defaults for the arguments to @code{x} are designed to make it
8607 easy to continue scanning memory with minimal specifications each time
8608 you use @code{x}. For example, after you have inspected three machine
8609 instructions with @samp{x/3i @var{addr}}, you can inspect the next seven
8610 with just @samp{x/7}. If you use @key{RET} to repeat the @code{x} command,
8611 the repeat count @var{n} is used again; the other arguments default as
8612 for successive uses of @code{x}.
8613
8614 When examining machine instructions, the instruction at current program
8615 counter is shown with a @code{=>} marker. For example:
8616
8617 @smallexample
8618 (@value{GDBP}) x/5i $pc-6
8619 0x804837f <main+11>: mov %esp,%ebp
8620 0x8048381 <main+13>: push %ecx
8621 0x8048382 <main+14>: sub $0x4,%esp
8622 => 0x8048385 <main+17>: movl $0x8048460,(%esp)
8623 0x804838c <main+24>: call 0x80482d4 <puts@@plt>
8624 @end smallexample
8625
8626 @cindex @code{$_}, @code{$__}, and value history
8627 The addresses and contents printed by the @code{x} command are not saved
8628 in the value history because there is often too much of them and they
8629 would get in the way. Instead, @value{GDBN} makes these values available for
8630 subsequent use in expressions as values of the convenience variables
8631 @code{$_} and @code{$__}. After an @code{x} command, the last address
8632 examined is available for use in expressions in the convenience variable
8633 @code{$_}. The contents of that address, as examined, are available in
8634 the convenience variable @code{$__}.
8635
8636 If the @code{x} command has a repeat count, the address and contents saved
8637 are from the last memory unit printed; this is not the same as the last
8638 address printed if several units were printed on the last line of output.
8639
8640 @cindex remote memory comparison
8641 @cindex verify remote memory image
8642 When you are debugging a program running on a remote target machine
8643 (@pxref{Remote Debugging}), you may wish to verify the program's image in the
8644 remote machine's memory against the executable file you downloaded to
8645 the target. The @code{compare-sections} command is provided for such
8646 situations.
8647
8648 @table @code
8649 @kindex compare-sections
8650 @item compare-sections @r{[}@var{section-name}@r{]}
8651 Compare the data of a loadable section @var{section-name} in the
8652 executable file of the program being debugged with the same section in
8653 the remote machine's memory, and report any mismatches. With no
8654 arguments, compares all loadable sections. This command's
8655 availability depends on the target's support for the @code{"qCRC"}
8656 remote request.
8657 @end table
8658
8659 @node Auto Display
8660 @section Automatic Display
8661 @cindex automatic display
8662 @cindex display of expressions
8663
8664 If you find that you want to print the value of an expression frequently
8665 (to see how it changes), you might want to add it to the @dfn{automatic
8666 display list} so that @value{GDBN} prints its value each time your program stops.
8667 Each expression added to the list is given a number to identify it;
8668 to remove an expression from the list, you specify that number.
8669 The automatic display looks like this:
8670
8671 @smallexample
8672 2: foo = 38
8673 3: bar[5] = (struct hack *) 0x3804
8674 @end smallexample
8675
8676 @noindent
8677 This display shows item numbers, expressions and their current values. As with
8678 displays you request manually using @code{x} or @code{print}, you can
8679 specify the output format you prefer; in fact, @code{display} decides
8680 whether to use @code{print} or @code{x} depending your format
8681 specification---it uses @code{x} if you specify either the @samp{i}
8682 or @samp{s} format, or a unit size; otherwise it uses @code{print}.
8683
8684 @table @code
8685 @kindex display
8686 @item display @var{expr}
8687 Add the expression @var{expr} to the list of expressions to display
8688 each time your program stops. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
8689
8690 @code{display} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
8691
8692 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{expr}
8693 For @var{fmt} specifying only a display format and not a size or
8694 count, add the expression @var{expr} to the auto-display list but
8695 arrange to display it each time in the specified format @var{fmt}.
8696 @xref{Output Formats,,Output Formats}.
8697
8698 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{addr}
8699 For @var{fmt} @samp{i} or @samp{s}, or including a unit-size or a
8700 number of units, add the expression @var{addr} as a memory address to
8701 be examined each time your program stops. Examining means in effect
8702 doing @samp{x/@var{fmt} @var{addr}}. @xref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}.
8703 @end table
8704
8705 For example, @samp{display/i $pc} can be helpful, to see the machine
8706 instruction about to be executed each time execution stops (@samp{$pc}
8707 is a common name for the program counter; @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
8708
8709 @table @code
8710 @kindex delete display
8711 @kindex undisplay
8712 @item undisplay @var{dnums}@dots{}
8713 @itemx delete display @var{dnums}@dots{}
8714 Remove items from the list of expressions to display. Specify the
8715 numbers of the displays that you want affected with the command
8716 argument @var{dnums}. It can be a single display number, one of the
8717 numbers shown in the first field of the @samp{info display} display;
8718 or it could be a range of display numbers, as in @code{2-4}.
8719
8720 @code{undisplay} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
8721 (Otherwise you would just get the error @samp{No display number @dots{}}.)
8722
8723 @kindex disable display
8724 @item disable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
8725 Disable the display of item numbers @var{dnums}. A disabled display
8726 item is not printed automatically, but is not forgotten. It may be
8727 enabled again later. Specify the numbers of the displays that you
8728 want affected with the command argument @var{dnums}. It can be a
8729 single display number, one of the numbers shown in the first field of
8730 the @samp{info display} display; or it could be a range of display
8731 numbers, as in @code{2-4}.
8732
8733 @kindex enable display
8734 @item enable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
8735 Enable display of item numbers @var{dnums}. It becomes effective once
8736 again in auto display of its expression, until you specify otherwise.
8737 Specify the numbers of the displays that you want affected with the
8738 command argument @var{dnums}. It can be a single display number, one
8739 of the numbers shown in the first field of the @samp{info display}
8740 display; or it could be a range of display numbers, as in @code{2-4}.
8741
8742 @item display
8743 Display the current values of the expressions on the list, just as is
8744 done when your program stops.
8745
8746 @kindex info display
8747 @item info display
8748 Print the list of expressions previously set up to display
8749 automatically, each one with its item number, but without showing the
8750 values. This includes disabled expressions, which are marked as such.
8751 It also includes expressions which would not be displayed right now
8752 because they refer to automatic variables not currently available.
8753 @end table
8754
8755 @cindex display disabled out of scope
8756 If a display expression refers to local variables, then it does not make
8757 sense outside the lexical context for which it was set up. Such an
8758 expression is disabled when execution enters a context where one of its
8759 variables is not defined. For example, if you give the command
8760 @code{display last_char} while inside a function with an argument
8761 @code{last_char}, @value{GDBN} displays this argument while your program
8762 continues to stop inside that function. When it stops elsewhere---where
8763 there is no variable @code{last_char}---the display is disabled
8764 automatically. The next time your program stops where @code{last_char}
8765 is meaningful, you can enable the display expression once again.
8766
8767 @node Print Settings
8768 @section Print Settings
8769
8770 @cindex format options
8771 @cindex print settings
8772 @value{GDBN} provides the following ways to control how arrays, structures,
8773 and symbols are printed.
8774
8775 @noindent
8776 These settings are useful for debugging programs in any language:
8777
8778 @table @code
8779 @kindex set print
8780 @item set print address
8781 @itemx set print address on
8782 @cindex print/don't print memory addresses
8783 @value{GDBN} prints memory addresses showing the location of stack
8784 traces, structure values, pointer values, breakpoints, and so forth,
8785 even when it also displays the contents of those addresses. The default
8786 is @code{on}. For example, this is what a stack frame display looks like with
8787 @code{set print address on}:
8788
8789 @smallexample
8790 @group
8791 (@value{GDBP}) f
8792 #0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<<", rq=0x34c88 ">>")
8793 at input.c:530
8794 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
8795 @end group
8796 @end smallexample
8797
8798 @item set print address off
8799 Do not print addresses when displaying their contents. For example,
8800 this is the same stack frame displayed with @code{set print address off}:
8801
8802 @smallexample
8803 @group
8804 (@value{GDBP}) set print addr off
8805 (@value{GDBP}) f
8806 #0 set_quotes (lq="<<", rq=">>") at input.c:530
8807 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
8808 @end group
8809 @end smallexample
8810
8811 You can use @samp{set print address off} to eliminate all machine
8812 dependent displays from the @value{GDBN} interface. For example, with
8813 @code{print address off}, you should get the same text for backtraces on
8814 all machines---whether or not they involve pointer arguments.
8815
8816 @kindex show print
8817 @item show print address
8818 Show whether or not addresses are to be printed.
8819 @end table
8820
8821 When @value{GDBN} prints a symbolic address, it normally prints the
8822 closest earlier symbol plus an offset. If that symbol does not uniquely
8823 identify the address (for example, it is a name whose scope is a single
8824 source file), you may need to clarify. One way to do this is with
8825 @code{info line}, for example @samp{info line *0x4537}. Alternately,
8826 you can set @value{GDBN} to print the source file and line number when
8827 it prints a symbolic address:
8828
8829 @table @code
8830 @item set print symbol-filename on
8831 @cindex source file and line of a symbol
8832 @cindex symbol, source file and line
8833 Tell @value{GDBN} to print the source file name and line number of a
8834 symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
8835
8836 @item set print symbol-filename off
8837 Do not print source file name and line number of a symbol. This is the
8838 default.
8839
8840 @item show print symbol-filename
8841 Show whether or not @value{GDBN} will print the source file name and
8842 line number of a symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
8843 @end table
8844
8845 Another situation where it is helpful to show symbol filenames and line
8846 numbers is when disassembling code; @value{GDBN} shows you the line
8847 number and source file that corresponds to each instruction.
8848
8849 Also, you may wish to see the symbolic form only if the address being
8850 printed is reasonably close to the closest earlier symbol:
8851
8852 @table @code
8853 @item set print max-symbolic-offset @var{max-offset}
8854 @itemx set print max-symbolic-offset unlimited
8855 @cindex maximum value for offset of closest symbol
8856 Tell @value{GDBN} to only display the symbolic form of an address if the
8857 offset between the closest earlier symbol and the address is less than
8858 @var{max-offset}. The default is @code{unlimited}, which tells @value{GDBN}
8859 to always print the symbolic form of an address if any symbol precedes
8860 it. Zero is equivalent to @code{unlimited}.
8861
8862 @item show print max-symbolic-offset
8863 Ask how large the maximum offset is that @value{GDBN} prints in a
8864 symbolic address.
8865 @end table
8866
8867 @cindex wild pointer, interpreting
8868 @cindex pointer, finding referent
8869 If you have a pointer and you are not sure where it points, try
8870 @samp{set print symbol-filename on}. Then you can determine the name
8871 and source file location of the variable where it points, using
8872 @samp{p/a @var{pointer}}. This interprets the address in symbolic form.
8873 For example, here @value{GDBN} shows that a variable @code{ptt} points
8874 at another variable @code{t}, defined in @file{hi2.c}:
8875
8876 @smallexample
8877 (@value{GDBP}) set print symbol-filename on
8878 (@value{GDBP}) p/a ptt
8879 $4 = 0xe008 <t in hi2.c>
8880 @end smallexample
8881
8882 @quotation
8883 @emph{Warning:} For pointers that point to a local variable, @samp{p/a}
8884 does not show the symbol name and filename of the referent, even with
8885 the appropriate @code{set print} options turned on.
8886 @end quotation
8887
8888 You can also enable @samp{/a}-like formatting all the time using
8889 @samp{set print symbol on}:
8890
8891 @table @code
8892 @item set print symbol on
8893 Tell @value{GDBN} to print the symbol corresponding to an address, if
8894 one exists.
8895
8896 @item set print symbol off
8897 Tell @value{GDBN} not to print the symbol corresponding to an
8898 address. In this mode, @value{GDBN} will still print the symbol
8899 corresponding to pointers to functions. This is the default.
8900
8901 @item show print symbol
8902 Show whether @value{GDBN} will display the symbol corresponding to an
8903 address.
8904 @end table
8905
8906 Other settings control how different kinds of objects are printed:
8907
8908 @table @code
8909 @item set print array
8910 @itemx set print array on
8911 @cindex pretty print arrays
8912 Pretty print arrays. This format is more convenient to read,
8913 but uses more space. The default is off.
8914
8915 @item set print array off
8916 Return to compressed format for arrays.
8917
8918 @item show print array
8919 Show whether compressed or pretty format is selected for displaying
8920 arrays.
8921
8922 @cindex print array indexes
8923 @item set print array-indexes
8924 @itemx set print array-indexes on
8925 Print the index of each element when displaying arrays. May be more
8926 convenient to locate a given element in the array or quickly find the
8927 index of a given element in that printed array. The default is off.
8928
8929 @item set print array-indexes off
8930 Stop printing element indexes when displaying arrays.
8931
8932 @item show print array-indexes
8933 Show whether the index of each element is printed when displaying
8934 arrays.
8935
8936 @item set print elements @var{number-of-elements}
8937 @itemx set print elements unlimited
8938 @cindex number of array elements to print
8939 @cindex limit on number of printed array elements
8940 Set a limit on how many elements of an array @value{GDBN} will print.
8941 If @value{GDBN} is printing a large array, it stops printing after it has
8942 printed the number of elements set by the @code{set print elements} command.
8943 This limit also applies to the display of strings.
8944 When @value{GDBN} starts, this limit is set to 200.
8945 Setting @var{number-of-elements} to @code{unlimited} or zero means
8946 that the number of elements to print is unlimited.
8947
8948 @item show print elements
8949 Display the number of elements of a large array that @value{GDBN} will print.
8950 If the number is 0, then the printing is unlimited.
8951
8952 @item set print frame-arguments @var{value}
8953 @kindex set print frame-arguments
8954 @cindex printing frame argument values
8955 @cindex print all frame argument values
8956 @cindex print frame argument values for scalars only
8957 @cindex do not print frame argument values
8958 This command allows to control how the values of arguments are printed
8959 when the debugger prints a frame (@pxref{Frames}). The possible
8960 values are:
8961
8962 @table @code
8963 @item all
8964 The values of all arguments are printed.
8965
8966 @item scalars
8967 Print the value of an argument only if it is a scalar. The value of more
8968 complex arguments such as arrays, structures, unions, etc, is replaced
8969 by @code{@dots{}}. This is the default. Here is an example where
8970 only scalar arguments are shown:
8971
8972 @smallexample
8973 #1 0x08048361 in call_me (i=3, s=@dots{}, ss=0xbf8d508c, u=@dots{}, e=green)
8974 at frame-args.c:23
8975 @end smallexample
8976
8977 @item none
8978 None of the argument values are printed. Instead, the value of each argument
8979 is replaced by @code{@dots{}}. In this case, the example above now becomes:
8980
8981 @smallexample
8982 #1 0x08048361 in call_me (i=@dots{}, s=@dots{}, ss=@dots{}, u=@dots{}, e=@dots{})
8983 at frame-args.c:23
8984 @end smallexample
8985 @end table
8986
8987 By default, only scalar arguments are printed. This command can be used
8988 to configure the debugger to print the value of all arguments, regardless
8989 of their type. However, it is often advantageous to not print the value
8990 of more complex parameters. For instance, it reduces the amount of
8991 information printed in each frame, making the backtrace more readable.
8992 Also, it improves performance when displaying Ada frames, because
8993 the computation of large arguments can sometimes be CPU-intensive,
8994 especially in large applications. Setting @code{print frame-arguments}
8995 to @code{scalars} (the default) or @code{none} avoids this computation,
8996 thus speeding up the display of each Ada frame.
8997
8998 @item show print frame-arguments
8999 Show how the value of arguments should be displayed when printing a frame.
9000
9001 @anchor{set print entry-values}
9002 @item set print entry-values @var{value}
9003 @kindex set print entry-values
9004 Set printing of frame argument values at function entry. In some cases
9005 @value{GDBN} can determine the value of function argument which was passed by
9006 the function caller, even if the value was modified inside the called function
9007 and therefore is different. With optimized code, the current value could be
9008 unavailable, but the entry value may still be known.
9009
9010 The default value is @code{default} (see below for its description). Older
9011 @value{GDBN} behaved as with the setting @code{no}. Compilers not supporting
9012 this feature will behave in the @code{default} setting the same way as with the
9013 @code{no} setting.
9014
9015 This functionality is currently supported only by DWARF 2 debugging format and
9016 the compiler has to produce @samp{DW_TAG_GNU_call_site} tags. With
9017 @value{NGCC}, you need to specify @option{-O -g} during compilation, to get
9018 this information.
9019
9020 The @var{value} parameter can be one of the following:
9021
9022 @table @code
9023 @item no
9024 Print only actual parameter values, never print values from function entry
9025 point.
9026 @smallexample
9027 #0 equal (val=5)
9028 #0 different (val=6)
9029 #0 lost (val=<optimized out>)
9030 #0 born (val=10)
9031 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>)
9032 @end smallexample
9033
9034 @item only
9035 Print only parameter values from function entry point. The actual parameter
9036 values are never printed.
9037 @smallexample
9038 #0 equal (val@@entry=5)
9039 #0 different (val@@entry=5)
9040 #0 lost (val@@entry=5)
9041 #0 born (val@@entry=<optimized out>)
9042 #0 invalid (val@@entry=<optimized out>)
9043 @end smallexample
9044
9045 @item preferred
9046 Print only parameter values from function entry point. If value from function
9047 entry point is not known while the actual value is known, print the actual
9048 value for such parameter.
9049 @smallexample
9050 #0 equal (val@@entry=5)
9051 #0 different (val@@entry=5)
9052 #0 lost (val@@entry=5)
9053 #0 born (val=10)
9054 #0 invalid (val@@entry=<optimized out>)
9055 @end smallexample
9056
9057 @item if-needed
9058 Print actual parameter values. If actual parameter value is not known while
9059 value from function entry point is known, print the entry point value for such
9060 parameter.
9061 @smallexample
9062 #0 equal (val=5)
9063 #0 different (val=6)
9064 #0 lost (val@@entry=5)
9065 #0 born (val=10)
9066 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>)
9067 @end smallexample
9068
9069 @item both
9070 Always print both the actual parameter value and its value from function entry
9071 point, even if values of one or both are not available due to compiler
9072 optimizations.
9073 @smallexample
9074 #0 equal (val=5, val@@entry=5)
9075 #0 different (val=6, val@@entry=5)
9076 #0 lost (val=<optimized out>, val@@entry=5)
9077 #0 born (val=10, val@@entry=<optimized out>)
9078 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>, val@@entry=<optimized out>)
9079 @end smallexample
9080
9081 @item compact
9082 Print the actual parameter value if it is known and also its value from
9083 function entry point if it is known. If neither is known, print for the actual
9084 value @code{<optimized out>}. If not in MI mode (@pxref{GDB/MI}) and if both
9085 values are known and identical, print the shortened
9086 @code{param=param@@entry=VALUE} notation.
9087 @smallexample
9088 #0 equal (val=val@@entry=5)
9089 #0 different (val=6, val@@entry=5)
9090 #0 lost (val@@entry=5)
9091 #0 born (val=10)
9092 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>)
9093 @end smallexample
9094
9095 @item default
9096 Always print the actual parameter value. Print also its value from function
9097 entry point, but only if it is known. If not in MI mode (@pxref{GDB/MI}) and
9098 if both values are known and identical, print the shortened
9099 @code{param=param@@entry=VALUE} notation.
9100 @smallexample
9101 #0 equal (val=val@@entry=5)
9102 #0 different (val=6, val@@entry=5)
9103 #0 lost (val=<optimized out>, val@@entry=5)
9104 #0 born (val=10)
9105 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>)
9106 @end smallexample
9107 @end table
9108
9109 For analysis messages on possible failures of frame argument values at function
9110 entry resolution see @ref{set debug entry-values}.
9111
9112 @item show print entry-values
9113 Show the method being used for printing of frame argument values at function
9114 entry.
9115
9116 @item set print repeats @var{number-of-repeats}
9117 @itemx set print repeats unlimited
9118 @cindex repeated array elements
9119 Set the threshold for suppressing display of repeated array
9120 elements. When the number of consecutive identical elements of an
9121 array exceeds the threshold, @value{GDBN} prints the string
9122 @code{"<repeats @var{n} times>"}, where @var{n} is the number of
9123 identical repetitions, instead of displaying the identical elements
9124 themselves. Setting the threshold to @code{unlimited} or zero will
9125 cause all elements to be individually printed. The default threshold
9126 is 10.
9127
9128 @item show print repeats
9129 Display the current threshold for printing repeated identical
9130 elements.
9131
9132 @item set print null-stop
9133 @cindex @sc{null} elements in arrays
9134 Cause @value{GDBN} to stop printing the characters of an array when the first
9135 @sc{null} is encountered. This is useful when large arrays actually
9136 contain only short strings.
9137 The default is off.
9138
9139 @item show print null-stop
9140 Show whether @value{GDBN} stops printing an array on the first
9141 @sc{null} character.
9142
9143 @item set print pretty on
9144 @cindex print structures in indented form
9145 @cindex indentation in structure display
9146 Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in an indented format with one member
9147 per line, like this:
9148
9149 @smallexample
9150 @group
9151 $1 = @{
9152 next = 0x0,
9153 flags = @{
9154 sweet = 1,
9155 sour = 1
9156 @},
9157 meat = 0x54 "Pork"
9158 @}
9159 @end group
9160 @end smallexample
9161
9162 @item set print pretty off
9163 Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in a compact format, like this:
9164
9165 @smallexample
9166 @group
9167 $1 = @{next = 0x0, flags = @{sweet = 1, sour = 1@}, \
9168 meat = 0x54 "Pork"@}
9169 @end group
9170 @end smallexample
9171
9172 @noindent
9173 This is the default format.
9174
9175 @item show print pretty
9176 Show which format @value{GDBN} is using to print structures.
9177
9178 @item set print sevenbit-strings on
9179 @cindex eight-bit characters in strings
9180 @cindex octal escapes in strings
9181 Print using only seven-bit characters; if this option is set,
9182 @value{GDBN} displays any eight-bit characters (in strings or
9183 character values) using the notation @code{\}@var{nnn}. This setting is
9184 best if you are working in English (@sc{ascii}) and you use the
9185 high-order bit of characters as a marker or ``meta'' bit.
9186
9187 @item set print sevenbit-strings off
9188 Print full eight-bit characters. This allows the use of more
9189 international character sets, and is the default.
9190
9191 @item show print sevenbit-strings
9192 Show whether or not @value{GDBN} is printing only seven-bit characters.
9193
9194 @item set print union on
9195 @cindex unions in structures, printing
9196 Tell @value{GDBN} to print unions which are contained in structures
9197 and other unions. This is the default setting.
9198
9199 @item set print union off
9200 Tell @value{GDBN} not to print unions which are contained in
9201 structures and other unions. @value{GDBN} will print @code{"@{...@}"}
9202 instead.
9203
9204 @item show print union
9205 Ask @value{GDBN} whether or not it will print unions which are contained in
9206 structures and other unions.
9207
9208 For example, given the declarations
9209
9210 @smallexample
9211 typedef enum @{Tree, Bug@} Species;
9212 typedef enum @{Big_tree, Acorn, Seedling@} Tree_forms;
9213 typedef enum @{Caterpillar, Cocoon, Butterfly@}
9214 Bug_forms;
9215
9216 struct thing @{
9217 Species it;
9218 union @{
9219 Tree_forms tree;
9220 Bug_forms bug;
9221 @} form;
9222 @};
9223
9224 struct thing foo = @{Tree, @{Acorn@}@};
9225 @end smallexample
9226
9227 @noindent
9228 with @code{set print union on} in effect @samp{p foo} would print
9229
9230 @smallexample
9231 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{tree = Acorn, bug = Cocoon@}@}
9232 @end smallexample
9233
9234 @noindent
9235 and with @code{set print union off} in effect it would print
9236
9237 @smallexample
9238 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{...@}@}
9239 @end smallexample
9240
9241 @noindent
9242 @code{set print union} affects programs written in C-like languages
9243 and in Pascal.
9244 @end table
9245
9246 @need 1000
9247 @noindent
9248 These settings are of interest when debugging C@t{++} programs:
9249
9250 @table @code
9251 @cindex demangling C@t{++} names
9252 @item set print demangle
9253 @itemx set print demangle on
9254 Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than in the encoded
9255 (``mangled'') form passed to the assembler and linker for type-safe
9256 linkage. The default is on.
9257
9258 @item show print demangle
9259 Show whether C@t{++} names are printed in mangled or demangled form.
9260
9261 @item set print asm-demangle
9262 @itemx set print asm-demangle on
9263 Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than their mangled form, even
9264 in assembler code printouts such as instruction disassemblies.
9265 The default is off.
9266
9267 @item show print asm-demangle
9268 Show whether C@t{++} names in assembly listings are printed in mangled
9269 or demangled form.
9270
9271 @cindex C@t{++} symbol decoding style
9272 @cindex symbol decoding style, C@t{++}
9273 @kindex set demangle-style
9274 @item set demangle-style @var{style}
9275 Choose among several encoding schemes used by different compilers to
9276 represent C@t{++} names. The choices for @var{style} are currently:
9277
9278 @table @code
9279 @item auto
9280 Allow @value{GDBN} to choose a decoding style by inspecting your program.
9281 This is the default.
9282
9283 @item gnu
9284 Decode based on the @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler (@code{g++}) encoding algorithm.
9285
9286 @item hp
9287 Decode based on the HP ANSI C@t{++} (@code{aCC}) encoding algorithm.
9288
9289 @item lucid
9290 Decode based on the Lucid C@t{++} compiler (@code{lcc}) encoding algorithm.
9291
9292 @item arm
9293 Decode using the algorithm in the @cite{C@t{++} Annotated Reference Manual}.
9294 @strong{Warning:} this setting alone is not sufficient to allow
9295 debugging @code{cfront}-generated executables. @value{GDBN} would
9296 require further enhancement to permit that.
9297
9298 @end table
9299 If you omit @var{style}, you will see a list of possible formats.
9300
9301 @item show demangle-style
9302 Display the encoding style currently in use for decoding C@t{++} symbols.
9303
9304 @item set print object
9305 @itemx set print object on
9306 @cindex derived type of an object, printing
9307 @cindex display derived types
9308 When displaying a pointer to an object, identify the @emph{actual}
9309 (derived) type of the object rather than the @emph{declared} type, using
9310 the virtual function table. Note that the virtual function table is
9311 required---this feature can only work for objects that have run-time
9312 type identification; a single virtual method in the object's declared
9313 type is sufficient. Note that this setting is also taken into account when
9314 working with variable objects via MI (@pxref{GDB/MI}).
9315
9316 @item set print object off
9317 Display only the declared type of objects, without reference to the
9318 virtual function table. This is the default setting.
9319
9320 @item show print object
9321 Show whether actual, or declared, object types are displayed.
9322
9323 @item set print static-members
9324 @itemx set print static-members on
9325 @cindex static members of C@t{++} objects
9326 Print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object. The default is on.
9327
9328 @item set print static-members off
9329 Do not print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object.
9330
9331 @item show print static-members
9332 Show whether C@t{++} static members are printed or not.
9333
9334 @item set print pascal_static-members
9335 @itemx set print pascal_static-members on
9336 @cindex static members of Pascal objects
9337 @cindex Pascal objects, static members display
9338 Print static members when displaying a Pascal object. The default is on.
9339
9340 @item set print pascal_static-members off
9341 Do not print static members when displaying a Pascal object.
9342
9343 @item show print pascal_static-members
9344 Show whether Pascal static members are printed or not.
9345
9346 @c These don't work with HP ANSI C++ yet.
9347 @item set print vtbl
9348 @itemx set print vtbl on
9349 @cindex pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables
9350 @cindex virtual functions (C@t{++}) display
9351 @cindex VTBL display
9352 Pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables. The default is off.
9353 (The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
9354 ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
9355
9356 @item set print vtbl off
9357 Do not pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables.
9358
9359 @item show print vtbl
9360 Show whether C@t{++} virtual function tables are pretty printed, or not.
9361 @end table
9362
9363 @node Pretty Printing
9364 @section Pretty Printing
9365
9366 @value{GDBN} provides a mechanism to allow pretty-printing of values using
9367 Python code. It greatly simplifies the display of complex objects. This
9368 mechanism works for both MI and the CLI.
9369
9370 @menu
9371 * Pretty-Printer Introduction:: Introduction to pretty-printers
9372 * Pretty-Printer Example:: An example pretty-printer
9373 * Pretty-Printer Commands:: Pretty-printer commands
9374 @end menu
9375
9376 @node Pretty-Printer Introduction
9377 @subsection Pretty-Printer Introduction
9378
9379 When @value{GDBN} prints a value, it first sees if there is a pretty-printer
9380 registered for the value. If there is then @value{GDBN} invokes the
9381 pretty-printer to print the value. Otherwise the value is printed normally.
9382
9383 Pretty-printers are normally named. This makes them easy to manage.
9384 The @samp{info pretty-printer} command will list all the installed
9385 pretty-printers with their names.
9386 If a pretty-printer can handle multiple data types, then its
9387 @dfn{subprinters} are the printers for the individual data types.
9388 Each such subprinter has its own name.
9389 The format of the name is @var{printer-name};@var{subprinter-name}.
9390
9391 Pretty-printers are installed by @dfn{registering} them with @value{GDBN}.
9392 Typically they are automatically loaded and registered when the corresponding
9393 debug information is loaded, thus making them available without having to
9394 do anything special.
9395
9396 There are three places where a pretty-printer can be registered.
9397
9398 @itemize @bullet
9399 @item
9400 Pretty-printers registered globally are available when debugging
9401 all inferiors.
9402
9403 @item
9404 Pretty-printers registered with a program space are available only
9405 when debugging that program.
9406 @xref{Progspaces In Python}, for more details on program spaces in Python.
9407
9408 @item
9409 Pretty-printers registered with an objfile are loaded and unloaded
9410 with the corresponding objfile (e.g., shared library).
9411 @xref{Objfiles In Python}, for more details on objfiles in Python.
9412 @end itemize
9413
9414 @xref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}, for further information on how
9415 pretty-printers are selected,
9416
9417 @xref{Writing a Pretty-Printer}, for implementing pretty printers
9418 for new types.
9419
9420 @node Pretty-Printer Example
9421 @subsection Pretty-Printer Example
9422
9423 Here is how a C@t{++} @code{std::string} looks without a pretty-printer:
9424
9425 @smallexample
9426 (@value{GDBP}) print s
9427 $1 = @{
9428 static npos = 4294967295,
9429 _M_dataplus = @{
9430 <std::allocator<char>> = @{
9431 <__gnu_cxx::new_allocator<char>> = @{
9432 <No data fields>@}, <No data fields>
9433 @},
9434 members of std::basic_string<char, std::char_traits<char>,
9435 std::allocator<char> >::_Alloc_hider:
9436 _M_p = 0x804a014 "abcd"
9437 @}
9438 @}
9439 @end smallexample
9440
9441 With a pretty-printer for @code{std::string} only the contents are printed:
9442
9443 @smallexample
9444 (@value{GDBP}) print s
9445 $2 = "abcd"
9446 @end smallexample
9447
9448 @node Pretty-Printer Commands
9449 @subsection Pretty-Printer Commands
9450 @cindex pretty-printer commands
9451
9452 @table @code
9453 @kindex info pretty-printer
9454 @item info pretty-printer [@var{object-regexp} [@var{name-regexp}]]
9455 Print the list of installed pretty-printers.
9456 This includes disabled pretty-printers, which are marked as such.
9457
9458 @var{object-regexp} is a regular expression matching the objects
9459 whose pretty-printers to list.
9460 Objects can be @code{global}, the program space's file
9461 (@pxref{Progspaces In Python}),
9462 and the object files within that program space (@pxref{Objfiles In Python}).
9463 @xref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}, for details on how @value{GDBN}
9464 looks up a printer from these three objects.
9465
9466 @var{name-regexp} is a regular expression matching the name of the printers
9467 to list.
9468
9469 @kindex disable pretty-printer
9470 @item disable pretty-printer [@var{object-regexp} [@var{name-regexp}]]
9471 Disable pretty-printers matching @var{object-regexp} and @var{name-regexp}.
9472 A disabled pretty-printer is not forgotten, it may be enabled again later.
9473
9474 @kindex enable pretty-printer
9475 @item enable pretty-printer [@var{object-regexp} [@var{name-regexp}]]
9476 Enable pretty-printers matching @var{object-regexp} and @var{name-regexp}.
9477 @end table
9478
9479 Example:
9480
9481 Suppose we have three pretty-printers installed: one from library1.so
9482 named @code{foo} that prints objects of type @code{foo}, and
9483 another from library2.so named @code{bar} that prints two types of objects,
9484 @code{bar1} and @code{bar2}.
9485
9486 @smallexample
9487 (gdb) info pretty-printer
9488 library1.so:
9489 foo
9490 library2.so:
9491 bar
9492 bar1
9493 bar2
9494 (gdb) info pretty-printer library2
9495 library2.so:
9496 bar
9497 bar1
9498 bar2
9499 (gdb) disable pretty-printer library1
9500 1 printer disabled
9501 2 of 3 printers enabled
9502 (gdb) info pretty-printer
9503 library1.so:
9504 foo [disabled]
9505 library2.so:
9506 bar
9507 bar1
9508 bar2
9509 (gdb) disable pretty-printer library2 bar:bar1
9510 1 printer disabled
9511 1 of 3 printers enabled
9512 (gdb) info pretty-printer library2
9513 library1.so:
9514 foo [disabled]
9515 library2.so:
9516 bar
9517 bar1 [disabled]
9518 bar2
9519 (gdb) disable pretty-printer library2 bar
9520 1 printer disabled
9521 0 of 3 printers enabled
9522 (gdb) info pretty-printer library2
9523 library1.so:
9524 foo [disabled]
9525 library2.so:
9526 bar [disabled]
9527 bar1 [disabled]
9528 bar2
9529 @end smallexample
9530
9531 Note that for @code{bar} the entire printer can be disabled,
9532 as can each individual subprinter.
9533
9534 @node Value History
9535 @section Value History
9536
9537 @cindex value history
9538 @cindex history of values printed by @value{GDBN}
9539 Values printed by the @code{print} command are saved in the @value{GDBN}
9540 @dfn{value history}. This allows you to refer to them in other expressions.
9541 Values are kept until the symbol table is re-read or discarded
9542 (for example with the @code{file} or @code{symbol-file} commands).
9543 When the symbol table changes, the value history is discarded,
9544 since the values may contain pointers back to the types defined in the
9545 symbol table.
9546
9547 @cindex @code{$}
9548 @cindex @code{$$}
9549 @cindex history number
9550 The values printed are given @dfn{history numbers} by which you can
9551 refer to them. These are successive integers starting with one.
9552 @code{print} shows you the history number assigned to a value by
9553 printing @samp{$@var{num} = } before the value; here @var{num} is the
9554 history number.
9555
9556 To refer to any previous value, use @samp{$} followed by the value's
9557 history number. The way @code{print} labels its output is designed to
9558 remind you of this. Just @code{$} refers to the most recent value in
9559 the history, and @code{$$} refers to the value before that.
9560 @code{$$@var{n}} refers to the @var{n}th value from the end; @code{$$2}
9561 is the value just prior to @code{$$}, @code{$$1} is equivalent to
9562 @code{$$}, and @code{$$0} is equivalent to @code{$}.
9563
9564 For example, suppose you have just printed a pointer to a structure and
9565 want to see the contents of the structure. It suffices to type
9566
9567 @smallexample
9568 p *$
9569 @end smallexample
9570
9571 If you have a chain of structures where the component @code{next} points
9572 to the next one, you can print the contents of the next one with this:
9573
9574 @smallexample
9575 p *$.next
9576 @end smallexample
9577
9578 @noindent
9579 You can print successive links in the chain by repeating this
9580 command---which you can do by just typing @key{RET}.
9581
9582 Note that the history records values, not expressions. If the value of
9583 @code{x} is 4 and you type these commands:
9584
9585 @smallexample
9586 print x
9587 set x=5
9588 @end smallexample
9589
9590 @noindent
9591 then the value recorded in the value history by the @code{print} command
9592 remains 4 even though the value of @code{x} has changed.
9593
9594 @table @code
9595 @kindex show values
9596 @item show values
9597 Print the last ten values in the value history, with their item numbers.
9598 This is like @samp{p@ $$9} repeated ten times, except that @code{show
9599 values} does not change the history.
9600
9601 @item show values @var{n}
9602 Print ten history values centered on history item number @var{n}.
9603
9604 @item show values +
9605 Print ten history values just after the values last printed. If no more
9606 values are available, @code{show values +} produces no display.
9607 @end table
9608
9609 Pressing @key{RET} to repeat @code{show values @var{n}} has exactly the
9610 same effect as @samp{show values +}.
9611
9612 @node Convenience Vars
9613 @section Convenience Variables
9614
9615 @cindex convenience variables
9616 @cindex user-defined variables
9617 @value{GDBN} provides @dfn{convenience variables} that you can use within
9618 @value{GDBN} to hold on to a value and refer to it later. These variables
9619 exist entirely within @value{GDBN}; they are not part of your program, and
9620 setting a convenience variable has no direct effect on further execution
9621 of your program. That is why you can use them freely.
9622
9623 Convenience variables are prefixed with @samp{$}. Any name preceded by
9624 @samp{$} can be used for a convenience variable, unless it is one of
9625 the predefined machine-specific register names (@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
9626 (Value history references, in contrast, are @emph{numbers} preceded
9627 by @samp{$}. @xref{Value History, ,Value History}.)
9628
9629 You can save a value in a convenience variable with an assignment
9630 expression, just as you would set a variable in your program.
9631 For example:
9632
9633 @smallexample
9634 set $foo = *object_ptr
9635 @end smallexample
9636
9637 @noindent
9638 would save in @code{$foo} the value contained in the object pointed to by
9639 @code{object_ptr}.
9640
9641 Using a convenience variable for the first time creates it, but its
9642 value is @code{void} until you assign a new value. You can alter the
9643 value with another assignment at any time.
9644
9645 Convenience variables have no fixed types. You can assign a convenience
9646 variable any type of value, including structures and arrays, even if
9647 that variable already has a value of a different type. The convenience
9648 variable, when used as an expression, has the type of its current value.
9649
9650 @table @code
9651 @kindex show convenience
9652 @cindex show all user variables and functions
9653 @item show convenience
9654 Print a list of convenience variables used so far, and their values,
9655 as well as a list of the convenience functions.
9656 Abbreviated @code{show conv}.
9657
9658 @kindex init-if-undefined
9659 @cindex convenience variables, initializing
9660 @item init-if-undefined $@var{variable} = @var{expression}
9661 Set a convenience variable if it has not already been set. This is useful
9662 for user-defined commands that keep some state. It is similar, in concept,
9663 to using local static variables with initializers in C (except that
9664 convenience variables are global). It can also be used to allow users to
9665 override default values used in a command script.
9666
9667 If the variable is already defined then the expression is not evaluated so
9668 any side-effects do not occur.
9669 @end table
9670
9671 One of the ways to use a convenience variable is as a counter to be
9672 incremented or a pointer to be advanced. For example, to print
9673 a field from successive elements of an array of structures:
9674
9675 @smallexample
9676 set $i = 0
9677 print bar[$i++]->contents
9678 @end smallexample
9679
9680 @noindent
9681 Repeat that command by typing @key{RET}.
9682
9683 Some convenience variables are created automatically by @value{GDBN} and given
9684 values likely to be useful.
9685
9686 @table @code
9687 @vindex $_@r{, convenience variable}
9688 @item $_
9689 The variable @code{$_} is automatically set by the @code{x} command to
9690 the last address examined (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}). Other
9691 commands which provide a default address for @code{x} to examine also
9692 set @code{$_} to that address; these commands include @code{info line}
9693 and @code{info breakpoint}. The type of @code{$_} is @code{void *}
9694 except when set by the @code{x} command, in which case it is a pointer
9695 to the type of @code{$__}.
9696
9697 @vindex $__@r{, convenience variable}
9698 @item $__
9699 The variable @code{$__} is automatically set by the @code{x} command
9700 to the value found in the last address examined. Its type is chosen
9701 to match the format in which the data was printed.
9702
9703 @item $_exitcode
9704 @vindex $_exitcode@r{, convenience variable}
9705 The variable @code{$_exitcode} is automatically set to the exit code when
9706 the program being debugged terminates.
9707
9708 @item $_exception
9709 The variable @code{$_exception} is set to the exception object being
9710 thrown at an exception-related catchpoint. @xref{Set Catchpoints}.
9711
9712 @item $_probe_argc
9713 @itemx $_probe_arg0@dots{}$_probe_arg11
9714 Arguments to a static probe. @xref{Static Probe Points}.
9715
9716 @item $_sdata
9717 @vindex $_sdata@r{, inspect, convenience variable}
9718 The variable @code{$_sdata} contains extra collected static tracepoint
9719 data. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action Lists}. Note that
9720 @code{$_sdata} could be empty, if not inspecting a trace buffer, or
9721 if extra static tracepoint data has not been collected.
9722
9723 @item $_siginfo
9724 @vindex $_siginfo@r{, convenience variable}
9725 The variable @code{$_siginfo} contains extra signal information
9726 (@pxref{extra signal information}). Note that @code{$_siginfo}
9727 could be empty, if the application has not yet received any signals.
9728 For example, it will be empty before you execute the @code{run} command.
9729
9730 @item $_tlb
9731 @vindex $_tlb@r{, convenience variable}
9732 The variable @code{$_tlb} is automatically set when debugging
9733 applications running on MS-Windows in native mode or connected to
9734 gdbserver that supports the @code{qGetTIBAddr} request.
9735 @xref{General Query Packets}.
9736 This variable contains the address of the thread information block.
9737
9738 @end table
9739
9740 On HP-UX systems, if you refer to a function or variable name that
9741 begins with a dollar sign, @value{GDBN} searches for a user or system
9742 name first, before it searches for a convenience variable.
9743
9744 @node Convenience Funs
9745 @section Convenience Functions
9746
9747 @cindex convenience functions
9748 @value{GDBN} also supplies some @dfn{convenience functions}. These
9749 have a syntax similar to convenience variables. A convenience
9750 function can be used in an expression just like an ordinary function;
9751 however, a convenience function is implemented internally to
9752 @value{GDBN}.
9753
9754 These functions require @value{GDBN} to be configured with
9755 @code{Python} support.
9756
9757 @table @code
9758
9759 @item $_memeq(@var{buf1}, @var{buf2}, @var{length})
9760 @findex $_memeq@r{, convenience function}
9761 Returns one if the @var{length} bytes at the addresses given by
9762 @var{buf1} and @var{buf2} are equal.
9763 Otherwise it returns zero.
9764
9765 @item $_regex(@var{str}, @var{regex})
9766 @findex $_regex@r{, convenience function}
9767 Returns one if the string @var{str} matches the regular expression
9768 @var{regex}. Otherwise it returns zero.
9769 The syntax of the regular expression is that specified by @code{Python}'s
9770 regular expression support.
9771
9772 @item $_streq(@var{str1}, @var{str2})
9773 @findex $_streq@r{, convenience function}
9774 Returns one if the strings @var{str1} and @var{str2} are equal.
9775 Otherwise it returns zero.
9776
9777 @item $_strlen(@var{str})
9778 @findex $_strlen@r{, convenience function}
9779 Returns the length of string @var{str}.
9780
9781 @end table
9782
9783 @value{GDBN} provides the ability to list and get help on
9784 convenience functions.
9785
9786 @table @code
9787 @item help function
9788 @kindex help function
9789 @cindex show all convenience functions
9790 Print a list of all convenience functions.
9791 @end table
9792
9793 @node Registers
9794 @section Registers
9795
9796 @cindex registers
9797 You can refer to machine register contents, in expressions, as variables
9798 with names starting with @samp{$}. The names of registers are different
9799 for each machine; use @code{info registers} to see the names used on
9800 your machine.
9801
9802 @table @code
9803 @kindex info registers
9804 @item info registers
9805 Print the names and values of all registers except floating-point
9806 and vector registers (in the selected stack frame).
9807
9808 @kindex info all-registers
9809 @cindex floating point registers
9810 @item info all-registers
9811 Print the names and values of all registers, including floating-point
9812 and vector registers (in the selected stack frame).
9813
9814 @item info registers @var{regname} @dots{}
9815 Print the @dfn{relativized} value of each specified register @var{regname}.
9816 As discussed in detail below, register values are normally relative to
9817 the selected stack frame. @var{regname} may be any register name valid on
9818 the machine you are using, with or without the initial @samp{$}.
9819 @end table
9820
9821 @cindex stack pointer register
9822 @cindex program counter register
9823 @cindex process status register
9824 @cindex frame pointer register
9825 @cindex standard registers
9826 @value{GDBN} has four ``standard'' register names that are available (in
9827 expressions) on most machines---whenever they do not conflict with an
9828 architecture's canonical mnemonics for registers. The register names
9829 @code{$pc} and @code{$sp} are used for the program counter register and
9830 the stack pointer. @code{$fp} is used for a register that contains a
9831 pointer to the current stack frame, and @code{$ps} is used for a
9832 register that contains the processor status. For example,
9833 you could print the program counter in hex with
9834
9835 @smallexample
9836 p/x $pc
9837 @end smallexample
9838
9839 @noindent
9840 or print the instruction to be executed next with
9841
9842 @smallexample
9843 x/i $pc
9844 @end smallexample
9845
9846 @noindent
9847 or add four to the stack pointer@footnote{This is a way of removing
9848 one word from the stack, on machines where stacks grow downward in
9849 memory (most machines, nowadays). This assumes that the innermost
9850 stack frame is selected; setting @code{$sp} is not allowed when other
9851 stack frames are selected. To pop entire frames off the stack,
9852 regardless of machine architecture, use @code{return};
9853 see @ref{Returning, ,Returning from a Function}.} with
9854
9855 @smallexample
9856 set $sp += 4
9857 @end smallexample
9858
9859 Whenever possible, these four standard register names are available on
9860 your machine even though the machine has different canonical mnemonics,
9861 so long as there is no conflict. The @code{info registers} command
9862 shows the canonical names. For example, on the SPARC, @code{info
9863 registers} displays the processor status register as @code{$psr} but you
9864 can also refer to it as @code{$ps}; and on x86-based machines @code{$ps}
9865 is an alias for the @sc{eflags} register.
9866
9867 @value{GDBN} always considers the contents of an ordinary register as an
9868 integer when the register is examined in this way. Some machines have
9869 special registers which can hold nothing but floating point; these
9870 registers are considered to have floating point values. There is no way
9871 to refer to the contents of an ordinary register as floating point value
9872 (although you can @emph{print} it as a floating point value with
9873 @samp{print/f $@var{regname}}).
9874
9875 Some registers have distinct ``raw'' and ``virtual'' data formats. This
9876 means that the data format in which the register contents are saved by
9877 the operating system is not the same one that your program normally
9878 sees. For example, the registers of the 68881 floating point
9879 coprocessor are always saved in ``extended'' (raw) format, but all C
9880 programs expect to work with ``double'' (virtual) format. In such
9881 cases, @value{GDBN} normally works with the virtual format only (the format
9882 that makes sense for your program), but the @code{info registers} command
9883 prints the data in both formats.
9884
9885 @cindex SSE registers (x86)
9886 @cindex MMX registers (x86)
9887 Some machines have special registers whose contents can be interpreted
9888 in several different ways. For example, modern x86-based machines
9889 have SSE and MMX registers that can hold several values packed
9890 together in several different formats. @value{GDBN} refers to such
9891 registers in @code{struct} notation:
9892
9893 @smallexample
9894 (@value{GDBP}) print $xmm1
9895 $1 = @{
9896 v4_float = @{0, 3.43859137e-038, 1.54142831e-044, 1.821688e-044@},
9897 v2_double = @{9.92129282474342e-303, 2.7585945287983262e-313@},
9898 v16_int8 = "\000\000\000\000\3706;\001\v\000\000\000\r\000\000",
9899 v8_int16 = @{0, 0, 14072, 315, 11, 0, 13, 0@},
9900 v4_int32 = @{0, 20657912, 11, 13@},
9901 v2_int64 = @{88725056443645952, 55834574859@},
9902 uint128 = 0x0000000d0000000b013b36f800000000
9903 @}
9904 @end smallexample
9905
9906 @noindent
9907 To set values of such registers, you need to tell @value{GDBN} which
9908 view of the register you wish to change, as if you were assigning
9909 value to a @code{struct} member:
9910
9911 @smallexample
9912 (@value{GDBP}) set $xmm1.uint128 = 0x000000000000000000000000FFFFFFFF
9913 @end smallexample
9914
9915 Normally, register values are relative to the selected stack frame
9916 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}). This means that you get the
9917 value that the register would contain if all stack frames farther in
9918 were exited and their saved registers restored. In order to see the
9919 true contents of hardware registers, you must select the innermost
9920 frame (with @samp{frame 0}).
9921
9922 However, @value{GDBN} must deduce where registers are saved, from the machine
9923 code generated by your compiler. If some registers are not saved, or if
9924 @value{GDBN} is unable to locate the saved registers, the selected stack
9925 frame makes no difference.
9926
9927 @node Floating Point Hardware
9928 @section Floating Point Hardware
9929 @cindex floating point
9930
9931 Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give
9932 you more information about the status of the floating point hardware.
9933
9934 @table @code
9935 @kindex info float
9936 @item info float
9937 Display hardware-dependent information about the floating
9938 point unit. The exact contents and layout vary depending on the
9939 floating point chip. Currently, @samp{info float} is supported on
9940 the ARM and x86 machines.
9941 @end table
9942
9943 @node Vector Unit
9944 @section Vector Unit
9945 @cindex vector unit
9946
9947 Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give you
9948 more information about the status of the vector unit.
9949
9950 @table @code
9951 @kindex info vector
9952 @item info vector
9953 Display information about the vector unit. The exact contents and
9954 layout vary depending on the hardware.
9955 @end table
9956
9957 @node OS Information
9958 @section Operating System Auxiliary Information
9959 @cindex OS information
9960
9961 @value{GDBN} provides interfaces to useful OS facilities that can help
9962 you debug your program.
9963
9964 @cindex auxiliary vector
9965 @cindex vector, auxiliary
9966 Some operating systems supply an @dfn{auxiliary vector} to programs at
9967 startup. This is akin to the arguments and environment that you
9968 specify for a program, but contains a system-dependent variety of
9969 binary values that tell system libraries important details about the
9970 hardware, operating system, and process. Each value's purpose is
9971 identified by an integer tag; the meanings are well-known but system-specific.
9972 Depending on the configuration and operating system facilities,
9973 @value{GDBN} may be able to show you this information. For remote
9974 targets, this functionality may further depend on the remote stub's
9975 support of the @samp{qXfer:auxv:read} packet, see
9976 @ref{qXfer auxiliary vector read}.
9977
9978 @table @code
9979 @kindex info auxv
9980 @item info auxv
9981 Display the auxiliary vector of the inferior, which can be either a
9982 live process or a core dump file. @value{GDBN} prints each tag value
9983 numerically, and also shows names and text descriptions for recognized
9984 tags. Some values in the vector are numbers, some bit masks, and some
9985 pointers to strings or other data. @value{GDBN} displays each value in the
9986 most appropriate form for a recognized tag, and in hexadecimal for
9987 an unrecognized tag.
9988 @end table
9989
9990 On some targets, @value{GDBN} can access operating system-specific
9991 information and show it to you. The types of information available
9992 will differ depending on the type of operating system running on the
9993 target. The mechanism used to fetch the data is described in
9994 @ref{Operating System Information}. For remote targets, this
9995 functionality depends on the remote stub's support of the
9996 @samp{qXfer:osdata:read} packet, see @ref{qXfer osdata read}.
9997
9998 @table @code
9999 @kindex info os
10000 @item info os @var{infotype}
10001
10002 Display OS information of the requested type.
10003
10004 On @sc{gnu}/Linux, the following values of @var{infotype} are valid:
10005
10006 @anchor{linux info os infotypes}
10007 @table @code
10008 @kindex info os processes
10009 @item processes
10010 Display the list of processes on the target. For each process,
10011 @value{GDBN} prints the process identifier, the name of the user, the
10012 command corresponding to the process, and the list of processor cores
10013 that the process is currently running on. (To understand what these
10014 properties mean, for this and the following info types, please consult
10015 the general @sc{gnu}/Linux documentation.)
10016
10017 @kindex info os procgroups
10018 @item procgroups
10019 Display the list of process groups on the target. For each process,
10020 @value{GDBN} prints the identifier of the process group that it belongs
10021 to, the command corresponding to the process group leader, the process
10022 identifier, and the command line of the process. The list is sorted
10023 first by the process group identifier, then by the process identifier,
10024 so that processes belonging to the same process group are grouped together
10025 and the process group leader is listed first.
10026
10027 @kindex info os threads
10028 @item threads
10029 Display the list of threads running on the target. For each thread,
10030 @value{GDBN} prints the identifier of the process that the thread
10031 belongs to, the command of the process, the thread identifier, and the
10032 processor core that it is currently running on. The main thread of a
10033 process is not listed.
10034
10035 @kindex info os files
10036 @item files
10037 Display the list of open file descriptors on the target. For each
10038 file descriptor, @value{GDBN} prints the identifier of the process
10039 owning the descriptor, the command of the owning process, the value
10040 of the descriptor, and the target of the descriptor.
10041
10042 @kindex info os sockets
10043 @item sockets
10044 Display the list of Internet-domain sockets on the target. For each
10045 socket, @value{GDBN} prints the address and port of the local and
10046 remote endpoints, the current state of the connection, the creator of
10047 the socket, the IP address family of the socket, and the type of the
10048 connection.
10049
10050 @kindex info os shm
10051 @item shm
10052 Display the list of all System V shared-memory regions on the target.
10053 For each shared-memory region, @value{GDBN} prints the region key,
10054 the shared-memory identifier, the access permissions, the size of the
10055 region, the process that created the region, the process that last
10056 attached to or detached from the region, the current number of live
10057 attaches to the region, and the times at which the region was last
10058 attached to, detach from, and changed.
10059
10060 @kindex info os semaphores
10061 @item semaphores
10062 Display the list of all System V semaphore sets on the target. For each
10063 semaphore set, @value{GDBN} prints the semaphore set key, the semaphore
10064 set identifier, the access permissions, the number of semaphores in the
10065 set, the user and group of the owner and creator of the semaphore set,
10066 and the times at which the semaphore set was operated upon and changed.
10067
10068 @kindex info os msg
10069 @item msg
10070 Display the list of all System V message queues on the target. For each
10071 message queue, @value{GDBN} prints the message queue key, the message
10072 queue identifier, the access permissions, the current number of bytes
10073 on the queue, the current number of messages on the queue, the processes
10074 that last sent and received a message on the queue, the user and group
10075 of the owner and creator of the message queue, the times at which a
10076 message was last sent and received on the queue, and the time at which
10077 the message queue was last changed.
10078
10079 @kindex info os modules
10080 @item modules
10081 Display the list of all loaded kernel modules on the target. For each
10082 module, @value{GDBN} prints the module name, the size of the module in
10083 bytes, the number of times the module is used, the dependencies of the
10084 module, the status of the module, and the address of the loaded module
10085 in memory.
10086 @end table
10087
10088 @item info os
10089 If @var{infotype} is omitted, then list the possible values for
10090 @var{infotype} and the kind of OS information available for each
10091 @var{infotype}. If the target does not return a list of possible
10092 types, this command will report an error.
10093 @end table
10094
10095 @node Memory Region Attributes
10096 @section Memory Region Attributes
10097 @cindex memory region attributes
10098
10099 @dfn{Memory region attributes} allow you to describe special handling
10100 required by regions of your target's memory. @value{GDBN} uses
10101 attributes to determine whether to allow certain types of memory
10102 accesses; whether to use specific width accesses; and whether to cache
10103 target memory. By default the description of memory regions is
10104 fetched from the target (if the current target supports this), but the
10105 user can override the fetched regions.
10106
10107 Defined memory regions can be individually enabled and disabled. When a
10108 memory region is disabled, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when
10109 accessing memory in that region. Similarly, if no memory regions have
10110 been defined, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when accessing
10111 all memory.
10112
10113 When a memory region is defined, it is given a number to identify it;
10114 to enable, disable, or remove a memory region, you specify that number.
10115
10116 @table @code
10117 @kindex mem
10118 @item mem @var{lower} @var{upper} @var{attributes}@dots{}
10119 Define a memory region bounded by @var{lower} and @var{upper} with
10120 attributes @var{attributes}@dots{}, and add it to the list of regions
10121 monitored by @value{GDBN}. Note that @var{upper} == 0 is a special
10122 case: it is treated as the target's maximum memory address.
10123 (0xffff on 16 bit targets, 0xffffffff on 32 bit targets, etc.)
10124
10125 @item mem auto
10126 Discard any user changes to the memory regions and use target-supplied
10127 regions, if available, or no regions if the target does not support.
10128
10129 @kindex delete mem
10130 @item delete mem @var{nums}@dots{}
10131 Remove memory regions @var{nums}@dots{} from the list of regions
10132 monitored by @value{GDBN}.
10133
10134 @kindex disable mem
10135 @item disable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
10136 Disable monitoring of memory regions @var{nums}@dots{}.
10137 A disabled memory region is not forgotten.
10138 It may be enabled again later.
10139
10140 @kindex enable mem
10141 @item enable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
10142 Enable monitoring of memory regions @var{nums}@dots{}.
10143
10144 @kindex info mem
10145 @item info mem
10146 Print a table of all defined memory regions, with the following columns
10147 for each region:
10148
10149 @table @emph
10150 @item Memory Region Number
10151 @item Enabled or Disabled.
10152 Enabled memory regions are marked with @samp{y}.
10153 Disabled memory regions are marked with @samp{n}.
10154
10155 @item Lo Address
10156 The address defining the inclusive lower bound of the memory region.
10157
10158 @item Hi Address
10159 The address defining the exclusive upper bound of the memory region.
10160
10161 @item Attributes
10162 The list of attributes set for this memory region.
10163 @end table
10164 @end table
10165
10166
10167 @subsection Attributes
10168
10169 @subsubsection Memory Access Mode
10170 The access mode attributes set whether @value{GDBN} may make read or
10171 write accesses to a memory region.
10172
10173 While these attributes prevent @value{GDBN} from performing invalid
10174 memory accesses, they do nothing to prevent the target system, I/O DMA,
10175 etc.@: from accessing memory.
10176
10177 @table @code
10178 @item ro
10179 Memory is read only.
10180 @item wo
10181 Memory is write only.
10182 @item rw
10183 Memory is read/write. This is the default.
10184 @end table
10185
10186 @subsubsection Memory Access Size
10187 The access size attribute tells @value{GDBN} to use specific sized
10188 accesses in the memory region. Often memory mapped device registers
10189 require specific sized accesses. If no access size attribute is
10190 specified, @value{GDBN} may use accesses of any size.
10191
10192 @table @code
10193 @item 8
10194 Use 8 bit memory accesses.
10195 @item 16
10196 Use 16 bit memory accesses.
10197 @item 32
10198 Use 32 bit memory accesses.
10199 @item 64
10200 Use 64 bit memory accesses.
10201 @end table
10202
10203 @c @subsubsection Hardware/Software Breakpoints
10204 @c The hardware/software breakpoint attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
10205 @c will use hardware or software breakpoints for the internal breakpoints
10206 @c used by the step, next, finish, until, etc. commands.
10207 @c
10208 @c @table @code
10209 @c @item hwbreak
10210 @c Always use hardware breakpoints
10211 @c @item swbreak (default)
10212 @c @end table
10213
10214 @subsubsection Data Cache
10215 The data cache attributes set whether @value{GDBN} will cache target
10216 memory. While this generally improves performance by reducing debug
10217 protocol overhead, it can lead to incorrect results because @value{GDBN}
10218 does not know about volatile variables or memory mapped device
10219 registers.
10220
10221 @table @code
10222 @item cache
10223 Enable @value{GDBN} to cache target memory.
10224 @item nocache
10225 Disable @value{GDBN} from caching target memory. This is the default.
10226 @end table
10227
10228 @subsection Memory Access Checking
10229 @value{GDBN} can be instructed to refuse accesses to memory that is
10230 not explicitly described. This can be useful if accessing such
10231 regions has undesired effects for a specific target, or to provide
10232 better error checking. The following commands control this behaviour.
10233
10234 @table @code
10235 @kindex set mem inaccessible-by-default
10236 @item set mem inaccessible-by-default [on|off]
10237 If @code{on} is specified, make @value{GDBN} treat memory not
10238 explicitly described by the memory ranges as non-existent and refuse accesses
10239 to such memory. The checks are only performed if there's at least one
10240 memory range defined. If @code{off} is specified, make @value{GDBN}
10241 treat the memory not explicitly described by the memory ranges as RAM.
10242 The default value is @code{on}.
10243 @kindex show mem inaccessible-by-default
10244 @item show mem inaccessible-by-default
10245 Show the current handling of accesses to unknown memory.
10246 @end table
10247
10248
10249 @c @subsubsection Memory Write Verification
10250 @c The memory write verification attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
10251 @c will re-reads data after each write to verify the write was successful.
10252 @c
10253 @c @table @code
10254 @c @item verify
10255 @c @item noverify (default)
10256 @c @end table
10257
10258 @node Dump/Restore Files
10259 @section Copy Between Memory and a File
10260 @cindex dump/restore files
10261 @cindex append data to a file
10262 @cindex dump data to a file
10263 @cindex restore data from a file
10264
10265 You can use the commands @code{dump}, @code{append}, and
10266 @code{restore} to copy data between target memory and a file. The
10267 @code{dump} and @code{append} commands write data to a file, and the
10268 @code{restore} command reads data from a file back into the inferior's
10269 memory. Files may be in binary, Motorola S-record, Intel hex, or
10270 Tektronix Hex format; however, @value{GDBN} can only append to binary
10271 files.
10272
10273 @table @code
10274
10275 @kindex dump
10276 @item dump @r{[}@var{format}@r{]} memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
10277 @itemx dump @r{[}@var{format}@r{]} value @var{filename} @var{expr}
10278 Dump the contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr},
10279 or the value of @var{expr}, to @var{filename} in the given format.
10280
10281 The @var{format} parameter may be any one of:
10282 @table @code
10283 @item binary
10284 Raw binary form.
10285 @item ihex
10286 Intel hex format.
10287 @item srec
10288 Motorola S-record format.
10289 @item tekhex
10290 Tektronix Hex format.
10291 @end table
10292
10293 @value{GDBN} uses the same definitions of these formats as the
10294 @sc{gnu} binary utilities, like @samp{objdump} and @samp{objcopy}. If
10295 @var{format} is omitted, @value{GDBN} dumps the data in raw binary
10296 form.
10297
10298 @kindex append
10299 @item append @r{[}binary@r{]} memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
10300 @itemx append @r{[}binary@r{]} value @var{filename} @var{expr}
10301 Append the contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr},
10302 or the value of @var{expr}, to the file @var{filename}, in raw binary form.
10303 (@value{GDBN} can only append data to files in raw binary form.)
10304
10305 @kindex restore
10306 @item restore @var{filename} @r{[}binary@r{]} @var{bias} @var{start} @var{end}
10307 Restore the contents of file @var{filename} into memory. The
10308 @code{restore} command can automatically recognize any known @sc{bfd}
10309 file format, except for raw binary. To restore a raw binary file you
10310 must specify the optional keyword @code{binary} after the filename.
10311
10312 If @var{bias} is non-zero, its value will be added to the addresses
10313 contained in the file. Binary files always start at address zero, so
10314 they will be restored at address @var{bias}. Other bfd files have
10315 a built-in location; they will be restored at offset @var{bias}
10316 from that location.
10317
10318 If @var{start} and/or @var{end} are non-zero, then only data between
10319 file offset @var{start} and file offset @var{end} will be restored.
10320 These offsets are relative to the addresses in the file, before
10321 the @var{bias} argument is applied.
10322
10323 @end table
10324
10325 @node Core File Generation
10326 @section How to Produce a Core File from Your Program
10327 @cindex dump core from inferior
10328
10329 A @dfn{core file} or @dfn{core dump} is a file that records the memory
10330 image of a running process and its process status (register values
10331 etc.). Its primary use is post-mortem debugging of a program that
10332 crashed while it ran outside a debugger. A program that crashes
10333 automatically produces a core file, unless this feature is disabled by
10334 the user. @xref{Files}, for information on invoking @value{GDBN} in
10335 the post-mortem debugging mode.
10336
10337 Occasionally, you may wish to produce a core file of the program you
10338 are debugging in order to preserve a snapshot of its state.
10339 @value{GDBN} has a special command for that.
10340
10341 @table @code
10342 @kindex gcore
10343 @kindex generate-core-file
10344 @item generate-core-file [@var{file}]
10345 @itemx gcore [@var{file}]
10346 Produce a core dump of the inferior process. The optional argument
10347 @var{file} specifies the file name where to put the core dump. If not
10348 specified, the file name defaults to @file{core.@var{pid}}, where
10349 @var{pid} is the inferior process ID.
10350
10351 Note that this command is implemented only for some systems (as of
10352 this writing, @sc{gnu}/Linux, FreeBSD, Solaris, and S390).
10353 @end table
10354
10355 @node Character Sets
10356 @section Character Sets
10357 @cindex character sets
10358 @cindex charset
10359 @cindex translating between character sets
10360 @cindex host character set
10361 @cindex target character set
10362
10363 If the program you are debugging uses a different character set to
10364 represent characters and strings than the one @value{GDBN} uses itself,
10365 @value{GDBN} can automatically translate between the character sets for
10366 you. The character set @value{GDBN} uses we call the @dfn{host
10367 character set}; the one the inferior program uses we call the
10368 @dfn{target character set}.
10369
10370 For example, if you are running @value{GDBN} on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, which
10371 uses the ISO Latin 1 character set, but you are using @value{GDBN}'s
10372 remote protocol (@pxref{Remote Debugging}) to debug a program
10373 running on an IBM mainframe, which uses the @sc{ebcdic} character set,
10374 then the host character set is Latin-1, and the target character set is
10375 @sc{ebcdic}. If you give @value{GDBN} the command @code{set
10376 target-charset EBCDIC-US}, then @value{GDBN} translates between
10377 @sc{ebcdic} and Latin 1 as you print character or string values, or use
10378 character and string literals in expressions.
10379
10380 @value{GDBN} has no way to automatically recognize which character set
10381 the inferior program uses; you must tell it, using the @code{set
10382 target-charset} command, described below.
10383
10384 Here are the commands for controlling @value{GDBN}'s character set
10385 support:
10386
10387 @table @code
10388 @item set target-charset @var{charset}
10389 @kindex set target-charset
10390 Set the current target character set to @var{charset}. To display the
10391 list of supported target character sets, type
10392 @kbd{@w{set target-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}}.
10393
10394 @item set host-charset @var{charset}
10395 @kindex set host-charset
10396 Set the current host character set to @var{charset}.
10397
10398 By default, @value{GDBN} uses a host character set appropriate to the
10399 system it is running on; you can override that default using the
10400 @code{set host-charset} command. On some systems, @value{GDBN} cannot
10401 automatically determine the appropriate host character set. In this
10402 case, @value{GDBN} uses @samp{UTF-8}.
10403
10404 @value{GDBN} can only use certain character sets as its host character
10405 set. If you type @kbd{@w{set host-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}},
10406 @value{GDBN} will list the host character sets it supports.
10407
10408 @item set charset @var{charset}
10409 @kindex set charset
10410 Set the current host and target character sets to @var{charset}. As
10411 above, if you type @kbd{@w{set charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}},
10412 @value{GDBN} will list the names of the character sets that can be used
10413 for both host and target.
10414
10415 @item show charset
10416 @kindex show charset
10417 Show the names of the current host and target character sets.
10418
10419 @item show host-charset
10420 @kindex show host-charset
10421 Show the name of the current host character set.
10422
10423 @item show target-charset
10424 @kindex show target-charset
10425 Show the name of the current target character set.
10426
10427 @item set target-wide-charset @var{charset}
10428 @kindex set target-wide-charset
10429 Set the current target's wide character set to @var{charset}. This is
10430 the character set used by the target's @code{wchar_t} type. To
10431 display the list of supported wide character sets, type
10432 @kbd{@w{set target-wide-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}}.
10433
10434 @item show target-wide-charset
10435 @kindex show target-wide-charset
10436 Show the name of the current target's wide character set.
10437 @end table
10438
10439 Here is an example of @value{GDBN}'s character set support in action.
10440 Assume that the following source code has been placed in the file
10441 @file{charset-test.c}:
10442
10443 @smallexample
10444 #include <stdio.h>
10445
10446 char ascii_hello[]
10447 = @{72, 101, 108, 108, 111, 44, 32, 119,
10448 111, 114, 108, 100, 33, 10, 0@};
10449 char ibm1047_hello[]
10450 = @{200, 133, 147, 147, 150, 107, 64, 166,
10451 150, 153, 147, 132, 90, 37, 0@};
10452
10453 main ()
10454 @{
10455 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
10456 @}
10457 @end smallexample
10458
10459 In this program, @code{ascii_hello} and @code{ibm1047_hello} are arrays
10460 containing the string @samp{Hello, world!} followed by a newline,
10461 encoded in the @sc{ascii} and @sc{ibm1047} character sets.
10462
10463 We compile the program, and invoke the debugger on it:
10464
10465 @smallexample
10466 $ gcc -g charset-test.c -o charset-test
10467 $ gdb -nw charset-test
10468 GNU gdb 2001-12-19-cvs
10469 Copyright 2001 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
10470 @dots{}
10471 (@value{GDBP})
10472 @end smallexample
10473
10474 We can use the @code{show charset} command to see what character sets
10475 @value{GDBN} is currently using to interpret and display characters and
10476 strings:
10477
10478 @smallexample
10479 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
10480 The current host and target character set is `ISO-8859-1'.
10481 (@value{GDBP})
10482 @end smallexample
10483
10484 For the sake of printing this manual, let's use @sc{ascii} as our
10485 initial character set:
10486 @smallexample
10487 (@value{GDBP}) set charset ASCII
10488 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
10489 The current host and target character set is `ASCII'.
10490 (@value{GDBP})
10491 @end smallexample
10492
10493 Let's assume that @sc{ascii} is indeed the correct character set for our
10494 host system --- in other words, let's assume that if @value{GDBN} prints
10495 characters using the @sc{ascii} character set, our terminal will display
10496 them properly. Since our current target character set is also
10497 @sc{ascii}, the contents of @code{ascii_hello} print legibly:
10498
10499 @smallexample
10500 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello
10501 $1 = 0x401698 "Hello, world!\n"
10502 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello[0]
10503 $2 = 72 'H'
10504 (@value{GDBP})
10505 @end smallexample
10506
10507 @value{GDBN} uses the target character set for character and string
10508 literals you use in expressions:
10509
10510 @smallexample
10511 (@value{GDBP}) print '+'
10512 $3 = 43 '+'
10513 (@value{GDBP})
10514 @end smallexample
10515
10516 The @sc{ascii} character set uses the number 43 to encode the @samp{+}
10517 character.
10518
10519 @value{GDBN} relies on the user to tell it which character set the
10520 target program uses. If we print @code{ibm1047_hello} while our target
10521 character set is still @sc{ascii}, we get jibberish:
10522
10523 @smallexample
10524 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello
10525 $4 = 0x4016a8 "\310\205\223\223\226k@@\246\226\231\223\204Z%"
10526 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello[0]
10527 $5 = 200 '\310'
10528 (@value{GDBP})
10529 @end smallexample
10530
10531 If we invoke the @code{set target-charset} followed by @key{TAB}@key{TAB},
10532 @value{GDBN} tells us the character sets it supports:
10533
10534 @smallexample
10535 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset
10536 ASCII EBCDIC-US IBM1047 ISO-8859-1
10537 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset
10538 @end smallexample
10539
10540 We can select @sc{ibm1047} as our target character set, and examine the
10541 program's strings again. Now the @sc{ascii} string is wrong, but
10542 @value{GDBN} translates the contents of @code{ibm1047_hello} from the
10543 target character set, @sc{ibm1047}, to the host character set,
10544 @sc{ascii}, and they display correctly:
10545
10546 @smallexample
10547 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset IBM1047
10548 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
10549 The current host character set is `ASCII'.
10550 The current target character set is `IBM1047'.
10551 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello
10552 $6 = 0x401698 "\110\145%%?\054\040\167?\162%\144\041\012"
10553 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello[0]
10554 $7 = 72 '\110'
10555 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello
10556 $8 = 0x4016a8 "Hello, world!\n"
10557 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello[0]
10558 $9 = 200 'H'
10559 (@value{GDBP})
10560 @end smallexample
10561
10562 As above, @value{GDBN} uses the target character set for character and
10563 string literals you use in expressions:
10564
10565 @smallexample
10566 (@value{GDBP}) print '+'
10567 $10 = 78 '+'
10568 (@value{GDBP})
10569 @end smallexample
10570
10571 The @sc{ibm1047} character set uses the number 78 to encode the @samp{+}
10572 character.
10573
10574 @node Caching Remote Data
10575 @section Caching Data of Remote Targets
10576 @cindex caching data of remote targets
10577
10578 @value{GDBN} caches data exchanged between the debugger and a
10579 remote target (@pxref{Remote Debugging}). Such caching generally improves
10580 performance, because it reduces the overhead of the remote protocol by
10581 bundling memory reads and writes into large chunks. Unfortunately, simply
10582 caching everything would lead to incorrect results, since @value{GDBN}
10583 does not necessarily know anything about volatile values, memory-mapped I/O
10584 addresses, etc. Furthermore, in non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode})
10585 memory can be changed @emph{while} a gdb command is executing.
10586 Therefore, by default, @value{GDBN} only caches data
10587 known to be on the stack@footnote{In non-stop mode, it is moderately
10588 rare for a running thread to modify the stack of a stopped thread
10589 in a way that would interfere with a backtrace, and caching of
10590 stack reads provides a significant speed up of remote backtraces.}.
10591 Other regions of memory can be explicitly marked as
10592 cacheable; see @pxref{Memory Region Attributes}.
10593
10594 @table @code
10595 @kindex set remotecache
10596 @item set remotecache on
10597 @itemx set remotecache off
10598 This option no longer does anything; it exists for compatibility
10599 with old scripts.
10600
10601 @kindex show remotecache
10602 @item show remotecache
10603 Show the current state of the obsolete remotecache flag.
10604
10605 @kindex set stack-cache
10606 @item set stack-cache on
10607 @itemx set stack-cache off
10608 Enable or disable caching of stack accesses. When @code{ON}, use
10609 caching. By default, this option is @code{ON}.
10610
10611 @kindex show stack-cache
10612 @item show stack-cache
10613 Show the current state of data caching for memory accesses.
10614
10615 @kindex info dcache
10616 @item info dcache @r{[}line@r{]}
10617 Print the information about the data cache performance. The
10618 information displayed includes the dcache width and depth, and for
10619 each cache line, its number, address, and how many times it was
10620 referenced. This command is useful for debugging the data cache
10621 operation.
10622
10623 If a line number is specified, the contents of that line will be
10624 printed in hex.
10625
10626 @item set dcache size @var{size}
10627 @cindex dcache size
10628 @kindex set dcache size
10629 Set maximum number of entries in dcache (dcache depth above).
10630
10631 @item set dcache line-size @var{line-size}
10632 @cindex dcache line-size
10633 @kindex set dcache line-size
10634 Set number of bytes each dcache entry caches (dcache width above).
10635 Must be a power of 2.
10636
10637 @item show dcache size
10638 @kindex show dcache size
10639 Show maximum number of dcache entries. See also @ref{Caching Remote Data, info dcache}.
10640
10641 @item show dcache line-size
10642 @kindex show dcache line-size
10643 Show default size of dcache lines. See also @ref{Caching Remote Data, info dcache}.
10644
10645 @end table
10646
10647 @node Searching Memory
10648 @section Search Memory
10649 @cindex searching memory
10650
10651 Memory can be searched for a particular sequence of bytes with the
10652 @code{find} command.
10653
10654 @table @code
10655 @kindex find
10656 @item find @r{[}/@var{sn}@r{]} @var{start_addr}, +@var{len}, @var{val1} @r{[}, @var{val2}, @dots{}@r{]}
10657 @itemx find @r{[}/@var{sn}@r{]} @var{start_addr}, @var{end_addr}, @var{val1} @r{[}, @var{val2}, @dots{}@r{]}
10658 Search memory for the sequence of bytes specified by @var{val1}, @var{val2},
10659 etc. The search begins at address @var{start_addr} and continues for either
10660 @var{len} bytes or through to @var{end_addr} inclusive.
10661 @end table
10662
10663 @var{s} and @var{n} are optional parameters.
10664 They may be specified in either order, apart or together.
10665
10666 @table @r
10667 @item @var{s}, search query size
10668 The size of each search query value.
10669
10670 @table @code
10671 @item b
10672 bytes
10673 @item h
10674 halfwords (two bytes)
10675 @item w
10676 words (four bytes)
10677 @item g
10678 giant words (eight bytes)
10679 @end table
10680
10681 All values are interpreted in the current language.
10682 This means, for example, that if the current source language is C/C@t{++}
10683 then searching for the string ``hello'' includes the trailing '\0'.
10684
10685 If the value size is not specified, it is taken from the
10686 value's type in the current language.
10687 This is useful when one wants to specify the search
10688 pattern as a mixture of types.
10689 Note that this means, for example, that in the case of C-like languages
10690 a search for an untyped 0x42 will search for @samp{(int) 0x42}
10691 which is typically four bytes.
10692
10693 @item @var{n}, maximum number of finds
10694 The maximum number of matches to print. The default is to print all finds.
10695 @end table
10696
10697 You can use strings as search values. Quote them with double-quotes
10698 (@code{"}).
10699 The string value is copied into the search pattern byte by byte,
10700 regardless of the endianness of the target and the size specification.
10701
10702 The address of each match found is printed as well as a count of the
10703 number of matches found.
10704
10705 The address of the last value found is stored in convenience variable
10706 @samp{$_}.
10707 A count of the number of matches is stored in @samp{$numfound}.
10708
10709 For example, if stopped at the @code{printf} in this function:
10710
10711 @smallexample
10712 void
10713 hello ()
10714 @{
10715 static char hello[] = "hello-hello";
10716 static struct @{ char c; short s; int i; @}
10717 __attribute__ ((packed)) mixed
10718 = @{ 'c', 0x1234, 0x87654321 @};
10719 printf ("%s\n", hello);
10720 @}
10721 @end smallexample
10722
10723 @noindent
10724 you get during debugging:
10725
10726 @smallexample
10727 (gdb) find &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), "hello"
10728 0x804956d <hello.1620+6>
10729 1 pattern found
10730 (gdb) find &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), 'h', 'e', 'l', 'l', 'o'
10731 0x8049567 <hello.1620>
10732 0x804956d <hello.1620+6>
10733 2 patterns found
10734 (gdb) find /b1 &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), 'h', 0x65, 'l'
10735 0x8049567 <hello.1620>
10736 1 pattern found
10737 (gdb) find &mixed, +sizeof(mixed), (char) 'c', (short) 0x1234, (int) 0x87654321
10738 0x8049560 <mixed.1625>
10739 1 pattern found
10740 (gdb) print $numfound
10741 $1 = 1
10742 (gdb) print $_
10743 $2 = (void *) 0x8049560
10744 @end smallexample
10745
10746 @node Optimized Code
10747 @chapter Debugging Optimized Code
10748 @cindex optimized code, debugging
10749 @cindex debugging optimized code
10750
10751 Almost all compilers support optimization. With optimization
10752 disabled, the compiler generates assembly code that corresponds
10753 directly to your source code, in a simplistic way. As the compiler
10754 applies more powerful optimizations, the generated assembly code
10755 diverges from your original source code. With help from debugging
10756 information generated by the compiler, @value{GDBN} can map from
10757 the running program back to constructs from your original source.
10758
10759 @value{GDBN} is more accurate with optimization disabled. If you
10760 can recompile without optimization, it is easier to follow the
10761 progress of your program during debugging. But, there are many cases
10762 where you may need to debug an optimized version.
10763
10764 When you debug a program compiled with @samp{-g -O}, remember that the
10765 optimizer has rearranged your code; the debugger shows you what is
10766 really there. Do not be too surprised when the execution path does not
10767 exactly match your source file! An extreme example: if you define a
10768 variable, but never use it, @value{GDBN} never sees that
10769 variable---because the compiler optimizes it out of existence.
10770
10771 Some things do not work as well with @samp{-g -O} as with just
10772 @samp{-g}, particularly on machines with instruction scheduling. If in
10773 doubt, recompile with @samp{-g} alone, and if this fixes the problem,
10774 please report it to us as a bug (including a test case!).
10775 @xref{Variables}, for more information about debugging optimized code.
10776
10777 @menu
10778 * Inline Functions:: How @value{GDBN} presents inlining
10779 * Tail Call Frames:: @value{GDBN} analysis of jumps to functions
10780 @end menu
10781
10782 @node Inline Functions
10783 @section Inline Functions
10784 @cindex inline functions, debugging
10785
10786 @dfn{Inlining} is an optimization that inserts a copy of the function
10787 body directly at each call site, instead of jumping to a shared
10788 routine. @value{GDBN} displays inlined functions just like
10789 non-inlined functions. They appear in backtraces. You can view their
10790 arguments and local variables, step into them with @code{step}, skip
10791 them with @code{next}, and escape from them with @code{finish}.
10792 You can check whether a function was inlined by using the
10793 @code{info frame} command.
10794
10795 For @value{GDBN} to support inlined functions, the compiler must
10796 record information about inlining in the debug information ---
10797 @value{NGCC} using the @sc{dwarf 2} format does this, and several
10798 other compilers do also. @value{GDBN} only supports inlined functions
10799 when using @sc{dwarf 2}. Versions of @value{NGCC} before 4.1
10800 do not emit two required attributes (@samp{DW_AT_call_file} and
10801 @samp{DW_AT_call_line}); @value{GDBN} does not display inlined
10802 function calls with earlier versions of @value{NGCC}. It instead
10803 displays the arguments and local variables of inlined functions as
10804 local variables in the caller.
10805
10806 The body of an inlined function is directly included at its call site;
10807 unlike a non-inlined function, there are no instructions devoted to
10808 the call. @value{GDBN} still pretends that the call site and the
10809 start of the inlined function are different instructions. Stepping to
10810 the call site shows the call site, and then stepping again shows
10811 the first line of the inlined function, even though no additional
10812 instructions are executed.
10813
10814 This makes source-level debugging much clearer; you can see both the
10815 context of the call and then the effect of the call. Only stepping by
10816 a single instruction using @code{stepi} or @code{nexti} does not do
10817 this; single instruction steps always show the inlined body.
10818
10819 There are some ways that @value{GDBN} does not pretend that inlined
10820 function calls are the same as normal calls:
10821
10822 @itemize @bullet
10823 @item
10824 Setting breakpoints at the call site of an inlined function may not
10825 work, because the call site does not contain any code. @value{GDBN}
10826 may incorrectly move the breakpoint to the next line of the enclosing
10827 function, after the call. This limitation will be removed in a future
10828 version of @value{GDBN}; until then, set a breakpoint on an earlier line
10829 or inside the inlined function instead.
10830
10831 @item
10832 @value{GDBN} cannot locate the return value of inlined calls after
10833 using the @code{finish} command. This is a limitation of compiler-generated
10834 debugging information; after @code{finish}, you can step to the next line
10835 and print a variable where your program stored the return value.
10836
10837 @end itemize
10838
10839 @node Tail Call Frames
10840 @section Tail Call Frames
10841 @cindex tail call frames, debugging
10842
10843 Function @code{B} can call function @code{C} in its very last statement. In
10844 unoptimized compilation the call of @code{C} is immediately followed by return
10845 instruction at the end of @code{B} code. Optimizing compiler may replace the
10846 call and return in function @code{B} into one jump to function @code{C}
10847 instead. Such use of a jump instruction is called @dfn{tail call}.
10848
10849 During execution of function @code{C}, there will be no indication in the
10850 function call stack frames that it was tail-called from @code{B}. If function
10851 @code{A} regularly calls function @code{B} which tail-calls function @code{C},
10852 then @value{GDBN} will see @code{A} as the caller of @code{C}. However, in
10853 some cases @value{GDBN} can determine that @code{C} was tail-called from
10854 @code{B}, and it will then create fictitious call frame for that, with the
10855 return address set up as if @code{B} called @code{C} normally.
10856
10857 This functionality is currently supported only by DWARF 2 debugging format and
10858 the compiler has to produce @samp{DW_TAG_GNU_call_site} tags. With
10859 @value{NGCC}, you need to specify @option{-O -g} during compilation, to get
10860 this information.
10861
10862 @kbd{info frame} command (@pxref{Frame Info}) will indicate the tail call frame
10863 kind by text @code{tail call frame} such as in this sample @value{GDBN} output:
10864
10865 @smallexample
10866 (gdb) x/i $pc - 2
10867 0x40066b <b(int, double)+11>: jmp 0x400640 <c(int, double)>
10868 (gdb) info frame
10869 Stack level 1, frame at 0x7fffffffda30:
10870 rip = 0x40066d in b (amd64-entry-value.cc:59); saved rip 0x4004c5
10871 tail call frame, caller of frame at 0x7fffffffda30
10872 source language c++.
10873 Arglist at unknown address.
10874 Locals at unknown address, Previous frame's sp is 0x7fffffffda30
10875 @end smallexample
10876
10877 The detection of all the possible code path executions can find them ambiguous.
10878 There is no execution history stored (possible @ref{Reverse Execution} is never
10879 used for this purpose) and the last known caller could have reached the known
10880 callee by multiple different jump sequences. In such case @value{GDBN} still
10881 tries to show at least all the unambiguous top tail callers and all the
10882 unambiguous bottom tail calees, if any.
10883
10884 @table @code
10885 @anchor{set debug entry-values}
10886 @item set debug entry-values
10887 @kindex set debug entry-values
10888 When set to on, enables printing of analysis messages for both frame argument
10889 values at function entry and tail calls. It will show all the possible valid
10890 tail calls code paths it has considered. It will also print the intersection
10891 of them with the final unambiguous (possibly partial or even empty) code path
10892 result.
10893
10894 @item show debug entry-values
10895 @kindex show debug entry-values
10896 Show the current state of analysis messages printing for both frame argument
10897 values at function entry and tail calls.
10898 @end table
10899
10900 The analysis messages for tail calls can for example show why the virtual tail
10901 call frame for function @code{c} has not been recognized (due to the indirect
10902 reference by variable @code{x}):
10903
10904 @smallexample
10905 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) c (void);
10906 void (*x) (void) = c;
10907 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (void) @{ x++; @}
10908 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) c (void) @{ a (); @}
10909 int main (void) @{ x (); return 0; @}
10910
10911 Breakpoint 1, DW_OP_GNU_entry_value resolving cannot find
10912 DW_TAG_GNU_call_site 0x40039a in main
10913 a () at t.c:3
10914 3 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (void) @{ x++; @}
10915 (gdb) bt
10916 #0 a () at t.c:3
10917 #1 0x000000000040039a in main () at t.c:5
10918 @end smallexample
10919
10920 Another possibility is an ambiguous virtual tail call frames resolution:
10921
10922 @smallexample
10923 int i;
10924 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) f (void) @{ i++; @}
10925 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) e (void) @{ f (); @}
10926 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) d (void) @{ f (); @}
10927 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) c (void) @{ d (); @}
10928 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) b (void)
10929 @{ if (i) c (); else e (); @}
10930 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (void) @{ b (); @}
10931 int main (void) @{ a (); return 0; @}
10932
10933 tailcall: initial: 0x4004d2(a) 0x4004ce(b) 0x4004b2(c) 0x4004a2(d)
10934 tailcall: compare: 0x4004d2(a) 0x4004cc(b) 0x400492(e)
10935 tailcall: reduced: 0x4004d2(a) |
10936 (gdb) bt
10937 #0 f () at t.c:2
10938 #1 0x00000000004004d2 in a () at t.c:8
10939 #2 0x0000000000400395 in main () at t.c:9
10940 @end smallexample
10941
10942 @set CALLSEQ1A @code{main@value{ARROW}a@value{ARROW}b@value{ARROW}c@value{ARROW}d@value{ARROW}f}
10943 @set CALLSEQ2A @code{main@value{ARROW}a@value{ARROW}b@value{ARROW}e@value{ARROW}f}
10944
10945 @c Convert CALLSEQ#A to CALLSEQ#B depending on HAVE_MAKEINFO_CLICK.
10946 @ifset HAVE_MAKEINFO_CLICK
10947 @set ARROW @click{}
10948 @set CALLSEQ1B @clicksequence{@value{CALLSEQ1A}}
10949 @set CALLSEQ2B @clicksequence{@value{CALLSEQ2A}}
10950 @end ifset
10951 @ifclear HAVE_MAKEINFO_CLICK
10952 @set ARROW ->
10953 @set CALLSEQ1B @value{CALLSEQ1A}
10954 @set CALLSEQ2B @value{CALLSEQ2A}
10955 @end ifclear
10956
10957 Frames #0 and #2 are real, #1 is a virtual tail call frame.
10958 The code can have possible execution paths @value{CALLSEQ1B} or
10959 @value{CALLSEQ2B}, @value{GDBN} cannot find which one from the inferior state.
10960
10961 @code{initial:} state shows some random possible calling sequence @value{GDBN}
10962 has found. It then finds another possible calling sequcen - that one is
10963 prefixed by @code{compare:}. The non-ambiguous intersection of these two is
10964 printed as the @code{reduced:} calling sequence. That one could have many
10965 futher @code{compare:} and @code{reduced:} statements as long as there remain
10966 any non-ambiguous sequence entries.
10967
10968 For the frame of function @code{b} in both cases there are different possible
10969 @code{$pc} values (@code{0x4004cc} or @code{0x4004ce}), therefore this frame is
10970 also ambigous. The only non-ambiguous frame is the one for function @code{a},
10971 therefore this one is displayed to the user while the ambiguous frames are
10972 omitted.
10973
10974 There can be also reasons why printing of frame argument values at function
10975 entry may fail:
10976
10977 @smallexample
10978 int v;
10979 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) c (int i) @{ v++; @}
10980 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (int i);
10981 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) b (int i) @{ a (i); @}
10982 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (int i)
10983 @{ if (i) b (i - 1); else c (0); @}
10984 int main (void) @{ a (5); return 0; @}
10985
10986 (gdb) bt
10987 #0 c (i=i@@entry=0) at t.c:2
10988 #1 0x0000000000400428 in a (DW_OP_GNU_entry_value resolving has found
10989 function "a" at 0x400420 can call itself via tail calls
10990 i=<optimized out>) at t.c:6
10991 #2 0x000000000040036e in main () at t.c:7
10992 @end smallexample
10993
10994 @value{GDBN} cannot find out from the inferior state if and how many times did
10995 function @code{a} call itself (via function @code{b}) as these calls would be
10996 tail calls. Such tail calls would modify thue @code{i} variable, therefore
10997 @value{GDBN} cannot be sure the value it knows would be right - @value{GDBN}
10998 prints @code{<optimized out>} instead.
10999
11000 @node Macros
11001 @chapter C Preprocessor Macros
11002
11003 Some languages, such as C and C@t{++}, provide a way to define and invoke
11004 ``preprocessor macros'' which expand into strings of tokens.
11005 @value{GDBN} can evaluate expressions containing macro invocations, show
11006 the result of macro expansion, and show a macro's definition, including
11007 where it was defined.
11008
11009 You may need to compile your program specially to provide @value{GDBN}
11010 with information about preprocessor macros. Most compilers do not
11011 include macros in their debugging information, even when you compile
11012 with the @option{-g} flag. @xref{Compilation}.
11013
11014 A program may define a macro at one point, remove that definition later,
11015 and then provide a different definition after that. Thus, at different
11016 points in the program, a macro may have different definitions, or have
11017 no definition at all. If there is a current stack frame, @value{GDBN}
11018 uses the macros in scope at that frame's source code line. Otherwise,
11019 @value{GDBN} uses the macros in scope at the current listing location;
11020 see @ref{List}.
11021
11022 Whenever @value{GDBN} evaluates an expression, it always expands any
11023 macro invocations present in the expression. @value{GDBN} also provides
11024 the following commands for working with macros explicitly.
11025
11026 @table @code
11027
11028 @kindex macro expand
11029 @cindex macro expansion, showing the results of preprocessor
11030 @cindex preprocessor macro expansion, showing the results of
11031 @cindex expanding preprocessor macros
11032 @item macro expand @var{expression}
11033 @itemx macro exp @var{expression}
11034 Show the results of expanding all preprocessor macro invocations in
11035 @var{expression}. Since @value{GDBN} simply expands macros, but does
11036 not parse the result, @var{expression} need not be a valid expression;
11037 it can be any string of tokens.
11038
11039 @kindex macro exp1
11040 @item macro expand-once @var{expression}
11041 @itemx macro exp1 @var{expression}
11042 @cindex expand macro once
11043 @i{(This command is not yet implemented.)} Show the results of
11044 expanding those preprocessor macro invocations that appear explicitly in
11045 @var{expression}. Macro invocations appearing in that expansion are
11046 left unchanged. This command allows you to see the effect of a
11047 particular macro more clearly, without being confused by further
11048 expansions. Since @value{GDBN} simply expands macros, but does not
11049 parse the result, @var{expression} need not be a valid expression; it
11050 can be any string of tokens.
11051
11052 @kindex info macro
11053 @cindex macro definition, showing
11054 @cindex definition of a macro, showing
11055 @cindex macros, from debug info
11056 @item info macro [-a|-all] [--] @var{macro}
11057 Show the current definition or all definitions of the named @var{macro},
11058 and describe the source location or compiler command-line where that
11059 definition was established. The optional double dash is to signify the end of
11060 argument processing and the beginning of @var{macro} for non C-like macros where
11061 the macro may begin with a hyphen.
11062
11063 @kindex info macros
11064 @item info macros @var{linespec}
11065 Show all macro definitions that are in effect at the location specified
11066 by @var{linespec}, and describe the source location or compiler
11067 command-line where those definitions were established.
11068
11069 @kindex macro define
11070 @cindex user-defined macros
11071 @cindex defining macros interactively
11072 @cindex macros, user-defined
11073 @item macro define @var{macro} @var{replacement-list}
11074 @itemx macro define @var{macro}(@var{arglist}) @var{replacement-list}
11075 Introduce a definition for a preprocessor macro named @var{macro},
11076 invocations of which are replaced by the tokens given in
11077 @var{replacement-list}. The first form of this command defines an
11078 ``object-like'' macro, which takes no arguments; the second form
11079 defines a ``function-like'' macro, which takes the arguments given in
11080 @var{arglist}.
11081
11082 A definition introduced by this command is in scope in every
11083 expression evaluated in @value{GDBN}, until it is removed with the
11084 @code{macro undef} command, described below. The definition overrides
11085 all definitions for @var{macro} present in the program being debugged,
11086 as well as any previous user-supplied definition.
11087
11088 @kindex macro undef
11089 @item macro undef @var{macro}
11090 Remove any user-supplied definition for the macro named @var{macro}.
11091 This command only affects definitions provided with the @code{macro
11092 define} command, described above; it cannot remove definitions present
11093 in the program being debugged.
11094
11095 @kindex macro list
11096 @item macro list
11097 List all the macros defined using the @code{macro define} command.
11098 @end table
11099
11100 @cindex macros, example of debugging with
11101 Here is a transcript showing the above commands in action. First, we
11102 show our source files:
11103
11104 @smallexample
11105 $ cat sample.c
11106 #include <stdio.h>
11107 #include "sample.h"
11108
11109 #define M 42
11110 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
11111
11112 main ()
11113 @{
11114 #define N 28
11115 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
11116 #undef N
11117 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
11118 #define N 1729
11119 printf ("Goodbye, world!\n");
11120 @}
11121 $ cat sample.h
11122 #define Q <
11123 $
11124 @end smallexample
11125
11126 Now, we compile the program using the @sc{gnu} C compiler,
11127 @value{NGCC}. We pass the @option{-gdwarf-2}@footnote{This is the
11128 minimum. Recent versions of @value{NGCC} support @option{-gdwarf-3}
11129 and @option{-gdwarf-4}; we recommend always choosing the most recent
11130 version of DWARF.} @emph{and} @option{-g3} flags to ensure the compiler
11131 includes information about preprocessor macros in the debugging
11132 information.
11133
11134 @smallexample
11135 $ gcc -gdwarf-2 -g3 sample.c -o sample
11136 $
11137 @end smallexample
11138
11139 Now, we start @value{GDBN} on our sample program:
11140
11141 @smallexample
11142 $ gdb -nw sample
11143 GNU gdb 2002-05-06-cvs
11144 Copyright 2002 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
11145 GDB is free software, @dots{}
11146 (@value{GDBP})
11147 @end smallexample
11148
11149 We can expand macros and examine their definitions, even when the
11150 program is not running. @value{GDBN} uses the current listing position
11151 to decide which macro definitions are in scope:
11152
11153 @smallexample
11154 (@value{GDBP}) list main
11155 3
11156 4 #define M 42
11157 5 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
11158 6
11159 7 main ()
11160 8 @{
11161 9 #define N 28
11162 10 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
11163 11 #undef N
11164 12 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
11165 (@value{GDBP}) info macro ADD
11166 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:5
11167 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
11168 (@value{GDBP}) info macro Q
11169 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.h:1
11170 included at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:2
11171 #define Q <
11172 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand ADD(1)
11173 expands to: (42 + 1)
11174 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand-once ADD(1)
11175 expands to: once (M + 1)
11176 (@value{GDBP})
11177 @end smallexample
11178
11179 In the example above, note that @code{macro expand-once} expands only
11180 the macro invocation explicit in the original text --- the invocation of
11181 @code{ADD} --- but does not expand the invocation of the macro @code{M},
11182 which was introduced by @code{ADD}.
11183
11184 Once the program is running, @value{GDBN} uses the macro definitions in
11185 force at the source line of the current stack frame:
11186
11187 @smallexample
11188 (@value{GDBP}) break main
11189 Breakpoint 1 at 0x8048370: file sample.c, line 10.
11190 (@value{GDBP}) run
11191 Starting program: /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample
11192
11193 Breakpoint 1, main () at sample.c:10
11194 10 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
11195 (@value{GDBP})
11196 @end smallexample
11197
11198 At line 10, the definition of the macro @code{N} at line 9 is in force:
11199
11200 @smallexample
11201 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
11202 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:9
11203 #define N 28
11204 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand N Q M
11205 expands to: 28 < 42
11206 (@value{GDBP}) print N Q M
11207 $1 = 1
11208 (@value{GDBP})
11209 @end smallexample
11210
11211 As we step over directives that remove @code{N}'s definition, and then
11212 give it a new definition, @value{GDBN} finds the definition (or lack
11213 thereof) in force at each point:
11214
11215 @smallexample
11216 (@value{GDBP}) next
11217 Hello, world!
11218 12 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
11219 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
11220 The symbol `N' has no definition as a C/C++ preprocessor macro
11221 at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:12
11222 (@value{GDBP}) next
11223 We're so creative.
11224 14 printf ("Goodbye, world!\n");
11225 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
11226 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:13
11227 #define N 1729
11228 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand N Q M
11229 expands to: 1729 < 42
11230 (@value{GDBP}) print N Q M
11231 $2 = 0
11232 (@value{GDBP})
11233 @end smallexample
11234
11235 In addition to source files, macros can be defined on the compilation command
11236 line using the @option{-D@var{name}=@var{value}} syntax. For macros defined in
11237 such a way, @value{GDBN} displays the location of their definition as line zero
11238 of the source file submitted to the compiler.
11239
11240 @smallexample
11241 (@value{GDBP}) info macro __STDC__
11242 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:0
11243 -D__STDC__=1
11244 (@value{GDBP})
11245 @end smallexample
11246
11247
11248 @node Tracepoints
11249 @chapter Tracepoints
11250 @c This chapter is based on the documentation written by Michael
11251 @c Snyder, David Taylor, Jim Blandy, and Elena Zannoni.
11252
11253 @cindex tracepoints
11254 In some applications, it is not feasible for the debugger to interrupt
11255 the program's execution long enough for the developer to learn
11256 anything helpful about its behavior. If the program's correctness
11257 depends on its real-time behavior, delays introduced by a debugger
11258 might cause the program to change its behavior drastically, or perhaps
11259 fail, even when the code itself is correct. It is useful to be able
11260 to observe the program's behavior without interrupting it.
11261
11262 Using @value{GDBN}'s @code{trace} and @code{collect} commands, you can
11263 specify locations in the program, called @dfn{tracepoints}, and
11264 arbitrary expressions to evaluate when those tracepoints are reached.
11265 Later, using the @code{tfind} command, you can examine the values
11266 those expressions had when the program hit the tracepoints. The
11267 expressions may also denote objects in memory---structures or arrays,
11268 for example---whose values @value{GDBN} should record; while visiting
11269 a particular tracepoint, you may inspect those objects as if they were
11270 in memory at that moment. However, because @value{GDBN} records these
11271 values without interacting with you, it can do so quickly and
11272 unobtrusively, hopefully not disturbing the program's behavior.
11273
11274 The tracepoint facility is currently available only for remote
11275 targets. @xref{Targets}. In addition, your remote target must know
11276 how to collect trace data. This functionality is implemented in the
11277 remote stub; however, none of the stubs distributed with @value{GDBN}
11278 support tracepoints as of this writing. The format of the remote
11279 packets used to implement tracepoints are described in @ref{Tracepoint
11280 Packets}.
11281
11282 It is also possible to get trace data from a file, in a manner reminiscent
11283 of corefiles; you specify the filename, and use @code{tfind} to search
11284 through the file. @xref{Trace Files}, for more details.
11285
11286 This chapter describes the tracepoint commands and features.
11287
11288 @menu
11289 * Set Tracepoints::
11290 * Analyze Collected Data::
11291 * Tracepoint Variables::
11292 * Trace Files::
11293 @end menu
11294
11295 @node Set Tracepoints
11296 @section Commands to Set Tracepoints
11297
11298 Before running such a @dfn{trace experiment}, an arbitrary number of
11299 tracepoints can be set. A tracepoint is actually a special type of
11300 breakpoint (@pxref{Set Breaks}), so you can manipulate it using
11301 standard breakpoint commands. For instance, as with breakpoints,
11302 tracepoint numbers are successive integers starting from one, and many
11303 of the commands associated with tracepoints take the tracepoint number
11304 as their argument, to identify which tracepoint to work on.
11305
11306 For each tracepoint, you can specify, in advance, some arbitrary set
11307 of data that you want the target to collect in the trace buffer when
11308 it hits that tracepoint. The collected data can include registers,
11309 local variables, or global data. Later, you can use @value{GDBN}
11310 commands to examine the values these data had at the time the
11311 tracepoint was hit.
11312
11313 Tracepoints do not support every breakpoint feature. Ignore counts on
11314 tracepoints have no effect, and tracepoints cannot run @value{GDBN}
11315 commands when they are hit. Tracepoints may not be thread-specific
11316 either.
11317
11318 @cindex fast tracepoints
11319 Some targets may support @dfn{fast tracepoints}, which are inserted in
11320 a different way (such as with a jump instead of a trap), that is
11321 faster but possibly restricted in where they may be installed.
11322
11323 @cindex static tracepoints
11324 @cindex markers, static tracepoints
11325 @cindex probing markers, static tracepoints
11326 Regular and fast tracepoints are dynamic tracing facilities, meaning
11327 that they can be used to insert tracepoints at (almost) any location
11328 in the target. Some targets may also support controlling @dfn{static
11329 tracepoints} from @value{GDBN}. With static tracing, a set of
11330 instrumentation points, also known as @dfn{markers}, are embedded in
11331 the target program, and can be activated or deactivated by name or
11332 address. These are usually placed at locations which facilitate
11333 investigating what the target is actually doing. @value{GDBN}'s
11334 support for static tracing includes being able to list instrumentation
11335 points, and attach them with @value{GDBN} defined high level
11336 tracepoints that expose the whole range of convenience of
11337 @value{GDBN}'s tracepoints support. Namely, support for collecting
11338 registers values and values of global or local (to the instrumentation
11339 point) variables; tracepoint conditions and trace state variables.
11340 The act of installing a @value{GDBN} static tracepoint on an
11341 instrumentation point, or marker, is referred to as @dfn{probing} a
11342 static tracepoint marker.
11343
11344 @code{gdbserver} supports tracepoints on some target systems.
11345 @xref{Server,,Tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}}.
11346
11347 This section describes commands to set tracepoints and associated
11348 conditions and actions.
11349
11350 @menu
11351 * Create and Delete Tracepoints::
11352 * Enable and Disable Tracepoints::
11353 * Tracepoint Passcounts::
11354 * Tracepoint Conditions::
11355 * Trace State Variables::
11356 * Tracepoint Actions::
11357 * Listing Tracepoints::
11358 * Listing Static Tracepoint Markers::
11359 * Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments::
11360 * Tracepoint Restrictions::
11361 @end menu
11362
11363 @node Create and Delete Tracepoints
11364 @subsection Create and Delete Tracepoints
11365
11366 @table @code
11367 @cindex set tracepoint
11368 @kindex trace
11369 @item trace @var{location}
11370 The @code{trace} command is very similar to the @code{break} command.
11371 Its argument @var{location} can be a source line, a function name, or
11372 an address in the target program. @xref{Specify Location}. The
11373 @code{trace} command defines a tracepoint, which is a point in the
11374 target program where the debugger will briefly stop, collect some
11375 data, and then allow the program to continue. Setting a tracepoint or
11376 changing its actions takes effect immediately if the remote stub
11377 supports the @samp{InstallInTrace} feature (@pxref{install tracepoint
11378 in tracing}).
11379 If remote stub doesn't support the @samp{InstallInTrace} feature, all
11380 these changes don't take effect until the next @code{tstart}
11381 command, and once a trace experiment is running, further changes will
11382 not have any effect until the next trace experiment starts. In addition,
11383 @value{GDBN} supports @dfn{pending tracepoints}---tracepoints whose
11384 address is not yet resolved. (This is similar to pending breakpoints.)
11385 Pending tracepoints are not downloaded to the target and not installed
11386 until they are resolved. The resolution of pending tracepoints requires
11387 @value{GDBN} support---when debugging with the remote target, and
11388 @value{GDBN} disconnects from the remote stub (@pxref{disconnected
11389 tracing}), pending tracepoints can not be resolved (and downloaded to
11390 the remote stub) while @value{GDBN} is disconnected.
11391
11392 Here are some examples of using the @code{trace} command:
11393
11394 @smallexample
11395 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo.c:121} // a source file and line number
11396
11397 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace +2} // 2 lines forward
11398
11399 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace my_function} // first source line of function
11400
11401 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *my_function} // EXACT start address of function
11402
11403 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *0x2117c4} // an address
11404 @end smallexample
11405
11406 @noindent
11407 You can abbreviate @code{trace} as @code{tr}.
11408
11409 @item trace @var{location} if @var{cond}
11410 Set a tracepoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
11411 @var{cond} each time the tracepoint is reached, and collect data only
11412 if the value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
11413 @xref{Tracepoint Conditions, ,Tracepoint Conditions}, for more
11414 information on tracepoint conditions.
11415
11416 @item ftrace @var{location} [ if @var{cond} ]
11417 @cindex set fast tracepoint
11418 @cindex fast tracepoints, setting
11419 @kindex ftrace
11420 The @code{ftrace} command sets a fast tracepoint. For targets that
11421 support them, fast tracepoints will use a more efficient but possibly
11422 less general technique to trigger data collection, such as a jump
11423 instruction instead of a trap, or some sort of hardware support. It
11424 may not be possible to create a fast tracepoint at the desired
11425 location, in which case the command will exit with an explanatory
11426 message.
11427
11428 @value{GDBN} handles arguments to @code{ftrace} exactly as for
11429 @code{trace}.
11430
11431 On 32-bit x86-architecture systems, fast tracepoints normally need to
11432 be placed at an instruction that is 5 bytes or longer, but can be
11433 placed at 4-byte instructions if the low 64K of memory of the target
11434 program is available to install trampolines. Some Unix-type systems,
11435 such as @sc{gnu}/Linux, exclude low addresses from the program's
11436 address space; but for instance with the Linux kernel it is possible
11437 to let @value{GDBN} use this area by doing a @command{sysctl} command
11438 to set the @code{mmap_min_addr} kernel parameter, as in
11439
11440 @example
11441 sudo sysctl -w vm.mmap_min_addr=32768
11442 @end example
11443
11444 @noindent
11445 which sets the low address to 32K, which leaves plenty of room for
11446 trampolines. The minimum address should be set to a page boundary.
11447
11448 @item strace @var{location} [ if @var{cond} ]
11449 @cindex set static tracepoint
11450 @cindex static tracepoints, setting
11451 @cindex probe static tracepoint marker
11452 @kindex strace
11453 The @code{strace} command sets a static tracepoint. For targets that
11454 support it, setting a static tracepoint probes a static
11455 instrumentation point, or marker, found at @var{location}. It may not
11456 be possible to set a static tracepoint at the desired location, in
11457 which case the command will exit with an explanatory message.
11458
11459 @value{GDBN} handles arguments to @code{strace} exactly as for
11460 @code{trace}, with the addition that the user can also specify
11461 @code{-m @var{marker}} as @var{location}. This probes the marker
11462 identified by the @var{marker} string identifier. This identifier
11463 depends on the static tracepoint backend library your program is
11464 using. You can find all the marker identifiers in the @samp{ID} field
11465 of the @code{info static-tracepoint-markers} command output.
11466 @xref{Listing Static Tracepoint Markers,,Listing Static Tracepoint
11467 Markers}. For example, in the following small program using the UST
11468 tracing engine:
11469
11470 @smallexample
11471 main ()
11472 @{
11473 trace_mark(ust, bar33, "str %s", "FOOBAZ");
11474 @}
11475 @end smallexample
11476
11477 @noindent
11478 the marker id is composed of joining the first two arguments to the
11479 @code{trace_mark} call with a slash, which translates to:
11480
11481 @smallexample
11482 (@value{GDBP}) info static-tracepoint-markers
11483 Cnt Enb ID Address What
11484 1 n ust/bar33 0x0000000000400ddc in main at stexample.c:22
11485 Data: "str %s"
11486 [etc...]
11487 @end smallexample
11488
11489 @noindent
11490 so you may probe the marker above with:
11491
11492 @smallexample
11493 (@value{GDBP}) strace -m ust/bar33
11494 @end smallexample
11495
11496 Static tracepoints accept an extra collect action --- @code{collect
11497 $_sdata}. This collects arbitrary user data passed in the probe point
11498 call to the tracing library. In the UST example above, you'll see
11499 that the third argument to @code{trace_mark} is a printf-like format
11500 string. The user data is then the result of running that formating
11501 string against the following arguments. Note that @code{info
11502 static-tracepoint-markers} command output lists that format string in
11503 the @samp{Data:} field.
11504
11505 You can inspect this data when analyzing the trace buffer, by printing
11506 the $_sdata variable like any other variable available to
11507 @value{GDBN}. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action Lists}.
11508
11509 @vindex $tpnum
11510 @cindex last tracepoint number
11511 @cindex recent tracepoint number
11512 @cindex tracepoint number
11513 The convenience variable @code{$tpnum} records the tracepoint number
11514 of the most recently set tracepoint.
11515
11516 @kindex delete tracepoint
11517 @cindex tracepoint deletion
11518 @item delete tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
11519 Permanently delete one or more tracepoints. With no argument, the
11520 default is to delete all tracepoints. Note that the regular
11521 @code{delete} command can remove tracepoints also.
11522
11523 Examples:
11524
11525 @smallexample
11526 (@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace 1 2 3} // remove three tracepoints
11527
11528 (@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace} // remove all tracepoints
11529 @end smallexample
11530
11531 @noindent
11532 You can abbreviate this command as @code{del tr}.
11533 @end table
11534
11535 @node Enable and Disable Tracepoints
11536 @subsection Enable and Disable Tracepoints
11537
11538 These commands are deprecated; they are equivalent to plain @code{disable} and @code{enable}.
11539
11540 @table @code
11541 @kindex disable tracepoint
11542 @item disable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
11543 Disable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints if no argument
11544 @var{num} is given. A disabled tracepoint will have no effect during
11545 a trace experiment, but it is not forgotten. You can re-enable
11546 a disabled tracepoint using the @code{enable tracepoint} command.
11547 If the command is issued during a trace experiment and the debug target
11548 has support for disabling tracepoints during a trace experiment, then the
11549 change will be effective immediately. Otherwise, it will be applied to the
11550 next trace experiment.
11551
11552 @kindex enable tracepoint
11553 @item enable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
11554 Enable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints. If this command is
11555 issued during a trace experiment and the debug target supports enabling
11556 tracepoints during a trace experiment, then the enabled tracepoints will
11557 become effective immediately. Otherwise, they will become effective the
11558 next time a trace experiment is run.
11559 @end table
11560
11561 @node Tracepoint Passcounts
11562 @subsection Tracepoint Passcounts
11563
11564 @table @code
11565 @kindex passcount
11566 @cindex tracepoint pass count
11567 @item passcount @r{[}@var{n} @r{[}@var{num}@r{]]}
11568 Set the @dfn{passcount} of a tracepoint. The passcount is a way to
11569 automatically stop a trace experiment. If a tracepoint's passcount is
11570 @var{n}, then the trace experiment will be automatically stopped on
11571 the @var{n}'th time that tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number
11572 @var{num} is not specified, the @code{passcount} command sets the
11573 passcount of the most recently defined tracepoint. If no passcount is
11574 given, the trace experiment will run until stopped explicitly by the
11575 user.
11576
11577 Examples:
11578
11579 @smallexample
11580 (@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 5 2} // Stop on the 5th execution of
11581 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// tracepoint 2}
11582
11583 (@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 12} // Stop on the 12th execution of the
11584 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// most recently defined tracepoint.}
11585 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
11586 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 3}
11587 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace bar}
11588 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 2}
11589 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace baz}
11590 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 1} // Stop tracing when foo has been
11591 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// executed 3 times OR when bar has}
11592 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// been executed 2 times}
11593 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// OR when baz has been executed 1 time.}
11594 @end smallexample
11595 @end table
11596
11597 @node Tracepoint Conditions
11598 @subsection Tracepoint Conditions
11599 @cindex conditional tracepoints
11600 @cindex tracepoint conditions
11601
11602 The simplest sort of tracepoint collects data every time your program
11603 reaches a specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for
11604 a tracepoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
11605 programming language (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). A
11606 tracepoint with a condition evaluates the expression each time your
11607 program reaches it, and data collection happens only if the condition
11608 is true.
11609
11610 Tracepoint conditions can be specified when a tracepoint is set, by
11611 using @samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{trace} command.
11612 @xref{Create and Delete Tracepoints, ,Setting Tracepoints}. They can
11613 also be set or changed at any time with the @code{condition} command,
11614 just as with breakpoints.
11615
11616 Unlike breakpoint conditions, @value{GDBN} does not actually evaluate
11617 the conditional expression itself. Instead, @value{GDBN} encodes the
11618 expression into an agent expression (@pxref{Agent Expressions})
11619 suitable for execution on the target, independently of @value{GDBN}.
11620 Global variables become raw memory locations, locals become stack
11621 accesses, and so forth.
11622
11623 For instance, suppose you have a function that is usually called
11624 frequently, but should not be called after an error has occurred. You
11625 could use the following tracepoint command to collect data about calls
11626 of that function that happen while the error code is propagating
11627 through the program; an unconditional tracepoint could end up
11628 collecting thousands of useless trace frames that you would have to
11629 search through.
11630
11631 @smallexample
11632 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{trace normal_operation if errcode > 0}
11633 @end smallexample
11634
11635 @node Trace State Variables
11636 @subsection Trace State Variables
11637 @cindex trace state variables
11638
11639 A @dfn{trace state variable} is a special type of variable that is
11640 created and managed by target-side code. The syntax is the same as
11641 that for GDB's convenience variables (a string prefixed with ``$''),
11642 but they are stored on the target. They must be created explicitly,
11643 using a @code{tvariable} command. They are always 64-bit signed
11644 integers.
11645
11646 Trace state variables are remembered by @value{GDBN}, and downloaded
11647 to the target along with tracepoint information when the trace
11648 experiment starts. There are no intrinsic limits on the number of
11649 trace state variables, beyond memory limitations of the target.
11650
11651 @cindex convenience variables, and trace state variables
11652 Although trace state variables are managed by the target, you can use
11653 them in print commands and expressions as if they were convenience
11654 variables; @value{GDBN} will get the current value from the target
11655 while the trace experiment is running. Trace state variables share
11656 the same namespace as other ``$'' variables, which means that you
11657 cannot have trace state variables with names like @code{$23} or
11658 @code{$pc}, nor can you have a trace state variable and a convenience
11659 variable with the same name.
11660
11661 @table @code
11662
11663 @item tvariable $@var{name} [ = @var{expression} ]
11664 @kindex tvariable
11665 The @code{tvariable} command creates a new trace state variable named
11666 @code{$@var{name}}, and optionally gives it an initial value of
11667 @var{expression}. @var{expression} is evaluated when this command is
11668 entered; the result will be converted to an integer if possible,
11669 otherwise @value{GDBN} will report an error. A subsequent
11670 @code{tvariable} command specifying the same name does not create a
11671 variable, but instead assigns the supplied initial value to the
11672 existing variable of that name, overwriting any previous initial
11673 value. The default initial value is 0.
11674
11675 @item info tvariables
11676 @kindex info tvariables
11677 List all the trace state variables along with their initial values.
11678 Their current values may also be displayed, if the trace experiment is
11679 currently running.
11680
11681 @item delete tvariable @r{[} $@var{name} @dots{} @r{]}
11682 @kindex delete tvariable
11683 Delete the given trace state variables, or all of them if no arguments
11684 are specified.
11685
11686 @end table
11687
11688 @node Tracepoint Actions
11689 @subsection Tracepoint Action Lists
11690
11691 @table @code
11692 @kindex actions
11693 @cindex tracepoint actions
11694 @item actions @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
11695 This command will prompt for a list of actions to be taken when the
11696 tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number @var{num} is not
11697 specified, this command sets the actions for the one that was most
11698 recently defined (so that you can define a tracepoint and then say
11699 @code{actions} without bothering about its number). You specify the
11700 actions themselves on the following lines, one action at a time, and
11701 terminate the actions list with a line containing just @code{end}. So
11702 far, the only defined actions are @code{collect}, @code{teval}, and
11703 @code{while-stepping}.
11704
11705 @code{actions} is actually equivalent to @code{commands} (@pxref{Break
11706 Commands, ,Breakpoint Command Lists}), except that only the defined
11707 actions are allowed; any other @value{GDBN} command is rejected.
11708
11709 @cindex remove actions from a tracepoint
11710 To remove all actions from a tracepoint, type @samp{actions @var{num}}
11711 and follow it immediately with @samp{end}.
11712
11713 @smallexample
11714 (@value{GDBP}) @b{collect @var{data}} // collect some data
11715
11716 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while-stepping 5} // single-step 5 times, collect data
11717
11718 (@value{GDBP}) @b{end} // signals the end of actions.
11719 @end smallexample
11720
11721 In the following example, the action list begins with @code{collect}
11722 commands indicating the things to be collected when the tracepoint is
11723 hit. Then, in order to single-step and collect additional data
11724 following the tracepoint, a @code{while-stepping} command is used,
11725 followed by the list of things to be collected after each step in a
11726 sequence of single steps. The @code{while-stepping} command is
11727 terminated by its own separate @code{end} command. Lastly, the action
11728 list is terminated by an @code{end} command.
11729
11730 @smallexample
11731 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
11732 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
11733 Enter actions for tracepoint 1, one per line:
11734 > collect bar,baz
11735 > collect $regs
11736 > while-stepping 12
11737 > collect $pc, arr[i]
11738 > end
11739 end
11740 @end smallexample
11741
11742 @kindex collect @r{(tracepoints)}
11743 @item collect@r{[}/@var{mods}@r{]} @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
11744 Collect values of the given expressions when the tracepoint is hit.
11745 This command accepts a comma-separated list of any valid expressions.
11746 In addition to global, static, or local variables, the following
11747 special arguments are supported:
11748
11749 @table @code
11750 @item $regs
11751 Collect all registers.
11752
11753 @item $args
11754 Collect all function arguments.
11755
11756 @item $locals
11757 Collect all local variables.
11758
11759 @item $_ret
11760 Collect the return address. This is helpful if you want to see more
11761 of a backtrace.
11762
11763 @item $_probe_argc
11764 Collects the number of arguments from the static probe at which the
11765 tracepoint is located.
11766 @xref{Static Probe Points}.
11767
11768 @item $_probe_arg@var{n}
11769 @var{n} is an integer between 0 and 11. Collects the @var{n}th argument
11770 from the static probe at which the tracepoint is located.
11771 @xref{Static Probe Points}.
11772
11773 @item $_sdata
11774 @vindex $_sdata@r{, collect}
11775 Collect static tracepoint marker specific data. Only available for
11776 static tracepoints. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action
11777 Lists}. On the UST static tracepoints library backend, an
11778 instrumentation point resembles a @code{printf} function call. The
11779 tracing library is able to collect user specified data formatted to a
11780 character string using the format provided by the programmer that
11781 instrumented the program. Other backends have similar mechanisms.
11782 Here's an example of a UST marker call:
11783
11784 @smallexample
11785 const char master_name[] = "$your_name";
11786 trace_mark(channel1, marker1, "hello %s", master_name)
11787 @end smallexample
11788
11789 In this case, collecting @code{$_sdata} collects the string
11790 @samp{hello $yourname}. When analyzing the trace buffer, you can
11791 inspect @samp{$_sdata} like any other variable available to
11792 @value{GDBN}.
11793 @end table
11794
11795 You can give several consecutive @code{collect} commands, each one
11796 with a single argument, or one @code{collect} command with several
11797 arguments separated by commas; the effect is the same.
11798
11799 The optional @var{mods} changes the usual handling of the arguments.
11800 @code{s} requests that pointers to chars be handled as strings, in
11801 particular collecting the contents of the memory being pointed at, up
11802 to the first zero. The upper bound is by default the value of the
11803 @code{print elements} variable; if @code{s} is followed by a decimal
11804 number, that is the upper bound instead. So for instance
11805 @samp{collect/s25 mystr} collects as many as 25 characters at
11806 @samp{mystr}.
11807
11808 The command @code{info scope} (@pxref{Symbols, info scope}) is
11809 particularly useful for figuring out what data to collect.
11810
11811 @kindex teval @r{(tracepoints)}
11812 @item teval @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
11813 Evaluate the given expressions when the tracepoint is hit. This
11814 command accepts a comma-separated list of expressions. The results
11815 are discarded, so this is mainly useful for assigning values to trace
11816 state variables (@pxref{Trace State Variables}) without adding those
11817 values to the trace buffer, as would be the case if the @code{collect}
11818 action were used.
11819
11820 @kindex while-stepping @r{(tracepoints)}
11821 @item while-stepping @var{n}
11822 Perform @var{n} single-step instruction traces after the tracepoint,
11823 collecting new data after each step. The @code{while-stepping}
11824 command is followed by the list of what to collect while stepping
11825 (followed by its own @code{end} command):
11826
11827 @smallexample
11828 > while-stepping 12
11829 > collect $regs, myglobal
11830 > end
11831 >
11832 @end smallexample
11833
11834 @noindent
11835 Note that @code{$pc} is not automatically collected by
11836 @code{while-stepping}; you need to explicitly collect that register if
11837 you need it. You may abbreviate @code{while-stepping} as @code{ws} or
11838 @code{stepping}.
11839
11840 @item set default-collect @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
11841 @kindex set default-collect
11842 @cindex default collection action
11843 This variable is a list of expressions to collect at each tracepoint
11844 hit. It is effectively an additional @code{collect} action prepended
11845 to every tracepoint action list. The expressions are parsed
11846 individually for each tracepoint, so for instance a variable named
11847 @code{xyz} may be interpreted as a global for one tracepoint, and a
11848 local for another, as appropriate to the tracepoint's location.
11849
11850 @item show default-collect
11851 @kindex show default-collect
11852 Show the list of expressions that are collected by default at each
11853 tracepoint hit.
11854
11855 @end table
11856
11857 @node Listing Tracepoints
11858 @subsection Listing Tracepoints
11859
11860 @table @code
11861 @kindex info tracepoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
11862 @kindex info tp @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
11863 @cindex information about tracepoints
11864 @item info tracepoints @r{[}@var{num}@dots{}@r{]}
11865 Display information about the tracepoint @var{num}. If you don't
11866 specify a tracepoint number, displays information about all the
11867 tracepoints defined so far. The format is similar to that used for
11868 @code{info breakpoints}; in fact, @code{info tracepoints} is the same
11869 command, simply restricting itself to tracepoints.
11870
11871 A tracepoint's listing may include additional information specific to
11872 tracing:
11873
11874 @itemize @bullet
11875 @item
11876 its passcount as given by the @code{passcount @var{n}} command
11877
11878 @item
11879 the state about installed on target of each location
11880 @end itemize
11881
11882 @smallexample
11883 (@value{GDBP}) @b{info trace}
11884 Num Type Disp Enb Address What
11885 1 tracepoint keep y 0x0804ab57 in foo() at main.cxx:7
11886 while-stepping 20
11887 collect globfoo, $regs
11888 end
11889 collect globfoo2
11890 end
11891 pass count 1200
11892 2 tracepoint keep y <MULTIPLE>
11893 collect $eip
11894 2.1 y 0x0804859c in func4 at change-loc.h:35
11895 installed on target
11896 2.2 y 0xb7ffc480 in func4 at change-loc.h:35
11897 installed on target
11898 2.3 y <PENDING> set_tracepoint
11899 3 tracepoint keep y 0x080485b1 in foo at change-loc.c:29
11900 not installed on target
11901 (@value{GDBP})
11902 @end smallexample
11903
11904 @noindent
11905 This command can be abbreviated @code{info tp}.
11906 @end table
11907
11908 @node Listing Static Tracepoint Markers
11909 @subsection Listing Static Tracepoint Markers
11910
11911 @table @code
11912 @kindex info static-tracepoint-markers
11913 @cindex information about static tracepoint markers
11914 @item info static-tracepoint-markers
11915 Display information about all static tracepoint markers defined in the
11916 program.
11917
11918 For each marker, the following columns are printed:
11919
11920 @table @emph
11921 @item Count
11922 An incrementing counter, output to help readability. This is not a
11923 stable identifier.
11924 @item ID
11925 The marker ID, as reported by the target.
11926 @item Enabled or Disabled
11927 Probed markers are tagged with @samp{y}. @samp{n} identifies marks
11928 that are not enabled.
11929 @item Address
11930 Where the marker is in your program, as a memory address.
11931 @item What
11932 Where the marker is in the source for your program, as a file and line
11933 number. If the debug information included in the program does not
11934 allow @value{GDBN} to locate the source of the marker, this column
11935 will be left blank.
11936 @end table
11937
11938 @noindent
11939 In addition, the following information may be printed for each marker:
11940
11941 @table @emph
11942 @item Data
11943 User data passed to the tracing library by the marker call. In the
11944 UST backend, this is the format string passed as argument to the
11945 marker call.
11946 @item Static tracepoints probing the marker
11947 The list of static tracepoints attached to the marker.
11948 @end table
11949
11950 @smallexample
11951 (@value{GDBP}) info static-tracepoint-markers
11952 Cnt ID Enb Address What
11953 1 ust/bar2 y 0x0000000000400e1a in main at stexample.c:25
11954 Data: number1 %d number2 %d
11955 Probed by static tracepoints: #2
11956 2 ust/bar33 n 0x0000000000400c87 in main at stexample.c:24
11957 Data: str %s
11958 (@value{GDBP})
11959 @end smallexample
11960 @end table
11961
11962 @node Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments
11963 @subsection Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments
11964
11965 @table @code
11966 @kindex tstart [ @var{notes} ]
11967 @cindex start a new trace experiment
11968 @cindex collected data discarded
11969 @item tstart
11970 This command starts the trace experiment, and begins collecting data.
11971 It has the side effect of discarding all the data collected in the
11972 trace buffer during the previous trace experiment. If any arguments
11973 are supplied, they are taken as a note and stored with the trace
11974 experiment's state. The notes may be arbitrary text, and are
11975 especially useful with disconnected tracing in a multi-user context;
11976 the notes can explain what the trace is doing, supply user contact
11977 information, and so forth.
11978
11979 @kindex tstop [ @var{notes} ]
11980 @cindex stop a running trace experiment
11981 @item tstop
11982 This command stops the trace experiment. If any arguments are
11983 supplied, they are recorded with the experiment as a note. This is
11984 useful if you are stopping a trace started by someone else, for
11985 instance if the trace is interfering with the system's behavior and
11986 needs to be stopped quickly.
11987
11988 @strong{Note}: a trace experiment and data collection may stop
11989 automatically if any tracepoint's passcount is reached
11990 (@pxref{Tracepoint Passcounts}), or if the trace buffer becomes full.
11991
11992 @kindex tstatus
11993 @cindex status of trace data collection
11994 @cindex trace experiment, status of
11995 @item tstatus
11996 This command displays the status of the current trace data
11997 collection.
11998 @end table
11999
12000 Here is an example of the commands we described so far:
12001
12002 @smallexample
12003 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace gdb_c_test}
12004 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
12005 Enter actions for tracepoint #1, one per line.
12006 > collect $regs,$locals,$args
12007 > while-stepping 11
12008 > collect $regs
12009 > end
12010 > end
12011 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
12012 [time passes @dots{}]
12013 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstop}
12014 @end smallexample
12015
12016 @anchor{disconnected tracing}
12017 @cindex disconnected tracing
12018 You can choose to continue running the trace experiment even if
12019 @value{GDBN} disconnects from the target, voluntarily or
12020 involuntarily. For commands such as @code{detach}, the debugger will
12021 ask what you want to do with the trace. But for unexpected
12022 terminations (@value{GDBN} crash, network outage), it would be
12023 unfortunate to lose hard-won trace data, so the variable
12024 @code{disconnected-tracing} lets you decide whether the trace should
12025 continue running without @value{GDBN}.
12026
12027 @table @code
12028 @item set disconnected-tracing on
12029 @itemx set disconnected-tracing off
12030 @kindex set disconnected-tracing
12031 Choose whether a tracing run should continue to run if @value{GDBN}
12032 has disconnected from the target. Note that @code{detach} or
12033 @code{quit} will ask you directly what to do about a running trace no
12034 matter what this variable's setting, so the variable is mainly useful
12035 for handling unexpected situations, such as loss of the network.
12036
12037 @item show disconnected-tracing
12038 @kindex show disconnected-tracing
12039 Show the current choice for disconnected tracing.
12040
12041 @end table
12042
12043 When you reconnect to the target, the trace experiment may or may not
12044 still be running; it might have filled the trace buffer in the
12045 meantime, or stopped for one of the other reasons. If it is running,
12046 it will continue after reconnection.
12047
12048 Upon reconnection, the target will upload information about the
12049 tracepoints in effect. @value{GDBN} will then compare that
12050 information to the set of tracepoints currently defined, and attempt
12051 to match them up, allowing for the possibility that the numbers may
12052 have changed due to creation and deletion in the meantime. If one of
12053 the target's tracepoints does not match any in @value{GDBN}, the
12054 debugger will create a new tracepoint, so that you have a number with
12055 which to specify that tracepoint. This matching-up process is
12056 necessarily heuristic, and it may result in useless tracepoints being
12057 created; you may simply delete them if they are of no use.
12058
12059 @cindex circular trace buffer
12060 If your target agent supports a @dfn{circular trace buffer}, then you
12061 can run a trace experiment indefinitely without filling the trace
12062 buffer; when space runs out, the agent deletes already-collected trace
12063 frames, oldest first, until there is enough room to continue
12064 collecting. This is especially useful if your tracepoints are being
12065 hit too often, and your trace gets terminated prematurely because the
12066 buffer is full. To ask for a circular trace buffer, simply set
12067 @samp{circular-trace-buffer} to on. You can set this at any time,
12068 including during tracing; if the agent can do it, it will change
12069 buffer handling on the fly, otherwise it will not take effect until
12070 the next run.
12071
12072 @table @code
12073 @item set circular-trace-buffer on
12074 @itemx set circular-trace-buffer off
12075 @kindex set circular-trace-buffer
12076 Choose whether a tracing run should use a linear or circular buffer
12077 for trace data. A linear buffer will not lose any trace data, but may
12078 fill up prematurely, while a circular buffer will discard old trace
12079 data, but it will have always room for the latest tracepoint hits.
12080
12081 @item show circular-trace-buffer
12082 @kindex show circular-trace-buffer
12083 Show the current choice for the trace buffer. Note that this may not
12084 match the agent's current buffer handling, nor is it guaranteed to
12085 match the setting that might have been in effect during a past run,
12086 for instance if you are looking at frames from a trace file.
12087
12088 @end table
12089
12090 @table @code
12091 @item set trace-buffer-size @var{n}
12092 @itemx set trace-buffer-size unlimited
12093 @kindex set trace-buffer-size
12094 Request that the target use a trace buffer of @var{n} bytes. Not all
12095 targets will honor the request; they may have a compiled-in size for
12096 the trace buffer, or some other limitation. Set to a value of
12097 @code{unlimited} or @code{-1} to let the target use whatever size it
12098 likes. This is also the default.
12099
12100 @item show trace-buffer-size
12101 @kindex show trace-buffer-size
12102 Show the current requested size for the trace buffer. Note that this
12103 will only match the actual size if the target supports size-setting,
12104 and was able to handle the requested size. For instance, if the
12105 target can only change buffer size between runs, this variable will
12106 not reflect the change until the next run starts. Use @code{tstatus}
12107 to get a report of the actual buffer size.
12108 @end table
12109
12110 @table @code
12111 @item set trace-user @var{text}
12112 @kindex set trace-user
12113
12114 @item show trace-user
12115 @kindex show trace-user
12116
12117 @item set trace-notes @var{text}
12118 @kindex set trace-notes
12119 Set the trace run's notes.
12120
12121 @item show trace-notes
12122 @kindex show trace-notes
12123 Show the trace run's notes.
12124
12125 @item set trace-stop-notes @var{text}
12126 @kindex set trace-stop-notes
12127 Set the trace run's stop notes. The handling of the note is as for
12128 @code{tstop} arguments; the set command is convenient way to fix a
12129 stop note that is mistaken or incomplete.
12130
12131 @item show trace-stop-notes
12132 @kindex show trace-stop-notes
12133 Show the trace run's stop notes.
12134
12135 @end table
12136
12137 @node Tracepoint Restrictions
12138 @subsection Tracepoint Restrictions
12139
12140 @cindex tracepoint restrictions
12141 There are a number of restrictions on the use of tracepoints. As
12142 described above, tracepoint data gathering occurs on the target
12143 without interaction from @value{GDBN}. Thus the full capabilities of
12144 the debugger are not available during data gathering, and then at data
12145 examination time, you will be limited by only having what was
12146 collected. The following items describe some common problems, but it
12147 is not exhaustive, and you may run into additional difficulties not
12148 mentioned here.
12149
12150 @itemize @bullet
12151
12152 @item
12153 Tracepoint expressions are intended to gather objects (lvalues). Thus
12154 the full flexibility of GDB's expression evaluator is not available.
12155 You cannot call functions, cast objects to aggregate types, access
12156 convenience variables or modify values (except by assignment to trace
12157 state variables). Some language features may implicitly call
12158 functions (for instance Objective-C fields with accessors), and therefore
12159 cannot be collected either.
12160
12161 @item
12162 Collection of local variables, either individually or in bulk with
12163 @code{$locals} or @code{$args}, during @code{while-stepping} may
12164 behave erratically. The stepping action may enter a new scope (for
12165 instance by stepping into a function), or the location of the variable
12166 may change (for instance it is loaded into a register). The
12167 tracepoint data recorded uses the location information for the
12168 variables that is correct for the tracepoint location. When the
12169 tracepoint is created, it is not possible, in general, to determine
12170 where the steps of a @code{while-stepping} sequence will advance the
12171 program---particularly if a conditional branch is stepped.
12172
12173 @item
12174 Collection of an incompletely-initialized or partially-destroyed object
12175 may result in something that @value{GDBN} cannot display, or displays
12176 in a misleading way.
12177
12178 @item
12179 When @value{GDBN} displays a pointer to character it automatically
12180 dereferences the pointer to also display characters of the string
12181 being pointed to. However, collecting the pointer during tracing does
12182 not automatically collect the string. You need to explicitly
12183 dereference the pointer and provide size information if you want to
12184 collect not only the pointer, but the memory pointed to. For example,
12185 @code{*ptr@@50} can be used to collect the 50 element array pointed to
12186 by @code{ptr}.
12187
12188 @item
12189 It is not possible to collect a complete stack backtrace at a
12190 tracepoint. Instead, you may collect the registers and a few hundred
12191 bytes from the stack pointer with something like @code{*(unsigned char *)$esp@@300}
12192 (adjust to use the name of the actual stack pointer register on your
12193 target architecture, and the amount of stack you wish to capture).
12194 Then the @code{backtrace} command will show a partial backtrace when
12195 using a trace frame. The number of stack frames that can be examined
12196 depends on the sizes of the frames in the collected stack. Note that
12197 if you ask for a block so large that it goes past the bottom of the
12198 stack, the target agent may report an error trying to read from an
12199 invalid address.
12200
12201 @item
12202 If you do not collect registers at a tracepoint, @value{GDBN} can
12203 infer that the value of @code{$pc} must be the same as the address of
12204 the tracepoint and use that when you are looking at a trace frame
12205 for that tracepoint. However, this cannot work if the tracepoint has
12206 multiple locations (for instance if it was set in a function that was
12207 inlined), or if it has a @code{while-stepping} loop. In those cases
12208 @value{GDBN} will warn you that it can't infer @code{$pc}, and default
12209 it to zero.
12210
12211 @end itemize
12212
12213 @node Analyze Collected Data
12214 @section Using the Collected Data
12215
12216 After the tracepoint experiment ends, you use @value{GDBN} commands
12217 for examining the trace data. The basic idea is that each tracepoint
12218 collects a trace @dfn{snapshot} every time it is hit and another
12219 snapshot every time it single-steps. All these snapshots are
12220 consecutively numbered from zero and go into a buffer, and you can
12221 examine them later. The way you examine them is to @dfn{focus} on a
12222 specific trace snapshot. When the remote stub is focused on a trace
12223 snapshot, it will respond to all @value{GDBN} requests for memory and
12224 registers by reading from the buffer which belongs to that snapshot,
12225 rather than from @emph{real} memory or registers of the program being
12226 debugged. This means that @strong{all} @value{GDBN} commands
12227 (@code{print}, @code{info registers}, @code{backtrace}, etc.) will
12228 behave as if we were currently debugging the program state as it was
12229 when the tracepoint occurred. Any requests for data that are not in
12230 the buffer will fail.
12231
12232 @menu
12233 * tfind:: How to select a trace snapshot
12234 * tdump:: How to display all data for a snapshot
12235 * save tracepoints:: How to save tracepoints for a future run
12236 @end menu
12237
12238 @node tfind
12239 @subsection @code{tfind @var{n}}
12240
12241 @kindex tfind
12242 @cindex select trace snapshot
12243 @cindex find trace snapshot
12244 The basic command for selecting a trace snapshot from the buffer is
12245 @code{tfind @var{n}}, which finds trace snapshot number @var{n},
12246 counting from zero. If no argument @var{n} is given, the next
12247 snapshot is selected.
12248
12249 Here are the various forms of using the @code{tfind} command.
12250
12251 @table @code
12252 @item tfind start
12253 Find the first snapshot in the buffer. This is a synonym for
12254 @code{tfind 0} (since 0 is the number of the first snapshot).
12255
12256 @item tfind none
12257 Stop debugging trace snapshots, resume @emph{live} debugging.
12258
12259 @item tfind end
12260 Same as @samp{tfind none}.
12261
12262 @item tfind
12263 No argument means find the next trace snapshot.
12264
12265 @item tfind -
12266 Find the previous trace snapshot before the current one. This permits
12267 retracing earlier steps.
12268
12269 @item tfind tracepoint @var{num}
12270 Find the next snapshot associated with tracepoint @var{num}. Search
12271 proceeds forward from the last examined trace snapshot. If no
12272 argument @var{num} is given, it means find the next snapshot collected
12273 for the same tracepoint as the current snapshot.
12274
12275 @item tfind pc @var{addr}
12276 Find the next snapshot associated with the value @var{addr} of the
12277 program counter. Search proceeds forward from the last examined trace
12278 snapshot. If no argument @var{addr} is given, it means find the next
12279 snapshot with the same value of PC as the current snapshot.
12280
12281 @item tfind outside @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
12282 Find the next snapshot whose PC is outside the given range of
12283 addresses (exclusive).
12284
12285 @item tfind range @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
12286 Find the next snapshot whose PC is between @var{addr1} and
12287 @var{addr2} (inclusive).
12288
12289 @item tfind line @r{[}@var{file}:@r{]}@var{n}
12290 Find the next snapshot associated with the source line @var{n}. If
12291 the optional argument @var{file} is given, refer to line @var{n} in
12292 that source file. Search proceeds forward from the last examined
12293 trace snapshot. If no argument @var{n} is given, it means find the
12294 next line other than the one currently being examined; thus saying
12295 @code{tfind line} repeatedly can appear to have the same effect as
12296 stepping from line to line in a @emph{live} debugging session.
12297 @end table
12298
12299 The default arguments for the @code{tfind} commands are specifically
12300 designed to make it easy to scan through the trace buffer. For
12301 instance, @code{tfind} with no argument selects the next trace
12302 snapshot, and @code{tfind -} with no argument selects the previous
12303 trace snapshot. So, by giving one @code{tfind} command, and then
12304 simply hitting @key{RET} repeatedly you can examine all the trace
12305 snapshots in order. Or, by saying @code{tfind -} and then hitting
12306 @key{RET} repeatedly you can examine the snapshots in reverse order.
12307 The @code{tfind line} command with no argument selects the snapshot
12308 for the next source line executed. The @code{tfind pc} command with
12309 no argument selects the next snapshot with the same program counter
12310 (PC) as the current frame. The @code{tfind tracepoint} command with
12311 no argument selects the next trace snapshot collected by the same
12312 tracepoint as the current one.
12313
12314 In addition to letting you scan through the trace buffer manually,
12315 these commands make it easy to construct @value{GDBN} scripts that
12316 scan through the trace buffer and print out whatever collected data
12317 you are interested in. Thus, if we want to examine the PC, FP, and SP
12318 registers from each trace frame in the buffer, we can say this:
12319
12320 @smallexample
12321 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
12322 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
12323 > printf "Frame %d, PC = %08X, SP = %08X, FP = %08X\n", \
12324 $trace_frame, $pc, $sp, $fp
12325 > tfind
12326 > end
12327
12328 Frame 0, PC = 0020DC64, SP = 0030BF3C, FP = 0030BF44
12329 Frame 1, PC = 0020DC6C, SP = 0030BF38, FP = 0030BF44
12330 Frame 2, PC = 0020DC70, SP = 0030BF34, FP = 0030BF44
12331 Frame 3, PC = 0020DC74, SP = 0030BF30, FP = 0030BF44
12332 Frame 4, PC = 0020DC78, SP = 0030BF2C, FP = 0030BF44
12333 Frame 5, PC = 0020DC7C, SP = 0030BF28, FP = 0030BF44
12334 Frame 6, PC = 0020DC80, SP = 0030BF24, FP = 0030BF44
12335 Frame 7, PC = 0020DC84, SP = 0030BF20, FP = 0030BF44
12336 Frame 8, PC = 0020DC88, SP = 0030BF1C, FP = 0030BF44
12337 Frame 9, PC = 0020DC8E, SP = 0030BF18, FP = 0030BF44
12338 Frame 10, PC = 00203F6C, SP = 0030BE3C, FP = 0030BF14
12339 @end smallexample
12340
12341 Or, if we want to examine the variable @code{X} at each source line in
12342 the buffer:
12343
12344 @smallexample
12345 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
12346 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
12347 > printf "Frame %d, X == %d\n", $trace_frame, X
12348 > tfind line
12349 > end
12350
12351 Frame 0, X = 1
12352 Frame 7, X = 2
12353 Frame 13, X = 255
12354 @end smallexample
12355
12356 @node tdump
12357 @subsection @code{tdump}
12358 @kindex tdump
12359 @cindex dump all data collected at tracepoint
12360 @cindex tracepoint data, display
12361
12362 This command takes no arguments. It prints all the data collected at
12363 the current trace snapshot.
12364
12365 @smallexample
12366 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace 444}
12367 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
12368 Enter actions for tracepoint #2, one per line:
12369 > collect $regs, $locals, $args, gdb_long_test
12370 > end
12371
12372 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
12373
12374 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind line 444}
12375 #0 gdb_test (p1=0x11, p2=0x22, p3=0x33, p4=0x44, p5=0x55, p6=0x66)
12376 at gdb_test.c:444
12377 444 printp( "%s: arguments = 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X\n", )
12378
12379 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tdump}
12380 Data collected at tracepoint 2, trace frame 1:
12381 d0 0xc4aa0085 -995491707
12382 d1 0x18 24
12383 d2 0x80 128
12384 d3 0x33 51
12385 d4 0x71aea3d 119204413
12386 d5 0x22 34
12387 d6 0xe0 224
12388 d7 0x380035 3670069
12389 a0 0x19e24a 1696330
12390 a1 0x3000668 50333288
12391 a2 0x100 256
12392 a3 0x322000 3284992
12393 a4 0x3000698 50333336
12394 a5 0x1ad3cc 1758156
12395 fp 0x30bf3c 0x30bf3c
12396 sp 0x30bf34 0x30bf34
12397 ps 0x0 0
12398 pc 0x20b2c8 0x20b2c8
12399 fpcontrol 0x0 0
12400 fpstatus 0x0 0
12401 fpiaddr 0x0 0
12402 p = 0x20e5b4 "gdb-test"
12403 p1 = (void *) 0x11
12404 p2 = (void *) 0x22
12405 p3 = (void *) 0x33
12406 p4 = (void *) 0x44
12407 p5 = (void *) 0x55
12408 p6 = (void *) 0x66
12409 gdb_long_test = 17 '\021'
12410
12411 (@value{GDBP})
12412 @end smallexample
12413
12414 @code{tdump} works by scanning the tracepoint's current collection
12415 actions and printing the value of each expression listed. So
12416 @code{tdump} can fail, if after a run, you change the tracepoint's
12417 actions to mention variables that were not collected during the run.
12418
12419 Also, for tracepoints with @code{while-stepping} loops, @code{tdump}
12420 uses the collected value of @code{$pc} to distinguish between trace
12421 frames that were collected at the tracepoint hit, and frames that were
12422 collected while stepping. This allows it to correctly choose whether
12423 to display the basic list of collections, or the collections from the
12424 body of the while-stepping loop. However, if @code{$pc} was not collected,
12425 then @code{tdump} will always attempt to dump using the basic collection
12426 list, and may fail if a while-stepping frame does not include all the
12427 same data that is collected at the tracepoint hit.
12428 @c This is getting pretty arcane, example would be good.
12429
12430 @node save tracepoints
12431 @subsection @code{save tracepoints @var{filename}}
12432 @kindex save tracepoints
12433 @kindex save-tracepoints
12434 @cindex save tracepoints for future sessions
12435
12436 This command saves all current tracepoint definitions together with
12437 their actions and passcounts, into a file @file{@var{filename}}
12438 suitable for use in a later debugging session. To read the saved
12439 tracepoint definitions, use the @code{source} command (@pxref{Command
12440 Files}). The @w{@code{save-tracepoints}} command is a deprecated
12441 alias for @w{@code{save tracepoints}}
12442
12443 @node Tracepoint Variables
12444 @section Convenience Variables for Tracepoints
12445 @cindex tracepoint variables
12446 @cindex convenience variables for tracepoints
12447
12448 @table @code
12449 @vindex $trace_frame
12450 @item (int) $trace_frame
12451 The current trace snapshot (a.k.a.@: @dfn{frame}) number, or -1 if no
12452 snapshot is selected.
12453
12454 @vindex $tracepoint
12455 @item (int) $tracepoint
12456 The tracepoint for the current trace snapshot.
12457
12458 @vindex $trace_line
12459 @item (int) $trace_line
12460 The line number for the current trace snapshot.
12461
12462 @vindex $trace_file
12463 @item (char []) $trace_file
12464 The source file for the current trace snapshot.
12465
12466 @vindex $trace_func
12467 @item (char []) $trace_func
12468 The name of the function containing @code{$tracepoint}.
12469 @end table
12470
12471 Note: @code{$trace_file} is not suitable for use in @code{printf},
12472 use @code{output} instead.
12473
12474 Here's a simple example of using these convenience variables for
12475 stepping through all the trace snapshots and printing some of their
12476 data. Note that these are not the same as trace state variables,
12477 which are managed by the target.
12478
12479 @smallexample
12480 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
12481
12482 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while $trace_frame != -1}
12483 > output $trace_file
12484 > printf ", line %d (tracepoint #%d)\n", $trace_line, $tracepoint
12485 > tfind
12486 > end
12487 @end smallexample
12488
12489 @node Trace Files
12490 @section Using Trace Files
12491 @cindex trace files
12492
12493 In some situations, the target running a trace experiment may no
12494 longer be available; perhaps it crashed, or the hardware was needed
12495 for a different activity. To handle these cases, you can arrange to
12496 dump the trace data into a file, and later use that file as a source
12497 of trace data, via the @code{target tfile} command.
12498
12499 @table @code
12500
12501 @kindex tsave
12502 @item tsave [ -r ] @var{filename}
12503 @itemx tsave [-ctf] @var{dirname}
12504 Save the trace data to @var{filename}. By default, this command
12505 assumes that @var{filename} refers to the host filesystem, so if
12506 necessary @value{GDBN} will copy raw trace data up from the target and
12507 then save it. If the target supports it, you can also supply the
12508 optional argument @code{-r} (``remote'') to direct the target to save
12509 the data directly into @var{filename} in its own filesystem, which may be
12510 more efficient if the trace buffer is very large. (Note, however, that
12511 @code{target tfile} can only read from files accessible to the host.)
12512 By default, this command will save trace frame in tfile format.
12513 You can supply the optional argument @code{-ctf} to save date in CTF
12514 format. The @dfn{Common Trace Format} (CTF) is proposed as a trace format
12515 that can be shared by multiple debugging and tracing tools. Please go to
12516 @indicateurl{http://www.efficios.com/ctf} to get more information.
12517
12518 @kindex target tfile
12519 @kindex tfile
12520 @kindex target ctf
12521 @kindex ctf
12522 @item target tfile @var{filename}
12523 @itemx target ctf @var{dirname}
12524 Use the file named @var{filename} or directory named @var{dirname} as
12525 a source of trace data. Commands that examine data work as they do with
12526 a live target, but it is not possible to run any new trace experiments.
12527 @code{tstatus} will report the state of the trace run at the moment
12528 the data was saved, as well as the current trace frame you are examining.
12529 @var{filename} or @var{dirname} must be on a filesystem accessible to
12530 the host.
12531
12532 @smallexample
12533 (@value{GDBP}) target ctf ctf.ctf
12534 (@value{GDBP}) tfind
12535 Found trace frame 0, tracepoint 2
12536 39 ++a; /* set tracepoint 1 here */
12537 (@value{GDBP}) tdump
12538 Data collected at tracepoint 2, trace frame 0:
12539 i = 0
12540 a = 0
12541 b = 1 '\001'
12542 c = @{"123", "456", "789", "123", "456", "789"@}
12543 d = @{@{@{a = 1, b = 2@}, @{a = 3, b = 4@}@}, @{@{a = 5, b = 6@}, @{a = 7, b = 8@}@}@}
12544 (@value{GDBP}) p b
12545 $1 = 1
12546 @end smallexample
12547
12548 @end table
12549
12550 @node Overlays
12551 @chapter Debugging Programs That Use Overlays
12552 @cindex overlays
12553
12554 If your program is too large to fit completely in your target system's
12555 memory, you can sometimes use @dfn{overlays} to work around this
12556 problem. @value{GDBN} provides some support for debugging programs that
12557 use overlays.
12558
12559 @menu
12560 * How Overlays Work:: A general explanation of overlays.
12561 * Overlay Commands:: Managing overlays in @value{GDBN}.
12562 * Automatic Overlay Debugging:: @value{GDBN} can find out which overlays are
12563 mapped by asking the inferior.
12564 * Overlay Sample Program:: A sample program using overlays.
12565 @end menu
12566
12567 @node How Overlays Work
12568 @section How Overlays Work
12569 @cindex mapped overlays
12570 @cindex unmapped overlays
12571 @cindex load address, overlay's
12572 @cindex mapped address
12573 @cindex overlay area
12574
12575 Suppose you have a computer whose instruction address space is only 64
12576 kilobytes long, but which has much more memory which can be accessed by
12577 other means: special instructions, segment registers, or memory
12578 management hardware, for example. Suppose further that you want to
12579 adapt a program which is larger than 64 kilobytes to run on this system.
12580
12581 One solution is to identify modules of your program which are relatively
12582 independent, and need not call each other directly; call these modules
12583 @dfn{overlays}. Separate the overlays from the main program, and place
12584 their machine code in the larger memory. Place your main program in
12585 instruction memory, but leave at least enough space there to hold the
12586 largest overlay as well.
12587
12588 Now, to call a function located in an overlay, you must first copy that
12589 overlay's machine code from the large memory into the space set aside
12590 for it in the instruction memory, and then jump to its entry point
12591 there.
12592
12593 @c NB: In the below the mapped area's size is greater or equal to the
12594 @c size of all overlays. This is intentional to remind the developer
12595 @c that overlays don't necessarily need to be the same size.
12596
12597 @smallexample
12598 @group
12599 Data Instruction Larger
12600 Address Space Address Space Address Space
12601 +-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+
12602 | | | | | |
12603 +-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+<-- overlay 1
12604 | program | | main | .----| overlay 1 | load address
12605 | variables | | program | | +-----------+
12606 | and heap | | | | | |
12607 +-----------+ | | | +-----------+<-- overlay 2
12608 | | +-----------+ | | | load address
12609 +-----------+ | | | .-| overlay 2 |
12610 | | | | | |
12611 mapped --->+-----------+ | | +-----------+
12612 address | | | | | |
12613 | overlay | <-' | | |
12614 | area | <---' +-----------+<-- overlay 3
12615 | | <---. | | load address
12616 +-----------+ `--| overlay 3 |
12617 | | | |
12618 +-----------+ | |
12619 +-----------+
12620 | |
12621 +-----------+
12622
12623 @anchor{A code overlay}A code overlay
12624 @end group
12625 @end smallexample
12626
12627 The diagram (@pxref{A code overlay}) shows a system with separate data
12628 and instruction address spaces. To map an overlay, the program copies
12629 its code from the larger address space to the instruction address space.
12630 Since the overlays shown here all use the same mapped address, only one
12631 may be mapped at a time. For a system with a single address space for
12632 data and instructions, the diagram would be similar, except that the
12633 program variables and heap would share an address space with the main
12634 program and the overlay area.
12635
12636 An overlay loaded into instruction memory and ready for use is called a
12637 @dfn{mapped} overlay; its @dfn{mapped address} is its address in the
12638 instruction memory. An overlay not present (or only partially present)
12639 in instruction memory is called @dfn{unmapped}; its @dfn{load address}
12640 is its address in the larger memory. The mapped address is also called
12641 the @dfn{virtual memory address}, or @dfn{VMA}; the load address is also
12642 called the @dfn{load memory address}, or @dfn{LMA}.
12643
12644 Unfortunately, overlays are not a completely transparent way to adapt a
12645 program to limited instruction memory. They introduce a new set of
12646 global constraints you must keep in mind as you design your program:
12647
12648 @itemize @bullet
12649
12650 @item
12651 Before calling or returning to a function in an overlay, your program
12652 must make sure that overlay is actually mapped. Otherwise, the call or
12653 return will transfer control to the right address, but in the wrong
12654 overlay, and your program will probably crash.
12655
12656 @item
12657 If the process of mapping an overlay is expensive on your system, you
12658 will need to choose your overlays carefully to minimize their effect on
12659 your program's performance.
12660
12661 @item
12662 The executable file you load onto your system must contain each
12663 overlay's instructions, appearing at the overlay's load address, not its
12664 mapped address. However, each overlay's instructions must be relocated
12665 and its symbols defined as if the overlay were at its mapped address.
12666 You can use GNU linker scripts to specify different load and relocation
12667 addresses for pieces of your program; see @ref{Overlay Description,,,
12668 ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}.
12669
12670 @item
12671 The procedure for loading executable files onto your system must be able
12672 to load their contents into the larger address space as well as the
12673 instruction and data spaces.
12674
12675 @end itemize
12676
12677 The overlay system described above is rather simple, and could be
12678 improved in many ways:
12679
12680 @itemize @bullet
12681
12682 @item
12683 If your system has suitable bank switch registers or memory management
12684 hardware, you could use those facilities to make an overlay's load area
12685 contents simply appear at their mapped address in instruction space.
12686 This would probably be faster than copying the overlay to its mapped
12687 area in the usual way.
12688
12689 @item
12690 If your overlays are small enough, you could set aside more than one
12691 overlay area, and have more than one overlay mapped at a time.
12692
12693 @item
12694 You can use overlays to manage data, as well as instructions. In
12695 general, data overlays are even less transparent to your design than
12696 code overlays: whereas code overlays only require care when you call or
12697 return to functions, data overlays require care every time you access
12698 the data. Also, if you change the contents of a data overlay, you
12699 must copy its contents back out to its load address before you can copy a
12700 different data overlay into the same mapped area.
12701
12702 @end itemize
12703
12704
12705 @node Overlay Commands
12706 @section Overlay Commands
12707
12708 To use @value{GDBN}'s overlay support, each overlay in your program must
12709 correspond to a separate section of the executable file. The section's
12710 virtual memory address and load memory address must be the overlay's
12711 mapped and load addresses. Identifying overlays with sections allows
12712 @value{GDBN} to determine the appropriate address of a function or
12713 variable, depending on whether the overlay is mapped or not.
12714
12715 @value{GDBN}'s overlay commands all start with the word @code{overlay};
12716 you can abbreviate this as @code{ov} or @code{ovly}. The commands are:
12717
12718 @table @code
12719 @item overlay off
12720 @kindex overlay
12721 Disable @value{GDBN}'s overlay support. When overlay support is
12722 disabled, @value{GDBN} assumes that all functions and variables are
12723 always present at their mapped addresses. By default, @value{GDBN}'s
12724 overlay support is disabled.
12725
12726 @item overlay manual
12727 @cindex manual overlay debugging
12728 Enable @dfn{manual} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
12729 relies on you to tell it which overlays are mapped, and which are not,
12730 using the @code{overlay map-overlay} and @code{overlay unmap-overlay}
12731 commands described below.
12732
12733 @item overlay map-overlay @var{overlay}
12734 @itemx overlay map @var{overlay}
12735 @cindex map an overlay
12736 Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is now mapped; @var{overlay} must
12737 be the name of the object file section containing the overlay. When an
12738 overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the overlay's
12739 functions and variables at their mapped addresses. @value{GDBN} assumes
12740 that any other overlays whose mapped ranges overlap that of
12741 @var{overlay} are now unmapped.
12742
12743 @item overlay unmap-overlay @var{overlay}
12744 @itemx overlay unmap @var{overlay}
12745 @cindex unmap an overlay
12746 Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is no longer mapped; @var{overlay}
12747 must be the name of the object file section containing the overlay.
12748 When an overlay is unmapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the
12749 overlay's functions and variables at their load addresses.
12750
12751 @item overlay auto
12752 Enable @dfn{automatic} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
12753 consults a data structure the overlay manager maintains in the inferior
12754 to see which overlays are mapped. For details, see @ref{Automatic
12755 Overlay Debugging}.
12756
12757 @item overlay load-target
12758 @itemx overlay load
12759 @cindex reloading the overlay table
12760 Re-read the overlay table from the inferior. Normally, @value{GDBN}
12761 re-reads the table @value{GDBN} automatically each time the inferior
12762 stops, so this command should only be necessary if you have changed the
12763 overlay mapping yourself using @value{GDBN}. This command is only
12764 useful when using automatic overlay debugging.
12765
12766 @item overlay list-overlays
12767 @itemx overlay list
12768 @cindex listing mapped overlays
12769 Display a list of the overlays currently mapped, along with their mapped
12770 addresses, load addresses, and sizes.
12771
12772 @end table
12773
12774 Normally, when @value{GDBN} prints a code address, it includes the name
12775 of the function the address falls in:
12776
12777 @smallexample
12778 (@value{GDBP}) print main
12779 $3 = @{int ()@} 0x11a0 <main>
12780 @end smallexample
12781 @noindent
12782 When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} recognizes code in
12783 unmapped overlays, and prints the names of unmapped functions with
12784 asterisks around them. For example, if @code{foo} is a function in an
12785 unmapped overlay, @value{GDBN} prints it this way:
12786
12787 @smallexample
12788 (@value{GDBP}) overlay list
12789 No sections are mapped.
12790 (@value{GDBP}) print foo
12791 $5 = @{int (int)@} 0x100000 <*foo*>
12792 @end smallexample
12793 @noindent
12794 When @code{foo}'s overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} prints the function's
12795 name normally:
12796
12797 @smallexample
12798 (@value{GDBP}) overlay list
12799 Section .ov.foo.text, loaded at 0x100000 - 0x100034,
12800 mapped at 0x1016 - 0x104a
12801 (@value{GDBP}) print foo
12802 $6 = @{int (int)@} 0x1016 <foo>
12803 @end smallexample
12804
12805 When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} can find the correct
12806 address for functions and variables in an overlay, whether or not the
12807 overlay is mapped. This allows most @value{GDBN} commands, like
12808 @code{break} and @code{disassemble}, to work normally, even on unmapped
12809 code. However, @value{GDBN}'s breakpoint support has some limitations:
12810
12811 @itemize @bullet
12812 @item
12813 @cindex breakpoints in overlays
12814 @cindex overlays, setting breakpoints in
12815 You can set breakpoints in functions in unmapped overlays, as long as
12816 @value{GDBN} can write to the overlay at its load address.
12817 @item
12818 @value{GDBN} can not set hardware or simulator-based breakpoints in
12819 unmapped overlays. However, if you set a breakpoint at the end of your
12820 overlay manager (and tell @value{GDBN} which overlays are now mapped, if
12821 you are using manual overlay management), @value{GDBN} will re-set its
12822 breakpoints properly.
12823 @end itemize
12824
12825
12826 @node Automatic Overlay Debugging
12827 @section Automatic Overlay Debugging
12828 @cindex automatic overlay debugging
12829
12830 @value{GDBN} can automatically track which overlays are mapped and which
12831 are not, given some simple co-operation from the overlay manager in the
12832 inferior. If you enable automatic overlay debugging with the
12833 @code{overlay auto} command (@pxref{Overlay Commands}), @value{GDBN}
12834 looks in the inferior's memory for certain variables describing the
12835 current state of the overlays.
12836
12837 Here are the variables your overlay manager must define to support
12838 @value{GDBN}'s automatic overlay debugging:
12839
12840 @table @asis
12841
12842 @item @code{_ovly_table}:
12843 This variable must be an array of the following structures:
12844
12845 @smallexample
12846 struct
12847 @{
12848 /* The overlay's mapped address. */
12849 unsigned long vma;
12850
12851 /* The size of the overlay, in bytes. */
12852 unsigned long size;
12853
12854 /* The overlay's load address. */
12855 unsigned long lma;
12856
12857 /* Non-zero if the overlay is currently mapped;
12858 zero otherwise. */
12859 unsigned long mapped;
12860 @}
12861 @end smallexample
12862
12863 @item @code{_novlys}:
12864 This variable must be a four-byte signed integer, holding the total
12865 number of elements in @code{_ovly_table}.
12866
12867 @end table
12868
12869 To decide whether a particular overlay is mapped or not, @value{GDBN}
12870 looks for an entry in @w{@code{_ovly_table}} whose @code{vma} and
12871 @code{lma} members equal the VMA and LMA of the overlay's section in the
12872 executable file. When @value{GDBN} finds a matching entry, it consults
12873 the entry's @code{mapped} member to determine whether the overlay is
12874 currently mapped.
12875
12876 In addition, your overlay manager may define a function called
12877 @code{_ovly_debug_event}. If this function is defined, @value{GDBN}
12878 will silently set a breakpoint there. If the overlay manager then
12879 calls this function whenever it has changed the overlay table, this
12880 will enable @value{GDBN} to accurately keep track of which overlays
12881 are in program memory, and update any breakpoints that may be set
12882 in overlays. This will allow breakpoints to work even if the
12883 overlays are kept in ROM or other non-writable memory while they
12884 are not being executed.
12885
12886 @node Overlay Sample Program
12887 @section Overlay Sample Program
12888 @cindex overlay example program
12889
12890 When linking a program which uses overlays, you must place the overlays
12891 at their load addresses, while relocating them to run at their mapped
12892 addresses. To do this, you must write a linker script (@pxref{Overlay
12893 Description,,, ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}). Unfortunately,
12894 since linker scripts are specific to a particular host system, target
12895 architecture, and target memory layout, this manual cannot provide
12896 portable sample code demonstrating @value{GDBN}'s overlay support.
12897
12898 However, the @value{GDBN} source distribution does contain an overlaid
12899 program, with linker scripts for a few systems, as part of its test
12900 suite. The program consists of the following files from
12901 @file{gdb/testsuite/gdb.base}:
12902
12903 @table @file
12904 @item overlays.c
12905 The main program file.
12906 @item ovlymgr.c
12907 A simple overlay manager, used by @file{overlays.c}.
12908 @item foo.c
12909 @itemx bar.c
12910 @itemx baz.c
12911 @itemx grbx.c
12912 Overlay modules, loaded and used by @file{overlays.c}.
12913 @item d10v.ld
12914 @itemx m32r.ld
12915 Linker scripts for linking the test program on the @code{d10v-elf}
12916 and @code{m32r-elf} targets.
12917 @end table
12918
12919 You can build the test program using the @code{d10v-elf} GCC
12920 cross-compiler like this:
12921
12922 @smallexample
12923 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c overlays.c
12924 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c ovlymgr.c
12925 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c foo.c
12926 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c bar.c
12927 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c baz.c
12928 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c grbx.c
12929 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g overlays.o ovlymgr.o foo.o bar.o \
12930 baz.o grbx.o -Wl,-Td10v.ld -o overlays
12931 @end smallexample
12932
12933 The build process is identical for any other architecture, except that
12934 you must substitute the appropriate compiler and linker script for the
12935 target system for @code{d10v-elf-gcc} and @code{d10v.ld}.
12936
12937
12938 @node Languages
12939 @chapter Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages
12940 @cindex languages
12941
12942 Although programming languages generally have common aspects, they are
12943 rarely expressed in the same manner. For instance, in ANSI C,
12944 dereferencing a pointer @code{p} is accomplished by @code{*p}, but in
12945 Modula-2, it is accomplished by @code{p^}. Values can also be
12946 represented (and displayed) differently. Hex numbers in C appear as
12947 @samp{0x1ae}, while in Modula-2 they appear as @samp{1AEH}.
12948
12949 @cindex working language
12950 Language-specific information is built into @value{GDBN} for some languages,
12951 allowing you to express operations like the above in your program's
12952 native language, and allowing @value{GDBN} to output values in a manner
12953 consistent with the syntax of your program's native language. The
12954 language you use to build expressions is called the @dfn{working
12955 language}.
12956
12957 @menu
12958 * Setting:: Switching between source languages
12959 * Show:: Displaying the language
12960 * Checks:: Type and range checks
12961 * Supported Languages:: Supported languages
12962 * Unsupported Languages:: Unsupported languages
12963 @end menu
12964
12965 @node Setting
12966 @section Switching Between Source Languages
12967
12968 There are two ways to control the working language---either have @value{GDBN}
12969 set it automatically, or select it manually yourself. You can use the
12970 @code{set language} command for either purpose. On startup, @value{GDBN}
12971 defaults to setting the language automatically. The working language is
12972 used to determine how expressions you type are interpreted, how values
12973 are printed, etc.
12974
12975 In addition to the working language, every source file that
12976 @value{GDBN} knows about has its own working language. For some object
12977 file formats, the compiler might indicate which language a particular
12978 source file is in. However, most of the time @value{GDBN} infers the
12979 language from the name of the file. The language of a source file
12980 controls whether C@t{++} names are demangled---this way @code{backtrace} can
12981 show each frame appropriately for its own language. There is no way to
12982 set the language of a source file from within @value{GDBN}, but you can
12983 set the language associated with a filename extension. @xref{Show, ,
12984 Displaying the Language}.
12985
12986 This is most commonly a problem when you use a program, such
12987 as @code{cfront} or @code{f2c}, that generates C but is written in
12988 another language. In that case, make the
12989 program use @code{#line} directives in its C output; that way
12990 @value{GDBN} will know the correct language of the source code of the original
12991 program, and will display that source code, not the generated C code.
12992
12993 @menu
12994 * Filenames:: Filename extensions and languages.
12995 * Manually:: Setting the working language manually
12996 * Automatically:: Having @value{GDBN} infer the source language
12997 @end menu
12998
12999 @node Filenames
13000 @subsection List of Filename Extensions and Languages
13001
13002 If a source file name ends in one of the following extensions, then
13003 @value{GDBN} infers that its language is the one indicated.
13004
13005 @table @file
13006 @item .ada
13007 @itemx .ads
13008 @itemx .adb
13009 @itemx .a
13010 Ada source file.
13011
13012 @item .c
13013 C source file
13014
13015 @item .C
13016 @itemx .cc
13017 @itemx .cp
13018 @itemx .cpp
13019 @itemx .cxx
13020 @itemx .c++
13021 C@t{++} source file
13022
13023 @item .d
13024 D source file
13025
13026 @item .m
13027 Objective-C source file
13028
13029 @item .f
13030 @itemx .F
13031 Fortran source file
13032
13033 @item .mod
13034 Modula-2 source file
13035
13036 @item .s
13037 @itemx .S
13038 Assembler source file. This actually behaves almost like C, but
13039 @value{GDBN} does not skip over function prologues when stepping.
13040 @end table
13041
13042 In addition, you may set the language associated with a filename
13043 extension. @xref{Show, , Displaying the Language}.
13044
13045 @node Manually
13046 @subsection Setting the Working Language
13047
13048 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically,
13049 expressions are interpreted the same way in your debugging session and
13050 your program.
13051
13052 @kindex set language
13053 If you wish, you may set the language manually. To do this, issue the
13054 command @samp{set language @var{lang}}, where @var{lang} is the name of
13055 a language, such as
13056 @code{c} or @code{modula-2}.
13057 For a list of the supported languages, type @samp{set language}.
13058
13059 Setting the language manually prevents @value{GDBN} from updating the working
13060 language automatically. This can lead to confusion if you try
13061 to debug a program when the working language is not the same as the
13062 source language, when an expression is acceptable to both
13063 languages---but means different things. For instance, if the current
13064 source file were written in C, and @value{GDBN} was parsing Modula-2, a
13065 command such as:
13066
13067 @smallexample
13068 print a = b + c
13069 @end smallexample
13070
13071 @noindent
13072 might not have the effect you intended. In C, this means to add
13073 @code{b} and @code{c} and place the result in @code{a}. The result
13074 printed would be the value of @code{a}. In Modula-2, this means to compare
13075 @code{a} to the result of @code{b+c}, yielding a @code{BOOLEAN} value.
13076
13077 @node Automatically
13078 @subsection Having @value{GDBN} Infer the Source Language
13079
13080 To have @value{GDBN} set the working language automatically, use
13081 @samp{set language local} or @samp{set language auto}. @value{GDBN}
13082 then infers the working language. That is, when your program stops in a
13083 frame (usually by encountering a breakpoint), @value{GDBN} sets the
13084 working language to the language recorded for the function in that
13085 frame. If the language for a frame is unknown (that is, if the function
13086 or block corresponding to the frame was defined in a source file that
13087 does not have a recognized extension), the current working language is
13088 not changed, and @value{GDBN} issues a warning.
13089
13090 This may not seem necessary for most programs, which are written
13091 entirely in one source language. However, program modules and libraries
13092 written in one source language can be used by a main program written in
13093 a different source language. Using @samp{set language auto} in this
13094 case frees you from having to set the working language manually.
13095
13096 @node Show
13097 @section Displaying the Language
13098
13099 The following commands help you find out which language is the
13100 working language, and also what language source files were written in.
13101
13102 @table @code
13103 @item show language
13104 @kindex show language
13105 Display the current working language. This is the
13106 language you can use with commands such as @code{print} to
13107 build and compute expressions that may involve variables in your program.
13108
13109 @item info frame
13110 @kindex info frame@r{, show the source language}
13111 Display the source language for this frame. This language becomes the
13112 working language if you use an identifier from this frame.
13113 @xref{Frame Info, ,Information about a Frame}, to identify the other
13114 information listed here.
13115
13116 @item info source
13117 @kindex info source@r{, show the source language}
13118 Display the source language of this source file.
13119 @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}, to identify the other
13120 information listed here.
13121 @end table
13122
13123 In unusual circumstances, you may have source files with extensions
13124 not in the standard list. You can then set the extension associated
13125 with a language explicitly:
13126
13127 @table @code
13128 @item set extension-language @var{ext} @var{language}
13129 @kindex set extension-language
13130 Tell @value{GDBN} that source files with extension @var{ext} are to be
13131 assumed as written in the source language @var{language}.
13132
13133 @item info extensions
13134 @kindex info extensions
13135 List all the filename extensions and the associated languages.
13136 @end table
13137
13138 @node Checks
13139 @section Type and Range Checking
13140
13141 Some languages are designed to guard you against making seemingly common
13142 errors through a series of compile- and run-time checks. These include
13143 checking the type of arguments to functions and operators and making
13144 sure mathematical overflows are caught at run time. Checks such as
13145 these help to ensure a program's correctness once it has been compiled
13146 by eliminating type mismatches and providing active checks for range
13147 errors when your program is running.
13148
13149 By default @value{GDBN} checks for these errors according to the
13150 rules of the current source language. Although @value{GDBN} does not check
13151 the statements in your program, it can check expressions entered directly
13152 into @value{GDBN} for evaluation via the @code{print} command, for example.
13153
13154 @menu
13155 * Type Checking:: An overview of type checking
13156 * Range Checking:: An overview of range checking
13157 @end menu
13158
13159 @cindex type checking
13160 @cindex checks, type
13161 @node Type Checking
13162 @subsection An Overview of Type Checking
13163
13164 Some languages, such as C and C@t{++}, are strongly typed, meaning that the
13165 arguments to operators and functions have to be of the correct type,
13166 otherwise an error occurs. These checks prevent type mismatch
13167 errors from ever causing any run-time problems. For example,
13168
13169 @smallexample
13170 int klass::my_method(char *b) @{ return b ? 1 : 2; @}
13171
13172 (@value{GDBP}) print obj.my_method (0)
13173 $1 = 2
13174 @exdent but
13175 (@value{GDBP}) print obj.my_method (0x1234)
13176 Cannot resolve method klass::my_method to any overloaded instance
13177 @end smallexample
13178
13179 The second example fails because in C@t{++} the integer constant
13180 @samp{0x1234} is not type-compatible with the pointer parameter type.
13181
13182 For the expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell
13183 @value{GDBN} to not enforce strict type checking or
13184 to treat any mismatches as errors and abandon the expression;
13185 When type checking is disabled, @value{GDBN} successfully evaluates
13186 expressions like the second example above.
13187
13188 Even if type checking is off, there may be other reasons
13189 related to type that prevent @value{GDBN} from evaluating an expression.
13190 For instance, @value{GDBN} does not know how to add an @code{int} and
13191 a @code{struct foo}. These particular type errors have nothing to do
13192 with the language in use and usually arise from expressions which make
13193 little sense to evaluate anyway.
13194
13195 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling type checking:
13196
13197 @kindex set check type
13198 @kindex show check type
13199 @table @code
13200 @item set check type on
13201 @itemx set check type off
13202 Set strict type checking on or off. If any type mismatches occur in
13203 evaluating an expression while type checking is on, @value{GDBN} prints a
13204 message and aborts evaluation of the expression.
13205
13206 @item show check type
13207 Show the current setting of type checking and whether @value{GDBN}
13208 is enforcing strict type checking rules.
13209 @end table
13210
13211 @cindex range checking
13212 @cindex checks, range
13213 @node Range Checking
13214 @subsection An Overview of Range Checking
13215
13216 In some languages (such as Modula-2), it is an error to exceed the
13217 bounds of a type; this is enforced with run-time checks. Such range
13218 checking is meant to ensure program correctness by making sure
13219 computations do not overflow, or indices on an array element access do
13220 not exceed the bounds of the array.
13221
13222 For expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell
13223 @value{GDBN} to treat range errors in one of three ways: ignore them,
13224 always treat them as errors and abandon the expression, or issue
13225 warnings but evaluate the expression anyway.
13226
13227 A range error can result from numerical overflow, from exceeding an
13228 array index bound, or when you type a constant that is not a member
13229 of any type. Some languages, however, do not treat overflows as an
13230 error. In many implementations of C, mathematical overflow causes the
13231 result to ``wrap around'' to lower values---for example, if @var{m} is
13232 the largest integer value, and @var{s} is the smallest, then
13233
13234 @smallexample
13235 @var{m} + 1 @result{} @var{s}
13236 @end smallexample
13237
13238 This, too, is specific to individual languages, and in some cases
13239 specific to individual compilers or machines. @xref{Supported Languages, ,
13240 Supported Languages}, for further details on specific languages.
13241
13242 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling the range checker:
13243
13244 @kindex set check range
13245 @kindex show check range
13246 @table @code
13247 @item set check range auto
13248 Set range checking on or off based on the current working language.
13249 @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for the default settings for
13250 each language.
13251
13252 @item set check range on
13253 @itemx set check range off
13254 Set range checking on or off, overriding the default setting for the
13255 current working language. A warning is issued if the setting does not
13256 match the language default. If a range error occurs and range checking is on,
13257 then a message is printed and evaluation of the expression is aborted.
13258
13259 @item set check range warn
13260 Output messages when the @value{GDBN} range checker detects a range error,
13261 but attempt to evaluate the expression anyway. Evaluating the
13262 expression may still be impossible for other reasons, such as accessing
13263 memory that the process does not own (a typical example from many Unix
13264 systems).
13265
13266 @item show range
13267 Show the current setting of the range checker, and whether or not it is
13268 being set automatically by @value{GDBN}.
13269 @end table
13270
13271 @node Supported Languages
13272 @section Supported Languages
13273
13274 @value{GDBN} supports C, C@t{++}, D, Go, Objective-C, Fortran, Java,
13275 OpenCL C, Pascal, assembly, Modula-2, and Ada.
13276 @c This is false ...
13277 Some @value{GDBN} features may be used in expressions regardless of the
13278 language you use: the @value{GDBN} @code{@@} and @code{::} operators,
13279 and the @samp{@{type@}addr} construct (@pxref{Expressions,
13280 ,Expressions}) can be used with the constructs of any supported
13281 language.
13282
13283 The following sections detail to what degree each source language is
13284 supported by @value{GDBN}. These sections are not meant to be language
13285 tutorials or references, but serve only as a reference guide to what the
13286 @value{GDBN} expression parser accepts, and what input and output
13287 formats should look like for different languages. There are many good
13288 books written on each of these languages; please look to these for a
13289 language reference or tutorial.
13290
13291 @menu
13292 * C:: C and C@t{++}
13293 * D:: D
13294 * Go:: Go
13295 * Objective-C:: Objective-C
13296 * OpenCL C:: OpenCL C
13297 * Fortran:: Fortran
13298 * Pascal:: Pascal
13299 * Modula-2:: Modula-2
13300 * Ada:: Ada
13301 @end menu
13302
13303 @node C
13304 @subsection C and C@t{++}
13305
13306 @cindex C and C@t{++}
13307 @cindex expressions in C or C@t{++}
13308
13309 Since C and C@t{++} are so closely related, many features of @value{GDBN} apply
13310 to both languages. Whenever this is the case, we discuss those languages
13311 together.
13312
13313 @cindex C@t{++}
13314 @cindex @code{g++}, @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler
13315 @cindex @sc{gnu} C@t{++}
13316 The C@t{++} debugging facilities are jointly implemented by the C@t{++}
13317 compiler and @value{GDBN}. Therefore, to debug your C@t{++} code
13318 effectively, you must compile your C@t{++} programs with a supported
13319 C@t{++} compiler, such as @sc{gnu} @code{g++}, or the HP ANSI C@t{++}
13320 compiler (@code{aCC}).
13321
13322 @menu
13323 * C Operators:: C and C@t{++} operators
13324 * C Constants:: C and C@t{++} constants
13325 * C Plus Plus Expressions:: C@t{++} expressions
13326 * C Defaults:: Default settings for C and C@t{++}
13327 * C Checks:: C and C@t{++} type and range checks
13328 * Debugging C:: @value{GDBN} and C
13329 * Debugging C Plus Plus:: @value{GDBN} features for C@t{++}
13330 * Decimal Floating Point:: Numbers in Decimal Floating Point format
13331 @end menu
13332
13333 @node C Operators
13334 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Operators
13335
13336 @cindex C and C@t{++} operators
13337
13338 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
13339 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
13340 often defined on groups of types.
13341
13342 For the purposes of C and C@t{++}, the following definitions hold:
13343
13344 @itemize @bullet
13345
13346 @item
13347 @emph{Integral types} include @code{int} with any of its storage-class
13348 specifiers; @code{char}; @code{enum}; and, for C@t{++}, @code{bool}.
13349
13350 @item
13351 @emph{Floating-point types} include @code{float}, @code{double}, and
13352 @code{long double} (if supported by the target platform).
13353
13354 @item
13355 @emph{Pointer types} include all types defined as @code{(@var{type} *)}.
13356
13357 @item
13358 @emph{Scalar types} include all of the above.
13359
13360 @end itemize
13361
13362 @noindent
13363 The following operators are supported. They are listed here
13364 in order of increasing precedence:
13365
13366 @table @code
13367 @item ,
13368 The comma or sequencing operator. Expressions in a comma-separated list
13369 are evaluated from left to right, with the result of the entire
13370 expression being the last expression evaluated.
13371
13372 @item =
13373 Assignment. The value of an assignment expression is the value
13374 assigned. Defined on scalar types.
13375
13376 @item @var{op}=
13377 Used in an expression of the form @w{@code{@var{a} @var{op}= @var{b}}},
13378 and translated to @w{@code{@var{a} = @var{a op b}}}.
13379 @w{@code{@var{op}=}} and @code{=} have the same precedence.
13380 @var{op} is any one of the operators @code{|}, @code{^}, @code{&},
13381 @code{<<}, @code{>>}, @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{%}.
13382
13383 @item ?:
13384 The ternary operator. @code{@var{a} ? @var{b} : @var{c}} can be thought
13385 of as: if @var{a} then @var{b} else @var{c}. @var{a} should be of an
13386 integral type.
13387
13388 @item ||
13389 Logical @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
13390
13391 @item &&
13392 Logical @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
13393
13394 @item |
13395 Bitwise @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
13396
13397 @item ^
13398 Bitwise exclusive-@sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
13399
13400 @item &
13401 Bitwise @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
13402
13403 @item ==@r{, }!=
13404 Equality and inequality. Defined on scalar types. The value of these
13405 expressions is 0 for false and non-zero for true.
13406
13407 @item <@r{, }>@r{, }<=@r{, }>=
13408 Less than, greater than, less than or equal, greater than or equal.
13409 Defined on scalar types. The value of these expressions is 0 for false
13410 and non-zero for true.
13411
13412 @item <<@r{, }>>
13413 left shift, and right shift. Defined on integral types.
13414
13415 @item @@
13416 The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
13417
13418 @item +@r{, }-
13419 Addition and subtraction. Defined on integral types, floating-point types and
13420 pointer types.
13421
13422 @item *@r{, }/@r{, }%
13423 Multiplication, division, and modulus. Multiplication and division are
13424 defined on integral and floating-point types. Modulus is defined on
13425 integral types.
13426
13427 @item ++@r{, }--
13428 Increment and decrement. When appearing before a variable, the
13429 operation is performed before the variable is used in an expression;
13430 when appearing after it, the variable's value is used before the
13431 operation takes place.
13432
13433 @item *
13434 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types. Same precedence as
13435 @code{++}.
13436
13437 @item &
13438 Address operator. Defined on variables. Same precedence as @code{++}.
13439
13440 For debugging C@t{++}, @value{GDBN} implements a use of @samp{&} beyond what is
13441 allowed in the C@t{++} language itself: you can use @samp{&(&@var{ref})}
13442 to examine the address
13443 where a C@t{++} reference variable (declared with @samp{&@var{ref}}) is
13444 stored.
13445
13446 @item -
13447 Negative. Defined on integral and floating-point types. Same
13448 precedence as @code{++}.
13449
13450 @item !
13451 Logical negation. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
13452 @code{++}.
13453
13454 @item ~
13455 Bitwise complement operator. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
13456 @code{++}.
13457
13458
13459 @item .@r{, }->
13460 Structure member, and pointer-to-structure member. For convenience,
13461 @value{GDBN} regards the two as equivalent, choosing whether to dereference a
13462 pointer based on the stored type information.
13463 Defined on @code{struct} and @code{union} data.
13464
13465 @item .*@r{, }->*
13466 Dereferences of pointers to members.
13467
13468 @item []
13469 Array indexing. @code{@var{a}[@var{i}]} is defined as
13470 @code{*(@var{a}+@var{i})}. Same precedence as @code{->}.
13471
13472 @item ()
13473 Function parameter list. Same precedence as @code{->}.
13474
13475 @item ::
13476 C@t{++} scope resolution operator. Defined on @code{struct}, @code{union},
13477 and @code{class} types.
13478
13479 @item ::
13480 Doubled colons also represent the @value{GDBN} scope operator
13481 (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). Same precedence as @code{::},
13482 above.
13483 @end table
13484
13485 If an operator is redefined in the user code, @value{GDBN} usually
13486 attempts to invoke the redefined version instead of using the operator's
13487 predefined meaning.
13488
13489 @node C Constants
13490 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Constants
13491
13492 @cindex C and C@t{++} constants
13493
13494 @value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of C and C@t{++} in the
13495 following ways:
13496
13497 @itemize @bullet
13498 @item
13499 Integer constants are a sequence of digits. Octal constants are
13500 specified by a leading @samp{0} (i.e.@: zero), and hexadecimal constants
13501 by a leading @samp{0x} or @samp{0X}. Constants may also end with a letter
13502 @samp{l}, specifying that the constant should be treated as a
13503 @code{long} value.
13504
13505 @item
13506 Floating point constants are a sequence of digits, followed by a decimal
13507 point, followed by a sequence of digits, and optionally followed by an
13508 exponent. An exponent is of the form:
13509 @samp{@w{e@r{[[}+@r{]|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}}, where @var{nnn} is another
13510 sequence of digits. The @samp{+} is optional for positive exponents.
13511 A floating-point constant may also end with a letter @samp{f} or
13512 @samp{F}, specifying that the constant should be treated as being of
13513 the @code{float} (as opposed to the default @code{double}) type; or with
13514 a letter @samp{l} or @samp{L}, which specifies a @code{long double}
13515 constant.
13516
13517 @item
13518 Enumerated constants consist of enumerated identifiers, or their
13519 integral equivalents.
13520
13521 @item
13522 Character constants are a single character surrounded by single quotes
13523 (@code{'}), or a number---the ordinal value of the corresponding character
13524 (usually its @sc{ascii} value). Within quotes, the single character may
13525 be represented by a letter or by @dfn{escape sequences}, which are of
13526 the form @samp{\@var{nnn}}, where @var{nnn} is the octal representation
13527 of the character's ordinal value; or of the form @samp{\@var{x}}, where
13528 @samp{@var{x}} is a predefined special character---for example,
13529 @samp{\n} for newline.
13530
13531 Wide character constants can be written by prefixing a character
13532 constant with @samp{L}, as in C. For example, @samp{L'x'} is the wide
13533 form of @samp{x}. The target wide character set is used when
13534 computing the value of this constant (@pxref{Character Sets}).
13535
13536 @item
13537 String constants are a sequence of character constants surrounded by
13538 double quotes (@code{"}). Any valid character constant (as described
13539 above) may appear. Double quotes within the string must be preceded by
13540 a backslash, so for instance @samp{"a\"b'c"} is a string of five
13541 characters.
13542
13543 Wide string constants can be written by prefixing a string constant
13544 with @samp{L}, as in C. The target wide character set is used when
13545 computing the value of this constant (@pxref{Character Sets}).
13546
13547 @item
13548 Pointer constants are an integral value. You can also write pointers
13549 to constants using the C operator @samp{&}.
13550
13551 @item
13552 Array constants are comma-separated lists surrounded by braces @samp{@{}
13553 and @samp{@}}; for example, @samp{@{1,2,3@}} is a three-element array of
13554 integers, @samp{@{@{1,2@}, @{3,4@}, @{5,6@}@}} is a three-by-two array,
13555 and @samp{@{&"hi", &"there", &"fred"@}} is a three-element array of pointers.
13556 @end itemize
13557
13558 @node C Plus Plus Expressions
13559 @subsubsection C@t{++} Expressions
13560
13561 @cindex expressions in C@t{++}
13562 @value{GDBN} expression handling can interpret most C@t{++} expressions.
13563
13564 @cindex debugging C@t{++} programs
13565 @cindex C@t{++} compilers
13566 @cindex debug formats and C@t{++}
13567 @cindex @value{NGCC} and C@t{++}
13568 @quotation
13569 @emph{Warning:} @value{GDBN} can only debug C@t{++} code if you use
13570 the proper compiler and the proper debug format. Currently,
13571 @value{GDBN} works best when debugging C@t{++} code that is compiled
13572 with the most recent version of @value{NGCC} possible. The DWARF
13573 debugging format is preferred; @value{NGCC} defaults to this on most
13574 popular platforms. Other compilers and/or debug formats are likely to
13575 work badly or not at all when using @value{GDBN} to debug C@t{++}
13576 code. @xref{Compilation}.
13577 @end quotation
13578
13579 @enumerate
13580
13581 @cindex member functions
13582 @item
13583 Member function calls are allowed; you can use expressions like
13584
13585 @smallexample
13586 count = aml->GetOriginal(x, y)
13587 @end smallexample
13588
13589 @vindex this@r{, inside C@t{++} member functions}
13590 @cindex namespace in C@t{++}
13591 @item
13592 While a member function is active (in the selected stack frame), your
13593 expressions have the same namespace available as the member function;
13594 that is, @value{GDBN} allows implicit references to the class instance
13595 pointer @code{this} following the same rules as C@t{++}. @code{using}
13596 declarations in the current scope are also respected by @value{GDBN}.
13597
13598 @cindex call overloaded functions
13599 @cindex overloaded functions, calling
13600 @cindex type conversions in C@t{++}
13601 @item
13602 You can call overloaded functions; @value{GDBN} resolves the function
13603 call to the right definition, with some restrictions. @value{GDBN} does not
13604 perform overload resolution involving user-defined type conversions,
13605 calls to constructors, or instantiations of templates that do not exist
13606 in the program. It also cannot handle ellipsis argument lists or
13607 default arguments.
13608
13609 It does perform integral conversions and promotions, floating-point
13610 promotions, arithmetic conversions, pointer conversions, conversions of
13611 class objects to base classes, and standard conversions such as those of
13612 functions or arrays to pointers; it requires an exact match on the
13613 number of function arguments.
13614
13615 Overload resolution is always performed, unless you have specified
13616 @code{set overload-resolution off}. @xref{Debugging C Plus Plus,
13617 ,@value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}}.
13618
13619 You must specify @code{set overload-resolution off} in order to use an
13620 explicit function signature to call an overloaded function, as in
13621 @smallexample
13622 p 'foo(char,int)'('x', 13)
13623 @end smallexample
13624
13625 The @value{GDBN} command-completion facility can simplify this;
13626 see @ref{Completion, ,Command Completion}.
13627
13628 @cindex reference declarations
13629 @item
13630 @value{GDBN} understands variables declared as C@t{++} references; you can use
13631 them in expressions just as you do in C@t{++} source---they are automatically
13632 dereferenced.
13633
13634 In the parameter list shown when @value{GDBN} displays a frame, the values of
13635 reference variables are not displayed (unlike other variables); this
13636 avoids clutter, since references are often used for large structures.
13637 The @emph{address} of a reference variable is always shown, unless
13638 you have specified @samp{set print address off}.
13639
13640 @item
13641 @value{GDBN} supports the C@t{++} name resolution operator @code{::}---your
13642 expressions can use it just as expressions in your program do. Since
13643 one scope may be defined in another, you can use @code{::} repeatedly if
13644 necessary, for example in an expression like
13645 @samp{@var{scope1}::@var{scope2}::@var{name}}. @value{GDBN} also allows
13646 resolving name scope by reference to source files, in both C and C@t{++}
13647 debugging (@pxref{Variables, ,Program Variables}).
13648
13649 @item
13650 @value{GDBN} performs argument-dependent lookup, following the C@t{++}
13651 specification.
13652 @end enumerate
13653
13654 @node C Defaults
13655 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Defaults
13656
13657 @cindex C and C@t{++} defaults
13658
13659 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set range checking automatically, it
13660 defaults to @code{off} whenever the working language changes to
13661 C or C@t{++}. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
13662 selects the working language.
13663
13664 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, it
13665 recognizes source files whose names end with @file{.c}, @file{.C}, or
13666 @file{.cc}, etc, and when @value{GDBN} enters code compiled from one of
13667 these files, it sets the working language to C or C@t{++}.
13668 @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN} Infer the Source Language},
13669 for further details.
13670
13671 @node C Checks
13672 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Type and Range Checks
13673
13674 @cindex C and C@t{++} checks
13675
13676 By default, when @value{GDBN} parses C or C@t{++} expressions, strict type
13677 checking is used. However, if you turn type checking off, @value{GDBN}
13678 will allow certain non-standard conversions, such as promoting integer
13679 constants to pointers.
13680
13681 Range checking, if turned on, is done on mathematical operations. Array
13682 indices are not checked, since they are often used to index a pointer
13683 that is not itself an array.
13684
13685 @node Debugging C
13686 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} and C
13687
13688 The @code{set print union} and @code{show print union} commands apply to
13689 the @code{union} type. When set to @samp{on}, any @code{union} that is
13690 inside a @code{struct} or @code{class} is also printed. Otherwise, it
13691 appears as @samp{@{...@}}.
13692
13693 The @code{@@} operator aids in the debugging of dynamic arrays, formed
13694 with pointers and a memory allocation function. @xref{Expressions,
13695 ,Expressions}.
13696
13697 @node Debugging C Plus Plus
13698 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}
13699
13700 @cindex commands for C@t{++}
13701
13702 Some @value{GDBN} commands are particularly useful with C@t{++}, and some are
13703 designed specifically for use with C@t{++}. Here is a summary:
13704
13705 @table @code
13706 @cindex break in overloaded functions
13707 @item @r{breakpoint menus}
13708 When you want a breakpoint in a function whose name is overloaded,
13709 @value{GDBN} has the capability to display a menu of possible breakpoint
13710 locations to help you specify which function definition you want.
13711 @xref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous Expressions}.
13712
13713 @cindex overloading in C@t{++}
13714 @item rbreak @var{regex}
13715 Setting breakpoints using regular expressions is helpful for setting
13716 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
13717 classes.
13718 @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}.
13719
13720 @cindex C@t{++} exception handling
13721 @item catch throw
13722 @itemx catch rethrow
13723 @itemx catch catch
13724 Debug C@t{++} exception handling using these commands. @xref{Set
13725 Catchpoints, , Setting Catchpoints}.
13726
13727 @cindex inheritance
13728 @item ptype @var{typename}
13729 Print inheritance relationships as well as other information for type
13730 @var{typename}.
13731 @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}.
13732
13733 @item info vtbl @var{expression}.
13734 The @code{info vtbl} command can be used to display the virtual
13735 method tables of the object computed by @var{expression}. This shows
13736 one entry per virtual table; there may be multiple virtual tables when
13737 multiple inheritance is in use.
13738
13739 @cindex C@t{++} symbol display
13740 @item set print demangle
13741 @itemx show print demangle
13742 @itemx set print asm-demangle
13743 @itemx show print asm-demangle
13744 Control whether C@t{++} symbols display in their source form, both when
13745 displaying code as C@t{++} source and when displaying disassemblies.
13746 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
13747
13748 @item set print object
13749 @itemx show print object
13750 Choose whether to print derived (actual) or declared types of objects.
13751 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
13752
13753 @item set print vtbl
13754 @itemx show print vtbl
13755 Control the format for printing virtual function tables.
13756 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
13757 (The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
13758 ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
13759
13760 @kindex set overload-resolution
13761 @cindex overloaded functions, overload resolution
13762 @item set overload-resolution on
13763 Enable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. The default
13764 is on. For overloaded functions, @value{GDBN} evaluates the arguments
13765 and searches for a function whose signature matches the argument types,
13766 using the standard C@t{++} conversion rules (see @ref{C Plus Plus
13767 Expressions, ,C@t{++} Expressions}, for details).
13768 If it cannot find a match, it emits a message.
13769
13770 @item set overload-resolution off
13771 Disable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. For
13772 overloaded functions that are not class member functions, @value{GDBN}
13773 chooses the first function of the specified name that it finds in the
13774 symbol table, whether or not its arguments are of the correct type. For
13775 overloaded functions that are class member functions, @value{GDBN}
13776 searches for a function whose signature @emph{exactly} matches the
13777 argument types.
13778
13779 @kindex show overload-resolution
13780 @item show overload-resolution
13781 Show the current setting of overload resolution.
13782
13783 @item @r{Overloaded symbol names}
13784 You can specify a particular definition of an overloaded symbol, using
13785 the same notation that is used to declare such symbols in C@t{++}: type
13786 @code{@var{symbol}(@var{types})} rather than just @var{symbol}. You can
13787 also use the @value{GDBN} command-line word completion facilities to list the
13788 available choices, or to finish the type list for you.
13789 @xref{Completion,, Command Completion}, for details on how to do this.
13790 @end table
13791
13792 @node Decimal Floating Point
13793 @subsubsection Decimal Floating Point format
13794 @cindex decimal floating point format
13795
13796 @value{GDBN} can examine, set and perform computations with numbers in
13797 decimal floating point format, which in the C language correspond to the
13798 @code{_Decimal32}, @code{_Decimal64} and @code{_Decimal128} types as
13799 specified by the extension to support decimal floating-point arithmetic.
13800
13801 There are two encodings in use, depending on the architecture: BID (Binary
13802 Integer Decimal) for x86 and x86-64, and DPD (Densely Packed Decimal) for
13803 PowerPC. @value{GDBN} will use the appropriate encoding for the configured
13804 target.
13805
13806 Because of a limitation in @file{libdecnumber}, the library used by @value{GDBN}
13807 to manipulate decimal floating point numbers, it is not possible to convert
13808 (using a cast, for example) integers wider than 32-bit to decimal float.
13809
13810 In addition, in order to imitate @value{GDBN}'s behaviour with binary floating
13811 point computations, error checking in decimal float operations ignores
13812 underflow, overflow and divide by zero exceptions.
13813
13814 In the PowerPC architecture, @value{GDBN} provides a set of pseudo-registers
13815 to inspect @code{_Decimal128} values stored in floating point registers.
13816 See @ref{PowerPC,,PowerPC} for more details.
13817
13818 @node D
13819 @subsection D
13820
13821 @cindex D
13822 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in D and compiled with
13823 GDC, LDC or DMD compilers. Currently @value{GDBN} supports only one D
13824 specific feature --- dynamic arrays.
13825
13826 @node Go
13827 @subsection Go
13828
13829 @cindex Go (programming language)
13830 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Go and compiled with
13831 @file{gccgo} or @file{6g} compilers.
13832
13833 Here is a summary of the Go-specific features and restrictions:
13834
13835 @table @code
13836 @cindex current Go package
13837 @item The current Go package
13838 The name of the current package does not need to be specified when
13839 specifying global variables and functions.
13840
13841 For example, given the program:
13842
13843 @example
13844 package main
13845 var myglob = "Shall we?"
13846 func main () @{
13847 // ...
13848 @}
13849 @end example
13850
13851 When stopped inside @code{main} either of these work:
13852
13853 @example
13854 (gdb) p myglob
13855 (gdb) p main.myglob
13856 @end example
13857
13858 @cindex builtin Go types
13859 @item Builtin Go types
13860 The @code{string} type is recognized by @value{GDBN} and is printed
13861 as a string.
13862
13863 @cindex builtin Go functions
13864 @item Builtin Go functions
13865 The @value{GDBN} expression parser recognizes the @code{unsafe.Sizeof}
13866 function and handles it internally.
13867
13868 @cindex restrictions on Go expressions
13869 @item Restrictions on Go expressions
13870 All Go operators are supported except @code{&^}.
13871 The Go @code{_} ``blank identifier'' is not supported.
13872 Automatic dereferencing of pointers is not supported.
13873 @end table
13874
13875 @node Objective-C
13876 @subsection Objective-C
13877
13878 @cindex Objective-C
13879 This section provides information about some commands and command
13880 options that are useful for debugging Objective-C code. See also
13881 @ref{Symbols, info classes}, and @ref{Symbols, info selectors}, for a
13882 few more commands specific to Objective-C support.
13883
13884 @menu
13885 * Method Names in Commands::
13886 * The Print Command with Objective-C::
13887 @end menu
13888
13889 @node Method Names in Commands
13890 @subsubsection Method Names in Commands
13891
13892 The following commands have been extended to accept Objective-C method
13893 names as line specifications:
13894
13895 @kindex clear@r{, and Objective-C}
13896 @kindex break@r{, and Objective-C}
13897 @kindex info line@r{, and Objective-C}
13898 @kindex jump@r{, and Objective-C}
13899 @kindex list@r{, and Objective-C}
13900 @itemize
13901 @item @code{clear}
13902 @item @code{break}
13903 @item @code{info line}
13904 @item @code{jump}
13905 @item @code{list}
13906 @end itemize
13907
13908 A fully qualified Objective-C method name is specified as
13909
13910 @smallexample
13911 -[@var{Class} @var{methodName}]
13912 @end smallexample
13913
13914 where the minus sign is used to indicate an instance method and a
13915 plus sign (not shown) is used to indicate a class method. The class
13916 name @var{Class} and method name @var{methodName} are enclosed in
13917 brackets, similar to the way messages are specified in Objective-C
13918 source code. For example, to set a breakpoint at the @code{create}
13919 instance method of class @code{Fruit} in the program currently being
13920 debugged, enter:
13921
13922 @smallexample
13923 break -[Fruit create]
13924 @end smallexample
13925
13926 To list ten program lines around the @code{initialize} class method,
13927 enter:
13928
13929 @smallexample
13930 list +[NSText initialize]
13931 @end smallexample
13932
13933 In the current version of @value{GDBN}, the plus or minus sign is
13934 required. In future versions of @value{GDBN}, the plus or minus
13935 sign will be optional, but you can use it to narrow the search. It
13936 is also possible to specify just a method name:
13937
13938 @smallexample
13939 break create
13940 @end smallexample
13941
13942 You must specify the complete method name, including any colons. If
13943 your program's source files contain more than one @code{create} method,
13944 you'll be presented with a numbered list of classes that implement that
13945 method. Indicate your choice by number, or type @samp{0} to exit if
13946 none apply.
13947
13948 As another example, to clear a breakpoint established at the
13949 @code{makeKeyAndOrderFront:} method of the @code{NSWindow} class, enter:
13950
13951 @smallexample
13952 clear -[NSWindow makeKeyAndOrderFront:]
13953 @end smallexample
13954
13955 @node The Print Command with Objective-C
13956 @subsubsection The Print Command With Objective-C
13957 @cindex Objective-C, print objects
13958 @kindex print-object
13959 @kindex po @r{(@code{print-object})}
13960
13961 The print command has also been extended to accept methods. For example:
13962
13963 @smallexample
13964 print -[@var{object} hash]
13965 @end smallexample
13966
13967 @cindex print an Objective-C object description
13968 @cindex @code{_NSPrintForDebugger}, and printing Objective-C objects
13969 @noindent
13970 will tell @value{GDBN} to send the @code{hash} message to @var{object}
13971 and print the result. Also, an additional command has been added,
13972 @code{print-object} or @code{po} for short, which is meant to print
13973 the description of an object. However, this command may only work
13974 with certain Objective-C libraries that have a particular hook
13975 function, @code{_NSPrintForDebugger}, defined.
13976
13977 @node OpenCL C
13978 @subsection OpenCL C
13979
13980 @cindex OpenCL C
13981 This section provides information about @value{GDBN}s OpenCL C support.
13982
13983 @menu
13984 * OpenCL C Datatypes::
13985 * OpenCL C Expressions::
13986 * OpenCL C Operators::
13987 @end menu
13988
13989 @node OpenCL C Datatypes
13990 @subsubsection OpenCL C Datatypes
13991
13992 @cindex OpenCL C Datatypes
13993 @value{GDBN} supports the builtin scalar and vector datatypes specified
13994 by OpenCL 1.1. In addition the half- and double-precision floating point
13995 data types of the @code{cl_khr_fp16} and @code{cl_khr_fp64} OpenCL
13996 extensions are also known to @value{GDBN}.
13997
13998 @node OpenCL C Expressions
13999 @subsubsection OpenCL C Expressions
14000
14001 @cindex OpenCL C Expressions
14002 @value{GDBN} supports accesses to vector components including the access as
14003 lvalue where possible. Since OpenCL C is based on C99 most C expressions
14004 supported by @value{GDBN} can be used as well.
14005
14006 @node OpenCL C Operators
14007 @subsubsection OpenCL C Operators
14008
14009 @cindex OpenCL C Operators
14010 @value{GDBN} supports the operators specified by OpenCL 1.1 for scalar and
14011 vector data types.
14012
14013 @node Fortran
14014 @subsection Fortran
14015 @cindex Fortran-specific support in @value{GDBN}
14016
14017 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, but it
14018 currently supports only the features of Fortran 77 language.
14019
14020 @cindex trailing underscore, in Fortran symbols
14021 Some Fortran compilers (@sc{gnu} Fortran 77 and Fortran 95 compilers
14022 among them) append an underscore to the names of variables and
14023 functions. When you debug programs compiled by those compilers, you
14024 will need to refer to variables and functions with a trailing
14025 underscore.
14026
14027 @menu
14028 * Fortran Operators:: Fortran operators and expressions
14029 * Fortran Defaults:: Default settings for Fortran
14030 * Special Fortran Commands:: Special @value{GDBN} commands for Fortran
14031 @end menu
14032
14033 @node Fortran Operators
14034 @subsubsection Fortran Operators and Expressions
14035
14036 @cindex Fortran operators and expressions
14037
14038 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
14039 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on characters or other non-
14040 arithmetic types. Operators are often defined on groups of types.
14041
14042 @table @code
14043 @item **
14044 The exponentiation operator. It raises the first operand to the power
14045 of the second one.
14046
14047 @item :
14048 The range operator. Normally used in the form of array(low:high) to
14049 represent a section of array.
14050
14051 @item %
14052 The access component operator. Normally used to access elements in derived
14053 types. Also suitable for unions. As unions aren't part of regular Fortran,
14054 this can only happen when accessing a register that uses a gdbarch-defined
14055 union type.
14056 @end table
14057
14058 @node Fortran Defaults
14059 @subsubsection Fortran Defaults
14060
14061 @cindex Fortran Defaults
14062
14063 Fortran symbols are usually case-insensitive, so @value{GDBN} by
14064 default uses case-insensitive matches for Fortran symbols. You can
14065 change that with the @samp{set case-insensitive} command, see
14066 @ref{Symbols}, for the details.
14067
14068 @node Special Fortran Commands
14069 @subsubsection Special Fortran Commands
14070
14071 @cindex Special Fortran commands
14072
14073 @value{GDBN} has some commands to support Fortran-specific features,
14074 such as displaying common blocks.
14075
14076 @table @code
14077 @cindex @code{COMMON} blocks, Fortran
14078 @kindex info common
14079 @item info common @r{[}@var{common-name}@r{]}
14080 This command prints the values contained in the Fortran @code{COMMON}
14081 block whose name is @var{common-name}. With no argument, the names of
14082 all @code{COMMON} blocks visible at the current program location are
14083 printed.
14084 @end table
14085
14086 @node Pascal
14087 @subsection Pascal
14088
14089 @cindex Pascal support in @value{GDBN}, limitations
14090 Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or
14091 nested functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
14092 entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal
14093 syntax.
14094
14095 The Pascal-specific command @code{set print pascal_static-members}
14096 controls whether static members of Pascal objects are displayed.
14097 @xref{Print Settings, pascal_static-members}.
14098
14099 @node Modula-2
14100 @subsection Modula-2
14101
14102 @cindex Modula-2, @value{GDBN} support
14103
14104 The extensions made to @value{GDBN} to support Modula-2 only support
14105 output from the @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler (which is currently being
14106 developed). Other Modula-2 compilers are not currently supported, and
14107 attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
14108 to give an error as @value{GDBN} reads in the executable's symbol
14109 table.
14110
14111 @cindex expressions in Modula-2
14112 @menu
14113 * M2 Operators:: Built-in operators
14114 * Built-In Func/Proc:: Built-in functions and procedures
14115 * M2 Constants:: Modula-2 constants
14116 * M2 Types:: Modula-2 types
14117 * M2 Defaults:: Default settings for Modula-2
14118 * Deviations:: Deviations from standard Modula-2
14119 * M2 Checks:: Modula-2 type and range checks
14120 * M2 Scope:: The scope operators @code{::} and @code{.}
14121 * GDB/M2:: @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
14122 @end menu
14123
14124 @node M2 Operators
14125 @subsubsection Operators
14126 @cindex Modula-2 operators
14127
14128 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
14129 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
14130 often defined on groups of types. For the purposes of Modula-2, the
14131 following definitions hold:
14132
14133 @itemize @bullet
14134
14135 @item
14136 @emph{Integral types} consist of @code{INTEGER}, @code{CARDINAL}, and
14137 their subranges.
14138
14139 @item
14140 @emph{Character types} consist of @code{CHAR} and its subranges.
14141
14142 @item
14143 @emph{Floating-point types} consist of @code{REAL}.
14144
14145 @item
14146 @emph{Pointer types} consist of anything declared as @code{POINTER TO
14147 @var{type}}.
14148
14149 @item
14150 @emph{Scalar types} consist of all of the above.
14151
14152 @item
14153 @emph{Set types} consist of @code{SET} and @code{BITSET} types.
14154
14155 @item
14156 @emph{Boolean types} consist of @code{BOOLEAN}.
14157 @end itemize
14158
14159 @noindent
14160 The following operators are supported, and appear in order of
14161 increasing precedence:
14162
14163 @table @code
14164 @item ,
14165 Function argument or array index separator.
14166
14167 @item :=
14168 Assignment. The value of @var{var} @code{:=} @var{value} is
14169 @var{value}.
14170
14171 @item <@r{, }>
14172 Less than, greater than on integral, floating-point, or enumerated
14173 types.
14174
14175 @item <=@r{, }>=
14176 Less than or equal to, greater than or equal to
14177 on integral, floating-point and enumerated types, or set inclusion on
14178 set types. Same precedence as @code{<}.
14179
14180 @item =@r{, }<>@r{, }#
14181 Equality and two ways of expressing inequality, valid on scalar types.
14182 Same precedence as @code{<}. In @value{GDBN} scripts, only @code{<>} is
14183 available for inequality, since @code{#} conflicts with the script
14184 comment character.
14185
14186 @item IN
14187 Set membership. Defined on set types and the types of their members.
14188 Same precedence as @code{<}.
14189
14190 @item OR
14191 Boolean disjunction. Defined on boolean types.
14192
14193 @item AND@r{, }&
14194 Boolean conjunction. Defined on boolean types.
14195
14196 @item @@
14197 The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
14198
14199 @item +@r{, }-
14200 Addition and subtraction on integral and floating-point types, or union
14201 and difference on set types.
14202
14203 @item *
14204 Multiplication on integral and floating-point types, or set intersection
14205 on set types.
14206
14207 @item /
14208 Division on floating-point types, or symmetric set difference on set
14209 types. Same precedence as @code{*}.
14210
14211 @item DIV@r{, }MOD
14212 Integer division and remainder. Defined on integral types. Same
14213 precedence as @code{*}.
14214
14215 @item -
14216 Negative. Defined on @code{INTEGER} and @code{REAL} data.
14217
14218 @item ^
14219 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types.
14220
14221 @item NOT
14222 Boolean negation. Defined on boolean types. Same precedence as
14223 @code{^}.
14224
14225 @item .
14226 @code{RECORD} field selector. Defined on @code{RECORD} data. Same
14227 precedence as @code{^}.
14228
14229 @item []
14230 Array indexing. Defined on @code{ARRAY} data. Same precedence as @code{^}.
14231
14232 @item ()
14233 Procedure argument list. Defined on @code{PROCEDURE} objects. Same precedence
14234 as @code{^}.
14235
14236 @item ::@r{, }.
14237 @value{GDBN} and Modula-2 scope operators.
14238 @end table
14239
14240 @quotation
14241 @emph{Warning:} Set expressions and their operations are not yet supported, so @value{GDBN}
14242 treats the use of the operator @code{IN}, or the use of operators
14243 @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{=}, , @code{<>}, @code{#},
14244 @code{<=}, and @code{>=} on sets as an error.
14245 @end quotation
14246
14247
14248 @node Built-In Func/Proc
14249 @subsubsection Built-in Functions and Procedures
14250 @cindex Modula-2 built-ins
14251
14252 Modula-2 also makes available several built-in procedures and functions.
14253 In describing these, the following metavariables are used:
14254
14255 @table @var
14256
14257 @item a
14258 represents an @code{ARRAY} variable.
14259
14260 @item c
14261 represents a @code{CHAR} constant or variable.
14262
14263 @item i
14264 represents a variable or constant of integral type.
14265
14266 @item m
14267 represents an identifier that belongs to a set. Generally used in the
14268 same function with the metavariable @var{s}. The type of @var{s} should
14269 be @code{SET OF @var{mtype}} (where @var{mtype} is the type of @var{m}).
14270
14271 @item n
14272 represents a variable or constant of integral or floating-point type.
14273
14274 @item r
14275 represents a variable or constant of floating-point type.
14276
14277 @item t
14278 represents a type.
14279
14280 @item v
14281 represents a variable.
14282
14283 @item x
14284 represents a variable or constant of one of many types. See the
14285 explanation of the function for details.
14286 @end table
14287
14288 All Modula-2 built-in procedures also return a result, described below.
14289
14290 @table @code
14291 @item ABS(@var{n})
14292 Returns the absolute value of @var{n}.
14293
14294 @item CAP(@var{c})
14295 If @var{c} is a lower case letter, it returns its upper case
14296 equivalent, otherwise it returns its argument.
14297
14298 @item CHR(@var{i})
14299 Returns the character whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
14300
14301 @item DEC(@var{v})
14302 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
14303
14304 @item DEC(@var{v},@var{i})
14305 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
14306 new value.
14307
14308 @item EXCL(@var{m},@var{s})
14309 Removes the element @var{m} from the set @var{s}. Returns the new
14310 set.
14311
14312 @item FLOAT(@var{i})
14313 Returns the floating point equivalent of the integer @var{i}.
14314
14315 @item HIGH(@var{a})
14316 Returns the index of the last member of @var{a}.
14317
14318 @item INC(@var{v})
14319 Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
14320
14321 @item INC(@var{v},@var{i})
14322 Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
14323 new value.
14324
14325 @item INCL(@var{m},@var{s})
14326 Adds the element @var{m} to the set @var{s} if it is not already
14327 there. Returns the new set.
14328
14329 @item MAX(@var{t})
14330 Returns the maximum value of the type @var{t}.
14331
14332 @item MIN(@var{t})
14333 Returns the minimum value of the type @var{t}.
14334
14335 @item ODD(@var{i})
14336 Returns boolean TRUE if @var{i} is an odd number.
14337
14338 @item ORD(@var{x})
14339 Returns the ordinal value of its argument. For example, the ordinal
14340 value of a character is its @sc{ascii} value (on machines supporting the
14341 @sc{ascii} character set). @var{x} must be of an ordered type, which include
14342 integral, character and enumerated types.
14343
14344 @item SIZE(@var{x})
14345 Returns the size of its argument. @var{x} can be a variable or a type.
14346
14347 @item TRUNC(@var{r})
14348 Returns the integral part of @var{r}.
14349
14350 @item TSIZE(@var{x})
14351 Returns the size of its argument. @var{x} can be a variable or a type.
14352
14353 @item VAL(@var{t},@var{i})
14354 Returns the member of the type @var{t} whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
14355 @end table
14356
14357 @quotation
14358 @emph{Warning:} Sets and their operations are not yet supported, so
14359 @value{GDBN} treats the use of procedures @code{INCL} and @code{EXCL} as
14360 an error.
14361 @end quotation
14362
14363 @cindex Modula-2 constants
14364 @node M2 Constants
14365 @subsubsection Constants
14366
14367 @value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of Modula-2 in the following
14368 ways:
14369
14370 @itemize @bullet
14371
14372 @item
14373 Integer constants are simply a sequence of digits. When used in an
14374 expression, a constant is interpreted to be type-compatible with the
14375 rest of the expression. Hexadecimal integers are specified by a
14376 trailing @samp{H}, and octal integers by a trailing @samp{B}.
14377
14378 @item
14379 Floating point constants appear as a sequence of digits, followed by a
14380 decimal point and another sequence of digits. An optional exponent can
14381 then be specified, in the form @samp{E@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}, where
14382 @samp{@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}} is the desired exponent. All of the
14383 digits of the floating point constant must be valid decimal (base 10)
14384 digits.
14385
14386 @item
14387 Character constants consist of a single character enclosed by a pair of
14388 like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}). They may
14389 also be expressed by their ordinal value (their @sc{ascii} value, usually)
14390 followed by a @samp{C}.
14391
14392 @item
14393 String constants consist of a sequence of characters enclosed by a
14394 pair of like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}).
14395 Escape sequences in the style of C are also allowed. @xref{C
14396 Constants, ,C and C@t{++} Constants}, for a brief explanation of escape
14397 sequences.
14398
14399 @item
14400 Enumerated constants consist of an enumerated identifier.
14401
14402 @item
14403 Boolean constants consist of the identifiers @code{TRUE} and
14404 @code{FALSE}.
14405
14406 @item
14407 Pointer constants consist of integral values only.
14408
14409 @item
14410 Set constants are not yet supported.
14411 @end itemize
14412
14413 @node M2 Types
14414 @subsubsection Modula-2 Types
14415 @cindex Modula-2 types
14416
14417 Currently @value{GDBN} can print the following data types in Modula-2
14418 syntax: array types, record types, set types, pointer types, procedure
14419 types, enumerated types, subrange types and base types. You can also
14420 print the contents of variables declared using these type.
14421 This section gives a number of simple source code examples together with
14422 sample @value{GDBN} sessions.
14423
14424 The first example contains the following section of code:
14425
14426 @smallexample
14427 VAR
14428 s: SET OF CHAR ;
14429 r: [20..40] ;
14430 @end smallexample
14431
14432 @noindent
14433 and you can request @value{GDBN} to interrogate the type and value of
14434 @code{r} and @code{s}.
14435
14436 @smallexample
14437 (@value{GDBP}) print s
14438 @{'A'..'C', 'Z'@}
14439 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
14440 SET OF CHAR
14441 (@value{GDBP}) print r
14442 21
14443 (@value{GDBP}) ptype r
14444 [20..40]
14445 @end smallexample
14446
14447 @noindent
14448 Likewise if your source code declares @code{s} as:
14449
14450 @smallexample
14451 VAR
14452 s: SET ['A'..'Z'] ;
14453 @end smallexample
14454
14455 @noindent
14456 then you may query the type of @code{s} by:
14457
14458 @smallexample
14459 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
14460 type = SET ['A'..'Z']
14461 @end smallexample
14462
14463 @noindent
14464 Note that at present you cannot interactively manipulate set
14465 expressions using the debugger.
14466
14467 The following example shows how you might declare an array in Modula-2
14468 and how you can interact with @value{GDBN} to print its type and contents:
14469
14470 @smallexample
14471 VAR
14472 s: ARRAY [-10..10] OF CHAR ;
14473 @end smallexample
14474
14475 @smallexample
14476 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
14477 ARRAY [-10..10] OF CHAR
14478 @end smallexample
14479
14480 Note that the array handling is not yet complete and although the type
14481 is printed correctly, expression handling still assumes that all
14482 arrays have a lower bound of zero and not @code{-10} as in the example
14483 above.
14484
14485 Here are some more type related Modula-2 examples:
14486
14487 @smallexample
14488 TYPE
14489 colour = (blue, red, yellow, green) ;
14490 t = [blue..yellow] ;
14491 VAR
14492 s: t ;
14493 BEGIN
14494 s := blue ;
14495 @end smallexample
14496
14497 @noindent
14498 The @value{GDBN} interaction shows how you can query the data type
14499 and value of a variable.
14500
14501 @smallexample
14502 (@value{GDBP}) print s
14503 $1 = blue
14504 (@value{GDBP}) ptype t
14505 type = [blue..yellow]
14506 @end smallexample
14507
14508 @noindent
14509 In this example a Modula-2 array is declared and its contents
14510 displayed. Observe that the contents are written in the same way as
14511 their @code{C} counterparts.
14512
14513 @smallexample
14514 VAR
14515 s: ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL ;
14516 BEGIN
14517 s[1] := 1 ;
14518 @end smallexample
14519
14520 @smallexample
14521 (@value{GDBP}) print s
14522 $1 = @{1, 0, 0, 0, 0@}
14523 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
14524 type = ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL
14525 @end smallexample
14526
14527 The Modula-2 language interface to @value{GDBN} also understands
14528 pointer types as shown in this example:
14529
14530 @smallexample
14531 VAR
14532 s: POINTER TO ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL ;
14533 BEGIN
14534 NEW(s) ;
14535 s^[1] := 1 ;
14536 @end smallexample
14537
14538 @noindent
14539 and you can request that @value{GDBN} describes the type of @code{s}.
14540
14541 @smallexample
14542 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
14543 type = POINTER TO ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL
14544 @end smallexample
14545
14546 @value{GDBN} handles compound types as we can see in this example.
14547 Here we combine array types, record types, pointer types and subrange
14548 types:
14549
14550 @smallexample
14551 TYPE
14552 foo = RECORD
14553 f1: CARDINAL ;
14554 f2: CHAR ;
14555 f3: myarray ;
14556 END ;
14557
14558 myarray = ARRAY myrange OF CARDINAL ;
14559 myrange = [-2..2] ;
14560 VAR
14561 s: POINTER TO ARRAY myrange OF foo ;
14562 @end smallexample
14563
14564 @noindent
14565 and you can ask @value{GDBN} to describe the type of @code{s} as shown
14566 below.
14567
14568 @smallexample
14569 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
14570 type = POINTER TO ARRAY [-2..2] OF foo = RECORD
14571 f1 : CARDINAL;
14572 f2 : CHAR;
14573 f3 : ARRAY [-2..2] OF CARDINAL;
14574 END
14575 @end smallexample
14576
14577 @node M2 Defaults
14578 @subsubsection Modula-2 Defaults
14579 @cindex Modula-2 defaults
14580
14581 If type and range checking are set automatically by @value{GDBN}, they
14582 both default to @code{on} whenever the working language changes to
14583 Modula-2. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
14584 selected the working language.
14585
14586 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, then entering
14587 code compiled from a file whose name ends with @file{.mod} sets the
14588 working language to Modula-2. @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN}
14589 Infer the Source Language}, for further details.
14590
14591 @node Deviations
14592 @subsubsection Deviations from Standard Modula-2
14593 @cindex Modula-2, deviations from
14594
14595 A few changes have been made to make Modula-2 programs easier to debug.
14596 This is done primarily via loosening its type strictness:
14597
14598 @itemize @bullet
14599 @item
14600 Unlike in standard Modula-2, pointer constants can be formed by
14601 integers. This allows you to modify pointer variables during
14602 debugging. (In standard Modula-2, the actual address contained in a
14603 pointer variable is hidden from you; it can only be modified
14604 through direct assignment to another pointer variable or expression that
14605 returned a pointer.)
14606
14607 @item
14608 C escape sequences can be used in strings and characters to represent
14609 non-printable characters. @value{GDBN} prints out strings with these
14610 escape sequences embedded. Single non-printable characters are
14611 printed using the @samp{CHR(@var{nnn})} format.
14612
14613 @item
14614 The assignment operator (@code{:=}) returns the value of its right-hand
14615 argument.
14616
14617 @item
14618 All built-in procedures both modify @emph{and} return their argument.
14619 @end itemize
14620
14621 @node M2 Checks
14622 @subsubsection Modula-2 Type and Range Checks
14623 @cindex Modula-2 checks
14624
14625 @quotation
14626 @emph{Warning:} in this release, @value{GDBN} does not yet perform type or
14627 range checking.
14628 @end quotation
14629 @c FIXME remove warning when type/range checks added
14630
14631 @value{GDBN} considers two Modula-2 variables type equivalent if:
14632
14633 @itemize @bullet
14634 @item
14635 They are of types that have been declared equivalent via a @code{TYPE
14636 @var{t1} = @var{t2}} statement
14637
14638 @item
14639 They have been declared on the same line. (Note: This is true of the
14640 @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler, but it may not be true of other compilers.)
14641 @end itemize
14642
14643 As long as type checking is enabled, any attempt to combine variables
14644 whose types are not equivalent is an error.
14645
14646 Range checking is done on all mathematical operations, assignment, array
14647 index bounds, and all built-in functions and procedures.
14648
14649 @node M2 Scope
14650 @subsubsection The Scope Operators @code{::} and @code{.}
14651 @cindex scope
14652 @cindex @code{.}, Modula-2 scope operator
14653 @cindex colon, doubled as scope operator
14654 @ifinfo
14655 @vindex colon-colon@r{, in Modula-2}
14656 @c Info cannot handle :: but TeX can.
14657 @end ifinfo
14658 @ifnotinfo
14659 @vindex ::@r{, in Modula-2}
14660 @end ifnotinfo
14661
14662 There are a few subtle differences between the Modula-2 scope operator
14663 (@code{.}) and the @value{GDBN} scope operator (@code{::}). The two have
14664 similar syntax:
14665
14666 @smallexample
14667
14668 @var{module} . @var{id}
14669 @var{scope} :: @var{id}
14670 @end smallexample
14671
14672 @noindent
14673 where @var{scope} is the name of a module or a procedure,
14674 @var{module} the name of a module, and @var{id} is any declared
14675 identifier within your program, except another module.
14676
14677 Using the @code{::} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the scope
14678 specified by @var{scope} for the identifier @var{id}. If it is not
14679 found in the specified scope, then @value{GDBN} searches all scopes
14680 enclosing the one specified by @var{scope}.
14681
14682 Using the @code{.} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the current scope for
14683 the identifier specified by @var{id} that was imported from the
14684 definition module specified by @var{module}. With this operator, it is
14685 an error if the identifier @var{id} was not imported from definition
14686 module @var{module}, or if @var{id} is not an identifier in
14687 @var{module}.
14688
14689 @node GDB/M2
14690 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
14691
14692 Some @value{GDBN} commands have little use when debugging Modula-2 programs.
14693 Five subcommands of @code{set print} and @code{show print} apply
14694 specifically to C and C@t{++}: @samp{vtbl}, @samp{demangle},
14695 @samp{asm-demangle}, @samp{object}, and @samp{union}. The first four
14696 apply to C@t{++}, and the last to the C @code{union} type, which has no direct
14697 analogue in Modula-2.
14698
14699 The @code{@@} operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}), while available
14700 with any language, is not useful with Modula-2. Its
14701 intent is to aid the debugging of @dfn{dynamic arrays}, which cannot be
14702 created in Modula-2 as they can in C or C@t{++}. However, because an
14703 address can be specified by an integral constant, the construct
14704 @samp{@{@var{type}@}@var{adrexp}} is still useful.
14705
14706 @cindex @code{#} in Modula-2
14707 In @value{GDBN} scripts, the Modula-2 inequality operator @code{#} is
14708 interpreted as the beginning of a comment. Use @code{<>} instead.
14709
14710 @node Ada
14711 @subsection Ada
14712 @cindex Ada
14713
14714 The extensions made to @value{GDBN} for Ada only support
14715 output from the @sc{gnu} Ada (GNAT) compiler.
14716 Other Ada compilers are not currently supported, and
14717 attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
14718 to be difficult.
14719
14720
14721 @cindex expressions in Ada
14722 @menu
14723 * Ada Mode Intro:: General remarks on the Ada syntax
14724 and semantics supported by Ada mode
14725 in @value{GDBN}.
14726 * Omissions from Ada:: Restrictions on the Ada expression syntax.
14727 * Additions to Ada:: Extensions of the Ada expression syntax.
14728 * Stopping Before Main Program:: Debugging the program during elaboration.
14729 * Ada Tasks:: Listing and setting breakpoints in tasks.
14730 * Ada Tasks and Core Files:: Tasking Support when Debugging Core Files
14731 * Ravenscar Profile:: Tasking Support when using the Ravenscar
14732 Profile
14733 * Ada Glitches:: Known peculiarities of Ada mode.
14734 @end menu
14735
14736 @node Ada Mode Intro
14737 @subsubsection Introduction
14738 @cindex Ada mode, general
14739
14740 The Ada mode of @value{GDBN} supports a fairly large subset of Ada expression
14741 syntax, with some extensions.
14742 The philosophy behind the design of this subset is
14743
14744 @itemize @bullet
14745 @item
14746 That @value{GDBN} should provide basic literals and access to operations for
14747 arithmetic, dereferencing, field selection, indexing, and subprogram calls,
14748 leaving more sophisticated computations to subprograms written into the
14749 program (which therefore may be called from @value{GDBN}).
14750
14751 @item
14752 That type safety and strict adherence to Ada language restrictions
14753 are not particularly important to the @value{GDBN} user.
14754
14755 @item
14756 That brevity is important to the @value{GDBN} user.
14757 @end itemize
14758
14759 Thus, for brevity, the debugger acts as if all names declared in
14760 user-written packages are directly visible, even if they are not visible
14761 according to Ada rules, thus making it unnecessary to fully qualify most
14762 names with their packages, regardless of context. Where this causes
14763 ambiguity, @value{GDBN} asks the user's intent.
14764
14765 The debugger will start in Ada mode if it detects an Ada main program.
14766 As for other languages, it will enter Ada mode when stopped in a program that
14767 was translated from an Ada source file.
14768
14769 While in Ada mode, you may use `@t{--}' for comments. This is useful
14770 mostly for documenting command files. The standard @value{GDBN} comment
14771 (@samp{#}) still works at the beginning of a line in Ada mode, but not in the
14772 middle (to allow based literals).
14773
14774 The debugger supports limited overloading. Given a subprogram call in which
14775 the function symbol has multiple definitions, it will use the number of
14776 actual parameters and some information about their types to attempt to narrow
14777 the set of definitions. It also makes very limited use of context, preferring
14778 procedures to functions in the context of the @code{call} command, and
14779 functions to procedures elsewhere.
14780
14781 @node Omissions from Ada
14782 @subsubsection Omissions from Ada
14783 @cindex Ada, omissions from
14784
14785 Here are the notable omissions from the subset:
14786
14787 @itemize @bullet
14788 @item
14789 Only a subset of the attributes are supported:
14790
14791 @itemize @minus
14792 @item
14793 @t{'First}, @t{'Last}, and @t{'Length}
14794 on array objects (not on types and subtypes).
14795
14796 @item
14797 @t{'Min} and @t{'Max}.
14798
14799 @item
14800 @t{'Pos} and @t{'Val}.
14801
14802 @item
14803 @t{'Tag}.
14804
14805 @item
14806 @t{'Range} on array objects (not subtypes), but only as the right
14807 operand of the membership (@code{in}) operator.
14808
14809 @item
14810 @t{'Access}, @t{'Unchecked_Access}, and
14811 @t{'Unrestricted_Access} (a GNAT extension).
14812
14813 @item
14814 @t{'Address}.
14815 @end itemize
14816
14817 @item
14818 The names in
14819 @code{Characters.Latin_1} are not available and
14820 concatenation is not implemented. Thus, escape characters in strings are
14821 not currently available.
14822
14823 @item
14824 Equality tests (@samp{=} and @samp{/=}) on arrays test for bitwise
14825 equality of representations. They will generally work correctly
14826 for strings and arrays whose elements have integer or enumeration types.
14827 They may not work correctly for arrays whose element
14828 types have user-defined equality, for arrays of real values
14829 (in particular, IEEE-conformant floating point, because of negative
14830 zeroes and NaNs), and for arrays whose elements contain unused bits with
14831 indeterminate values.
14832
14833 @item
14834 The other component-by-component array operations (@code{and}, @code{or},
14835 @code{xor}, @code{not}, and relational tests other than equality)
14836 are not implemented.
14837
14838 @item
14839 @cindex array aggregates (Ada)
14840 @cindex record aggregates (Ada)
14841 @cindex aggregates (Ada)
14842 There is limited support for array and record aggregates. They are
14843 permitted only on the right sides of assignments, as in these examples:
14844
14845 @smallexample
14846 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
14847 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (1, others => 0)
14848 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (0|4 => 1, 1..3 => 2, 5 => 6)
14849 (@value{GDBP}) set A_2D_Array := ((1, 2, 3), (4, 5, 6), (7, 8, 9))
14850 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Record := (1, "Peter", True);
14851 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Record := (Name => "Peter", Id => 1, Alive => True)
14852 @end smallexample
14853
14854 Changing a
14855 discriminant's value by assigning an aggregate has an
14856 undefined effect if that discriminant is used within the record.
14857 However, you can first modify discriminants by directly assigning to
14858 them (which normally would not be allowed in Ada), and then performing an
14859 aggregate assignment. For example, given a variable @code{A_Rec}
14860 declared to have a type such as:
14861
14862 @smallexample
14863 type Rec (Len : Small_Integer := 0) is record
14864 Id : Integer;
14865 Vals : IntArray (1 .. Len);
14866 end record;
14867 @end smallexample
14868
14869 you can assign a value with a different size of @code{Vals} with two
14870 assignments:
14871
14872 @smallexample
14873 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Rec.Len := 4
14874 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Rec := (Id => 42, Vals => (1, 2, 3, 4))
14875 @end smallexample
14876
14877 As this example also illustrates, @value{GDBN} is very loose about the usual
14878 rules concerning aggregates. You may leave out some of the
14879 components of an array or record aggregate (such as the @code{Len}
14880 component in the assignment to @code{A_Rec} above); they will retain their
14881 original values upon assignment. You may freely use dynamic values as
14882 indices in component associations. You may even use overlapping or
14883 redundant component associations, although which component values are
14884 assigned in such cases is not defined.
14885
14886 @item
14887 Calls to dispatching subprograms are not implemented.
14888
14889 @item
14890 The overloading algorithm is much more limited (i.e., less selective)
14891 than that of real Ada. It makes only limited use of the context in
14892 which a subexpression appears to resolve its meaning, and it is much
14893 looser in its rules for allowing type matches. As a result, some
14894 function calls will be ambiguous, and the user will be asked to choose
14895 the proper resolution.
14896
14897 @item
14898 The @code{new} operator is not implemented.
14899
14900 @item
14901 Entry calls are not implemented.
14902
14903 @item
14904 Aside from printing, arithmetic operations on the native VAX floating-point
14905 formats are not supported.
14906
14907 @item
14908 It is not possible to slice a packed array.
14909
14910 @item
14911 The names @code{True} and @code{False}, when not part of a qualified name,
14912 are interpreted as if implicitly prefixed by @code{Standard}, regardless of
14913 context.
14914 Should your program
14915 redefine these names in a package or procedure (at best a dubious practice),
14916 you will have to use fully qualified names to access their new definitions.
14917 @end itemize
14918
14919 @node Additions to Ada
14920 @subsubsection Additions to Ada
14921 @cindex Ada, deviations from
14922
14923 As it does for other languages, @value{GDBN} makes certain generic
14924 extensions to Ada (@pxref{Expressions}):
14925
14926 @itemize @bullet
14927 @item
14928 If the expression @var{E} is a variable residing in memory (typically
14929 a local variable or array element) and @var{N} is a positive integer,
14930 then @code{@var{E}@@@var{N}} displays the values of @var{E} and the
14931 @var{N}-1 adjacent variables following it in memory as an array. In
14932 Ada, this operator is generally not necessary, since its prime use is
14933 in displaying parts of an array, and slicing will usually do this in
14934 Ada. However, there are occasional uses when debugging programs in
14935 which certain debugging information has been optimized away.
14936
14937 @item
14938 @code{@var{B}::@var{var}} means ``the variable named @var{var} that
14939 appears in function or file @var{B}.'' When @var{B} is a file name,
14940 you must typically surround it in single quotes.
14941
14942 @item
14943 The expression @code{@{@var{type}@} @var{addr}} means ``the variable of type
14944 @var{type} that appears at address @var{addr}.''
14945
14946 @item
14947 A name starting with @samp{$} is a convenience variable
14948 (@pxref{Convenience Vars}) or a machine register (@pxref{Registers}).
14949 @end itemize
14950
14951 In addition, @value{GDBN} provides a few other shortcuts and outright
14952 additions specific to Ada:
14953
14954 @itemize @bullet
14955 @item
14956 The assignment statement is allowed as an expression, returning
14957 its right-hand operand as its value. Thus, you may enter
14958
14959 @smallexample
14960 (@value{GDBP}) set x := y + 3
14961 (@value{GDBP}) print A(tmp := y + 1)
14962 @end smallexample
14963
14964 @item
14965 The semicolon is allowed as an ``operator,'' returning as its value
14966 the value of its right-hand operand.
14967 This allows, for example,
14968 complex conditional breaks:
14969
14970 @smallexample
14971 (@value{GDBP}) break f
14972 (@value{GDBP}) condition 1 (report(i); k += 1; A(k) > 100)
14973 @end smallexample
14974
14975 @item
14976 Rather than use catenation and symbolic character names to introduce special
14977 characters into strings, one may instead use a special bracket notation,
14978 which is also used to print strings. A sequence of characters of the form
14979 @samp{["@var{XX}"]} within a string or character literal denotes the
14980 (single) character whose numeric encoding is @var{XX} in hexadecimal. The
14981 sequence of characters @samp{["""]} also denotes a single quotation mark
14982 in strings. For example,
14983 @smallexample
14984 "One line.["0a"]Next line.["0a"]"
14985 @end smallexample
14986 @noindent
14987 contains an ASCII newline character (@code{Ada.Characters.Latin_1.LF})
14988 after each period.
14989
14990 @item
14991 The subtype used as a prefix for the attributes @t{'Pos}, @t{'Min}, and
14992 @t{'Max} is optional (and is ignored in any case). For example, it is valid
14993 to write
14994
14995 @smallexample
14996 (@value{GDBP}) print 'max(x, y)
14997 @end smallexample
14998
14999 @item
15000 When printing arrays, @value{GDBN} uses positional notation when the
15001 array has a lower bound of 1, and uses a modified named notation otherwise.
15002 For example, a one-dimensional array of three integers with a lower bound
15003 of 3 might print as
15004
15005 @smallexample
15006 (3 => 10, 17, 1)
15007 @end smallexample
15008
15009 @noindent
15010 That is, in contrast to valid Ada, only the first component has a @code{=>}
15011 clause.
15012
15013 @item
15014 You may abbreviate attributes in expressions with any unique,
15015 multi-character subsequence of
15016 their names (an exact match gets preference).
15017 For example, you may use @t{a'len}, @t{a'gth}, or @t{a'lh}
15018 in place of @t{a'length}.
15019
15020 @item
15021 @cindex quoting Ada internal identifiers
15022 Since Ada is case-insensitive, the debugger normally maps identifiers you type
15023 to lower case. The GNAT compiler uses upper-case characters for
15024 some of its internal identifiers, which are normally of no interest to users.
15025 For the rare occasions when you actually have to look at them,
15026 enclose them in angle brackets to avoid the lower-case mapping.
15027 For example,
15028 @smallexample
15029 (@value{GDBP}) print <JMPBUF_SAVE>[0]
15030 @end smallexample
15031
15032 @item
15033 Printing an object of class-wide type or dereferencing an
15034 access-to-class-wide value will display all the components of the object's
15035 specific type (as indicated by its run-time tag). Likewise, component
15036 selection on such a value will operate on the specific type of the
15037 object.
15038
15039 @end itemize
15040
15041 @node Stopping Before Main Program
15042 @subsubsection Stopping at the Very Beginning
15043
15044 @cindex breakpointing Ada elaboration code
15045 It is sometimes necessary to debug the program during elaboration, and
15046 before reaching the main procedure.
15047 As defined in the Ada Reference
15048 Manual, the elaboration code is invoked from a procedure called
15049 @code{adainit}. To run your program up to the beginning of
15050 elaboration, simply use the following two commands:
15051 @code{tbreak adainit} and @code{run}.
15052
15053 @node Ada Tasks
15054 @subsubsection Extensions for Ada Tasks
15055 @cindex Ada, tasking
15056
15057 Support for Ada tasks is analogous to that for threads (@pxref{Threads}).
15058 @value{GDBN} provides the following task-related commands:
15059
15060 @table @code
15061 @kindex info tasks
15062 @item info tasks
15063 This command shows a list of current Ada tasks, as in the following example:
15064
15065
15066 @smallexample
15067 @iftex
15068 @leftskip=0.5cm
15069 @end iftex
15070 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
15071 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
15072 1 8088000 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
15073 2 80a4000 1 15 Accept Statement b
15074 3 809a800 1 15 Child Activation Wait a
15075 * 4 80ae800 3 15 Runnable c
15076
15077 @end smallexample
15078
15079 @noindent
15080 In this listing, the asterisk before the last task indicates it to be the
15081 task currently being inspected.
15082
15083 @table @asis
15084 @item ID
15085 Represents @value{GDBN}'s internal task number.
15086
15087 @item TID
15088 The Ada task ID.
15089
15090 @item P-ID
15091 The parent's task ID (@value{GDBN}'s internal task number).
15092
15093 @item Pri
15094 The base priority of the task.
15095
15096 @item State
15097 Current state of the task.
15098
15099 @table @code
15100 @item Unactivated
15101 The task has been created but has not been activated. It cannot be
15102 executing.
15103
15104 @item Runnable
15105 The task is not blocked for any reason known to Ada. (It may be waiting
15106 for a mutex, though.) It is conceptually "executing" in normal mode.
15107
15108 @item Terminated
15109 The task is terminated, in the sense of ARM 9.3 (5). Any dependents
15110 that were waiting on terminate alternatives have been awakened and have
15111 terminated themselves.
15112
15113 @item Child Activation Wait
15114 The task is waiting for created tasks to complete activation.
15115
15116 @item Accept Statement
15117 The task is waiting on an accept or selective wait statement.
15118
15119 @item Waiting on entry call
15120 The task is waiting on an entry call.
15121
15122 @item Async Select Wait
15123 The task is waiting to start the abortable part of an asynchronous
15124 select statement.
15125
15126 @item Delay Sleep
15127 The task is waiting on a select statement with only a delay
15128 alternative open.
15129
15130 @item Child Termination Wait
15131 The task is sleeping having completed a master within itself, and is
15132 waiting for the tasks dependent on that master to become terminated or
15133 waiting on a terminate Phase.
15134
15135 @item Wait Child in Term Alt
15136 The task is sleeping waiting for tasks on terminate alternatives to
15137 finish terminating.
15138
15139 @item Accepting RV with @var{taskno}
15140 The task is accepting a rendez-vous with the task @var{taskno}.
15141 @end table
15142
15143 @item Name
15144 Name of the task in the program.
15145
15146 @end table
15147
15148 @kindex info task @var{taskno}
15149 @item info task @var{taskno}
15150 This command shows detailled informations on the specified task, as in
15151 the following example:
15152 @smallexample
15153 @iftex
15154 @leftskip=0.5cm
15155 @end iftex
15156 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
15157 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
15158 1 8077880 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
15159 * 2 807c468 1 15 Runnable task_1
15160 (@value{GDBP}) info task 2
15161 Ada Task: 0x807c468
15162 Name: task_1
15163 Thread: 0x807f378
15164 Parent: 1 (main_task)
15165 Base Priority: 15
15166 State: Runnable
15167 @end smallexample
15168
15169 @item task
15170 @kindex task@r{ (Ada)}
15171 @cindex current Ada task ID
15172 This command prints the ID of the current task.
15173
15174 @smallexample
15175 @iftex
15176 @leftskip=0.5cm
15177 @end iftex
15178 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
15179 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
15180 1 8077870 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
15181 * 2 807c458 1 15 Runnable t
15182 (@value{GDBP}) task
15183 [Current task is 2]
15184 @end smallexample
15185
15186 @item task @var{taskno}
15187 @cindex Ada task switching
15188 This command is like the @code{thread @var{threadno}}
15189 command (@pxref{Threads}). It switches the context of debugging
15190 from the current task to the given task.
15191
15192 @smallexample
15193 @iftex
15194 @leftskip=0.5cm
15195 @end iftex
15196 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
15197 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
15198 1 8077870 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
15199 * 2 807c458 1 15 Runnable t
15200 (@value{GDBP}) task 1
15201 [Switching to task 1]
15202 #0 0x8067726 in pthread_cond_wait ()
15203 (@value{GDBP}) bt
15204 #0 0x8067726 in pthread_cond_wait ()
15205 #1 0x8056714 in system.os_interface.pthread_cond_wait ()
15206 #2 0x805cb63 in system.task_primitives.operations.sleep ()
15207 #3 0x806153e in system.tasking.stages.activate_tasks ()
15208 #4 0x804aacc in un () at un.adb:5
15209 @end smallexample
15210
15211 @item break @var{linespec} task @var{taskno}
15212 @itemx break @var{linespec} task @var{taskno} if @dots{}
15213 @cindex breakpoints and tasks, in Ada
15214 @cindex task breakpoints, in Ada
15215 @kindex break @dots{} task @var{taskno}@r{ (Ada)}
15216 These commands are like the @code{break @dots{} thread @dots{}}
15217 command (@pxref{Thread Stops}).
15218 @var{linespec} specifies source lines, as described
15219 in @ref{Specify Location}.
15220
15221 Use the qualifier @samp{task @var{taskno}} with a breakpoint command
15222 to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
15223 particular Ada task reaches this breakpoint. @var{taskno} is one of the
15224 numeric task identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown in the first
15225 column of the @samp{info tasks} display.
15226
15227 If you do not specify @samp{task @var{taskno}} when you set a
15228 breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} tasks of your
15229 program.
15230
15231 You can use the @code{task} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
15232 well; in this case, place @samp{task @var{taskno}} before the
15233 breakpoint condition (before the @code{if}).
15234
15235 For example,
15236
15237 @smallexample
15238 @iftex
15239 @leftskip=0.5cm
15240 @end iftex
15241 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
15242 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
15243 1 140022020 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
15244 2 140045060 1 15 Accept/Select Wait t2
15245 3 140044840 1 15 Runnable t1
15246 * 4 140056040 1 15 Runnable t3
15247 (@value{GDBP}) b 15 task 2
15248 Breakpoint 5 at 0x120044cb0: file test_task_debug.adb, line 15.
15249 (@value{GDBP}) cont
15250 Continuing.
15251 task # 1 running
15252 task # 2 running
15253
15254 Breakpoint 5, test_task_debug () at test_task_debug.adb:15
15255 15 flush;
15256 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
15257 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
15258 1 140022020 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
15259 * 2 140045060 1 15 Runnable t2
15260 3 140044840 1 15 Runnable t1
15261 4 140056040 1 15 Delay Sleep t3
15262 @end smallexample
15263 @end table
15264
15265 @node Ada Tasks and Core Files
15266 @subsubsection Tasking Support when Debugging Core Files
15267 @cindex Ada tasking and core file debugging
15268
15269 When inspecting a core file, as opposed to debugging a live program,
15270 tasking support may be limited or even unavailable, depending on
15271 the platform being used.
15272 For instance, on x86-linux, the list of tasks is available, but task
15273 switching is not supported. On Tru64, however, task switching will work
15274 as usual.
15275
15276 On certain platforms, including Tru64, the debugger needs to perform some
15277 memory writes in order to provide Ada tasking support. When inspecting
15278 a core file, this means that the core file must be opened with read-write
15279 privileges, using the command @samp{"set write on"} (@pxref{Patching}).
15280 Under these circumstances, you should make a backup copy of the core
15281 file before inspecting it with @value{GDBN}.
15282
15283 @node Ravenscar Profile
15284 @subsubsection Tasking Support when using the Ravenscar Profile
15285 @cindex Ravenscar Profile
15286
15287 The @dfn{Ravenscar Profile} is a subset of the Ada tasking features,
15288 specifically designed for systems with safety-critical real-time
15289 requirements.
15290
15291 @table @code
15292 @kindex set ravenscar task-switching on
15293 @cindex task switching with program using Ravenscar Profile
15294 @item set ravenscar task-switching on
15295 Allows task switching when debugging a program that uses the Ravenscar
15296 Profile. This is the default.
15297
15298 @kindex set ravenscar task-switching off
15299 @item set ravenscar task-switching off
15300 Turn off task switching when debugging a program that uses the Ravenscar
15301 Profile. This is mostly intended to disable the code that adds support
15302 for the Ravenscar Profile, in case a bug in either @value{GDBN} or in
15303 the Ravenscar runtime is preventing @value{GDBN} from working properly.
15304 To be effective, this command should be run before the program is started.
15305
15306 @kindex show ravenscar task-switching
15307 @item show ravenscar task-switching
15308 Show whether it is possible to switch from task to task in a program
15309 using the Ravenscar Profile.
15310
15311 @end table
15312
15313 @node Ada Glitches
15314 @subsubsection Known Peculiarities of Ada Mode
15315 @cindex Ada, problems
15316
15317 Besides the omissions listed previously (@pxref{Omissions from Ada}),
15318 we know of several problems with and limitations of Ada mode in
15319 @value{GDBN},
15320 some of which will be fixed with planned future releases of the debugger
15321 and the GNU Ada compiler.
15322
15323 @itemize @bullet
15324 @item
15325 Static constants that the compiler chooses not to materialize as objects in
15326 storage are invisible to the debugger.
15327
15328 @item
15329 Named parameter associations in function argument lists are ignored (the
15330 argument lists are treated as positional).
15331
15332 @item
15333 Many useful library packages are currently invisible to the debugger.
15334
15335 @item
15336 Fixed-point arithmetic, conversions, input, and output is carried out using
15337 floating-point arithmetic, and may give results that only approximate those on
15338 the host machine.
15339
15340 @item
15341 The GNAT compiler never generates the prefix @code{Standard} for any of
15342 the standard symbols defined by the Ada language. @value{GDBN} knows about
15343 this: it will strip the prefix from names when you use it, and will never
15344 look for a name you have so qualified among local symbols, nor match against
15345 symbols in other packages or subprograms. If you have
15346 defined entities anywhere in your program other than parameters and
15347 local variables whose simple names match names in @code{Standard},
15348 GNAT's lack of qualification here can cause confusion. When this happens,
15349 you can usually resolve the confusion
15350 by qualifying the problematic names with package
15351 @code{Standard} explicitly.
15352 @end itemize
15353
15354 Older versions of the compiler sometimes generate erroneous debugging
15355 information, resulting in the debugger incorrectly printing the value
15356 of affected entities. In some cases, the debugger is able to work
15357 around an issue automatically. In other cases, the debugger is able
15358 to work around the issue, but the work-around has to be specifically
15359 enabled.
15360
15361 @kindex set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS
15362 @kindex show ada trust-PAD-over-XVS
15363 @table @code
15364
15365 @item set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS on
15366 Configure GDB to strictly follow the GNAT encoding when computing the
15367 value of Ada entities, particularly when @code{PAD} and @code{PAD___XVS}
15368 types are involved (see @code{ada/exp_dbug.ads} in the GCC sources for
15369 a complete description of the encoding used by the GNAT compiler).
15370 This is the default.
15371
15372 @item set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS off
15373 This is related to the encoding using by the GNAT compiler. If @value{GDBN}
15374 sometimes prints the wrong value for certain entities, changing @code{ada
15375 trust-PAD-over-XVS} to @code{off} activates a work-around which may fix
15376 the issue. It is always safe to set @code{ada trust-PAD-over-XVS} to
15377 @code{off}, but this incurs a slight performance penalty, so it is
15378 recommended to leave this setting to @code{on} unless necessary.
15379
15380 @end table
15381
15382 @node Unsupported Languages
15383 @section Unsupported Languages
15384
15385 @cindex unsupported languages
15386 @cindex minimal language
15387 In addition to the other fully-supported programming languages,
15388 @value{GDBN} also provides a pseudo-language, called @code{minimal}.
15389 It does not represent a real programming language, but provides a set
15390 of capabilities close to what the C or assembly languages provide.
15391 This should allow most simple operations to be performed while debugging
15392 an application that uses a language currently not supported by @value{GDBN}.
15393
15394 If the language is set to @code{auto}, @value{GDBN} will automatically
15395 select this language if the current frame corresponds to an unsupported
15396 language.
15397
15398 @node Symbols
15399 @chapter Examining the Symbol Table
15400
15401 The commands described in this chapter allow you to inquire about the
15402 symbols (names of variables, functions and types) defined in your
15403 program. This information is inherent in the text of your program and
15404 does not change as your program executes. @value{GDBN} finds it in your
15405 program's symbol table, in the file indicated when you started @value{GDBN}
15406 (@pxref{File Options, ,Choosing Files}), or by one of the
15407 file-management commands (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
15408
15409 @cindex symbol names
15410 @cindex names of symbols
15411 @cindex quoting names
15412 Occasionally, you may need to refer to symbols that contain unusual
15413 characters, which @value{GDBN} ordinarily treats as word delimiters. The
15414 most frequent case is in referring to static variables in other
15415 source files (@pxref{Variables,,Program Variables}). File names
15416 are recorded in object files as debugging symbols, but @value{GDBN} would
15417 ordinarily parse a typical file name, like @file{foo.c}, as the three words
15418 @samp{foo} @samp{.} @samp{c}. To allow @value{GDBN} to recognize
15419 @samp{foo.c} as a single symbol, enclose it in single quotes; for example,
15420
15421 @smallexample
15422 p 'foo.c'::x
15423 @end smallexample
15424
15425 @noindent
15426 looks up the value of @code{x} in the scope of the file @file{foo.c}.
15427
15428 @table @code
15429 @cindex case-insensitive symbol names
15430 @cindex case sensitivity in symbol names
15431 @kindex set case-sensitive
15432 @item set case-sensitive on
15433 @itemx set case-sensitive off
15434 @itemx set case-sensitive auto
15435 Normally, when @value{GDBN} looks up symbols, it matches their names
15436 with case sensitivity determined by the current source language.
15437 Occasionally, you may wish to control that. The command @code{set
15438 case-sensitive} lets you do that by specifying @code{on} for
15439 case-sensitive matches or @code{off} for case-insensitive ones. If
15440 you specify @code{auto}, case sensitivity is reset to the default
15441 suitable for the source language. The default is case-sensitive
15442 matches for all languages except for Fortran, for which the default is
15443 case-insensitive matches.
15444
15445 @kindex show case-sensitive
15446 @item show case-sensitive
15447 This command shows the current setting of case sensitivity for symbols
15448 lookups.
15449
15450 @kindex set print type methods
15451 @item set print type methods
15452 @itemx set print type methods on
15453 @itemx set print type methods off
15454 Normally, when @value{GDBN} prints a class, it displays any methods
15455 declared in that class. You can control this behavior either by
15456 passing the appropriate flag to @code{ptype}, or using @command{set
15457 print type methods}. Specifying @code{on} will cause @value{GDBN} to
15458 display the methods; this is the default. Specifying @code{off} will
15459 cause @value{GDBN} to omit the methods.
15460
15461 @kindex show print type methods
15462 @item show print type methods
15463 This command shows the current setting of method display when printing
15464 classes.
15465
15466 @kindex set print type typedefs
15467 @item set print type typedefs
15468 @itemx set print type typedefs on
15469 @itemx set print type typedefs off
15470
15471 Normally, when @value{GDBN} prints a class, it displays any typedefs
15472 defined in that class. You can control this behavior either by
15473 passing the appropriate flag to @code{ptype}, or using @command{set
15474 print type typedefs}. Specifying @code{on} will cause @value{GDBN} to
15475 display the typedef definitions; this is the default. Specifying
15476 @code{off} will cause @value{GDBN} to omit the typedef definitions.
15477 Note that this controls whether the typedef definition itself is
15478 printed, not whether typedef names are substituted when printing other
15479 types.
15480
15481 @kindex show print type typedefs
15482 @item show print type typedefs
15483 This command shows the current setting of typedef display when
15484 printing classes.
15485
15486 @kindex info address
15487 @cindex address of a symbol
15488 @item info address @var{symbol}
15489 Describe where the data for @var{symbol} is stored. For a register
15490 variable, this says which register it is kept in. For a non-register
15491 local variable, this prints the stack-frame offset at which the variable
15492 is always stored.
15493
15494 Note the contrast with @samp{print &@var{symbol}}, which does not work
15495 at all for a register variable, and for a stack local variable prints
15496 the exact address of the current instantiation of the variable.
15497
15498 @kindex info symbol
15499 @cindex symbol from address
15500 @cindex closest symbol and offset for an address
15501 @item info symbol @var{addr}
15502 Print the name of a symbol which is stored at the address @var{addr}.
15503 If no symbol is stored exactly at @var{addr}, @value{GDBN} prints the
15504 nearest symbol and an offset from it:
15505
15506 @smallexample
15507 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x54320
15508 _initialize_vx + 396 in section .text
15509 @end smallexample
15510
15511 @noindent
15512 This is the opposite of the @code{info address} command. You can use
15513 it to find out the name of a variable or a function given its address.
15514
15515 For dynamically linked executables, the name of executable or shared
15516 library containing the symbol is also printed:
15517
15518 @smallexample
15519 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x400225
15520 _start + 5 in section .text of /tmp/a.out
15521 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x2aaaac2811cf
15522 __read_nocancel + 6 in section .text of /usr/lib64/libc.so.6
15523 @end smallexample
15524
15525 @kindex whatis
15526 @item whatis[/@var{flags}] [@var{arg}]
15527 Print the data type of @var{arg}, which can be either an expression
15528 or a name of a data type. With no argument, print the data type of
15529 @code{$}, the last value in the value history.
15530
15531 If @var{arg} is an expression (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}), it
15532 is not actually evaluated, and any side-effecting operations (such as
15533 assignments or function calls) inside it do not take place.
15534
15535 If @var{arg} is a variable or an expression, @code{whatis} prints its
15536 literal type as it is used in the source code. If the type was
15537 defined using a @code{typedef}, @code{whatis} will @emph{not} print
15538 the data type underlying the @code{typedef}. If the type of the
15539 variable or the expression is a compound data type, such as
15540 @code{struct} or @code{class}, @code{whatis} never prints their
15541 fields or methods. It just prints the @code{struct}/@code{class}
15542 name (a.k.a.@: its @dfn{tag}). If you want to see the members of
15543 such a compound data type, use @code{ptype}.
15544
15545 If @var{arg} is a type name that was defined using @code{typedef},
15546 @code{whatis} @dfn{unrolls} only one level of that @code{typedef}.
15547 Unrolling means that @code{whatis} will show the underlying type used
15548 in the @code{typedef} declaration of @var{arg}. However, if that
15549 underlying type is also a @code{typedef}, @code{whatis} will not
15550 unroll it.
15551
15552 For C code, the type names may also have the form @samp{class
15553 @var{class-name}}, @samp{struct @var{struct-tag}}, @samp{union
15554 @var{union-tag}} or @samp{enum @var{enum-tag}}.
15555
15556 @var{flags} can be used to modify how the type is displayed.
15557 Available flags are:
15558
15559 @table @code
15560 @item r
15561 Display in ``raw'' form. Normally, @value{GDBN} substitutes template
15562 parameters and typedefs defined in a class when printing the class'
15563 members. The @code{/r} flag disables this.
15564
15565 @item m
15566 Do not print methods defined in the class.
15567
15568 @item M
15569 Print methods defined in the class. This is the default, but the flag
15570 exists in case you change the default with @command{set print type methods}.
15571
15572 @item t
15573 Do not print typedefs defined in the class. Note that this controls
15574 whether the typedef definition itself is printed, not whether typedef
15575 names are substituted when printing other types.
15576
15577 @item T
15578 Print typedefs defined in the class. This is the default, but the flag
15579 exists in case you change the default with @command{set print type typedefs}.
15580 @end table
15581
15582 @kindex ptype
15583 @item ptype[/@var{flags}] [@var{arg}]
15584 @code{ptype} accepts the same arguments as @code{whatis}, but prints a
15585 detailed description of the type, instead of just the name of the type.
15586 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
15587
15588 Contrary to @code{whatis}, @code{ptype} always unrolls any
15589 @code{typedef}s in its argument declaration, whether the argument is
15590 a variable, expression, or a data type. This means that @code{ptype}
15591 of a variable or an expression will not print literally its type as
15592 present in the source code---use @code{whatis} for that. @code{typedef}s at
15593 the pointer or reference targets are also unrolled. Only @code{typedef}s of
15594 fields, methods and inner @code{class typedef}s of @code{struct}s,
15595 @code{class}es and @code{union}s are not unrolled even with @code{ptype}.
15596
15597 For example, for this variable declaration:
15598
15599 @smallexample
15600 typedef double real_t;
15601 struct complex @{ real_t real; double imag; @};
15602 typedef struct complex complex_t;
15603 complex_t var;
15604 real_t *real_pointer_var;
15605 @end smallexample
15606
15607 @noindent
15608 the two commands give this output:
15609
15610 @smallexample
15611 @group
15612 (@value{GDBP}) whatis var
15613 type = complex_t
15614 (@value{GDBP}) ptype var
15615 type = struct complex @{
15616 real_t real;
15617 double imag;
15618 @}
15619 (@value{GDBP}) whatis complex_t
15620 type = struct complex
15621 (@value{GDBP}) whatis struct complex
15622 type = struct complex
15623 (@value{GDBP}) ptype struct complex
15624 type = struct complex @{
15625 real_t real;
15626 double imag;
15627 @}
15628 (@value{GDBP}) whatis real_pointer_var
15629 type = real_t *
15630 (@value{GDBP}) ptype real_pointer_var
15631 type = double *
15632 @end group
15633 @end smallexample
15634
15635 @noindent
15636 As with @code{whatis}, using @code{ptype} without an argument refers to
15637 the type of @code{$}, the last value in the value history.
15638
15639 @cindex incomplete type
15640 Sometimes, programs use opaque data types or incomplete specifications
15641 of complex data structure. If the debug information included in the
15642 program does not allow @value{GDBN} to display a full declaration of
15643 the data type, it will say @samp{<incomplete type>}. For example,
15644 given these declarations:
15645
15646 @smallexample
15647 struct foo;
15648 struct foo *fooptr;
15649 @end smallexample
15650
15651 @noindent
15652 but no definition for @code{struct foo} itself, @value{GDBN} will say:
15653
15654 @smallexample
15655 (@value{GDBP}) ptype foo
15656 $1 = <incomplete type>
15657 @end smallexample
15658
15659 @noindent
15660 ``Incomplete type'' is C terminology for data types that are not
15661 completely specified.
15662
15663 @kindex info types
15664 @item info types @var{regexp}
15665 @itemx info types
15666 Print a brief description of all types whose names match the regular
15667 expression @var{regexp} (or all types in your program, if you supply
15668 no argument). Each complete typename is matched as though it were a
15669 complete line; thus, @samp{i type value} gives information on all
15670 types in your program whose names include the string @code{value}, but
15671 @samp{i type ^value$} gives information only on types whose complete
15672 name is @code{value}.
15673
15674 This command differs from @code{ptype} in two ways: first, like
15675 @code{whatis}, it does not print a detailed description; second, it
15676 lists all source files where a type is defined.
15677
15678 @kindex info type-printers
15679 @item info type-printers
15680 Versions of @value{GDBN} that ship with Python scripting enabled may
15681 have ``type printers'' available. When using @command{ptype} or
15682 @command{whatis}, these printers are consulted when the name of a type
15683 is needed. @xref{Type Printing API}, for more information on writing
15684 type printers.
15685
15686 @code{info type-printers} displays all the available type printers.
15687
15688 @kindex enable type-printer
15689 @kindex disable type-printer
15690 @item enable type-printer @var{name}@dots{}
15691 @item disable type-printer @var{name}@dots{}
15692 These commands can be used to enable or disable type printers.
15693
15694 @kindex info scope
15695 @cindex local variables
15696 @item info scope @var{location}
15697 List all the variables local to a particular scope. This command
15698 accepts a @var{location} argument---a function name, a source line, or
15699 an address preceded by a @samp{*}, and prints all the variables local
15700 to the scope defined by that location. (@xref{Specify Location}, for
15701 details about supported forms of @var{location}.) For example:
15702
15703 @smallexample
15704 (@value{GDBP}) @b{info scope command_line_handler}
15705 Scope for command_line_handler:
15706 Symbol rl is an argument at stack/frame offset 8, length 4.
15707 Symbol linebuffer is in static storage at address 0x150a18, length 4.
15708 Symbol linelength is in static storage at address 0x150a1c, length 4.
15709 Symbol p is a local variable in register $esi, length 4.
15710 Symbol p1 is a local variable in register $ebx, length 4.
15711 Symbol nline is a local variable in register $edx, length 4.
15712 Symbol repeat is a local variable at frame offset -8, length 4.
15713 @end smallexample
15714
15715 @noindent
15716 This command is especially useful for determining what data to collect
15717 during a @dfn{trace experiment}, see @ref{Tracepoint Actions,
15718 collect}.
15719
15720 @kindex info source
15721 @item info source
15722 Show information about the current source file---that is, the source file for
15723 the function containing the current point of execution:
15724 @itemize @bullet
15725 @item
15726 the name of the source file, and the directory containing it,
15727 @item
15728 the directory it was compiled in,
15729 @item
15730 its length, in lines,
15731 @item
15732 which programming language it is written in,
15733 @item
15734 whether the executable includes debugging information for that file, and
15735 if so, what format the information is in (e.g., STABS, Dwarf 2, etc.), and
15736 @item
15737 whether the debugging information includes information about
15738 preprocessor macros.
15739 @end itemize
15740
15741
15742 @kindex info sources
15743 @item info sources
15744 Print the names of all source files in your program for which there is
15745 debugging information, organized into two lists: files whose symbols
15746 have already been read, and files whose symbols will be read when needed.
15747
15748 @kindex info functions
15749 @item info functions
15750 Print the names and data types of all defined functions.
15751
15752 @item info functions @var{regexp}
15753 Print the names and data types of all defined functions
15754 whose names contain a match for regular expression @var{regexp}.
15755 Thus, @samp{info fun step} finds all functions whose names
15756 include @code{step}; @samp{info fun ^step} finds those whose names
15757 start with @code{step}. If a function name contains characters
15758 that conflict with the regular expression language (e.g.@:
15759 @samp{operator*()}), they may be quoted with a backslash.
15760
15761 @kindex info variables
15762 @item info variables
15763 Print the names and data types of all variables that are defined
15764 outside of functions (i.e.@: excluding local variables).
15765
15766 @item info variables @var{regexp}
15767 Print the names and data types of all variables (except for local
15768 variables) whose names contain a match for regular expression
15769 @var{regexp}.
15770
15771 @kindex info classes
15772 @cindex Objective-C, classes and selectors
15773 @item info classes
15774 @itemx info classes @var{regexp}
15775 Display all Objective-C classes in your program, or
15776 (with the @var{regexp} argument) all those matching a particular regular
15777 expression.
15778
15779 @kindex info selectors
15780 @item info selectors
15781 @itemx info selectors @var{regexp}
15782 Display all Objective-C selectors in your program, or
15783 (with the @var{regexp} argument) all those matching a particular regular
15784 expression.
15785
15786 @ignore
15787 This was never implemented.
15788 @kindex info methods
15789 @item info methods
15790 @itemx info methods @var{regexp}
15791 The @code{info methods} command permits the user to examine all defined
15792 methods within C@t{++} program, or (with the @var{regexp} argument) a
15793 specific set of methods found in the various C@t{++} classes. Many
15794 C@t{++} classes provide a large number of methods. Thus, the output
15795 from the @code{ptype} command can be overwhelming and hard to use. The
15796 @code{info-methods} command filters the methods, printing only those
15797 which match the regular-expression @var{regexp}.
15798 @end ignore
15799
15800 @cindex opaque data types
15801 @kindex set opaque-type-resolution
15802 @item set opaque-type-resolution on
15803 Tell @value{GDBN} to resolve opaque types. An opaque type is a type
15804 declared as a pointer to a @code{struct}, @code{class}, or
15805 @code{union}---for example, @code{struct MyType *}---that is used in one
15806 source file although the full declaration of @code{struct MyType} is in
15807 another source file. The default is on.
15808
15809 A change in the setting of this subcommand will not take effect until
15810 the next time symbols for a file are loaded.
15811
15812 @item set opaque-type-resolution off
15813 Tell @value{GDBN} not to resolve opaque types. In this case, the type
15814 is printed as follows:
15815 @smallexample
15816 @{<no data fields>@}
15817 @end smallexample
15818
15819 @kindex show opaque-type-resolution
15820 @item show opaque-type-resolution
15821 Show whether opaque types are resolved or not.
15822
15823 @kindex maint print symbols
15824 @cindex symbol dump
15825 @kindex maint print psymbols
15826 @cindex partial symbol dump
15827 @item maint print symbols @var{filename}
15828 @itemx maint print psymbols @var{filename}
15829 @itemx maint print msymbols @var{filename}
15830 Write a dump of debugging symbol data into the file @var{filename}.
15831 These commands are used to debug the @value{GDBN} symbol-reading code. Only
15832 symbols with debugging data are included. If you use @samp{maint print
15833 symbols}, @value{GDBN} includes all the symbols for which it has already
15834 collected full details: that is, @var{filename} reflects symbols for
15835 only those files whose symbols @value{GDBN} has read. You can use the
15836 command @code{info sources} to find out which files these are. If you
15837 use @samp{maint print psymbols} instead, the dump shows information about
15838 symbols that @value{GDBN} only knows partially---that is, symbols defined in
15839 files that @value{GDBN} has skimmed, but not yet read completely. Finally,
15840 @samp{maint print msymbols} dumps just the minimal symbol information
15841 required for each object file from which @value{GDBN} has read some symbols.
15842 @xref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}, for a discussion of how
15843 @value{GDBN} reads symbols (in the description of @code{symbol-file}).
15844
15845 @kindex maint info symtabs
15846 @kindex maint info psymtabs
15847 @cindex listing @value{GDBN}'s internal symbol tables
15848 @cindex symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
15849 @cindex full symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
15850 @cindex partial symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
15851 @item maint info symtabs @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
15852 @itemx maint info psymtabs @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
15853
15854 List the @code{struct symtab} or @code{struct partial_symtab}
15855 structures whose names match @var{regexp}. If @var{regexp} is not
15856 given, list them all. The output includes expressions which you can
15857 copy into a @value{GDBN} debugging this one to examine a particular
15858 structure in more detail. For example:
15859
15860 @smallexample
15861 (@value{GDBP}) maint info psymtabs dwarf2read
15862 @{ objfile /home/gnu/build/gdb/gdb
15863 ((struct objfile *) 0x82e69d0)
15864 @{ psymtab /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c
15865 ((struct partial_symtab *) 0x8474b10)
15866 readin no
15867 fullname (null)
15868 text addresses 0x814d3c8 -- 0x8158074
15869 globals (* (struct partial_symbol **) 0x8507a08 @@ 9)
15870 statics (* (struct partial_symbol **) 0x40e95b78 @@ 2882)
15871 dependencies (none)
15872 @}
15873 @}
15874 (@value{GDBP}) maint info symtabs
15875 (@value{GDBP})
15876 @end smallexample
15877 @noindent
15878 We see that there is one partial symbol table whose filename contains
15879 the string @samp{dwarf2read}, belonging to the @samp{gdb} executable;
15880 and we see that @value{GDBN} has not read in any symtabs yet at all.
15881 If we set a breakpoint on a function, that will cause @value{GDBN} to
15882 read the symtab for the compilation unit containing that function:
15883
15884 @smallexample
15885 (@value{GDBP}) break dwarf2_psymtab_to_symtab
15886 Breakpoint 1 at 0x814e5da: file /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c,
15887 line 1574.
15888 (@value{GDBP}) maint info symtabs
15889 @{ objfile /home/gnu/build/gdb/gdb
15890 ((struct objfile *) 0x82e69d0)
15891 @{ symtab /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c
15892 ((struct symtab *) 0x86c1f38)
15893 dirname (null)
15894 fullname (null)
15895 blockvector ((struct blockvector *) 0x86c1bd0) (primary)
15896 linetable ((struct linetable *) 0x8370fa0)
15897 debugformat DWARF 2
15898 @}
15899 @}
15900 (@value{GDBP})
15901 @end smallexample
15902 @end table
15903
15904
15905 @node Altering
15906 @chapter Altering Execution
15907
15908 Once you think you have found an error in your program, you might want to
15909 find out for certain whether correcting the apparent error would lead to
15910 correct results in the rest of the run. You can find the answer by
15911 experiment, using the @value{GDBN} features for altering execution of the
15912 program.
15913
15914 For example, you can store new values into variables or memory
15915 locations, give your program a signal, restart it at a different
15916 address, or even return prematurely from a function.
15917
15918 @menu
15919 * Assignment:: Assignment to variables
15920 * Jumping:: Continuing at a different address
15921 * Signaling:: Giving your program a signal
15922 * Returning:: Returning from a function
15923 * Calling:: Calling your program's functions
15924 * Patching:: Patching your program
15925 @end menu
15926
15927 @node Assignment
15928 @section Assignment to Variables
15929
15930 @cindex assignment
15931 @cindex setting variables
15932 To alter the value of a variable, evaluate an assignment expression.
15933 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}. For example,
15934
15935 @smallexample
15936 print x=4
15937 @end smallexample
15938
15939 @noindent
15940 stores the value 4 into the variable @code{x}, and then prints the
15941 value of the assignment expression (which is 4).
15942 @xref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages}, for more
15943 information on operators in supported languages.
15944
15945 @kindex set variable
15946 @cindex variables, setting
15947 If you are not interested in seeing the value of the assignment, use the
15948 @code{set} command instead of the @code{print} command. @code{set} is
15949 really the same as @code{print} except that the expression's value is
15950 not printed and is not put in the value history (@pxref{Value History,
15951 ,Value History}). The expression is evaluated only for its effects.
15952
15953 If the beginning of the argument string of the @code{set} command
15954 appears identical to a @code{set} subcommand, use the @code{set
15955 variable} command instead of just @code{set}. This command is identical
15956 to @code{set} except for its lack of subcommands. For example, if your
15957 program has a variable @code{width}, you get an error if you try to set
15958 a new value with just @samp{set width=13}, because @value{GDBN} has the
15959 command @code{set width}:
15960
15961 @smallexample
15962 (@value{GDBP}) whatis width
15963 type = double
15964 (@value{GDBP}) p width
15965 $4 = 13
15966 (@value{GDBP}) set width=47
15967 Invalid syntax in expression.
15968 @end smallexample
15969
15970 @noindent
15971 The invalid expression, of course, is @samp{=47}. In
15972 order to actually set the program's variable @code{width}, use
15973
15974 @smallexample
15975 (@value{GDBP}) set var width=47
15976 @end smallexample
15977
15978 Because the @code{set} command has many subcommands that can conflict
15979 with the names of program variables, it is a good idea to use the
15980 @code{set variable} command instead of just @code{set}. For example, if
15981 your program has a variable @code{g}, you run into problems if you try
15982 to set a new value with just @samp{set g=4}, because @value{GDBN} has
15983 the command @code{set gnutarget}, abbreviated @code{set g}:
15984
15985 @smallexample
15986 @group
15987 (@value{GDBP}) whatis g
15988 type = double
15989 (@value{GDBP}) p g
15990 $1 = 1
15991 (@value{GDBP}) set g=4
15992 (@value{GDBP}) p g
15993 $2 = 1
15994 (@value{GDBP}) r
15995 The program being debugged has been started already.
15996 Start it from the beginning? (y or n) y
15997 Starting program: /home/smith/cc_progs/a.out
15998 "/home/smith/cc_progs/a.out": can't open to read symbols:
15999 Invalid bfd target.
16000 (@value{GDBP}) show g
16001 The current BFD target is "=4".
16002 @end group
16003 @end smallexample
16004
16005 @noindent
16006 The program variable @code{g} did not change, and you silently set the
16007 @code{gnutarget} to an invalid value. In order to set the variable
16008 @code{g}, use
16009
16010 @smallexample
16011 (@value{GDBP}) set var g=4
16012 @end smallexample
16013
16014 @value{GDBN} allows more implicit conversions in assignments than C; you can
16015 freely store an integer value into a pointer variable or vice versa,
16016 and you can convert any structure to any other structure that is the
16017 same length or shorter.
16018 @comment FIXME: how do structs align/pad in these conversions?
16019 @comment /doc@cygnus.com 18dec1990
16020
16021 To store values into arbitrary places in memory, use the @samp{@{@dots{}@}}
16022 construct to generate a value of specified type at a specified address
16023 (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). For example, @code{@{int@}0x83040} refers
16024 to memory location @code{0x83040} as an integer (which implies a certain size
16025 and representation in memory), and
16026
16027 @smallexample
16028 set @{int@}0x83040 = 4
16029 @end smallexample
16030
16031 @noindent
16032 stores the value 4 into that memory location.
16033
16034 @node Jumping
16035 @section Continuing at a Different Address
16036
16037 Ordinarily, when you continue your program, you do so at the place where
16038 it stopped, with the @code{continue} command. You can instead continue at
16039 an address of your own choosing, with the following commands:
16040
16041 @table @code
16042 @kindex jump
16043 @kindex j @r{(@code{jump})}
16044 @item jump @var{linespec}
16045 @itemx j @var{linespec}
16046 @itemx jump @var{location}
16047 @itemx j @var{location}
16048 Resume execution at line @var{linespec} or at address given by
16049 @var{location}. Execution stops again immediately if there is a
16050 breakpoint there. @xref{Specify Location}, for a description of the
16051 different forms of @var{linespec} and @var{location}. It is common
16052 practice to use the @code{tbreak} command in conjunction with
16053 @code{jump}. @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}.
16054
16055 The @code{jump} command does not change the current stack frame, or
16056 the stack pointer, or the contents of any memory location or any
16057 register other than the program counter. If line @var{linespec} is in
16058 a different function from the one currently executing, the results may
16059 be bizarre if the two functions expect different patterns of arguments or
16060 of local variables. For this reason, the @code{jump} command requests
16061 confirmation if the specified line is not in the function currently
16062 executing. However, even bizarre results are predictable if you are
16063 well acquainted with the machine-language code of your program.
16064 @end table
16065
16066 @c Doesn't work on HP-UX; have to set $pcoqh and $pcoqt.
16067 On many systems, you can get much the same effect as the @code{jump}
16068 command by storing a new value into the register @code{$pc}. The
16069 difference is that this does not start your program running; it only
16070 changes the address of where it @emph{will} run when you continue. For
16071 example,
16072
16073 @smallexample
16074 set $pc = 0x485
16075 @end smallexample
16076
16077 @noindent
16078 makes the next @code{continue} command or stepping command execute at
16079 address @code{0x485}, rather than at the address where your program stopped.
16080 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and Stepping}.
16081
16082 The most common occasion to use the @code{jump} command is to back
16083 up---perhaps with more breakpoints set---over a portion of a program
16084 that has already executed, in order to examine its execution in more
16085 detail.
16086
16087 @c @group
16088 @node Signaling
16089 @section Giving your Program a Signal
16090 @cindex deliver a signal to a program
16091
16092 @table @code
16093 @kindex signal
16094 @item signal @var{signal}
16095 Resume execution where your program stopped, but immediately give it the
16096 signal @var{signal}. @var{signal} can be the name or the number of a
16097 signal. For example, on many systems @code{signal 2} and @code{signal
16098 SIGINT} are both ways of sending an interrupt signal.
16099
16100 Alternatively, if @var{signal} is zero, continue execution without
16101 giving a signal. This is useful when your program stopped on account of
16102 a signal and would ordinarily see the signal when resumed with the
16103 @code{continue} command; @samp{signal 0} causes it to resume without a
16104 signal.
16105
16106 @code{signal} does not repeat when you press @key{RET} a second time
16107 after executing the command.
16108 @end table
16109 @c @end group
16110
16111 Invoking the @code{signal} command is not the same as invoking the
16112 @code{kill} utility from the shell. Sending a signal with @code{kill}
16113 causes @value{GDBN} to decide what to do with the signal depending on
16114 the signal handling tables (@pxref{Signals}). The @code{signal} command
16115 passes the signal directly to your program.
16116
16117
16118 @node Returning
16119 @section Returning from a Function
16120
16121 @table @code
16122 @cindex returning from a function
16123 @kindex return
16124 @item return
16125 @itemx return @var{expression}
16126 You can cancel execution of a function call with the @code{return}
16127 command. If you give an
16128 @var{expression} argument, its value is used as the function's return
16129 value.
16130 @end table
16131
16132 When you use @code{return}, @value{GDBN} discards the selected stack frame
16133 (and all frames within it). You can think of this as making the
16134 discarded frame return prematurely. If you wish to specify a value to
16135 be returned, give that value as the argument to @code{return}.
16136
16137 This pops the selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a
16138 Frame}), and any other frames inside of it, leaving its caller as the
16139 innermost remaining frame. That frame becomes selected. The
16140 specified value is stored in the registers used for returning values
16141 of functions.
16142
16143 The @code{return} command does not resume execution; it leaves the
16144 program stopped in the state that would exist if the function had just
16145 returned. In contrast, the @code{finish} command (@pxref{Continuing
16146 and Stepping, ,Continuing and Stepping}) resumes execution until the
16147 selected stack frame returns naturally.
16148
16149 @value{GDBN} needs to know how the @var{expression} argument should be set for
16150 the inferior. The concrete registers assignment depends on the OS ABI and the
16151 type being returned by the selected stack frame. For example it is common for
16152 OS ABI to return floating point values in FPU registers while integer values in
16153 CPU registers. Still some ABIs return even floating point values in CPU
16154 registers. Larger integer widths (such as @code{long long int}) also have
16155 specific placement rules. @value{GDBN} already knows the OS ABI from its
16156 current target so it needs to find out also the type being returned to make the
16157 assignment into the right register(s).
16158
16159 Normally, the selected stack frame has debug info. @value{GDBN} will always
16160 use the debug info instead of the implicit type of @var{expression} when the
16161 debug info is available. For example, if you type @kbd{return -1}, and the
16162 function in the current stack frame is declared to return a @code{long long
16163 int}, @value{GDBN} transparently converts the implicit @code{int} value of -1
16164 into a @code{long long int}:
16165
16166 @smallexample
16167 Breakpoint 1, func () at gdb.base/return-nodebug.c:29
16168 29 return 31;
16169 (@value{GDBP}) return -1
16170 Make func return now? (y or n) y
16171 #0 0x004004f6 in main () at gdb.base/return-nodebug.c:43
16172 43 printf ("result=%lld\n", func ());
16173 (@value{GDBP})
16174 @end smallexample
16175
16176 However, if the selected stack frame does not have a debug info, e.g., if the
16177 function was compiled without debug info, @value{GDBN} has to find out the type
16178 to return from user. Specifying a different type by mistake may set the value
16179 in different inferior registers than the caller code expects. For example,
16180 typing @kbd{return -1} with its implicit type @code{int} would set only a part
16181 of a @code{long long int} result for a debug info less function (on 32-bit
16182 architectures). Therefore the user is required to specify the return type by
16183 an appropriate cast explicitly:
16184
16185 @smallexample
16186 Breakpoint 2, 0x0040050b in func ()
16187 (@value{GDBP}) return -1
16188 Return value type not available for selected stack frame.
16189 Please use an explicit cast of the value to return.
16190 (@value{GDBP}) return (long long int) -1
16191 Make selected stack frame return now? (y or n) y
16192 #0 0x00400526 in main ()
16193 (@value{GDBP})
16194 @end smallexample
16195
16196 @node Calling
16197 @section Calling Program Functions
16198
16199 @table @code
16200 @cindex calling functions
16201 @cindex inferior functions, calling
16202 @item print @var{expr}
16203 Evaluate the expression @var{expr} and display the resulting value.
16204 @var{expr} may include calls to functions in the program being
16205 debugged.
16206
16207 @kindex call
16208 @item call @var{expr}
16209 Evaluate the expression @var{expr} without displaying @code{void}
16210 returned values.
16211
16212 You can use this variant of the @code{print} command if you want to
16213 execute a function from your program that does not return anything
16214 (a.k.a.@: @dfn{a void function}), but without cluttering the output
16215 with @code{void} returned values that @value{GDBN} will otherwise
16216 print. If the result is not void, it is printed and saved in the
16217 value history.
16218 @end table
16219
16220 It is possible for the function you call via the @code{print} or
16221 @code{call} command to generate a signal (e.g., if there's a bug in
16222 the function, or if you passed it incorrect arguments). What happens
16223 in that case is controlled by the @code{set unwindonsignal} command.
16224
16225 Similarly, with a C@t{++} program it is possible for the function you
16226 call via the @code{print} or @code{call} command to generate an
16227 exception that is not handled due to the constraints of the dummy
16228 frame. In this case, any exception that is raised in the frame, but has
16229 an out-of-frame exception handler will not be found. GDB builds a
16230 dummy-frame for the inferior function call, and the unwinder cannot
16231 seek for exception handlers outside of this dummy-frame. What happens
16232 in that case is controlled by the
16233 @code{set unwind-on-terminating-exception} command.
16234
16235 @table @code
16236 @item set unwindonsignal
16237 @kindex set unwindonsignal
16238 @cindex unwind stack in called functions
16239 @cindex call dummy stack unwinding
16240 Set unwinding of the stack if a signal is received while in a function
16241 that @value{GDBN} called in the program being debugged. If set to on,
16242 @value{GDBN} unwinds the stack it created for the call and restores
16243 the context to what it was before the call. If set to off (the
16244 default), @value{GDBN} stops in the frame where the signal was
16245 received.
16246
16247 @item show unwindonsignal
16248 @kindex show unwindonsignal
16249 Show the current setting of stack unwinding in the functions called by
16250 @value{GDBN}.
16251
16252 @item set unwind-on-terminating-exception
16253 @kindex set unwind-on-terminating-exception
16254 @cindex unwind stack in called functions with unhandled exceptions
16255 @cindex call dummy stack unwinding on unhandled exception.
16256 Set unwinding of the stack if a C@t{++} exception is raised, but left
16257 unhandled while in a function that @value{GDBN} called in the program being
16258 debugged. If set to on (the default), @value{GDBN} unwinds the stack
16259 it created for the call and restores the context to what it was before
16260 the call. If set to off, @value{GDBN} the exception is delivered to
16261 the default C@t{++} exception handler and the inferior terminated.
16262
16263 @item show unwind-on-terminating-exception
16264 @kindex show unwind-on-terminating-exception
16265 Show the current setting of stack unwinding in the functions called by
16266 @value{GDBN}.
16267
16268 @end table
16269
16270 @cindex weak alias functions
16271 Sometimes, a function you wish to call is actually a @dfn{weak alias}
16272 for another function. In such case, @value{GDBN} might not pick up
16273 the type information, including the types of the function arguments,
16274 which causes @value{GDBN} to call the inferior function incorrectly.
16275 As a result, the called function will function erroneously and may
16276 even crash. A solution to that is to use the name of the aliased
16277 function instead.
16278
16279 @node Patching
16280 @section Patching Programs
16281
16282 @cindex patching binaries
16283 @cindex writing into executables
16284 @cindex writing into corefiles
16285
16286 By default, @value{GDBN} opens the file containing your program's
16287 executable code (or the corefile) read-only. This prevents accidental
16288 alterations to machine code; but it also prevents you from intentionally
16289 patching your program's binary.
16290
16291 If you'd like to be able to patch the binary, you can specify that
16292 explicitly with the @code{set write} command. For example, you might
16293 want to turn on internal debugging flags, or even to make emergency
16294 repairs.
16295
16296 @table @code
16297 @kindex set write
16298 @item set write on
16299 @itemx set write off
16300 If you specify @samp{set write on}, @value{GDBN} opens executable and
16301 core files for both reading and writing; if you specify @kbd{set write
16302 off} (the default), @value{GDBN} opens them read-only.
16303
16304 If you have already loaded a file, you must load it again (using the
16305 @code{exec-file} or @code{core-file} command) after changing @code{set
16306 write}, for your new setting to take effect.
16307
16308 @item show write
16309 @kindex show write
16310 Display whether executable files and core files are opened for writing
16311 as well as reading.
16312 @end table
16313
16314 @node GDB Files
16315 @chapter @value{GDBN} Files
16316
16317 @value{GDBN} needs to know the file name of the program to be debugged,
16318 both in order to read its symbol table and in order to start your
16319 program. To debug a core dump of a previous run, you must also tell
16320 @value{GDBN} the name of the core dump file.
16321
16322 @menu
16323 * Files:: Commands to specify files
16324 * Separate Debug Files:: Debugging information in separate files
16325 * MiniDebugInfo:: Debugging information in a special section
16326 * Index Files:: Index files speed up GDB
16327 * Symbol Errors:: Errors reading symbol files
16328 * Data Files:: GDB data files
16329 @end menu
16330
16331 @node Files
16332 @section Commands to Specify Files
16333
16334 @cindex symbol table
16335 @cindex core dump file
16336
16337 You may want to specify executable and core dump file names. The usual
16338 way to do this is at start-up time, using the arguments to
16339 @value{GDBN}'s start-up commands (@pxref{Invocation, , Getting In and
16340 Out of @value{GDBN}}).
16341
16342 Occasionally it is necessary to change to a different file during a
16343 @value{GDBN} session. Or you may run @value{GDBN} and forget to
16344 specify a file you want to use. Or you are debugging a remote target
16345 via @code{gdbserver} (@pxref{Server, file, Using the @code{gdbserver}
16346 Program}). In these situations the @value{GDBN} commands to specify
16347 new files are useful.
16348
16349 @table @code
16350 @cindex executable file
16351 @kindex file
16352 @item file @var{filename}
16353 Use @var{filename} as the program to be debugged. It is read for its
16354 symbols and for the contents of pure memory. It is also the program
16355 executed when you use the @code{run} command. If you do not specify a
16356 directory and the file is not found in the @value{GDBN} working directory,
16357 @value{GDBN} uses the environment variable @code{PATH} as a list of
16358 directories to search, just as the shell does when looking for a program
16359 to run. You can change the value of this variable, for both @value{GDBN}
16360 and your program, using the @code{path} command.
16361
16362 @cindex unlinked object files
16363 @cindex patching object files
16364 You can load unlinked object @file{.o} files into @value{GDBN} using
16365 the @code{file} command. You will not be able to ``run'' an object
16366 file, but you can disassemble functions and inspect variables. Also,
16367 if the underlying BFD functionality supports it, you could use
16368 @kbd{gdb -write} to patch object files using this technique. Note
16369 that @value{GDBN} can neither interpret nor modify relocations in this
16370 case, so branches and some initialized variables will appear to go to
16371 the wrong place. But this feature is still handy from time to time.
16372
16373 @item file
16374 @code{file} with no argument makes @value{GDBN} discard any information it
16375 has on both executable file and the symbol table.
16376
16377 @kindex exec-file
16378 @item exec-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
16379 Specify that the program to be run (but not the symbol table) is found
16380 in @var{filename}. @value{GDBN} searches the environment variable @code{PATH}
16381 if necessary to locate your program. Omitting @var{filename} means to
16382 discard information on the executable file.
16383
16384 @kindex symbol-file
16385 @item symbol-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
16386 Read symbol table information from file @var{filename}. @code{PATH} is
16387 searched when necessary. Use the @code{file} command to get both symbol
16388 table and program to run from the same file.
16389
16390 @code{symbol-file} with no argument clears out @value{GDBN} information on your
16391 program's symbol table.
16392
16393 The @code{symbol-file} command causes @value{GDBN} to forget the contents of
16394 some breakpoints and auto-display expressions. This is because they may
16395 contain pointers to the internal data recording symbols and data types,
16396 which are part of the old symbol table data being discarded inside
16397 @value{GDBN}.
16398
16399 @code{symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
16400 executing it once.
16401
16402 When @value{GDBN} is configured for a particular environment, it
16403 understands debugging information in whatever format is the standard
16404 generated for that environment; you may use either a @sc{gnu} compiler, or
16405 other compilers that adhere to the local conventions.
16406 Best results are usually obtained from @sc{gnu} compilers; for example,
16407 using @code{@value{NGCC}} you can generate debugging information for
16408 optimized code.
16409
16410 For most kinds of object files, with the exception of old SVR3 systems
16411 using COFF, the @code{symbol-file} command does not normally read the
16412 symbol table in full right away. Instead, it scans the symbol table
16413 quickly to find which source files and which symbols are present. The
16414 details are read later, one source file at a time, as they are needed.
16415
16416 The purpose of this two-stage reading strategy is to make @value{GDBN}
16417 start up faster. For the most part, it is invisible except for
16418 occasional pauses while the symbol table details for a particular source
16419 file are being read. (The @code{set verbose} command can turn these
16420 pauses into messages if desired. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional
16421 Warnings and Messages}.)
16422
16423 We have not implemented the two-stage strategy for COFF yet. When the
16424 symbol table is stored in COFF format, @code{symbol-file} reads the
16425 symbol table data in full right away. Note that ``stabs-in-COFF''
16426 still does the two-stage strategy, since the debug info is actually
16427 in stabs format.
16428
16429 @kindex readnow
16430 @cindex reading symbols immediately
16431 @cindex symbols, reading immediately
16432 @item symbol-file @r{[} -readnow @r{]} @var{filename}
16433 @itemx file @r{[} -readnow @r{]} @var{filename}
16434 You can override the @value{GDBN} two-stage strategy for reading symbol
16435 tables by using the @samp{-readnow} option with any of the commands that
16436 load symbol table information, if you want to be sure @value{GDBN} has the
16437 entire symbol table available.
16438
16439 @c FIXME: for now no mention of directories, since this seems to be in
16440 @c flux. 13mar1992 status is that in theory GDB would look either in
16441 @c current dir or in same dir as myprog; but issues like competing
16442 @c GDB's, or clutter in system dirs, mean that in practice right now
16443 @c only current dir is used. FFish says maybe a special GDB hierarchy
16444 @c (eg rooted in val of env var GDBSYMS) could exist for mappable symbol
16445 @c files.
16446
16447 @kindex core-file
16448 @item core-file @r{[}@var{filename}@r{]}
16449 @itemx core
16450 Specify the whereabouts of a core dump file to be used as the ``contents
16451 of memory''. Traditionally, core files contain only some parts of the
16452 address space of the process that generated them; @value{GDBN} can access the
16453 executable file itself for other parts.
16454
16455 @code{core-file} with no argument specifies that no core file is
16456 to be used.
16457
16458 Note that the core file is ignored when your program is actually running
16459 under @value{GDBN}. So, if you have been running your program and you
16460 wish to debug a core file instead, you must kill the subprocess in which
16461 the program is running. To do this, use the @code{kill} command
16462 (@pxref{Kill Process, ,Killing the Child Process}).
16463
16464 @kindex add-symbol-file
16465 @cindex dynamic linking
16466 @item add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address}
16467 @itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address} @r{[} -readnow @r{]}
16468 @itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address} -s @var{section} @var{address} @dots{}
16469 The @code{add-symbol-file} command reads additional symbol table
16470 information from the file @var{filename}. You would use this command
16471 when @var{filename} has been dynamically loaded (by some other means)
16472 into the program that is running. @var{address} should be the memory
16473 address at which the file has been loaded; @value{GDBN} cannot figure
16474 this out for itself. You can additionally specify an arbitrary number
16475 of @samp{-s @var{section} @var{address}} pairs, to give an explicit
16476 section name and base address for that section. You can specify any
16477 @var{address} as an expression.
16478
16479 The symbol table of the file @var{filename} is added to the symbol table
16480 originally read with the @code{symbol-file} command. You can use the
16481 @code{add-symbol-file} command any number of times; the new symbol data
16482 thus read keeps adding to the old. To discard all old symbol data
16483 instead, use the @code{symbol-file} command without any arguments.
16484
16485 @cindex relocatable object files, reading symbols from
16486 @cindex object files, relocatable, reading symbols from
16487 @cindex reading symbols from relocatable object files
16488 @cindex symbols, reading from relocatable object files
16489 @cindex @file{.o} files, reading symbols from
16490 Although @var{filename} is typically a shared library file, an
16491 executable file, or some other object file which has been fully
16492 relocated for loading into a process, you can also load symbolic
16493 information from relocatable @file{.o} files, as long as:
16494
16495 @itemize @bullet
16496 @item
16497 the file's symbolic information refers only to linker symbols defined in
16498 that file, not to symbols defined by other object files,
16499 @item
16500 every section the file's symbolic information refers to has actually
16501 been loaded into the inferior, as it appears in the file, and
16502 @item
16503 you can determine the address at which every section was loaded, and
16504 provide these to the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
16505 @end itemize
16506
16507 @noindent
16508 Some embedded operating systems, like Sun Chorus and VxWorks, can load
16509 relocatable files into an already running program; such systems
16510 typically make the requirements above easy to meet. However, it's
16511 important to recognize that many native systems use complex link
16512 procedures (@code{.linkonce} section factoring and C@t{++} constructor table
16513 assembly, for example) that make the requirements difficult to meet. In
16514 general, one cannot assume that using @code{add-symbol-file} to read a
16515 relocatable object file's symbolic information will have the same effect
16516 as linking the relocatable object file into the program in the normal
16517 way.
16518
16519 @code{add-symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
16520
16521 @kindex add-symbol-file-from-memory
16522 @cindex @code{syscall DSO}
16523 @cindex load symbols from memory
16524 @item add-symbol-file-from-memory @var{address}
16525 Load symbols from the given @var{address} in a dynamically loaded
16526 object file whose image is mapped directly into the inferior's memory.
16527 For example, the Linux kernel maps a @code{syscall DSO} into each
16528 process's address space; this DSO provides kernel-specific code for
16529 some system calls. The argument can be any expression whose
16530 evaluation yields the address of the file's shared object file header.
16531 For this command to work, you must have used @code{symbol-file} or
16532 @code{exec-file} commands in advance.
16533
16534 @kindex add-shared-symbol-files
16535 @kindex assf
16536 @item add-shared-symbol-files @var{library-file}
16537 @itemx assf @var{library-file}
16538 The @code{add-shared-symbol-files} command can currently be used only
16539 in the Cygwin build of @value{GDBN} on MS-Windows OS, where it is an
16540 alias for the @code{dll-symbols} command (@pxref{Cygwin Native}).
16541 @value{GDBN} automatically looks for shared libraries, however if
16542 @value{GDBN} does not find yours, you can invoke
16543 @code{add-shared-symbol-files}. It takes one argument: the shared
16544 library's file name. @code{assf} is a shorthand alias for
16545 @code{add-shared-symbol-files}.
16546
16547 @kindex section
16548 @item section @var{section} @var{addr}
16549 The @code{section} command changes the base address of the named
16550 @var{section} of the exec file to @var{addr}. This can be used if the
16551 exec file does not contain section addresses, (such as in the
16552 @code{a.out} format), or when the addresses specified in the file
16553 itself are wrong. Each section must be changed separately. The
16554 @code{info files} command, described below, lists all the sections and
16555 their addresses.
16556
16557 @kindex info files
16558 @kindex info target
16559 @item info files
16560 @itemx info target
16561 @code{info files} and @code{info target} are synonymous; both print the
16562 current target (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}),
16563 including the names of the executable and core dump files currently in
16564 use by @value{GDBN}, and the files from which symbols were loaded. The
16565 command @code{help target} lists all possible targets rather than
16566 current ones.
16567
16568 @kindex maint info sections
16569 @item maint info sections
16570 Another command that can give you extra information about program sections
16571 is @code{maint info sections}. In addition to the section information
16572 displayed by @code{info files}, this command displays the flags and file
16573 offset of each section in the executable and core dump files. In addition,
16574 @code{maint info sections} provides the following command options (which
16575 may be arbitrarily combined):
16576
16577 @table @code
16578 @item ALLOBJ
16579 Display sections for all loaded object files, including shared libraries.
16580 @item @var{sections}
16581 Display info only for named @var{sections}.
16582 @item @var{section-flags}
16583 Display info only for sections for which @var{section-flags} are true.
16584 The section flags that @value{GDBN} currently knows about are:
16585 @table @code
16586 @item ALLOC
16587 Section will have space allocated in the process when loaded.
16588 Set for all sections except those containing debug information.
16589 @item LOAD
16590 Section will be loaded from the file into the child process memory.
16591 Set for pre-initialized code and data, clear for @code{.bss} sections.
16592 @item RELOC
16593 Section needs to be relocated before loading.
16594 @item READONLY
16595 Section cannot be modified by the child process.
16596 @item CODE
16597 Section contains executable code only.
16598 @item DATA
16599 Section contains data only (no executable code).
16600 @item ROM
16601 Section will reside in ROM.
16602 @item CONSTRUCTOR
16603 Section contains data for constructor/destructor lists.
16604 @item HAS_CONTENTS
16605 Section is not empty.
16606 @item NEVER_LOAD
16607 An instruction to the linker to not output the section.
16608 @item COFF_SHARED_LIBRARY
16609 A notification to the linker that the section contains
16610 COFF shared library information.
16611 @item IS_COMMON
16612 Section contains common symbols.
16613 @end table
16614 @end table
16615 @kindex set trust-readonly-sections
16616 @cindex read-only sections
16617 @item set trust-readonly-sections on
16618 Tell @value{GDBN} that readonly sections in your object file
16619 really are read-only (i.e.@: that their contents will not change).
16620 In that case, @value{GDBN} can fetch values from these sections
16621 out of the object file, rather than from the target program.
16622 For some targets (notably embedded ones), this can be a significant
16623 enhancement to debugging performance.
16624
16625 The default is off.
16626
16627 @item set trust-readonly-sections off
16628 Tell @value{GDBN} not to trust readonly sections. This means that
16629 the contents of the section might change while the program is running,
16630 and must therefore be fetched from the target when needed.
16631
16632 @item show trust-readonly-sections
16633 Show the current setting of trusting readonly sections.
16634 @end table
16635
16636 All file-specifying commands allow both absolute and relative file names
16637 as arguments. @value{GDBN} always converts the file name to an absolute file
16638 name and remembers it that way.
16639
16640 @cindex shared libraries
16641 @anchor{Shared Libraries}
16642 @value{GDBN} supports @sc{gnu}/Linux, MS-Windows, HP-UX, SunOS, SVr4, Irix,
16643 and IBM RS/6000 AIX shared libraries.
16644
16645 On MS-Windows @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support
16646 shared libraries. @xref{Expat}.
16647
16648 @value{GDBN} automatically loads symbol definitions from shared libraries
16649 when you use the @code{run} command, or when you examine a core file.
16650 (Before you issue the @code{run} command, @value{GDBN} does not understand
16651 references to a function in a shared library, however---unless you are
16652 debugging a core file).
16653
16654 On HP-UX, if the program loads a library explicitly, @value{GDBN}
16655 automatically loads the symbols at the time of the @code{shl_load} call.
16656
16657 @c FIXME: some @value{GDBN} release may permit some refs to undef
16658 @c FIXME...symbols---eg in a break cmd---assuming they are from a shared
16659 @c FIXME...lib; check this from time to time when updating manual
16660
16661 There are times, however, when you may wish to not automatically load
16662 symbol definitions from shared libraries, such as when they are
16663 particularly large or there are many of them.
16664
16665 To control the automatic loading of shared library symbols, use the
16666 commands:
16667
16668 @table @code
16669 @kindex set auto-solib-add
16670 @item set auto-solib-add @var{mode}
16671 If @var{mode} is @code{on}, symbols from all shared object libraries
16672 will be loaded automatically when the inferior begins execution, you
16673 attach to an independently started inferior, or when the dynamic linker
16674 informs @value{GDBN} that a new library has been loaded. If @var{mode}
16675 is @code{off}, symbols must be loaded manually, using the
16676 @code{sharedlibrary} command. The default value is @code{on}.
16677
16678 @cindex memory used for symbol tables
16679 If your program uses lots of shared libraries with debug info that
16680 takes large amounts of memory, you can decrease the @value{GDBN}
16681 memory footprint by preventing it from automatically loading the
16682 symbols from shared libraries. To that end, type @kbd{set
16683 auto-solib-add off} before running the inferior, then load each
16684 library whose debug symbols you do need with @kbd{sharedlibrary
16685 @var{regexp}}, where @var{regexp} is a regular expression that matches
16686 the libraries whose symbols you want to be loaded.
16687
16688 @kindex show auto-solib-add
16689 @item show auto-solib-add
16690 Display the current autoloading mode.
16691 @end table
16692
16693 @cindex load shared library
16694 To explicitly load shared library symbols, use the @code{sharedlibrary}
16695 command:
16696
16697 @table @code
16698 @kindex info sharedlibrary
16699 @kindex info share
16700 @item info share @var{regex}
16701 @itemx info sharedlibrary @var{regex}
16702 Print the names of the shared libraries which are currently loaded
16703 that match @var{regex}. If @var{regex} is omitted then print
16704 all shared libraries that are loaded.
16705
16706 @kindex sharedlibrary
16707 @kindex share
16708 @item sharedlibrary @var{regex}
16709 @itemx share @var{regex}
16710 Load shared object library symbols for files matching a
16711 Unix regular expression.
16712 As with files loaded automatically, it only loads shared libraries
16713 required by your program for a core file or after typing @code{run}. If
16714 @var{regex} is omitted all shared libraries required by your program are
16715 loaded.
16716
16717 @item nosharedlibrary
16718 @kindex nosharedlibrary
16719 @cindex unload symbols from shared libraries
16720 Unload all shared object library symbols. This discards all symbols
16721 that have been loaded from all shared libraries. Symbols from shared
16722 libraries that were loaded by explicit user requests are not
16723 discarded.
16724 @end table
16725
16726 Sometimes you may wish that @value{GDBN} stops and gives you control
16727 when any of shared library events happen. The best way to do this is
16728 to use @code{catch load} and @code{catch unload} (@pxref{Set
16729 Catchpoints}).
16730
16731 @value{GDBN} also supports the the @code{set stop-on-solib-events}
16732 command for this. This command exists for historical reasons. It is
16733 less useful than setting a catchpoint, because it does not allow for
16734 conditions or commands as a catchpoint does.
16735
16736 @table @code
16737 @item set stop-on-solib-events
16738 @kindex set stop-on-solib-events
16739 This command controls whether @value{GDBN} should give you control
16740 when the dynamic linker notifies it about some shared library event.
16741 The most common event of interest is loading or unloading of a new
16742 shared library.
16743
16744 @item show stop-on-solib-events
16745 @kindex show stop-on-solib-events
16746 Show whether @value{GDBN} stops and gives you control when shared
16747 library events happen.
16748 @end table
16749
16750 Shared libraries are also supported in many cross or remote debugging
16751 configurations. @value{GDBN} needs to have access to the target's libraries;
16752 this can be accomplished either by providing copies of the libraries
16753 on the host system, or by asking @value{GDBN} to automatically retrieve the
16754 libraries from the target. If copies of the target libraries are
16755 provided, they need to be the same as the target libraries, although the
16756 copies on the target can be stripped as long as the copies on the host are
16757 not.
16758
16759 @cindex where to look for shared libraries
16760 For remote debugging, you need to tell @value{GDBN} where the target
16761 libraries are, so that it can load the correct copies---otherwise, it
16762 may try to load the host's libraries. @value{GDBN} has two variables
16763 to specify the search directories for target libraries.
16764
16765 @table @code
16766 @cindex prefix for shared library file names
16767 @cindex system root, alternate
16768 @kindex set solib-absolute-prefix
16769 @kindex set sysroot
16770 @item set sysroot @var{path}
16771 Use @var{path} as the system root for the program being debugged. Any
16772 absolute shared library paths will be prefixed with @var{path}; many
16773 runtime loaders store the absolute paths to the shared library in the
16774 target program's memory. If you use @code{set sysroot} to find shared
16775 libraries, they need to be laid out in the same way that they are on
16776 the target, with e.g.@: a @file{/lib} and @file{/usr/lib} hierarchy
16777 under @var{path}.
16778
16779 If @var{path} starts with the sequence @file{remote:}, @value{GDBN} will
16780 retrieve the target libraries from the remote system. This is only
16781 supported when using a remote target that supports the @code{remote get}
16782 command (@pxref{File Transfer,,Sending files to a remote system}).
16783 The part of @var{path} following the initial @file{remote:}
16784 (if present) is used as system root prefix on the remote file system.
16785 @footnote{If you want to specify a local system root using a directory
16786 that happens to be named @file{remote:}, you need to use some equivalent
16787 variant of the name like @file{./remote:}.}
16788
16789 For targets with an MS-DOS based filesystem, such as MS-Windows and
16790 SymbianOS, @value{GDBN} tries prefixing a few variants of the target
16791 absolute file name with @var{path}. But first, on Unix hosts,
16792 @value{GDBN} converts all backslash directory separators into forward
16793 slashes, because the backslash is not a directory separator on Unix:
16794
16795 @smallexample
16796 c:\foo\bar.dll @result{} c:/foo/bar.dll
16797 @end smallexample
16798
16799 Then, @value{GDBN} attempts prefixing the target file name with
16800 @var{path}, and looks for the resulting file name in the host file
16801 system:
16802
16803 @smallexample
16804 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/c:/foo/bar.dll
16805 @end smallexample
16806
16807 If that does not find the shared library, @value{GDBN} tries removing
16808 the @samp{:} character from the drive spec, both for convenience, and,
16809 for the case of the host file system not supporting file names with
16810 colons:
16811
16812 @smallexample
16813 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/c/foo/bar.dll
16814 @end smallexample
16815
16816 This makes it possible to have a system root that mirrors a target
16817 with more than one drive. E.g., you may want to setup your local
16818 copies of the target system shared libraries like so (note @samp{c} vs
16819 @samp{z}):
16820
16821 @smallexample
16822 @file{/path/to/sysroot/c/sys/bin/foo.dll}
16823 @file{/path/to/sysroot/c/sys/bin/bar.dll}
16824 @file{/path/to/sysroot/z/sys/bin/bar.dll}
16825 @end smallexample
16826
16827 @noindent
16828 and point the system root at @file{/path/to/sysroot}, so that
16829 @value{GDBN} can find the correct copies of both
16830 @file{c:\sys\bin\foo.dll}, and @file{z:\sys\bin\bar.dll}.
16831
16832 If that still does not find the shared library, @value{GDBN} tries
16833 removing the whole drive spec from the target file name:
16834
16835 @smallexample
16836 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/foo/bar.dll
16837 @end smallexample
16838
16839 This last lookup makes it possible to not care about the drive name,
16840 if you don't want or need to.
16841
16842 The @code{set solib-absolute-prefix} command is an alias for @code{set
16843 sysroot}.
16844
16845 @cindex default system root
16846 @cindex @samp{--with-sysroot}
16847 You can set the default system root by using the configure-time
16848 @samp{--with-sysroot} option. If the system root is inside
16849 @value{GDBN}'s configured binary prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or
16850 @samp{--exec-prefix}), then the default system root will be updated
16851 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
16852 location.
16853
16854 @kindex show sysroot
16855 @item show sysroot
16856 Display the current shared library prefix.
16857
16858 @kindex set solib-search-path
16859 @item set solib-search-path @var{path}
16860 If this variable is set, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
16861 directories to search for shared libraries. @samp{solib-search-path}
16862 is used after @samp{sysroot} fails to locate the library, or if the
16863 path to the library is relative instead of absolute. If you want to
16864 use @samp{solib-search-path} instead of @samp{sysroot}, be sure to set
16865 @samp{sysroot} to a nonexistent directory to prevent @value{GDBN} from
16866 finding your host's libraries. @samp{sysroot} is preferred; setting
16867 it to a nonexistent directory may interfere with automatic loading
16868 of shared library symbols.
16869
16870 @kindex show solib-search-path
16871 @item show solib-search-path
16872 Display the current shared library search path.
16873
16874 @cindex DOS file-name semantics of file names.
16875 @kindex set target-file-system-kind (unix|dos-based|auto)
16876 @kindex show target-file-system-kind
16877 @item set target-file-system-kind @var{kind}
16878 Set assumed file system kind for target reported file names.
16879
16880 Shared library file names as reported by the target system may not
16881 make sense as is on the system @value{GDBN} is running on. For
16882 example, when remote debugging a target that has MS-DOS based file
16883 system semantics, from a Unix host, the target may be reporting to
16884 @value{GDBN} a list of loaded shared libraries with file names such as
16885 @file{c:\Windows\kernel32.dll}. On Unix hosts, there's no concept of
16886 drive letters, so the @samp{c:\} prefix is not normally understood as
16887 indicating an absolute file name, and neither is the backslash
16888 normally considered a directory separator character. In that case,
16889 the native file system would interpret this whole absolute file name
16890 as a relative file name with no directory components. This would make
16891 it impossible to point @value{GDBN} at a copy of the remote target's
16892 shared libraries on the host using @code{set sysroot}, and impractical
16893 with @code{set solib-search-path}. Setting
16894 @code{target-file-system-kind} to @code{dos-based} tells @value{GDBN}
16895 to interpret such file names similarly to how the target would, and to
16896 map them to file names valid on @value{GDBN}'s native file system
16897 semantics. The value of @var{kind} can be @code{"auto"}, in addition
16898 to one of the supported file system kinds. In that case, @value{GDBN}
16899 tries to determine the appropriate file system variant based on the
16900 current target's operating system (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the
16901 Current ABI}). The supported file system settings are:
16902
16903 @table @code
16904 @item unix
16905 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target file system is of Unix
16906 kind. Only file names starting the forward slash (@samp{/}) character
16907 are considered absolute, and the directory separator character is also
16908 the forward slash.
16909
16910 @item dos-based
16911 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target file system is DOS based.
16912 File names starting with either a forward slash, or a drive letter
16913 followed by a colon (e.g., @samp{c:}), are considered absolute, and
16914 both the slash (@samp{/}) and the backslash (@samp{\\}) characters are
16915 considered directory separators.
16916
16917 @item auto
16918 Instruct @value{GDBN} to use the file system kind associated with the
16919 target operating system (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the Current ABI}).
16920 This is the default.
16921 @end table
16922 @end table
16923
16924 @cindex file name canonicalization
16925 @cindex base name differences
16926 When processing file names provided by the user, @value{GDBN}
16927 frequently needs to compare them to the file names recorded in the
16928 program's debug info. Normally, @value{GDBN} compares just the
16929 @dfn{base names} of the files as strings, which is reasonably fast
16930 even for very large programs. (The base name of a file is the last
16931 portion of its name, after stripping all the leading directories.)
16932 This shortcut in comparison is based upon the assumption that files
16933 cannot have more than one base name. This is usually true, but
16934 references to files that use symlinks or similar filesystem
16935 facilities violate that assumption. If your program records files
16936 using such facilities, or if you provide file names to @value{GDBN}
16937 using symlinks etc., you can set @code{basenames-may-differ} to
16938 @code{true} to instruct @value{GDBN} to completely canonicalize each
16939 pair of file names it needs to compare. This will make file-name
16940 comparisons accurate, but at a price of a significant slowdown.
16941
16942 @table @code
16943 @item set basenames-may-differ
16944 @kindex set basenames-may-differ
16945 Set whether a source file may have multiple base names.
16946
16947 @item show basenames-may-differ
16948 @kindex show basenames-may-differ
16949 Show whether a source file may have multiple base names.
16950 @end table
16951
16952 @node Separate Debug Files
16953 @section Debugging Information in Separate Files
16954 @cindex separate debugging information files
16955 @cindex debugging information in separate files
16956 @cindex @file{.debug} subdirectories
16957 @cindex debugging information directory, global
16958 @cindex global debugging information directories
16959 @cindex build ID, and separate debugging files
16960 @cindex @file{.build-id} directory
16961
16962 @value{GDBN} allows you to put a program's debugging information in a
16963 file separate from the executable itself, in a way that allows
16964 @value{GDBN} to find and load the debugging information automatically.
16965 Since debugging information can be very large---sometimes larger
16966 than the executable code itself---some systems distribute debugging
16967 information for their executables in separate files, which users can
16968 install only when they need to debug a problem.
16969
16970 @value{GDBN} supports two ways of specifying the separate debug info
16971 file:
16972
16973 @itemize @bullet
16974 @item
16975 The executable contains a @dfn{debug link} that specifies the name of
16976 the separate debug info file. The separate debug file's name is
16977 usually @file{@var{executable}.debug}, where @var{executable} is the
16978 name of the corresponding executable file without leading directories
16979 (e.g., @file{ls.debug} for @file{/usr/bin/ls}). In addition, the
16980 debug link specifies a 32-bit @dfn{Cyclic Redundancy Check} (CRC)
16981 checksum for the debug file, which @value{GDBN} uses to validate that
16982 the executable and the debug file came from the same build.
16983
16984 @item
16985 The executable contains a @dfn{build ID}, a unique bit string that is
16986 also present in the corresponding debug info file. (This is supported
16987 only on some operating systems, notably those which use the ELF format
16988 for binary files and the @sc{gnu} Binutils.) For more details about
16989 this feature, see the description of the @option{--build-id}
16990 command-line option in @ref{Options, , Command Line Options, ld.info,
16991 The GNU Linker}. The debug info file's name is not specified
16992 explicitly by the build ID, but can be computed from the build ID, see
16993 below.
16994 @end itemize
16995
16996 Depending on the way the debug info file is specified, @value{GDBN}
16997 uses two different methods of looking for the debug file:
16998
16999 @itemize @bullet
17000 @item
17001 For the ``debug link'' method, @value{GDBN} looks up the named file in
17002 the directory of the executable file, then in a subdirectory of that
17003 directory named @file{.debug}, and finally under each one of the global debug
17004 directories, in a subdirectory whose name is identical to the leading
17005 directories of the executable's absolute file name.
17006
17007 @item
17008 For the ``build ID'' method, @value{GDBN} looks in the
17009 @file{.build-id} subdirectory of each one of the global debug directories for
17010 a file named @file{@var{nn}/@var{nnnnnnnn}.debug}, where @var{nn} are the
17011 first 2 hex characters of the build ID bit string, and @var{nnnnnnnn}
17012 are the rest of the bit string. (Real build ID strings are 32 or more
17013 hex characters, not 10.)
17014 @end itemize
17015
17016 So, for example, suppose you ask @value{GDBN} to debug
17017 @file{/usr/bin/ls}, which has a debug link that specifies the
17018 file @file{ls.debug}, and a build ID whose value in hex is
17019 @code{abcdef1234}. If the list of the global debug directories includes
17020 @file{/usr/lib/debug}, then @value{GDBN} will look for the following
17021 debug information files, in the indicated order:
17022
17023 @itemize @minus
17024 @item
17025 @file{/usr/lib/debug/.build-id/ab/cdef1234.debug}
17026 @item
17027 @file{/usr/bin/ls.debug}
17028 @item
17029 @file{/usr/bin/.debug/ls.debug}
17030 @item
17031 @file{/usr/lib/debug/usr/bin/ls.debug}.
17032 @end itemize
17033
17034 @anchor{debug-file-directory}
17035 Global debugging info directories default to what is set by @value{GDBN}
17036 configure option @option{--with-separate-debug-dir}. During @value{GDBN} run
17037 you can also set the global debugging info directories, and view the list
17038 @value{GDBN} is currently using.
17039
17040 @table @code
17041
17042 @kindex set debug-file-directory
17043 @item set debug-file-directory @var{directories}
17044 Set the directories which @value{GDBN} searches for separate debugging
17045 information files to @var{directory}. Multiple path components can be set
17046 concatenating them by a path separator.
17047
17048 @kindex show debug-file-directory
17049 @item show debug-file-directory
17050 Show the directories @value{GDBN} searches for separate debugging
17051 information files.
17052
17053 @end table
17054
17055 @cindex @code{.gnu_debuglink} sections
17056 @cindex debug link sections
17057 A debug link is a special section of the executable file named
17058 @code{.gnu_debuglink}. The section must contain:
17059
17060 @itemize
17061 @item
17062 A filename, with any leading directory components removed, followed by
17063 a zero byte,
17064 @item
17065 zero to three bytes of padding, as needed to reach the next four-byte
17066 boundary within the section, and
17067 @item
17068 a four-byte CRC checksum, stored in the same endianness used for the
17069 executable file itself. The checksum is computed on the debugging
17070 information file's full contents by the function given below, passing
17071 zero as the @var{crc} argument.
17072 @end itemize
17073
17074 Any executable file format can carry a debug link, as long as it can
17075 contain a section named @code{.gnu_debuglink} with the contents
17076 described above.
17077
17078 @cindex @code{.note.gnu.build-id} sections
17079 @cindex build ID sections
17080 The build ID is a special section in the executable file (and in other
17081 ELF binary files that @value{GDBN} may consider). This section is
17082 often named @code{.note.gnu.build-id}, but that name is not mandatory.
17083 It contains unique identification for the built files---the ID remains
17084 the same across multiple builds of the same build tree. The default
17085 algorithm SHA1 produces 160 bits (40 hexadecimal characters) of the
17086 content for the build ID string. The same section with an identical
17087 value is present in the original built binary with symbols, in its
17088 stripped variant, and in the separate debugging information file.
17089
17090 The debugging information file itself should be an ordinary
17091 executable, containing a full set of linker symbols, sections, and
17092 debugging information. The sections of the debugging information file
17093 should have the same names, addresses, and sizes as the original file,
17094 but they need not contain any data---much like a @code{.bss} section
17095 in an ordinary executable.
17096
17097 The @sc{gnu} binary utilities (Binutils) package includes the
17098 @samp{objcopy} utility that can produce
17099 the separated executable / debugging information file pairs using the
17100 following commands:
17101
17102 @smallexample
17103 @kbd{objcopy --only-keep-debug foo foo.debug}
17104 @kbd{strip -g foo}
17105 @end smallexample
17106
17107 @noindent
17108 These commands remove the debugging
17109 information from the executable file @file{foo} and place it in the file
17110 @file{foo.debug}. You can use the first, second or both methods to link the
17111 two files:
17112
17113 @itemize @bullet
17114 @item
17115 The debug link method needs the following additional command to also leave
17116 behind a debug link in @file{foo}:
17117
17118 @smallexample
17119 @kbd{objcopy --add-gnu-debuglink=foo.debug foo}
17120 @end smallexample
17121
17122 Ulrich Drepper's @file{elfutils} package, starting with version 0.53, contains
17123 a version of the @code{strip} command such that the command @kbd{strip foo -f
17124 foo.debug} has the same functionality as the two @code{objcopy} commands and
17125 the @code{ln -s} command above, together.
17126
17127 @item
17128 Build ID gets embedded into the main executable using @code{ld --build-id} or
17129 the @value{NGCC} counterpart @code{gcc -Wl,--build-id}. Build ID support plus
17130 compatibility fixes for debug files separation are present in @sc{gnu} binary
17131 utilities (Binutils) package since version 2.18.
17132 @end itemize
17133
17134 @noindent
17135
17136 @cindex CRC algorithm definition
17137 The CRC used in @code{.gnu_debuglink} is the CRC-32 defined in
17138 IEEE 802.3 using the polynomial:
17139
17140 @c TexInfo requires naked braces for multi-digit exponents for Tex
17141 @c output, but this causes HTML output to barf. HTML has to be set using
17142 @c raw commands. So we end up having to specify this equation in 2
17143 @c different ways!
17144 @ifhtml
17145 @display
17146 @html
17147 <em>x</em><sup>32</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>26</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>23</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>22</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>16</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>12</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>11</sup>
17148 + <em>x</em><sup>10</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>8</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>7</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>5</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>4</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>2</sup> + <em>x</em> + 1
17149 @end html
17150 @end display
17151 @end ifhtml
17152 @ifnothtml
17153 @display
17154 @math{x^{32} + x^{26} + x^{23} + x^{22} + x^{16} + x^{12} + x^{11}}
17155 @math{+ x^{10} + x^8 + x^7 + x^5 + x^4 + x^2 + x + 1}
17156 @end display
17157 @end ifnothtml
17158
17159 The function is computed byte at a time, taking the least
17160 significant bit of each byte first. The initial pattern
17161 @code{0xffffffff} is used, to ensure leading zeros affect the CRC and
17162 the final result is inverted to ensure trailing zeros also affect the
17163 CRC.
17164
17165 @emph{Note:} This is the same CRC polynomial as used in handling the
17166 @dfn{Remote Serial Protocol} @code{qCRC} packet (@pxref{Remote Protocol,
17167 , @value{GDBN} Remote Serial Protocol}). However in the
17168 case of the Remote Serial Protocol, the CRC is computed @emph{most}
17169 significant bit first, and the result is not inverted, so trailing
17170 zeros have no effect on the CRC value.
17171
17172 To complete the description, we show below the code of the function
17173 which produces the CRC used in @code{.gnu_debuglink}. Inverting the
17174 initially supplied @code{crc} argument means that an initial call to
17175 this function passing in zero will start computing the CRC using
17176 @code{0xffffffff}.
17177
17178 @kindex gnu_debuglink_crc32
17179 @smallexample
17180 unsigned long
17181 gnu_debuglink_crc32 (unsigned long crc,
17182 unsigned char *buf, size_t len)
17183 @{
17184 static const unsigned long crc32_table[256] =
17185 @{
17186 0x00000000, 0x77073096, 0xee0e612c, 0x990951ba, 0x076dc419,
17187 0x706af48f, 0xe963a535, 0x9e6495a3, 0x0edb8832, 0x79dcb8a4,
17188 0xe0d5e91e, 0x97d2d988, 0x09b64c2b, 0x7eb17cbd, 0xe7b82d07,
17189 0x90bf1d91, 0x1db71064, 0x6ab020f2, 0xf3b97148, 0x84be41de,
17190 0x1adad47d, 0x6ddde4eb, 0xf4d4b551, 0x83d385c7, 0x136c9856,
17191 0x646ba8c0, 0xfd62f97a, 0x8a65c9ec, 0x14015c4f, 0x63066cd9,
17192 0xfa0f3d63, 0x8d080df5, 0x3b6e20c8, 0x4c69105e, 0xd56041e4,
17193 0xa2677172, 0x3c03e4d1, 0x4b04d447, 0xd20d85fd, 0xa50ab56b,
17194 0x35b5a8fa, 0x42b2986c, 0xdbbbc9d6, 0xacbcf940, 0x32d86ce3,
17195 0x45df5c75, 0xdcd60dcf, 0xabd13d59, 0x26d930ac, 0x51de003a,
17196 0xc8d75180, 0xbfd06116, 0x21b4f4b5, 0x56b3c423, 0xcfba9599,
17197 0xb8bda50f, 0x2802b89e, 0x5f058808, 0xc60cd9b2, 0xb10be924,
17198 0x2f6f7c87, 0x58684c11, 0xc1611dab, 0xb6662d3d, 0x76dc4190,
17199 0x01db7106, 0x98d220bc, 0xefd5102a, 0x71b18589, 0x06b6b51f,
17200 0x9fbfe4a5, 0xe8b8d433, 0x7807c9a2, 0x0f00f934, 0x9609a88e,
17201 0xe10e9818, 0x7f6a0dbb, 0x086d3d2d, 0x91646c97, 0xe6635c01,
17202 0x6b6b51f4, 0x1c6c6162, 0x856530d8, 0xf262004e, 0x6c0695ed,
17203 0x1b01a57b, 0x8208f4c1, 0xf50fc457, 0x65b0d9c6, 0x12b7e950,
17204 0x8bbeb8ea, 0xfcb9887c, 0x62dd1ddf, 0x15da2d49, 0x8cd37cf3,
17205 0xfbd44c65, 0x4db26158, 0x3ab551ce, 0xa3bc0074, 0xd4bb30e2,
17206 0x4adfa541, 0x3dd895d7, 0xa4d1c46d, 0xd3d6f4fb, 0x4369e96a,
17207 0x346ed9fc, 0xad678846, 0xda60b8d0, 0x44042d73, 0x33031de5,
17208 0xaa0a4c5f, 0xdd0d7cc9, 0x5005713c, 0x270241aa, 0xbe0b1010,
17209 0xc90c2086, 0x5768b525, 0x206f85b3, 0xb966d409, 0xce61e49f,
17210 0x5edef90e, 0x29d9c998, 0xb0d09822, 0xc7d7a8b4, 0x59b33d17,
17211 0x2eb40d81, 0xb7bd5c3b, 0xc0ba6cad, 0xedb88320, 0x9abfb3b6,
17212 0x03b6e20c, 0x74b1d29a, 0xead54739, 0x9dd277af, 0x04db2615,
17213 0x73dc1683, 0xe3630b12, 0x94643b84, 0x0d6d6a3e, 0x7a6a5aa8,
17214 0xe40ecf0b, 0x9309ff9d, 0x0a00ae27, 0x7d079eb1, 0xf00f9344,
17215 0x8708a3d2, 0x1e01f268, 0x6906c2fe, 0xf762575d, 0x806567cb,
17216 0x196c3671, 0x6e6b06e7, 0xfed41b76, 0x89d32be0, 0x10da7a5a,
17217 0x67dd4acc, 0xf9b9df6f, 0x8ebeeff9, 0x17b7be43, 0x60b08ed5,
17218 0xd6d6a3e8, 0xa1d1937e, 0x38d8c2c4, 0x4fdff252, 0xd1bb67f1,
17219 0xa6bc5767, 0x3fb506dd, 0x48b2364b, 0xd80d2bda, 0xaf0a1b4c,
17220 0x36034af6, 0x41047a60, 0xdf60efc3, 0xa867df55, 0x316e8eef,
17221 0x4669be79, 0xcb61b38c, 0xbc66831a, 0x256fd2a0, 0x5268e236,
17222 0xcc0c7795, 0xbb0b4703, 0x220216b9, 0x5505262f, 0xc5ba3bbe,
17223 0xb2bd0b28, 0x2bb45a92, 0x5cb36a04, 0xc2d7ffa7, 0xb5d0cf31,
17224 0x2cd99e8b, 0x5bdeae1d, 0x9b64c2b0, 0xec63f226, 0x756aa39c,
17225 0x026d930a, 0x9c0906a9, 0xeb0e363f, 0x72076785, 0x05005713,
17226 0x95bf4a82, 0xe2b87a14, 0x7bb12bae, 0x0cb61b38, 0x92d28e9b,
17227 0xe5d5be0d, 0x7cdcefb7, 0x0bdbdf21, 0x86d3d2d4, 0xf1d4e242,
17228 0x68ddb3f8, 0x1fda836e, 0x81be16cd, 0xf6b9265b, 0x6fb077e1,
17229 0x18b74777, 0x88085ae6, 0xff0f6a70, 0x66063bca, 0x11010b5c,
17230 0x8f659eff, 0xf862ae69, 0x616bffd3, 0x166ccf45, 0xa00ae278,
17231 0xd70dd2ee, 0x4e048354, 0x3903b3c2, 0xa7672661, 0xd06016f7,
17232 0x4969474d, 0x3e6e77db, 0xaed16a4a, 0xd9d65adc, 0x40df0b66,
17233 0x37d83bf0, 0xa9bcae53, 0xdebb9ec5, 0x47b2cf7f, 0x30b5ffe9,
17234 0xbdbdf21c, 0xcabac28a, 0x53b39330, 0x24b4a3a6, 0xbad03605,
17235 0xcdd70693, 0x54de5729, 0x23d967bf, 0xb3667a2e, 0xc4614ab8,
17236 0x5d681b02, 0x2a6f2b94, 0xb40bbe37, 0xc30c8ea1, 0x5a05df1b,
17237 0x2d02ef8d
17238 @};
17239 unsigned char *end;
17240
17241 crc = ~crc & 0xffffffff;
17242 for (end = buf + len; buf < end; ++buf)
17243 crc = crc32_table[(crc ^ *buf) & 0xff] ^ (crc >> 8);
17244 return ~crc & 0xffffffff;
17245 @}
17246 @end smallexample
17247
17248 @noindent
17249 This computation does not apply to the ``build ID'' method.
17250
17251 @node MiniDebugInfo
17252 @section Debugging information in a special section
17253 @cindex separate debug sections
17254 @cindex @samp{.gnu_debugdata} section
17255
17256 Some systems ship pre-built executables and libraries that have a
17257 special @samp{.gnu_debugdata} section. This feature is called
17258 @dfn{MiniDebugInfo}. This section holds an LZMA-compressed object and
17259 is used to supply extra symbols for backtraces.
17260
17261 The intent of this section is to provide extra minimal debugging
17262 information for use in simple backtraces. It is not intended to be a
17263 replacement for full separate debugging information (@pxref{Separate
17264 Debug Files}). The example below shows the intended use; however,
17265 @value{GDBN} does not currently put restrictions on what sort of
17266 debugging information might be included in the section.
17267
17268 @value{GDBN} has support for this extension. If the section exists,
17269 then it is used provided that no other source of debugging information
17270 can be found, and that @value{GDBN} was configured with LZMA support.
17271
17272 This section can be easily created using @command{objcopy} and other
17273 standard utilities:
17274
17275 @smallexample
17276 # Extract the dynamic symbols from the main binary, there is no need
17277 # to also have these in the normal symbol table
17278 nm -D @var{binary} --format=posix --defined-only \
17279 | awk '@{ print $1 @}' | sort > dynsyms
17280
17281 # Extract all the text (i.e. function) symbols from the debuginfo .
17282 nm @var{binary} --format=posix --defined-only \
17283 | awk '@{ if ($2 == "T" || $2 == "t") print $1 @}' \
17284 | sort > funcsyms
17285
17286 # Keep all the function symbols not already in the dynamic symbol
17287 # table.
17288 comm -13 dynsyms funcsyms > keep_symbols
17289
17290 # Copy the full debuginfo, keeping only a minimal set of symbols and
17291 # removing some unnecessary sections.
17292 objcopy -S --remove-section .gdb_index --remove-section .comment \
17293 --keep-symbols=keep_symbols @var{binary} mini_debuginfo
17294
17295 # Inject the compressed data into the .gnu_debugdata section of the
17296 # original binary.
17297 xz mini_debuginfo
17298 objcopy --add-section .gnu_debugdata=mini_debuginfo.xz @var{binary}
17299 @end smallexample
17300
17301 @node Index Files
17302 @section Index Files Speed Up @value{GDBN}
17303 @cindex index files
17304 @cindex @samp{.gdb_index} section
17305
17306 When @value{GDBN} finds a symbol file, it scans the symbols in the
17307 file in order to construct an internal symbol table. This lets most
17308 @value{GDBN} operations work quickly---at the cost of a delay early
17309 on. For large programs, this delay can be quite lengthy, so
17310 @value{GDBN} provides a way to build an index, which speeds up
17311 startup.
17312
17313 The index is stored as a section in the symbol file. @value{GDBN} can
17314 write the index to a file, then you can put it into the symbol file
17315 using @command{objcopy}.
17316
17317 To create an index file, use the @code{save gdb-index} command:
17318
17319 @table @code
17320 @item save gdb-index @var{directory}
17321 @kindex save gdb-index
17322 Create an index file for each symbol file currently known by
17323 @value{GDBN}. Each file is named after its corresponding symbol file,
17324 with @samp{.gdb-index} appended, and is written into the given
17325 @var{directory}.
17326 @end table
17327
17328 Once you have created an index file you can merge it into your symbol
17329 file, here named @file{symfile}, using @command{objcopy}:
17330
17331 @smallexample
17332 $ objcopy --add-section .gdb_index=symfile.gdb-index \
17333 --set-section-flags .gdb_index=readonly symfile symfile
17334 @end smallexample
17335
17336 @value{GDBN} will normally ignore older versions of @file{.gdb_index}
17337 sections that have been deprecated. Usually they are deprecated because
17338 they are missing a new feature or have performance issues.
17339 To tell @value{GDBN} to use a deprecated index section anyway
17340 specify @code{set use-deprecated-index-sections on}.
17341 The default is @code{off}.
17342 This can speed up startup, but may result in some functionality being lost.
17343 @xref{Index Section Format}.
17344
17345 @emph{Warning:} Setting @code{use-deprecated-index-sections} to @code{on}
17346 must be done before gdb reads the file. The following will not work:
17347
17348 @smallexample
17349 $ gdb -ex "set use-deprecated-index-sections on" <program>
17350 @end smallexample
17351
17352 Instead you must do, for example,
17353
17354 @smallexample
17355 $ gdb -iex "set use-deprecated-index-sections on" <program>
17356 @end smallexample
17357
17358 There are currently some limitation on indices. They only work when
17359 for DWARF debugging information, not stabs. And, they do not
17360 currently work for programs using Ada.
17361
17362 @node Symbol Errors
17363 @section Errors Reading Symbol Files
17364
17365 While reading a symbol file, @value{GDBN} occasionally encounters problems,
17366 such as symbol types it does not recognize, or known bugs in compiler
17367 output. By default, @value{GDBN} does not notify you of such problems, since
17368 they are relatively common and primarily of interest to people
17369 debugging compilers. If you are interested in seeing information
17370 about ill-constructed symbol tables, you can either ask @value{GDBN} to print
17371 only one message about each such type of problem, no matter how many
17372 times the problem occurs; or you can ask @value{GDBN} to print more messages,
17373 to see how many times the problems occur, with the @code{set
17374 complaints} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
17375 Messages}).
17376
17377 The messages currently printed, and their meanings, include:
17378
17379 @table @code
17380 @item inner block not inside outer block in @var{symbol}
17381
17382 The symbol information shows where symbol scopes begin and end
17383 (such as at the start of a function or a block of statements). This
17384 error indicates that an inner scope block is not fully contained
17385 in its outer scope blocks.
17386
17387 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the inner block as if it had
17388 the same scope as the outer block. In the error message, @var{symbol}
17389 may be shown as ``@code{(don't know)}'' if the outer block is not a
17390 function.
17391
17392 @item block at @var{address} out of order
17393
17394 The symbol information for symbol scope blocks should occur in
17395 order of increasing addresses. This error indicates that it does not
17396 do so.
17397
17398 @value{GDBN} does not circumvent this problem, and has trouble
17399 locating symbols in the source file whose symbols it is reading. (You
17400 can often determine what source file is affected by specifying
17401 @code{set verbose on}. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
17402 Messages}.)
17403
17404 @item bad block start address patched
17405
17406 The symbol information for a symbol scope block has a start address
17407 smaller than the address of the preceding source line. This is known
17408 to occur in the SunOS 4.1.1 (and earlier) C compiler.
17409
17410 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the symbol scope block as
17411 starting on the previous source line.
17412
17413 @item bad string table offset in symbol @var{n}
17414
17415 @cindex foo
17416 Symbol number @var{n} contains a pointer into the string table which is
17417 larger than the size of the string table.
17418
17419 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by considering the symbol to have the
17420 name @code{foo}, which may cause other problems if many symbols end up
17421 with this name.
17422
17423 @item unknown symbol type @code{0x@var{nn}}
17424
17425 The symbol information contains new data types that @value{GDBN} does
17426 not yet know how to read. @code{0x@var{nn}} is the symbol type of the
17427 uncomprehended information, in hexadecimal.
17428
17429 @value{GDBN} circumvents the error by ignoring this symbol information.
17430 This usually allows you to debug your program, though certain symbols
17431 are not accessible. If you encounter such a problem and feel like
17432 debugging it, you can debug @code{@value{GDBP}} with itself, breakpoint
17433 on @code{complain}, then go up to the function @code{read_dbx_symtab}
17434 and examine @code{*bufp} to see the symbol.
17435
17436 @item stub type has NULL name
17437
17438 @value{GDBN} could not find the full definition for a struct or class.
17439
17440 @item const/volatile indicator missing (ok if using g++ v1.x), got@dots{}
17441 The symbol information for a C@t{++} member function is missing some
17442 information that recent versions of the compiler should have output for
17443 it.
17444
17445 @item info mismatch between compiler and debugger
17446
17447 @value{GDBN} could not parse a type specification output by the compiler.
17448
17449 @end table
17450
17451 @node Data Files
17452 @section GDB Data Files
17453
17454 @cindex prefix for data files
17455 @value{GDBN} will sometimes read an auxiliary data file. These files
17456 are kept in a directory known as the @dfn{data directory}.
17457
17458 You can set the data directory's name, and view the name @value{GDBN}
17459 is currently using.
17460
17461 @table @code
17462 @kindex set data-directory
17463 @item set data-directory @var{directory}
17464 Set the directory which @value{GDBN} searches for auxiliary data files
17465 to @var{directory}.
17466
17467 @kindex show data-directory
17468 @item show data-directory
17469 Show the directory @value{GDBN} searches for auxiliary data files.
17470 @end table
17471
17472 @cindex default data directory
17473 @cindex @samp{--with-gdb-datadir}
17474 You can set the default data directory by using the configure-time
17475 @samp{--with-gdb-datadir} option. If the data directory is inside
17476 @value{GDBN}'s configured binary prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or
17477 @samp{--exec-prefix}), then the default data directory will be updated
17478 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
17479 location.
17480
17481 The data directory may also be specified with the
17482 @code{--data-directory} command line option.
17483 @xref{Mode Options}.
17484
17485 @node Targets
17486 @chapter Specifying a Debugging Target
17487
17488 @cindex debugging target
17489 A @dfn{target} is the execution environment occupied by your program.
17490
17491 Often, @value{GDBN} runs in the same host environment as your program;
17492 in that case, the debugging target is specified as a side effect when
17493 you use the @code{file} or @code{core} commands. When you need more
17494 flexibility---for example, running @value{GDBN} on a physically separate
17495 host, or controlling a standalone system over a serial port or a
17496 realtime system over a TCP/IP connection---you can use the @code{target}
17497 command to specify one of the target types configured for @value{GDBN}
17498 (@pxref{Target Commands, ,Commands for Managing Targets}).
17499
17500 @cindex target architecture
17501 It is possible to build @value{GDBN} for several different @dfn{target
17502 architectures}. When @value{GDBN} is built like that, you can choose
17503 one of the available architectures with the @kbd{set architecture}
17504 command.
17505
17506 @table @code
17507 @kindex set architecture
17508 @kindex show architecture
17509 @item set architecture @var{arch}
17510 This command sets the current target architecture to @var{arch}. The
17511 value of @var{arch} can be @code{"auto"}, in addition to one of the
17512 supported architectures.
17513
17514 @item show architecture
17515 Show the current target architecture.
17516
17517 @item set processor
17518 @itemx processor
17519 @kindex set processor
17520 @kindex show processor
17521 These are alias commands for, respectively, @code{set architecture}
17522 and @code{show architecture}.
17523 @end table
17524
17525 @menu
17526 * Active Targets:: Active targets
17527 * Target Commands:: Commands for managing targets
17528 * Byte Order:: Choosing target byte order
17529 @end menu
17530
17531 @node Active Targets
17532 @section Active Targets
17533
17534 @cindex stacking targets
17535 @cindex active targets
17536 @cindex multiple targets
17537
17538 There are multiple classes of targets such as: processes, executable files or
17539 recording sessions. Core files belong to the process class, making core file
17540 and process mutually exclusive. Otherwise, @value{GDBN} can work concurrently
17541 on multiple active targets, one in each class. This allows you to (for
17542 example) start a process and inspect its activity, while still having access to
17543 the executable file after the process finishes. Or if you start process
17544 recording (@pxref{Reverse Execution}) and @code{reverse-step} there, you are
17545 presented a virtual layer of the recording target, while the process target
17546 remains stopped at the chronologically last point of the process execution.
17547
17548 Use the @code{core-file} and @code{exec-file} commands to select a new core
17549 file or executable target (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}). To
17550 specify as a target a process that is already running, use the @code{attach}
17551 command (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an Already-running Process}).
17552
17553 @node Target Commands
17554 @section Commands for Managing Targets
17555
17556 @table @code
17557 @item target @var{type} @var{parameters}
17558 Connects the @value{GDBN} host environment to a target machine or
17559 process. A target is typically a protocol for talking to debugging
17560 facilities. You use the argument @var{type} to specify the type or
17561 protocol of the target machine.
17562
17563 Further @var{parameters} are interpreted by the target protocol, but
17564 typically include things like device names or host names to connect
17565 with, process numbers, and baud rates.
17566
17567 The @code{target} command does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again
17568 after executing the command.
17569
17570 @kindex help target
17571 @item help target
17572 Displays the names of all targets available. To display targets
17573 currently selected, use either @code{info target} or @code{info files}
17574 (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
17575
17576 @item help target @var{name}
17577 Describe a particular target, including any parameters necessary to
17578 select it.
17579
17580 @kindex set gnutarget
17581 @item set gnutarget @var{args}
17582 @value{GDBN} uses its own library BFD to read your files. @value{GDBN}
17583 knows whether it is reading an @dfn{executable},
17584 a @dfn{core}, or a @dfn{.o} file; however, you can specify the file format
17585 with the @code{set gnutarget} command. Unlike most @code{target} commands,
17586 with @code{gnutarget} the @code{target} refers to a program, not a machine.
17587
17588 @quotation
17589 @emph{Warning:} To specify a file format with @code{set gnutarget},
17590 you must know the actual BFD name.
17591 @end quotation
17592
17593 @noindent
17594 @xref{Files, , Commands to Specify Files}.
17595
17596 @kindex show gnutarget
17597 @item show gnutarget
17598 Use the @code{show gnutarget} command to display what file format
17599 @code{gnutarget} is set to read. If you have not set @code{gnutarget},
17600 @value{GDBN} will determine the file format for each file automatically,
17601 and @code{show gnutarget} displays @samp{The current BFD target is "auto"}.
17602 @end table
17603
17604 @cindex common targets
17605 Here are some common targets (available, or not, depending on the GDB
17606 configuration):
17607
17608 @table @code
17609 @kindex target
17610 @item target exec @var{program}
17611 @cindex executable file target
17612 An executable file. @samp{target exec @var{program}} is the same as
17613 @samp{exec-file @var{program}}.
17614
17615 @item target core @var{filename}
17616 @cindex core dump file target
17617 A core dump file. @samp{target core @var{filename}} is the same as
17618 @samp{core-file @var{filename}}.
17619
17620 @item target remote @var{medium}
17621 @cindex remote target
17622 A remote system connected to @value{GDBN} via a serial line or network
17623 connection. This command tells @value{GDBN} to use its own remote
17624 protocol over @var{medium} for debugging. @xref{Remote Debugging}.
17625
17626 For example, if you have a board connected to @file{/dev/ttya} on the
17627 machine running @value{GDBN}, you could say:
17628
17629 @smallexample
17630 target remote /dev/ttya
17631 @end smallexample
17632
17633 @code{target remote} supports the @code{load} command. This is only
17634 useful if you have some other way of getting the stub to the target
17635 system, and you can put it somewhere in memory where it won't get
17636 clobbered by the download.
17637
17638 @item target sim @r{[}@var{simargs}@r{]} @dots{}
17639 @cindex built-in simulator target
17640 Builtin CPU simulator. @value{GDBN} includes simulators for most architectures.
17641 In general,
17642 @smallexample
17643 target sim
17644 load
17645 run
17646 @end smallexample
17647 @noindent
17648 works; however, you cannot assume that a specific memory map, device
17649 drivers, or even basic I/O is available, although some simulators do
17650 provide these. For info about any processor-specific simulator details,
17651 see the appropriate section in @ref{Embedded Processors, ,Embedded
17652 Processors}.
17653
17654 @end table
17655
17656 Some configurations may include these targets as well:
17657
17658 @table @code
17659
17660 @item target nrom @var{dev}
17661 @cindex NetROM ROM emulator target
17662 NetROM ROM emulator. This target only supports downloading.
17663
17664 @end table
17665
17666 Different targets are available on different configurations of @value{GDBN};
17667 your configuration may have more or fewer targets.
17668
17669 Many remote targets require you to download the executable's code once
17670 you've successfully established a connection. You may wish to control
17671 various aspects of this process.
17672
17673 @table @code
17674
17675 @item set hash
17676 @kindex set hash@r{, for remote monitors}
17677 @cindex hash mark while downloading
17678 This command controls whether a hash mark @samp{#} is displayed while
17679 downloading a file to the remote monitor. If on, a hash mark is
17680 displayed after each S-record is successfully downloaded to the
17681 monitor.
17682
17683 @item show hash
17684 @kindex show hash@r{, for remote monitors}
17685 Show the current status of displaying the hash mark.
17686
17687 @item set debug monitor
17688 @kindex set debug monitor
17689 @cindex display remote monitor communications
17690 Enable or disable display of communications messages between
17691 @value{GDBN} and the remote monitor.
17692
17693 @item show debug monitor
17694 @kindex show debug monitor
17695 Show the current status of displaying communications between
17696 @value{GDBN} and the remote monitor.
17697 @end table
17698
17699 @table @code
17700
17701 @kindex load @var{filename}
17702 @item load @var{filename}
17703 @anchor{load}
17704 Depending on what remote debugging facilities are configured into
17705 @value{GDBN}, the @code{load} command may be available. Where it exists, it
17706 is meant to make @var{filename} (an executable) available for debugging
17707 on the remote system---by downloading, or dynamic linking, for example.
17708 @code{load} also records the @var{filename} symbol table in @value{GDBN}, like
17709 the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
17710
17711 If your @value{GDBN} does not have a @code{load} command, attempting to
17712 execute it gets the error message ``@code{You can't do that when your
17713 target is @dots{}}''
17714
17715 The file is loaded at whatever address is specified in the executable.
17716 For some object file formats, you can specify the load address when you
17717 link the program; for other formats, like a.out, the object file format
17718 specifies a fixed address.
17719 @c FIXME! This would be a good place for an xref to the GNU linker doc.
17720
17721 Depending on the remote side capabilities, @value{GDBN} may be able to
17722 load programs into flash memory.
17723
17724 @code{load} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
17725 @end table
17726
17727 @node Byte Order
17728 @section Choosing Target Byte Order
17729
17730 @cindex choosing target byte order
17731 @cindex target byte order
17732
17733 Some types of processors, such as the @acronym{MIPS}, PowerPC, and Renesas SH,
17734 offer the ability to run either big-endian or little-endian byte
17735 orders. Usually the executable or symbol will include a bit to
17736 designate the endian-ness, and you will not need to worry about
17737 which to use. However, you may still find it useful to adjust
17738 @value{GDBN}'s idea of processor endian-ness manually.
17739
17740 @table @code
17741 @kindex set endian
17742 @item set endian big
17743 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is big-endian.
17744
17745 @item set endian little
17746 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is little-endian.
17747
17748 @item set endian auto
17749 Instruct @value{GDBN} to use the byte order associated with the
17750 executable.
17751
17752 @item show endian
17753 Display @value{GDBN}'s current idea of the target byte order.
17754
17755 @end table
17756
17757 Note that these commands merely adjust interpretation of symbolic
17758 data on the host, and that they have absolutely no effect on the
17759 target system.
17760
17761
17762 @node Remote Debugging
17763 @chapter Debugging Remote Programs
17764 @cindex remote debugging
17765
17766 If you are trying to debug a program running on a machine that cannot run
17767 @value{GDBN} in the usual way, it is often useful to use remote debugging.
17768 For example, you might use remote debugging on an operating system kernel,
17769 or on a small system which does not have a general purpose operating system
17770 powerful enough to run a full-featured debugger.
17771
17772 Some configurations of @value{GDBN} have special serial or TCP/IP interfaces
17773 to make this work with particular debugging targets. In addition,
17774 @value{GDBN} comes with a generic serial protocol (specific to @value{GDBN},
17775 but not specific to any particular target system) which you can use if you
17776 write the remote stubs---the code that runs on the remote system to
17777 communicate with @value{GDBN}.
17778
17779 Other remote targets may be available in your
17780 configuration of @value{GDBN}; use @code{help target} to list them.
17781
17782 @menu
17783 * Connecting:: Connecting to a remote target
17784 * File Transfer:: Sending files to a remote system
17785 * Server:: Using the gdbserver program
17786 * Remote Configuration:: Remote configuration
17787 * Remote Stub:: Implementing a remote stub
17788 @end menu
17789
17790 @node Connecting
17791 @section Connecting to a Remote Target
17792
17793 On the @value{GDBN} host machine, you will need an unstripped copy of
17794 your program, since @value{GDBN} needs symbol and debugging information.
17795 Start up @value{GDBN} as usual, using the name of the local copy of your
17796 program as the first argument.
17797
17798 @cindex @code{target remote}
17799 @value{GDBN} can communicate with the target over a serial line, or
17800 over an @acronym{IP} network using @acronym{TCP} or @acronym{UDP}. In
17801 each case, @value{GDBN} uses the same protocol for debugging your
17802 program; only the medium carrying the debugging packets varies. The
17803 @code{target remote} command establishes a connection to the target.
17804 Its arguments indicate which medium to use:
17805
17806 @table @code
17807
17808 @item target remote @var{serial-device}
17809 @cindex serial line, @code{target remote}
17810 Use @var{serial-device} to communicate with the target. For example,
17811 to use a serial line connected to the device named @file{/dev/ttyb}:
17812
17813 @smallexample
17814 target remote /dev/ttyb
17815 @end smallexample
17816
17817 If you're using a serial line, you may want to give @value{GDBN} the
17818 @w{@samp{--baud}} option, or use the @code{set remotebaud} command
17819 (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remotebaud}) before the
17820 @code{target} command.
17821
17822 @item target remote @code{@var{host}:@var{port}}
17823 @itemx target remote @code{tcp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
17824 @cindex @acronym{TCP} port, @code{target remote}
17825 Debug using a @acronym{TCP} connection to @var{port} on @var{host}.
17826 The @var{host} may be either a host name or a numeric @acronym{IP}
17827 address; @var{port} must be a decimal number. The @var{host} could be
17828 the target machine itself, if it is directly connected to the net, or
17829 it might be a terminal server which in turn has a serial line to the
17830 target.
17831
17832 For example, to connect to port 2828 on a terminal server named
17833 @code{manyfarms}:
17834
17835 @smallexample
17836 target remote manyfarms:2828
17837 @end smallexample
17838
17839 If your remote target is actually running on the same machine as your
17840 debugger session (e.g.@: a simulator for your target running on the
17841 same host), you can omit the hostname. For example, to connect to
17842 port 1234 on your local machine:
17843
17844 @smallexample
17845 target remote :1234
17846 @end smallexample
17847 @noindent
17848
17849 Note that the colon is still required here.
17850
17851 @item target remote @code{udp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
17852 @cindex @acronym{UDP} port, @code{target remote}
17853 Debug using @acronym{UDP} packets to @var{port} on @var{host}. For example, to
17854 connect to @acronym{UDP} port 2828 on a terminal server named @code{manyfarms}:
17855
17856 @smallexample
17857 target remote udp:manyfarms:2828
17858 @end smallexample
17859
17860 When using a @acronym{UDP} connection for remote debugging, you should
17861 keep in mind that the `U' stands for ``Unreliable''. @acronym{UDP}
17862 can silently drop packets on busy or unreliable networks, which will
17863 cause havoc with your debugging session.
17864
17865 @item target remote | @var{command}
17866 @cindex pipe, @code{target remote} to
17867 Run @var{command} in the background and communicate with it using a
17868 pipe. The @var{command} is a shell command, to be parsed and expanded
17869 by the system's command shell, @code{/bin/sh}; it should expect remote
17870 protocol packets on its standard input, and send replies on its
17871 standard output. You could use this to run a stand-alone simulator
17872 that speaks the remote debugging protocol, to make net connections
17873 using programs like @code{ssh}, or for other similar tricks.
17874
17875 If @var{command} closes its standard output (perhaps by exiting),
17876 @value{GDBN} will try to send it a @code{SIGTERM} signal. (If the
17877 program has already exited, this will have no effect.)
17878
17879 @end table
17880
17881 Once the connection has been established, you can use all the usual
17882 commands to examine and change data. The remote program is already
17883 running; you can use @kbd{step} and @kbd{continue}, and you do not
17884 need to use @kbd{run}.
17885
17886 @cindex interrupting remote programs
17887 @cindex remote programs, interrupting
17888 Whenever @value{GDBN} is waiting for the remote program, if you type the
17889 interrupt character (often @kbd{Ctrl-c}), @value{GDBN} attempts to stop the
17890 program. This may or may not succeed, depending in part on the hardware
17891 and the serial drivers the remote system uses. If you type the
17892 interrupt character once again, @value{GDBN} displays this prompt:
17893
17894 @smallexample
17895 Interrupted while waiting for the program.
17896 Give up (and stop debugging it)? (y or n)
17897 @end smallexample
17898
17899 If you type @kbd{y}, @value{GDBN} abandons the remote debugging session.
17900 (If you decide you want to try again later, you can use @samp{target
17901 remote} again to connect once more.) If you type @kbd{n}, @value{GDBN}
17902 goes back to waiting.
17903
17904 @table @code
17905 @kindex detach (remote)
17906 @item detach
17907 When you have finished debugging the remote program, you can use the
17908 @code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control.
17909 Detaching from the target normally resumes its execution, but the results
17910 will depend on your particular remote stub. After the @code{detach}
17911 command, @value{GDBN} is free to connect to another target.
17912
17913 @kindex disconnect
17914 @item disconnect
17915 The @code{disconnect} command behaves like @code{detach}, except that
17916 the target is generally not resumed. It will wait for @value{GDBN}
17917 (this instance or another one) to connect and continue debugging. After
17918 the @code{disconnect} command, @value{GDBN} is again free to connect to
17919 another target.
17920
17921 @cindex send command to remote monitor
17922 @cindex extend @value{GDBN} for remote targets
17923 @cindex add new commands for external monitor
17924 @kindex monitor
17925 @item monitor @var{cmd}
17926 This command allows you to send arbitrary commands directly to the
17927 remote monitor. Since @value{GDBN} doesn't care about the commands it
17928 sends like this, this command is the way to extend @value{GDBN}---you
17929 can add new commands that only the external monitor will understand
17930 and implement.
17931 @end table
17932
17933 @node File Transfer
17934 @section Sending files to a remote system
17935 @cindex remote target, file transfer
17936 @cindex file transfer
17937 @cindex sending files to remote systems
17938
17939 Some remote targets offer the ability to transfer files over the same
17940 connection used to communicate with @value{GDBN}. This is convenient
17941 for targets accessible through other means, e.g.@: @sc{gnu}/Linux systems
17942 running @code{gdbserver} over a network interface. For other targets,
17943 e.g.@: embedded devices with only a single serial port, this may be
17944 the only way to upload or download files.
17945
17946 Not all remote targets support these commands.
17947
17948 @table @code
17949 @kindex remote put
17950 @item remote put @var{hostfile} @var{targetfile}
17951 Copy file @var{hostfile} from the host system (the machine running
17952 @value{GDBN}) to @var{targetfile} on the target system.
17953
17954 @kindex remote get
17955 @item remote get @var{targetfile} @var{hostfile}
17956 Copy file @var{targetfile} from the target system to @var{hostfile}
17957 on the host system.
17958
17959 @kindex remote delete
17960 @item remote delete @var{targetfile}
17961 Delete @var{targetfile} from the target system.
17962
17963 @end table
17964
17965 @node Server
17966 @section Using the @code{gdbserver} Program
17967
17968 @kindex gdbserver
17969 @cindex remote connection without stubs
17970 @code{gdbserver} is a control program for Unix-like systems, which
17971 allows you to connect your program with a remote @value{GDBN} via
17972 @code{target remote}---but without linking in the usual debugging stub.
17973
17974 @code{gdbserver} is not a complete replacement for the debugging stubs,
17975 because it requires essentially the same operating-system facilities
17976 that @value{GDBN} itself does. In fact, a system that can run
17977 @code{gdbserver} to connect to a remote @value{GDBN} could also run
17978 @value{GDBN} locally! @code{gdbserver} is sometimes useful nevertheless,
17979 because it is a much smaller program than @value{GDBN} itself. It is
17980 also easier to port than all of @value{GDBN}, so you may be able to get
17981 started more quickly on a new system by using @code{gdbserver}.
17982 Finally, if you develop code for real-time systems, you may find that
17983 the tradeoffs involved in real-time operation make it more convenient to
17984 do as much development work as possible on another system, for example
17985 by cross-compiling. You can use @code{gdbserver} to make a similar
17986 choice for debugging.
17987
17988 @value{GDBN} and @code{gdbserver} communicate via either a serial line
17989 or a TCP connection, using the standard @value{GDBN} remote serial
17990 protocol.
17991
17992 @quotation
17993 @emph{Warning:} @code{gdbserver} does not have any built-in security.
17994 Do not run @code{gdbserver} connected to any public network; a
17995 @value{GDBN} connection to @code{gdbserver} provides access to the
17996 target system with the same privileges as the user running
17997 @code{gdbserver}.
17998 @end quotation
17999
18000 @subsection Running @code{gdbserver}
18001 @cindex arguments, to @code{gdbserver}
18002 @cindex @code{gdbserver}, command-line arguments
18003
18004 Run @code{gdbserver} on the target system. You need a copy of the
18005 program you want to debug, including any libraries it requires.
18006 @code{gdbserver} does not need your program's symbol table, so you can
18007 strip the program if necessary to save space. @value{GDBN} on the host
18008 system does all the symbol handling.
18009
18010 To use the server, you must tell it how to communicate with @value{GDBN};
18011 the name of your program; and the arguments for your program. The usual
18012 syntax is:
18013
18014 @smallexample
18015 target> gdbserver @var{comm} @var{program} [ @var{args} @dots{} ]
18016 @end smallexample
18017
18018 @var{comm} is either a device name (to use a serial line), or a TCP
18019 hostname and portnumber, or @code{-} or @code{stdio} to use
18020 stdin/stdout of @code{gdbserver}.
18021 For example, to debug Emacs with the argument
18022 @samp{foo.txt} and communicate with @value{GDBN} over the serial port
18023 @file{/dev/com1}:
18024
18025 @smallexample
18026 target> gdbserver /dev/com1 emacs foo.txt
18027 @end smallexample
18028
18029 @code{gdbserver} waits passively for the host @value{GDBN} to communicate
18030 with it.
18031
18032 To use a TCP connection instead of a serial line:
18033
18034 @smallexample
18035 target> gdbserver host:2345 emacs foo.txt
18036 @end smallexample
18037
18038 The only difference from the previous example is the first argument,
18039 specifying that you are communicating with the host @value{GDBN} via
18040 TCP. The @samp{host:2345} argument means that @code{gdbserver} is to
18041 expect a TCP connection from machine @samp{host} to local TCP port 2345.
18042 (Currently, the @samp{host} part is ignored.) You can choose any number
18043 you want for the port number as long as it does not conflict with any
18044 TCP ports already in use on the target system (for example, @code{23} is
18045 reserved for @code{telnet}).@footnote{If you choose a port number that
18046 conflicts with another service, @code{gdbserver} prints an error message
18047 and exits.} You must use the same port number with the host @value{GDBN}
18048 @code{target remote} command.
18049
18050 The @code{stdio} connection is useful when starting @code{gdbserver}
18051 with ssh:
18052
18053 @smallexample
18054 (gdb) target remote | ssh -T hostname gdbserver - hello
18055 @end smallexample
18056
18057 The @samp{-T} option to ssh is provided because we don't need a remote pty,
18058 and we don't want escape-character handling. Ssh does this by default when
18059 a command is provided, the flag is provided to make it explicit.
18060 You could elide it if you want to.
18061
18062 Programs started with stdio-connected gdbserver have @file{/dev/null} for
18063 @code{stdin}, and @code{stdout},@code{stderr} are sent back to gdb for
18064 display through a pipe connected to gdbserver.
18065 Both @code{stdout} and @code{stderr} use the same pipe.
18066
18067 @subsubsection Attaching to a Running Program
18068 @cindex attach to a program, @code{gdbserver}
18069 @cindex @option{--attach}, @code{gdbserver} option
18070
18071 On some targets, @code{gdbserver} can also attach to running programs.
18072 This is accomplished via the @code{--attach} argument. The syntax is:
18073
18074 @smallexample
18075 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
18076 @end smallexample
18077
18078 @var{pid} is the process ID of a currently running process. It isn't necessary
18079 to point @code{gdbserver} at a binary for the running process.
18080
18081 @pindex pidof
18082 You can debug processes by name instead of process ID if your target has the
18083 @code{pidof} utility:
18084
18085 @smallexample
18086 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} `pidof @var{program}`
18087 @end smallexample
18088
18089 In case more than one copy of @var{program} is running, or @var{program}
18090 has multiple threads, most versions of @code{pidof} support the
18091 @code{-s} option to only return the first process ID.
18092
18093 @subsubsection Multi-Process Mode for @code{gdbserver}
18094 @cindex @code{gdbserver}, multiple processes
18095 @cindex multiple processes with @code{gdbserver}
18096
18097 When you connect to @code{gdbserver} using @code{target remote},
18098 @code{gdbserver} debugs the specified program only once. When the
18099 program exits, or you detach from it, @value{GDBN} closes the connection
18100 and @code{gdbserver} exits.
18101
18102 If you connect using @kbd{target extended-remote}, @code{gdbserver}
18103 enters multi-process mode. When the debugged program exits, or you
18104 detach from it, @value{GDBN} stays connected to @code{gdbserver} even
18105 though no program is running. The @code{run} and @code{attach}
18106 commands instruct @code{gdbserver} to run or attach to a new program.
18107 The @code{run} command uses @code{set remote exec-file} (@pxref{set
18108 remote exec-file}) to select the program to run. Command line
18109 arguments are supported, except for wildcard expansion and I/O
18110 redirection (@pxref{Arguments}).
18111
18112 @cindex @option{--multi}, @code{gdbserver} option
18113 To start @code{gdbserver} without supplying an initial command to run
18114 or process ID to attach, use the @option{--multi} command line option.
18115 Then you can connect using @kbd{target extended-remote} and start
18116 the program you want to debug.
18117
18118 In multi-process mode @code{gdbserver} does not automatically exit unless you
18119 use the option @option{--once}. You can terminate it by using
18120 @code{monitor exit} (@pxref{Monitor Commands for gdbserver}). Note that the
18121 conditions under which @code{gdbserver} terminates depend on how @value{GDBN}
18122 connects to it (@kbd{target remote} or @kbd{target extended-remote}). The
18123 @option{--multi} option to @code{gdbserver} has no influence on that.
18124
18125 @subsubsection TCP port allocation lifecycle of @code{gdbserver}
18126
18127 This section applies only when @code{gdbserver} is run to listen on a TCP port.
18128
18129 @code{gdbserver} normally terminates after all of its debugged processes have
18130 terminated in @kbd{target remote} mode. On the other hand, for @kbd{target
18131 extended-remote}, @code{gdbserver} stays running even with no processes left.
18132 @value{GDBN} normally terminates the spawned debugged process on its exit,
18133 which normally also terminates @code{gdbserver} in the @kbd{target remote}
18134 mode. Therefore, when the connection drops unexpectedly, and @value{GDBN}
18135 cannot ask @code{gdbserver} to kill its debugged processes, @code{gdbserver}
18136 stays running even in the @kbd{target remote} mode.
18137
18138 When @code{gdbserver} stays running, @value{GDBN} can connect to it again later.
18139 Such reconnecting is useful for features like @ref{disconnected tracing}. For
18140 completeness, at most one @value{GDBN} can be connected at a time.
18141
18142 @cindex @option{--once}, @code{gdbserver} option
18143 By default, @code{gdbserver} keeps the listening TCP port open, so that
18144 additional connections are possible. However, if you start @code{gdbserver}
18145 with the @option{--once} option, it will stop listening for any further
18146 connection attempts after connecting to the first @value{GDBN} session. This
18147 means no further connections to @code{gdbserver} will be possible after the
18148 first one. It also means @code{gdbserver} will terminate after the first
18149 connection with remote @value{GDBN} has closed, even for unexpectedly closed
18150 connections and even in the @kbd{target extended-remote} mode. The
18151 @option{--once} option allows reusing the same port number for connecting to
18152 multiple instances of @code{gdbserver} running on the same host, since each
18153 instance closes its port after the first connection.
18154
18155 @subsubsection Other Command-Line Arguments for @code{gdbserver}
18156
18157 @cindex @option{--debug}, @code{gdbserver} option
18158 The @option{--debug} option tells @code{gdbserver} to display extra
18159 status information about the debugging process.
18160 @cindex @option{--remote-debug}, @code{gdbserver} option
18161 The @option{--remote-debug} option tells @code{gdbserver} to display
18162 remote protocol debug output. These options are intended for
18163 @code{gdbserver} development and for bug reports to the developers.
18164
18165 @cindex @option{--wrapper}, @code{gdbserver} option
18166 The @option{--wrapper} option specifies a wrapper to launch programs
18167 for debugging. The option should be followed by the name of the
18168 wrapper, then any command-line arguments to pass to the wrapper, then
18169 @kbd{--} indicating the end of the wrapper arguments.
18170
18171 @code{gdbserver} runs the specified wrapper program with a combined
18172 command line including the wrapper arguments, then the name of the
18173 program to debug, then any arguments to the program. The wrapper
18174 runs until it executes your program, and then @value{GDBN} gains control.
18175
18176 You can use any program that eventually calls @code{execve} with
18177 its arguments as a wrapper. Several standard Unix utilities do
18178 this, e.g.@: @code{env} and @code{nohup}. Any Unix shell script ending
18179 with @code{exec "$@@"} will also work.
18180
18181 For example, you can use @code{env} to pass an environment variable to
18182 the debugged program, without setting the variable in @code{gdbserver}'s
18183 environment:
18184
18185 @smallexample
18186 $ gdbserver --wrapper env LD_PRELOAD=libtest.so -- :2222 ./testprog
18187 @end smallexample
18188
18189 @subsection Connecting to @code{gdbserver}
18190
18191 Run @value{GDBN} on the host system.
18192
18193 First make sure you have the necessary symbol files. Load symbols for
18194 your application using the @code{file} command before you connect. Use
18195 @code{set sysroot} to locate target libraries (unless your @value{GDBN}
18196 was compiled with the correct sysroot using @code{--with-sysroot}).
18197
18198 The symbol file and target libraries must exactly match the executable
18199 and libraries on the target, with one exception: the files on the host
18200 system should not be stripped, even if the files on the target system
18201 are. Mismatched or missing files will lead to confusing results
18202 during debugging. On @sc{gnu}/Linux targets, mismatched or missing
18203 files may also prevent @code{gdbserver} from debugging multi-threaded
18204 programs.
18205
18206 Connect to your target (@pxref{Connecting,,Connecting to a Remote Target}).
18207 For TCP connections, you must start up @code{gdbserver} prior to using
18208 the @code{target remote} command. Otherwise you may get an error whose
18209 text depends on the host system, but which usually looks something like
18210 @samp{Connection refused}. Don't use the @code{load}
18211 command in @value{GDBN} when using @code{gdbserver}, since the program is
18212 already on the target.
18213
18214 @subsection Monitor Commands for @code{gdbserver}
18215 @cindex monitor commands, for @code{gdbserver}
18216 @anchor{Monitor Commands for gdbserver}
18217
18218 During a @value{GDBN} session using @code{gdbserver}, you can use the
18219 @code{monitor} command to send special requests to @code{gdbserver}.
18220 Here are the available commands.
18221
18222 @table @code
18223 @item monitor help
18224 List the available monitor commands.
18225
18226 @item monitor set debug 0
18227 @itemx monitor set debug 1
18228 Disable or enable general debugging messages.
18229
18230 @item monitor set remote-debug 0
18231 @itemx monitor set remote-debug 1
18232 Disable or enable specific debugging messages associated with the remote
18233 protocol (@pxref{Remote Protocol}).
18234
18235 @item monitor set libthread-db-search-path [PATH]
18236 @cindex gdbserver, search path for @code{libthread_db}
18237 When this command is issued, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
18238 directories to search for @code{libthread_db} (@pxref{Threads,,set
18239 libthread-db-search-path}). If you omit @var{path},
18240 @samp{libthread-db-search-path} will be reset to its default value.
18241
18242 The special entry @samp{$pdir} for @samp{libthread-db-search-path} is
18243 not supported in @code{gdbserver}.
18244
18245 @item monitor exit
18246 Tell gdbserver to exit immediately. This command should be followed by
18247 @code{disconnect} to close the debugging session. @code{gdbserver} will
18248 detach from any attached processes and kill any processes it created.
18249 Use @code{monitor exit} to terminate @code{gdbserver} at the end
18250 of a multi-process mode debug session.
18251
18252 @end table
18253
18254 @subsection Tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}
18255 @cindex tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}
18256
18257 On some targets, @code{gdbserver} supports tracepoints, fast
18258 tracepoints and static tracepoints.
18259
18260 For fast or static tracepoints to work, a special library called the
18261 @dfn{in-process agent} (IPA), must be loaded in the inferior process.
18262 This library is built and distributed as an integral part of
18263 @code{gdbserver}. In addition, support for static tracepoints
18264 requires building the in-process agent library with static tracepoints
18265 support. At present, the UST (LTTng Userspace Tracer,
18266 @url{http://lttng.org/ust}) tracing engine is supported. This support
18267 is automatically available if UST development headers are found in the
18268 standard include path when @code{gdbserver} is built, or if
18269 @code{gdbserver} was explicitly configured using @option{--with-ust}
18270 to point at such headers. You can explicitly disable the support
18271 using @option{--with-ust=no}.
18272
18273 There are several ways to load the in-process agent in your program:
18274
18275 @table @code
18276 @item Specifying it as dependency at link time
18277
18278 You can link your program dynamically with the in-process agent
18279 library. On most systems, this is accomplished by adding
18280 @code{-linproctrace} to the link command.
18281
18282 @item Using the system's preloading mechanisms
18283
18284 You can force loading the in-process agent at startup time by using
18285 your system's support for preloading shared libraries. Many Unixes
18286 support the concept of preloading user defined libraries. In most
18287 cases, you do that by specifying @code{LD_PRELOAD=libinproctrace.so}
18288 in the environment. See also the description of @code{gdbserver}'s
18289 @option{--wrapper} command line option.
18290
18291 @item Using @value{GDBN} to force loading the agent at run time
18292
18293 On some systems, you can force the inferior to load a shared library,
18294 by calling a dynamic loader function in the inferior that takes care
18295 of dynamically looking up and loading a shared library. On most Unix
18296 systems, the function is @code{dlopen}. You'll use the @code{call}
18297 command for that. For example:
18298
18299 @smallexample
18300 (@value{GDBP}) call dlopen ("libinproctrace.so", ...)
18301 @end smallexample
18302
18303 Note that on most Unix systems, for the @code{dlopen} function to be
18304 available, the program needs to be linked with @code{-ldl}.
18305 @end table
18306
18307 On systems that have a userspace dynamic loader, like most Unix
18308 systems, when you connect to @code{gdbserver} using @code{target
18309 remote}, you'll find that the program is stopped at the dynamic
18310 loader's entry point, and no shared library has been loaded in the
18311 program's address space yet, including the in-process agent. In that
18312 case, before being able to use any of the fast or static tracepoints
18313 features, you need to let the loader run and load the shared
18314 libraries. The simplest way to do that is to run the program to the
18315 main procedure. E.g., if debugging a C or C@t{++} program, start
18316 @code{gdbserver} like so:
18317
18318 @smallexample
18319 $ gdbserver :9999 myprogram
18320 @end smallexample
18321
18322 Start GDB and connect to @code{gdbserver} like so, and run to main:
18323
18324 @smallexample
18325 $ gdb myprogram
18326 (@value{GDBP}) target remote myhost:9999
18327 0x00007f215893ba60 in ?? () from /lib64/ld-linux-x86-64.so.2
18328 (@value{GDBP}) b main
18329 (@value{GDBP}) continue
18330 @end smallexample
18331
18332 The in-process tracing agent library should now be loaded into the
18333 process; you can confirm it with the @code{info sharedlibrary}
18334 command, which will list @file{libinproctrace.so} as loaded in the
18335 process. You are now ready to install fast tracepoints, list static
18336 tracepoint markers, probe static tracepoints markers, and start
18337 tracing.
18338
18339 @node Remote Configuration
18340 @section Remote Configuration
18341
18342 @kindex set remote
18343 @kindex show remote
18344 This section documents the configuration options available when
18345 debugging remote programs. For the options related to the File I/O
18346 extensions of the remote protocol, see @ref{system,
18347 system-call-allowed}.
18348
18349 @table @code
18350 @item set remoteaddresssize @var{bits}
18351 @cindex address size for remote targets
18352 @cindex bits in remote address
18353 Set the maximum size of address in a memory packet to the specified
18354 number of bits. @value{GDBN} will mask off the address bits above
18355 that number, when it passes addresses to the remote target. The
18356 default value is the number of bits in the target's address.
18357
18358 @item show remoteaddresssize
18359 Show the current value of remote address size in bits.
18360
18361 @item set remotebaud @var{n}
18362 @cindex baud rate for remote targets
18363 Set the baud rate for the remote serial I/O to @var{n} baud. The
18364 value is used to set the speed of the serial port used for debugging
18365 remote targets.
18366
18367 @item show remotebaud
18368 Show the current speed of the remote connection.
18369
18370 @item set remotebreak
18371 @cindex interrupt remote programs
18372 @cindex BREAK signal instead of Ctrl-C
18373 @anchor{set remotebreak}
18374 If set to on, @value{GDBN} sends a @code{BREAK} signal to the remote
18375 when you type @kbd{Ctrl-c} to interrupt the program running
18376 on the remote. If set to off, @value{GDBN} sends the @samp{Ctrl-C}
18377 character instead. The default is off, since most remote systems
18378 expect to see @samp{Ctrl-C} as the interrupt signal.
18379
18380 @item show remotebreak
18381 Show whether @value{GDBN} sends @code{BREAK} or @samp{Ctrl-C} to
18382 interrupt the remote program.
18383
18384 @item set remoteflow on
18385 @itemx set remoteflow off
18386 @kindex set remoteflow
18387 Enable or disable hardware flow control (@code{RTS}/@code{CTS})
18388 on the serial port used to communicate to the remote target.
18389
18390 @item show remoteflow
18391 @kindex show remoteflow
18392 Show the current setting of hardware flow control.
18393
18394 @item set remotelogbase @var{base}
18395 Set the base (a.k.a.@: radix) of logging serial protocol
18396 communications to @var{base}. Supported values of @var{base} are:
18397 @code{ascii}, @code{octal}, and @code{hex}. The default is
18398 @code{ascii}.
18399
18400 @item show remotelogbase
18401 Show the current setting of the radix for logging remote serial
18402 protocol.
18403
18404 @item set remotelogfile @var{file}
18405 @cindex record serial communications on file
18406 Record remote serial communications on the named @var{file}. The
18407 default is not to record at all.
18408
18409 @item show remotelogfile.
18410 Show the current setting of the file name on which to record the
18411 serial communications.
18412
18413 @item set remotetimeout @var{num}
18414 @cindex timeout for serial communications
18415 @cindex remote timeout
18416 Set the timeout limit to wait for the remote target to respond to
18417 @var{num} seconds. The default is 2 seconds.
18418
18419 @item show remotetimeout
18420 Show the current number of seconds to wait for the remote target
18421 responses.
18422
18423 @cindex limit hardware breakpoints and watchpoints
18424 @cindex remote target, limit break- and watchpoints
18425 @anchor{set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit}
18426 @anchor{set remote hardware-breakpoint-limit}
18427 @item set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit @var{limit}
18428 @itemx set remote hardware-breakpoint-limit @var{limit}
18429 Restrict @value{GDBN} to using @var{limit} remote hardware breakpoint or
18430 watchpoints. A limit of -1, the default, is treated as unlimited.
18431
18432 @cindex limit hardware watchpoints length
18433 @cindex remote target, limit watchpoints length
18434 @anchor{set remote hardware-watchpoint-length-limit}
18435 @item set remote hardware-watchpoint-length-limit @var{limit}
18436 Restrict @value{GDBN} to using @var{limit} bytes for the maximum length of
18437 a remote hardware watchpoint. A limit of -1, the default, is treated
18438 as unlimited.
18439
18440 @item show remote hardware-watchpoint-length-limit
18441 Show the current limit (in bytes) of the maximum length of
18442 a remote hardware watchpoint.
18443
18444 @item set remote exec-file @var{filename}
18445 @itemx show remote exec-file
18446 @anchor{set remote exec-file}
18447 @cindex executable file, for remote target
18448 Select the file used for @code{run} with @code{target
18449 extended-remote}. This should be set to a filename valid on the
18450 target system. If it is not set, the target will use a default
18451 filename (e.g.@: the last program run).
18452
18453 @item set remote interrupt-sequence
18454 @cindex interrupt remote programs
18455 @cindex select Ctrl-C, BREAK or BREAK-g
18456 Allow the user to select one of @samp{Ctrl-C}, a @code{BREAK} or
18457 @samp{BREAK-g} as the
18458 sequence to the remote target in order to interrupt the execution.
18459 @samp{Ctrl-C} is a default. Some system prefers @code{BREAK} which
18460 is high level of serial line for some certain time.
18461 Linux kernel prefers @samp{BREAK-g}, a.k.a Magic SysRq g.
18462 It is @code{BREAK} signal followed by character @code{g}.
18463
18464 @item show interrupt-sequence
18465 Show which of @samp{Ctrl-C}, @code{BREAK} or @code{BREAK-g}
18466 is sent by @value{GDBN} to interrupt the remote program.
18467 @code{BREAK-g} is BREAK signal followed by @code{g} and
18468 also known as Magic SysRq g.
18469
18470 @item set remote interrupt-on-connect
18471 @cindex send interrupt-sequence on start
18472 Specify whether interrupt-sequence is sent to remote target when
18473 @value{GDBN} connects to it. This is mostly needed when you debug
18474 Linux kernel. Linux kernel expects @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g}
18475 which is known as Magic SysRq g in order to connect @value{GDBN}.
18476
18477 @item show interrupt-on-connect
18478 Show whether interrupt-sequence is sent
18479 to remote target when @value{GDBN} connects to it.
18480
18481 @kindex set tcp
18482 @kindex show tcp
18483 @item set tcp auto-retry on
18484 @cindex auto-retry, for remote TCP target
18485 Enable auto-retry for remote TCP connections. This is useful if the remote
18486 debugging agent is launched in parallel with @value{GDBN}; there is a race
18487 condition because the agent may not become ready to accept the connection
18488 before @value{GDBN} attempts to connect. When auto-retry is
18489 enabled, if the initial attempt to connect fails, @value{GDBN} reattempts
18490 to establish the connection using the timeout specified by
18491 @code{set tcp connect-timeout}.
18492
18493 @item set tcp auto-retry off
18494 Do not auto-retry failed TCP connections.
18495
18496 @item show tcp auto-retry
18497 Show the current auto-retry setting.
18498
18499 @item set tcp connect-timeout @var{seconds}
18500 @itemx set tcp connect-timeout unlimited
18501 @cindex connection timeout, for remote TCP target
18502 @cindex timeout, for remote target connection
18503 Set the timeout for establishing a TCP connection to the remote target to
18504 @var{seconds}. The timeout affects both polling to retry failed connections
18505 (enabled by @code{set tcp auto-retry on}) and waiting for connections
18506 that are merely slow to complete, and represents an approximate cumulative
18507 value. If @var{seconds} is @code{unlimited}, there is no timeout and
18508 @value{GDBN} will keep attempting to establish a connection forever,
18509 unless interrupted with @kbd{Ctrl-c}. The default is 15 seconds.
18510
18511 @item show tcp connect-timeout
18512 Show the current connection timeout setting.
18513 @end table
18514
18515 @cindex remote packets, enabling and disabling
18516 The @value{GDBN} remote protocol autodetects the packets supported by
18517 your debugging stub. If you need to override the autodetection, you
18518 can use these commands to enable or disable individual packets. Each
18519 packet can be set to @samp{on} (the remote target supports this
18520 packet), @samp{off} (the remote target does not support this packet),
18521 or @samp{auto} (detect remote target support for this packet). They
18522 all default to @samp{auto}. For more information about each packet,
18523 see @ref{Remote Protocol}.
18524
18525 During normal use, you should not have to use any of these commands.
18526 If you do, that may be a bug in your remote debugging stub, or a bug
18527 in @value{GDBN}. You may want to report the problem to the
18528 @value{GDBN} developers.
18529
18530 For each packet @var{name}, the command to enable or disable the
18531 packet is @code{set remote @var{name}-packet}. The available settings
18532 are:
18533
18534 @multitable @columnfractions 0.28 0.32 0.25
18535 @item Command Name
18536 @tab Remote Packet
18537 @tab Related Features
18538
18539 @item @code{fetch-register}
18540 @tab @code{p}
18541 @tab @code{info registers}
18542
18543 @item @code{set-register}
18544 @tab @code{P}
18545 @tab @code{set}
18546
18547 @item @code{binary-download}
18548 @tab @code{X}
18549 @tab @code{load}, @code{set}
18550
18551 @item @code{read-aux-vector}
18552 @tab @code{qXfer:auxv:read}
18553 @tab @code{info auxv}
18554
18555 @item @code{symbol-lookup}
18556 @tab @code{qSymbol}
18557 @tab Detecting multiple threads
18558
18559 @item @code{attach}
18560 @tab @code{vAttach}
18561 @tab @code{attach}
18562
18563 @item @code{verbose-resume}
18564 @tab @code{vCont}
18565 @tab Stepping or resuming multiple threads
18566
18567 @item @code{run}
18568 @tab @code{vRun}
18569 @tab @code{run}
18570
18571 @item @code{software-breakpoint}
18572 @tab @code{Z0}
18573 @tab @code{break}
18574
18575 @item @code{hardware-breakpoint}
18576 @tab @code{Z1}
18577 @tab @code{hbreak}
18578
18579 @item @code{write-watchpoint}
18580 @tab @code{Z2}
18581 @tab @code{watch}
18582
18583 @item @code{read-watchpoint}
18584 @tab @code{Z3}
18585 @tab @code{rwatch}
18586
18587 @item @code{access-watchpoint}
18588 @tab @code{Z4}
18589 @tab @code{awatch}
18590
18591 @item @code{target-features}
18592 @tab @code{qXfer:features:read}
18593 @tab @code{set architecture}
18594
18595 @item @code{library-info}
18596 @tab @code{qXfer:libraries:read}
18597 @tab @code{info sharedlibrary}
18598
18599 @item @code{memory-map}
18600 @tab @code{qXfer:memory-map:read}
18601 @tab @code{info mem}
18602
18603 @item @code{read-sdata-object}
18604 @tab @code{qXfer:sdata:read}
18605 @tab @code{print $_sdata}
18606
18607 @item @code{read-spu-object}
18608 @tab @code{qXfer:spu:read}
18609 @tab @code{info spu}
18610
18611 @item @code{write-spu-object}
18612 @tab @code{qXfer:spu:write}
18613 @tab @code{info spu}
18614
18615 @item @code{read-siginfo-object}
18616 @tab @code{qXfer:siginfo:read}
18617 @tab @code{print $_siginfo}
18618
18619 @item @code{write-siginfo-object}
18620 @tab @code{qXfer:siginfo:write}
18621 @tab @code{set $_siginfo}
18622
18623 @item @code{threads}
18624 @tab @code{qXfer:threads:read}
18625 @tab @code{info threads}
18626
18627 @item @code{get-thread-local-@*storage-address}
18628 @tab @code{qGetTLSAddr}
18629 @tab Displaying @code{__thread} variables
18630
18631 @item @code{get-thread-information-block-address}
18632 @tab @code{qGetTIBAddr}
18633 @tab Display MS-Windows Thread Information Block.
18634
18635 @item @code{search-memory}
18636 @tab @code{qSearch:memory}
18637 @tab @code{find}
18638
18639 @item @code{supported-packets}
18640 @tab @code{qSupported}
18641 @tab Remote communications parameters
18642
18643 @item @code{pass-signals}
18644 @tab @code{QPassSignals}
18645 @tab @code{handle @var{signal}}
18646
18647 @item @code{program-signals}
18648 @tab @code{QProgramSignals}
18649 @tab @code{handle @var{signal}}
18650
18651 @item @code{hostio-close-packet}
18652 @tab @code{vFile:close}
18653 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
18654
18655 @item @code{hostio-open-packet}
18656 @tab @code{vFile:open}
18657 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
18658
18659 @item @code{hostio-pread-packet}
18660 @tab @code{vFile:pread}
18661 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
18662
18663 @item @code{hostio-pwrite-packet}
18664 @tab @code{vFile:pwrite}
18665 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
18666
18667 @item @code{hostio-unlink-packet}
18668 @tab @code{vFile:unlink}
18669 @tab @code{remote delete}
18670
18671 @item @code{hostio-readlink-packet}
18672 @tab @code{vFile:readlink}
18673 @tab Host I/O
18674
18675 @item @code{noack-packet}
18676 @tab @code{QStartNoAckMode}
18677 @tab Packet acknowledgment
18678
18679 @item @code{osdata}
18680 @tab @code{qXfer:osdata:read}
18681 @tab @code{info os}
18682
18683 @item @code{query-attached}
18684 @tab @code{qAttached}
18685 @tab Querying remote process attach state.
18686
18687 @item @code{trace-buffer-size}
18688 @tab @code{QTBuffer:size}
18689 @tab @code{set trace-buffer-size}
18690
18691 @item @code{trace-status}
18692 @tab @code{qTStatus}
18693 @tab @code{tstatus}
18694
18695 @item @code{traceframe-info}
18696 @tab @code{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
18697 @tab Traceframe info
18698
18699 @item @code{install-in-trace}
18700 @tab @code{InstallInTrace}
18701 @tab Install tracepoint in tracing
18702
18703 @item @code{disable-randomization}
18704 @tab @code{QDisableRandomization}
18705 @tab @code{set disable-randomization}
18706
18707 @item @code{conditional-breakpoints-packet}
18708 @tab @code{Z0 and Z1}
18709 @tab @code{Support for target-side breakpoint condition evaluation}
18710 @end multitable
18711
18712 @node Remote Stub
18713 @section Implementing a Remote Stub
18714
18715 @cindex debugging stub, example
18716 @cindex remote stub, example
18717 @cindex stub example, remote debugging
18718 The stub files provided with @value{GDBN} implement the target side of the
18719 communication protocol, and the @value{GDBN} side is implemented in the
18720 @value{GDBN} source file @file{remote.c}. Normally, you can simply allow
18721 these subroutines to communicate, and ignore the details. (If you're
18722 implementing your own stub file, you can still ignore the details: start
18723 with one of the existing stub files. @file{sparc-stub.c} is the best
18724 organized, and therefore the easiest to read.)
18725
18726 @cindex remote serial debugging, overview
18727 To debug a program running on another machine (the debugging
18728 @dfn{target} machine), you must first arrange for all the usual
18729 prerequisites for the program to run by itself. For example, for a C
18730 program, you need:
18731
18732 @enumerate
18733 @item
18734 A startup routine to set up the C runtime environment; these usually
18735 have a name like @file{crt0}. The startup routine may be supplied by
18736 your hardware supplier, or you may have to write your own.
18737
18738 @item
18739 A C subroutine library to support your program's
18740 subroutine calls, notably managing input and output.
18741
18742 @item
18743 A way of getting your program to the other machine---for example, a
18744 download program. These are often supplied by the hardware
18745 manufacturer, but you may have to write your own from hardware
18746 documentation.
18747 @end enumerate
18748
18749 The next step is to arrange for your program to use a serial port to
18750 communicate with the machine where @value{GDBN} is running (the @dfn{host}
18751 machine). In general terms, the scheme looks like this:
18752
18753 @table @emph
18754 @item On the host,
18755 @value{GDBN} already understands how to use this protocol; when everything
18756 else is set up, you can simply use the @samp{target remote} command
18757 (@pxref{Targets,,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
18758
18759 @item On the target,
18760 you must link with your program a few special-purpose subroutines that
18761 implement the @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol. The file containing these
18762 subroutines is called a @dfn{debugging stub}.
18763
18764 On certain remote targets, you can use an auxiliary program
18765 @code{gdbserver} instead of linking a stub into your program.
18766 @xref{Server,,Using the @code{gdbserver} Program}, for details.
18767 @end table
18768
18769 The debugging stub is specific to the architecture of the remote
18770 machine; for example, use @file{sparc-stub.c} to debug programs on
18771 @sc{sparc} boards.
18772
18773 @cindex remote serial stub list
18774 These working remote stubs are distributed with @value{GDBN}:
18775
18776 @table @code
18777
18778 @item i386-stub.c
18779 @cindex @file{i386-stub.c}
18780 @cindex Intel
18781 @cindex i386
18782 For Intel 386 and compatible architectures.
18783
18784 @item m68k-stub.c
18785 @cindex @file{m68k-stub.c}
18786 @cindex Motorola 680x0
18787 @cindex m680x0
18788 For Motorola 680x0 architectures.
18789
18790 @item sh-stub.c
18791 @cindex @file{sh-stub.c}
18792 @cindex Renesas
18793 @cindex SH
18794 For Renesas SH architectures.
18795
18796 @item sparc-stub.c
18797 @cindex @file{sparc-stub.c}
18798 @cindex Sparc
18799 For @sc{sparc} architectures.
18800
18801 @item sparcl-stub.c
18802 @cindex @file{sparcl-stub.c}
18803 @cindex Fujitsu
18804 @cindex SparcLite
18805 For Fujitsu @sc{sparclite} architectures.
18806
18807 @end table
18808
18809 The @file{README} file in the @value{GDBN} distribution may list other
18810 recently added stubs.
18811
18812 @menu
18813 * Stub Contents:: What the stub can do for you
18814 * Bootstrapping:: What you must do for the stub
18815 * Debug Session:: Putting it all together
18816 @end menu
18817
18818 @node Stub Contents
18819 @subsection What the Stub Can Do for You
18820
18821 @cindex remote serial stub
18822 The debugging stub for your architecture supplies these three
18823 subroutines:
18824
18825 @table @code
18826 @item set_debug_traps
18827 @findex set_debug_traps
18828 @cindex remote serial stub, initialization
18829 This routine arranges for @code{handle_exception} to run when your
18830 program stops. You must call this subroutine explicitly in your
18831 program's startup code.
18832
18833 @item handle_exception
18834 @findex handle_exception
18835 @cindex remote serial stub, main routine
18836 This is the central workhorse, but your program never calls it
18837 explicitly---the setup code arranges for @code{handle_exception} to
18838 run when a trap is triggered.
18839
18840 @code{handle_exception} takes control when your program stops during
18841 execution (for example, on a breakpoint), and mediates communications
18842 with @value{GDBN} on the host machine. This is where the communications
18843 protocol is implemented; @code{handle_exception} acts as the @value{GDBN}
18844 representative on the target machine. It begins by sending summary
18845 information on the state of your program, then continues to execute,
18846 retrieving and transmitting any information @value{GDBN} needs, until you
18847 execute a @value{GDBN} command that makes your program resume; at that point,
18848 @code{handle_exception} returns control to your own code on the target
18849 machine.
18850
18851 @item breakpoint
18852 @cindex @code{breakpoint} subroutine, remote
18853 Use this auxiliary subroutine to make your program contain a
18854 breakpoint. Depending on the particular situation, this may be the only
18855 way for @value{GDBN} to get control. For instance, if your target
18856 machine has some sort of interrupt button, you won't need to call this;
18857 pressing the interrupt button transfers control to
18858 @code{handle_exception}---in effect, to @value{GDBN}. On some machines,
18859 simply receiving characters on the serial port may also trigger a trap;
18860 again, in that situation, you don't need to call @code{breakpoint} from
18861 your own program---simply running @samp{target remote} from the host
18862 @value{GDBN} session gets control.
18863
18864 Call @code{breakpoint} if none of these is true, or if you simply want
18865 to make certain your program stops at a predetermined point for the
18866 start of your debugging session.
18867 @end table
18868
18869 @node Bootstrapping
18870 @subsection What You Must Do for the Stub
18871
18872 @cindex remote stub, support routines
18873 The debugging stubs that come with @value{GDBN} are set up for a particular
18874 chip architecture, but they have no information about the rest of your
18875 debugging target machine.
18876
18877 First of all you need to tell the stub how to communicate with the
18878 serial port.
18879
18880 @table @code
18881 @item int getDebugChar()
18882 @findex getDebugChar
18883 Write this subroutine to read a single character from the serial port.
18884 It may be identical to @code{getchar} for your target system; a
18885 different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
18886
18887 @item void putDebugChar(int)
18888 @findex putDebugChar
18889 Write this subroutine to write a single character to the serial port.
18890 It may be identical to @code{putchar} for your target system; a
18891 different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
18892 @end table
18893
18894 @cindex control C, and remote debugging
18895 @cindex interrupting remote targets
18896 If you want @value{GDBN} to be able to stop your program while it is
18897 running, you need to use an interrupt-driven serial driver, and arrange
18898 for it to stop when it receives a @code{^C} (@samp{\003}, the control-C
18899 character). That is the character which @value{GDBN} uses to tell the
18900 remote system to stop.
18901
18902 Getting the debugging target to return the proper status to @value{GDBN}
18903 probably requires changes to the standard stub; one quick and dirty way
18904 is to just execute a breakpoint instruction (the ``dirty'' part is that
18905 @value{GDBN} reports a @code{SIGTRAP} instead of a @code{SIGINT}).
18906
18907 Other routines you need to supply are:
18908
18909 @table @code
18910 @item void exceptionHandler (int @var{exception_number}, void *@var{exception_address})
18911 @findex exceptionHandler
18912 Write this function to install @var{exception_address} in the exception
18913 handling tables. You need to do this because the stub does not have any
18914 way of knowing what the exception handling tables on your target system
18915 are like (for example, the processor's table might be in @sc{rom},
18916 containing entries which point to a table in @sc{ram}).
18917 @var{exception_number} is the exception number which should be changed;
18918 its meaning is architecture-dependent (for example, different numbers
18919 might represent divide by zero, misaligned access, etc). When this
18920 exception occurs, control should be transferred directly to
18921 @var{exception_address}, and the processor state (stack, registers,
18922 and so on) should be just as it is when a processor exception occurs. So if
18923 you want to use a jump instruction to reach @var{exception_address}, it
18924 should be a simple jump, not a jump to subroutine.
18925
18926 For the 386, @var{exception_address} should be installed as an interrupt
18927 gate so that interrupts are masked while the handler runs. The gate
18928 should be at privilege level 0 (the most privileged level). The
18929 @sc{sparc} and 68k stubs are able to mask interrupts themselves without
18930 help from @code{exceptionHandler}.
18931
18932 @item void flush_i_cache()
18933 @findex flush_i_cache
18934 On @sc{sparc} and @sc{sparclite} only, write this subroutine to flush the
18935 instruction cache, if any, on your target machine. If there is no
18936 instruction cache, this subroutine may be a no-op.
18937
18938 On target machines that have instruction caches, @value{GDBN} requires this
18939 function to make certain that the state of your program is stable.
18940 @end table
18941
18942 @noindent
18943 You must also make sure this library routine is available:
18944
18945 @table @code
18946 @item void *memset(void *, int, int)
18947 @findex memset
18948 This is the standard library function @code{memset} that sets an area of
18949 memory to a known value. If you have one of the free versions of
18950 @code{libc.a}, @code{memset} can be found there; otherwise, you must
18951 either obtain it from your hardware manufacturer, or write your own.
18952 @end table
18953
18954 If you do not use the GNU C compiler, you may need other standard
18955 library subroutines as well; this varies from one stub to another,
18956 but in general the stubs are likely to use any of the common library
18957 subroutines which @code{@value{NGCC}} generates as inline code.
18958
18959
18960 @node Debug Session
18961 @subsection Putting it All Together
18962
18963 @cindex remote serial debugging summary
18964 In summary, when your program is ready to debug, you must follow these
18965 steps.
18966
18967 @enumerate
18968 @item
18969 Make sure you have defined the supporting low-level routines
18970 (@pxref{Bootstrapping,,What You Must Do for the Stub}):
18971 @display
18972 @code{getDebugChar}, @code{putDebugChar},
18973 @code{flush_i_cache}, @code{memset}, @code{exceptionHandler}.
18974 @end display
18975
18976 @item
18977 Insert these lines in your program's startup code, before the main
18978 procedure is called:
18979
18980 @smallexample
18981 set_debug_traps();
18982 breakpoint();
18983 @end smallexample
18984
18985 On some machines, when a breakpoint trap is raised, the hardware
18986 automatically makes the PC point to the instruction after the
18987 breakpoint. If your machine doesn't do that, you may need to adjust
18988 @code{handle_exception} to arrange for it to return to the instruction
18989 after the breakpoint on this first invocation, so that your program
18990 doesn't keep hitting the initial breakpoint instead of making
18991 progress.
18992
18993 @item
18994 For the 680x0 stub only, you need to provide a variable called
18995 @code{exceptionHook}. Normally you just use:
18996
18997 @smallexample
18998 void (*exceptionHook)() = 0;
18999 @end smallexample
19000
19001 @noindent
19002 but if before calling @code{set_debug_traps}, you set it to point to a
19003 function in your program, that function is called when
19004 @code{@value{GDBN}} continues after stopping on a trap (for example, bus
19005 error). The function indicated by @code{exceptionHook} is called with
19006 one parameter: an @code{int} which is the exception number.
19007
19008 @item
19009 Compile and link together: your program, the @value{GDBN} debugging stub for
19010 your target architecture, and the supporting subroutines.
19011
19012 @item
19013 Make sure you have a serial connection between your target machine and
19014 the @value{GDBN} host, and identify the serial port on the host.
19015
19016 @item
19017 @c The "remote" target now provides a `load' command, so we should
19018 @c document that. FIXME.
19019 Download your program to your target machine (or get it there by
19020 whatever means the manufacturer provides), and start it.
19021
19022 @item
19023 Start @value{GDBN} on the host, and connect to the target
19024 (@pxref{Connecting,,Connecting to a Remote Target}).
19025
19026 @end enumerate
19027
19028 @node Configurations
19029 @chapter Configuration-Specific Information
19030
19031 While nearly all @value{GDBN} commands are available for all native and
19032 cross versions of the debugger, there are some exceptions. This chapter
19033 describes things that are only available in certain configurations.
19034
19035 There are three major categories of configurations: native
19036 configurations, where the host and target are the same, embedded
19037 operating system configurations, which are usually the same for several
19038 different processor architectures, and bare embedded processors, which
19039 are quite different from each other.
19040
19041 @menu
19042 * Native::
19043 * Embedded OS::
19044 * Embedded Processors::
19045 * Architectures::
19046 @end menu
19047
19048 @node Native
19049 @section Native
19050
19051 This section describes details specific to particular native
19052 configurations.
19053
19054 @menu
19055 * HP-UX:: HP-UX
19056 * BSD libkvm Interface:: Debugging BSD kernel memory images
19057 * SVR4 Process Information:: SVR4 process information
19058 * DJGPP Native:: Features specific to the DJGPP port
19059 * Cygwin Native:: Features specific to the Cygwin port
19060 * Hurd Native:: Features specific to @sc{gnu} Hurd
19061 * Darwin:: Features specific to Darwin
19062 @end menu
19063
19064 @node HP-UX
19065 @subsection HP-UX
19066
19067 On HP-UX systems, if you refer to a function or variable name that
19068 begins with a dollar sign, @value{GDBN} searches for a user or system
19069 name first, before it searches for a convenience variable.
19070
19071
19072 @node BSD libkvm Interface
19073 @subsection BSD libkvm Interface
19074
19075 @cindex libkvm
19076 @cindex kernel memory image
19077 @cindex kernel crash dump
19078
19079 BSD-derived systems (FreeBSD/NetBSD/OpenBSD) have a kernel memory
19080 interface that provides a uniform interface for accessing kernel virtual
19081 memory images, including live systems and crash dumps. @value{GDBN}
19082 uses this interface to allow you to debug live kernels and kernel crash
19083 dumps on many native BSD configurations. This is implemented as a
19084 special @code{kvm} debugging target. For debugging a live system, load
19085 the currently running kernel into @value{GDBN} and connect to the
19086 @code{kvm} target:
19087
19088 @smallexample
19089 (@value{GDBP}) @b{target kvm}
19090 @end smallexample
19091
19092 For debugging crash dumps, provide the file name of the crash dump as an
19093 argument:
19094
19095 @smallexample
19096 (@value{GDBP}) @b{target kvm /var/crash/bsd.0}
19097 @end smallexample
19098
19099 Once connected to the @code{kvm} target, the following commands are
19100 available:
19101
19102 @table @code
19103 @kindex kvm
19104 @item kvm pcb
19105 Set current context from the @dfn{Process Control Block} (PCB) address.
19106
19107 @item kvm proc
19108 Set current context from proc address. This command isn't available on
19109 modern FreeBSD systems.
19110 @end table
19111
19112 @node SVR4 Process Information
19113 @subsection SVR4 Process Information
19114 @cindex /proc
19115 @cindex examine process image
19116 @cindex process info via @file{/proc}
19117
19118 Many versions of SVR4 and compatible systems provide a facility called
19119 @samp{/proc} that can be used to examine the image of a running
19120 process using file-system subroutines.
19121
19122 If @value{GDBN} is configured for an operating system with this
19123 facility, the command @code{info proc} is available to report
19124 information about the process running your program, or about any
19125 process running on your system. This includes, as of this writing,
19126 @sc{gnu}/Linux, OSF/1 (Digital Unix), Solaris, and Irix, but
19127 not HP-UX, for example.
19128
19129 This command may also work on core files that were created on a system
19130 that has the @samp{/proc} facility.
19131
19132 @table @code
19133 @kindex info proc
19134 @cindex process ID
19135 @item info proc
19136 @itemx info proc @var{process-id}
19137 Summarize available information about any running process. If a
19138 process ID is specified by @var{process-id}, display information about
19139 that process; otherwise display information about the program being
19140 debugged. The summary includes the debugged process ID, the command
19141 line used to invoke it, its current working directory, and its
19142 executable file's absolute file name.
19143
19144 On some systems, @var{process-id} can be of the form
19145 @samp{[@var{pid}]/@var{tid}} which specifies a certain thread ID
19146 within a process. If the optional @var{pid} part is missing, it means
19147 a thread from the process being debugged (the leading @samp{/} still
19148 needs to be present, or else @value{GDBN} will interpret the number as
19149 a process ID rather than a thread ID).
19150
19151 @item info proc cmdline
19152 @cindex info proc cmdline
19153 Show the original command line of the process. This command is
19154 specific to @sc{gnu}/Linux.
19155
19156 @item info proc cwd
19157 @cindex info proc cwd
19158 Show the current working directory of the process. This command is
19159 specific to @sc{gnu}/Linux.
19160
19161 @item info proc exe
19162 @cindex info proc exe
19163 Show the name of executable of the process. This command is specific
19164 to @sc{gnu}/Linux.
19165
19166 @item info proc mappings
19167 @cindex memory address space mappings
19168 Report the memory address space ranges accessible in the program, with
19169 information on whether the process has read, write, or execute access
19170 rights to each range. On @sc{gnu}/Linux systems, each memory range
19171 includes the object file which is mapped to that range, instead of the
19172 memory access rights to that range.
19173
19174 @item info proc stat
19175 @itemx info proc status
19176 @cindex process detailed status information
19177 These subcommands are specific to @sc{gnu}/Linux systems. They show
19178 the process-related information, including the user ID and group ID;
19179 how many threads are there in the process; its virtual memory usage;
19180 the signals that are pending, blocked, and ignored; its TTY; its
19181 consumption of system and user time; its stack size; its @samp{nice}
19182 value; etc. For more information, see the @samp{proc} man page
19183 (type @kbd{man 5 proc} from your shell prompt).
19184
19185 @item info proc all
19186 Show all the information about the process described under all of the
19187 above @code{info proc} subcommands.
19188
19189 @ignore
19190 @comment These sub-options of 'info proc' were not included when
19191 @comment procfs.c was re-written. Keep their descriptions around
19192 @comment against the day when someone finds the time to put them back in.
19193 @kindex info proc times
19194 @item info proc times
19195 Starting time, user CPU time, and system CPU time for your program and
19196 its children.
19197
19198 @kindex info proc id
19199 @item info proc id
19200 Report on the process IDs related to your program: its own process ID,
19201 the ID of its parent, the process group ID, and the session ID.
19202 @end ignore
19203
19204 @item set procfs-trace
19205 @kindex set procfs-trace
19206 @cindex @code{procfs} API calls
19207 This command enables and disables tracing of @code{procfs} API calls.
19208
19209 @item show procfs-trace
19210 @kindex show procfs-trace
19211 Show the current state of @code{procfs} API call tracing.
19212
19213 @item set procfs-file @var{file}
19214 @kindex set procfs-file
19215 Tell @value{GDBN} to write @code{procfs} API trace to the named
19216 @var{file}. @value{GDBN} appends the trace info to the previous
19217 contents of the file. The default is to display the trace on the
19218 standard output.
19219
19220 @item show procfs-file
19221 @kindex show procfs-file
19222 Show the file to which @code{procfs} API trace is written.
19223
19224 @item proc-trace-entry
19225 @itemx proc-trace-exit
19226 @itemx proc-untrace-entry
19227 @itemx proc-untrace-exit
19228 @kindex proc-trace-entry
19229 @kindex proc-trace-exit
19230 @kindex proc-untrace-entry
19231 @kindex proc-untrace-exit
19232 These commands enable and disable tracing of entries into and exits
19233 from the @code{syscall} interface.
19234
19235 @item info pidlist
19236 @kindex info pidlist
19237 @cindex process list, QNX Neutrino
19238 For QNX Neutrino only, this command displays the list of all the
19239 processes and all the threads within each process.
19240
19241 @item info meminfo
19242 @kindex info meminfo
19243 @cindex mapinfo list, QNX Neutrino
19244 For QNX Neutrino only, this command displays the list of all mapinfos.
19245 @end table
19246
19247 @node DJGPP Native
19248 @subsection Features for Debugging @sc{djgpp} Programs
19249 @cindex @sc{djgpp} debugging
19250 @cindex native @sc{djgpp} debugging
19251 @cindex MS-DOS-specific commands
19252
19253 @cindex DPMI
19254 @sc{djgpp} is a port of the @sc{gnu} development tools to MS-DOS and
19255 MS-Windows. @sc{djgpp} programs are 32-bit protected-mode programs
19256 that use the @dfn{DPMI} (DOS Protected-Mode Interface) API to run on
19257 top of real-mode DOS systems and their emulations.
19258
19259 @value{GDBN} supports native debugging of @sc{djgpp} programs, and
19260 defines a few commands specific to the @sc{djgpp} port. This
19261 subsection describes those commands.
19262
19263 @table @code
19264 @kindex info dos
19265 @item info dos
19266 This is a prefix of @sc{djgpp}-specific commands which print
19267 information about the target system and important OS structures.
19268
19269 @kindex sysinfo
19270 @cindex MS-DOS system info
19271 @cindex free memory information (MS-DOS)
19272 @item info dos sysinfo
19273 This command displays assorted information about the underlying
19274 platform: the CPU type and features, the OS version and flavor, the
19275 DPMI version, and the available conventional and DPMI memory.
19276
19277 @cindex GDT
19278 @cindex LDT
19279 @cindex IDT
19280 @cindex segment descriptor tables
19281 @cindex descriptor tables display
19282 @item info dos gdt
19283 @itemx info dos ldt
19284 @itemx info dos idt
19285 These 3 commands display entries from, respectively, Global, Local,
19286 and Interrupt Descriptor Tables (GDT, LDT, and IDT). The descriptor
19287 tables are data structures which store a descriptor for each segment
19288 that is currently in use. The segment's selector is an index into a
19289 descriptor table; the table entry for that index holds the
19290 descriptor's base address and limit, and its attributes and access
19291 rights.
19292
19293 A typical @sc{djgpp} program uses 3 segments: a code segment, a data
19294 segment (used for both data and the stack), and a DOS segment (which
19295 allows access to DOS/BIOS data structures and absolute addresses in
19296 conventional memory). However, the DPMI host will usually define
19297 additional segments in order to support the DPMI environment.
19298
19299 @cindex garbled pointers
19300 These commands allow to display entries from the descriptor tables.
19301 Without an argument, all entries from the specified table are
19302 displayed. An argument, which should be an integer expression, means
19303 display a single entry whose index is given by the argument. For
19304 example, here's a convenient way to display information about the
19305 debugged program's data segment:
19306
19307 @smallexample
19308 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos ldt $ds}
19309 @exdent @code{0x13f: base=0x11970000 limit=0x0009ffff 32-Bit Data (Read/Write, Exp-up)}
19310 @end smallexample
19311
19312 @noindent
19313 This comes in handy when you want to see whether a pointer is outside
19314 the data segment's limit (i.e.@: @dfn{garbled}).
19315
19316 @cindex page tables display (MS-DOS)
19317 @item info dos pde
19318 @itemx info dos pte
19319 These two commands display entries from, respectively, the Page
19320 Directory and the Page Tables. Page Directories and Page Tables are
19321 data structures which control how virtual memory addresses are mapped
19322 into physical addresses. A Page Table includes an entry for every
19323 page of memory that is mapped into the program's address space; there
19324 may be several Page Tables, each one holding up to 4096 entries. A
19325 Page Directory has up to 4096 entries, one each for every Page Table
19326 that is currently in use.
19327
19328 Without an argument, @kbd{info dos pde} displays the entire Page
19329 Directory, and @kbd{info dos pte} displays all the entries in all of
19330 the Page Tables. An argument, an integer expression, given to the
19331 @kbd{info dos pde} command means display only that entry from the Page
19332 Directory table. An argument given to the @kbd{info dos pte} command
19333 means display entries from a single Page Table, the one pointed to by
19334 the specified entry in the Page Directory.
19335
19336 @cindex direct memory access (DMA) on MS-DOS
19337 These commands are useful when your program uses @dfn{DMA} (Direct
19338 Memory Access), which needs physical addresses to program the DMA
19339 controller.
19340
19341 These commands are supported only with some DPMI servers.
19342
19343 @cindex physical address from linear address
19344 @item info dos address-pte @var{addr}
19345 This command displays the Page Table entry for a specified linear
19346 address. The argument @var{addr} is a linear address which should
19347 already have the appropriate segment's base address added to it,
19348 because this command accepts addresses which may belong to @emph{any}
19349 segment. For example, here's how to display the Page Table entry for
19350 the page where a variable @code{i} is stored:
19351
19352 @smallexample
19353 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte __djgpp_base_address + (char *)&i}
19354 @exdent @code{Page Table entry for address 0x11a00d30:}
19355 @exdent @code{Base=0x02698000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0xd30}
19356 @end smallexample
19357
19358 @noindent
19359 This says that @code{i} is stored at offset @code{0xd30} from the page
19360 whose physical base address is @code{0x02698000}, and shows all the
19361 attributes of that page.
19362
19363 Note that you must cast the addresses of variables to a @code{char *},
19364 since otherwise the value of @code{__djgpp_base_address}, the base
19365 address of all variables and functions in a @sc{djgpp} program, will
19366 be added using the rules of C pointer arithmetics: if @code{i} is
19367 declared an @code{int}, @value{GDBN} will add 4 times the value of
19368 @code{__djgpp_base_address} to the address of @code{i}.
19369
19370 Here's another example, it displays the Page Table entry for the
19371 transfer buffer:
19372
19373 @smallexample
19374 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte *((unsigned *)&_go32_info_block + 3)}
19375 @exdent @code{Page Table entry for address 0x29110:}
19376 @exdent @code{Base=0x00029000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0x110}
19377 @end smallexample
19378
19379 @noindent
19380 (The @code{+ 3} offset is because the transfer buffer's address is the
19381 3rd member of the @code{_go32_info_block} structure.) The output
19382 clearly shows that this DPMI server maps the addresses in conventional
19383 memory 1:1, i.e.@: the physical (@code{0x00029000} + @code{0x110}) and
19384 linear (@code{0x29110}) addresses are identical.
19385
19386 This command is supported only with some DPMI servers.
19387 @end table
19388
19389 @cindex DOS serial data link, remote debugging
19390 In addition to native debugging, the DJGPP port supports remote
19391 debugging via a serial data link. The following commands are specific
19392 to remote serial debugging in the DJGPP port of @value{GDBN}.
19393
19394 @table @code
19395 @kindex set com1base
19396 @kindex set com1irq
19397 @kindex set com2base
19398 @kindex set com2irq
19399 @kindex set com3base
19400 @kindex set com3irq
19401 @kindex set com4base
19402 @kindex set com4irq
19403 @item set com1base @var{addr}
19404 This command sets the base I/O port address of the @file{COM1} serial
19405 port.
19406
19407 @item set com1irq @var{irq}
19408 This command sets the @dfn{Interrupt Request} (@code{IRQ}) line to use
19409 for the @file{COM1} serial port.
19410
19411 There are similar commands @samp{set com2base}, @samp{set com3irq},
19412 etc.@: for setting the port address and the @code{IRQ} lines for the
19413 other 3 COM ports.
19414
19415 @kindex show com1base
19416 @kindex show com1irq
19417 @kindex show com2base
19418 @kindex show com2irq
19419 @kindex show com3base
19420 @kindex show com3irq
19421 @kindex show com4base
19422 @kindex show com4irq
19423 The related commands @samp{show com1base}, @samp{show com1irq} etc.@:
19424 display the current settings of the base address and the @code{IRQ}
19425 lines used by the COM ports.
19426
19427 @item info serial
19428 @kindex info serial
19429 @cindex DOS serial port status
19430 This command prints the status of the 4 DOS serial ports. For each
19431 port, it prints whether it's active or not, its I/O base address and
19432 IRQ number, whether it uses a 16550-style FIFO, its baudrate, and the
19433 counts of various errors encountered so far.
19434 @end table
19435
19436
19437 @node Cygwin Native
19438 @subsection Features for Debugging MS Windows PE Executables
19439 @cindex MS Windows debugging
19440 @cindex native Cygwin debugging
19441 @cindex Cygwin-specific commands
19442
19443 @value{GDBN} supports native debugging of MS Windows programs, including
19444 DLLs with and without symbolic debugging information.
19445
19446 @cindex Ctrl-BREAK, MS-Windows
19447 @cindex interrupt debuggee on MS-Windows
19448 MS-Windows programs that call @code{SetConsoleMode} to switch off the
19449 special meaning of the @samp{Ctrl-C} keystroke cannot be interrupted
19450 by typing @kbd{C-c}. For this reason, @value{GDBN} on MS-Windows
19451 supports @kbd{C-@key{BREAK}} as an alternative interrupt key
19452 sequence, which can be used to interrupt the debuggee even if it
19453 ignores @kbd{C-c}.
19454
19455 There are various additional Cygwin-specific commands, described in
19456 this section. Working with DLLs that have no debugging symbols is
19457 described in @ref{Non-debug DLL Symbols}.
19458
19459 @table @code
19460 @kindex info w32
19461 @item info w32
19462 This is a prefix of MS Windows-specific commands which print
19463 information about the target system and important OS structures.
19464
19465 @item info w32 selector
19466 This command displays information returned by
19467 the Win32 API @code{GetThreadSelectorEntry} function.
19468 It takes an optional argument that is evaluated to
19469 a long value to give the information about this given selector.
19470 Without argument, this command displays information
19471 about the six segment registers.
19472
19473 @item info w32 thread-information-block
19474 This command displays thread specific information stored in the
19475 Thread Information Block (readable on the X86 CPU family using @code{$fs}
19476 selector for 32-bit programs and @code{$gs} for 64-bit programs).
19477
19478 @kindex info dll
19479 @item info dll
19480 This is a Cygwin-specific alias of @code{info shared}.
19481
19482 @kindex dll-symbols
19483 @item dll-symbols
19484 This command loads symbols from a dll similarly to
19485 add-sym command but without the need to specify a base address.
19486
19487 @kindex set cygwin-exceptions
19488 @cindex debugging the Cygwin DLL
19489 @cindex Cygwin DLL, debugging
19490 @item set cygwin-exceptions @var{mode}
19491 If @var{mode} is @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will break on exceptions that
19492 happen inside the Cygwin DLL. If @var{mode} is @code{off},
19493 @value{GDBN} will delay recognition of exceptions, and may ignore some
19494 exceptions which seem to be caused by internal Cygwin DLL
19495 ``bookkeeping''. This option is meant primarily for debugging the
19496 Cygwin DLL itself; the default value is @code{off} to avoid annoying
19497 @value{GDBN} users with false @code{SIGSEGV} signals.
19498
19499 @kindex show cygwin-exceptions
19500 @item show cygwin-exceptions
19501 Displays whether @value{GDBN} will break on exceptions that happen
19502 inside the Cygwin DLL itself.
19503
19504 @kindex set new-console
19505 @item set new-console @var{mode}
19506 If @var{mode} is @code{on} the debuggee will
19507 be started in a new console on next start.
19508 If @var{mode} is @code{off}, the debuggee will
19509 be started in the same console as the debugger.
19510
19511 @kindex show new-console
19512 @item show new-console
19513 Displays whether a new console is used
19514 when the debuggee is started.
19515
19516 @kindex set new-group
19517 @item set new-group @var{mode}
19518 This boolean value controls whether the debuggee should
19519 start a new group or stay in the same group as the debugger.
19520 This affects the way the Windows OS handles
19521 @samp{Ctrl-C}.
19522
19523 @kindex show new-group
19524 @item show new-group
19525 Displays current value of new-group boolean.
19526
19527 @kindex set debugevents
19528 @item set debugevents
19529 This boolean value adds debug output concerning kernel events related
19530 to the debuggee seen by the debugger. This includes events that
19531 signal thread and process creation and exit, DLL loading and
19532 unloading, console interrupts, and debugging messages produced by the
19533 Windows @code{OutputDebugString} API call.
19534
19535 @kindex set debugexec
19536 @item set debugexec
19537 This boolean value adds debug output concerning execute events
19538 (such as resume thread) seen by the debugger.
19539
19540 @kindex set debugexceptions
19541 @item set debugexceptions
19542 This boolean value adds debug output concerning exceptions in the
19543 debuggee seen by the debugger.
19544
19545 @kindex set debugmemory
19546 @item set debugmemory
19547 This boolean value adds debug output concerning debuggee memory reads
19548 and writes by the debugger.
19549
19550 @kindex set shell
19551 @item set shell
19552 This boolean values specifies whether the debuggee is called
19553 via a shell or directly (default value is on).
19554
19555 @kindex show shell
19556 @item show shell
19557 Displays if the debuggee will be started with a shell.
19558
19559 @end table
19560
19561 @menu
19562 * Non-debug DLL Symbols:: Support for DLLs without debugging symbols
19563 @end menu
19564
19565 @node Non-debug DLL Symbols
19566 @subsubsection Support for DLLs without Debugging Symbols
19567 @cindex DLLs with no debugging symbols
19568 @cindex Minimal symbols and DLLs
19569
19570 Very often on windows, some of the DLLs that your program relies on do
19571 not include symbolic debugging information (for example,
19572 @file{kernel32.dll}). When @value{GDBN} doesn't recognize any debugging
19573 symbols in a DLL, it relies on the minimal amount of symbolic
19574 information contained in the DLL's export table. This section
19575 describes working with such symbols, known internally to @value{GDBN} as
19576 ``minimal symbols''.
19577
19578 Note that before the debugged program has started execution, no DLLs
19579 will have been loaded. The easiest way around this problem is simply to
19580 start the program --- either by setting a breakpoint or letting the
19581 program run once to completion. It is also possible to force
19582 @value{GDBN} to load a particular DLL before starting the executable ---
19583 see the shared library information in @ref{Files}, or the
19584 @code{dll-symbols} command in @ref{Cygwin Native}. Currently,
19585 explicitly loading symbols from a DLL with no debugging information will
19586 cause the symbol names to be duplicated in @value{GDBN}'s lookup table,
19587 which may adversely affect symbol lookup performance.
19588
19589 @subsubsection DLL Name Prefixes
19590
19591 In keeping with the naming conventions used by the Microsoft debugging
19592 tools, DLL export symbols are made available with a prefix based on the
19593 DLL name, for instance @code{KERNEL32!CreateFileA}. The plain name is
19594 also entered into the symbol table, so @code{CreateFileA} is often
19595 sufficient. In some cases there will be name clashes within a program
19596 (particularly if the executable itself includes full debugging symbols)
19597 necessitating the use of the fully qualified name when referring to the
19598 contents of the DLL. Use single-quotes around the name to avoid the
19599 exclamation mark (``!'') being interpreted as a language operator.
19600
19601 Note that the internal name of the DLL may be all upper-case, even
19602 though the file name of the DLL is lower-case, or vice-versa. Since
19603 symbols within @value{GDBN} are @emph{case-sensitive} this may cause
19604 some confusion. If in doubt, try the @code{info functions} and
19605 @code{info variables} commands or even @code{maint print msymbols}
19606 (@pxref{Symbols}). Here's an example:
19607
19608 @smallexample
19609 (@value{GDBP}) info function CreateFileA
19610 All functions matching regular expression "CreateFileA":
19611
19612 Non-debugging symbols:
19613 0x77e885f4 CreateFileA
19614 0x77e885f4 KERNEL32!CreateFileA
19615 @end smallexample
19616
19617 @smallexample
19618 (@value{GDBP}) info function !
19619 All functions matching regular expression "!":
19620
19621 Non-debugging symbols:
19622 0x6100114c cygwin1!__assert
19623 0x61004034 cygwin1!_dll_crt0@@0
19624 0x61004240 cygwin1!dll_crt0(per_process *)
19625 [etc...]
19626 @end smallexample
19627
19628 @subsubsection Working with Minimal Symbols
19629
19630 Symbols extracted from a DLL's export table do not contain very much
19631 type information. All that @value{GDBN} can do is guess whether a symbol
19632 refers to a function or variable depending on the linker section that
19633 contains the symbol. Also note that the actual contents of the memory
19634 contained in a DLL are not available unless the program is running. This
19635 means that you cannot examine the contents of a variable or disassemble
19636 a function within a DLL without a running program.
19637
19638 Variables are generally treated as pointers and dereferenced
19639 automatically. For this reason, it is often necessary to prefix a
19640 variable name with the address-of operator (``&'') and provide explicit
19641 type information in the command. Here's an example of the type of
19642 problem:
19643
19644 @smallexample
19645 (@value{GDBP}) print 'cygwin1!__argv'
19646 $1 = 268572168
19647 @end smallexample
19648
19649 @smallexample
19650 (@value{GDBP}) x 'cygwin1!__argv'
19651 0x10021610: "\230y\""
19652 @end smallexample
19653
19654 And two possible solutions:
19655
19656 @smallexample
19657 (@value{GDBP}) print ((char **)'cygwin1!__argv')[0]
19658 $2 = 0x22fd98 "/cygdrive/c/mydirectory/myprogram"
19659 @end smallexample
19660
19661 @smallexample
19662 (@value{GDBP}) x/2x &'cygwin1!__argv'
19663 0x610c0aa8 <cygwin1!__argv>: 0x10021608 0x00000000
19664 (@value{GDBP}) x/x 0x10021608
19665 0x10021608: 0x0022fd98
19666 (@value{GDBP}) x/s 0x0022fd98
19667 0x22fd98: "/cygdrive/c/mydirectory/myprogram"
19668 @end smallexample
19669
19670 Setting a break point within a DLL is possible even before the program
19671 starts execution. However, under these circumstances, @value{GDBN} can't
19672 examine the initial instructions of the function in order to skip the
19673 function's frame set-up code. You can work around this by using ``*&''
19674 to set the breakpoint at a raw memory address:
19675
19676 @smallexample
19677 (@value{GDBP}) break *&'python22!PyOS_Readline'
19678 Breakpoint 1 at 0x1e04eff0
19679 @end smallexample
19680
19681 The author of these extensions is not entirely convinced that setting a
19682 break point within a shared DLL like @file{kernel32.dll} is completely
19683 safe.
19684
19685 @node Hurd Native
19686 @subsection Commands Specific to @sc{gnu} Hurd Systems
19687 @cindex @sc{gnu} Hurd debugging
19688
19689 This subsection describes @value{GDBN} commands specific to the
19690 @sc{gnu} Hurd native debugging.
19691
19692 @table @code
19693 @item set signals
19694 @itemx set sigs
19695 @kindex set signals@r{, Hurd command}
19696 @kindex set sigs@r{, Hurd command}
19697 This command toggles the state of inferior signal interception by
19698 @value{GDBN}. Mach exceptions, such as breakpoint traps, are not
19699 affected by this command. @code{sigs} is a shorthand alias for
19700 @code{signals}.
19701
19702 @item show signals
19703 @itemx show sigs
19704 @kindex show signals@r{, Hurd command}
19705 @kindex show sigs@r{, Hurd command}
19706 Show the current state of intercepting inferior's signals.
19707
19708 @item set signal-thread
19709 @itemx set sigthread
19710 @kindex set signal-thread
19711 @kindex set sigthread
19712 This command tells @value{GDBN} which thread is the @code{libc} signal
19713 thread. That thread is run when a signal is delivered to a running
19714 process. @code{set sigthread} is the shorthand alias of @code{set
19715 signal-thread}.
19716
19717 @item show signal-thread
19718 @itemx show sigthread
19719 @kindex show signal-thread
19720 @kindex show sigthread
19721 These two commands show which thread will run when the inferior is
19722 delivered a signal.
19723
19724 @item set stopped
19725 @kindex set stopped@r{, Hurd command}
19726 This commands tells @value{GDBN} that the inferior process is stopped,
19727 as with the @code{SIGSTOP} signal. The stopped process can be
19728 continued by delivering a signal to it.
19729
19730 @item show stopped
19731 @kindex show stopped@r{, Hurd command}
19732 This command shows whether @value{GDBN} thinks the debuggee is
19733 stopped.
19734
19735 @item set exceptions
19736 @kindex set exceptions@r{, Hurd command}
19737 Use this command to turn off trapping of exceptions in the inferior.
19738 When exception trapping is off, neither breakpoints nor
19739 single-stepping will work. To restore the default, set exception
19740 trapping on.
19741
19742 @item show exceptions
19743 @kindex show exceptions@r{, Hurd command}
19744 Show the current state of trapping exceptions in the inferior.
19745
19746 @item set task pause
19747 @kindex set task@r{, Hurd commands}
19748 @cindex task attributes (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
19749 @cindex pause current task (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
19750 This command toggles task suspension when @value{GDBN} has control.
19751 Setting it to on takes effect immediately, and the task is suspended
19752 whenever @value{GDBN} gets control. Setting it to off will take
19753 effect the next time the inferior is continued. If this option is set
19754 to off, you can use @code{set thread default pause on} or @code{set
19755 thread pause on} (see below) to pause individual threads.
19756
19757 @item show task pause
19758 @kindex show task@r{, Hurd commands}
19759 Show the current state of task suspension.
19760
19761 @item set task detach-suspend-count
19762 @cindex task suspend count
19763 @cindex detach from task, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19764 This command sets the suspend count the task will be left with when
19765 @value{GDBN} detaches from it.
19766
19767 @item show task detach-suspend-count
19768 Show the suspend count the task will be left with when detaching.
19769
19770 @item set task exception-port
19771 @itemx set task excp
19772 @cindex task exception port, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19773 This command sets the task exception port to which @value{GDBN} will
19774 forward exceptions. The argument should be the value of the @dfn{send
19775 rights} of the task. @code{set task excp} is a shorthand alias.
19776
19777 @item set noninvasive
19778 @cindex noninvasive task options
19779 This command switches @value{GDBN} to a mode that is the least
19780 invasive as far as interfering with the inferior is concerned. This
19781 is the same as using @code{set task pause}, @code{set exceptions}, and
19782 @code{set signals} to values opposite to the defaults.
19783
19784 @item info send-rights
19785 @itemx info receive-rights
19786 @itemx info port-rights
19787 @itemx info port-sets
19788 @itemx info dead-names
19789 @itemx info ports
19790 @itemx info psets
19791 @cindex send rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19792 @cindex receive rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19793 @cindex port rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19794 @cindex port sets, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19795 @cindex dead names, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19796 These commands display information about, respectively, send rights,
19797 receive rights, port rights, port sets, and dead names of a task.
19798 There are also shorthand aliases: @code{info ports} for @code{info
19799 port-rights} and @code{info psets} for @code{info port-sets}.
19800
19801 @item set thread pause
19802 @kindex set thread@r{, Hurd command}
19803 @cindex thread properties, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19804 @cindex pause current thread (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
19805 This command toggles current thread suspension when @value{GDBN} has
19806 control. Setting it to on takes effect immediately, and the current
19807 thread is suspended whenever @value{GDBN} gets control. Setting it to
19808 off will take effect the next time the inferior is continued.
19809 Normally, this command has no effect, since when @value{GDBN} has
19810 control, the whole task is suspended. However, if you used @code{set
19811 task pause off} (see above), this command comes in handy to suspend
19812 only the current thread.
19813
19814 @item show thread pause
19815 @kindex show thread@r{, Hurd command}
19816 This command shows the state of current thread suspension.
19817
19818 @item set thread run
19819 This command sets whether the current thread is allowed to run.
19820
19821 @item show thread run
19822 Show whether the current thread is allowed to run.
19823
19824 @item set thread detach-suspend-count
19825 @cindex thread suspend count, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19826 @cindex detach from thread, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19827 This command sets the suspend count @value{GDBN} will leave on a
19828 thread when detaching. This number is relative to the suspend count
19829 found by @value{GDBN} when it notices the thread; use @code{set thread
19830 takeover-suspend-count} to force it to an absolute value.
19831
19832 @item show thread detach-suspend-count
19833 Show the suspend count @value{GDBN} will leave on the thread when
19834 detaching.
19835
19836 @item set thread exception-port
19837 @itemx set thread excp
19838 Set the thread exception port to which to forward exceptions. This
19839 overrides the port set by @code{set task exception-port} (see above).
19840 @code{set thread excp} is the shorthand alias.
19841
19842 @item set thread takeover-suspend-count
19843 Normally, @value{GDBN}'s thread suspend counts are relative to the
19844 value @value{GDBN} finds when it notices each thread. This command
19845 changes the suspend counts to be absolute instead.
19846
19847 @item set thread default
19848 @itemx show thread default
19849 @cindex thread default settings, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19850 Each of the above @code{set thread} commands has a @code{set thread
19851 default} counterpart (e.g., @code{set thread default pause}, @code{set
19852 thread default exception-port}, etc.). The @code{thread default}
19853 variety of commands sets the default thread properties for all
19854 threads; you can then change the properties of individual threads with
19855 the non-default commands.
19856 @end table
19857
19858 @node Darwin
19859 @subsection Darwin
19860 @cindex Darwin
19861
19862 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands specific to the Darwin target:
19863
19864 @table @code
19865 @item set debug darwin @var{num}
19866 @kindex set debug darwin
19867 When set to a non zero value, enables debugging messages specific to
19868 the Darwin support. Higher values produce more verbose output.
19869
19870 @item show debug darwin
19871 @kindex show debug darwin
19872 Show the current state of Darwin messages.
19873
19874 @item set debug mach-o @var{num}
19875 @kindex set debug mach-o
19876 When set to a non zero value, enables debugging messages while
19877 @value{GDBN} is reading Darwin object files. (@dfn{Mach-O} is the
19878 file format used on Darwin for object and executable files.) Higher
19879 values produce more verbose output. This is a command to diagnose
19880 problems internal to @value{GDBN} and should not be needed in normal
19881 usage.
19882
19883 @item show debug mach-o
19884 @kindex show debug mach-o
19885 Show the current state of Mach-O file messages.
19886
19887 @item set mach-exceptions on
19888 @itemx set mach-exceptions off
19889 @kindex set mach-exceptions
19890 On Darwin, faults are first reported as a Mach exception and are then
19891 mapped to a Posix signal. Use this command to turn on trapping of
19892 Mach exceptions in the inferior. This might be sometimes useful to
19893 better understand the cause of a fault. The default is off.
19894
19895 @item show mach-exceptions
19896 @kindex show mach-exceptions
19897 Show the current state of exceptions trapping.
19898 @end table
19899
19900
19901 @node Embedded OS
19902 @section Embedded Operating Systems
19903
19904 This section describes configurations involving the debugging of
19905 embedded operating systems that are available for several different
19906 architectures.
19907
19908 @menu
19909 * VxWorks:: Using @value{GDBN} with VxWorks
19910 @end menu
19911
19912 @value{GDBN} includes the ability to debug programs running on
19913 various real-time operating systems.
19914
19915 @node VxWorks
19916 @subsection Using @value{GDBN} with VxWorks
19917
19918 @cindex VxWorks
19919
19920 @table @code
19921
19922 @kindex target vxworks
19923 @item target vxworks @var{machinename}
19924 A VxWorks system, attached via TCP/IP. The argument @var{machinename}
19925 is the target system's machine name or IP address.
19926
19927 @end table
19928
19929 On VxWorks, @code{load} links @var{filename} dynamically on the
19930 current target system as well as adding its symbols in @value{GDBN}.
19931
19932 @value{GDBN} enables developers to spawn and debug tasks running on networked
19933 VxWorks targets from a Unix host. Already-running tasks spawned from
19934 the VxWorks shell can also be debugged. @value{GDBN} uses code that runs on
19935 both the Unix host and on the VxWorks target. The program
19936 @code{@value{GDBP}} is installed and executed on the Unix host. (It may be
19937 installed with the name @code{vxgdb}, to distinguish it from a
19938 @value{GDBN} for debugging programs on the host itself.)
19939
19940 @table @code
19941 @item VxWorks-timeout @var{args}
19942 @kindex vxworks-timeout
19943 All VxWorks-based targets now support the option @code{vxworks-timeout}.
19944 This option is set by the user, and @var{args} represents the number of
19945 seconds @value{GDBN} waits for responses to rpc's. You might use this if
19946 your VxWorks target is a slow software simulator or is on the far side
19947 of a thin network line.
19948 @end table
19949
19950 The following information on connecting to VxWorks was current when
19951 this manual was produced; newer releases of VxWorks may use revised
19952 procedures.
19953
19954 @findex INCLUDE_RDB
19955 To use @value{GDBN} with VxWorks, you must rebuild your VxWorks kernel
19956 to include the remote debugging interface routines in the VxWorks
19957 library @file{rdb.a}. To do this, define @code{INCLUDE_RDB} in the
19958 VxWorks configuration file @file{configAll.h} and rebuild your VxWorks
19959 kernel. The resulting kernel contains @file{rdb.a}, and spawns the
19960 source debugging task @code{tRdbTask} when VxWorks is booted. For more
19961 information on configuring and remaking VxWorks, see the manufacturer's
19962 manual.
19963 @c VxWorks, see the @cite{VxWorks Programmer's Guide}.
19964
19965 Once you have included @file{rdb.a} in your VxWorks system image and set
19966 your Unix execution search path to find @value{GDBN}, you are ready to
19967 run @value{GDBN}. From your Unix host, run @code{@value{GDBP}} (or
19968 @code{vxgdb}, depending on your installation).
19969
19970 @value{GDBN} comes up showing the prompt:
19971
19972 @smallexample
19973 (vxgdb)
19974 @end smallexample
19975
19976 @menu
19977 * VxWorks Connection:: Connecting to VxWorks
19978 * VxWorks Download:: VxWorks download
19979 * VxWorks Attach:: Running tasks
19980 @end menu
19981
19982 @node VxWorks Connection
19983 @subsubsection Connecting to VxWorks
19984
19985 The @value{GDBN} command @code{target} lets you connect to a VxWorks target on the
19986 network. To connect to a target whose host name is ``@code{tt}'', type:
19987
19988 @smallexample
19989 (vxgdb) target vxworks tt
19990 @end smallexample
19991
19992 @need 750
19993 @value{GDBN} displays messages like these:
19994
19995 @smallexample
19996 Attaching remote machine across net...
19997 Connected to tt.
19998 @end smallexample
19999
20000 @need 1000
20001 @value{GDBN} then attempts to read the symbol tables of any object modules
20002 loaded into the VxWorks target since it was last booted. @value{GDBN} locates
20003 these files by searching the directories listed in the command search
20004 path (@pxref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}); if it fails
20005 to find an object file, it displays a message such as:
20006
20007 @smallexample
20008 prog.o: No such file or directory.
20009 @end smallexample
20010
20011 When this happens, add the appropriate directory to the search path with
20012 the @value{GDBN} command @code{path}, and execute the @code{target}
20013 command again.
20014
20015 @node VxWorks Download
20016 @subsubsection VxWorks Download
20017
20018 @cindex download to VxWorks
20019 If you have connected to the VxWorks target and you want to debug an
20020 object that has not yet been loaded, you can use the @value{GDBN}
20021 @code{load} command to download a file from Unix to VxWorks
20022 incrementally. The object file given as an argument to the @code{load}
20023 command is actually opened twice: first by the VxWorks target in order
20024 to download the code, then by @value{GDBN} in order to read the symbol
20025 table. This can lead to problems if the current working directories on
20026 the two systems differ. If both systems have NFS mounted the same
20027 filesystems, you can avoid these problems by using absolute paths.
20028 Otherwise, it is simplest to set the working directory on both systems
20029 to the directory in which the object file resides, and then to reference
20030 the file by its name, without any path. For instance, a program
20031 @file{prog.o} may reside in @file{@var{vxpath}/vw/demo/rdb} in VxWorks
20032 and in @file{@var{hostpath}/vw/demo/rdb} on the host. To load this
20033 program, type this on VxWorks:
20034
20035 @smallexample
20036 -> cd "@var{vxpath}/vw/demo/rdb"
20037 @end smallexample
20038
20039 @noindent
20040 Then, in @value{GDBN}, type:
20041
20042 @smallexample
20043 (vxgdb) cd @var{hostpath}/vw/demo/rdb
20044 (vxgdb) load prog.o
20045 @end smallexample
20046
20047 @value{GDBN} displays a response similar to this:
20048
20049 @smallexample
20050 Reading symbol data from wherever/vw/demo/rdb/prog.o... done.
20051 @end smallexample
20052
20053 You can also use the @code{load} command to reload an object module
20054 after editing and recompiling the corresponding source file. Note that
20055 this makes @value{GDBN} delete all currently-defined breakpoints,
20056 auto-displays, and convenience variables, and to clear the value
20057 history. (This is necessary in order to preserve the integrity of
20058 debugger's data structures that reference the target system's symbol
20059 table.)
20060
20061 @node VxWorks Attach
20062 @subsubsection Running Tasks
20063
20064 @cindex running VxWorks tasks
20065 You can also attach to an existing task using the @code{attach} command as
20066 follows:
20067
20068 @smallexample
20069 (vxgdb) attach @var{task}
20070 @end smallexample
20071
20072 @noindent
20073 where @var{task} is the VxWorks hexadecimal task ID. The task can be running
20074 or suspended when you attach to it. Running tasks are suspended at
20075 the time of attachment.
20076
20077 @node Embedded Processors
20078 @section Embedded Processors
20079
20080 This section goes into details specific to particular embedded
20081 configurations.
20082
20083 @cindex send command to simulator
20084 Whenever a specific embedded processor has a simulator, @value{GDBN}
20085 allows to send an arbitrary command to the simulator.
20086
20087 @table @code
20088 @item sim @var{command}
20089 @kindex sim@r{, a command}
20090 Send an arbitrary @var{command} string to the simulator. Consult the
20091 documentation for the specific simulator in use for information about
20092 acceptable commands.
20093 @end table
20094
20095
20096 @menu
20097 * ARM:: ARM RDI
20098 * M32R/D:: Renesas M32R/D
20099 * M68K:: Motorola M68K
20100 * MicroBlaze:: Xilinx MicroBlaze
20101 * MIPS Embedded:: MIPS Embedded
20102 * PowerPC Embedded:: PowerPC Embedded
20103 * PA:: HP PA Embedded
20104 * Sparclet:: Tsqware Sparclet
20105 * Sparclite:: Fujitsu Sparclite
20106 * Z8000:: Zilog Z8000
20107 * AVR:: Atmel AVR
20108 * CRIS:: CRIS
20109 * Super-H:: Renesas Super-H
20110 @end menu
20111
20112 @node ARM
20113 @subsection ARM
20114 @cindex ARM RDI
20115
20116 @table @code
20117 @kindex target rdi
20118 @item target rdi @var{dev}
20119 ARM Angel monitor, via RDI library interface to ADP protocol. You may
20120 use this target to communicate with both boards running the Angel
20121 monitor, or with the EmbeddedICE JTAG debug device.
20122
20123 @kindex target rdp
20124 @item target rdp @var{dev}
20125 ARM Demon monitor.
20126
20127 @end table
20128
20129 @value{GDBN} provides the following ARM-specific commands:
20130
20131 @table @code
20132 @item set arm disassembler
20133 @kindex set arm
20134 This commands selects from a list of disassembly styles. The
20135 @code{"std"} style is the standard style.
20136
20137 @item show arm disassembler
20138 @kindex show arm
20139 Show the current disassembly style.
20140
20141 @item set arm apcs32
20142 @cindex ARM 32-bit mode
20143 This command toggles ARM operation mode between 32-bit and 26-bit.
20144
20145 @item show arm apcs32
20146 Display the current usage of the ARM 32-bit mode.
20147
20148 @item set arm fpu @var{fputype}
20149 This command sets the ARM floating-point unit (FPU) type. The
20150 argument @var{fputype} can be one of these:
20151
20152 @table @code
20153 @item auto
20154 Determine the FPU type by querying the OS ABI.
20155 @item softfpa
20156 Software FPU, with mixed-endian doubles on little-endian ARM
20157 processors.
20158 @item fpa
20159 GCC-compiled FPA co-processor.
20160 @item softvfp
20161 Software FPU with pure-endian doubles.
20162 @item vfp
20163 VFP co-processor.
20164 @end table
20165
20166 @item show arm fpu
20167 Show the current type of the FPU.
20168
20169 @item set arm abi
20170 This command forces @value{GDBN} to use the specified ABI.
20171
20172 @item show arm abi
20173 Show the currently used ABI.
20174
20175 @item set arm fallback-mode (arm|thumb|auto)
20176 @value{GDBN} uses the symbol table, when available, to determine
20177 whether instructions are ARM or Thumb. This command controls
20178 @value{GDBN}'s default behavior when the symbol table is not
20179 available. The default is @samp{auto}, which causes @value{GDBN} to
20180 use the current execution mode (from the @code{T} bit in the @code{CPSR}
20181 register).
20182
20183 @item show arm fallback-mode
20184 Show the current fallback instruction mode.
20185
20186 @item set arm force-mode (arm|thumb|auto)
20187 This command overrides use of the symbol table to determine whether
20188 instructions are ARM or Thumb. The default is @samp{auto}, which
20189 causes @value{GDBN} to use the symbol table and then the setting
20190 of @samp{set arm fallback-mode}.
20191
20192 @item show arm force-mode
20193 Show the current forced instruction mode.
20194
20195 @item set debug arm
20196 Toggle whether to display ARM-specific debugging messages from the ARM
20197 target support subsystem.
20198
20199 @item show debug arm
20200 Show whether ARM-specific debugging messages are enabled.
20201 @end table
20202
20203 The following commands are available when an ARM target is debugged
20204 using the RDI interface:
20205
20206 @table @code
20207 @item rdilogfile @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
20208 @kindex rdilogfile
20209 @cindex ADP (Angel Debugger Protocol) logging
20210 Set the filename for the ADP (Angel Debugger Protocol) packet log.
20211 With an argument, sets the log file to the specified @var{file}. With
20212 no argument, show the current log file name. The default log file is
20213 @file{rdi.log}.
20214
20215 @item rdilogenable @r{[}@var{arg}@r{]}
20216 @kindex rdilogenable
20217 Control logging of ADP packets. With an argument of 1 or @code{"yes"}
20218 enables logging, with an argument 0 or @code{"no"} disables it. With
20219 no arguments displays the current setting. When logging is enabled,
20220 ADP packets exchanged between @value{GDBN} and the RDI target device
20221 are logged to a file.
20222
20223 @item set rdiromatzero
20224 @kindex set rdiromatzero
20225 @cindex ROM at zero address, RDI
20226 Tell @value{GDBN} whether the target has ROM at address 0. If on,
20227 vector catching is disabled, so that zero address can be used. If off
20228 (the default), vector catching is enabled. For this command to take
20229 effect, it needs to be invoked prior to the @code{target rdi} command.
20230
20231 @item show rdiromatzero
20232 @kindex show rdiromatzero
20233 Show the current setting of ROM at zero address.
20234
20235 @item set rdiheartbeat
20236 @kindex set rdiheartbeat
20237 @cindex RDI heartbeat
20238 Enable or disable RDI heartbeat packets. It is not recommended to
20239 turn on this option, since it confuses ARM and EPI JTAG interface, as
20240 well as the Angel monitor.
20241
20242 @item show rdiheartbeat
20243 @kindex show rdiheartbeat
20244 Show the setting of RDI heartbeat packets.
20245 @end table
20246
20247 @table @code
20248 @item target sim @r{[}@var{simargs}@r{]} @dots{}
20249 The @value{GDBN} ARM simulator accepts the following optional arguments.
20250
20251 @table @code
20252 @item --swi-support=@var{type}
20253 Tell the simulator which SWI interfaces to support.
20254 @var{type} may be a comma separated list of the following values.
20255 The default value is @code{all}.
20256
20257 @table @code
20258 @item none
20259 @item demon
20260 @item angel
20261 @item redboot
20262 @item all
20263 @end table
20264 @end table
20265 @end table
20266
20267 @node M32R/D
20268 @subsection Renesas M32R/D and M32R/SDI
20269
20270 @table @code
20271 @kindex target m32r
20272 @item target m32r @var{dev}
20273 Renesas M32R/D ROM monitor.
20274
20275 @kindex target m32rsdi
20276 @item target m32rsdi @var{dev}
20277 Renesas M32R SDI server, connected via parallel port to the board.
20278 @end table
20279
20280 The following @value{GDBN} commands are specific to the M32R monitor:
20281
20282 @table @code
20283 @item set download-path @var{path}
20284 @kindex set download-path
20285 @cindex find downloadable @sc{srec} files (M32R)
20286 Set the default path for finding downloadable @sc{srec} files.
20287
20288 @item show download-path
20289 @kindex show download-path
20290 Show the default path for downloadable @sc{srec} files.
20291
20292 @item set board-address @var{addr}
20293 @kindex set board-address
20294 @cindex M32-EVA target board address
20295 Set the IP address for the M32R-EVA target board.
20296
20297 @item show board-address
20298 @kindex show board-address
20299 Show the current IP address of the target board.
20300
20301 @item set server-address @var{addr}
20302 @kindex set server-address
20303 @cindex download server address (M32R)
20304 Set the IP address for the download server, which is the @value{GDBN}'s
20305 host machine.
20306
20307 @item show server-address
20308 @kindex show server-address
20309 Display the IP address of the download server.
20310
20311 @item upload @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
20312 @kindex upload@r{, M32R}
20313 Upload the specified @sc{srec} @var{file} via the monitor's Ethernet
20314 upload capability. If no @var{file} argument is given, the current
20315 executable file is uploaded.
20316
20317 @item tload @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
20318 @kindex tload@r{, M32R}
20319 Test the @code{upload} command.
20320 @end table
20321
20322 The following commands are available for M32R/SDI:
20323
20324 @table @code
20325 @item sdireset
20326 @kindex sdireset
20327 @cindex reset SDI connection, M32R
20328 This command resets the SDI connection.
20329
20330 @item sdistatus
20331 @kindex sdistatus
20332 This command shows the SDI connection status.
20333
20334 @item debug_chaos
20335 @kindex debug_chaos
20336 @cindex M32R/Chaos debugging
20337 Instructs the remote that M32R/Chaos debugging is to be used.
20338
20339 @item use_debug_dma
20340 @kindex use_debug_dma
20341 Instructs the remote to use the DEBUG_DMA method of accessing memory.
20342
20343 @item use_mon_code
20344 @kindex use_mon_code
20345 Instructs the remote to use the MON_CODE method of accessing memory.
20346
20347 @item use_ib_break
20348 @kindex use_ib_break
20349 Instructs the remote to set breakpoints by IB break.
20350
20351 @item use_dbt_break
20352 @kindex use_dbt_break
20353 Instructs the remote to set breakpoints by DBT.
20354 @end table
20355
20356 @node M68K
20357 @subsection M68k
20358
20359 The Motorola m68k configuration includes ColdFire support, and a
20360 target command for the following ROM monitor.
20361
20362 @table @code
20363
20364 @kindex target dbug
20365 @item target dbug @var{dev}
20366 dBUG ROM monitor for Motorola ColdFire.
20367
20368 @end table
20369
20370 @node MicroBlaze
20371 @subsection MicroBlaze
20372 @cindex Xilinx MicroBlaze
20373 @cindex XMD, Xilinx Microprocessor Debugger
20374
20375 The MicroBlaze is a soft-core processor supported on various Xilinx
20376 FPGAs, such as Spartan or Virtex series. Boards with these processors
20377 usually have JTAG ports which connect to a host system running the Xilinx
20378 Embedded Development Kit (EDK) or Software Development Kit (SDK).
20379 This host system is used to download the configuration bitstream to
20380 the target FPGA. The Xilinx Microprocessor Debugger (XMD) program
20381 communicates with the target board using the JTAG interface and
20382 presents a @code{gdbserver} interface to the board. By default
20383 @code{xmd} uses port @code{1234}. (While it is possible to change
20384 this default port, it requires the use of undocumented @code{xmd}
20385 commands. Contact Xilinx support if you need to do this.)
20386
20387 Use these GDB commands to connect to the MicroBlaze target processor.
20388
20389 @table @code
20390 @item target remote :1234
20391 Use this command to connect to the target if you are running @value{GDBN}
20392 on the same system as @code{xmd}.
20393
20394 @item target remote @var{xmd-host}:1234
20395 Use this command to connect to the target if it is connected to @code{xmd}
20396 running on a different system named @var{xmd-host}.
20397
20398 @item load
20399 Use this command to download a program to the MicroBlaze target.
20400
20401 @item set debug microblaze @var{n}
20402 Enable MicroBlaze-specific debugging messages if non-zero.
20403
20404 @item show debug microblaze @var{n}
20405 Show MicroBlaze-specific debugging level.
20406 @end table
20407
20408 @node MIPS Embedded
20409 @subsection @acronym{MIPS} Embedded
20410
20411 @cindex @acronym{MIPS} boards
20412 @value{GDBN} can use the @acronym{MIPS} remote debugging protocol to talk to a
20413 @acronym{MIPS} board attached to a serial line. This is available when
20414 you configure @value{GDBN} with @samp{--target=mips-elf}.
20415
20416 @need 1000
20417 Use these @value{GDBN} commands to specify the connection to your target board:
20418
20419 @table @code
20420 @item target mips @var{port}
20421 @kindex target mips @var{port}
20422 To run a program on the board, start up @code{@value{GDBP}} with the
20423 name of your program as the argument. To connect to the board, use the
20424 command @samp{target mips @var{port}}, where @var{port} is the name of
20425 the serial port connected to the board. If the program has not already
20426 been downloaded to the board, you may use the @code{load} command to
20427 download it. You can then use all the usual @value{GDBN} commands.
20428
20429 For example, this sequence connects to the target board through a serial
20430 port, and loads and runs a program called @var{prog} through the
20431 debugger:
20432
20433 @smallexample
20434 host$ @value{GDBP} @var{prog}
20435 @value{GDBN} is free software and @dots{}
20436 (@value{GDBP}) target mips /dev/ttyb
20437 (@value{GDBP}) load @var{prog}
20438 (@value{GDBP}) run
20439 @end smallexample
20440
20441 @item target mips @var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}
20442 On some @value{GDBN} host configurations, you can specify a TCP
20443 connection (for instance, to a serial line managed by a terminal
20444 concentrator) instead of a serial port, using the syntax
20445 @samp{@var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}}.
20446
20447 @item target pmon @var{port}
20448 @kindex target pmon @var{port}
20449 PMON ROM monitor.
20450
20451 @item target ddb @var{port}
20452 @kindex target ddb @var{port}
20453 NEC's DDB variant of PMON for Vr4300.
20454
20455 @item target lsi @var{port}
20456 @kindex target lsi @var{port}
20457 LSI variant of PMON.
20458
20459 @kindex target r3900
20460 @item target r3900 @var{dev}
20461 Densan DVE-R3900 ROM monitor for Toshiba R3900 Mips.
20462
20463 @kindex target array
20464 @item target array @var{dev}
20465 Array Tech LSI33K RAID controller board.
20466
20467 @end table
20468
20469
20470 @noindent
20471 @value{GDBN} also supports these special commands for @acronym{MIPS} targets:
20472
20473 @table @code
20474 @item set mipsfpu double
20475 @itemx set mipsfpu single
20476 @itemx set mipsfpu none
20477 @itemx set mipsfpu auto
20478 @itemx show mipsfpu
20479 @kindex set mipsfpu
20480 @kindex show mipsfpu
20481 @cindex @acronym{MIPS} remote floating point
20482 @cindex floating point, @acronym{MIPS} remote
20483 If your target board does not support the @acronym{MIPS} floating point
20484 coprocessor, you should use the command @samp{set mipsfpu none} (if you
20485 need this, you may wish to put the command in your @value{GDBN} init
20486 file). This tells @value{GDBN} how to find the return value of
20487 functions which return floating point values. It also allows
20488 @value{GDBN} to avoid saving the floating point registers when calling
20489 functions on the board. If you are using a floating point coprocessor
20490 with only single precision floating point support, as on the @sc{r4650}
20491 processor, use the command @samp{set mipsfpu single}. The default
20492 double precision floating point coprocessor may be selected using
20493 @samp{set mipsfpu double}.
20494
20495 In previous versions the only choices were double precision or no
20496 floating point, so @samp{set mipsfpu on} will select double precision
20497 and @samp{set mipsfpu off} will select no floating point.
20498
20499 As usual, you can inquire about the @code{mipsfpu} variable with
20500 @samp{show mipsfpu}.
20501
20502 @item set timeout @var{seconds}
20503 @itemx set retransmit-timeout @var{seconds}
20504 @itemx show timeout
20505 @itemx show retransmit-timeout
20506 @cindex @code{timeout}, @acronym{MIPS} protocol
20507 @cindex @code{retransmit-timeout}, @acronym{MIPS} protocol
20508 @kindex set timeout
20509 @kindex show timeout
20510 @kindex set retransmit-timeout
20511 @kindex show retransmit-timeout
20512 You can control the timeout used while waiting for a packet, in the @acronym{MIPS}
20513 remote protocol, with the @code{set timeout @var{seconds}} command. The
20514 default is 5 seconds. Similarly, you can control the timeout used while
20515 waiting for an acknowledgment of a packet with the @code{set
20516 retransmit-timeout @var{seconds}} command. The default is 3 seconds.
20517 You can inspect both values with @code{show timeout} and @code{show
20518 retransmit-timeout}. (These commands are @emph{only} available when
20519 @value{GDBN} is configured for @samp{--target=mips-elf}.)
20520
20521 The timeout set by @code{set timeout} does not apply when @value{GDBN}
20522 is waiting for your program to stop. In that case, @value{GDBN} waits
20523 forever because it has no way of knowing how long the program is going
20524 to run before stopping.
20525
20526 @item set syn-garbage-limit @var{num}
20527 @kindex set syn-garbage-limit@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
20528 @cindex synchronize with remote @acronym{MIPS} target
20529 Limit the maximum number of characters @value{GDBN} should ignore when
20530 it tries to synchronize with the remote target. The default is 10
20531 characters. Setting the limit to -1 means there's no limit.
20532
20533 @item show syn-garbage-limit
20534 @kindex show syn-garbage-limit@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
20535 Show the current limit on the number of characters to ignore when
20536 trying to synchronize with the remote system.
20537
20538 @item set monitor-prompt @var{prompt}
20539 @kindex set monitor-prompt@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
20540 @cindex remote monitor prompt
20541 Tell @value{GDBN} to expect the specified @var{prompt} string from the
20542 remote monitor. The default depends on the target:
20543 @table @asis
20544 @item pmon target
20545 @samp{PMON}
20546 @item ddb target
20547 @samp{NEC010}
20548 @item lsi target
20549 @samp{PMON>}
20550 @end table
20551
20552 @item show monitor-prompt
20553 @kindex show monitor-prompt@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
20554 Show the current strings @value{GDBN} expects as the prompt from the
20555 remote monitor.
20556
20557 @item set monitor-warnings
20558 @kindex set monitor-warnings@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
20559 Enable or disable monitor warnings about hardware breakpoints. This
20560 has effect only for the @code{lsi} target. When on, @value{GDBN} will
20561 display warning messages whose codes are returned by the @code{lsi}
20562 PMON monitor for breakpoint commands.
20563
20564 @item show monitor-warnings
20565 @kindex show monitor-warnings@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
20566 Show the current setting of printing monitor warnings.
20567
20568 @item pmon @var{command}
20569 @kindex pmon@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
20570 @cindex send PMON command
20571 This command allows sending an arbitrary @var{command} string to the
20572 monitor. The monitor must be in debug mode for this to work.
20573 @end table
20574
20575 @node PowerPC Embedded
20576 @subsection PowerPC Embedded
20577
20578 @cindex DVC register
20579 @value{GDBN} supports using the DVC (Data Value Compare) register to
20580 implement in hardware simple hardware watchpoint conditions of the form:
20581
20582 @smallexample
20583 (@value{GDBP}) watch @var{ADDRESS|VARIABLE} \
20584 if @var{ADDRESS|VARIABLE} == @var{CONSTANT EXPRESSION}
20585 @end smallexample
20586
20587 The DVC register will be automatically used when @value{GDBN} detects
20588 such pattern in a condition expression, and the created watchpoint uses one
20589 debug register (either the @code{exact-watchpoints} option is on and the
20590 variable is scalar, or the variable has a length of one byte). This feature
20591 is available in native @value{GDBN} running on a Linux kernel version 2.6.34
20592 or newer.
20593
20594 When running on PowerPC embedded processors, @value{GDBN} automatically uses
20595 ranged hardware watchpoints, unless the @code{exact-watchpoints} option is on,
20596 in which case watchpoints using only one debug register are created when
20597 watching variables of scalar types.
20598
20599 You can create an artificial array to watch an arbitrary memory
20600 region using one of the following commands (@pxref{Expressions}):
20601
20602 @smallexample
20603 (@value{GDBP}) watch *((char *) @var{address})@@@var{length}
20604 (@value{GDBP}) watch @{char[@var{length}]@} @var{address}
20605 @end smallexample
20606
20607 PowerPC embedded processors support masked watchpoints. See the discussion
20608 about the @code{mask} argument in @ref{Set Watchpoints}.
20609
20610 @cindex ranged breakpoint
20611 PowerPC embedded processors support hardware accelerated
20612 @dfn{ranged breakpoints}. A ranged breakpoint stops execution of
20613 the inferior whenever it executes an instruction at any address within
20614 the range it specifies. To set a ranged breakpoint in @value{GDBN},
20615 use the @code{break-range} command.
20616
20617 @value{GDBN} provides the following PowerPC-specific commands:
20618
20619 @table @code
20620 @kindex break-range
20621 @item break-range @var{start-location}, @var{end-location}
20622 Set a breakpoint for an address range.
20623 @var{start-location} and @var{end-location} can specify a function name,
20624 a line number, an offset of lines from the current line or from the start
20625 location, or an address of an instruction (see @ref{Specify Location},
20626 for a list of all the possible ways to specify a @var{location}.)
20627 The breakpoint will stop execution of the inferior whenever it
20628 executes an instruction at any address within the specified range,
20629 (including @var{start-location} and @var{end-location}.)
20630
20631 @kindex set powerpc
20632 @item set powerpc soft-float
20633 @itemx show powerpc soft-float
20634 Force @value{GDBN} to use (or not use) a software floating point calling
20635 convention. By default, @value{GDBN} selects the calling convention based
20636 on the selected architecture and the provided executable file.
20637
20638 @item set powerpc vector-abi
20639 @itemx show powerpc vector-abi
20640 Force @value{GDBN} to use the specified calling convention for vector
20641 arguments and return values. The valid options are @samp{auto};
20642 @samp{generic}, to avoid vector registers even if they are present;
20643 @samp{altivec}, to use AltiVec registers; and @samp{spe} to use SPE
20644 registers. By default, @value{GDBN} selects the calling convention
20645 based on the selected architecture and the provided executable file.
20646
20647 @item set powerpc exact-watchpoints
20648 @itemx show powerpc exact-watchpoints
20649 Allow @value{GDBN} to use only one debug register when watching a variable
20650 of scalar type, thus assuming that the variable is accessed through the
20651 address of its first byte.
20652
20653 @kindex target dink32
20654 @item target dink32 @var{dev}
20655 DINK32 ROM monitor.
20656
20657 @kindex target ppcbug
20658 @item target ppcbug @var{dev}
20659 @kindex target ppcbug1
20660 @item target ppcbug1 @var{dev}
20661 PPCBUG ROM monitor for PowerPC.
20662
20663 @kindex target sds
20664 @item target sds @var{dev}
20665 SDS monitor, running on a PowerPC board (such as Motorola's ADS).
20666 @end table
20667
20668 @cindex SDS protocol
20669 The following commands specific to the SDS protocol are supported
20670 by @value{GDBN}:
20671
20672 @table @code
20673 @item set sdstimeout @var{nsec}
20674 @kindex set sdstimeout
20675 Set the timeout for SDS protocol reads to be @var{nsec} seconds. The
20676 default is 2 seconds.
20677
20678 @item show sdstimeout
20679 @kindex show sdstimeout
20680 Show the current value of the SDS timeout.
20681
20682 @item sds @var{command}
20683 @kindex sds@r{, a command}
20684 Send the specified @var{command} string to the SDS monitor.
20685 @end table
20686
20687
20688 @node PA
20689 @subsection HP PA Embedded
20690
20691 @table @code
20692
20693 @kindex target op50n
20694 @item target op50n @var{dev}
20695 OP50N monitor, running on an OKI HPPA board.
20696
20697 @kindex target w89k
20698 @item target w89k @var{dev}
20699 W89K monitor, running on a Winbond HPPA board.
20700
20701 @end table
20702
20703 @node Sparclet
20704 @subsection Tsqware Sparclet
20705
20706 @cindex Sparclet
20707
20708 @value{GDBN} enables developers to debug tasks running on
20709 Sparclet targets from a Unix host.
20710 @value{GDBN} uses code that runs on
20711 both the Unix host and on the Sparclet target. The program
20712 @code{@value{GDBP}} is installed and executed on the Unix host.
20713
20714 @table @code
20715 @item remotetimeout @var{args}
20716 @kindex remotetimeout
20717 @value{GDBN} supports the option @code{remotetimeout}.
20718 This option is set by the user, and @var{args} represents the number of
20719 seconds @value{GDBN} waits for responses.
20720 @end table
20721
20722 @cindex compiling, on Sparclet
20723 When compiling for debugging, include the options @samp{-g} to get debug
20724 information and @samp{-Ttext} to relocate the program to where you wish to
20725 load it on the target. You may also want to add the options @samp{-n} or
20726 @samp{-N} in order to reduce the size of the sections. Example:
20727
20728 @smallexample
20729 sparclet-aout-gcc prog.c -Ttext 0x12010000 -g -o prog -N
20730 @end smallexample
20731
20732 You can use @code{objdump} to verify that the addresses are what you intended:
20733
20734 @smallexample
20735 sparclet-aout-objdump --headers --syms prog
20736 @end smallexample
20737
20738 @cindex running, on Sparclet
20739 Once you have set
20740 your Unix execution search path to find @value{GDBN}, you are ready to
20741 run @value{GDBN}. From your Unix host, run @code{@value{GDBP}}
20742 (or @code{sparclet-aout-gdb}, depending on your installation).
20743
20744 @value{GDBN} comes up showing the prompt:
20745
20746 @smallexample
20747 (gdbslet)
20748 @end smallexample
20749
20750 @menu
20751 * Sparclet File:: Setting the file to debug
20752 * Sparclet Connection:: Connecting to Sparclet
20753 * Sparclet Download:: Sparclet download
20754 * Sparclet Execution:: Running and debugging
20755 @end menu
20756
20757 @node Sparclet File
20758 @subsubsection Setting File to Debug
20759
20760 The @value{GDBN} command @code{file} lets you choose with program to debug.
20761
20762 @smallexample
20763 (gdbslet) file prog
20764 @end smallexample
20765
20766 @need 1000
20767 @value{GDBN} then attempts to read the symbol table of @file{prog}.
20768 @value{GDBN} locates
20769 the file by searching the directories listed in the command search
20770 path.
20771 If the file was compiled with debug information (option @samp{-g}), source
20772 files will be searched as well.
20773 @value{GDBN} locates
20774 the source files by searching the directories listed in the directory search
20775 path (@pxref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}).
20776 If it fails
20777 to find a file, it displays a message such as:
20778
20779 @smallexample
20780 prog: No such file or directory.
20781 @end smallexample
20782
20783 When this happens, add the appropriate directories to the search paths with
20784 the @value{GDBN} commands @code{path} and @code{dir}, and execute the
20785 @code{target} command again.
20786
20787 @node Sparclet Connection
20788 @subsubsection Connecting to Sparclet
20789
20790 The @value{GDBN} command @code{target} lets you connect to a Sparclet target.
20791 To connect to a target on serial port ``@code{ttya}'', type:
20792
20793 @smallexample
20794 (gdbslet) target sparclet /dev/ttya
20795 Remote target sparclet connected to /dev/ttya
20796 main () at ../prog.c:3
20797 @end smallexample
20798
20799 @need 750
20800 @value{GDBN} displays messages like these:
20801
20802 @smallexample
20803 Connected to ttya.
20804 @end smallexample
20805
20806 @node Sparclet Download
20807 @subsubsection Sparclet Download
20808
20809 @cindex download to Sparclet
20810 Once connected to the Sparclet target,
20811 you can use the @value{GDBN}
20812 @code{load} command to download the file from the host to the target.
20813 The file name and load offset should be given as arguments to the @code{load}
20814 command.
20815 Since the file format is aout, the program must be loaded to the starting
20816 address. You can use @code{objdump} to find out what this value is. The load
20817 offset is an offset which is added to the VMA (virtual memory address)
20818 of each of the file's sections.
20819 For instance, if the program
20820 @file{prog} was linked to text address 0x1201000, with data at 0x12010160
20821 and bss at 0x12010170, in @value{GDBN}, type:
20822
20823 @smallexample
20824 (gdbslet) load prog 0x12010000
20825 Loading section .text, size 0xdb0 vma 0x12010000
20826 @end smallexample
20827
20828 If the code is loaded at a different address then what the program was linked
20829 to, you may need to use the @code{section} and @code{add-symbol-file} commands
20830 to tell @value{GDBN} where to map the symbol table.
20831
20832 @node Sparclet Execution
20833 @subsubsection Running and Debugging
20834
20835 @cindex running and debugging Sparclet programs
20836 You can now begin debugging the task using @value{GDBN}'s execution control
20837 commands, @code{b}, @code{step}, @code{run}, etc. See the @value{GDBN}
20838 manual for the list of commands.
20839
20840 @smallexample
20841 (gdbslet) b main
20842 Breakpoint 1 at 0x12010000: file prog.c, line 3.
20843 (gdbslet) run
20844 Starting program: prog
20845 Breakpoint 1, main (argc=1, argv=0xeffff21c) at prog.c:3
20846 3 char *symarg = 0;
20847 (gdbslet) step
20848 4 char *execarg = "hello!";
20849 (gdbslet)
20850 @end smallexample
20851
20852 @node Sparclite
20853 @subsection Fujitsu Sparclite
20854
20855 @table @code
20856
20857 @kindex target sparclite
20858 @item target sparclite @var{dev}
20859 Fujitsu sparclite boards, used only for the purpose of loading.
20860 You must use an additional command to debug the program.
20861 For example: target remote @var{dev} using @value{GDBN} standard
20862 remote protocol.
20863
20864 @end table
20865
20866 @node Z8000
20867 @subsection Zilog Z8000
20868
20869 @cindex Z8000
20870 @cindex simulator, Z8000
20871 @cindex Zilog Z8000 simulator
20872
20873 When configured for debugging Zilog Z8000 targets, @value{GDBN} includes
20874 a Z8000 simulator.
20875
20876 For the Z8000 family, @samp{target sim} simulates either the Z8002 (the
20877 unsegmented variant of the Z8000 architecture) or the Z8001 (the
20878 segmented variant). The simulator recognizes which architecture is
20879 appropriate by inspecting the object code.
20880
20881 @table @code
20882 @item target sim @var{args}
20883 @kindex sim
20884 @kindex target sim@r{, with Z8000}
20885 Debug programs on a simulated CPU. If the simulator supports setup
20886 options, specify them via @var{args}.
20887 @end table
20888
20889 @noindent
20890 After specifying this target, you can debug programs for the simulated
20891 CPU in the same style as programs for your host computer; use the
20892 @code{file} command to load a new program image, the @code{run} command
20893 to run your program, and so on.
20894
20895 As well as making available all the usual machine registers
20896 (@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}), the Z8000 simulator provides three
20897 additional items of information as specially named registers:
20898
20899 @table @code
20900
20901 @item cycles
20902 Counts clock-ticks in the simulator.
20903
20904 @item insts
20905 Counts instructions run in the simulator.
20906
20907 @item time
20908 Execution time in 60ths of a second.
20909
20910 @end table
20911
20912 You can refer to these values in @value{GDBN} expressions with the usual
20913 conventions; for example, @w{@samp{b fputc if $cycles>5000}} sets a
20914 conditional breakpoint that suspends only after at least 5000
20915 simulated clock ticks.
20916
20917 @node AVR
20918 @subsection Atmel AVR
20919 @cindex AVR
20920
20921 When configured for debugging the Atmel AVR, @value{GDBN} supports the
20922 following AVR-specific commands:
20923
20924 @table @code
20925 @item info io_registers
20926 @kindex info io_registers@r{, AVR}
20927 @cindex I/O registers (Atmel AVR)
20928 This command displays information about the AVR I/O registers. For
20929 each register, @value{GDBN} prints its number and value.
20930 @end table
20931
20932 @node CRIS
20933 @subsection CRIS
20934 @cindex CRIS
20935
20936 When configured for debugging CRIS, @value{GDBN} provides the
20937 following CRIS-specific commands:
20938
20939 @table @code
20940 @item set cris-version @var{ver}
20941 @cindex CRIS version
20942 Set the current CRIS version to @var{ver}, either @samp{10} or @samp{32}.
20943 The CRIS version affects register names and sizes. This command is useful in
20944 case autodetection of the CRIS version fails.
20945
20946 @item show cris-version
20947 Show the current CRIS version.
20948
20949 @item set cris-dwarf2-cfi
20950 @cindex DWARF-2 CFI and CRIS
20951 Set the usage of DWARF-2 CFI for CRIS debugging. The default is @samp{on}.
20952 Change to @samp{off} when using @code{gcc-cris} whose version is below
20953 @code{R59}.
20954
20955 @item show cris-dwarf2-cfi
20956 Show the current state of using DWARF-2 CFI.
20957
20958 @item set cris-mode @var{mode}
20959 @cindex CRIS mode
20960 Set the current CRIS mode to @var{mode}. It should only be changed when
20961 debugging in guru mode, in which case it should be set to
20962 @samp{guru} (the default is @samp{normal}).
20963
20964 @item show cris-mode
20965 Show the current CRIS mode.
20966 @end table
20967
20968 @node Super-H
20969 @subsection Renesas Super-H
20970 @cindex Super-H
20971
20972 For the Renesas Super-H processor, @value{GDBN} provides these
20973 commands:
20974
20975 @table @code
20976 @item set sh calling-convention @var{convention}
20977 @kindex set sh calling-convention
20978 Set the calling-convention used when calling functions from @value{GDBN}.
20979 Allowed values are @samp{gcc}, which is the default setting, and @samp{renesas}.
20980 With the @samp{gcc} setting, functions are called using the @value{NGCC} calling
20981 convention. If the DWARF-2 information of the called function specifies
20982 that the function follows the Renesas calling convention, the function
20983 is called using the Renesas calling convention. If the calling convention
20984 is set to @samp{renesas}, the Renesas calling convention is always used,
20985 regardless of the DWARF-2 information. This can be used to override the
20986 default of @samp{gcc} if debug information is missing, or the compiler
20987 does not emit the DWARF-2 calling convention entry for a function.
20988
20989 @item show sh calling-convention
20990 @kindex show sh calling-convention
20991 Show the current calling convention setting.
20992
20993 @end table
20994
20995
20996 @node Architectures
20997 @section Architectures
20998
20999 This section describes characteristics of architectures that affect
21000 all uses of @value{GDBN} with the architecture, both native and cross.
21001
21002 @menu
21003 * AArch64::
21004 * i386::
21005 * Alpha::
21006 * MIPS::
21007 * HPPA:: HP PA architecture
21008 * SPU:: Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture
21009 * PowerPC::
21010 * Nios II::
21011 @end menu
21012
21013 @node AArch64
21014 @subsection AArch64
21015 @cindex AArch64 support
21016
21017 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the AArch64 architecture, it provides the
21018 following special commands:
21019
21020 @table @code
21021 @item set debug aarch64
21022 @kindex set debug aarch64
21023 This command determines whether AArch64 architecture-specific debugging
21024 messages are to be displayed.
21025
21026 @item show debug aarch64
21027 Show whether AArch64 debugging messages are displayed.
21028
21029 @end table
21030
21031 @node i386
21032 @subsection x86 Architecture-specific Issues
21033
21034 @table @code
21035 @item set struct-convention @var{mode}
21036 @kindex set struct-convention
21037 @cindex struct return convention
21038 @cindex struct/union returned in registers
21039 Set the convention used by the inferior to return @code{struct}s and
21040 @code{union}s from functions to @var{mode}. Possible values of
21041 @var{mode} are @code{"pcc"}, @code{"reg"}, and @code{"default"} (the
21042 default). @code{"default"} or @code{"pcc"} means that @code{struct}s
21043 are returned on the stack, while @code{"reg"} means that a
21044 @code{struct} or a @code{union} whose size is 1, 2, 4, or 8 bytes will
21045 be returned in a register.
21046
21047 @item show struct-convention
21048 @kindex show struct-convention
21049 Show the current setting of the convention to return @code{struct}s
21050 from functions.
21051 @end table
21052
21053 @node Alpha
21054 @subsection Alpha
21055
21056 See the following section.
21057
21058 @node MIPS
21059 @subsection @acronym{MIPS}
21060
21061 @cindex stack on Alpha
21062 @cindex stack on @acronym{MIPS}
21063 @cindex Alpha stack
21064 @cindex @acronym{MIPS} stack
21065 Alpha- and @acronym{MIPS}-based computers use an unusual stack frame, which
21066 sometimes requires @value{GDBN} to search backward in the object code to
21067 find the beginning of a function.
21068
21069 @cindex response time, @acronym{MIPS} debugging
21070 To improve response time (especially for embedded applications, where
21071 @value{GDBN} may be restricted to a slow serial line for this search)
21072 you may want to limit the size of this search, using one of these
21073 commands:
21074
21075 @table @code
21076 @cindex @code{heuristic-fence-post} (Alpha, @acronym{MIPS})
21077 @item set heuristic-fence-post @var{limit}
21078 Restrict @value{GDBN} to examining at most @var{limit} bytes in its
21079 search for the beginning of a function. A value of @var{0} (the
21080 default) means there is no limit. However, except for @var{0}, the
21081 larger the limit the more bytes @code{heuristic-fence-post} must search
21082 and therefore the longer it takes to run. You should only need to use
21083 this command when debugging a stripped executable.
21084
21085 @item show heuristic-fence-post
21086 Display the current limit.
21087 @end table
21088
21089 @noindent
21090 These commands are available @emph{only} when @value{GDBN} is configured
21091 for debugging programs on Alpha or @acronym{MIPS} processors.
21092
21093 Several @acronym{MIPS}-specific commands are available when debugging @acronym{MIPS}
21094 programs:
21095
21096 @table @code
21097 @item set mips abi @var{arg}
21098 @kindex set mips abi
21099 @cindex set ABI for @acronym{MIPS}
21100 Tell @value{GDBN} which @acronym{MIPS} ABI is used by the inferior. Possible
21101 values of @var{arg} are:
21102
21103 @table @samp
21104 @item auto
21105 The default ABI associated with the current binary (this is the
21106 default).
21107 @item o32
21108 @item o64
21109 @item n32
21110 @item n64
21111 @item eabi32
21112 @item eabi64
21113 @end table
21114
21115 @item show mips abi
21116 @kindex show mips abi
21117 Show the @acronym{MIPS} ABI used by @value{GDBN} to debug the inferior.
21118
21119 @item set mips compression @var{arg}
21120 @kindex set mips compression
21121 @cindex code compression, @acronym{MIPS}
21122 Tell @value{GDBN} which @acronym{MIPS} compressed
21123 @acronym{ISA, Instruction Set Architecture} encoding is used by the
21124 inferior. @value{GDBN} uses this for code disassembly and other
21125 internal interpretation purposes. This setting is only referred to
21126 when no executable has been associated with the debugging session or
21127 the executable does not provide information about the encoding it uses.
21128 Otherwise this setting is automatically updated from information
21129 provided by the executable.
21130
21131 Possible values of @var{arg} are @samp{mips16} and @samp{micromips}.
21132 The default compressed @acronym{ISA} encoding is @samp{mips16}, as
21133 executables containing @acronym{MIPS16} code frequently are not
21134 identified as such.
21135
21136 This setting is ``sticky''; that is, it retains its value across
21137 debugging sessions until reset either explicitly with this command or
21138 implicitly from an executable.
21139
21140 The compiler and/or assembler typically add symbol table annotations to
21141 identify functions compiled for the @acronym{MIPS16} or
21142 @acronym{microMIPS} @acronym{ISA}s. If these function-scope annotations
21143 are present, @value{GDBN} uses them in preference to the global
21144 compressed @acronym{ISA} encoding setting.
21145
21146 @item show mips compression
21147 @kindex show mips compression
21148 Show the @acronym{MIPS} compressed @acronym{ISA} encoding used by
21149 @value{GDBN} to debug the inferior.
21150
21151 @item set mipsfpu
21152 @itemx show mipsfpu
21153 @xref{MIPS Embedded, set mipsfpu}.
21154
21155 @item set mips mask-address @var{arg}
21156 @kindex set mips mask-address
21157 @cindex @acronym{MIPS} addresses, masking
21158 This command determines whether the most-significant 32 bits of 64-bit
21159 @acronym{MIPS} addresses are masked off. The argument @var{arg} can be
21160 @samp{on}, @samp{off}, or @samp{auto}. The latter is the default
21161 setting, which lets @value{GDBN} determine the correct value.
21162
21163 @item show mips mask-address
21164 @kindex show mips mask-address
21165 Show whether the upper 32 bits of @acronym{MIPS} addresses are masked off or
21166 not.
21167
21168 @item set remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
21169 @kindex set remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
21170 This command controls compatibility with 64-bit @acronym{MIPS} targets that
21171 transfer data in 32-bit quantities. If you have an old @acronym{MIPS} 64 target
21172 that transfers 32 bits for some registers, like @sc{sr} and @sc{fsr},
21173 and 64 bits for other registers, set this option to @samp{on}.
21174
21175 @item show remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
21176 @kindex show remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
21177 Show the current setting of compatibility with older @acronym{MIPS} 64 targets.
21178
21179 @item set debug mips
21180 @kindex set debug mips
21181 This command turns on and off debugging messages for the @acronym{MIPS}-specific
21182 target code in @value{GDBN}.
21183
21184 @item show debug mips
21185 @kindex show debug mips
21186 Show the current setting of @acronym{MIPS} debugging messages.
21187 @end table
21188
21189
21190 @node HPPA
21191 @subsection HPPA
21192 @cindex HPPA support
21193
21194 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the HP PA architecture, it provides the
21195 following special commands:
21196
21197 @table @code
21198 @item set debug hppa
21199 @kindex set debug hppa
21200 This command determines whether HPPA architecture-specific debugging
21201 messages are to be displayed.
21202
21203 @item show debug hppa
21204 Show whether HPPA debugging messages are displayed.
21205
21206 @item maint print unwind @var{address}
21207 @kindex maint print unwind@r{, HPPA}
21208 This command displays the contents of the unwind table entry at the
21209 given @var{address}.
21210
21211 @end table
21212
21213
21214 @node SPU
21215 @subsection Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture
21216 @cindex Cell Broadband Engine
21217 @cindex SPU
21218
21219 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture,
21220 it provides the following special commands:
21221
21222 @table @code
21223 @item info spu event
21224 @kindex info spu
21225 Display SPU event facility status. Shows current event mask
21226 and pending event status.
21227
21228 @item info spu signal
21229 Display SPU signal notification facility status. Shows pending
21230 signal-control word and signal notification mode of both signal
21231 notification channels.
21232
21233 @item info spu mailbox
21234 Display SPU mailbox facility status. Shows all pending entries,
21235 in order of processing, in each of the SPU Write Outbound,
21236 SPU Write Outbound Interrupt, and SPU Read Inbound mailboxes.
21237
21238 @item info spu dma
21239 Display MFC DMA status. Shows all pending commands in the MFC
21240 DMA queue. For each entry, opcode, tag, class IDs, effective
21241 and local store addresses and transfer size are shown.
21242
21243 @item info spu proxydma
21244 Display MFC Proxy-DMA status. Shows all pending commands in the MFC
21245 Proxy-DMA queue. For each entry, opcode, tag, class IDs, effective
21246 and local store addresses and transfer size are shown.
21247
21248 @end table
21249
21250 When @value{GDBN} is debugging a combined PowerPC/SPU application
21251 on the Cell Broadband Engine, it provides in addition the following
21252 special commands:
21253
21254 @table @code
21255 @item set spu stop-on-load @var{arg}
21256 @kindex set spu
21257 Set whether to stop for new SPE threads. When set to @code{on}, @value{GDBN}
21258 will give control to the user when a new SPE thread enters its @code{main}
21259 function. The default is @code{off}.
21260
21261 @item show spu stop-on-load
21262 @kindex show spu
21263 Show whether to stop for new SPE threads.
21264
21265 @item set spu auto-flush-cache @var{arg}
21266 Set whether to automatically flush the software-managed cache. When set to
21267 @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will automatically cause the SPE software-managed
21268 cache to be flushed whenever SPE execution stops. This provides a consistent
21269 view of PowerPC memory that is accessed via the cache. If an application
21270 does not use the software-managed cache, this option has no effect.
21271
21272 @item show spu auto-flush-cache
21273 Show whether to automatically flush the software-managed cache.
21274
21275 @end table
21276
21277 @node PowerPC
21278 @subsection PowerPC
21279 @cindex PowerPC architecture
21280
21281 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the PowerPC architecture, it provides a set of
21282 pseudo-registers to enable inspection of 128-bit wide Decimal Floating Point
21283 numbers stored in the floating point registers. These values must be stored
21284 in two consecutive registers, always starting at an even register like
21285 @code{f0} or @code{f2}.
21286
21287 The pseudo-registers go from @code{$dl0} through @code{$dl15}, and are formed
21288 by joining the even/odd register pairs @code{f0} and @code{f1} for @code{$dl0},
21289 @code{f2} and @code{f3} for @code{$dl1} and so on.
21290
21291 For POWER7 processors, @value{GDBN} provides a set of pseudo-registers, the 64-bit
21292 wide Extended Floating Point Registers (@samp{f32} through @samp{f63}).
21293
21294 @node Nios II
21295 @subsection Nios II
21296 @cindex Nios II architecture
21297
21298 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the Nios II architecture,
21299 it provides the following special commands:
21300
21301 @table @code
21302
21303 @item set debug nios2
21304 @kindex set debug nios2
21305 This command turns on and off debugging messages for the Nios II
21306 target code in @value{GDBN}.
21307
21308 @item show debug nios2
21309 @kindex show debug nios2
21310 Show the current setting of Nios II debugging messages.
21311 @end table
21312
21313 @node Controlling GDB
21314 @chapter Controlling @value{GDBN}
21315
21316 You can alter the way @value{GDBN} interacts with you by using the
21317 @code{set} command. For commands controlling how @value{GDBN} displays
21318 data, see @ref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}. Other settings are
21319 described here.
21320
21321 @menu
21322 * Prompt:: Prompt
21323 * Editing:: Command editing
21324 * Command History:: Command history
21325 * Screen Size:: Screen size
21326 * Numbers:: Numbers
21327 * ABI:: Configuring the current ABI
21328 * Auto-loading:: Automatically loading associated files
21329 * Messages/Warnings:: Optional warnings and messages
21330 * Debugging Output:: Optional messages about internal happenings
21331 * Other Misc Settings:: Other Miscellaneous Settings
21332 @end menu
21333
21334 @node Prompt
21335 @section Prompt
21336
21337 @cindex prompt
21338
21339 @value{GDBN} indicates its readiness to read a command by printing a string
21340 called the @dfn{prompt}. This string is normally @samp{(@value{GDBP})}. You
21341 can change the prompt string with the @code{set prompt} command. For
21342 instance, when debugging @value{GDBN} with @value{GDBN}, it is useful to change
21343 the prompt in one of the @value{GDBN} sessions so that you can always tell
21344 which one you are talking to.
21345
21346 @emph{Note:} @code{set prompt} does not add a space for you after the
21347 prompt you set. This allows you to set a prompt which ends in a space
21348 or a prompt that does not.
21349
21350 @table @code
21351 @kindex set prompt
21352 @item set prompt @var{newprompt}
21353 Directs @value{GDBN} to use @var{newprompt} as its prompt string henceforth.
21354
21355 @kindex show prompt
21356 @item show prompt
21357 Prints a line of the form: @samp{Gdb's prompt is: @var{your-prompt}}
21358 @end table
21359
21360 Versions of @value{GDBN} that ship with Python scripting enabled have
21361 prompt extensions. The commands for interacting with these extensions
21362 are:
21363
21364 @table @code
21365 @kindex set extended-prompt
21366 @item set extended-prompt @var{prompt}
21367 Set an extended prompt that allows for substitutions.
21368 @xref{gdb.prompt}, for a list of escape sequences that can be used for
21369 substitution. Any escape sequences specified as part of the prompt
21370 string are replaced with the corresponding strings each time the prompt
21371 is displayed.
21372
21373 For example:
21374
21375 @smallexample
21376 set extended-prompt Current working directory: \w (gdb)
21377 @end smallexample
21378
21379 Note that when an extended-prompt is set, it takes control of the
21380 @var{prompt_hook} hook. @xref{prompt_hook}, for further information.
21381
21382 @kindex show extended-prompt
21383 @item show extended-prompt
21384 Prints the extended prompt. Any escape sequences specified as part of
21385 the prompt string with @code{set extended-prompt}, are replaced with the
21386 corresponding strings each time the prompt is displayed.
21387 @end table
21388
21389 @node Editing
21390 @section Command Editing
21391 @cindex readline
21392 @cindex command line editing
21393
21394 @value{GDBN} reads its input commands via the @dfn{Readline} interface. This
21395 @sc{gnu} library provides consistent behavior for programs which provide a
21396 command line interface to the user. Advantages are @sc{gnu} Emacs-style
21397 or @dfn{vi}-style inline editing of commands, @code{csh}-like history
21398 substitution, and a storage and recall of command history across
21399 debugging sessions.
21400
21401 You may control the behavior of command line editing in @value{GDBN} with the
21402 command @code{set}.
21403
21404 @table @code
21405 @kindex set editing
21406 @cindex editing
21407 @item set editing
21408 @itemx set editing on
21409 Enable command line editing (enabled by default).
21410
21411 @item set editing off
21412 Disable command line editing.
21413
21414 @kindex show editing
21415 @item show editing
21416 Show whether command line editing is enabled.
21417 @end table
21418
21419 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
21420 @xref{Command Line Editing, , , rluserman, GNU Readline Library},
21421 @end ifset
21422 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
21423 @xref{Command Line Editing},
21424 @end ifclear
21425 for more details about the Readline
21426 interface. Users unfamiliar with @sc{gnu} Emacs or @code{vi} are
21427 encouraged to read that chapter.
21428
21429 @node Command History
21430 @section Command History
21431 @cindex command history
21432
21433 @value{GDBN} can keep track of the commands you type during your
21434 debugging sessions, so that you can be certain of precisely what
21435 happened. Use these commands to manage the @value{GDBN} command
21436 history facility.
21437
21438 @value{GDBN} uses the @sc{gnu} History library, a part of the Readline
21439 package, to provide the history facility.
21440 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
21441 @xref{Using History Interactively, , , history, GNU History Library},
21442 @end ifset
21443 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
21444 @xref{Using History Interactively},
21445 @end ifclear
21446 for the detailed description of the History library.
21447
21448 To issue a command to @value{GDBN} without affecting certain aspects of
21449 the state which is seen by users, prefix it with @samp{server }
21450 (@pxref{Server Prefix}). This
21451 means that this command will not affect the command history, nor will it
21452 affect @value{GDBN}'s notion of which command to repeat if @key{RET} is
21453 pressed on a line by itself.
21454
21455 @cindex @code{server}, command prefix
21456 The server prefix does not affect the recording of values into the value
21457 history; to print a value without recording it into the value history,
21458 use the @code{output} command instead of the @code{print} command.
21459
21460 Here is the description of @value{GDBN} commands related to command
21461 history.
21462
21463 @table @code
21464 @cindex history substitution
21465 @cindex history file
21466 @kindex set history filename
21467 @cindex @env{GDBHISTFILE}, environment variable
21468 @item set history filename @var{fname}
21469 Set the name of the @value{GDBN} command history file to @var{fname}.
21470 This is the file where @value{GDBN} reads an initial command history
21471 list, and where it writes the command history from this session when it
21472 exits. You can access this list through history expansion or through
21473 the history command editing characters listed below. This file defaults
21474 to the value of the environment variable @code{GDBHISTFILE}, or to
21475 @file{./.gdb_history} (@file{./_gdb_history} on MS-DOS) if this variable
21476 is not set.
21477
21478 @cindex save command history
21479 @kindex set history save
21480 @item set history save
21481 @itemx set history save on
21482 Record command history in a file, whose name may be specified with the
21483 @code{set history filename} command. By default, this option is disabled.
21484
21485 @item set history save off
21486 Stop recording command history in a file.
21487
21488 @cindex history size
21489 @kindex set history size
21490 @cindex @env{HISTSIZE}, environment variable
21491 @item set history size @var{size}
21492 @itemx set history size unlimited
21493 Set the number of commands which @value{GDBN} keeps in its history list.
21494 This defaults to the value of the environment variable
21495 @code{HISTSIZE}, or to 256 if this variable is not set. If @var{size}
21496 is @code{unlimited}, the number of commands @value{GDBN} keeps in the
21497 history list is unlimited.
21498 @end table
21499
21500 History expansion assigns special meaning to the character @kbd{!}.
21501 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
21502 @xref{Event Designators, , , history, GNU History Library},
21503 @end ifset
21504 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
21505 @xref{Event Designators},
21506 @end ifclear
21507 for more details.
21508
21509 @cindex history expansion, turn on/off
21510 Since @kbd{!} is also the logical not operator in C, history expansion
21511 is off by default. If you decide to enable history expansion with the
21512 @code{set history expansion on} command, you may sometimes need to
21513 follow @kbd{!} (when it is used as logical not, in an expression) with
21514 a space or a tab to prevent it from being expanded. The readline
21515 history facilities do not attempt substitution on the strings
21516 @kbd{!=} and @kbd{!(}, even when history expansion is enabled.
21517
21518 The commands to control history expansion are:
21519
21520 @table @code
21521 @item set history expansion on
21522 @itemx set history expansion
21523 @kindex set history expansion
21524 Enable history expansion. History expansion is off by default.
21525
21526 @item set history expansion off
21527 Disable history expansion.
21528
21529 @c @group
21530 @kindex show history
21531 @item show history
21532 @itemx show history filename
21533 @itemx show history save
21534 @itemx show history size
21535 @itemx show history expansion
21536 These commands display the state of the @value{GDBN} history parameters.
21537 @code{show history} by itself displays all four states.
21538 @c @end group
21539 @end table
21540
21541 @table @code
21542 @kindex show commands
21543 @cindex show last commands
21544 @cindex display command history
21545 @item show commands
21546 Display the last ten commands in the command history.
21547
21548 @item show commands @var{n}
21549 Print ten commands centered on command number @var{n}.
21550
21551 @item show commands +
21552 Print ten commands just after the commands last printed.
21553 @end table
21554
21555 @node Screen Size
21556 @section Screen Size
21557 @cindex size of screen
21558 @cindex pauses in output
21559
21560 Certain commands to @value{GDBN} may produce large amounts of
21561 information output to the screen. To help you read all of it,
21562 @value{GDBN} pauses and asks you for input at the end of each page of
21563 output. Type @key{RET} when you want to continue the output, or @kbd{q}
21564 to discard the remaining output. Also, the screen width setting
21565 determines when to wrap lines of output. Depending on what is being
21566 printed, @value{GDBN} tries to break the line at a readable place,
21567 rather than simply letting it overflow onto the following line.
21568
21569 Normally @value{GDBN} knows the size of the screen from the terminal
21570 driver software. For example, on Unix @value{GDBN} uses the termcap data base
21571 together with the value of the @code{TERM} environment variable and the
21572 @code{stty rows} and @code{stty cols} settings. If this is not correct,
21573 you can override it with the @code{set height} and @code{set
21574 width} commands:
21575
21576 @table @code
21577 @kindex set height
21578 @kindex set width
21579 @kindex show width
21580 @kindex show height
21581 @item set height @var{lpp}
21582 @itemx set height unlimited
21583 @itemx show height
21584 @itemx set width @var{cpl}
21585 @itemx set width unlimited
21586 @itemx show width
21587 These @code{set} commands specify a screen height of @var{lpp} lines and
21588 a screen width of @var{cpl} characters. The associated @code{show}
21589 commands display the current settings.
21590
21591 If you specify a height of either @code{unlimited} or zero lines,
21592 @value{GDBN} does not pause during output no matter how long the
21593 output is. This is useful if output is to a file or to an editor
21594 buffer.
21595
21596 Likewise, you can specify @samp{set width unlimited} or @samp{set
21597 width 0} to prevent @value{GDBN} from wrapping its output.
21598
21599 @item set pagination on
21600 @itemx set pagination off
21601 @kindex set pagination
21602 Turn the output pagination on or off; the default is on. Turning
21603 pagination off is the alternative to @code{set height unlimited}. Note that
21604 running @value{GDBN} with the @option{--batch} option (@pxref{Mode
21605 Options, -batch}) also automatically disables pagination.
21606
21607 @item show pagination
21608 @kindex show pagination
21609 Show the current pagination mode.
21610 @end table
21611
21612 @node Numbers
21613 @section Numbers
21614 @cindex number representation
21615 @cindex entering numbers
21616
21617 You can always enter numbers in octal, decimal, or hexadecimal in
21618 @value{GDBN} by the usual conventions: octal numbers begin with
21619 @samp{0}, decimal numbers end with @samp{.}, and hexadecimal numbers
21620 begin with @samp{0x}. Numbers that neither begin with @samp{0} or
21621 @samp{0x}, nor end with a @samp{.} are, by default, entered in base
21622 10; likewise, the default display for numbers---when no particular
21623 format is specified---is base 10. You can change the default base for
21624 both input and output with the commands described below.
21625
21626 @table @code
21627 @kindex set input-radix
21628 @item set input-radix @var{base}
21629 Set the default base for numeric input. Supported choices
21630 for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. @var{base} must itself be
21631 specified either unambiguously or using the current input radix; for
21632 example, any of
21633
21634 @smallexample
21635 set input-radix 012
21636 set input-radix 10.
21637 set input-radix 0xa
21638 @end smallexample
21639
21640 @noindent
21641 sets the input base to decimal. On the other hand, @samp{set input-radix 10}
21642 leaves the input radix unchanged, no matter what it was, since
21643 @samp{10}, being without any leading or trailing signs of its base, is
21644 interpreted in the current radix. Thus, if the current radix is 16,
21645 @samp{10} is interpreted in hex, i.e.@: as 16 decimal, which doesn't
21646 change the radix.
21647
21648 @kindex set output-radix
21649 @item set output-radix @var{base}
21650 Set the default base for numeric display. Supported choices
21651 for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. @var{base} must itself be
21652 specified either unambiguously or using the current input radix.
21653
21654 @kindex show input-radix
21655 @item show input-radix
21656 Display the current default base for numeric input.
21657
21658 @kindex show output-radix
21659 @item show output-radix
21660 Display the current default base for numeric display.
21661
21662 @item set radix @r{[}@var{base}@r{]}
21663 @itemx show radix
21664 @kindex set radix
21665 @kindex show radix
21666 These commands set and show the default base for both input and output
21667 of numbers. @code{set radix} sets the radix of input and output to
21668 the same base; without an argument, it resets the radix back to its
21669 default value of 10.
21670
21671 @end table
21672
21673 @node ABI
21674 @section Configuring the Current ABI
21675
21676 @value{GDBN} can determine the @dfn{ABI} (Application Binary Interface) of your
21677 application automatically. However, sometimes you need to override its
21678 conclusions. Use these commands to manage @value{GDBN}'s view of the
21679 current ABI.
21680
21681 @cindex OS ABI
21682 @kindex set osabi
21683 @kindex show osabi
21684 @cindex Newlib OS ABI and its influence on the longjmp handling
21685
21686 One @value{GDBN} configuration can debug binaries for multiple operating
21687 system targets, either via remote debugging or native emulation.
21688 @value{GDBN} will autodetect the @dfn{OS ABI} (Operating System ABI) in use,
21689 but you can override its conclusion using the @code{set osabi} command.
21690 One example where this is useful is in debugging of binaries which use
21691 an alternate C library (e.g.@: @sc{uClibc} for @sc{gnu}/Linux) which does
21692 not have the same identifying marks that the standard C library for your
21693 platform provides.
21694
21695 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the AArch64 architecture, it provides a
21696 ``Newlib'' OS ABI. This is useful for handling @code{setjmp} and
21697 @code{longjmp} when debugging binaries that use the @sc{newlib} C library.
21698 The ``Newlib'' OS ABI can be selected by @code{set osabi Newlib}.
21699
21700 @table @code
21701 @item show osabi
21702 Show the OS ABI currently in use.
21703
21704 @item set osabi
21705 With no argument, show the list of registered available OS ABI's.
21706
21707 @item set osabi @var{abi}
21708 Set the current OS ABI to @var{abi}.
21709 @end table
21710
21711 @cindex float promotion
21712
21713 Generally, the way that an argument of type @code{float} is passed to a
21714 function depends on whether the function is prototyped. For a prototyped
21715 (i.e.@: ANSI/ISO style) function, @code{float} arguments are passed unchanged,
21716 according to the architecture's convention for @code{float}. For unprototyped
21717 (i.e.@: K&R style) functions, @code{float} arguments are first promoted to type
21718 @code{double} and then passed.
21719
21720 Unfortunately, some forms of debug information do not reliably indicate whether
21721 a function is prototyped. If @value{GDBN} calls a function that is not marked
21722 as prototyped, it consults @kbd{set coerce-float-to-double}.
21723
21724 @table @code
21725 @kindex set coerce-float-to-double
21726 @item set coerce-float-to-double
21727 @itemx set coerce-float-to-double on
21728 Arguments of type @code{float} will be promoted to @code{double} when passed
21729 to an unprototyped function. This is the default setting.
21730
21731 @item set coerce-float-to-double off
21732 Arguments of type @code{float} will be passed directly to unprototyped
21733 functions.
21734
21735 @kindex show coerce-float-to-double
21736 @item show coerce-float-to-double
21737 Show the current setting of promoting @code{float} to @code{double}.
21738 @end table
21739
21740 @kindex set cp-abi
21741 @kindex show cp-abi
21742 @value{GDBN} needs to know the ABI used for your program's C@t{++}
21743 objects. The correct C@t{++} ABI depends on which C@t{++} compiler was
21744 used to build your application. @value{GDBN} only fully supports
21745 programs with a single C@t{++} ABI; if your program contains code using
21746 multiple C@t{++} ABI's or if @value{GDBN} can not identify your
21747 program's ABI correctly, you can tell @value{GDBN} which ABI to use.
21748 Currently supported ABI's include ``gnu-v2'', for @code{g++} versions
21749 before 3.0, ``gnu-v3'', for @code{g++} versions 3.0 and later, and
21750 ``hpaCC'' for the HP ANSI C@t{++} compiler. Other C@t{++} compilers may
21751 use the ``gnu-v2'' or ``gnu-v3'' ABI's as well. The default setting is
21752 ``auto''.
21753
21754 @table @code
21755 @item show cp-abi
21756 Show the C@t{++} ABI currently in use.
21757
21758 @item set cp-abi
21759 With no argument, show the list of supported C@t{++} ABI's.
21760
21761 @item set cp-abi @var{abi}
21762 @itemx set cp-abi auto
21763 Set the current C@t{++} ABI to @var{abi}, or return to automatic detection.
21764 @end table
21765
21766 @node Auto-loading
21767 @section Automatically loading associated files
21768 @cindex auto-loading
21769
21770 @value{GDBN} sometimes reads files with commands and settings automatically,
21771 without being explicitly told so by the user. We call this feature
21772 @dfn{auto-loading}. While auto-loading is useful for automatically adapting
21773 @value{GDBN} to the needs of your project, it can sometimes produce unexpected
21774 results or introduce security risks (e.g., if the file comes from untrusted
21775 sources).
21776
21777 Note that loading of these associated files (including the local @file{.gdbinit}
21778 file) requires accordingly configured @code{auto-load safe-path}
21779 (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
21780
21781 For these reasons, @value{GDBN} includes commands and options to let you
21782 control when to auto-load files and which files should be auto-loaded.
21783
21784 @table @code
21785 @anchor{set auto-load off}
21786 @kindex set auto-load off
21787 @item set auto-load off
21788 Globally disable loading of all auto-loaded files.
21789 You may want to use this command with the @samp{-iex} option
21790 (@pxref{Option -init-eval-command}) such as:
21791 @smallexample
21792 $ @kbd{gdb -iex "set auto-load off" untrusted-executable corefile}
21793 @end smallexample
21794
21795 Be aware that system init file (@pxref{System-wide configuration})
21796 and init files from your home directory (@pxref{Home Directory Init File})
21797 still get read (as they come from generally trusted directories).
21798 To prevent @value{GDBN} from auto-loading even those init files, use the
21799 @option{-nx} option (@pxref{Mode Options}), in addition to
21800 @code{set auto-load no}.
21801
21802 @anchor{show auto-load}
21803 @kindex show auto-load
21804 @item show auto-load
21805 Show whether auto-loading of each specific @samp{auto-load} file(s) is enabled
21806 or disabled.
21807
21808 @smallexample
21809 (gdb) show auto-load
21810 gdb-scripts: Auto-loading of canned sequences of commands scripts is on.
21811 libthread-db: Auto-loading of inferior specific libthread_db is on.
21812 local-gdbinit: Auto-loading of .gdbinit script from current directory
21813 is on.
21814 python-scripts: Auto-loading of Python scripts is on.
21815 safe-path: List of directories from which it is safe to auto-load files
21816 is $debugdir:$datadir/auto-load.
21817 scripts-directory: List of directories from which to load auto-loaded scripts
21818 is $debugdir:$datadir/auto-load.
21819 @end smallexample
21820
21821 @anchor{info auto-load}
21822 @kindex info auto-load
21823 @item info auto-load
21824 Print whether each specific @samp{auto-load} file(s) have been auto-loaded or
21825 not.
21826
21827 @smallexample
21828 (gdb) info auto-load
21829 gdb-scripts:
21830 Loaded Script
21831 Yes /home/user/gdb/gdb-gdb.gdb
21832 libthread-db: No auto-loaded libthread-db.
21833 local-gdbinit: Local .gdbinit file "/home/user/gdb/.gdbinit" has been
21834 loaded.
21835 python-scripts:
21836 Loaded Script
21837 Yes /home/user/gdb/gdb-gdb.py
21838 @end smallexample
21839 @end table
21840
21841 These are various kinds of files @value{GDBN} can automatically load:
21842
21843 @itemize @bullet
21844 @item
21845 @xref{objfile-gdb.py file}, controlled by @ref{set auto-load python-scripts}.
21846 @item
21847 @xref{objfile-gdb.gdb file}, controlled by @ref{set auto-load gdb-scripts}.
21848 @item
21849 @xref{dotdebug_gdb_scripts section},
21850 controlled by @ref{set auto-load python-scripts}.
21851 @item
21852 @xref{Init File in the Current Directory},
21853 controlled by @ref{set auto-load local-gdbinit}.
21854 @item
21855 @xref{libthread_db.so.1 file}, controlled by @ref{set auto-load libthread-db}.
21856 @end itemize
21857
21858 These are @value{GDBN} control commands for the auto-loading:
21859
21860 @multitable @columnfractions .5 .5
21861 @item @xref{set auto-load off}.
21862 @tab Disable auto-loading globally.
21863 @item @xref{show auto-load}.
21864 @tab Show setting of all kinds of files.
21865 @item @xref{info auto-load}.
21866 @tab Show state of all kinds of files.
21867 @item @xref{set auto-load gdb-scripts}.
21868 @tab Control for @value{GDBN} command scripts.
21869 @item @xref{show auto-load gdb-scripts}.
21870 @tab Show setting of @value{GDBN} command scripts.
21871 @item @xref{info auto-load gdb-scripts}.
21872 @tab Show state of @value{GDBN} command scripts.
21873 @item @xref{set auto-load python-scripts}.
21874 @tab Control for @value{GDBN} Python scripts.
21875 @item @xref{show auto-load python-scripts}.
21876 @tab Show setting of @value{GDBN} Python scripts.
21877 @item @xref{info auto-load python-scripts}.
21878 @tab Show state of @value{GDBN} Python scripts.
21879 @item @xref{set auto-load scripts-directory}.
21880 @tab Control for @value{GDBN} auto-loaded scripts location.
21881 @item @xref{show auto-load scripts-directory}.
21882 @tab Show @value{GDBN} auto-loaded scripts location.
21883 @item @xref{set auto-load local-gdbinit}.
21884 @tab Control for init file in the current directory.
21885 @item @xref{show auto-load local-gdbinit}.
21886 @tab Show setting of init file in the current directory.
21887 @item @xref{info auto-load local-gdbinit}.
21888 @tab Show state of init file in the current directory.
21889 @item @xref{set auto-load libthread-db}.
21890 @tab Control for thread debugging library.
21891 @item @xref{show auto-load libthread-db}.
21892 @tab Show setting of thread debugging library.
21893 @item @xref{info auto-load libthread-db}.
21894 @tab Show state of thread debugging library.
21895 @item @xref{set auto-load safe-path}.
21896 @tab Control directories trusted for automatic loading.
21897 @item @xref{show auto-load safe-path}.
21898 @tab Show directories trusted for automatic loading.
21899 @item @xref{add-auto-load-safe-path}.
21900 @tab Add directory trusted for automatic loading.
21901 @end multitable
21902
21903 @menu
21904 * Init File in the Current Directory:: @samp{set/show/info auto-load local-gdbinit}
21905 * libthread_db.so.1 file:: @samp{set/show/info auto-load libthread-db}
21906 * objfile-gdb.gdb file:: @samp{set/show/info auto-load gdb-script}
21907 * Auto-loading safe path:: @samp{set/show/info auto-load safe-path}
21908 * Auto-loading verbose mode:: @samp{set/show debug auto-load}
21909 @xref{Python Auto-loading}.
21910 @end menu
21911
21912 @node Init File in the Current Directory
21913 @subsection Automatically loading init file in the current directory
21914 @cindex auto-loading init file in the current directory
21915
21916 By default, @value{GDBN} reads and executes the canned sequences of commands
21917 from init file (if any) in the current working directory,
21918 see @ref{Init File in the Current Directory during Startup}.
21919
21920 Note that loading of this local @file{.gdbinit} file also requires accordingly
21921 configured @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
21922
21923 @table @code
21924 @anchor{set auto-load local-gdbinit}
21925 @kindex set auto-load local-gdbinit
21926 @item set auto-load local-gdbinit [on|off]
21927 Enable or disable the auto-loading of canned sequences of commands
21928 (@pxref{Sequences}) found in init file in the current directory.
21929
21930 @anchor{show auto-load local-gdbinit}
21931 @kindex show auto-load local-gdbinit
21932 @item show auto-load local-gdbinit
21933 Show whether auto-loading of canned sequences of commands from init file in the
21934 current directory is enabled or disabled.
21935
21936 @anchor{info auto-load local-gdbinit}
21937 @kindex info auto-load local-gdbinit
21938 @item info auto-load local-gdbinit
21939 Print whether canned sequences of commands from init file in the
21940 current directory have been auto-loaded.
21941 @end table
21942
21943 @node libthread_db.so.1 file
21944 @subsection Automatically loading thread debugging library
21945 @cindex auto-loading libthread_db.so.1
21946
21947 This feature is currently present only on @sc{gnu}/Linux native hosts.
21948
21949 @value{GDBN} reads in some cases thread debugging library from places specific
21950 to the inferior (@pxref{set libthread-db-search-path}).
21951
21952 The special @samp{libthread-db-search-path} entry @samp{$sdir} is processed
21953 without checking this @samp{set auto-load libthread-db} switch as system
21954 libraries have to be trusted in general. In all other cases of
21955 @samp{libthread-db-search-path} entries @value{GDBN} checks first if @samp{set
21956 auto-load libthread-db} is enabled before trying to open such thread debugging
21957 library.
21958
21959 Note that loading of this debugging library also requires accordingly configured
21960 @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
21961
21962 @table @code
21963 @anchor{set auto-load libthread-db}
21964 @kindex set auto-load libthread-db
21965 @item set auto-load libthread-db [on|off]
21966 Enable or disable the auto-loading of inferior specific thread debugging library.
21967
21968 @anchor{show auto-load libthread-db}
21969 @kindex show auto-load libthread-db
21970 @item show auto-load libthread-db
21971 Show whether auto-loading of inferior specific thread debugging library is
21972 enabled or disabled.
21973
21974 @anchor{info auto-load libthread-db}
21975 @kindex info auto-load libthread-db
21976 @item info auto-load libthread-db
21977 Print the list of all loaded inferior specific thread debugging libraries and
21978 for each such library print list of inferior @var{pid}s using it.
21979 @end table
21980
21981 @node objfile-gdb.gdb file
21982 @subsection The @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.gdb} file
21983 @cindex auto-loading @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.gdb}
21984
21985 @value{GDBN} tries to load an @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.gdb} file containing
21986 canned sequences of commands (@pxref{Sequences}), as long as @samp{set
21987 auto-load gdb-scripts} is set to @samp{on}.
21988
21989 Note that loading of this script file also requires accordingly configured
21990 @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
21991
21992 For more background refer to the similar Python scripts auto-loading
21993 description (@pxref{objfile-gdb.py file}).
21994
21995 @table @code
21996 @anchor{set auto-load gdb-scripts}
21997 @kindex set auto-load gdb-scripts
21998 @item set auto-load gdb-scripts [on|off]
21999 Enable or disable the auto-loading of canned sequences of commands scripts.
22000
22001 @anchor{show auto-load gdb-scripts}
22002 @kindex show auto-load gdb-scripts
22003 @item show auto-load gdb-scripts
22004 Show whether auto-loading of canned sequences of commands scripts is enabled or
22005 disabled.
22006
22007 @anchor{info auto-load gdb-scripts}
22008 @kindex info auto-load gdb-scripts
22009 @cindex print list of auto-loaded canned sequences of commands scripts
22010 @item info auto-load gdb-scripts [@var{regexp}]
22011 Print the list of all canned sequences of commands scripts that @value{GDBN}
22012 auto-loaded.
22013 @end table
22014
22015 If @var{regexp} is supplied only canned sequences of commands scripts with
22016 matching names are printed.
22017
22018 @node Auto-loading safe path
22019 @subsection Security restriction for auto-loading
22020 @cindex auto-loading safe-path
22021
22022 As the files of inferior can come from untrusted source (such as submitted by
22023 an application user) @value{GDBN} does not always load any files automatically.
22024 @value{GDBN} provides the @samp{set auto-load safe-path} setting to list
22025 directories trusted for loading files not explicitly requested by user.
22026 Each directory can also be a shell wildcard pattern.
22027
22028 If the path is not set properly you will see a warning and the file will not
22029 get loaded:
22030
22031 @smallexample
22032 $ ./gdb -q ./gdb
22033 Reading symbols from /home/user/gdb/gdb...done.
22034 warning: File "/home/user/gdb/gdb-gdb.gdb" auto-loading has been
22035 declined by your `auto-load safe-path' set
22036 to "$debugdir:$datadir/auto-load".
22037 warning: File "/home/user/gdb/gdb-gdb.py" auto-loading has been
22038 declined by your `auto-load safe-path' set
22039 to "$debugdir:$datadir/auto-load".
22040 @end smallexample
22041
22042 @noindent
22043 To instruct @value{GDBN} to go ahead and use the init files anyway,
22044 invoke @value{GDBN} like this:
22045
22046 @smallexample
22047 $ gdb -q -iex "set auto-load safe-path /home/user/gdb" ./gdb
22048 @end smallexample
22049
22050 The list of trusted directories is controlled by the following commands:
22051
22052 @table @code
22053 @anchor{set auto-load safe-path}
22054 @kindex set auto-load safe-path
22055 @item set auto-load safe-path @r{[}@var{directories}@r{]}
22056 Set the list of directories (and their subdirectories) trusted for automatic
22057 loading and execution of scripts. You can also enter a specific trusted file.
22058 Each directory can also be a shell wildcard pattern; wildcards do not match
22059 directory separator - see @code{FNM_PATHNAME} for system function @code{fnmatch}
22060 (@pxref{Wildcard Matching, fnmatch, , libc, GNU C Library Reference Manual}).
22061 If you omit @var{directories}, @samp{auto-load safe-path} will be reset to
22062 its default value as specified during @value{GDBN} compilation.
22063
22064 The list of directories uses path separator (@samp{:} on GNU and Unix
22065 systems, @samp{;} on MS-Windows and MS-DOS) to separate directories, similarly
22066 to the @env{PATH} environment variable.
22067
22068 @anchor{show auto-load safe-path}
22069 @kindex show auto-load safe-path
22070 @item show auto-load safe-path
22071 Show the list of directories trusted for automatic loading and execution of
22072 scripts.
22073
22074 @anchor{add-auto-load-safe-path}
22075 @kindex add-auto-load-safe-path
22076 @item add-auto-load-safe-path
22077 Add an entry (or list of entries) the list of directories trusted for automatic
22078 loading and execution of scripts. Multiple entries may be delimited by the
22079 host platform path separator in use.
22080 @end table
22081
22082 This variable defaults to what @code{--with-auto-load-dir} has been configured
22083 to (@pxref{with-auto-load-dir}). @file{$debugdir} and @file{$datadir}
22084 substitution applies the same as for @ref{set auto-load scripts-directory}.
22085 The default @code{set auto-load safe-path} value can be also overriden by
22086 @value{GDBN} configuration option @option{--with-auto-load-safe-path}.
22087
22088 Setting this variable to @file{/} disables this security protection,
22089 corresponding @value{GDBN} configuration option is
22090 @option{--without-auto-load-safe-path}.
22091 This variable is supposed to be set to the system directories writable by the
22092 system superuser only. Users can add their source directories in init files in
22093 their home directories (@pxref{Home Directory Init File}). See also deprecated
22094 init file in the current directory
22095 (@pxref{Init File in the Current Directory during Startup}).
22096
22097 To force @value{GDBN} to load the files it declined to load in the previous
22098 example, you could use one of the following ways:
22099
22100 @table @asis
22101 @item @file{~/.gdbinit}: @samp{add-auto-load-safe-path ~/src/gdb}
22102 Specify this trusted directory (or a file) as additional component of the list.
22103 You have to specify also any existing directories displayed by
22104 by @samp{show auto-load safe-path} (such as @samp{/usr:/bin} in this example).
22105
22106 @item @kbd{gdb -iex "set auto-load safe-path /usr:/bin:~/src/gdb" @dots{}}
22107 Specify this directory as in the previous case but just for a single
22108 @value{GDBN} session.
22109
22110 @item @kbd{gdb -iex "set auto-load safe-path /" @dots{}}
22111 Disable auto-loading safety for a single @value{GDBN} session.
22112 This assumes all the files you debug during this @value{GDBN} session will come
22113 from trusted sources.
22114
22115 @item @kbd{./configure --without-auto-load-safe-path}
22116 During compilation of @value{GDBN} you may disable any auto-loading safety.
22117 This assumes all the files you will ever debug with this @value{GDBN} come from
22118 trusted sources.
22119 @end table
22120
22121 On the other hand you can also explicitly forbid automatic files loading which
22122 also suppresses any such warning messages:
22123
22124 @table @asis
22125 @item @kbd{gdb -iex "set auto-load no" @dots{}}
22126 You can use @value{GDBN} command-line option for a single @value{GDBN} session.
22127
22128 @item @file{~/.gdbinit}: @samp{set auto-load no}
22129 Disable auto-loading globally for the user
22130 (@pxref{Home Directory Init File}). While it is improbable, you could also
22131 use system init file instead (@pxref{System-wide configuration}).
22132 @end table
22133
22134 This setting applies to the file names as entered by user. If no entry matches
22135 @value{GDBN} tries as a last resort to also resolve all the file names into
22136 their canonical form (typically resolving symbolic links) and compare the
22137 entries again. @value{GDBN} already canonicalizes most of the filenames on its
22138 own before starting the comparison so a canonical form of directories is
22139 recommended to be entered.
22140
22141 @node Auto-loading verbose mode
22142 @subsection Displaying files tried for auto-load
22143 @cindex auto-loading verbose mode
22144
22145 For better visibility of all the file locations where you can place scripts to
22146 be auto-loaded with inferior --- or to protect yourself against accidental
22147 execution of untrusted scripts --- @value{GDBN} provides a feature for printing
22148 all the files attempted to be loaded. Both existing and non-existing files may
22149 be printed.
22150
22151 For example the list of directories from which it is safe to auto-load files
22152 (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}) applies also to canonicalized filenames which
22153 may not be too obvious while setting it up.
22154
22155 @smallexample
22156 (gdb) set debug auto-load on
22157 (gdb) file ~/src/t/true
22158 auto-load: Loading canned sequences of commands script "/tmp/true-gdb.gdb"
22159 for objfile "/tmp/true".
22160 auto-load: Updating directories of "/usr:/opt".
22161 auto-load: Using directory "/usr".
22162 auto-load: Using directory "/opt".
22163 warning: File "/tmp/true-gdb.gdb" auto-loading has been declined
22164 by your `auto-load safe-path' set to "/usr:/opt".
22165 @end smallexample
22166
22167 @table @code
22168 @anchor{set debug auto-load}
22169 @kindex set debug auto-load
22170 @item set debug auto-load [on|off]
22171 Set whether to print the filenames attempted to be auto-loaded.
22172
22173 @anchor{show debug auto-load}
22174 @kindex show debug auto-load
22175 @item show debug auto-load
22176 Show whether printing of the filenames attempted to be auto-loaded is turned
22177 on or off.
22178 @end table
22179
22180 @node Messages/Warnings
22181 @section Optional Warnings and Messages
22182
22183 @cindex verbose operation
22184 @cindex optional warnings
22185 By default, @value{GDBN} is silent about its inner workings. If you are
22186 running on a slow machine, you may want to use the @code{set verbose}
22187 command. This makes @value{GDBN} tell you when it does a lengthy
22188 internal operation, so you will not think it has crashed.
22189
22190 Currently, the messages controlled by @code{set verbose} are those
22191 which announce that the symbol table for a source file is being read;
22192 see @code{symbol-file} in @ref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}.
22193
22194 @table @code
22195 @kindex set verbose
22196 @item set verbose on
22197 Enables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
22198
22199 @item set verbose off
22200 Disables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
22201
22202 @kindex show verbose
22203 @item show verbose
22204 Displays whether @code{set verbose} is on or off.
22205 @end table
22206
22207 By default, if @value{GDBN} encounters bugs in the symbol table of an
22208 object file, it is silent; but if you are debugging a compiler, you may
22209 find this information useful (@pxref{Symbol Errors, ,Errors Reading
22210 Symbol Files}).
22211
22212 @table @code
22213
22214 @kindex set complaints
22215 @item set complaints @var{limit}
22216 Permits @value{GDBN} to output @var{limit} complaints about each type of
22217 unusual symbols before becoming silent about the problem. Set
22218 @var{limit} to zero to suppress all complaints; set it to a large number
22219 to prevent complaints from being suppressed.
22220
22221 @kindex show complaints
22222 @item show complaints
22223 Displays how many symbol complaints @value{GDBN} is permitted to produce.
22224
22225 @end table
22226
22227 @anchor{confirmation requests}
22228 By default, @value{GDBN} is cautious, and asks what sometimes seems to be a
22229 lot of stupid questions to confirm certain commands. For example, if
22230 you try to run a program which is already running:
22231
22232 @smallexample
22233 (@value{GDBP}) run
22234 The program being debugged has been started already.
22235 Start it from the beginning? (y or n)
22236 @end smallexample
22237
22238 If you are willing to unflinchingly face the consequences of your own
22239 commands, you can disable this ``feature'':
22240
22241 @table @code
22242
22243 @kindex set confirm
22244 @cindex flinching
22245 @cindex confirmation
22246 @cindex stupid questions
22247 @item set confirm off
22248 Disables confirmation requests. Note that running @value{GDBN} with
22249 the @option{--batch} option (@pxref{Mode Options, -batch}) also
22250 automatically disables confirmation requests.
22251
22252 @item set confirm on
22253 Enables confirmation requests (the default).
22254
22255 @kindex show confirm
22256 @item show confirm
22257 Displays state of confirmation requests.
22258
22259 @end table
22260
22261 @cindex command tracing
22262 If you need to debug user-defined commands or sourced files you may find it
22263 useful to enable @dfn{command tracing}. In this mode each command will be
22264 printed as it is executed, prefixed with one or more @samp{+} symbols, the
22265 quantity denoting the call depth of each command.
22266
22267 @table @code
22268 @kindex set trace-commands
22269 @cindex command scripts, debugging
22270 @item set trace-commands on
22271 Enable command tracing.
22272 @item set trace-commands off
22273 Disable command tracing.
22274 @item show trace-commands
22275 Display the current state of command tracing.
22276 @end table
22277
22278 @node Debugging Output
22279 @section Optional Messages about Internal Happenings
22280 @cindex optional debugging messages
22281
22282 @value{GDBN} has commands that enable optional debugging messages from
22283 various @value{GDBN} subsystems; normally these commands are of
22284 interest to @value{GDBN} maintainers, or when reporting a bug. This
22285 section documents those commands.
22286
22287 @table @code
22288 @kindex set exec-done-display
22289 @item set exec-done-display
22290 Turns on or off the notification of asynchronous commands'
22291 completion. When on, @value{GDBN} will print a message when an
22292 asynchronous command finishes its execution. The default is off.
22293 @kindex show exec-done-display
22294 @item show exec-done-display
22295 Displays the current setting of asynchronous command completion
22296 notification.
22297 @kindex set debug
22298 @cindex ARM AArch64
22299 @item set debug aarch64
22300 Turns on or off display of debugging messages related to ARM AArch64.
22301 The default is off.
22302 @kindex show debug
22303 @item show debug aarch64
22304 Displays the current state of displaying debugging messages related to
22305 ARM AArch64.
22306 @cindex gdbarch debugging info
22307 @cindex architecture debugging info
22308 @item set debug arch
22309 Turns on or off display of gdbarch debugging info. The default is off
22310 @item show debug arch
22311 Displays the current state of displaying gdbarch debugging info.
22312 @item set debug aix-solib
22313 @cindex AIX shared library debugging
22314 Control display of debugging messages from the AIX shared library
22315 support module. The default is off.
22316 @item show debug aix-thread
22317 Show the current state of displaying AIX shared library debugging messages.
22318 @item set debug aix-thread
22319 @cindex AIX threads
22320 Display debugging messages about inner workings of the AIX thread
22321 module.
22322 @item show debug aix-thread
22323 Show the current state of AIX thread debugging info display.
22324 @item set debug check-physname
22325 @cindex physname
22326 Check the results of the ``physname'' computation. When reading DWARF
22327 debugging information for C@t{++}, @value{GDBN} attempts to compute
22328 each entity's name. @value{GDBN} can do this computation in two
22329 different ways, depending on exactly what information is present.
22330 When enabled, this setting causes @value{GDBN} to compute the names
22331 both ways and display any discrepancies.
22332 @item show debug check-physname
22333 Show the current state of ``physname'' checking.
22334 @item set debug coff-pe-read
22335 @cindex COFF/PE exported symbols
22336 Control display of debugging messages related to reading of COFF/PE
22337 exported symbols. The default is off.
22338 @item show debug coff-pe-read
22339 Displays the current state of displaying debugging messages related to
22340 reading of COFF/PE exported symbols.
22341 @item set debug dwarf2-die
22342 @cindex DWARF2 DIEs
22343 Dump DWARF2 DIEs after they are read in.
22344 The value is the number of nesting levels to print.
22345 A value of zero turns off the display.
22346 @item show debug dwarf2-die
22347 Show the current state of DWARF2 DIE debugging.
22348 @item set debug dwarf2-read
22349 @cindex DWARF2 Reading
22350 Turns on or off display of debugging messages related to reading
22351 DWARF debug info. The default is off.
22352 @item show debug dwarf2-read
22353 Show the current state of DWARF2 reader debugging.
22354 @item set debug displaced
22355 @cindex displaced stepping debugging info
22356 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} debugging info for the
22357 displaced stepping support. The default is off.
22358 @item show debug displaced
22359 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} debugging info
22360 related to displaced stepping.
22361 @item set debug event
22362 @cindex event debugging info
22363 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} event debugging info. The
22364 default is off.
22365 @item show debug event
22366 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} event debugging
22367 info.
22368 @item set debug expression
22369 @cindex expression debugging info
22370 Turns on or off display of debugging info about @value{GDBN}
22371 expression parsing. The default is off.
22372 @item show debug expression
22373 Displays the current state of displaying debugging info about
22374 @value{GDBN} expression parsing.
22375 @item set debug frame
22376 @cindex frame debugging info
22377 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} frame debugging info. The
22378 default is off.
22379 @item show debug frame
22380 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} frame debugging
22381 info.
22382 @item set debug gnu-nat
22383 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Hurd debug messages
22384 Turns on or off debugging messages from the @sc{gnu}/Hurd debug support.
22385 @item show debug gnu-nat
22386 Show the current state of @sc{gnu}/Hurd debugging messages.
22387 @item set debug infrun
22388 @cindex inferior debugging info
22389 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} debugging info for running the inferior.
22390 The default is off. @file{infrun.c} contains GDB's runtime state machine used
22391 for implementing operations such as single-stepping the inferior.
22392 @item show debug infrun
22393 Displays the current state of @value{GDBN} inferior debugging.
22394 @item set debug jit
22395 @cindex just-in-time compilation, debugging messages
22396 Turns on or off debugging messages from JIT debug support.
22397 @item show debug jit
22398 Displays the current state of @value{GDBN} JIT debugging.
22399 @item set debug lin-lwp
22400 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Linux LWP debug messages
22401 @cindex Linux lightweight processes
22402 Turns on or off debugging messages from the Linux LWP debug support.
22403 @item show debug lin-lwp
22404 Show the current state of Linux LWP debugging messages.
22405 @item set debug mach-o
22406 @cindex Mach-O symbols processing
22407 Control display of debugging messages related to Mach-O symbols
22408 processing. The default is off.
22409 @item show debug mach-o
22410 Displays the current state of displaying debugging messages related to
22411 reading of COFF/PE exported symbols.
22412 @item set debug notification
22413 @cindex remote async notification debugging info
22414 Turns on or off debugging messages about remote async notification.
22415 The default is off.
22416 @item show debug notification
22417 Displays the current state of remote async notification debugging messages.
22418 @item set debug observer
22419 @cindex observer debugging info
22420 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} observer debugging. This
22421 includes info such as the notification of observable events.
22422 @item show debug observer
22423 Displays the current state of observer debugging.
22424 @item set debug overload
22425 @cindex C@t{++} overload debugging info
22426 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload debugging
22427 info. This includes info such as ranking of functions, etc. The default
22428 is off.
22429 @item show debug overload
22430 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload
22431 debugging info.
22432 @cindex expression parser, debugging info
22433 @cindex debug expression parser
22434 @item set debug parser
22435 Turns on or off the display of expression parser debugging output.
22436 Internally, this sets the @code{yydebug} variable in the expression
22437 parser. @xref{Tracing, , Tracing Your Parser, bison, Bison}, for
22438 details. The default is off.
22439 @item show debug parser
22440 Show the current state of expression parser debugging.
22441 @cindex packets, reporting on stdout
22442 @cindex serial connections, debugging
22443 @cindex debug remote protocol
22444 @cindex remote protocol debugging
22445 @cindex display remote packets
22446 @item set debug remote
22447 Turns on or off display of reports on all packets sent back and forth across
22448 the serial line to the remote machine. The info is printed on the
22449 @value{GDBN} standard output stream. The default is off.
22450 @item show debug remote
22451 Displays the state of display of remote packets.
22452 @item set debug serial
22453 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} serial debugging info. The
22454 default is off.
22455 @item show debug serial
22456 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} serial debugging
22457 info.
22458 @item set debug solib-frv
22459 @cindex FR-V shared-library debugging
22460 Turns on or off debugging messages for FR-V shared-library code.
22461 @item show debug solib-frv
22462 Display the current state of FR-V shared-library code debugging
22463 messages.
22464 @item set debug symtab-create
22465 @cindex symbol table creation
22466 Turns on or off display of debugging messages related to symbol table creation.
22467 The default is off.
22468 @item show debug symtab-create
22469 Show the current state of symbol table creation debugging.
22470 @item set debug target
22471 @cindex target debugging info
22472 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} target debugging info. This info
22473 includes what is going on at the target level of GDB, as it happens. The
22474 default is 0. Set it to 1 to track events, and to 2 to also track the
22475 value of large memory transfers. Changes to this flag do not take effect
22476 until the next time you connect to a target or use the @code{run} command.
22477 @item show debug target
22478 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} target debugging
22479 info.
22480 @item set debug timestamp
22481 @cindex timestampping debugging info
22482 Turns on or off display of timestamps with @value{GDBN} debugging info.
22483 When enabled, seconds and microseconds are displayed before each debugging
22484 message.
22485 @item show debug timestamp
22486 Displays the current state of displaying timestamps with @value{GDBN}
22487 debugging info.
22488 @item set debugvarobj
22489 @cindex variable object debugging info
22490 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} variable object debugging
22491 info. The default is off.
22492 @item show debugvarobj
22493 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} variable object
22494 debugging info.
22495 @item set debug xml
22496 @cindex XML parser debugging
22497 Turns on or off debugging messages for built-in XML parsers.
22498 @item show debug xml
22499 Displays the current state of XML debugging messages.
22500 @end table
22501
22502 @node Other Misc Settings
22503 @section Other Miscellaneous Settings
22504 @cindex miscellaneous settings
22505
22506 @table @code
22507 @kindex set interactive-mode
22508 @item set interactive-mode
22509 If @code{on}, forces @value{GDBN} to assume that GDB was started
22510 in a terminal. In practice, this means that @value{GDBN} should wait
22511 for the user to answer queries generated by commands entered at
22512 the command prompt. If @code{off}, forces @value{GDBN} to operate
22513 in the opposite mode, and it uses the default answers to all queries.
22514 If @code{auto} (the default), @value{GDBN} tries to determine whether
22515 its standard input is a terminal, and works in interactive-mode if it
22516 is, non-interactively otherwise.
22517
22518 In the vast majority of cases, the debugger should be able to guess
22519 correctly which mode should be used. But this setting can be useful
22520 in certain specific cases, such as running a MinGW @value{GDBN}
22521 inside a cygwin window.
22522
22523 @kindex show interactive-mode
22524 @item show interactive-mode
22525 Displays whether the debugger is operating in interactive mode or not.
22526 @end table
22527
22528 @node Extending GDB
22529 @chapter Extending @value{GDBN}
22530 @cindex extending GDB
22531
22532 @value{GDBN} provides three mechanisms for extension. The first is based
22533 on composition of @value{GDBN} commands, the second is based on the
22534 Python scripting language, and the third is for defining new aliases of
22535 existing commands.
22536
22537 To facilitate the use of the first two extensions, @value{GDBN} is capable
22538 of evaluating the contents of a file. When doing so, @value{GDBN}
22539 can recognize which scripting language is being used by looking at
22540 the filename extension. Files with an unrecognized filename extension
22541 are always treated as a @value{GDBN} Command Files.
22542 @xref{Command Files,, Command files}.
22543
22544 You can control how @value{GDBN} evaluates these files with the following
22545 setting:
22546
22547 @table @code
22548 @kindex set script-extension
22549 @kindex show script-extension
22550 @item set script-extension off
22551 All scripts are always evaluated as @value{GDBN} Command Files.
22552
22553 @item set script-extension soft
22554 The debugger determines the scripting language based on filename
22555 extension. If this scripting language is supported, @value{GDBN}
22556 evaluates the script using that language. Otherwise, it evaluates
22557 the file as a @value{GDBN} Command File.
22558
22559 @item set script-extension strict
22560 The debugger determines the scripting language based on filename
22561 extension, and evaluates the script using that language. If the
22562 language is not supported, then the evaluation fails.
22563
22564 @item show script-extension
22565 Display the current value of the @code{script-extension} option.
22566
22567 @end table
22568
22569 @menu
22570 * Sequences:: Canned Sequences of Commands
22571 * Python:: Scripting @value{GDBN} using Python
22572 * Aliases:: Creating new spellings of existing commands
22573 @end menu
22574
22575 @node Sequences
22576 @section Canned Sequences of Commands
22577
22578 Aside from breakpoint commands (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint
22579 Command Lists}), @value{GDBN} provides two ways to store sequences of
22580 commands for execution as a unit: user-defined commands and command
22581 files.
22582
22583 @menu
22584 * Define:: How to define your own commands
22585 * Hooks:: Hooks for user-defined commands
22586 * Command Files:: How to write scripts of commands to be stored in a file
22587 * Output:: Commands for controlled output
22588 @end menu
22589
22590 @node Define
22591 @subsection User-defined Commands
22592
22593 @cindex user-defined command
22594 @cindex arguments, to user-defined commands
22595 A @dfn{user-defined command} is a sequence of @value{GDBN} commands to
22596 which you assign a new name as a command. This is done with the
22597 @code{define} command. User commands may accept up to 10 arguments
22598 separated by whitespace. Arguments are accessed within the user command
22599 via @code{$arg0@dots{}$arg9}. A trivial example:
22600
22601 @smallexample
22602 define adder
22603 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
22604 end
22605 @end smallexample
22606
22607 @noindent
22608 To execute the command use:
22609
22610 @smallexample
22611 adder 1 2 3
22612 @end smallexample
22613
22614 @noindent
22615 This defines the command @code{adder}, which prints the sum of
22616 its three arguments. Note the arguments are text substitutions, so they may
22617 reference variables, use complex expressions, or even perform inferior
22618 functions calls.
22619
22620 @cindex argument count in user-defined commands
22621 @cindex how many arguments (user-defined commands)
22622 In addition, @code{$argc} may be used to find out how many arguments have
22623 been passed. This expands to a number in the range 0@dots{}10.
22624
22625 @smallexample
22626 define adder
22627 if $argc == 2
22628 print $arg0 + $arg1
22629 end
22630 if $argc == 3
22631 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
22632 end
22633 end
22634 @end smallexample
22635
22636 @table @code
22637
22638 @kindex define
22639 @item define @var{commandname}
22640 Define a command named @var{commandname}. If there is already a command
22641 by that name, you are asked to confirm that you want to redefine it.
22642 @var{commandname} may be a bare command name consisting of letters,
22643 numbers, dashes, and underscores. It may also start with any predefined
22644 prefix command. For example, @samp{define target my-target} creates
22645 a user-defined @samp{target my-target} command.
22646
22647 The definition of the command is made up of other @value{GDBN} command lines,
22648 which are given following the @code{define} command. The end of these
22649 commands is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
22650
22651 @kindex document
22652 @kindex end@r{ (user-defined commands)}
22653 @item document @var{commandname}
22654 Document the user-defined command @var{commandname}, so that it can be
22655 accessed by @code{help}. The command @var{commandname} must already be
22656 defined. This command reads lines of documentation just as @code{define}
22657 reads the lines of the command definition, ending with @code{end}.
22658 After the @code{document} command is finished, @code{help} on command
22659 @var{commandname} displays the documentation you have written.
22660
22661 You may use the @code{document} command again to change the
22662 documentation of a command. Redefining the command with @code{define}
22663 does not change the documentation.
22664
22665 @kindex dont-repeat
22666 @cindex don't repeat command
22667 @item dont-repeat
22668 Used inside a user-defined command, this tells @value{GDBN} that this
22669 command should not be repeated when the user hits @key{RET}
22670 (@pxref{Command Syntax, repeat last command}).
22671
22672 @kindex help user-defined
22673 @item help user-defined
22674 List all user-defined commands and all python commands defined in class
22675 COMAND_USER. The first line of the documentation or docstring is
22676 included (if any).
22677
22678 @kindex show user
22679 @item show user
22680 @itemx show user @var{commandname}
22681 Display the @value{GDBN} commands used to define @var{commandname} (but
22682 not its documentation). If no @var{commandname} is given, display the
22683 definitions for all user-defined commands.
22684 This does not work for user-defined python commands.
22685
22686 @cindex infinite recursion in user-defined commands
22687 @kindex show max-user-call-depth
22688 @kindex set max-user-call-depth
22689 @item show max-user-call-depth
22690 @itemx set max-user-call-depth
22691 The value of @code{max-user-call-depth} controls how many recursion
22692 levels are allowed in user-defined commands before @value{GDBN} suspects an
22693 infinite recursion and aborts the command.
22694 This does not apply to user-defined python commands.
22695 @end table
22696
22697 In addition to the above commands, user-defined commands frequently
22698 use control flow commands, described in @ref{Command Files}.
22699
22700 When user-defined commands are executed, the
22701 commands of the definition are not printed. An error in any command
22702 stops execution of the user-defined command.
22703
22704 If used interactively, commands that would ask for confirmation proceed
22705 without asking when used inside a user-defined command. Many @value{GDBN}
22706 commands that normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the
22707 messages when used in a user-defined command.
22708
22709 @node Hooks
22710 @subsection User-defined Command Hooks
22711 @cindex command hooks
22712 @cindex hooks, for commands
22713 @cindex hooks, pre-command
22714
22715 @kindex hook
22716 You may define @dfn{hooks}, which are a special kind of user-defined
22717 command. Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined
22718 command @samp{hook-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments)
22719 before that command.
22720
22721 @cindex hooks, post-command
22722 @kindex hookpost
22723 A hook may also be defined which is run after the command you executed.
22724 Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined command
22725 @samp{hookpost-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments) after
22726 that command. Post-execution hooks may exist simultaneously with
22727 pre-execution hooks, for the same command.
22728
22729 It is valid for a hook to call the command which it hooks. If this
22730 occurs, the hook is not re-executed, thereby avoiding infinite recursion.
22731
22732 @c It would be nice if hookpost could be passed a parameter indicating
22733 @c if the command it hooks executed properly or not. FIXME!
22734
22735 @kindex stop@r{, a pseudo-command}
22736 In addition, a pseudo-command, @samp{stop} exists. Defining
22737 (@samp{hook-stop}) makes the associated commands execute every time
22738 execution stops in your program: before breakpoint commands are run,
22739 displays are printed, or the stack frame is printed.
22740
22741 For example, to ignore @code{SIGALRM} signals while
22742 single-stepping, but treat them normally during normal execution,
22743 you could define:
22744
22745 @smallexample
22746 define hook-stop
22747 handle SIGALRM nopass
22748 end
22749
22750 define hook-run
22751 handle SIGALRM pass
22752 end
22753
22754 define hook-continue
22755 handle SIGALRM pass
22756 end
22757 @end smallexample
22758
22759 As a further example, to hook at the beginning and end of the @code{echo}
22760 command, and to add extra text to the beginning and end of the message,
22761 you could define:
22762
22763 @smallexample
22764 define hook-echo
22765 echo <<<---
22766 end
22767
22768 define hookpost-echo
22769 echo --->>>\n
22770 end
22771
22772 (@value{GDBP}) echo Hello World
22773 <<<---Hello World--->>>
22774 (@value{GDBP})
22775
22776 @end smallexample
22777
22778 You can define a hook for any single-word command in @value{GDBN}, but
22779 not for command aliases; you should define a hook for the basic command
22780 name, e.g.@: @code{backtrace} rather than @code{bt}.
22781 @c FIXME! So how does Joe User discover whether a command is an alias
22782 @c or not?
22783 You can hook a multi-word command by adding @code{hook-} or
22784 @code{hookpost-} to the last word of the command, e.g.@:
22785 @samp{define target hook-remote} to add a hook to @samp{target remote}.
22786
22787 If an error occurs during the execution of your hook, execution of
22788 @value{GDBN} commands stops and @value{GDBN} issues a prompt
22789 (before the command that you actually typed had a chance to run).
22790
22791 If you try to define a hook which does not match any known command, you
22792 get a warning from the @code{define} command.
22793
22794 @node Command Files
22795 @subsection Command Files
22796
22797 @cindex command files
22798 @cindex scripting commands
22799 A command file for @value{GDBN} is a text file made of lines that are
22800 @value{GDBN} commands. Comments (lines starting with @kbd{#}) may
22801 also be included. An empty line in a command file does nothing; it
22802 does not mean to repeat the last command, as it would from the
22803 terminal.
22804
22805 You can request the execution of a command file with the @code{source}
22806 command. Note that the @code{source} command is also used to evaluate
22807 scripts that are not Command Files. The exact behavior can be configured
22808 using the @code{script-extension} setting.
22809 @xref{Extending GDB,, Extending GDB}.
22810
22811 @table @code
22812 @kindex source
22813 @cindex execute commands from a file
22814 @item source [-s] [-v] @var{filename}
22815 Execute the command file @var{filename}.
22816 @end table
22817
22818 The lines in a command file are generally executed sequentially,
22819 unless the order of execution is changed by one of the
22820 @emph{flow-control commands} described below. The commands are not
22821 printed as they are executed. An error in any command terminates
22822 execution of the command file and control is returned to the console.
22823
22824 @value{GDBN} first searches for @var{filename} in the current directory.
22825 If the file is not found there, and @var{filename} does not specify a
22826 directory, then @value{GDBN} also looks for the file on the source search path
22827 (specified with the @samp{directory} command);
22828 except that @file{$cdir} is not searched because the compilation directory
22829 is not relevant to scripts.
22830
22831 If @code{-s} is specified, then @value{GDBN} searches for @var{filename}
22832 on the search path even if @var{filename} specifies a directory.
22833 The search is done by appending @var{filename} to each element of the
22834 search path. So, for example, if @var{filename} is @file{mylib/myscript}
22835 and the search path contains @file{/home/user} then @value{GDBN} will
22836 look for the script @file{/home/user/mylib/myscript}.
22837 The search is also done if @var{filename} is an absolute path.
22838 For example, if @var{filename} is @file{/tmp/myscript} and
22839 the search path contains @file{/home/user} then @value{GDBN} will
22840 look for the script @file{/home/user/tmp/myscript}.
22841 For DOS-like systems, if @var{filename} contains a drive specification,
22842 it is stripped before concatenation. For example, if @var{filename} is
22843 @file{d:myscript} and the search path contains @file{c:/tmp} then @value{GDBN}
22844 will look for the script @file{c:/tmp/myscript}.
22845
22846 If @code{-v}, for verbose mode, is given then @value{GDBN} displays
22847 each command as it is executed. The option must be given before
22848 @var{filename}, and is interpreted as part of the filename anywhere else.
22849
22850 Commands that would ask for confirmation if used interactively proceed
22851 without asking when used in a command file. Many @value{GDBN} commands that
22852 normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the messages
22853 when called from command files.
22854
22855 @value{GDBN} also accepts command input from standard input. In this
22856 mode, normal output goes to standard output and error output goes to
22857 standard error. Errors in a command file supplied on standard input do
22858 not terminate execution of the command file---execution continues with
22859 the next command.
22860
22861 @smallexample
22862 gdb < cmds > log 2>&1
22863 @end smallexample
22864
22865 (The syntax above will vary depending on the shell used.) This example
22866 will execute commands from the file @file{cmds}. All output and errors
22867 would be directed to @file{log}.
22868
22869 Since commands stored on command files tend to be more general than
22870 commands typed interactively, they frequently need to deal with
22871 complicated situations, such as different or unexpected values of
22872 variables and symbols, changes in how the program being debugged is
22873 built, etc. @value{GDBN} provides a set of flow-control commands to
22874 deal with these complexities. Using these commands, you can write
22875 complex scripts that loop over data structures, execute commands
22876 conditionally, etc.
22877
22878 @table @code
22879 @kindex if
22880 @kindex else
22881 @item if
22882 @itemx else
22883 This command allows to include in your script conditionally executed
22884 commands. The @code{if} command takes a single argument, which is an
22885 expression to evaluate. It is followed by a series of commands that
22886 are executed only if the expression is true (its value is nonzero).
22887 There can then optionally be an @code{else} line, followed by a series
22888 of commands that are only executed if the expression was false. The
22889 end of the list is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
22890
22891 @kindex while
22892 @item while
22893 This command allows to write loops. Its syntax is similar to
22894 @code{if}: the command takes a single argument, which is an expression
22895 to evaluate, and must be followed by the commands to execute, one per
22896 line, terminated by an @code{end}. These commands are called the
22897 @dfn{body} of the loop. The commands in the body of @code{while} are
22898 executed repeatedly as long as the expression evaluates to true.
22899
22900 @kindex loop_break
22901 @item loop_break
22902 This command exits the @code{while} loop in whose body it is included.
22903 Execution of the script continues after that @code{while}s @code{end}
22904 line.
22905
22906 @kindex loop_continue
22907 @item loop_continue
22908 This command skips the execution of the rest of the body of commands
22909 in the @code{while} loop in whose body it is included. Execution
22910 branches to the beginning of the @code{while} loop, where it evaluates
22911 the controlling expression.
22912
22913 @kindex end@r{ (if/else/while commands)}
22914 @item end
22915 Terminate the block of commands that are the body of @code{if},
22916 @code{else}, or @code{while} flow-control commands.
22917 @end table
22918
22919
22920 @node Output
22921 @subsection Commands for Controlled Output
22922
22923 During the execution of a command file or a user-defined command, normal
22924 @value{GDBN} output is suppressed; the only output that appears is what is
22925 explicitly printed by the commands in the definition. This section
22926 describes three commands useful for generating exactly the output you
22927 want.
22928
22929 @table @code
22930 @kindex echo
22931 @item echo @var{text}
22932 @c I do not consider backslash-space a standard C escape sequence
22933 @c because it is not in ANSI.
22934 Print @var{text}. Nonprinting characters can be included in
22935 @var{text} using C escape sequences, such as @samp{\n} to print a
22936 newline. @strong{No newline is printed unless you specify one.}
22937 In addition to the standard C escape sequences, a backslash followed
22938 by a space stands for a space. This is useful for displaying a
22939 string with spaces at the beginning or the end, since leading and
22940 trailing spaces are otherwise trimmed from all arguments.
22941 To print @samp{@w{ }and foo =@w{ }}, use the command
22942 @samp{echo \@w{ }and foo = \@w{ }}.
22943
22944 A backslash at the end of @var{text} can be used, as in C, to continue
22945 the command onto subsequent lines. For example,
22946
22947 @smallexample
22948 echo This is some text\n\
22949 which is continued\n\
22950 onto several lines.\n
22951 @end smallexample
22952
22953 produces the same output as
22954
22955 @smallexample
22956 echo This is some text\n
22957 echo which is continued\n
22958 echo onto several lines.\n
22959 @end smallexample
22960
22961 @kindex output
22962 @item output @var{expression}
22963 Print the value of @var{expression} and nothing but that value: no
22964 newlines, no @samp{$@var{nn} = }. The value is not entered in the
22965 value history either. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information
22966 on expressions.
22967
22968 @item output/@var{fmt} @var{expression}
22969 Print the value of @var{expression} in format @var{fmt}. You can use
22970 the same formats as for @code{print}. @xref{Output Formats,,Output
22971 Formats}, for more information.
22972
22973 @kindex printf
22974 @item printf @var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{}
22975 Print the values of one or more @var{expressions} under the control of
22976 the string @var{template}. To print several values, make
22977 @var{expressions} be a comma-separated list of individual expressions,
22978 which may be either numbers or pointers. Their values are printed as
22979 specified by @var{template}, exactly as a C program would do by
22980 executing the code below:
22981
22982 @smallexample
22983 printf (@var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{});
22984 @end smallexample
22985
22986 As in @code{C} @code{printf}, ordinary characters in @var{template}
22987 are printed verbatim, while @dfn{conversion specification} introduced
22988 by the @samp{%} character cause subsequent @var{expressions} to be
22989 evaluated, their values converted and formatted according to type and
22990 style information encoded in the conversion specifications, and then
22991 printed.
22992
22993 For example, you can print two values in hex like this:
22994
22995 @smallexample
22996 printf "foo, bar-foo = 0x%x, 0x%x\n", foo, bar-foo
22997 @end smallexample
22998
22999 @code{printf} supports all the standard @code{C} conversion
23000 specifications, including the flags and modifiers between the @samp{%}
23001 character and the conversion letter, with the following exceptions:
23002
23003 @itemize @bullet
23004 @item
23005 The argument-ordering modifiers, such as @samp{2$}, are not supported.
23006
23007 @item
23008 The modifier @samp{*} is not supported for specifying precision or
23009 width.
23010
23011 @item
23012 The @samp{'} flag (for separation of digits into groups according to
23013 @code{LC_NUMERIC'}) is not supported.
23014
23015 @item
23016 The type modifiers @samp{hh}, @samp{j}, @samp{t}, and @samp{z} are not
23017 supported.
23018
23019 @item
23020 The conversion letter @samp{n} (as in @samp{%n}) is not supported.
23021
23022 @item
23023 The conversion letters @samp{a} and @samp{A} are not supported.
23024 @end itemize
23025
23026 @noindent
23027 Note that the @samp{ll} type modifier is supported only if the
23028 underlying @code{C} implementation used to build @value{GDBN} supports
23029 the @code{long long int} type, and the @samp{L} type modifier is
23030 supported only if @code{long double} type is available.
23031
23032 As in @code{C}, @code{printf} supports simple backslash-escape
23033 sequences, such as @code{\n}, @samp{\t}, @samp{\\}, @samp{\"},
23034 @samp{\a}, and @samp{\f}, that consist of backslash followed by a
23035 single character. Octal and hexadecimal escape sequences are not
23036 supported.
23037
23038 Additionally, @code{printf} supports conversion specifications for DFP
23039 (@dfn{Decimal Floating Point}) types using the following length modifiers
23040 together with a floating point specifier.
23041 letters:
23042
23043 @itemize @bullet
23044 @item
23045 @samp{H} for printing @code{Decimal32} types.
23046
23047 @item
23048 @samp{D} for printing @code{Decimal64} types.
23049
23050 @item
23051 @samp{DD} for printing @code{Decimal128} types.
23052 @end itemize
23053
23054 If the underlying @code{C} implementation used to build @value{GDBN} has
23055 support for the three length modifiers for DFP types, other modifiers
23056 such as width and precision will also be available for @value{GDBN} to use.
23057
23058 In case there is no such @code{C} support, no additional modifiers will be
23059 available and the value will be printed in the standard way.
23060
23061 Here's an example of printing DFP types using the above conversion letters:
23062 @smallexample
23063 printf "D32: %Hf - D64: %Df - D128: %DDf\n",1.2345df,1.2E10dd,1.2E1dl
23064 @end smallexample
23065
23066 @kindex eval
23067 @item eval @var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{}
23068 Convert the values of one or more @var{expressions} under the control of
23069 the string @var{template} to a command line, and call it.
23070
23071 @end table
23072
23073 @node Python
23074 @section Scripting @value{GDBN} using Python
23075 @cindex python scripting
23076 @cindex scripting with python
23077
23078 You can script @value{GDBN} using the @uref{http://www.python.org/,
23079 Python programming language}. This feature is available only if
23080 @value{GDBN} was configured using @option{--with-python}.
23081
23082 @cindex python directory
23083 Python scripts used by @value{GDBN} should be installed in
23084 @file{@var{data-directory}/python}, where @var{data-directory} is
23085 the data directory as determined at @value{GDBN} startup (@pxref{Data Files}).
23086 This directory, known as the @dfn{python directory},
23087 is automatically added to the Python Search Path in order to allow
23088 the Python interpreter to locate all scripts installed at this location.
23089
23090 Additionally, @value{GDBN} commands and convenience functions which
23091 are written in Python and are located in the
23092 @file{@var{data-directory}/python/gdb/command} or
23093 @file{@var{data-directory}/python/gdb/function} directories are
23094 automatically imported when @value{GDBN} starts.
23095
23096 @menu
23097 * Python Commands:: Accessing Python from @value{GDBN}.
23098 * Python API:: Accessing @value{GDBN} from Python.
23099 * Python Auto-loading:: Automatically loading Python code.
23100 * Python modules:: Python modules provided by @value{GDBN}.
23101 @end menu
23102
23103 @node Python Commands
23104 @subsection Python Commands
23105 @cindex python commands
23106 @cindex commands to access python
23107
23108 @value{GDBN} provides two commands for accessing the Python interpreter,
23109 and one related setting:
23110
23111 @table @code
23112 @kindex python-interactive
23113 @kindex pi
23114 @item python-interactive @r{[}@var{command}@r{]}
23115 @itemx pi @r{[}@var{command}@r{]}
23116 Without an argument, the @code{python-interactive} command can be used
23117 to start an interactive Python prompt. To return to @value{GDBN},
23118 type the @code{EOF} character (e.g., @kbd{Ctrl-D} on an empty prompt).
23119
23120 Alternatively, a single-line Python command can be given as an
23121 argument and evaluated. If the command is an expression, the result
23122 will be printed; otherwise, nothing will be printed. For example:
23123
23124 @smallexample
23125 (@value{GDBP}) python-interactive 2 + 3
23126 5
23127 @end smallexample
23128
23129 @kindex python
23130 @kindex py
23131 @item python @r{[}@var{command}@r{]}
23132 @itemx py @r{[}@var{command}@r{]}
23133 The @code{python} command can be used to evaluate Python code.
23134
23135 If given an argument, the @code{python} command will evaluate the
23136 argument as a Python command. For example:
23137
23138 @smallexample
23139 (@value{GDBP}) python print 23
23140 23
23141 @end smallexample
23142
23143 If you do not provide an argument to @code{python}, it will act as a
23144 multi-line command, like @code{define}. In this case, the Python
23145 script is made up of subsequent command lines, given after the
23146 @code{python} command. This command list is terminated using a line
23147 containing @code{end}. For example:
23148
23149 @smallexample
23150 (@value{GDBP}) python
23151 Type python script
23152 End with a line saying just "end".
23153 >print 23
23154 >end
23155 23
23156 @end smallexample
23157
23158 @kindex set python print-stack
23159 @item set python print-stack
23160 By default, @value{GDBN} will print only the message component of a
23161 Python exception when an error occurs in a Python script. This can be
23162 controlled using @code{set python print-stack}: if @code{full}, then
23163 full Python stack printing is enabled; if @code{none}, then Python stack
23164 and message printing is disabled; if @code{message}, the default, only
23165 the message component of the error is printed.
23166 @end table
23167
23168 It is also possible to execute a Python script from the @value{GDBN}
23169 interpreter:
23170
23171 @table @code
23172 @item source @file{script-name}
23173 The script name must end with @samp{.py} and @value{GDBN} must be configured
23174 to recognize the script language based on filename extension using
23175 the @code{script-extension} setting. @xref{Extending GDB, ,Extending GDB}.
23176
23177 @item python execfile ("script-name")
23178 This method is based on the @code{execfile} Python built-in function,
23179 and thus is always available.
23180 @end table
23181
23182 @node Python API
23183 @subsection Python API
23184 @cindex python api
23185 @cindex programming in python
23186
23187 You can get quick online help for @value{GDBN}'s Python API by issuing
23188 the command @w{@kbd{python help (gdb)}}.
23189
23190 Functions and methods which have two or more optional arguments allow
23191 them to be specified using keyword syntax. This allows passing some
23192 optional arguments while skipping others. Example:
23193 @w{@code{gdb.some_function ('foo', bar = 1, baz = 2)}}.
23194
23195 @menu
23196 * Basic Python:: Basic Python Functions.
23197 * Exception Handling:: How Python exceptions are translated.
23198 * Values From Inferior:: Python representation of values.
23199 * Types In Python:: Python representation of types.
23200 * Pretty Printing API:: Pretty-printing values.
23201 * Selecting Pretty-Printers:: How GDB chooses a pretty-printer.
23202 * Writing a Pretty-Printer:: Writing a Pretty-Printer.
23203 * Type Printing API:: Pretty-printing types.
23204 * Frame Filter API:: Filtering Frames.
23205 * Frame Decorator API:: Decorating Frames.
23206 * Writing a Frame Filter:: Writing a Frame Filter.
23207 * Inferiors In Python:: Python representation of inferiors (processes)
23208 * Events In Python:: Listening for events from @value{GDBN}.
23209 * Threads In Python:: Accessing inferior threads from Python.
23210 * Commands In Python:: Implementing new commands in Python.
23211 * Parameters In Python:: Adding new @value{GDBN} parameters.
23212 * Functions In Python:: Writing new convenience functions.
23213 * Progspaces In Python:: Program spaces.
23214 * Objfiles In Python:: Object files.
23215 * Frames In Python:: Accessing inferior stack frames from Python.
23216 * Blocks In Python:: Accessing blocks from Python.
23217 * Symbols In Python:: Python representation of symbols.
23218 * Symbol Tables In Python:: Python representation of symbol tables.
23219 * Breakpoints In Python:: Manipulating breakpoints using Python.
23220 * Finish Breakpoints in Python:: Setting Breakpoints on function return
23221 using Python.
23222 * Lazy Strings In Python:: Python representation of lazy strings.
23223 * Architectures In Python:: Python representation of architectures.
23224 @end menu
23225
23226 @node Basic Python
23227 @subsubsection Basic Python
23228
23229 @cindex python stdout
23230 @cindex python pagination
23231 At startup, @value{GDBN} overrides Python's @code{sys.stdout} and
23232 @code{sys.stderr} to print using @value{GDBN}'s output-paging streams.
23233 A Python program which outputs to one of these streams may have its
23234 output interrupted by the user (@pxref{Screen Size}). In this
23235 situation, a Python @code{KeyboardInterrupt} exception is thrown.
23236
23237 Some care must be taken when writing Python code to run in
23238 @value{GDBN}. Two things worth noting in particular:
23239
23240 @itemize @bullet
23241 @item
23242 @value{GDBN} install handlers for @code{SIGCHLD} and @code{SIGINT}.
23243 Python code must not override these, or even change the options using
23244 @code{sigaction}. If your program changes the handling of these
23245 signals, @value{GDBN} will most likely stop working correctly. Note
23246 that it is unfortunately common for GUI toolkits to install a
23247 @code{SIGCHLD} handler.
23248
23249 @item
23250 @value{GDBN} takes care to mark its internal file descriptors as
23251 close-on-exec. However, this cannot be done in a thread-safe way on
23252 all platforms. Your Python programs should be aware of this and
23253 should both create new file descriptors with the close-on-exec flag
23254 set and arrange to close unneeded file descriptors before starting a
23255 child process.
23256 @end itemize
23257
23258 @cindex python functions
23259 @cindex python module
23260 @cindex gdb module
23261 @value{GDBN} introduces a new Python module, named @code{gdb}. All
23262 methods and classes added by @value{GDBN} are placed in this module.
23263 @value{GDBN} automatically @code{import}s the @code{gdb} module for
23264 use in all scripts evaluated by the @code{python} command.
23265
23266 @findex gdb.PYTHONDIR
23267 @defvar gdb.PYTHONDIR
23268 A string containing the python directory (@pxref{Python}).
23269 @end defvar
23270
23271 @findex gdb.execute
23272 @defun gdb.execute (command @r{[}, from_tty @r{[}, to_string@r{]]})
23273 Evaluate @var{command}, a string, as a @value{GDBN} CLI command.
23274 If a GDB exception happens while @var{command} runs, it is
23275 translated as described in @ref{Exception Handling,,Exception Handling}.
23276
23277 @var{from_tty} specifies whether @value{GDBN} ought to consider this
23278 command as having originated from the user invoking it interactively.
23279 It must be a boolean value. If omitted, it defaults to @code{False}.
23280
23281 By default, any output produced by @var{command} is sent to
23282 @value{GDBN}'s standard output. If the @var{to_string} parameter is
23283 @code{True}, then output will be collected by @code{gdb.execute} and
23284 returned as a string. The default is @code{False}, in which case the
23285 return value is @code{None}. If @var{to_string} is @code{True}, the
23286 @value{GDBN} virtual terminal will be temporarily set to unlimited width
23287 and height, and its pagination will be disabled; @pxref{Screen Size}.
23288 @end defun
23289
23290 @findex gdb.breakpoints
23291 @defun gdb.breakpoints ()
23292 Return a sequence holding all of @value{GDBN}'s breakpoints.
23293 @xref{Breakpoints In Python}, for more information.
23294 @end defun
23295
23296 @findex gdb.parameter
23297 @defun gdb.parameter (parameter)
23298 Return the value of a @value{GDBN} parameter. @var{parameter} is a
23299 string naming the parameter to look up; @var{parameter} may contain
23300 spaces if the parameter has a multi-part name. For example,
23301 @samp{print object} is a valid parameter name.
23302
23303 If the named parameter does not exist, this function throws a
23304 @code{gdb.error} (@pxref{Exception Handling}). Otherwise, the
23305 parameter's value is converted to a Python value of the appropriate
23306 type, and returned.
23307 @end defun
23308
23309 @findex gdb.history
23310 @defun gdb.history (number)
23311 Return a value from @value{GDBN}'s value history (@pxref{Value
23312 History}). @var{number} indicates which history element to return.
23313 If @var{number} is negative, then @value{GDBN} will take its absolute value
23314 and count backward from the last element (i.e., the most recent element) to
23315 find the value to return. If @var{number} is zero, then @value{GDBN} will
23316 return the most recent element. If the element specified by @var{number}
23317 doesn't exist in the value history, a @code{gdb.error} exception will be
23318 raised.
23319
23320 If no exception is raised, the return value is always an instance of
23321 @code{gdb.Value} (@pxref{Values From Inferior}).
23322 @end defun
23323
23324 @findex gdb.parse_and_eval
23325 @defun gdb.parse_and_eval (expression)
23326 Parse @var{expression} as an expression in the current language,
23327 evaluate it, and return the result as a @code{gdb.Value}.
23328 @var{expression} must be a string.
23329
23330 This function can be useful when implementing a new command
23331 (@pxref{Commands In Python}), as it provides a way to parse the
23332 command's argument as an expression. It is also useful simply to
23333 compute values, for example, it is the only way to get the value of a
23334 convenience variable (@pxref{Convenience Vars}) as a @code{gdb.Value}.
23335 @end defun
23336
23337 @findex gdb.find_pc_line
23338 @defun gdb.find_pc_line (pc)
23339 Return the @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object corresponding to the
23340 @var{pc} value. @xref{Symbol Tables In Python}. If an invalid
23341 value of @var{pc} is passed as an argument, then the @code{symtab} and
23342 @code{line} attributes of the returned @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object
23343 will be @code{None} and 0 respectively.
23344 @end defun
23345
23346 @findex gdb.post_event
23347 @defun gdb.post_event (event)
23348 Put @var{event}, a callable object taking no arguments, into
23349 @value{GDBN}'s internal event queue. This callable will be invoked at
23350 some later point, during @value{GDBN}'s event processing. Events
23351 posted using @code{post_event} will be run in the order in which they
23352 were posted; however, there is no way to know when they will be
23353 processed relative to other events inside @value{GDBN}.
23354
23355 @value{GDBN} is not thread-safe. If your Python program uses multiple
23356 threads, you must be careful to only call @value{GDBN}-specific
23357 functions in the main @value{GDBN} thread. @code{post_event} ensures
23358 this. For example:
23359
23360 @smallexample
23361 (@value{GDBP}) python
23362 >import threading
23363 >
23364 >class Writer():
23365 > def __init__(self, message):
23366 > self.message = message;
23367 > def __call__(self):
23368 > gdb.write(self.message)
23369 >
23370 >class MyThread1 (threading.Thread):
23371 > def run (self):
23372 > gdb.post_event(Writer("Hello "))
23373 >
23374 >class MyThread2 (threading.Thread):
23375 > def run (self):
23376 > gdb.post_event(Writer("World\n"))
23377 >
23378 >MyThread1().start()
23379 >MyThread2().start()
23380 >end
23381 (@value{GDBP}) Hello World
23382 @end smallexample
23383 @end defun
23384
23385 @findex gdb.write
23386 @defun gdb.write (string @r{[}, stream{]})
23387 Print a string to @value{GDBN}'s paginated output stream. The
23388 optional @var{stream} determines the stream to print to. The default
23389 stream is @value{GDBN}'s standard output stream. Possible stream
23390 values are:
23391
23392 @table @code
23393 @findex STDOUT
23394 @findex gdb.STDOUT
23395 @item gdb.STDOUT
23396 @value{GDBN}'s standard output stream.
23397
23398 @findex STDERR
23399 @findex gdb.STDERR
23400 @item gdb.STDERR
23401 @value{GDBN}'s standard error stream.
23402
23403 @findex STDLOG
23404 @findex gdb.STDLOG
23405 @item gdb.STDLOG
23406 @value{GDBN}'s log stream (@pxref{Logging Output}).
23407 @end table
23408
23409 Writing to @code{sys.stdout} or @code{sys.stderr} will automatically
23410 call this function and will automatically direct the output to the
23411 relevant stream.
23412 @end defun
23413
23414 @findex gdb.flush
23415 @defun gdb.flush ()
23416 Flush the buffer of a @value{GDBN} paginated stream so that the
23417 contents are displayed immediately. @value{GDBN} will flush the
23418 contents of a stream automatically when it encounters a newline in the
23419 buffer. The optional @var{stream} determines the stream to flush. The
23420 default stream is @value{GDBN}'s standard output stream. Possible
23421 stream values are:
23422
23423 @table @code
23424 @findex STDOUT
23425 @findex gdb.STDOUT
23426 @item gdb.STDOUT
23427 @value{GDBN}'s standard output stream.
23428
23429 @findex STDERR
23430 @findex gdb.STDERR
23431 @item gdb.STDERR
23432 @value{GDBN}'s standard error stream.
23433
23434 @findex STDLOG
23435 @findex gdb.STDLOG
23436 @item gdb.STDLOG
23437 @value{GDBN}'s log stream (@pxref{Logging Output}).
23438
23439 @end table
23440
23441 Flushing @code{sys.stdout} or @code{sys.stderr} will automatically
23442 call this function for the relevant stream.
23443 @end defun
23444
23445 @findex gdb.target_charset
23446 @defun gdb.target_charset ()
23447 Return the name of the current target character set (@pxref{Character
23448 Sets}). This differs from @code{gdb.parameter('target-charset')} in
23449 that @samp{auto} is never returned.
23450 @end defun
23451
23452 @findex gdb.target_wide_charset
23453 @defun gdb.target_wide_charset ()
23454 Return the name of the current target wide character set
23455 (@pxref{Character Sets}). This differs from
23456 @code{gdb.parameter('target-wide-charset')} in that @samp{auto} is
23457 never returned.
23458 @end defun
23459
23460 @findex gdb.solib_name
23461 @defun gdb.solib_name (address)
23462 Return the name of the shared library holding the given @var{address}
23463 as a string, or @code{None}.
23464 @end defun
23465
23466 @findex gdb.decode_line
23467 @defun gdb.decode_line @r{[}expression@r{]}
23468 Return locations of the line specified by @var{expression}, or of the
23469 current line if no argument was given. This function returns a Python
23470 tuple containing two elements. The first element contains a string
23471 holding any unparsed section of @var{expression} (or @code{None} if
23472 the expression has been fully parsed). The second element contains
23473 either @code{None} or another tuple that contains all the locations
23474 that match the expression represented as @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line}
23475 objects (@pxref{Symbol Tables In Python}). If @var{expression} is
23476 provided, it is decoded the way that @value{GDBN}'s inbuilt
23477 @code{break} or @code{edit} commands do (@pxref{Specify Location}).
23478 @end defun
23479
23480 @defun gdb.prompt_hook (current_prompt)
23481 @anchor{prompt_hook}
23482
23483 If @var{prompt_hook} is callable, @value{GDBN} will call the method
23484 assigned to this operation before a prompt is displayed by
23485 @value{GDBN}.
23486
23487 The parameter @code{current_prompt} contains the current @value{GDBN}
23488 prompt. This method must return a Python string, or @code{None}. If
23489 a string is returned, the @value{GDBN} prompt will be set to that
23490 string. If @code{None} is returned, @value{GDBN} will continue to use
23491 the current prompt.
23492
23493 Some prompts cannot be substituted in @value{GDBN}. Secondary prompts
23494 such as those used by readline for command input, and annotation
23495 related prompts are prohibited from being changed.
23496 @end defun
23497
23498 @node Exception Handling
23499 @subsubsection Exception Handling
23500 @cindex python exceptions
23501 @cindex exceptions, python
23502
23503 When executing the @code{python} command, Python exceptions
23504 uncaught within the Python code are translated to calls to
23505 @value{GDBN} error-reporting mechanism. If the command that called
23506 @code{python} does not handle the error, @value{GDBN} will
23507 terminate it and print an error message containing the Python
23508 exception name, the associated value, and the Python call stack
23509 backtrace at the point where the exception was raised. Example:
23510
23511 @smallexample
23512 (@value{GDBP}) python print foo
23513 Traceback (most recent call last):
23514 File "<string>", line 1, in <module>
23515 NameError: name 'foo' is not defined
23516 @end smallexample
23517
23518 @value{GDBN} errors that happen in @value{GDBN} commands invoked by
23519 Python code are converted to Python exceptions. The type of the
23520 Python exception depends on the error.
23521
23522 @ftable @code
23523 @item gdb.error
23524 This is the base class for most exceptions generated by @value{GDBN}.
23525 It is derived from @code{RuntimeError}, for compatibility with earlier
23526 versions of @value{GDBN}.
23527
23528 If an error occurring in @value{GDBN} does not fit into some more
23529 specific category, then the generated exception will have this type.
23530
23531 @item gdb.MemoryError
23532 This is a subclass of @code{gdb.error} which is thrown when an
23533 operation tried to access invalid memory in the inferior.
23534
23535 @item KeyboardInterrupt
23536 User interrupt (via @kbd{C-c} or by typing @kbd{q} at a pagination
23537 prompt) is translated to a Python @code{KeyboardInterrupt} exception.
23538 @end ftable
23539
23540 In all cases, your exception handler will see the @value{GDBN} error
23541 message as its value and the Python call stack backtrace at the Python
23542 statement closest to where the @value{GDBN} error occured as the
23543 traceback.
23544
23545 @findex gdb.GdbError
23546 When implementing @value{GDBN} commands in Python via @code{gdb.Command},
23547 it is useful to be able to throw an exception that doesn't cause a
23548 traceback to be printed. For example, the user may have invoked the
23549 command incorrectly. Use the @code{gdb.GdbError} exception
23550 to handle this case. Example:
23551
23552 @smallexample
23553 (gdb) python
23554 >class HelloWorld (gdb.Command):
23555 > """Greet the whole world."""
23556 > def __init__ (self):
23557 > super (HelloWorld, self).__init__ ("hello-world", gdb.COMMAND_USER)
23558 > def invoke (self, args, from_tty):
23559 > argv = gdb.string_to_argv (args)
23560 > if len (argv) != 0:
23561 > raise gdb.GdbError ("hello-world takes no arguments")
23562 > print "Hello, World!"
23563 >HelloWorld ()
23564 >end
23565 (gdb) hello-world 42
23566 hello-world takes no arguments
23567 @end smallexample
23568
23569 @node Values From Inferior
23570 @subsubsection Values From Inferior
23571 @cindex values from inferior, with Python
23572 @cindex python, working with values from inferior
23573
23574 @cindex @code{gdb.Value}
23575 @value{GDBN} provides values it obtains from the inferior program in
23576 an object of type @code{gdb.Value}. @value{GDBN} uses this object
23577 for its internal bookkeeping of the inferior's values, and for
23578 fetching values when necessary.
23579
23580 Inferior values that are simple scalars can be used directly in
23581 Python expressions that are valid for the value's data type. Here's
23582 an example for an integer or floating-point value @code{some_val}:
23583
23584 @smallexample
23585 bar = some_val + 2
23586 @end smallexample
23587
23588 @noindent
23589 As result of this, @code{bar} will also be a @code{gdb.Value} object
23590 whose values are of the same type as those of @code{some_val}.
23591
23592 Inferior values that are structures or instances of some class can
23593 be accessed using the Python @dfn{dictionary syntax}. For example, if
23594 @code{some_val} is a @code{gdb.Value} instance holding a structure, you
23595 can access its @code{foo} element with:
23596
23597 @smallexample
23598 bar = some_val['foo']
23599 @end smallexample
23600
23601 Again, @code{bar} will also be a @code{gdb.Value} object.
23602
23603 A @code{gdb.Value} that represents a function can be executed via
23604 inferior function call. Any arguments provided to the call must match
23605 the function's prototype, and must be provided in the order specified
23606 by that prototype.
23607
23608 For example, @code{some_val} is a @code{gdb.Value} instance
23609 representing a function that takes two integers as arguments. To
23610 execute this function, call it like so:
23611
23612 @smallexample
23613 result = some_val (10,20)
23614 @end smallexample
23615
23616 Any values returned from a function call will be stored as a
23617 @code{gdb.Value}.
23618
23619 The following attributes are provided:
23620
23621 @defvar Value.address
23622 If this object is addressable, this read-only attribute holds a
23623 @code{gdb.Value} object representing the address. Otherwise,
23624 this attribute holds @code{None}.
23625 @end defvar
23626
23627 @cindex optimized out value in Python
23628 @defvar Value.is_optimized_out
23629 This read-only boolean attribute is true if the compiler optimized out
23630 this value, thus it is not available for fetching from the inferior.
23631 @end defvar
23632
23633 @defvar Value.type
23634 The type of this @code{gdb.Value}. The value of this attribute is a
23635 @code{gdb.Type} object (@pxref{Types In Python}).
23636 @end defvar
23637
23638 @defvar Value.dynamic_type
23639 The dynamic type of this @code{gdb.Value}. This uses C@t{++} run-time
23640 type information (@acronym{RTTI}) to determine the dynamic type of the
23641 value. If this value is of class type, it will return the class in
23642 which the value is embedded, if any. If this value is of pointer or
23643 reference to a class type, it will compute the dynamic type of the
23644 referenced object, and return a pointer or reference to that type,
23645 respectively. In all other cases, it will return the value's static
23646 type.
23647
23648 Note that this feature will only work when debugging a C@t{++} program
23649 that includes @acronym{RTTI} for the object in question. Otherwise,
23650 it will just return the static type of the value as in @kbd{ptype foo}
23651 (@pxref{Symbols, ptype}).
23652 @end defvar
23653
23654 @defvar Value.is_lazy
23655 The value of this read-only boolean attribute is @code{True} if this
23656 @code{gdb.Value} has not yet been fetched from the inferior.
23657 @value{GDBN} does not fetch values until necessary, for efficiency.
23658 For example:
23659
23660 @smallexample
23661 myval = gdb.parse_and_eval ('somevar')
23662 @end smallexample
23663
23664 The value of @code{somevar} is not fetched at this time. It will be
23665 fetched when the value is needed, or when the @code{fetch_lazy}
23666 method is invoked.
23667 @end defvar
23668
23669 The following methods are provided:
23670
23671 @defun Value.__init__ (@var{val})
23672 Many Python values can be converted directly to a @code{gdb.Value} via
23673 this object initializer. Specifically:
23674
23675 @table @asis
23676 @item Python boolean
23677 A Python boolean is converted to the boolean type from the current
23678 language.
23679
23680 @item Python integer
23681 A Python integer is converted to the C @code{long} type for the
23682 current architecture.
23683
23684 @item Python long
23685 A Python long is converted to the C @code{long long} type for the
23686 current architecture.
23687
23688 @item Python float
23689 A Python float is converted to the C @code{double} type for the
23690 current architecture.
23691
23692 @item Python string
23693 A Python string is converted to a target string, using the current
23694 target encoding.
23695
23696 @item @code{gdb.Value}
23697 If @code{val} is a @code{gdb.Value}, then a copy of the value is made.
23698
23699 @item @code{gdb.LazyString}
23700 If @code{val} is a @code{gdb.LazyString} (@pxref{Lazy Strings In
23701 Python}), then the lazy string's @code{value} method is called, and
23702 its result is used.
23703 @end table
23704 @end defun
23705
23706 @defun Value.cast (type)
23707 Return a new instance of @code{gdb.Value} that is the result of
23708 casting this instance to the type described by @var{type}, which must
23709 be a @code{gdb.Type} object. If the cast cannot be performed for some
23710 reason, this method throws an exception.
23711 @end defun
23712
23713 @defun Value.dereference ()
23714 For pointer data types, this method returns a new @code{gdb.Value} object
23715 whose contents is the object pointed to by the pointer. For example, if
23716 @code{foo} is a C pointer to an @code{int}, declared in your C program as
23717
23718 @smallexample
23719 int *foo;
23720 @end smallexample
23721
23722 @noindent
23723 then you can use the corresponding @code{gdb.Value} to access what
23724 @code{foo} points to like this:
23725
23726 @smallexample
23727 bar = foo.dereference ()
23728 @end smallexample
23729
23730 The result @code{bar} will be a @code{gdb.Value} object holding the
23731 value pointed to by @code{foo}.
23732
23733 A similar function @code{Value.referenced_value} exists which also
23734 returns @code{gdb.Value} objects corresonding to the values pointed to
23735 by pointer values (and additionally, values referenced by reference
23736 values). However, the behavior of @code{Value.dereference}
23737 differs from @code{Value.referenced_value} by the fact that the
23738 behavior of @code{Value.dereference} is identical to applying the C
23739 unary operator @code{*} on a given value. For example, consider a
23740 reference to a pointer @code{ptrref}, declared in your C@t{++} program
23741 as
23742
23743 @smallexample
23744 typedef int *intptr;
23745 ...
23746 int val = 10;
23747 intptr ptr = &val;
23748 intptr &ptrref = ptr;
23749 @end smallexample
23750
23751 Though @code{ptrref} is a reference value, one can apply the method
23752 @code{Value.dereference} to the @code{gdb.Value} object corresponding
23753 to it and obtain a @code{gdb.Value} which is identical to that
23754 corresponding to @code{val}. However, if you apply the method
23755 @code{Value.referenced_value}, the result would be a @code{gdb.Value}
23756 object identical to that corresponding to @code{ptr}.
23757
23758 @smallexample
23759 py_ptrref = gdb.parse_and_eval ("ptrref")
23760 py_val = py_ptrref.dereference ()
23761 py_ptr = py_ptrref.referenced_value ()
23762 @end smallexample
23763
23764 The @code{gdb.Value} object @code{py_val} is identical to that
23765 corresponding to @code{val}, and @code{py_ptr} is identical to that
23766 corresponding to @code{ptr}. In general, @code{Value.dereference} can
23767 be applied whenever the C unary operator @code{*} can be applied
23768 to the corresponding C value. For those cases where applying both
23769 @code{Value.dereference} and @code{Value.referenced_value} is allowed,
23770 the results obtained need not be identical (as we have seen in the above
23771 example). The results are however identical when applied on
23772 @code{gdb.Value} objects corresponding to pointers (@code{gdb.Value}
23773 objects with type code @code{TYPE_CODE_PTR}) in a C/C@t{++} program.
23774 @end defun
23775
23776 @defun Value.referenced_value ()
23777 For pointer or reference data types, this method returns a new
23778 @code{gdb.Value} object corresponding to the value referenced by the
23779 pointer/reference value. For pointer data types,
23780 @code{Value.dereference} and @code{Value.referenced_value} produce
23781 identical results. The difference between these methods is that
23782 @code{Value.dereference} cannot get the values referenced by reference
23783 values. For example, consider a reference to an @code{int}, declared
23784 in your C@t{++} program as
23785
23786 @smallexample
23787 int val = 10;
23788 int &ref = val;
23789 @end smallexample
23790
23791 @noindent
23792 then applying @code{Value.dereference} to the @code{gdb.Value} object
23793 corresponding to @code{ref} will result in an error, while applying
23794 @code{Value.referenced_value} will result in a @code{gdb.Value} object
23795 identical to that corresponding to @code{val}.
23796
23797 @smallexample
23798 py_ref = gdb.parse_and_eval ("ref")
23799 er_ref = py_ref.dereference () # Results in error
23800 py_val = py_ref.referenced_value () # Returns the referenced value
23801 @end smallexample
23802
23803 The @code{gdb.Value} object @code{py_val} is identical to that
23804 corresponding to @code{val}.
23805 @end defun
23806
23807 @defun Value.dynamic_cast (type)
23808 Like @code{Value.cast}, but works as if the C@t{++} @code{dynamic_cast}
23809 operator were used. Consult a C@t{++} reference for details.
23810 @end defun
23811
23812 @defun Value.reinterpret_cast (type)
23813 Like @code{Value.cast}, but works as if the C@t{++} @code{reinterpret_cast}
23814 operator were used. Consult a C@t{++} reference for details.
23815 @end defun
23816
23817 @defun Value.string (@r{[}encoding@r{[}, errors@r{[}, length@r{]]]})
23818 If this @code{gdb.Value} represents a string, then this method
23819 converts the contents to a Python string. Otherwise, this method will
23820 throw an exception.
23821
23822 Strings are recognized in a language-specific way; whether a given
23823 @code{gdb.Value} represents a string is determined by the current
23824 language.
23825
23826 For C-like languages, a value is a string if it is a pointer to or an
23827 array of characters or ints. The string is assumed to be terminated
23828 by a zero of the appropriate width. However if the optional length
23829 argument is given, the string will be converted to that given length,
23830 ignoring any embedded zeros that the string may contain.
23831
23832 If the optional @var{encoding} argument is given, it must be a string
23833 naming the encoding of the string in the @code{gdb.Value}, such as
23834 @code{"ascii"}, @code{"iso-8859-6"} or @code{"utf-8"}. It accepts
23835 the same encodings as the corresponding argument to Python's
23836 @code{string.decode} method, and the Python codec machinery will be used
23837 to convert the string. If @var{encoding} is not given, or if
23838 @var{encoding} is the empty string, then either the @code{target-charset}
23839 (@pxref{Character Sets}) will be used, or a language-specific encoding
23840 will be used, if the current language is able to supply one.
23841
23842 The optional @var{errors} argument is the same as the corresponding
23843 argument to Python's @code{string.decode} method.
23844
23845 If the optional @var{length} argument is given, the string will be
23846 fetched and converted to the given length.
23847 @end defun
23848
23849 @defun Value.lazy_string (@r{[}encoding @r{[}, length@r{]]})
23850 If this @code{gdb.Value} represents a string, then this method
23851 converts the contents to a @code{gdb.LazyString} (@pxref{Lazy Strings
23852 In Python}). Otherwise, this method will throw an exception.
23853
23854 If the optional @var{encoding} argument is given, it must be a string
23855 naming the encoding of the @code{gdb.LazyString}. Some examples are:
23856 @samp{ascii}, @samp{iso-8859-6} or @samp{utf-8}. If the
23857 @var{encoding} argument is an encoding that @value{GDBN} does
23858 recognize, @value{GDBN} will raise an error.
23859
23860 When a lazy string is printed, the @value{GDBN} encoding machinery is
23861 used to convert the string during printing. If the optional
23862 @var{encoding} argument is not provided, or is an empty string,
23863 @value{GDBN} will automatically select the encoding most suitable for
23864 the string type. For further information on encoding in @value{GDBN}
23865 please see @ref{Character Sets}.
23866
23867 If the optional @var{length} argument is given, the string will be
23868 fetched and encoded to the length of characters specified. If
23869 the @var{length} argument is not provided, the string will be fetched
23870 and encoded until a null of appropriate width is found.
23871 @end defun
23872
23873 @defun Value.fetch_lazy ()
23874 If the @code{gdb.Value} object is currently a lazy value
23875 (@code{gdb.Value.is_lazy} is @code{True}), then the value is
23876 fetched from the inferior. Any errors that occur in the process
23877 will produce a Python exception.
23878
23879 If the @code{gdb.Value} object is not a lazy value, this method
23880 has no effect.
23881
23882 This method does not return a value.
23883 @end defun
23884
23885
23886 @node Types In Python
23887 @subsubsection Types In Python
23888 @cindex types in Python
23889 @cindex Python, working with types
23890
23891 @tindex gdb.Type
23892 @value{GDBN} represents types from the inferior using the class
23893 @code{gdb.Type}.
23894
23895 The following type-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
23896 module:
23897
23898 @findex gdb.lookup_type
23899 @defun gdb.lookup_type (name @r{[}, block@r{]})
23900 This function looks up a type by name. @var{name} is the name of the
23901 type to look up. It must be a string.
23902
23903 If @var{block} is given, then @var{name} is looked up in that scope.
23904 Otherwise, it is searched for globally.
23905
23906 Ordinarily, this function will return an instance of @code{gdb.Type}.
23907 If the named type cannot be found, it will throw an exception.
23908 @end defun
23909
23910 If the type is a structure or class type, or an enum type, the fields
23911 of that type can be accessed using the Python @dfn{dictionary syntax}.
23912 For example, if @code{some_type} is a @code{gdb.Type} instance holding
23913 a structure type, you can access its @code{foo} field with:
23914
23915 @smallexample
23916 bar = some_type['foo']
23917 @end smallexample
23918
23919 @code{bar} will be a @code{gdb.Field} object; see below under the
23920 description of the @code{Type.fields} method for a description of the
23921 @code{gdb.Field} class.
23922
23923 An instance of @code{Type} has the following attributes:
23924
23925 @defvar Type.code
23926 The type code for this type. The type code will be one of the
23927 @code{TYPE_CODE_} constants defined below.
23928 @end defvar
23929
23930 @defvar Type.sizeof
23931 The size of this type, in target @code{char} units. Usually, a
23932 target's @code{char} type will be an 8-bit byte. However, on some
23933 unusual platforms, this type may have a different size.
23934 @end defvar
23935
23936 @defvar Type.tag
23937 The tag name for this type. The tag name is the name after
23938 @code{struct}, @code{union}, or @code{enum} in C and C@t{++}; not all
23939 languages have this concept. If this type has no tag name, then
23940 @code{None} is returned.
23941 @end defvar
23942
23943 The following methods are provided:
23944
23945 @defun Type.fields ()
23946 For structure and union types, this method returns the fields. Range
23947 types have two fields, the minimum and maximum values. Enum types
23948 have one field per enum constant. Function and method types have one
23949 field per parameter. The base types of C@t{++} classes are also
23950 represented as fields. If the type has no fields, or does not fit
23951 into one of these categories, an empty sequence will be returned.
23952
23953 Each field is a @code{gdb.Field} object, with some pre-defined attributes:
23954 @table @code
23955 @item bitpos
23956 This attribute is not available for @code{static} fields (as in
23957 C@t{++} or Java). For non-@code{static} fields, the value is the bit
23958 position of the field. For @code{enum} fields, the value is the
23959 enumeration member's integer representation.
23960
23961 @item name
23962 The name of the field, or @code{None} for anonymous fields.
23963
23964 @item artificial
23965 This is @code{True} if the field is artificial, usually meaning that
23966 it was provided by the compiler and not the user. This attribute is
23967 always provided, and is @code{False} if the field is not artificial.
23968
23969 @item is_base_class
23970 This is @code{True} if the field represents a base class of a C@t{++}
23971 structure. This attribute is always provided, and is @code{False}
23972 if the field is not a base class of the type that is the argument of
23973 @code{fields}, or if that type was not a C@t{++} class.
23974
23975 @item bitsize
23976 If the field is packed, or is a bitfield, then this will have a
23977 non-zero value, which is the size of the field in bits. Otherwise,
23978 this will be zero; in this case the field's size is given by its type.
23979
23980 @item type
23981 The type of the field. This is usually an instance of @code{Type},
23982 but it can be @code{None} in some situations.
23983 @end table
23984 @end defun
23985
23986 @defun Type.array (@var{n1} @r{[}, @var{n2}@r{]})
23987 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents an array of this
23988 type. If one argument is given, it is the inclusive upper bound of
23989 the array; in this case the lower bound is zero. If two arguments are
23990 given, the first argument is the lower bound of the array, and the
23991 second argument is the upper bound of the array. An array's length
23992 must not be negative, but the bounds can be.
23993 @end defun
23994
23995 @defun Type.vector (@var{n1} @r{[}, @var{n2}@r{]})
23996 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a vector of this
23997 type. If one argument is given, it is the inclusive upper bound of
23998 the vector; in this case the lower bound is zero. If two arguments are
23999 given, the first argument is the lower bound of the vector, and the
24000 second argument is the upper bound of the vector. A vector's length
24001 must not be negative, but the bounds can be.
24002
24003 The difference between an @code{array} and a @code{vector} is that
24004 arrays behave like in C: when used in expressions they decay to a pointer
24005 to the first element whereas vectors are treated as first class values.
24006 @end defun
24007
24008 @defun Type.const ()
24009 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a
24010 @code{const}-qualified variant of this type.
24011 @end defun
24012
24013 @defun Type.volatile ()
24014 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a
24015 @code{volatile}-qualified variant of this type.
24016 @end defun
24017
24018 @defun Type.unqualified ()
24019 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents an unqualified
24020 variant of this type. That is, the result is neither @code{const} nor
24021 @code{volatile}.
24022 @end defun
24023
24024 @defun Type.range ()
24025 Return a Python @code{Tuple} object that contains two elements: the
24026 low bound of the argument type and the high bound of that type. If
24027 the type does not have a range, @value{GDBN} will raise a
24028 @code{gdb.error} exception (@pxref{Exception Handling}).
24029 @end defun
24030
24031 @defun Type.reference ()
24032 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a reference to this
24033 type.
24034 @end defun
24035
24036 @defun Type.pointer ()
24037 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a pointer to this
24038 type.
24039 @end defun
24040
24041 @defun Type.strip_typedefs ()
24042 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} that represents the real type,
24043 after removing all layers of typedefs.
24044 @end defun
24045
24046 @defun Type.target ()
24047 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents the target type
24048 of this type.
24049
24050 For a pointer type, the target type is the type of the pointed-to
24051 object. For an array type (meaning C-like arrays), the target type is
24052 the type of the elements of the array. For a function or method type,
24053 the target type is the type of the return value. For a complex type,
24054 the target type is the type of the elements. For a typedef, the
24055 target type is the aliased type.
24056
24057 If the type does not have a target, this method will throw an
24058 exception.
24059 @end defun
24060
24061 @defun Type.template_argument (n @r{[}, block@r{]})
24062 If this @code{gdb.Type} is an instantiation of a template, this will
24063 return a new @code{gdb.Type} which represents the type of the
24064 @var{n}th template argument.
24065
24066 If this @code{gdb.Type} is not a template type, this will throw an
24067 exception. Ordinarily, only C@t{++} code will have template types.
24068
24069 If @var{block} is given, then @var{name} is looked up in that scope.
24070 Otherwise, it is searched for globally.
24071 @end defun
24072
24073
24074 Each type has a code, which indicates what category this type falls
24075 into. The available type categories are represented by constants
24076 defined in the @code{gdb} module:
24077
24078 @table @code
24079 @findex TYPE_CODE_PTR
24080 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_PTR
24081 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_PTR
24082 The type is a pointer.
24083
24084 @findex TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
24085 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
24086 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
24087 The type is an array.
24088
24089 @findex TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
24090 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
24091 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
24092 The type is a structure.
24093
24094 @findex TYPE_CODE_UNION
24095 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_UNION
24096 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_UNION
24097 The type is a union.
24098
24099 @findex TYPE_CODE_ENUM
24100 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ENUM
24101 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_ENUM
24102 The type is an enum.
24103
24104 @findex TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
24105 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
24106 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
24107 A bit flags type, used for things such as status registers.
24108
24109 @findex TYPE_CODE_FUNC
24110 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FUNC
24111 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_FUNC
24112 The type is a function.
24113
24114 @findex TYPE_CODE_INT
24115 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_INT
24116 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_INT
24117 The type is an integer type.
24118
24119 @findex TYPE_CODE_FLT
24120 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLT
24121 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLT
24122 A floating point type.
24123
24124 @findex TYPE_CODE_VOID
24125 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_VOID
24126 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_VOID
24127 The special type @code{void}.
24128
24129 @findex TYPE_CODE_SET
24130 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_SET
24131 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_SET
24132 A Pascal set type.
24133
24134 @findex TYPE_CODE_RANGE
24135 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_RANGE
24136 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_RANGE
24137 A range type, that is, an integer type with bounds.
24138
24139 @findex TYPE_CODE_STRING
24140 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRING
24141 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRING
24142 A string type. Note that this is only used for certain languages with
24143 language-defined string types; C strings are not represented this way.
24144
24145 @findex TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
24146 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
24147 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
24148 A string of bits. It is deprecated.
24149
24150 @findex TYPE_CODE_ERROR
24151 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ERROR
24152 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_ERROR
24153 An unknown or erroneous type.
24154
24155 @findex TYPE_CODE_METHOD
24156 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHOD
24157 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHOD
24158 A method type, as found in C@t{++} or Java.
24159
24160 @findex TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
24161 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
24162 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
24163 A pointer-to-member-function.
24164
24165 @findex TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
24166 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
24167 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
24168 A pointer-to-member.
24169
24170 @findex TYPE_CODE_REF
24171 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_REF
24172 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_REF
24173 A reference type.
24174
24175 @findex TYPE_CODE_CHAR
24176 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_CHAR
24177 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_CHAR
24178 A character type.
24179
24180 @findex TYPE_CODE_BOOL
24181 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_BOOL
24182 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_BOOL
24183 A boolean type.
24184
24185 @findex TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
24186 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
24187 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
24188 A complex float type.
24189
24190 @findex TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
24191 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
24192 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
24193 A typedef to some other type.
24194
24195 @findex TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
24196 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
24197 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
24198 A C@t{++} namespace.
24199
24200 @findex TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
24201 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
24202 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
24203 A decimal floating point type.
24204
24205 @findex TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
24206 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
24207 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
24208 A function internal to @value{GDBN}. This is the type used to represent
24209 convenience functions.
24210 @end table
24211
24212 Further support for types is provided in the @code{gdb.types}
24213 Python module (@pxref{gdb.types}).
24214
24215 @node Pretty Printing API
24216 @subsubsection Pretty Printing API
24217
24218 An example output is provided (@pxref{Pretty Printing}).
24219
24220 A pretty-printer is just an object that holds a value and implements a
24221 specific interface, defined here.
24222
24223 @defun pretty_printer.children (self)
24224 @value{GDBN} will call this method on a pretty-printer to compute the
24225 children of the pretty-printer's value.
24226
24227 This method must return an object conforming to the Python iterator
24228 protocol. Each item returned by the iterator must be a tuple holding
24229 two elements. The first element is the ``name'' of the child; the
24230 second element is the child's value. The value can be any Python
24231 object which is convertible to a @value{GDBN} value.
24232
24233 This method is optional. If it does not exist, @value{GDBN} will act
24234 as though the value has no children.
24235 @end defun
24236
24237 @defun pretty_printer.display_hint (self)
24238 The CLI may call this method and use its result to change the
24239 formatting of a value. The result will also be supplied to an MI
24240 consumer as a @samp{displayhint} attribute of the variable being
24241 printed.
24242
24243 This method is optional. If it does exist, this method must return a
24244 string.
24245
24246 Some display hints are predefined by @value{GDBN}:
24247
24248 @table @samp
24249 @item array
24250 Indicate that the object being printed is ``array-like''. The CLI
24251 uses this to respect parameters such as @code{set print elements} and
24252 @code{set print array}.
24253
24254 @item map
24255 Indicate that the object being printed is ``map-like'', and that the
24256 children of this value can be assumed to alternate between keys and
24257 values.
24258
24259 @item string
24260 Indicate that the object being printed is ``string-like''. If the
24261 printer's @code{to_string} method returns a Python string of some
24262 kind, then @value{GDBN} will call its internal language-specific
24263 string-printing function to format the string. For the CLI this means
24264 adding quotation marks, possibly escaping some characters, respecting
24265 @code{set print elements}, and the like.
24266 @end table
24267 @end defun
24268
24269 @defun pretty_printer.to_string (self)
24270 @value{GDBN} will call this method to display the string
24271 representation of the value passed to the object's constructor.
24272
24273 When printing from the CLI, if the @code{to_string} method exists,
24274 then @value{GDBN} will prepend its result to the values returned by
24275 @code{children}. Exactly how this formatting is done is dependent on
24276 the display hint, and may change as more hints are added. Also,
24277 depending on the print settings (@pxref{Print Settings}), the CLI may
24278 print just the result of @code{to_string} in a stack trace, omitting
24279 the result of @code{children}.
24280
24281 If this method returns a string, it is printed verbatim.
24282
24283 Otherwise, if this method returns an instance of @code{gdb.Value},
24284 then @value{GDBN} prints this value. This may result in a call to
24285 another pretty-printer.
24286
24287 If instead the method returns a Python value which is convertible to a
24288 @code{gdb.Value}, then @value{GDBN} performs the conversion and prints
24289 the resulting value. Again, this may result in a call to another
24290 pretty-printer. Python scalars (integers, floats, and booleans) and
24291 strings are convertible to @code{gdb.Value}; other types are not.
24292
24293 Finally, if this method returns @code{None} then no further operations
24294 are peformed in this method and nothing is printed.
24295
24296 If the result is not one of these types, an exception is raised.
24297 @end defun
24298
24299 @value{GDBN} provides a function which can be used to look up the
24300 default pretty-printer for a @code{gdb.Value}:
24301
24302 @findex gdb.default_visualizer
24303 @defun gdb.default_visualizer (value)
24304 This function takes a @code{gdb.Value} object as an argument. If a
24305 pretty-printer for this value exists, then it is returned. If no such
24306 printer exists, then this returns @code{None}.
24307 @end defun
24308
24309 @node Selecting Pretty-Printers
24310 @subsubsection Selecting Pretty-Printers
24311
24312 The Python list @code{gdb.pretty_printers} contains an array of
24313 functions or callable objects that have been registered via addition
24314 as a pretty-printer. Printers in this list are called @code{global}
24315 printers, they're available when debugging all inferiors.
24316 Each @code{gdb.Progspace} contains a @code{pretty_printers} attribute.
24317 Each @code{gdb.Objfile} also contains a @code{pretty_printers}
24318 attribute.
24319
24320 Each function on these lists is passed a single @code{gdb.Value}
24321 argument and should return a pretty-printer object conforming to the
24322 interface definition above (@pxref{Pretty Printing API}). If a function
24323 cannot create a pretty-printer for the value, it should return
24324 @code{None}.
24325
24326 @value{GDBN} first checks the @code{pretty_printers} attribute of each
24327 @code{gdb.Objfile} in the current program space and iteratively calls
24328 each enabled lookup routine in the list for that @code{gdb.Objfile}
24329 until it receives a pretty-printer object.
24330 If no pretty-printer is found in the objfile lists, @value{GDBN} then
24331 searches the pretty-printer list of the current program space,
24332 calling each enabled function until an object is returned.
24333 After these lists have been exhausted, it tries the global
24334 @code{gdb.pretty_printers} list, again calling each enabled function until an
24335 object is returned.
24336
24337 The order in which the objfiles are searched is not specified. For a
24338 given list, functions are always invoked from the head of the list,
24339 and iterated over sequentially until the end of the list, or a printer
24340 object is returned.
24341
24342 For various reasons a pretty-printer may not work.
24343 For example, the underlying data structure may have changed and
24344 the pretty-printer is out of date.
24345
24346 The consequences of a broken pretty-printer are severe enough that
24347 @value{GDBN} provides support for enabling and disabling individual
24348 printers. For example, if @code{print frame-arguments} is on,
24349 a backtrace can become highly illegible if any argument is printed
24350 with a broken printer.
24351
24352 Pretty-printers are enabled and disabled by attaching an @code{enabled}
24353 attribute to the registered function or callable object. If this attribute
24354 is present and its value is @code{False}, the printer is disabled, otherwise
24355 the printer is enabled.
24356
24357 @node Writing a Pretty-Printer
24358 @subsubsection Writing a Pretty-Printer
24359 @cindex writing a pretty-printer
24360
24361 A pretty-printer consists of two parts: a lookup function to detect
24362 if the type is supported, and the printer itself.
24363
24364 Here is an example showing how a @code{std::string} printer might be
24365 written. @xref{Pretty Printing API}, for details on the API this class
24366 must provide.
24367
24368 @smallexample
24369 class StdStringPrinter(object):
24370 "Print a std::string"
24371
24372 def __init__(self, val):
24373 self.val = val
24374
24375 def to_string(self):
24376 return self.val['_M_dataplus']['_M_p']
24377
24378 def display_hint(self):
24379 return 'string'
24380 @end smallexample
24381
24382 And here is an example showing how a lookup function for the printer
24383 example above might be written.
24384
24385 @smallexample
24386 def str_lookup_function(val):
24387 lookup_tag = val.type.tag
24388 if lookup_tag == None:
24389 return None
24390 regex = re.compile("^std::basic_string<char,.*>$")
24391 if regex.match(lookup_tag):
24392 return StdStringPrinter(val)
24393 return None
24394 @end smallexample
24395
24396 The example lookup function extracts the value's type, and attempts to
24397 match it to a type that it can pretty-print. If it is a type the
24398 printer can pretty-print, it will return a printer object. If not, it
24399 returns @code{None}.
24400
24401 We recommend that you put your core pretty-printers into a Python
24402 package. If your pretty-printers are for use with a library, we
24403 further recommend embedding a version number into the package name.
24404 This practice will enable @value{GDBN} to load multiple versions of
24405 your pretty-printers at the same time, because they will have
24406 different names.
24407
24408 You should write auto-loaded code (@pxref{Python Auto-loading}) such that it
24409 can be evaluated multiple times without changing its meaning. An
24410 ideal auto-load file will consist solely of @code{import}s of your
24411 printer modules, followed by a call to a register pretty-printers with
24412 the current objfile.
24413
24414 Taken as a whole, this approach will scale nicely to multiple
24415 inferiors, each potentially using a different library version.
24416 Embedding a version number in the Python package name will ensure that
24417 @value{GDBN} is able to load both sets of printers simultaneously.
24418 Then, because the search for pretty-printers is done by objfile, and
24419 because your auto-loaded code took care to register your library's
24420 printers with a specific objfile, @value{GDBN} will find the correct
24421 printers for the specific version of the library used by each
24422 inferior.
24423
24424 To continue the @code{std::string} example (@pxref{Pretty Printing API}),
24425 this code might appear in @code{gdb.libstdcxx.v6}:
24426
24427 @smallexample
24428 def register_printers(objfile):
24429 objfile.pretty_printers.append(str_lookup_function)
24430 @end smallexample
24431
24432 @noindent
24433 And then the corresponding contents of the auto-load file would be:
24434
24435 @smallexample
24436 import gdb.libstdcxx.v6
24437 gdb.libstdcxx.v6.register_printers(gdb.current_objfile())
24438 @end smallexample
24439
24440 The previous example illustrates a basic pretty-printer.
24441 There are a few things that can be improved on.
24442 The printer doesn't have a name, making it hard to identify in a
24443 list of installed printers. The lookup function has a name, but
24444 lookup functions can have arbitrary, even identical, names.
24445
24446 Second, the printer only handles one type, whereas a library typically has
24447 several types. One could install a lookup function for each desired type
24448 in the library, but one could also have a single lookup function recognize
24449 several types. The latter is the conventional way this is handled.
24450 If a pretty-printer can handle multiple data types, then its
24451 @dfn{subprinters} are the printers for the individual data types.
24452
24453 The @code{gdb.printing} module provides a formal way of solving these
24454 problems (@pxref{gdb.printing}).
24455 Here is another example that handles multiple types.
24456
24457 These are the types we are going to pretty-print:
24458
24459 @smallexample
24460 struct foo @{ int a, b; @};
24461 struct bar @{ struct foo x, y; @};
24462 @end smallexample
24463
24464 Here are the printers:
24465
24466 @smallexample
24467 class fooPrinter:
24468 """Print a foo object."""
24469
24470 def __init__(self, val):
24471 self.val = val
24472
24473 def to_string(self):
24474 return ("a=<" + str(self.val["a"]) +
24475 "> b=<" + str(self.val["b"]) + ">")
24476
24477 class barPrinter:
24478 """Print a bar object."""
24479
24480 def __init__(self, val):
24481 self.val = val
24482
24483 def to_string(self):
24484 return ("x=<" + str(self.val["x"]) +
24485 "> y=<" + str(self.val["y"]) + ">")
24486 @end smallexample
24487
24488 This example doesn't need a lookup function, that is handled by the
24489 @code{gdb.printing} module. Instead a function is provided to build up
24490 the object that handles the lookup.
24491
24492 @smallexample
24493 import gdb.printing
24494
24495 def build_pretty_printer():
24496 pp = gdb.printing.RegexpCollectionPrettyPrinter(
24497 "my_library")
24498 pp.add_printer('foo', '^foo$', fooPrinter)
24499 pp.add_printer('bar', '^bar$', barPrinter)
24500 return pp
24501 @end smallexample
24502
24503 And here is the autoload support:
24504
24505 @smallexample
24506 import gdb.printing
24507 import my_library
24508 gdb.printing.register_pretty_printer(
24509 gdb.current_objfile(),
24510 my_library.build_pretty_printer())
24511 @end smallexample
24512
24513 Finally, when this printer is loaded into @value{GDBN}, here is the
24514 corresponding output of @samp{info pretty-printer}:
24515
24516 @smallexample
24517 (gdb) info pretty-printer
24518 my_library.so:
24519 my_library
24520 foo
24521 bar
24522 @end smallexample
24523
24524 @node Type Printing API
24525 @subsubsection Type Printing API
24526 @cindex type printing API for Python
24527
24528 @value{GDBN} provides a way for Python code to customize type display.
24529 This is mainly useful for substituting canonical typedef names for
24530 types.
24531
24532 @cindex type printer
24533 A @dfn{type printer} is just a Python object conforming to a certain
24534 protocol. A simple base class implementing the protocol is provided;
24535 see @ref{gdb.types}. A type printer must supply at least:
24536
24537 @defivar type_printer enabled
24538 A boolean which is True if the printer is enabled, and False
24539 otherwise. This is manipulated by the @code{enable type-printer}
24540 and @code{disable type-printer} commands.
24541 @end defivar
24542
24543 @defivar type_printer name
24544 The name of the type printer. This must be a string. This is used by
24545 the @code{enable type-printer} and @code{disable type-printer}
24546 commands.
24547 @end defivar
24548
24549 @defmethod type_printer instantiate (self)
24550 This is called by @value{GDBN} at the start of type-printing. It is
24551 only called if the type printer is enabled. This method must return a
24552 new object that supplies a @code{recognize} method, as described below.
24553 @end defmethod
24554
24555
24556 When displaying a type, say via the @code{ptype} command, @value{GDBN}
24557 will compute a list of type recognizers. This is done by iterating
24558 first over the per-objfile type printers (@pxref{Objfiles In Python}),
24559 followed by the per-progspace type printers (@pxref{Progspaces In
24560 Python}), and finally the global type printers.
24561
24562 @value{GDBN} will call the @code{instantiate} method of each enabled
24563 type printer. If this method returns @code{None}, then the result is
24564 ignored; otherwise, it is appended to the list of recognizers.
24565
24566 Then, when @value{GDBN} is going to display a type name, it iterates
24567 over the list of recognizers. For each one, it calls the recognition
24568 function, stopping if the function returns a non-@code{None} value.
24569 The recognition function is defined as:
24570
24571 @defmethod type_recognizer recognize (self, type)
24572 If @var{type} is not recognized, return @code{None}. Otherwise,
24573 return a string which is to be printed as the name of @var{type}.
24574 @var{type} will be an instance of @code{gdb.Type} (@pxref{Types In
24575 Python}).
24576 @end defmethod
24577
24578 @value{GDBN} uses this two-pass approach so that type printers can
24579 efficiently cache information without holding on to it too long. For
24580 example, it can be convenient to look up type information in a type
24581 printer and hold it for a recognizer's lifetime; if a single pass were
24582 done then type printers would have to make use of the event system in
24583 order to avoid holding information that could become stale as the
24584 inferior changed.
24585
24586 @node Frame Filter API
24587 @subsubsection Filtering Frames.
24588 @cindex frame filters api
24589
24590 Frame filters are Python objects that manipulate the visibility of a
24591 frame or frames when a backtrace (@pxref{Backtrace}) is printed by
24592 @value{GDBN}.
24593
24594 Only commands that print a backtrace, or, in the case of @sc{gdb/mi}
24595 commands (@pxref{GDB/MI}), those that return a collection of frames
24596 are affected. The commands that work with frame filters are:
24597
24598 @code{backtrace} (@pxref{backtrace-command,, The backtrace command}),
24599 @code{-stack-list-frames}
24600 (@pxref{-stack-list-frames,, The -stack-list-frames command}),
24601 @code{-stack-list-variables} (@pxref{-stack-list-variables,, The
24602 -stack-list-variables command}), @code{-stack-list-arguments}
24603 @pxref{-stack-list-arguments,, The -stack-list-arguments command}) and
24604 @code{-stack-list-locals} (@pxref{-stack-list-locals,, The
24605 -stack-list-locals command}).
24606
24607 A frame filter works by taking an iterator as an argument, applying
24608 actions to the contents of that iterator, and returning another
24609 iterator (or, possibly, the same iterator it was provided in the case
24610 where the filter does not perform any operations). Typically, frame
24611 filters utilize tools such as the Python's @code{itertools} module to
24612 work with and create new iterators from the source iterator.
24613 Regardless of how a filter chooses to apply actions, it must not alter
24614 the underlying @value{GDBN} frame or frames, or attempt to alter the
24615 call-stack within @value{GDBN}. This preserves data integrity within
24616 @value{GDBN}. Frame filters are executed on a priority basis and care
24617 should be taken that some frame filters may have been executed before,
24618 and that some frame filters will be executed after.
24619
24620 An important consideration when designing frame filters, and well
24621 worth reflecting upon, is that frame filters should avoid unwinding
24622 the call stack if possible. Some stacks can run very deep, into the
24623 tens of thousands in some cases. To search every frame when a frame
24624 filter executes may be too expensive at that step. The frame filter
24625 cannot know how many frames it has to iterate over, and it may have to
24626 iterate through them all. This ends up duplicating effort as
24627 @value{GDBN} performs this iteration when it prints the frames. If
24628 the filter can defer unwinding frames until frame decorators are
24629 executed, after the last filter has executed, it should. @xref{Frame
24630 Decorator API}, for more information on decorators. Also, there are
24631 examples for both frame decorators and filters in later chapters.
24632 @xref{Writing a Frame Filter}, for more information.
24633
24634 The Python dictionary @code{gdb.frame_filters} contains key/object
24635 pairings that comprise a frame filter. Frame filters in this
24636 dictionary are called @code{global} frame filters, and they are
24637 available when debugging all inferiors. These frame filters must
24638 register with the dictionary directly. In addition to the
24639 @code{global} dictionary, there are other dictionaries that are loaded
24640 with different inferiors via auto-loading (@pxref{Python
24641 Auto-loading}). The two other areas where frame filter dictionaries
24642 can be found are: @code{gdb.Progspace} which contains a
24643 @code{frame_filters} dictionary attribute, and each @code{gdb.Objfile}
24644 object which also contains a @code{frame_filters} dictionary
24645 attribute.
24646
24647 When a command is executed from @value{GDBN} that is compatible with
24648 frame filters, @value{GDBN} combines the @code{global},
24649 @code{gdb.Progspace} and all @code{gdb.Objfile} dictionaries currently
24650 loaded. All of the @code{gdb.Objfile} dictionaries are combined, as
24651 several frames, and thus several object files, might be in use.
24652 @value{GDBN} then prunes any frame filter whose @code{enabled}
24653 attribute is @code{False}. This pruned list is then sorted according
24654 to the @code{priority} attribute in each filter.
24655
24656 Once the dictionaries are combined, pruned and sorted, @value{GDBN}
24657 creates an iterator which wraps each frame in the call stack in a
24658 @code{FrameDecorator} object, and calls each filter in order. The
24659 output from the previous filter will always be the input to the next
24660 filter, and so on.
24661
24662 Frame filters have a mandatory interface which each frame filter must
24663 implement, defined here:
24664
24665 @defun FrameFilter.filter (iterator)
24666 @value{GDBN} will call this method on a frame filter when it has
24667 reached the order in the priority list for that filter.
24668
24669 For example, if there are four frame filters:
24670
24671 @smallexample
24672 Name Priority
24673
24674 Filter1 5
24675 Filter2 10
24676 Filter3 100
24677 Filter4 1
24678 @end smallexample
24679
24680 The order that the frame filters will be called is:
24681
24682 @smallexample
24683 Filter3 -> Filter2 -> Filter1 -> Filter4
24684 @end smallexample
24685
24686 Note that the output from @code{Filter3} is passed to the input of
24687 @code{Filter2}, and so on.
24688
24689 This @code{filter} method is passed a Python iterator. This iterator
24690 contains a sequence of frame decorators that wrap each
24691 @code{gdb.Frame}, or a frame decorator that wraps another frame
24692 decorator. The first filter that is executed in the sequence of frame
24693 filters will receive an iterator entirely comprised of default
24694 @code{FrameDecorator} objects. However, after each frame filter is
24695 executed, the previous frame filter may have wrapped some or all of
24696 the frame decorators with their own frame decorator. As frame
24697 decorators must also conform to a mandatory interface, these
24698 decorators can be assumed to act in a uniform manner (@pxref{Frame
24699 Decorator API}).
24700
24701 This method must return an object conforming to the Python iterator
24702 protocol. Each item in the iterator must be an object conforming to
24703 the frame decorator interface. If a frame filter does not wish to
24704 perform any operations on this iterator, it should return that
24705 iterator untouched.
24706
24707 This method is not optional. If it does not exist, @value{GDBN} will
24708 raise and print an error.
24709 @end defun
24710
24711 @defvar FrameFilter.name
24712 The @code{name} attribute must be Python string which contains the
24713 name of the filter displayed by @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Frame Filter
24714 Management}). This attribute may contain any combination of letters
24715 or numbers. Care should be taken to ensure that it is unique. This
24716 attribute is mandatory.
24717 @end defvar
24718
24719 @defvar FrameFilter.enabled
24720 The @code{enabled} attribute must be Python boolean. This attribute
24721 indicates to @value{GDBN} whether the frame filter is enabled, and
24722 should be considered when frame filters are executed. If
24723 @code{enabled} is @code{True}, then the frame filter will be executed
24724 when any of the backtrace commands detailed earlier in this chapter
24725 are executed. If @code{enabled} is @code{False}, then the frame
24726 filter will not be executed. This attribute is mandatory.
24727 @end defvar
24728
24729 @defvar FrameFilter.priority
24730 The @code{priority} attribute must be Python integer. This attribute
24731 controls the order of execution in relation to other frame filters.
24732 There are no imposed limits on the range of @code{priority} other than
24733 it must be a valid integer. The higher the @code{priority} attribute,
24734 the sooner the frame filter will be executed in relation to other
24735 frame filters. Although @code{priority} can be negative, it is
24736 recommended practice to assume zero is the lowest priority that a
24737 frame filter can be assigned. Frame filters that have the same
24738 priority are executed in unsorted order in that priority slot. This
24739 attribute is mandatory.
24740 @end defvar
24741
24742 @node Frame Decorator API
24743 @subsubsection Decorating Frames.
24744 @cindex frame decorator api
24745
24746 Frame decorators are sister objects to frame filters (@pxref{Frame
24747 Filter API}). Frame decorators are applied by a frame filter and can
24748 only be used in conjunction with frame filters.
24749
24750 The purpose of a frame decorator is to customize the printed content
24751 of each @code{gdb.Frame} in commands where frame filters are executed.
24752 This concept is called decorating a frame. Frame decorators decorate
24753 a @code{gdb.Frame} with Python code contained within each API call.
24754 This separates the actual data contained in a @code{gdb.Frame} from
24755 the decorated data produced by a frame decorator. This abstraction is
24756 necessary to maintain integrity of the data contained in each
24757 @code{gdb.Frame}.
24758
24759 Frame decorators have a mandatory interface, defined below.
24760
24761 @value{GDBN} already contains a frame decorator called
24762 @code{FrameDecorator}. This contains substantial amounts of
24763 boilerplate code to decorate the content of a @code{gdb.Frame}. It is
24764 recommended that other frame decorators inherit and extend this
24765 object, and only to override the methods needed.
24766
24767 @defun FrameDecorator.elided (self)
24768
24769 The @code{elided} method groups frames together in a hierarchical
24770 system. An example would be an interpreter, where multiple low-level
24771 frames make up a single call in the interpreted language. In this
24772 example, the frame filter would elide the low-level frames and present
24773 a single high-level frame, representing the call in the interpreted
24774 language, to the user.
24775
24776 The @code{elided} function must return an iterable and this iterable
24777 must contain the frames that are being elided wrapped in a suitable
24778 frame decorator. If no frames are being elided this function may
24779 return an empty iterable, or @code{None}. Elided frames are indented
24780 from normal frames in a @code{CLI} backtrace, or in the case of
24781 @code{GDB/MI}, are placed in the @code{children} field of the eliding
24782 frame.
24783
24784 It is the frame filter's task to also filter out the elided frames from
24785 the source iterator. This will avoid printing the frame twice.
24786 @end defun
24787
24788 @defun FrameDecorator.function (self)
24789
24790 This method returns the name of the function in the frame that is to
24791 be printed.
24792
24793 This method must return a Python string describing the function, or
24794 @code{None}.
24795
24796 If this function returns @code{None}, @value{GDBN} will not print any
24797 data for this field.
24798 @end defun
24799
24800 @defun FrameDecorator.address (self)
24801
24802 This method returns the address of the frame that is to be printed.
24803
24804 This method must return a Python numeric integer type of sufficient
24805 size to describe the address of the frame, or @code{None}.
24806
24807 If this function returns a @code{None}, @value{GDBN} will not print
24808 any data for this field.
24809 @end defun
24810
24811 @defun FrameDecorator.filename (self)
24812
24813 This method returns the filename and path associated with this frame.
24814
24815 This method must return a Python string containing the filename and
24816 the path to the object file backing the frame, or @code{None}.
24817
24818 If this function returns a @code{None}, @value{GDBN} will not print
24819 any data for this field.
24820 @end defun
24821
24822 @defun FrameDecorator.line (self):
24823
24824 This method returns the line number associated with the current
24825 position within the function addressed by this frame.
24826
24827 This method must return a Python integer type, or @code{None}.
24828
24829 If this function returns a @code{None}, @value{GDBN} will not print
24830 any data for this field.
24831 @end defun
24832
24833 @defun FrameDecorator.frame_args (self)
24834 @anchor{frame_args}
24835
24836 This method must return an iterable, or @code{None}. Returning an
24837 empty iterable, or @code{None} means frame arguments will not be
24838 printed for this frame. This iterable must contain objects that
24839 implement two methods, described here.
24840
24841 This object must implement a @code{argument} method which takes a
24842 single @code{self} parameter and must return a @code{gdb.Symbol}
24843 (@pxref{Symbols In Python}), or a Python string. The object must also
24844 implement a @code{value} method which takes a single @code{self}
24845 parameter and must return a @code{gdb.Value} (@pxref{Values From
24846 Inferior}), a Python value, or @code{None}. If the @code{value}
24847 method returns @code{None}, and the @code{argument} method returns a
24848 @code{gdb.Symbol}, @value{GDBN} will look-up and print the value of
24849 the @code{gdb.Symbol} automatically.
24850
24851 A brief example:
24852
24853 @smallexample
24854 class SymValueWrapper():
24855
24856 def __init__(self, symbol, value):
24857 self.sym = symbol
24858 self.val = value
24859
24860 def value(self):
24861 return self.val
24862
24863 def symbol(self):
24864 return self.sym
24865
24866 class SomeFrameDecorator()
24867 ...
24868 ...
24869 def frame_args(self):
24870 args = []
24871 try:
24872 block = self.inferior_frame.block()
24873 except:
24874 return None
24875
24876 # Iterate over all symbols in a block. Only add
24877 # symbols that are arguments.
24878 for sym in block:
24879 if not sym.is_argument:
24880 continue
24881 args.append(SymValueWrapper(sym,None))
24882
24883 # Add example synthetic argument.
24884 args.append(SymValueWrapper(``foo'', 42))
24885
24886 return args
24887 @end smallexample
24888 @end defun
24889
24890 @defun FrameDecorator.frame_locals (self)
24891
24892 This method must return an iterable or @code{None}. Returning an
24893 empty iterable, or @code{None} means frame local arguments will not be
24894 printed for this frame.
24895
24896 The object interface, the description of the various strategies for
24897 reading frame locals, and the example are largely similar to those
24898 described in the @code{frame_args} function, (@pxref{frame_args,,The
24899 frame filter frame_args function}). Below is a modified example:
24900
24901 @smallexample
24902 class SomeFrameDecorator()
24903 ...
24904 ...
24905 def frame_locals(self):
24906 vars = []
24907 try:
24908 block = self.inferior_frame.block()
24909 except:
24910 return None
24911
24912 # Iterate over all symbols in a block. Add all
24913 # symbols, except arguments.
24914 for sym in block:
24915 if sym.is_argument:
24916 continue
24917 vars.append(SymValueWrapper(sym,None))
24918
24919 # Add an example of a synthetic local variable.
24920 vars.append(SymValueWrapper(``bar'', 99))
24921
24922 return vars
24923 @end smallexample
24924 @end defun
24925
24926 @defun FrameDecorator.inferior_frame (self):
24927
24928 This method must return the underlying @code{gdb.Frame} that this
24929 frame decorator is decorating. @value{GDBN} requires the underlying
24930 frame for internal frame information to determine how to print certain
24931 values when printing a frame.
24932 @end defun
24933
24934 @node Writing a Frame Filter
24935 @subsubsection Writing a Frame Filter
24936 @cindex writing a frame filter
24937
24938 There are three basic elements that a frame filter must implement: it
24939 must correctly implement the documented interface (@pxref{Frame Filter
24940 API}), it must register itself with @value{GDBN}, and finally, it must
24941 decide if it is to work on the data provided by @value{GDBN}. In all
24942 cases, whether it works on the iterator or not, each frame filter must
24943 return an iterator. A bare-bones frame filter follows the pattern in
24944 the following example.
24945
24946 @smallexample
24947 import gdb
24948
24949 class FrameFilter():
24950
24951 def __init__(self):
24952 # Frame filter attribute creation.
24953 #
24954 # 'name' is the name of the filter that GDB will display.
24955 #
24956 # 'priority' is the priority of the filter relative to other
24957 # filters.
24958 #
24959 # 'enabled' is a boolean that indicates whether this filter is
24960 # enabled and should be executed.
24961
24962 self.name = "Foo"
24963 self.priority = 100
24964 self.enabled = True
24965
24966 # Register this frame filter with the global frame_filters
24967 # dictionary.
24968 gdb.frame_filters[self.name] = self
24969
24970 def filter(self, frame_iter):
24971 # Just return the iterator.
24972 return frame_iter
24973 @end smallexample
24974
24975 The frame filter in the example above implements the three
24976 requirements for all frame filters. It implements the API, self
24977 registers, and makes a decision on the iterator (in this case, it just
24978 returns the iterator untouched).
24979
24980 The first step is attribute creation and assignment, and as shown in
24981 the comments the filter assigns the following attributes: @code{name},
24982 @code{priority} and whether the filter should be enabled with the
24983 @code{enabled} attribute.
24984
24985 The second step is registering the frame filter with the dictionary or
24986 dictionaries that the frame filter has interest in. As shown in the
24987 comments, this filter just registers itself with the global dictionary
24988 @code{gdb.frame_filters}. As noted earlier, @code{gdb.frame_filters}
24989 is a dictionary that is initialized in the @code{gdb} module when
24990 @value{GDBN} starts. What dictionary a filter registers with is an
24991 important consideration. Generally, if a filter is specific to a set
24992 of code, it should be registered either in the @code{objfile} or
24993 @code{progspace} dictionaries as they are specific to the program
24994 currently loaded in @value{GDBN}. The global dictionary is always
24995 present in @value{GDBN} and is never unloaded. Any filters registered
24996 with the global dictionary will exist until @value{GDBN} exits. To
24997 avoid filters that may conflict, it is generally better to register
24998 frame filters against the dictionaries that more closely align with
24999 the usage of the filter currently in question. @xref{Python
25000 Auto-loading}, for further information on auto-loading Python scripts.
25001
25002 @value{GDBN} takes a hands-off approach to frame filter registration,
25003 therefore it is the frame filter's responsibility to ensure
25004 registration has occurred, and that any exceptions are handled
25005 appropriately. In particular, you may wish to handle exceptions
25006 relating to Python dictionary key uniqueness. It is mandatory that
25007 the dictionary key is the same as frame filter's @code{name}
25008 attribute. When a user manages frame filters (@pxref{Frame Filter
25009 Management}), the names @value{GDBN} will display are those contained
25010 in the @code{name} attribute.
25011
25012 The final step of this example is the implementation of the
25013 @code{filter} method. As shown in the example comments, we define the
25014 @code{filter} method and note that the method must take an iterator,
25015 and also must return an iterator. In this bare-bones example, the
25016 frame filter is not very useful as it just returns the iterator
25017 untouched. However this is a valid operation for frame filters that
25018 have the @code{enabled} attribute set, but decide not to operate on
25019 any frames.
25020
25021 In the next example, the frame filter operates on all frames and
25022 utilizes a frame decorator to perform some work on the frames.
25023 @xref{Frame Decorator API}, for further information on the frame
25024 decorator interface.
25025
25026 This example works on inlined frames. It highlights frames which are
25027 inlined by tagging them with an ``[inlined]'' tag. By applying a
25028 frame decorator to all frames with the Python @code{itertools imap}
25029 method, the example defers actions to the frame decorator. Frame
25030 decorators are only processed when @value{GDBN} prints the backtrace.
25031
25032 This introduces a new decision making topic: whether to perform
25033 decision making operations at the filtering step, or at the printing
25034 step. In this example's approach, it does not perform any filtering
25035 decisions at the filtering step beyond mapping a frame decorator to
25036 each frame. This allows the actual decision making to be performed
25037 when each frame is printed. This is an important consideration, and
25038 well worth reflecting upon when designing a frame filter. An issue
25039 that frame filters should avoid is unwinding the stack if possible.
25040 Some stacks can run very deep, into the tens of thousands in some
25041 cases. To search every frame to determine if it is inlined ahead of
25042 time may be too expensive at the filtering step. The frame filter
25043 cannot know how many frames it has to iterate over, and it would have
25044 to iterate through them all. This ends up duplicating effort as
25045 @value{GDBN} performs this iteration when it prints the frames.
25046
25047 In this example decision making can be deferred to the printing step.
25048 As each frame is printed, the frame decorator can examine each frame
25049 in turn when @value{GDBN} iterates. From a performance viewpoint,
25050 this is the most appropriate decision to make as it avoids duplicating
25051 the effort that the printing step would undertake anyway. Also, if
25052 there are many frame filters unwinding the stack during filtering, it
25053 can substantially delay the printing of the backtrace which will
25054 result in large memory usage, and a poor user experience.
25055
25056 @smallexample
25057 class InlineFilter():
25058
25059 def __init__(self):
25060 self.name = "InlinedFrameFilter"
25061 self.priority = 100
25062 self.enabled = True
25063 gdb.frame_filters[self.name] = self
25064
25065 def filter(self, frame_iter):
25066 frame_iter = itertools.imap(InlinedFrameDecorator,
25067 frame_iter)
25068 return frame_iter
25069 @end smallexample
25070
25071 This frame filter is somewhat similar to the earlier example, except
25072 that the @code{filter} method applies a frame decorator object called
25073 @code{InlinedFrameDecorator} to each element in the iterator. The
25074 @code{imap} Python method is light-weight. It does not proactively
25075 iterate over the iterator, but rather creates a new iterator which
25076 wraps the existing one.
25077
25078 Below is the frame decorator for this example.
25079
25080 @smallexample
25081 class InlinedFrameDecorator(FrameDecorator):
25082
25083 def __init__(self, fobj):
25084 super(InlinedFrameDecorator, self).__init__(fobj)
25085
25086 def function(self):
25087 frame = fobj.inferior_frame()
25088 name = str(frame.name())
25089
25090 if frame.type() == gdb.INLINE_FRAME:
25091 name = name + " [inlined]"
25092
25093 return name
25094 @end smallexample
25095
25096 This frame decorator only defines and overrides the @code{function}
25097 method. It lets the supplied @code{FrameDecorator}, which is shipped
25098 with @value{GDBN}, perform the other work associated with printing
25099 this frame.
25100
25101 The combination of these two objects create this output from a
25102 backtrace:
25103
25104 @smallexample
25105 #0 0x004004e0 in bar () at inline.c:11
25106 #1 0x00400566 in max [inlined] (b=6, a=12) at inline.c:21
25107 #2 0x00400566 in main () at inline.c:31
25108 @end smallexample
25109
25110 So in the case of this example, a frame decorator is applied to all
25111 frames, regardless of whether they may be inlined or not. As
25112 @value{GDBN} iterates over the iterator produced by the frame filters,
25113 @value{GDBN} executes each frame decorator which then makes a decision
25114 on what to print in the @code{function} callback. Using a strategy
25115 like this is a way to defer decisions on the frame content to printing
25116 time.
25117
25118 @subheading Eliding Frames
25119
25120 It might be that the above example is not desirable for representing
25121 inlined frames, and a hierarchical approach may be preferred. If we
25122 want to hierarchically represent frames, the @code{elided} frame
25123 decorator interface might be preferable.
25124
25125 This example approaches the issue with the @code{elided} method. This
25126 example is quite long, but very simplistic. It is out-of-scope for
25127 this section to write a complete example that comprehensively covers
25128 all approaches of finding and printing inlined frames. However, this
25129 example illustrates the approach an author might use.
25130
25131 This example comprises of three sections.
25132
25133 @smallexample
25134 class InlineFrameFilter():
25135
25136 def __init__(self):
25137 self.name = "InlinedFrameFilter"
25138 self.priority = 100
25139 self.enabled = True
25140 gdb.frame_filters[self.name] = self
25141
25142 def filter(self, frame_iter):
25143 return ElidingInlineIterator(frame_iter)
25144 @end smallexample
25145
25146 This frame filter is very similar to the other examples. The only
25147 difference is this frame filter is wrapping the iterator provided to
25148 it (@code{frame_iter}) with a custom iterator called
25149 @code{ElidingInlineIterator}. This again defers actions to when
25150 @value{GDBN} prints the backtrace, as the iterator is not traversed
25151 until printing.
25152
25153 The iterator for this example is as follows. It is in this section of
25154 the example where decisions are made on the content of the backtrace.
25155
25156 @smallexample
25157 class ElidingInlineIterator:
25158 def __init__(self, ii):
25159 self.input_iterator = ii
25160
25161 def __iter__(self):
25162 return self
25163
25164 def next(self):
25165 frame = next(self.input_iterator)
25166
25167 if frame.inferior_frame().type() != gdb.INLINE_FRAME:
25168 return frame
25169
25170 try:
25171 eliding_frame = next(self.input_iterator)
25172 except StopIteration:
25173 return frame
25174 return ElidingFrameDecorator(eliding_frame, [frame])
25175 @end smallexample
25176
25177 This iterator implements the Python iterator protocol. When the
25178 @code{next} function is called (when @value{GDBN} prints each frame),
25179 the iterator checks if this frame decorator, @code{frame}, is wrapping
25180 an inlined frame. If it is not, it returns the existing frame decorator
25181 untouched. If it is wrapping an inlined frame, it assumes that the
25182 inlined frame was contained within the next oldest frame,
25183 @code{eliding_frame}, which it fetches. It then creates and returns a
25184 frame decorator, @code{ElidingFrameDecorator}, which contains both the
25185 elided frame, and the eliding frame.
25186
25187 @smallexample
25188 class ElidingInlineDecorator(FrameDecorator):
25189
25190 def __init__(self, frame, elided_frames):
25191 super(ElidingInlineDecorator, self).__init__(frame)
25192 self.frame = frame
25193 self.elided_frames = elided_frames
25194
25195 def elided(self):
25196 return iter(self.elided_frames)
25197 @end smallexample
25198
25199 This frame decorator overrides one function and returns the inlined
25200 frame in the @code{elided} method. As before it lets
25201 @code{FrameDecorator} do the rest of the work involved in printing
25202 this frame. This produces the following output.
25203
25204 @smallexample
25205 #0 0x004004e0 in bar () at inline.c:11
25206 #2 0x00400529 in main () at inline.c:25
25207 #1 0x00400529 in max (b=6, a=12) at inline.c:15
25208 @end smallexample
25209
25210 In that output, @code{max} which has been inlined into @code{main} is
25211 printed hierarchically. Another approach would be to combine the
25212 @code{function} method, and the @code{elided} method to both print a
25213 marker in the inlined frame, and also show the hierarchical
25214 relationship.
25215
25216 @node Inferiors In Python
25217 @subsubsection Inferiors In Python
25218 @cindex inferiors in Python
25219
25220 @findex gdb.Inferior
25221 Programs which are being run under @value{GDBN} are called inferiors
25222 (@pxref{Inferiors and Programs}). Python scripts can access
25223 information about and manipulate inferiors controlled by @value{GDBN}
25224 via objects of the @code{gdb.Inferior} class.
25225
25226 The following inferior-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
25227 module:
25228
25229 @defun gdb.inferiors ()
25230 Return a tuple containing all inferior objects.
25231 @end defun
25232
25233 @defun gdb.selected_inferior ()
25234 Return an object representing the current inferior.
25235 @end defun
25236
25237 A @code{gdb.Inferior} object has the following attributes:
25238
25239 @defvar Inferior.num
25240 ID of inferior, as assigned by GDB.
25241 @end defvar
25242
25243 @defvar Inferior.pid
25244 Process ID of the inferior, as assigned by the underlying operating
25245 system.
25246 @end defvar
25247
25248 @defvar Inferior.was_attached
25249 Boolean signaling whether the inferior was created using `attach', or
25250 started by @value{GDBN} itself.
25251 @end defvar
25252
25253 A @code{gdb.Inferior} object has the following methods:
25254
25255 @defun Inferior.is_valid ()
25256 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Inferior} object is valid,
25257 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Inferior} object will become invalid
25258 if the inferior no longer exists within @value{GDBN}. All other
25259 @code{gdb.Inferior} methods will throw an exception if it is invalid
25260 at the time the method is called.
25261 @end defun
25262
25263 @defun Inferior.threads ()
25264 This method returns a tuple holding all the threads which are valid
25265 when it is called. If there are no valid threads, the method will
25266 return an empty tuple.
25267 @end defun
25268
25269 @findex Inferior.read_memory
25270 @defun Inferior.read_memory (address, length)
25271 Read @var{length} bytes of memory from the inferior, starting at
25272 @var{address}. Returns a buffer object, which behaves much like an array
25273 or a string. It can be modified and given to the
25274 @code{Inferior.write_memory} function. In @code{Python} 3, the return
25275 value is a @code{memoryview} object.
25276 @end defun
25277
25278 @findex Inferior.write_memory
25279 @defun Inferior.write_memory (address, buffer @r{[}, length@r{]})
25280 Write the contents of @var{buffer} to the inferior, starting at
25281 @var{address}. The @var{buffer} parameter must be a Python object
25282 which supports the buffer protocol, i.e., a string, an array or the
25283 object returned from @code{Inferior.read_memory}. If given, @var{length}
25284 determines the number of bytes from @var{buffer} to be written.
25285 @end defun
25286
25287 @findex gdb.search_memory
25288 @defun Inferior.search_memory (address, length, pattern)
25289 Search a region of the inferior memory starting at @var{address} with
25290 the given @var{length} using the search pattern supplied in
25291 @var{pattern}. The @var{pattern} parameter must be a Python object
25292 which supports the buffer protocol, i.e., a string, an array or the
25293 object returned from @code{gdb.read_memory}. Returns a Python @code{Long}
25294 containing the address where the pattern was found, or @code{None} if
25295 the pattern could not be found.
25296 @end defun
25297
25298 @node Events In Python
25299 @subsubsection Events In Python
25300 @cindex inferior events in Python
25301
25302 @value{GDBN} provides a general event facility so that Python code can be
25303 notified of various state changes, particularly changes that occur in
25304 the inferior.
25305
25306 An @dfn{event} is just an object that describes some state change. The
25307 type of the object and its attributes will vary depending on the details
25308 of the change. All the existing events are described below.
25309
25310 In order to be notified of an event, you must register an event handler
25311 with an @dfn{event registry}. An event registry is an object in the
25312 @code{gdb.events} module which dispatches particular events. A registry
25313 provides methods to register and unregister event handlers:
25314
25315 @defun EventRegistry.connect (object)
25316 Add the given callable @var{object} to the registry. This object will be
25317 called when an event corresponding to this registry occurs.
25318 @end defun
25319
25320 @defun EventRegistry.disconnect (object)
25321 Remove the given @var{object} from the registry. Once removed, the object
25322 will no longer receive notifications of events.
25323 @end defun
25324
25325 Here is an example:
25326
25327 @smallexample
25328 def exit_handler (event):
25329 print "event type: exit"
25330 print "exit code: %d" % (event.exit_code)
25331
25332 gdb.events.exited.connect (exit_handler)
25333 @end smallexample
25334
25335 In the above example we connect our handler @code{exit_handler} to the
25336 registry @code{events.exited}. Once connected, @code{exit_handler} gets
25337 called when the inferior exits. The argument @dfn{event} in this example is
25338 of type @code{gdb.ExitedEvent}. As you can see in the example the
25339 @code{ExitedEvent} object has an attribute which indicates the exit code of
25340 the inferior.
25341
25342 The following is a listing of the event registries that are available and
25343 details of the events they emit:
25344
25345 @table @code
25346
25347 @item events.cont
25348 Emits @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}.
25349
25350 Some events can be thread specific when @value{GDBN} is running in non-stop
25351 mode. When represented in Python, these events all extend
25352 @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}. Note, this event is not emitted directly; instead,
25353 events which are emitted by this or other modules might extend this event.
25354 Examples of these events are @code{gdb.BreakpointEvent} and
25355 @code{gdb.ContinueEvent}.
25356
25357 @defvar ThreadEvent.inferior_thread
25358 In non-stop mode this attribute will be set to the specific thread which was
25359 involved in the emitted event. Otherwise, it will be set to @code{None}.
25360 @end defvar
25361
25362 Emits @code{gdb.ContinueEvent} which extends @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}.
25363
25364 This event indicates that the inferior has been continued after a stop. For
25365 inherited attribute refer to @code{gdb.ThreadEvent} above.
25366
25367 @item events.exited
25368 Emits @code{events.ExitedEvent} which indicates that the inferior has exited.
25369 @code{events.ExitedEvent} has two attributes:
25370 @defvar ExitedEvent.exit_code
25371 An integer representing the exit code, if available, which the inferior
25372 has returned. (The exit code could be unavailable if, for example,
25373 @value{GDBN} detaches from the inferior.) If the exit code is unavailable,
25374 the attribute does not exist.
25375 @end defvar
25376 @defvar ExitedEvent inferior
25377 A reference to the inferior which triggered the @code{exited} event.
25378 @end defvar
25379
25380 @item events.stop
25381 Emits @code{gdb.StopEvent} which extends @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}.
25382
25383 Indicates that the inferior has stopped. All events emitted by this registry
25384 extend StopEvent. As a child of @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}, @code{gdb.StopEvent}
25385 will indicate the stopped thread when @value{GDBN} is running in non-stop
25386 mode. Refer to @code{gdb.ThreadEvent} above for more details.
25387
25388 Emits @code{gdb.SignalEvent} which extends @code{gdb.StopEvent}.
25389
25390 This event indicates that the inferior or one of its threads has received as
25391 signal. @code{gdb.SignalEvent} has the following attributes:
25392
25393 @defvar SignalEvent.stop_signal
25394 A string representing the signal received by the inferior. A list of possible
25395 signal values can be obtained by running the command @code{info signals} in
25396 the @value{GDBN} command prompt.
25397 @end defvar
25398
25399 Also emits @code{gdb.BreakpointEvent} which extends @code{gdb.StopEvent}.
25400
25401 @code{gdb.BreakpointEvent} event indicates that one or more breakpoints have
25402 been hit, and has the following attributes:
25403
25404 @defvar BreakpointEvent.breakpoints
25405 A sequence containing references to all the breakpoints (type
25406 @code{gdb.Breakpoint}) that were hit.
25407 @xref{Breakpoints In Python}, for details of the @code{gdb.Breakpoint} object.
25408 @end defvar
25409 @defvar BreakpointEvent.breakpoint
25410 A reference to the first breakpoint that was hit.
25411 This function is maintained for backward compatibility and is now deprecated
25412 in favor of the @code{gdb.BreakpointEvent.breakpoints} attribute.
25413 @end defvar
25414
25415 @item events.new_objfile
25416 Emits @code{gdb.NewObjFileEvent} which indicates that a new object file has
25417 been loaded by @value{GDBN}. @code{gdb.NewObjFileEvent} has one attribute:
25418
25419 @defvar NewObjFileEvent.new_objfile
25420 A reference to the object file (@code{gdb.Objfile}) which has been loaded.
25421 @xref{Objfiles In Python}, for details of the @code{gdb.Objfile} object.
25422 @end defvar
25423
25424 @end table
25425
25426 @node Threads In Python
25427 @subsubsection Threads In Python
25428 @cindex threads in python
25429
25430 @findex gdb.InferiorThread
25431 Python scripts can access information about, and manipulate inferior threads
25432 controlled by @value{GDBN}, via objects of the @code{gdb.InferiorThread} class.
25433
25434 The following thread-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
25435 module:
25436
25437 @findex gdb.selected_thread
25438 @defun gdb.selected_thread ()
25439 This function returns the thread object for the selected thread. If there
25440 is no selected thread, this will return @code{None}.
25441 @end defun
25442
25443 A @code{gdb.InferiorThread} object has the following attributes:
25444
25445 @defvar InferiorThread.name
25446 The name of the thread. If the user specified a name using
25447 @code{thread name}, then this returns that name. Otherwise, if an
25448 OS-supplied name is available, then it is returned. Otherwise, this
25449 returns @code{None}.
25450
25451 This attribute can be assigned to. The new value must be a string
25452 object, which sets the new name, or @code{None}, which removes any
25453 user-specified thread name.
25454 @end defvar
25455
25456 @defvar InferiorThread.num
25457 ID of the thread, as assigned by GDB.
25458 @end defvar
25459
25460 @defvar InferiorThread.ptid
25461 ID of the thread, as assigned by the operating system. This attribute is a
25462 tuple containing three integers. The first is the Process ID (PID); the second
25463 is the Lightweight Process ID (LWPID), and the third is the Thread ID (TID).
25464 Either the LWPID or TID may be 0, which indicates that the operating system
25465 does not use that identifier.
25466 @end defvar
25467
25468 A @code{gdb.InferiorThread} object has the following methods:
25469
25470 @defun InferiorThread.is_valid ()
25471 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.InferiorThread} object is valid,
25472 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.InferiorThread} object will become
25473 invalid if the thread exits, or the inferior that the thread belongs
25474 is deleted. All other @code{gdb.InferiorThread} methods will throw an
25475 exception if it is invalid at the time the method is called.
25476 @end defun
25477
25478 @defun InferiorThread.switch ()
25479 This changes @value{GDBN}'s currently selected thread to the one represented
25480 by this object.
25481 @end defun
25482
25483 @defun InferiorThread.is_stopped ()
25484 Return a Boolean indicating whether the thread is stopped.
25485 @end defun
25486
25487 @defun InferiorThread.is_running ()
25488 Return a Boolean indicating whether the thread is running.
25489 @end defun
25490
25491 @defun InferiorThread.is_exited ()
25492 Return a Boolean indicating whether the thread is exited.
25493 @end defun
25494
25495 @node Commands In Python
25496 @subsubsection Commands In Python
25497
25498 @cindex commands in python
25499 @cindex python commands
25500 You can implement new @value{GDBN} CLI commands in Python. A CLI
25501 command is implemented using an instance of the @code{gdb.Command}
25502 class, most commonly using a subclass.
25503
25504 @defun Command.__init__ (name, @var{command_class} @r{[}, @var{completer_class} @r{[}, @var{prefix}@r{]]})
25505 The object initializer for @code{Command} registers the new command
25506 with @value{GDBN}. This initializer is normally invoked from the
25507 subclass' own @code{__init__} method.
25508
25509 @var{name} is the name of the command. If @var{name} consists of
25510 multiple words, then the initial words are looked for as prefix
25511 commands. In this case, if one of the prefix commands does not exist,
25512 an exception is raised.
25513
25514 There is no support for multi-line commands.
25515
25516 @var{command_class} should be one of the @samp{COMMAND_} constants
25517 defined below. This argument tells @value{GDBN} how to categorize the
25518 new command in the help system.
25519
25520 @var{completer_class} is an optional argument. If given, it should be
25521 one of the @samp{COMPLETE_} constants defined below. This argument
25522 tells @value{GDBN} how to perform completion for this command. If not
25523 given, @value{GDBN} will attempt to complete using the object's
25524 @code{complete} method (see below); if no such method is found, an
25525 error will occur when completion is attempted.
25526
25527 @var{prefix} is an optional argument. If @code{True}, then the new
25528 command is a prefix command; sub-commands of this command may be
25529 registered.
25530
25531 The help text for the new command is taken from the Python
25532 documentation string for the command's class, if there is one. If no
25533 documentation string is provided, the default value ``This command is
25534 not documented.'' is used.
25535 @end defun
25536
25537 @cindex don't repeat Python command
25538 @defun Command.dont_repeat ()
25539 By default, a @value{GDBN} command is repeated when the user enters a
25540 blank line at the command prompt. A command can suppress this
25541 behavior by invoking the @code{dont_repeat} method. This is similar
25542 to the user command @code{dont-repeat}, see @ref{Define, dont-repeat}.
25543 @end defun
25544
25545 @defun Command.invoke (argument, from_tty)
25546 This method is called by @value{GDBN} when this command is invoked.
25547
25548 @var{argument} is a string. It is the argument to the command, after
25549 leading and trailing whitespace has been stripped.
25550
25551 @var{from_tty} is a boolean argument. When true, this means that the
25552 command was entered by the user at the terminal; when false it means
25553 that the command came from elsewhere.
25554
25555 If this method throws an exception, it is turned into a @value{GDBN}
25556 @code{error} call. Otherwise, the return value is ignored.
25557
25558 @findex gdb.string_to_argv
25559 To break @var{argument} up into an argv-like string use
25560 @code{gdb.string_to_argv}. This function behaves identically to
25561 @value{GDBN}'s internal argument lexer @code{buildargv}.
25562 It is recommended to use this for consistency.
25563 Arguments are separated by spaces and may be quoted.
25564 Example:
25565
25566 @smallexample
25567 print gdb.string_to_argv ("1 2\ \\\"3 '4 \"5' \"6 '7\"")
25568 ['1', '2 "3', '4 "5', "6 '7"]
25569 @end smallexample
25570
25571 @end defun
25572
25573 @cindex completion of Python commands
25574 @defun Command.complete (text, word)
25575 This method is called by @value{GDBN} when the user attempts
25576 completion on this command. All forms of completion are handled by
25577 this method, that is, the @key{TAB} and @key{M-?} key bindings
25578 (@pxref{Completion}), and the @code{complete} command (@pxref{Help,
25579 complete}).
25580
25581 The arguments @var{text} and @var{word} are both strings. @var{text}
25582 holds the complete command line up to the cursor's location.
25583 @var{word} holds the last word of the command line; this is computed
25584 using a word-breaking heuristic.
25585
25586 The @code{complete} method can return several values:
25587 @itemize @bullet
25588 @item
25589 If the return value is a sequence, the contents of the sequence are
25590 used as the completions. It is up to @code{complete} to ensure that the
25591 contents actually do complete the word. A zero-length sequence is
25592 allowed, it means that there were no completions available. Only
25593 string elements of the sequence are used; other elements in the
25594 sequence are ignored.
25595
25596 @item
25597 If the return value is one of the @samp{COMPLETE_} constants defined
25598 below, then the corresponding @value{GDBN}-internal completion
25599 function is invoked, and its result is used.
25600
25601 @item
25602 All other results are treated as though there were no available
25603 completions.
25604 @end itemize
25605 @end defun
25606
25607 When a new command is registered, it must be declared as a member of
25608 some general class of commands. This is used to classify top-level
25609 commands in the on-line help system; note that prefix commands are not
25610 listed under their own category but rather that of their top-level
25611 command. The available classifications are represented by constants
25612 defined in the @code{gdb} module:
25613
25614 @table @code
25615 @findex COMMAND_NONE
25616 @findex gdb.COMMAND_NONE
25617 @item gdb.COMMAND_NONE
25618 The command does not belong to any particular class. A command in
25619 this category will not be displayed in any of the help categories.
25620
25621 @findex COMMAND_RUNNING
25622 @findex gdb.COMMAND_RUNNING
25623 @item gdb.COMMAND_RUNNING
25624 The command is related to running the inferior. For example,
25625 @code{start}, @code{step}, and @code{continue} are in this category.
25626 Type @kbd{help running} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
25627 commands in this category.
25628
25629 @findex COMMAND_DATA
25630 @findex gdb.COMMAND_DATA
25631 @item gdb.COMMAND_DATA
25632 The command is related to data or variables. For example,
25633 @code{call}, @code{find}, and @code{print} are in this category. Type
25634 @kbd{help data} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands
25635 in this category.
25636
25637 @findex COMMAND_STACK
25638 @findex gdb.COMMAND_STACK
25639 @item gdb.COMMAND_STACK
25640 The command has to do with manipulation of the stack. For example,
25641 @code{backtrace}, @code{frame}, and @code{return} are in this
25642 category. Type @kbd{help stack} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a
25643 list of commands in this category.
25644
25645 @findex COMMAND_FILES
25646 @findex gdb.COMMAND_FILES
25647 @item gdb.COMMAND_FILES
25648 This class is used for file-related commands. For example,
25649 @code{file}, @code{list} and @code{section} are in this category.
25650 Type @kbd{help files} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
25651 commands in this category.
25652
25653 @findex COMMAND_SUPPORT
25654 @findex gdb.COMMAND_SUPPORT
25655 @item gdb.COMMAND_SUPPORT
25656 This should be used for ``support facilities'', generally meaning
25657 things that are useful to the user when interacting with @value{GDBN},
25658 but not related to the state of the inferior. For example,
25659 @code{help}, @code{make}, and @code{shell} are in this category. Type
25660 @kbd{help support} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
25661 commands in this category.
25662
25663 @findex COMMAND_STATUS
25664 @findex gdb.COMMAND_STATUS
25665 @item gdb.COMMAND_STATUS
25666 The command is an @samp{info}-related command, that is, related to the
25667 state of @value{GDBN} itself. For example, @code{info}, @code{macro},
25668 and @code{show} are in this category. Type @kbd{help status} at the
25669 @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in this category.
25670
25671 @findex COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
25672 @findex gdb.COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
25673 @item gdb.COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
25674 The command has to do with breakpoints. For example, @code{break},
25675 @code{clear}, and @code{delete} are in this category. Type @kbd{help
25676 breakpoints} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in
25677 this category.
25678
25679 @findex COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
25680 @findex gdb.COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
25681 @item gdb.COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
25682 The command has to do with tracepoints. For example, @code{trace},
25683 @code{actions}, and @code{tfind} are in this category. Type
25684 @kbd{help tracepoints} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
25685 commands in this category.
25686
25687 @findex COMMAND_USER
25688 @findex gdb.COMMAND_USER
25689 @item gdb.COMMAND_USER
25690 The command is a general purpose command for the user, and typically
25691 does not fit in one of the other categories.
25692 Type @kbd{help user-defined} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see
25693 a list of commands in this category, as well as the list of gdb macros
25694 (@pxref{Sequences}).
25695
25696 @findex COMMAND_OBSCURE
25697 @findex gdb.COMMAND_OBSCURE
25698 @item gdb.COMMAND_OBSCURE
25699 The command is only used in unusual circumstances, or is not of
25700 general interest to users. For example, @code{checkpoint},
25701 @code{fork}, and @code{stop} are in this category. Type @kbd{help
25702 obscure} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in this
25703 category.
25704
25705 @findex COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
25706 @findex gdb.COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
25707 @item gdb.COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
25708 The command is only useful to @value{GDBN} maintainers. The
25709 @code{maintenance} and @code{flushregs} commands are in this category.
25710 Type @kbd{help internals} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
25711 commands in this category.
25712 @end table
25713
25714 A new command can use a predefined completion function, either by
25715 specifying it via an argument at initialization, or by returning it
25716 from the @code{complete} method. These predefined completion
25717 constants are all defined in the @code{gdb} module:
25718
25719 @table @code
25720 @findex COMPLETE_NONE
25721 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_NONE
25722 @item gdb.COMPLETE_NONE
25723 This constant means that no completion should be done.
25724
25725 @findex COMPLETE_FILENAME
25726 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_FILENAME
25727 @item gdb.COMPLETE_FILENAME
25728 This constant means that filename completion should be performed.
25729
25730 @findex COMPLETE_LOCATION
25731 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_LOCATION
25732 @item gdb.COMPLETE_LOCATION
25733 This constant means that location completion should be done.
25734 @xref{Specify Location}.
25735
25736 @findex COMPLETE_COMMAND
25737 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_COMMAND
25738 @item gdb.COMPLETE_COMMAND
25739 This constant means that completion should examine @value{GDBN}
25740 command names.
25741
25742 @findex COMPLETE_SYMBOL
25743 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_SYMBOL
25744 @item gdb.COMPLETE_SYMBOL
25745 This constant means that completion should be done using symbol names
25746 as the source.
25747 @end table
25748
25749 The following code snippet shows how a trivial CLI command can be
25750 implemented in Python:
25751
25752 @smallexample
25753 class HelloWorld (gdb.Command):
25754 """Greet the whole world."""
25755
25756 def __init__ (self):
25757 super (HelloWorld, self).__init__ ("hello-world", gdb.COMMAND_USER)
25758
25759 def invoke (self, arg, from_tty):
25760 print "Hello, World!"
25761
25762 HelloWorld ()
25763 @end smallexample
25764
25765 The last line instantiates the class, and is necessary to trigger the
25766 registration of the command with @value{GDBN}. Depending on how the
25767 Python code is read into @value{GDBN}, you may need to import the
25768 @code{gdb} module explicitly.
25769
25770 @node Parameters In Python
25771 @subsubsection Parameters In Python
25772
25773 @cindex parameters in python
25774 @cindex python parameters
25775 @tindex gdb.Parameter
25776 @tindex Parameter
25777 You can implement new @value{GDBN} parameters using Python. A new
25778 parameter is implemented as an instance of the @code{gdb.Parameter}
25779 class.
25780
25781 Parameters are exposed to the user via the @code{set} and
25782 @code{show} commands. @xref{Help}.
25783
25784 There are many parameters that already exist and can be set in
25785 @value{GDBN}. Two examples are: @code{set follow fork} and
25786 @code{set charset}. Setting these parameters influences certain
25787 behavior in @value{GDBN}. Similarly, you can define parameters that
25788 can be used to influence behavior in custom Python scripts and commands.
25789
25790 @defun Parameter.__init__ (name, @var{command-class}, @var{parameter-class} @r{[}, @var{enum-sequence}@r{]})
25791 The object initializer for @code{Parameter} registers the new
25792 parameter with @value{GDBN}. This initializer is normally invoked
25793 from the subclass' own @code{__init__} method.
25794
25795 @var{name} is the name of the new parameter. If @var{name} consists
25796 of multiple words, then the initial words are looked for as prefix
25797 parameters. An example of this can be illustrated with the
25798 @code{set print} set of parameters. If @var{name} is
25799 @code{print foo}, then @code{print} will be searched as the prefix
25800 parameter. In this case the parameter can subsequently be accessed in
25801 @value{GDBN} as @code{set print foo}.
25802
25803 If @var{name} consists of multiple words, and no prefix parameter group
25804 can be found, an exception is raised.
25805
25806 @var{command-class} should be one of the @samp{COMMAND_} constants
25807 (@pxref{Commands In Python}). This argument tells @value{GDBN} how to
25808 categorize the new parameter in the help system.
25809
25810 @var{parameter-class} should be one of the @samp{PARAM_} constants
25811 defined below. This argument tells @value{GDBN} the type of the new
25812 parameter; this information is used for input validation and
25813 completion.
25814
25815 If @var{parameter-class} is @code{PARAM_ENUM}, then
25816 @var{enum-sequence} must be a sequence of strings. These strings
25817 represent the possible values for the parameter.
25818
25819 If @var{parameter-class} is not @code{PARAM_ENUM}, then the presence
25820 of a fourth argument will cause an exception to be thrown.
25821
25822 The help text for the new parameter is taken from the Python
25823 documentation string for the parameter's class, if there is one. If
25824 there is no documentation string, a default value is used.
25825 @end defun
25826
25827 @defvar Parameter.set_doc
25828 If this attribute exists, and is a string, then its value is used as
25829 the help text for this parameter's @code{set} command. The value is
25830 examined when @code{Parameter.__init__} is invoked; subsequent changes
25831 have no effect.
25832 @end defvar
25833
25834 @defvar Parameter.show_doc
25835 If this attribute exists, and is a string, then its value is used as
25836 the help text for this parameter's @code{show} command. The value is
25837 examined when @code{Parameter.__init__} is invoked; subsequent changes
25838 have no effect.
25839 @end defvar
25840
25841 @defvar Parameter.value
25842 The @code{value} attribute holds the underlying value of the
25843 parameter. It can be read and assigned to just as any other
25844 attribute. @value{GDBN} does validation when assignments are made.
25845 @end defvar
25846
25847 There are two methods that should be implemented in any
25848 @code{Parameter} class. These are:
25849
25850 @defun Parameter.get_set_string (self)
25851 @value{GDBN} will call this method when a @var{parameter}'s value has
25852 been changed via the @code{set} API (for example, @kbd{set foo off}).
25853 The @code{value} attribute has already been populated with the new
25854 value and may be used in output. This method must return a string.
25855 @end defun
25856
25857 @defun Parameter.get_show_string (self, svalue)
25858 @value{GDBN} will call this method when a @var{parameter}'s
25859 @code{show} API has been invoked (for example, @kbd{show foo}). The
25860 argument @code{svalue} receives the string representation of the
25861 current value. This method must return a string.
25862 @end defun
25863
25864 When a new parameter is defined, its type must be specified. The
25865 available types are represented by constants defined in the @code{gdb}
25866 module:
25867
25868 @table @code
25869 @findex PARAM_BOOLEAN
25870 @findex gdb.PARAM_BOOLEAN
25871 @item gdb.PARAM_BOOLEAN
25872 The value is a plain boolean. The Python boolean values, @code{True}
25873 and @code{False} are the only valid values.
25874
25875 @findex PARAM_AUTO_BOOLEAN
25876 @findex gdb.PARAM_AUTO_BOOLEAN
25877 @item gdb.PARAM_AUTO_BOOLEAN
25878 The value has three possible states: true, false, and @samp{auto}. In
25879 Python, true and false are represented using boolean constants, and
25880 @samp{auto} is represented using @code{None}.
25881
25882 @findex PARAM_UINTEGER
25883 @findex gdb.PARAM_UINTEGER
25884 @item gdb.PARAM_UINTEGER
25885 The value is an unsigned integer. The value of 0 should be
25886 interpreted to mean ``unlimited''.
25887
25888 @findex PARAM_INTEGER
25889 @findex gdb.PARAM_INTEGER
25890 @item gdb.PARAM_INTEGER
25891 The value is a signed integer. The value of 0 should be interpreted
25892 to mean ``unlimited''.
25893
25894 @findex PARAM_STRING
25895 @findex gdb.PARAM_STRING
25896 @item gdb.PARAM_STRING
25897 The value is a string. When the user modifies the string, any escape
25898 sequences, such as @samp{\t}, @samp{\f}, and octal escapes, are
25899 translated into corresponding characters and encoded into the current
25900 host charset.
25901
25902 @findex PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE
25903 @findex gdb.PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE
25904 @item gdb.PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE
25905 The value is a string. When the user modifies the string, escapes are
25906 passed through untranslated.
25907
25908 @findex PARAM_OPTIONAL_FILENAME
25909 @findex gdb.PARAM_OPTIONAL_FILENAME
25910 @item gdb.PARAM_OPTIONAL_FILENAME
25911 The value is a either a filename (a string), or @code{None}.
25912
25913 @findex PARAM_FILENAME
25914 @findex gdb.PARAM_FILENAME
25915 @item gdb.PARAM_FILENAME
25916 The value is a filename. This is just like
25917 @code{PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE}, but uses file names for completion.
25918
25919 @findex PARAM_ZINTEGER
25920 @findex gdb.PARAM_ZINTEGER
25921 @item gdb.PARAM_ZINTEGER
25922 The value is an integer. This is like @code{PARAM_INTEGER}, except 0
25923 is interpreted as itself.
25924
25925 @findex PARAM_ENUM
25926 @findex gdb.PARAM_ENUM
25927 @item gdb.PARAM_ENUM
25928 The value is a string, which must be one of a collection string
25929 constants provided when the parameter is created.
25930 @end table
25931
25932 @node Functions In Python
25933 @subsubsection Writing new convenience functions
25934
25935 @cindex writing convenience functions
25936 @cindex convenience functions in python
25937 @cindex python convenience functions
25938 @tindex gdb.Function
25939 @tindex Function
25940 You can implement new convenience functions (@pxref{Convenience Vars})
25941 in Python. A convenience function is an instance of a subclass of the
25942 class @code{gdb.Function}.
25943
25944 @defun Function.__init__ (name)
25945 The initializer for @code{Function} registers the new function with
25946 @value{GDBN}. The argument @var{name} is the name of the function,
25947 a string. The function will be visible to the user as a convenience
25948 variable of type @code{internal function}, whose name is the same as
25949 the given @var{name}.
25950
25951 The documentation for the new function is taken from the documentation
25952 string for the new class.
25953 @end defun
25954
25955 @defun Function.invoke (@var{*args})
25956 When a convenience function is evaluated, its arguments are converted
25957 to instances of @code{gdb.Value}, and then the function's
25958 @code{invoke} method is called. Note that @value{GDBN} does not
25959 predetermine the arity of convenience functions. Instead, all
25960 available arguments are passed to @code{invoke}, following the
25961 standard Python calling convention. In particular, a convenience
25962 function can have default values for parameters without ill effect.
25963
25964 The return value of this method is used as its value in the enclosing
25965 expression. If an ordinary Python value is returned, it is converted
25966 to a @code{gdb.Value} following the usual rules.
25967 @end defun
25968
25969 The following code snippet shows how a trivial convenience function can
25970 be implemented in Python:
25971
25972 @smallexample
25973 class Greet (gdb.Function):
25974 """Return string to greet someone.
25975 Takes a name as argument."""
25976
25977 def __init__ (self):
25978 super (Greet, self).__init__ ("greet")
25979
25980 def invoke (self, name):
25981 return "Hello, %s!" % name.string ()
25982
25983 Greet ()
25984 @end smallexample
25985
25986 The last line instantiates the class, and is necessary to trigger the
25987 registration of the function with @value{GDBN}. Depending on how the
25988 Python code is read into @value{GDBN}, you may need to import the
25989 @code{gdb} module explicitly.
25990
25991 Now you can use the function in an expression:
25992
25993 @smallexample
25994 (gdb) print $greet("Bob")
25995 $1 = "Hello, Bob!"
25996 @end smallexample
25997
25998 @node Progspaces In Python
25999 @subsubsection Program Spaces In Python
26000
26001 @cindex progspaces in python
26002 @tindex gdb.Progspace
26003 @tindex Progspace
26004 A program space, or @dfn{progspace}, represents a symbolic view
26005 of an address space.
26006 It consists of all of the objfiles of the program.
26007 @xref{Objfiles In Python}.
26008 @xref{Inferiors and Programs, program spaces}, for more details
26009 about program spaces.
26010
26011 The following progspace-related functions are available in the
26012 @code{gdb} module:
26013
26014 @findex gdb.current_progspace
26015 @defun gdb.current_progspace ()
26016 This function returns the program space of the currently selected inferior.
26017 @xref{Inferiors and Programs}.
26018 @end defun
26019
26020 @findex gdb.progspaces
26021 @defun gdb.progspaces ()
26022 Return a sequence of all the progspaces currently known to @value{GDBN}.
26023 @end defun
26024
26025 Each progspace is represented by an instance of the @code{gdb.Progspace}
26026 class.
26027
26028 @defvar Progspace.filename
26029 The file name of the progspace as a string.
26030 @end defvar
26031
26032 @defvar Progspace.pretty_printers
26033 The @code{pretty_printers} attribute is a list of functions. It is
26034 used to look up pretty-printers. A @code{Value} is passed to each
26035 function in order; if the function returns @code{None}, then the
26036 search continues. Otherwise, the return value should be an object
26037 which is used to format the value. @xref{Pretty Printing API}, for more
26038 information.
26039 @end defvar
26040
26041 @defvar Progspace.type_printers
26042 The @code{type_printers} attribute is a list of type printer objects.
26043 @xref{Type Printing API}, for more information.
26044 @end defvar
26045
26046 @defvar Progspace.frame_filters
26047 The @code{frame_filters} attribute is a dictionary of frame filter
26048 objects. @xref{Frame Filter API}, for more information.
26049 @end defvar
26050
26051 @node Objfiles In Python
26052 @subsubsection Objfiles In Python
26053
26054 @cindex objfiles in python
26055 @tindex gdb.Objfile
26056 @tindex Objfile
26057 @value{GDBN} loads symbols for an inferior from various
26058 symbol-containing files (@pxref{Files}). These include the primary
26059 executable file, any shared libraries used by the inferior, and any
26060 separate debug info files (@pxref{Separate Debug Files}).
26061 @value{GDBN} calls these symbol-containing files @dfn{objfiles}.
26062
26063 The following objfile-related functions are available in the
26064 @code{gdb} module:
26065
26066 @findex gdb.current_objfile
26067 @defun gdb.current_objfile ()
26068 When auto-loading a Python script (@pxref{Python Auto-loading}), @value{GDBN}
26069 sets the ``current objfile'' to the corresponding objfile. This
26070 function returns the current objfile. If there is no current objfile,
26071 this function returns @code{None}.
26072 @end defun
26073
26074 @findex gdb.objfiles
26075 @defun gdb.objfiles ()
26076 Return a sequence of all the objfiles current known to @value{GDBN}.
26077 @xref{Objfiles In Python}.
26078 @end defun
26079
26080 Each objfile is represented by an instance of the @code{gdb.Objfile}
26081 class.
26082
26083 @defvar Objfile.filename
26084 The file name of the objfile as a string.
26085 @end defvar
26086
26087 @defvar Objfile.pretty_printers
26088 The @code{pretty_printers} attribute is a list of functions. It is
26089 used to look up pretty-printers. A @code{Value} is passed to each
26090 function in order; if the function returns @code{None}, then the
26091 search continues. Otherwise, the return value should be an object
26092 which is used to format the value. @xref{Pretty Printing API}, for more
26093 information.
26094 @end defvar
26095
26096 @defvar Objfile.type_printers
26097 The @code{type_printers} attribute is a list of type printer objects.
26098 @xref{Type Printing API}, for more information.
26099 @end defvar
26100
26101 @defvar Objfile.frame_filters
26102 The @code{frame_filters} attribute is a dictionary of frame filter
26103 objects. @xref{Frame Filter API}, for more information.
26104 @end defvar
26105
26106 A @code{gdb.Objfile} object has the following methods:
26107
26108 @defun Objfile.is_valid ()
26109 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Objfile} object is valid,
26110 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Objfile} object can become invalid
26111 if the object file it refers to is not loaded in @value{GDBN} any
26112 longer. All other @code{gdb.Objfile} methods will throw an exception
26113 if it is invalid at the time the method is called.
26114 @end defun
26115
26116 @node Frames In Python
26117 @subsubsection Accessing inferior stack frames from Python.
26118
26119 @cindex frames in python
26120 When the debugged program stops, @value{GDBN} is able to analyze its call
26121 stack (@pxref{Frames,,Stack frames}). The @code{gdb.Frame} class
26122 represents a frame in the stack. A @code{gdb.Frame} object is only valid
26123 while its corresponding frame exists in the inferior's stack. If you try
26124 to use an invalid frame object, @value{GDBN} will throw a @code{gdb.error}
26125 exception (@pxref{Exception Handling}).
26126
26127 Two @code{gdb.Frame} objects can be compared for equality with the @code{==}
26128 operator, like:
26129
26130 @smallexample
26131 (@value{GDBP}) python print gdb.newest_frame() == gdb.selected_frame ()
26132 True
26133 @end smallexample
26134
26135 The following frame-related functions are available in the @code{gdb} module:
26136
26137 @findex gdb.selected_frame
26138 @defun gdb.selected_frame ()
26139 Return the selected frame object. (@pxref{Selection,,Selecting a Frame}).
26140 @end defun
26141
26142 @findex gdb.newest_frame
26143 @defun gdb.newest_frame ()
26144 Return the newest frame object for the selected thread.
26145 @end defun
26146
26147 @defun gdb.frame_stop_reason_string (reason)
26148 Return a string explaining the reason why @value{GDBN} stopped unwinding
26149 frames, as expressed by the given @var{reason} code (an integer, see the
26150 @code{unwind_stop_reason} method further down in this section).
26151 @end defun
26152
26153 A @code{gdb.Frame} object has the following methods:
26154
26155 @defun Frame.is_valid ()
26156 Returns true if the @code{gdb.Frame} object is valid, false if not.
26157 A frame object can become invalid if the frame it refers to doesn't
26158 exist anymore in the inferior. All @code{gdb.Frame} methods will throw
26159 an exception if it is invalid at the time the method is called.
26160 @end defun
26161
26162 @defun Frame.name ()
26163 Returns the function name of the frame, or @code{None} if it can't be
26164 obtained.
26165 @end defun
26166
26167 @defun Frame.architecture ()
26168 Returns the @code{gdb.Architecture} object corresponding to the frame's
26169 architecture. @xref{Architectures In Python}.
26170 @end defun
26171
26172 @defun Frame.type ()
26173 Returns the type of the frame. The value can be one of:
26174 @table @code
26175 @item gdb.NORMAL_FRAME
26176 An ordinary stack frame.
26177
26178 @item gdb.DUMMY_FRAME
26179 A fake stack frame that was created by @value{GDBN} when performing an
26180 inferior function call.
26181
26182 @item gdb.INLINE_FRAME
26183 A frame representing an inlined function. The function was inlined
26184 into a @code{gdb.NORMAL_FRAME} that is older than this one.
26185
26186 @item gdb.TAILCALL_FRAME
26187 A frame representing a tail call. @xref{Tail Call Frames}.
26188
26189 @item gdb.SIGTRAMP_FRAME
26190 A signal trampoline frame. This is the frame created by the OS when
26191 it calls into a signal handler.
26192
26193 @item gdb.ARCH_FRAME
26194 A fake stack frame representing a cross-architecture call.
26195
26196 @item gdb.SENTINEL_FRAME
26197 This is like @code{gdb.NORMAL_FRAME}, but it is only used for the
26198 newest frame.
26199 @end table
26200 @end defun
26201
26202 @defun Frame.unwind_stop_reason ()
26203 Return an integer representing the reason why it's not possible to find
26204 more frames toward the outermost frame. Use
26205 @code{gdb.frame_stop_reason_string} to convert the value returned by this
26206 function to a string. The value can be one of:
26207
26208 @table @code
26209 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_NO_REASON
26210 No particular reason (older frames should be available).
26211
26212 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_NULL_ID
26213 The previous frame's analyzer returns an invalid result.
26214
26215 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_OUTERMOST
26216 This frame is the outermost.
26217
26218 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_UNAVAILABLE
26219 Cannot unwind further, because that would require knowing the
26220 values of registers or memory that have not been collected.
26221
26222 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_INNER_ID
26223 This frame ID looks like it ought to belong to a NEXT frame,
26224 but we got it for a PREV frame. Normally, this is a sign of
26225 unwinder failure. It could also indicate stack corruption.
26226
26227 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_SAME_ID
26228 This frame has the same ID as the previous one. That means
26229 that unwinding further would almost certainly give us another
26230 frame with exactly the same ID, so break the chain. Normally,
26231 this is a sign of unwinder failure. It could also indicate
26232 stack corruption.
26233
26234 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_NO_SAVED_PC
26235 The frame unwinder did not find any saved PC, but we needed
26236 one to unwind further.
26237
26238 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_FIRST_ERROR
26239 Any stop reason greater or equal to this value indicates some kind
26240 of error. This special value facilitates writing code that tests
26241 for errors in unwinding in a way that will work correctly even if
26242 the list of the other values is modified in future @value{GDBN}
26243 versions. Using it, you could write:
26244 @smallexample
26245 reason = gdb.selected_frame().unwind_stop_reason ()
26246 reason_str = gdb.frame_stop_reason_string (reason)
26247 if reason >= gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_FIRST_ERROR:
26248 print "An error occured: %s" % reason_str
26249 @end smallexample
26250 @end table
26251
26252 @end defun
26253
26254 @defun Frame.pc ()
26255 Returns the frame's resume address.
26256 @end defun
26257
26258 @defun Frame.block ()
26259 Return the frame's code block. @xref{Blocks In Python}.
26260 @end defun
26261
26262 @defun Frame.function ()
26263 Return the symbol for the function corresponding to this frame.
26264 @xref{Symbols In Python}.
26265 @end defun
26266
26267 @defun Frame.older ()
26268 Return the frame that called this frame.
26269 @end defun
26270
26271 @defun Frame.newer ()
26272 Return the frame called by this frame.
26273 @end defun
26274
26275 @defun Frame.find_sal ()
26276 Return the frame's symtab and line object.
26277 @xref{Symbol Tables In Python}.
26278 @end defun
26279
26280 @defun Frame.read_var (variable @r{[}, block@r{]})
26281 Return the value of @var{variable} in this frame. If the optional
26282 argument @var{block} is provided, search for the variable from that
26283 block; otherwise start at the frame's current block (which is
26284 determined by the frame's current program counter). @var{variable}
26285 must be a string or a @code{gdb.Symbol} object. @var{block} must be a
26286 @code{gdb.Block} object.
26287 @end defun
26288
26289 @defun Frame.select ()
26290 Set this frame to be the selected frame. @xref{Stack, ,Examining the
26291 Stack}.
26292 @end defun
26293
26294 @node Blocks In Python
26295 @subsubsection Accessing blocks from Python.
26296
26297 @cindex blocks in python
26298 @tindex gdb.Block
26299
26300 In @value{GDBN}, symbols are stored in blocks. A block corresponds
26301 roughly to a scope in the source code. Blocks are organized
26302 hierarchically, and are represented individually in Python as a
26303 @code{gdb.Block}. Blocks rely on debugging information being
26304 available.
26305
26306 A frame has a block. Please see @ref{Frames In Python}, for a more
26307 in-depth discussion of frames.
26308
26309 The outermost block is known as the @dfn{global block}. The global
26310 block typically holds public global variables and functions.
26311
26312 The block nested just inside the global block is the @dfn{static
26313 block}. The static block typically holds file-scoped variables and
26314 functions.
26315
26316 @value{GDBN} provides a method to get a block's superblock, but there
26317 is currently no way to examine the sub-blocks of a block, or to
26318 iterate over all the blocks in a symbol table (@pxref{Symbol Tables In
26319 Python}).
26320
26321 Here is a short example that should help explain blocks:
26322
26323 @smallexample
26324 /* This is in the global block. */
26325 int global;
26326
26327 /* This is in the static block. */
26328 static int file_scope;
26329
26330 /* 'function' is in the global block, and 'argument' is
26331 in a block nested inside of 'function'. */
26332 int function (int argument)
26333 @{
26334 /* 'local' is in a block inside 'function'. It may or may
26335 not be in the same block as 'argument'. */
26336 int local;
26337
26338 @{
26339 /* 'inner' is in a block whose superblock is the one holding
26340 'local'. */
26341 int inner;
26342
26343 /* If this call is expanded by the compiler, you may see
26344 a nested block here whose function is 'inline_function'
26345 and whose superblock is the one holding 'inner'. */
26346 inline_function ();
26347 @}
26348 @}
26349 @end smallexample
26350
26351 A @code{gdb.Block} is iterable. The iterator returns the symbols
26352 (@pxref{Symbols In Python}) local to the block. Python programs
26353 should not assume that a specific block object will always contain a
26354 given symbol, since changes in @value{GDBN} features and
26355 infrastructure may cause symbols move across blocks in a symbol
26356 table.
26357
26358 The following block-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
26359 module:
26360
26361 @findex gdb.block_for_pc
26362 @defun gdb.block_for_pc (pc)
26363 Return the innermost @code{gdb.Block} containing the given @var{pc}
26364 value. If the block cannot be found for the @var{pc} value specified,
26365 the function will return @code{None}.
26366 @end defun
26367
26368 A @code{gdb.Block} object has the following methods:
26369
26370 @defun Block.is_valid ()
26371 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Block} object is valid,
26372 @code{False} if not. A block object can become invalid if the block it
26373 refers to doesn't exist anymore in the inferior. All other
26374 @code{gdb.Block} methods will throw an exception if it is invalid at
26375 the time the method is called. The block's validity is also checked
26376 during iteration over symbols of the block.
26377 @end defun
26378
26379 A @code{gdb.Block} object has the following attributes:
26380
26381 @defvar Block.start
26382 The start address of the block. This attribute is not writable.
26383 @end defvar
26384
26385 @defvar Block.end
26386 The end address of the block. This attribute is not writable.
26387 @end defvar
26388
26389 @defvar Block.function
26390 The name of the block represented as a @code{gdb.Symbol}. If the
26391 block is not named, then this attribute holds @code{None}. This
26392 attribute is not writable.
26393
26394 For ordinary function blocks, the superblock is the static block.
26395 However, you should note that it is possible for a function block to
26396 have a superblock that is not the static block -- for instance this
26397 happens for an inlined function.
26398 @end defvar
26399
26400 @defvar Block.superblock
26401 The block containing this block. If this parent block does not exist,
26402 this attribute holds @code{None}. This attribute is not writable.
26403 @end defvar
26404
26405 @defvar Block.global_block
26406 The global block associated with this block. This attribute is not
26407 writable.
26408 @end defvar
26409
26410 @defvar Block.static_block
26411 The static block associated with this block. This attribute is not
26412 writable.
26413 @end defvar
26414
26415 @defvar Block.is_global
26416 @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Block} object is a global block,
26417 @code{False} if not. This attribute is not
26418 writable.
26419 @end defvar
26420
26421 @defvar Block.is_static
26422 @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Block} object is a static block,
26423 @code{False} if not. This attribute is not writable.
26424 @end defvar
26425
26426 @node Symbols In Python
26427 @subsubsection Python representation of Symbols.
26428
26429 @cindex symbols in python
26430 @tindex gdb.Symbol
26431
26432 @value{GDBN} represents every variable, function and type as an
26433 entry in a symbol table. @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}.
26434 Similarly, Python represents these symbols in @value{GDBN} with the
26435 @code{gdb.Symbol} object.
26436
26437 The following symbol-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
26438 module:
26439
26440 @findex gdb.lookup_symbol
26441 @defun gdb.lookup_symbol (name @r{[}, block @r{[}, domain@r{]]})
26442 This function searches for a symbol by name. The search scope can be
26443 restricted to the parameters defined in the optional domain and block
26444 arguments.
26445
26446 @var{name} is the name of the symbol. It must be a string. The
26447 optional @var{block} argument restricts the search to symbols visible
26448 in that @var{block}. The @var{block} argument must be a
26449 @code{gdb.Block} object. If omitted, the block for the current frame
26450 is used. The optional @var{domain} argument restricts
26451 the search to the domain type. The @var{domain} argument must be a
26452 domain constant defined in the @code{gdb} module and described later
26453 in this chapter.
26454
26455 The result is a tuple of two elements.
26456 The first element is a @code{gdb.Symbol} object or @code{None} if the symbol
26457 is not found.
26458 If the symbol is found, the second element is @code{True} if the symbol
26459 is a field of a method's object (e.g., @code{this} in C@t{++}),
26460 otherwise it is @code{False}.
26461 If the symbol is not found, the second element is @code{False}.
26462 @end defun
26463
26464 @findex gdb.lookup_global_symbol
26465 @defun gdb.lookup_global_symbol (name @r{[}, domain@r{]})
26466 This function searches for a global symbol by name.
26467 The search scope can be restricted to by the domain argument.
26468
26469 @var{name} is the name of the symbol. It must be a string.
26470 The optional @var{domain} argument restricts the search to the domain type.
26471 The @var{domain} argument must be a domain constant defined in the @code{gdb}
26472 module and described later in this chapter.
26473
26474 The result is a @code{gdb.Symbol} object or @code{None} if the symbol
26475 is not found.
26476 @end defun
26477
26478 A @code{gdb.Symbol} object has the following attributes:
26479
26480 @defvar Symbol.type
26481 The type of the symbol or @code{None} if no type is recorded.
26482 This attribute is represented as a @code{gdb.Type} object.
26483 @xref{Types In Python}. This attribute is not writable.
26484 @end defvar
26485
26486 @defvar Symbol.symtab
26487 The symbol table in which the symbol appears. This attribute is
26488 represented as a @code{gdb.Symtab} object. @xref{Symbol Tables In
26489 Python}. This attribute is not writable.
26490 @end defvar
26491
26492 @defvar Symbol.line
26493 The line number in the source code at which the symbol was defined.
26494 This is an integer.
26495 @end defvar
26496
26497 @defvar Symbol.name
26498 The name of the symbol as a string. This attribute is not writable.
26499 @end defvar
26500
26501 @defvar Symbol.linkage_name
26502 The name of the symbol, as used by the linker (i.e., may be mangled).
26503 This attribute is not writable.
26504 @end defvar
26505
26506 @defvar Symbol.print_name
26507 The name of the symbol in a form suitable for output. This is either
26508 @code{name} or @code{linkage_name}, depending on whether the user
26509 asked @value{GDBN} to display demangled or mangled names.
26510 @end defvar
26511
26512 @defvar Symbol.addr_class
26513 The address class of the symbol. This classifies how to find the value
26514 of a symbol. Each address class is a constant defined in the
26515 @code{gdb} module and described later in this chapter.
26516 @end defvar
26517
26518 @defvar Symbol.needs_frame
26519 This is @code{True} if evaluating this symbol's value requires a frame
26520 (@pxref{Frames In Python}) and @code{False} otherwise. Typically,
26521 local variables will require a frame, but other symbols will not.
26522 @end defvar
26523
26524 @defvar Symbol.is_argument
26525 @code{True} if the symbol is an argument of a function.
26526 @end defvar
26527
26528 @defvar Symbol.is_constant
26529 @code{True} if the symbol is a constant.
26530 @end defvar
26531
26532 @defvar Symbol.is_function
26533 @code{True} if the symbol is a function or a method.
26534 @end defvar
26535
26536 @defvar Symbol.is_variable
26537 @code{True} if the symbol is a variable.
26538 @end defvar
26539
26540 A @code{gdb.Symbol} object has the following methods:
26541
26542 @defun Symbol.is_valid ()
26543 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Symbol} object is valid,
26544 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Symbol} object can become invalid if
26545 the symbol it refers to does not exist in @value{GDBN} any longer.
26546 All other @code{gdb.Symbol} methods will throw an exception if it is
26547 invalid at the time the method is called.
26548 @end defun
26549
26550 @defun Symbol.value (@r{[}frame@r{]})
26551 Compute the value of the symbol, as a @code{gdb.Value}. For
26552 functions, this computes the address of the function, cast to the
26553 appropriate type. If the symbol requires a frame in order to compute
26554 its value, then @var{frame} must be given. If @var{frame} is not
26555 given, or if @var{frame} is invalid, then this method will throw an
26556 exception.
26557 @end defun
26558
26559 The available domain categories in @code{gdb.Symbol} are represented
26560 as constants in the @code{gdb} module:
26561
26562 @table @code
26563 @findex SYMBOL_UNDEF_DOMAIN
26564 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_UNDEF_DOMAIN
26565 @item gdb.SYMBOL_UNDEF_DOMAIN
26566 This is used when a domain has not been discovered or none of the
26567 following domains apply. This usually indicates an error either
26568 in the symbol information or in @value{GDBN}'s handling of symbols.
26569 @findex SYMBOL_VAR_DOMAIN
26570 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_VAR_DOMAIN
26571 @item gdb.SYMBOL_VAR_DOMAIN
26572 This domain contains variables, function names, typedef names and enum
26573 type values.
26574 @findex SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN
26575 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN
26576 @item gdb.SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN
26577 This domain holds struct, union and enum type names.
26578 @findex SYMBOL_LABEL_DOMAIN
26579 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LABEL_DOMAIN
26580 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LABEL_DOMAIN
26581 This domain contains names of labels (for gotos).
26582 @findex SYMBOL_VARIABLES_DOMAIN
26583 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_VARIABLES_DOMAIN
26584 @item gdb.SYMBOL_VARIABLES_DOMAIN
26585 This domain holds a subset of the @code{SYMBOLS_VAR_DOMAIN}; it
26586 contains everything minus functions and types.
26587 @findex SYMBOL_FUNCTIONS_DOMAIN
26588 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_FUNCTIONS_DOMAIN
26589 @item gdb.SYMBOL_FUNCTION_DOMAIN
26590 This domain contains all functions.
26591 @findex SYMBOL_TYPES_DOMAIN
26592 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_TYPES_DOMAIN
26593 @item gdb.SYMBOL_TYPES_DOMAIN
26594 This domain contains all types.
26595 @end table
26596
26597 The available address class categories in @code{gdb.Symbol} are represented
26598 as constants in the @code{gdb} module:
26599
26600 @table @code
26601 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_UNDEF
26602 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_UNDEF
26603 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_UNDEF
26604 If this is returned by address class, it indicates an error either in
26605 the symbol information or in @value{GDBN}'s handling of symbols.
26606 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_CONST
26607 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_CONST
26608 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_CONST
26609 Value is constant int.
26610 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_STATIC
26611 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_STATIC
26612 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_STATIC
26613 Value is at a fixed address.
26614 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_REGISTER
26615 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REGISTER
26616 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REGISTER
26617 Value is in a register.
26618 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_ARG
26619 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_ARG
26620 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_ARG
26621 Value is an argument. This value is at the offset stored within the
26622 symbol inside the frame's argument list.
26623 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_REF_ARG
26624 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REF_ARG
26625 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REF_ARG
26626 Value address is stored in the frame's argument list. Just like
26627 @code{LOC_ARG} except that the value's address is stored at the
26628 offset, not the value itself.
26629 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_REGPARM_ADDR
26630 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REGPARM_ADDR
26631 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REGPARM_ADDR
26632 Value is a specified register. Just like @code{LOC_REGISTER} except
26633 the register holds the address of the argument instead of the argument
26634 itself.
26635 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_LOCAL
26636 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_LOCAL
26637 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_LOCAL
26638 Value is a local variable.
26639 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_TYPEDEF
26640 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_TYPEDEF
26641 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_TYPEDEF
26642 Value not used. Symbols in the domain @code{SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN} all
26643 have this class.
26644 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_BLOCK
26645 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_BLOCK
26646 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_BLOCK
26647 Value is a block.
26648 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_CONST_BYTES
26649 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_CONST_BYTES
26650 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_CONST_BYTES
26651 Value is a byte-sequence.
26652 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_UNRESOLVED
26653 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_UNRESOLVED
26654 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_UNRESOLVED
26655 Value is at a fixed address, but the address of the variable has to be
26656 determined from the minimal symbol table whenever the variable is
26657 referenced.
26658 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_OPTIMIZED_OUT
26659 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_OPTIMIZED_OUT
26660 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_OPTIMIZED_OUT
26661 The value does not actually exist in the program.
26662 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_COMPUTED
26663 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_COMPUTED
26664 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_COMPUTED
26665 The value's address is a computed location.
26666 @end table
26667
26668 @node Symbol Tables In Python
26669 @subsubsection Symbol table representation in Python.
26670
26671 @cindex symbol tables in python
26672 @tindex gdb.Symtab
26673 @tindex gdb.Symtab_and_line
26674
26675 Access to symbol table data maintained by @value{GDBN} on the inferior
26676 is exposed to Python via two objects: @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} and
26677 @code{gdb.Symtab}. Symbol table and line data for a frame is returned
26678 from the @code{find_sal} method in @code{gdb.Frame} object.
26679 @xref{Frames In Python}.
26680
26681 For more information on @value{GDBN}'s symbol table management, see
26682 @ref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}, for more information.
26683
26684 A @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object has the following attributes:
26685
26686 @defvar Symtab_and_line.symtab
26687 The symbol table object (@code{gdb.Symtab}) for this frame.
26688 This attribute is not writable.
26689 @end defvar
26690
26691 @defvar Symtab_and_line.pc
26692 Indicates the start of the address range occupied by code for the
26693 current source line. This attribute is not writable.
26694 @end defvar
26695
26696 @defvar Symtab_and_line.last
26697 Indicates the end of the address range occupied by code for the current
26698 source line. This attribute is not writable.
26699 @end defvar
26700
26701 @defvar Symtab_and_line.line
26702 Indicates the current line number for this object. This
26703 attribute is not writable.
26704 @end defvar
26705
26706 A @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object has the following methods:
26707
26708 @defun Symtab_and_line.is_valid ()
26709 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object is valid,
26710 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object can become
26711 invalid if the Symbol table and line object it refers to does not
26712 exist in @value{GDBN} any longer. All other
26713 @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} methods will throw an exception if it is
26714 invalid at the time the method is called.
26715 @end defun
26716
26717 A @code{gdb.Symtab} object has the following attributes:
26718
26719 @defvar Symtab.filename
26720 The symbol table's source filename. This attribute is not writable.
26721 @end defvar
26722
26723 @defvar Symtab.objfile
26724 The symbol table's backing object file. @xref{Objfiles In Python}.
26725 This attribute is not writable.
26726 @end defvar
26727
26728 A @code{gdb.Symtab} object has the following methods:
26729
26730 @defun Symtab.is_valid ()
26731 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Symtab} object is valid,
26732 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Symtab} object can become invalid if
26733 the symbol table it refers to does not exist in @value{GDBN} any
26734 longer. All other @code{gdb.Symtab} methods will throw an exception
26735 if it is invalid at the time the method is called.
26736 @end defun
26737
26738 @defun Symtab.fullname ()
26739 Return the symbol table's source absolute file name.
26740 @end defun
26741
26742 @defun Symtab.global_block ()
26743 Return the global block of the underlying symbol table.
26744 @xref{Blocks In Python}.
26745 @end defun
26746
26747 @defun Symtab.static_block ()
26748 Return the static block of the underlying symbol table.
26749 @xref{Blocks In Python}.
26750 @end defun
26751
26752 @node Breakpoints In Python
26753 @subsubsection Manipulating breakpoints using Python
26754
26755 @cindex breakpoints in python
26756 @tindex gdb.Breakpoint
26757
26758 Python code can manipulate breakpoints via the @code{gdb.Breakpoint}
26759 class.
26760
26761 @defun Breakpoint.__init__ (spec @r{[}, type @r{[}, wp_class @r{[},internal@r{]]]})
26762 Create a new breakpoint. @var{spec} is a string naming the
26763 location of the breakpoint, or an expression that defines a
26764 watchpoint. The contents can be any location recognized by the
26765 @code{break} command, or in the case of a watchpoint, by the @code{watch}
26766 command. The optional @var{type} denotes the breakpoint to create
26767 from the types defined later in this chapter. This argument can be
26768 either: @code{gdb.BP_BREAKPOINT} or @code{gdb.BP_WATCHPOINT}. @var{type}
26769 defaults to @code{gdb.BP_BREAKPOINT}. The optional @var{internal} argument
26770 allows the breakpoint to become invisible to the user. The breakpoint
26771 will neither be reported when created, nor will it be listed in the
26772 output from @code{info breakpoints} (but will be listed with the
26773 @code{maint info breakpoints} command). The optional @var{wp_class}
26774 argument defines the class of watchpoint to create, if @var{type} is
26775 @code{gdb.BP_WATCHPOINT}. If a watchpoint class is not provided, it is
26776 assumed to be a @code{gdb.WP_WRITE} class.
26777 @end defun
26778
26779 @defun Breakpoint.stop (self)
26780 The @code{gdb.Breakpoint} class can be sub-classed and, in
26781 particular, you may choose to implement the @code{stop} method.
26782 If this method is defined as a sub-class of @code{gdb.Breakpoint},
26783 it will be called when the inferior reaches any location of a
26784 breakpoint which instantiates that sub-class. If the method returns
26785 @code{True}, the inferior will be stopped at the location of the
26786 breakpoint, otherwise the inferior will continue.
26787
26788 If there are multiple breakpoints at the same location with a
26789 @code{stop} method, each one will be called regardless of the
26790 return status of the previous. This ensures that all @code{stop}
26791 methods have a chance to execute at that location. In this scenario
26792 if one of the methods returns @code{True} but the others return
26793 @code{False}, the inferior will still be stopped.
26794
26795 You should not alter the execution state of the inferior (i.e.@:, step,
26796 next, etc.), alter the current frame context (i.e.@:, change the current
26797 active frame), or alter, add or delete any breakpoint. As a general
26798 rule, you should not alter any data within @value{GDBN} or the inferior
26799 at this time.
26800
26801 Example @code{stop} implementation:
26802
26803 @smallexample
26804 class MyBreakpoint (gdb.Breakpoint):
26805 def stop (self):
26806 inf_val = gdb.parse_and_eval("foo")
26807 if inf_val == 3:
26808 return True
26809 return False
26810 @end smallexample
26811 @end defun
26812
26813 The available watchpoint types represented by constants are defined in the
26814 @code{gdb} module:
26815
26816 @table @code
26817 @findex WP_READ
26818 @findex gdb.WP_READ
26819 @item gdb.WP_READ
26820 Read only watchpoint.
26821
26822 @findex WP_WRITE
26823 @findex gdb.WP_WRITE
26824 @item gdb.WP_WRITE
26825 Write only watchpoint.
26826
26827 @findex WP_ACCESS
26828 @findex gdb.WP_ACCESS
26829 @item gdb.WP_ACCESS
26830 Read/Write watchpoint.
26831 @end table
26832
26833 @defun Breakpoint.is_valid ()
26834 Return @code{True} if this @code{Breakpoint} object is valid,
26835 @code{False} otherwise. A @code{Breakpoint} object can become invalid
26836 if the user deletes the breakpoint. In this case, the object still
26837 exists, but the underlying breakpoint does not. In the cases of
26838 watchpoint scope, the watchpoint remains valid even if execution of the
26839 inferior leaves the scope of that watchpoint.
26840 @end defun
26841
26842 @defun Breakpoint.delete
26843 Permanently deletes the @value{GDBN} breakpoint. This also
26844 invalidates the Python @code{Breakpoint} object. Any further access
26845 to this object's attributes or methods will raise an error.
26846 @end defun
26847
26848 @defvar Breakpoint.enabled
26849 This attribute is @code{True} if the breakpoint is enabled, and
26850 @code{False} otherwise. This attribute is writable.
26851 @end defvar
26852
26853 @defvar Breakpoint.silent
26854 This attribute is @code{True} if the breakpoint is silent, and
26855 @code{False} otherwise. This attribute is writable.
26856
26857 Note that a breakpoint can also be silent if it has commands and the
26858 first command is @code{silent}. This is not reported by the
26859 @code{silent} attribute.
26860 @end defvar
26861
26862 @defvar Breakpoint.thread
26863 If the breakpoint is thread-specific, this attribute holds the thread
26864 id. If the breakpoint is not thread-specific, this attribute is
26865 @code{None}. This attribute is writable.
26866 @end defvar
26867
26868 @defvar Breakpoint.task
26869 If the breakpoint is Ada task-specific, this attribute holds the Ada task
26870 id. If the breakpoint is not task-specific (or the underlying
26871 language is not Ada), this attribute is @code{None}. This attribute
26872 is writable.
26873 @end defvar
26874
26875 @defvar Breakpoint.ignore_count
26876 This attribute holds the ignore count for the breakpoint, an integer.
26877 This attribute is writable.
26878 @end defvar
26879
26880 @defvar Breakpoint.number
26881 This attribute holds the breakpoint's number --- the identifier used by
26882 the user to manipulate the breakpoint. This attribute is not writable.
26883 @end defvar
26884
26885 @defvar Breakpoint.type
26886 This attribute holds the breakpoint's type --- the identifier used to
26887 determine the actual breakpoint type or use-case. This attribute is not
26888 writable.
26889 @end defvar
26890
26891 @defvar Breakpoint.visible
26892 This attribute tells whether the breakpoint is visible to the user
26893 when set, or when the @samp{info breakpoints} command is run. This
26894 attribute is not writable.
26895 @end defvar
26896
26897 The available types are represented by constants defined in the @code{gdb}
26898 module:
26899
26900 @table @code
26901 @findex BP_BREAKPOINT
26902 @findex gdb.BP_BREAKPOINT
26903 @item gdb.BP_BREAKPOINT
26904 Normal code breakpoint.
26905
26906 @findex BP_WATCHPOINT
26907 @findex gdb.BP_WATCHPOINT
26908 @item gdb.BP_WATCHPOINT
26909 Watchpoint breakpoint.
26910
26911 @findex BP_HARDWARE_WATCHPOINT
26912 @findex gdb.BP_HARDWARE_WATCHPOINT
26913 @item gdb.BP_HARDWARE_WATCHPOINT
26914 Hardware assisted watchpoint.
26915
26916 @findex BP_READ_WATCHPOINT
26917 @findex gdb.BP_READ_WATCHPOINT
26918 @item gdb.BP_READ_WATCHPOINT
26919 Hardware assisted read watchpoint.
26920
26921 @findex BP_ACCESS_WATCHPOINT
26922 @findex gdb.BP_ACCESS_WATCHPOINT
26923 @item gdb.BP_ACCESS_WATCHPOINT
26924 Hardware assisted access watchpoint.
26925 @end table
26926
26927 @defvar Breakpoint.hit_count
26928 This attribute holds the hit count for the breakpoint, an integer.
26929 This attribute is writable, but currently it can only be set to zero.
26930 @end defvar
26931
26932 @defvar Breakpoint.location
26933 This attribute holds the location of the breakpoint, as specified by
26934 the user. It is a string. If the breakpoint does not have a location
26935 (that is, it is a watchpoint) the attribute's value is @code{None}. This
26936 attribute is not writable.
26937 @end defvar
26938
26939 @defvar Breakpoint.expression
26940 This attribute holds a breakpoint expression, as specified by
26941 the user. It is a string. If the breakpoint does not have an
26942 expression (the breakpoint is not a watchpoint) the attribute's value
26943 is @code{None}. This attribute is not writable.
26944 @end defvar
26945
26946 @defvar Breakpoint.condition
26947 This attribute holds the condition of the breakpoint, as specified by
26948 the user. It is a string. If there is no condition, this attribute's
26949 value is @code{None}. This attribute is writable.
26950 @end defvar
26951
26952 @defvar Breakpoint.commands
26953 This attribute holds the commands attached to the breakpoint. If
26954 there are commands, this attribute's value is a string holding all the
26955 commands, separated by newlines. If there are no commands, this
26956 attribute is @code{None}. This attribute is not writable.
26957 @end defvar
26958
26959 @node Finish Breakpoints in Python
26960 @subsubsection Finish Breakpoints
26961
26962 @cindex python finish breakpoints
26963 @tindex gdb.FinishBreakpoint
26964
26965 A finish breakpoint is a temporary breakpoint set at the return address of
26966 a frame, based on the @code{finish} command. @code{gdb.FinishBreakpoint}
26967 extends @code{gdb.Breakpoint}. The underlying breakpoint will be disabled
26968 and deleted when the execution will run out of the breakpoint scope (i.e.@:
26969 @code{Breakpoint.stop} or @code{FinishBreakpoint.out_of_scope} triggered).
26970 Finish breakpoints are thread specific and must be create with the right
26971 thread selected.
26972
26973 @defun FinishBreakpoint.__init__ (@r{[}frame@r{]} @r{[}, internal@r{]})
26974 Create a finish breakpoint at the return address of the @code{gdb.Frame}
26975 object @var{frame}. If @var{frame} is not provided, this defaults to the
26976 newest frame. The optional @var{internal} argument allows the breakpoint to
26977 become invisible to the user. @xref{Breakpoints In Python}, for further
26978 details about this argument.
26979 @end defun
26980
26981 @defun FinishBreakpoint.out_of_scope (self)
26982 In some circumstances (e.g.@: @code{longjmp}, C@t{++} exceptions, @value{GDBN}
26983 @code{return} command, @dots{}), a function may not properly terminate, and
26984 thus never hit the finish breakpoint. When @value{GDBN} notices such a
26985 situation, the @code{out_of_scope} callback will be triggered.
26986
26987 You may want to sub-class @code{gdb.FinishBreakpoint} and override this
26988 method:
26989
26990 @smallexample
26991 class MyFinishBreakpoint (gdb.FinishBreakpoint)
26992 def stop (self):
26993 print "normal finish"
26994 return True
26995
26996 def out_of_scope ():
26997 print "abnormal finish"
26998 @end smallexample
26999 @end defun
27000
27001 @defvar FinishBreakpoint.return_value
27002 When @value{GDBN} is stopped at a finish breakpoint and the frame
27003 used to build the @code{gdb.FinishBreakpoint} object had debug symbols, this
27004 attribute will contain a @code{gdb.Value} object corresponding to the return
27005 value of the function. The value will be @code{None} if the function return
27006 type is @code{void} or if the return value was not computable. This attribute
27007 is not writable.
27008 @end defvar
27009
27010 @node Lazy Strings In Python
27011 @subsubsection Python representation of lazy strings.
27012
27013 @cindex lazy strings in python
27014 @tindex gdb.LazyString
27015
27016 A @dfn{lazy string} is a string whose contents is not retrieved or
27017 encoded until it is needed.
27018
27019 A @code{gdb.LazyString} is represented in @value{GDBN} as an
27020 @code{address} that points to a region of memory, an @code{encoding}
27021 that will be used to encode that region of memory, and a @code{length}
27022 to delimit the region of memory that represents the string. The
27023 difference between a @code{gdb.LazyString} and a string wrapped within
27024 a @code{gdb.Value} is that a @code{gdb.LazyString} will be treated
27025 differently by @value{GDBN} when printing. A @code{gdb.LazyString} is
27026 retrieved and encoded during printing, while a @code{gdb.Value}
27027 wrapping a string is immediately retrieved and encoded on creation.
27028
27029 A @code{gdb.LazyString} object has the following functions:
27030
27031 @defun LazyString.value ()
27032 Convert the @code{gdb.LazyString} to a @code{gdb.Value}. This value
27033 will point to the string in memory, but will lose all the delayed
27034 retrieval, encoding and handling that @value{GDBN} applies to a
27035 @code{gdb.LazyString}.
27036 @end defun
27037
27038 @defvar LazyString.address
27039 This attribute holds the address of the string. This attribute is not
27040 writable.
27041 @end defvar
27042
27043 @defvar LazyString.length
27044 This attribute holds the length of the string in characters. If the
27045 length is -1, then the string will be fetched and encoded up to the
27046 first null of appropriate width. This attribute is not writable.
27047 @end defvar
27048
27049 @defvar LazyString.encoding
27050 This attribute holds the encoding that will be applied to the string
27051 when the string is printed by @value{GDBN}. If the encoding is not
27052 set, or contains an empty string, then @value{GDBN} will select the
27053 most appropriate encoding when the string is printed. This attribute
27054 is not writable.
27055 @end defvar
27056
27057 @defvar LazyString.type
27058 This attribute holds the type that is represented by the lazy string's
27059 type. For a lazy string this will always be a pointer type. To
27060 resolve this to the lazy string's character type, use the type's
27061 @code{target} method. @xref{Types In Python}. This attribute is not
27062 writable.
27063 @end defvar
27064
27065 @node Architectures In Python
27066 @subsubsection Python representation of architectures
27067 @cindex Python architectures
27068
27069 @value{GDBN} uses architecture specific parameters and artifacts in a
27070 number of its various computations. An architecture is represented
27071 by an instance of the @code{gdb.Architecture} class.
27072
27073 A @code{gdb.Architecture} class has the following methods:
27074
27075 @defun Architecture.name ()
27076 Return the name (string value) of the architecture.
27077 @end defun
27078
27079 @defun Architecture.disassemble (@var{start_pc} @r{[}, @var{end_pc} @r{[}, @var{count}@r{]]})
27080 Return a list of disassembled instructions starting from the memory
27081 address @var{start_pc}. The optional arguments @var{end_pc} and
27082 @var{count} determine the number of instructions in the returned list.
27083 If both the optional arguments @var{end_pc} and @var{count} are
27084 specified, then a list of at most @var{count} disassembled instructions
27085 whose start address falls in the closed memory address interval from
27086 @var{start_pc} to @var{end_pc} are returned. If @var{end_pc} is not
27087 specified, but @var{count} is specified, then @var{count} number of
27088 instructions starting from the address @var{start_pc} are returned. If
27089 @var{count} is not specified but @var{end_pc} is specified, then all
27090 instructions whose start address falls in the closed memory address
27091 interval from @var{start_pc} to @var{end_pc} are returned. If neither
27092 @var{end_pc} nor @var{count} are specified, then a single instruction at
27093 @var{start_pc} is returned. For all of these cases, each element of the
27094 returned list is a Python @code{dict} with the following string keys:
27095
27096 @table @code
27097
27098 @item addr
27099 The value corresponding to this key is a Python long integer capturing
27100 the memory address of the instruction.
27101
27102 @item asm
27103 The value corresponding to this key is a string value which represents
27104 the instruction with assembly language mnemonics. The assembly
27105 language flavor used is the same as that specified by the current CLI
27106 variable @code{disassembly-flavor}. @xref{Machine Code}.
27107
27108 @item length
27109 The value corresponding to this key is the length (integer value) of the
27110 instruction in bytes.
27111
27112 @end table
27113 @end defun
27114
27115 @node Python Auto-loading
27116 @subsection Python Auto-loading
27117 @cindex Python auto-loading
27118
27119 When a new object file is read (for example, due to the @code{file}
27120 command, or because the inferior has loaded a shared library),
27121 @value{GDBN} will look for Python support scripts in several ways:
27122 @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py} (@pxref{objfile-gdb.py file})
27123 and @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
27124 (@pxref{dotdebug_gdb_scripts section}).
27125
27126 The auto-loading feature is useful for supplying application-specific
27127 debugging commands and scripts.
27128
27129 Auto-loading can be enabled or disabled,
27130 and the list of auto-loaded scripts can be printed.
27131
27132 @table @code
27133 @anchor{set auto-load python-scripts}
27134 @kindex set auto-load python-scripts
27135 @item set auto-load python-scripts [on|off]
27136 Enable or disable the auto-loading of Python scripts.
27137
27138 @anchor{show auto-load python-scripts}
27139 @kindex show auto-load python-scripts
27140 @item show auto-load python-scripts
27141 Show whether auto-loading of Python scripts is enabled or disabled.
27142
27143 @anchor{info auto-load python-scripts}
27144 @kindex info auto-load python-scripts
27145 @cindex print list of auto-loaded Python scripts
27146 @item info auto-load python-scripts [@var{regexp}]
27147 Print the list of all Python scripts that @value{GDBN} auto-loaded.
27148
27149 Also printed is the list of Python scripts that were mentioned in
27150 the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section and were not found
27151 (@pxref{dotdebug_gdb_scripts section}).
27152 This is useful because their names are not printed when @value{GDBN}
27153 tries to load them and fails. There may be many of them, and printing
27154 an error message for each one is problematic.
27155
27156 If @var{regexp} is supplied only Python scripts with matching names are printed.
27157
27158 Example:
27159
27160 @smallexample
27161 (gdb) info auto-load python-scripts
27162 Loaded Script
27163 Yes py-section-script.py
27164 full name: /tmp/py-section-script.py
27165 No my-foo-pretty-printers.py
27166 @end smallexample
27167 @end table
27168
27169 When reading an auto-loaded file, @value{GDBN} sets the
27170 @dfn{current objfile}. This is available via the @code{gdb.current_objfile}
27171 function (@pxref{Objfiles In Python}). This can be useful for
27172 registering objfile-specific pretty-printers and frame-filters.
27173
27174 @menu
27175 * objfile-gdb.py file:: The @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py} file
27176 * dotdebug_gdb_scripts section:: The @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
27177 * Which flavor to choose?::
27178 @end menu
27179
27180 @node objfile-gdb.py file
27181 @subsubsection The @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py} file
27182 @cindex @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py}
27183
27184 When a new object file is read, @value{GDBN} looks for
27185 a file named @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py} (we call it @var{script-name} below),
27186 where @var{objfile} is the object file's real name, formed by ensuring
27187 that the file name is absolute, following all symlinks, and resolving
27188 @code{.} and @code{..} components. If this file exists and is
27189 readable, @value{GDBN} will evaluate it as a Python script.
27190
27191 If this file does not exist, then @value{GDBN} will look for
27192 @var{script-name} file in all of the directories as specified below.
27193
27194 Note that loading of this script file also requires accordingly configured
27195 @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
27196
27197 For object files using @file{.exe} suffix @value{GDBN} tries to load first the
27198 scripts normally according to its @file{.exe} filename. But if no scripts are
27199 found @value{GDBN} also tries script filenames matching the object file without
27200 its @file{.exe} suffix. This @file{.exe} stripping is case insensitive and it
27201 is attempted on any platform. This makes the script filenames compatible
27202 between Unix and MS-Windows hosts.
27203
27204 @table @code
27205 @anchor{set auto-load scripts-directory}
27206 @kindex set auto-load scripts-directory
27207 @item set auto-load scripts-directory @r{[}@var{directories}@r{]}
27208 Control @value{GDBN} auto-loaded scripts location. Multiple directory entries
27209 may be delimited by the host platform path separator in use
27210 (@samp{:} on Unix, @samp{;} on MS-Windows and MS-DOS).
27211
27212 Each entry here needs to be covered also by the security setting
27213 @code{set auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{set auto-load safe-path}).
27214
27215 @anchor{with-auto-load-dir}
27216 This variable defaults to @file{$debugdir:$datadir/auto-load}. The default
27217 @code{set auto-load safe-path} value can be also overriden by @value{GDBN}
27218 configuration option @option{--with-auto-load-dir}.
27219
27220 Any reference to @file{$debugdir} will get replaced by
27221 @var{debug-file-directory} value (@pxref{Separate Debug Files}) and any
27222 reference to @file{$datadir} will get replaced by @var{data-directory} which is
27223 determined at @value{GDBN} startup (@pxref{Data Files}). @file{$debugdir} and
27224 @file{$datadir} must be placed as a directory component --- either alone or
27225 delimited by @file{/} or @file{\} directory separators, depending on the host
27226 platform.
27227
27228 The list of directories uses path separator (@samp{:} on GNU and Unix
27229 systems, @samp{;} on MS-Windows and MS-DOS) to separate directories, similarly
27230 to the @env{PATH} environment variable.
27231
27232 @anchor{show auto-load scripts-directory}
27233 @kindex show auto-load scripts-directory
27234 @item show auto-load scripts-directory
27235 Show @value{GDBN} auto-loaded scripts location.
27236 @end table
27237
27238 @value{GDBN} does not track which files it has already auto-loaded this way.
27239 @value{GDBN} will load the associated script every time the corresponding
27240 @var{objfile} is opened.
27241 So your @file{-gdb.py} file should be careful to avoid errors if it
27242 is evaluated more than once.
27243
27244 @node dotdebug_gdb_scripts section
27245 @subsubsection The @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
27246 @cindex @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
27247
27248 For systems using file formats like ELF and COFF,
27249 when @value{GDBN} loads a new object file
27250 it will look for a special section named @samp{.debug_gdb_scripts}.
27251 If this section exists, its contents is a list of names of scripts to load.
27252
27253 @value{GDBN} will look for each specified script file first in the
27254 current directory and then along the source search path
27255 (@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying Source Directories}),
27256 except that @file{$cdir} is not searched, since the compilation
27257 directory is not relevant to scripts.
27258
27259 Entries can be placed in section @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} with,
27260 for example, this GCC macro:
27261
27262 @example
27263 /* Note: The "MS" section flags are to remove duplicates. */
27264 #define DEFINE_GDB_SCRIPT(script_name) \
27265 asm("\
27266 .pushsection \".debug_gdb_scripts\", \"MS\",@@progbits,1\n\
27267 .byte 1\n\
27268 .asciz \"" script_name "\"\n\
27269 .popsection \n\
27270 ");
27271 @end example
27272
27273 @noindent
27274 Then one can reference the macro in a header or source file like this:
27275
27276 @example
27277 DEFINE_GDB_SCRIPT ("my-app-scripts.py")
27278 @end example
27279
27280 The script name may include directories if desired.
27281
27282 Note that loading of this script file also requires accordingly configured
27283 @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
27284
27285 If the macro is put in a header, any application or library
27286 using this header will get a reference to the specified script.
27287
27288 @node Which flavor to choose?
27289 @subsubsection Which flavor to choose?
27290
27291 Given the multiple ways of auto-loading Python scripts, it might not always
27292 be clear which one to choose. This section provides some guidance.
27293
27294 Benefits of the @file{-gdb.py} way:
27295
27296 @itemize @bullet
27297 @item
27298 Can be used with file formats that don't support multiple sections.
27299
27300 @item
27301 Ease of finding scripts for public libraries.
27302
27303 Scripts specified in the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section are searched for
27304 in the source search path.
27305 For publicly installed libraries, e.g., @file{libstdc++}, there typically
27306 isn't a source directory in which to find the script.
27307
27308 @item
27309 Doesn't require source code additions.
27310 @end itemize
27311
27312 Benefits of the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} way:
27313
27314 @itemize @bullet
27315 @item
27316 Works with static linking.
27317
27318 Scripts for libraries done the @file{-gdb.py} way require an objfile to
27319 trigger their loading. When an application is statically linked the only
27320 objfile available is the executable, and it is cumbersome to attach all the
27321 scripts from all the input libraries to the executable's @file{-gdb.py} script.
27322
27323 @item
27324 Works with classes that are entirely inlined.
27325
27326 Some classes can be entirely inlined, and thus there may not be an associated
27327 shared library to attach a @file{-gdb.py} script to.
27328
27329 @item
27330 Scripts needn't be copied out of the source tree.
27331
27332 In some circumstances, apps can be built out of large collections of internal
27333 libraries, and the build infrastructure necessary to install the
27334 @file{-gdb.py} scripts in a place where @value{GDBN} can find them is
27335 cumbersome. It may be easier to specify the scripts in the
27336 @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section as relative paths, and add a path to the
27337 top of the source tree to the source search path.
27338 @end itemize
27339
27340 @node Python modules
27341 @subsection Python modules
27342 @cindex python modules
27343
27344 @value{GDBN} comes with several modules to assist writing Python code.
27345
27346 @menu
27347 * gdb.printing:: Building and registering pretty-printers.
27348 * gdb.types:: Utilities for working with types.
27349 * gdb.prompt:: Utilities for prompt value substitution.
27350 @end menu
27351
27352 @node gdb.printing
27353 @subsubsection gdb.printing
27354 @cindex gdb.printing
27355
27356 This module provides a collection of utilities for working with
27357 pretty-printers.
27358
27359 @table @code
27360 @item PrettyPrinter (@var{name}, @var{subprinters}=None)
27361 This class specifies the API that makes @samp{info pretty-printer},
27362 @samp{enable pretty-printer} and @samp{disable pretty-printer} work.
27363 Pretty-printers should generally inherit from this class.
27364
27365 @item SubPrettyPrinter (@var{name})
27366 For printers that handle multiple types, this class specifies the
27367 corresponding API for the subprinters.
27368
27369 @item RegexpCollectionPrettyPrinter (@var{name})
27370 Utility class for handling multiple printers, all recognized via
27371 regular expressions.
27372 @xref{Writing a Pretty-Printer}, for an example.
27373
27374 @item FlagEnumerationPrinter (@var{name})
27375 A pretty-printer which handles printing of @code{enum} values. Unlike
27376 @value{GDBN}'s built-in @code{enum} printing, this printer attempts to
27377 work properly when there is some overlap between the enumeration
27378 constants. @var{name} is the name of the printer and also the name of
27379 the @code{enum} type to look up.
27380
27381 @item register_pretty_printer (@var{obj}, @var{printer}, @var{replace}=False)
27382 Register @var{printer} with the pretty-printer list of @var{obj}.
27383 If @var{replace} is @code{True} then any existing copy of the printer
27384 is replaced. Otherwise a @code{RuntimeError} exception is raised
27385 if a printer with the same name already exists.
27386 @end table
27387
27388 @node gdb.types
27389 @subsubsection gdb.types
27390 @cindex gdb.types
27391
27392 This module provides a collection of utilities for working with
27393 @code{gdb.Type} objects.
27394
27395 @table @code
27396 @item get_basic_type (@var{type})
27397 Return @var{type} with const and volatile qualifiers stripped,
27398 and with typedefs and C@t{++} references converted to the underlying type.
27399
27400 C@t{++} example:
27401
27402 @smallexample
27403 typedef const int const_int;
27404 const_int foo (3);
27405 const_int& foo_ref (foo);
27406 int main () @{ return 0; @}
27407 @end smallexample
27408
27409 Then in gdb:
27410
27411 @smallexample
27412 (gdb) start
27413 (gdb) python import gdb.types
27414 (gdb) python foo_ref = gdb.parse_and_eval("foo_ref")
27415 (gdb) python print gdb.types.get_basic_type(foo_ref.type)
27416 int
27417 @end smallexample
27418
27419 @item has_field (@var{type}, @var{field})
27420 Return @code{True} if @var{type}, assumed to be a type with fields
27421 (e.g., a structure or union), has field @var{field}.
27422
27423 @item make_enum_dict (@var{enum_type})
27424 Return a Python @code{dictionary} type produced from @var{enum_type}.
27425
27426 @item deep_items (@var{type})
27427 Returns a Python iterator similar to the standard
27428 @code{gdb.Type.iteritems} method, except that the iterator returned
27429 by @code{deep_items} will recursively traverse anonymous struct or
27430 union fields. For example:
27431
27432 @smallexample
27433 struct A
27434 @{
27435 int a;
27436 union @{
27437 int b0;
27438 int b1;
27439 @};
27440 @};
27441 @end smallexample
27442
27443 @noindent
27444 Then in @value{GDBN}:
27445 @smallexample
27446 (@value{GDBP}) python import gdb.types
27447 (@value{GDBP}) python struct_a = gdb.lookup_type("struct A")
27448 (@value{GDBP}) python print struct_a.keys ()
27449 @{['a', '']@}
27450 (@value{GDBP}) python print [k for k,v in gdb.types.deep_items(struct_a)]
27451 @{['a', 'b0', 'b1']@}
27452 @end smallexample
27453
27454 @item get_type_recognizers ()
27455 Return a list of the enabled type recognizers for the current context.
27456 This is called by @value{GDBN} during the type-printing process
27457 (@pxref{Type Printing API}).
27458
27459 @item apply_type_recognizers (recognizers, type_obj)
27460 Apply the type recognizers, @var{recognizers}, to the type object
27461 @var{type_obj}. If any recognizer returns a string, return that
27462 string. Otherwise, return @code{None}. This is called by
27463 @value{GDBN} during the type-printing process (@pxref{Type Printing
27464 API}).
27465
27466 @item register_type_printer (locus, printer)
27467 This is a convenience function to register a type printer.
27468 @var{printer} is the type printer to register. It must implement the
27469 type printer protocol. @var{locus} is either a @code{gdb.Objfile}, in
27470 which case the printer is registered with that objfile; a
27471 @code{gdb.Progspace}, in which case the printer is registered with
27472 that progspace; or @code{None}, in which case the printer is
27473 registered globally.
27474
27475 @item TypePrinter
27476 This is a base class that implements the type printer protocol. Type
27477 printers are encouraged, but not required, to derive from this class.
27478 It defines a constructor:
27479
27480 @defmethod TypePrinter __init__ (self, name)
27481 Initialize the type printer with the given name. The new printer
27482 starts in the enabled state.
27483 @end defmethod
27484
27485 @end table
27486
27487 @node gdb.prompt
27488 @subsubsection gdb.prompt
27489 @cindex gdb.prompt
27490
27491 This module provides a method for prompt value-substitution.
27492
27493 @table @code
27494 @item substitute_prompt (@var{string})
27495 Return @var{string} with escape sequences substituted by values. Some
27496 escape sequences take arguments. You can specify arguments inside
27497 ``@{@}'' immediately following the escape sequence.
27498
27499 The escape sequences you can pass to this function are:
27500
27501 @table @code
27502 @item \\
27503 Substitute a backslash.
27504 @item \e
27505 Substitute an ESC character.
27506 @item \f
27507 Substitute the selected frame; an argument names a frame parameter.
27508 @item \n
27509 Substitute a newline.
27510 @item \p
27511 Substitute a parameter's value; the argument names the parameter.
27512 @item \r
27513 Substitute a carriage return.
27514 @item \t
27515 Substitute the selected thread; an argument names a thread parameter.
27516 @item \v
27517 Substitute the version of GDB.
27518 @item \w
27519 Substitute the current working directory.
27520 @item \[
27521 Begin a sequence of non-printing characters. These sequences are
27522 typically used with the ESC character, and are not counted in the string
27523 length. Example: ``\[\e[0;34m\](gdb)\[\e[0m\]'' will return a
27524 blue-colored ``(gdb)'' prompt where the length is five.
27525 @item \]
27526 End a sequence of non-printing characters.
27527 @end table
27528
27529 For example:
27530
27531 @smallexample
27532 substitute_prompt (``frame: \f,
27533 print arguments: \p@{print frame-arguments@}'')
27534 @end smallexample
27535
27536 @exdent will return the string:
27537
27538 @smallexample
27539 "frame: main, print arguments: scalars"
27540 @end smallexample
27541 @end table
27542
27543 @node Aliases
27544 @section Creating new spellings of existing commands
27545 @cindex aliases for commands
27546
27547 It is often useful to define alternate spellings of existing commands.
27548 For example, if a new @value{GDBN} command defined in Python has
27549 a long name to type, it is handy to have an abbreviated version of it
27550 that involves less typing.
27551
27552 @value{GDBN} itself uses aliases. For example @samp{s} is an alias
27553 of the @samp{step} command even though it is otherwise an ambiguous
27554 abbreviation of other commands like @samp{set} and @samp{show}.
27555
27556 Aliases are also used to provide shortened or more common versions
27557 of multi-word commands. For example, @value{GDBN} provides the
27558 @samp{tty} alias of the @samp{set inferior-tty} command.
27559
27560 You can define a new alias with the @samp{alias} command.
27561
27562 @table @code
27563
27564 @kindex alias
27565 @item alias [-a] [--] @var{ALIAS} = @var{COMMAND}
27566
27567 @end table
27568
27569 @var{ALIAS} specifies the name of the new alias.
27570 Each word of @var{ALIAS} must consist of letters, numbers, dashes and
27571 underscores.
27572
27573 @var{COMMAND} specifies the name of an existing command
27574 that is being aliased.
27575
27576 The @samp{-a} option specifies that the new alias is an abbreviation
27577 of the command. Abbreviations are not shown in command
27578 lists displayed by the @samp{help} command.
27579
27580 The @samp{--} option specifies the end of options,
27581 and is useful when @var{ALIAS} begins with a dash.
27582
27583 Here is a simple example showing how to make an abbreviation
27584 of a command so that there is less to type.
27585 Suppose you were tired of typing @samp{disas}, the current
27586 shortest unambiguous abbreviation of the @samp{disassemble} command
27587 and you wanted an even shorter version named @samp{di}.
27588 The following will accomplish this.
27589
27590 @smallexample
27591 (gdb) alias -a di = disas
27592 @end smallexample
27593
27594 Note that aliases are different from user-defined commands.
27595 With a user-defined command, you also need to write documentation
27596 for it with the @samp{document} command.
27597 An alias automatically picks up the documentation of the existing command.
27598
27599 Here is an example where we make @samp{elms} an abbreviation of
27600 @samp{elements} in the @samp{set print elements} command.
27601 This is to show that you can make an abbreviation of any part
27602 of a command.
27603
27604 @smallexample
27605 (gdb) alias -a set print elms = set print elements
27606 (gdb) alias -a show print elms = show print elements
27607 (gdb) set p elms 20
27608 (gdb) show p elms
27609 Limit on string chars or array elements to print is 200.
27610 @end smallexample
27611
27612 Note that if you are defining an alias of a @samp{set} command,
27613 and you want to have an alias for the corresponding @samp{show}
27614 command, then you need to define the latter separately.
27615
27616 Unambiguously abbreviated commands are allowed in @var{COMMAND} and
27617 @var{ALIAS}, just as they are normally.
27618
27619 @smallexample
27620 (gdb) alias -a set pr elms = set p ele
27621 @end smallexample
27622
27623 Finally, here is an example showing the creation of a one word
27624 alias for a more complex command.
27625 This creates alias @samp{spe} of the command @samp{set print elements}.
27626
27627 @smallexample
27628 (gdb) alias spe = set print elements
27629 (gdb) spe 20
27630 @end smallexample
27631
27632 @node Interpreters
27633 @chapter Command Interpreters
27634 @cindex command interpreters
27635
27636 @value{GDBN} supports multiple command interpreters, and some command
27637 infrastructure to allow users or user interface writers to switch
27638 between interpreters or run commands in other interpreters.
27639
27640 @value{GDBN} currently supports two command interpreters, the console
27641 interpreter (sometimes called the command-line interpreter or @sc{cli})
27642 and the machine interface interpreter (or @sc{gdb/mi}). This manual
27643 describes both of these interfaces in great detail.
27644
27645 By default, @value{GDBN} will start with the console interpreter.
27646 However, the user may choose to start @value{GDBN} with another
27647 interpreter by specifying the @option{-i} or @option{--interpreter}
27648 startup options. Defined interpreters include:
27649
27650 @table @code
27651 @item console
27652 @cindex console interpreter
27653 The traditional console or command-line interpreter. This is the most often
27654 used interpreter with @value{GDBN}. With no interpreter specified at runtime,
27655 @value{GDBN} will use this interpreter.
27656
27657 @item mi
27658 @cindex mi interpreter
27659 The newest @sc{gdb/mi} interface (currently @code{mi2}). Used primarily
27660 by programs wishing to use @value{GDBN} as a backend for a debugger GUI
27661 or an IDE. For more information, see @ref{GDB/MI, ,The @sc{gdb/mi}
27662 Interface}.
27663
27664 @item mi2
27665 @cindex mi2 interpreter
27666 The current @sc{gdb/mi} interface.
27667
27668 @item mi1
27669 @cindex mi1 interpreter
27670 The @sc{gdb/mi} interface included in @value{GDBN} 5.1, 5.2, and 5.3.
27671
27672 @end table
27673
27674 @cindex invoke another interpreter
27675 The interpreter being used by @value{GDBN} may not be dynamically
27676 switched at runtime. Although possible, this could lead to a very
27677 precarious situation. Consider an IDE using @sc{gdb/mi}. If a user
27678 enters the command "interpreter-set console" in a console view,
27679 @value{GDBN} would switch to using the console interpreter, rendering
27680 the IDE inoperable!
27681
27682 @kindex interpreter-exec
27683 Although you may only choose a single interpreter at startup, you may execute
27684 commands in any interpreter from the current interpreter using the appropriate
27685 command. If you are running the console interpreter, simply use the
27686 @code{interpreter-exec} command:
27687
27688 @smallexample
27689 interpreter-exec mi "-data-list-register-names"
27690 @end smallexample
27691
27692 @sc{gdb/mi} has a similar command, although it is only available in versions of
27693 @value{GDBN} which support @sc{gdb/mi} version 2 (or greater).
27694
27695 @node TUI
27696 @chapter @value{GDBN} Text User Interface
27697 @cindex TUI
27698 @cindex Text User Interface
27699
27700 @menu
27701 * TUI Overview:: TUI overview
27702 * TUI Keys:: TUI key bindings
27703 * TUI Single Key Mode:: TUI single key mode
27704 * TUI Commands:: TUI-specific commands
27705 * TUI Configuration:: TUI configuration variables
27706 @end menu
27707
27708 The @value{GDBN} Text User Interface (TUI) is a terminal
27709 interface which uses the @code{curses} library to show the source
27710 file, the assembly output, the program registers and @value{GDBN}
27711 commands in separate text windows. The TUI mode is supported only
27712 on platforms where a suitable version of the @code{curses} library
27713 is available.
27714
27715 The TUI mode is enabled by default when you invoke @value{GDBN} as
27716 @samp{@value{GDBP} -tui}.
27717 You can also switch in and out of TUI mode while @value{GDBN} runs by
27718 using various TUI commands and key bindings, such as @kbd{C-x C-a}.
27719 @xref{TUI Keys, ,TUI Key Bindings}.
27720
27721 @node TUI Overview
27722 @section TUI Overview
27723
27724 In TUI mode, @value{GDBN} can display several text windows:
27725
27726 @table @emph
27727 @item command
27728 This window is the @value{GDBN} command window with the @value{GDBN}
27729 prompt and the @value{GDBN} output. The @value{GDBN} input is still
27730 managed using readline.
27731
27732 @item source
27733 The source window shows the source file of the program. The current
27734 line and active breakpoints are displayed in this window.
27735
27736 @item assembly
27737 The assembly window shows the disassembly output of the program.
27738
27739 @item register
27740 This window shows the processor registers. Registers are highlighted
27741 when their values change.
27742 @end table
27743
27744 The source and assembly windows show the current program position
27745 by highlighting the current line and marking it with a @samp{>} marker.
27746 Breakpoints are indicated with two markers. The first marker
27747 indicates the breakpoint type:
27748
27749 @table @code
27750 @item B
27751 Breakpoint which was hit at least once.
27752
27753 @item b
27754 Breakpoint which was never hit.
27755
27756 @item H
27757 Hardware breakpoint which was hit at least once.
27758
27759 @item h
27760 Hardware breakpoint which was never hit.
27761 @end table
27762
27763 The second marker indicates whether the breakpoint is enabled or not:
27764
27765 @table @code
27766 @item +
27767 Breakpoint is enabled.
27768
27769 @item -
27770 Breakpoint is disabled.
27771 @end table
27772
27773 The source, assembly and register windows are updated when the current
27774 thread changes, when the frame changes, or when the program counter
27775 changes.
27776
27777 These windows are not all visible at the same time. The command
27778 window is always visible. The others can be arranged in several
27779 layouts:
27780
27781 @itemize @bullet
27782 @item
27783 source only,
27784
27785 @item
27786 assembly only,
27787
27788 @item
27789 source and assembly,
27790
27791 @item
27792 source and registers, or
27793
27794 @item
27795 assembly and registers.
27796 @end itemize
27797
27798 A status line above the command window shows the following information:
27799
27800 @table @emph
27801 @item target
27802 Indicates the current @value{GDBN} target.
27803 (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
27804
27805 @item process
27806 Gives the current process or thread number.
27807 When no process is being debugged, this field is set to @code{No process}.
27808
27809 @item function
27810 Gives the current function name for the selected frame.
27811 The name is demangled if demangling is turned on (@pxref{Print Settings}).
27812 When there is no symbol corresponding to the current program counter,
27813 the string @code{??} is displayed.
27814
27815 @item line
27816 Indicates the current line number for the selected frame.
27817 When the current line number is not known, the string @code{??} is displayed.
27818
27819 @item pc
27820 Indicates the current program counter address.
27821 @end table
27822
27823 @node TUI Keys
27824 @section TUI Key Bindings
27825 @cindex TUI key bindings
27826
27827 The TUI installs several key bindings in the readline keymaps
27828 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
27829 (@pxref{Command Line Editing, , , rluserman, GNU Readline Library}).
27830 @end ifset
27831 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
27832 (@pxref{Command Line Editing}).
27833 @end ifclear
27834 The following key bindings are installed for both TUI mode and the
27835 @value{GDBN} standard mode.
27836
27837 @table @kbd
27838 @kindex C-x C-a
27839 @item C-x C-a
27840 @kindex C-x a
27841 @itemx C-x a
27842 @kindex C-x A
27843 @itemx C-x A
27844 Enter or leave the TUI mode. When leaving the TUI mode,
27845 the curses window management stops and @value{GDBN} operates using
27846 its standard mode, writing on the terminal directly. When reentering
27847 the TUI mode, control is given back to the curses windows.
27848 The screen is then refreshed.
27849
27850 @kindex C-x 1
27851 @item C-x 1
27852 Use a TUI layout with only one window. The layout will
27853 either be @samp{source} or @samp{assembly}. When the TUI mode
27854 is not active, it will switch to the TUI mode.
27855
27856 Think of this key binding as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 1} binding.
27857
27858 @kindex C-x 2
27859 @item C-x 2
27860 Use a TUI layout with at least two windows. When the current
27861 layout already has two windows, the next layout with two windows is used.
27862 When a new layout is chosen, one window will always be common to the
27863 previous layout and the new one.
27864
27865 Think of it as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 2} binding.
27866
27867 @kindex C-x o
27868 @item C-x o
27869 Change the active window. The TUI associates several key bindings
27870 (like scrolling and arrow keys) with the active window. This command
27871 gives the focus to the next TUI window.
27872
27873 Think of it as the Emacs @kbd{C-x o} binding.
27874
27875 @kindex C-x s
27876 @item C-x s
27877 Switch in and out of the TUI SingleKey mode that binds single
27878 keys to @value{GDBN} commands (@pxref{TUI Single Key Mode}).
27879 @end table
27880
27881 The following key bindings only work in the TUI mode:
27882
27883 @table @asis
27884 @kindex PgUp
27885 @item @key{PgUp}
27886 Scroll the active window one page up.
27887
27888 @kindex PgDn
27889 @item @key{PgDn}
27890 Scroll the active window one page down.
27891
27892 @kindex Up
27893 @item @key{Up}
27894 Scroll the active window one line up.
27895
27896 @kindex Down
27897 @item @key{Down}
27898 Scroll the active window one line down.
27899
27900 @kindex Left
27901 @item @key{Left}
27902 Scroll the active window one column left.
27903
27904 @kindex Right
27905 @item @key{Right}
27906 Scroll the active window one column right.
27907
27908 @kindex C-L
27909 @item @kbd{C-L}
27910 Refresh the screen.
27911 @end table
27912
27913 Because the arrow keys scroll the active window in the TUI mode, they
27914 are not available for their normal use by readline unless the command
27915 window has the focus. When another window is active, you must use
27916 other readline key bindings such as @kbd{C-p}, @kbd{C-n}, @kbd{C-b}
27917 and @kbd{C-f} to control the command window.
27918
27919 @node TUI Single Key Mode
27920 @section TUI Single Key Mode
27921 @cindex TUI single key mode
27922
27923 The TUI also provides a @dfn{SingleKey} mode, which binds several
27924 frequently used @value{GDBN} commands to single keys. Type @kbd{C-x s} to
27925 switch into this mode, where the following key bindings are used:
27926
27927 @table @kbd
27928 @kindex c @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
27929 @item c
27930 continue
27931
27932 @kindex d @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
27933 @item d
27934 down
27935
27936 @kindex f @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
27937 @item f
27938 finish
27939
27940 @kindex n @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
27941 @item n
27942 next
27943
27944 @kindex q @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
27945 @item q
27946 exit the SingleKey mode.
27947
27948 @kindex r @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
27949 @item r
27950 run
27951
27952 @kindex s @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
27953 @item s
27954 step
27955
27956 @kindex u @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
27957 @item u
27958 up
27959
27960 @kindex v @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
27961 @item v
27962 info locals
27963
27964 @kindex w @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
27965 @item w
27966 where
27967 @end table
27968
27969 Other keys temporarily switch to the @value{GDBN} command prompt.
27970 The key that was pressed is inserted in the editing buffer so that
27971 it is possible to type most @value{GDBN} commands without interaction
27972 with the TUI SingleKey mode. Once the command is entered the TUI
27973 SingleKey mode is restored. The only way to permanently leave
27974 this mode is by typing @kbd{q} or @kbd{C-x s}.
27975
27976
27977 @node TUI Commands
27978 @section TUI-specific Commands
27979 @cindex TUI commands
27980
27981 The TUI has specific commands to control the text windows.
27982 These commands are always available, even when @value{GDBN} is not in
27983 the TUI mode. When @value{GDBN} is in the standard mode, most
27984 of these commands will automatically switch to the TUI mode.
27985
27986 Note that if @value{GDBN}'s @code{stdout} is not connected to a
27987 terminal, or @value{GDBN} has been started with the machine interface
27988 interpreter (@pxref{GDB/MI, ,The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface}), most of
27989 these commands will fail with an error, because it would not be
27990 possible or desirable to enable curses window management.
27991
27992 @table @code
27993 @item info win
27994 @kindex info win
27995 List and give the size of all displayed windows.
27996
27997 @item layout next
27998 @kindex layout
27999 Display the next layout.
28000
28001 @item layout prev
28002 Display the previous layout.
28003
28004 @item layout src
28005 Display the source window only.
28006
28007 @item layout asm
28008 Display the assembly window only.
28009
28010 @item layout split
28011 Display the source and assembly window.
28012
28013 @item layout regs
28014 Display the register window together with the source or assembly window.
28015
28016 @item focus next
28017 @kindex focus
28018 Make the next window active for scrolling.
28019
28020 @item focus prev
28021 Make the previous window active for scrolling.
28022
28023 @item focus src
28024 Make the source window active for scrolling.
28025
28026 @item focus asm
28027 Make the assembly window active for scrolling.
28028
28029 @item focus regs
28030 Make the register window active for scrolling.
28031
28032 @item focus cmd
28033 Make the command window active for scrolling.
28034
28035 @item refresh
28036 @kindex refresh
28037 Refresh the screen. This is similar to typing @kbd{C-L}.
28038
28039 @item tui reg float
28040 @kindex tui reg
28041 Show the floating point registers in the register window.
28042
28043 @item tui reg general
28044 Show the general registers in the register window.
28045
28046 @item tui reg next
28047 Show the next register group. The list of register groups as well as
28048 their order is target specific. The predefined register groups are the
28049 following: @code{general}, @code{float}, @code{system}, @code{vector},
28050 @code{all}, @code{save}, @code{restore}.
28051
28052 @item tui reg system
28053 Show the system registers in the register window.
28054
28055 @item update
28056 @kindex update
28057 Update the source window and the current execution point.
28058
28059 @item winheight @var{name} +@var{count}
28060 @itemx winheight @var{name} -@var{count}
28061 @kindex winheight
28062 Change the height of the window @var{name} by @var{count}
28063 lines. Positive counts increase the height, while negative counts
28064 decrease it.
28065
28066 @item tabset @var{nchars}
28067 @kindex tabset
28068 Set the width of tab stops to be @var{nchars} characters.
28069 @end table
28070
28071 @node TUI Configuration
28072 @section TUI Configuration Variables
28073 @cindex TUI configuration variables
28074
28075 Several configuration variables control the appearance of TUI windows.
28076
28077 @table @code
28078 @item set tui border-kind @var{kind}
28079 @kindex set tui border-kind
28080 Select the border appearance for the source, assembly and register windows.
28081 The possible values are the following:
28082 @table @code
28083 @item space
28084 Use a space character to draw the border.
28085
28086 @item ascii
28087 Use @sc{ascii} characters @samp{+}, @samp{-} and @samp{|} to draw the border.
28088
28089 @item acs
28090 Use the Alternate Character Set to draw the border. The border is
28091 drawn using character line graphics if the terminal supports them.
28092 @end table
28093
28094 @item set tui border-mode @var{mode}
28095 @kindex set tui border-mode
28096 @itemx set tui active-border-mode @var{mode}
28097 @kindex set tui active-border-mode
28098 Select the display attributes for the borders of the inactive windows
28099 or the active window. The @var{mode} can be one of the following:
28100 @table @code
28101 @item normal
28102 Use normal attributes to display the border.
28103
28104 @item standout
28105 Use standout mode.
28106
28107 @item reverse
28108 Use reverse video mode.
28109
28110 @item half
28111 Use half bright mode.
28112
28113 @item half-standout
28114 Use half bright and standout mode.
28115
28116 @item bold
28117 Use extra bright or bold mode.
28118
28119 @item bold-standout
28120 Use extra bright or bold and standout mode.
28121 @end table
28122 @end table
28123
28124 @node Emacs
28125 @chapter Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
28126
28127 @cindex Emacs
28128 @cindex @sc{gnu} Emacs
28129 A special interface allows you to use @sc{gnu} Emacs to view (and
28130 edit) the source files for the program you are debugging with
28131 @value{GDBN}.
28132
28133 To use this interface, use the command @kbd{M-x gdb} in Emacs. Give the
28134 executable file you want to debug as an argument. This command starts
28135 @value{GDBN} as a subprocess of Emacs, with input and output through a newly
28136 created Emacs buffer.
28137 @c (Do not use the @code{-tui} option to run @value{GDBN} from Emacs.)
28138
28139 Running @value{GDBN} under Emacs can be just like running @value{GDBN} normally except for two
28140 things:
28141
28142 @itemize @bullet
28143 @item
28144 All ``terminal'' input and output goes through an Emacs buffer, called
28145 the GUD buffer.
28146
28147 This applies both to @value{GDBN} commands and their output, and to the input
28148 and output done by the program you are debugging.
28149
28150 This is useful because it means that you can copy the text of previous
28151 commands and input them again; you can even use parts of the output
28152 in this way.
28153
28154 All the facilities of Emacs' Shell mode are available for interacting
28155 with your program. In particular, you can send signals the usual
28156 way---for example, @kbd{C-c C-c} for an interrupt, @kbd{C-c C-z} for a
28157 stop.
28158
28159 @item
28160 @value{GDBN} displays source code through Emacs.
28161
28162 Each time @value{GDBN} displays a stack frame, Emacs automatically finds the
28163 source file for that frame and puts an arrow (@samp{=>}) at the
28164 left margin of the current line. Emacs uses a separate buffer for
28165 source display, and splits the screen to show both your @value{GDBN} session
28166 and the source.
28167
28168 Explicit @value{GDBN} @code{list} or search commands still produce output as
28169 usual, but you probably have no reason to use them from Emacs.
28170 @end itemize
28171
28172 We call this @dfn{text command mode}. Emacs 22.1, and later, also uses
28173 a graphical mode, enabled by default, which provides further buffers
28174 that can control the execution and describe the state of your program.
28175 @xref{GDB Graphical Interface,,, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}.
28176
28177 If you specify an absolute file name when prompted for the @kbd{M-x
28178 gdb} argument, then Emacs sets your current working directory to where
28179 your program resides. If you only specify the file name, then Emacs
28180 sets your current working directory to the directory associated
28181 with the previous buffer. In this case, @value{GDBN} may find your
28182 program by searching your environment's @code{PATH} variable, but on
28183 some operating systems it might not find the source. So, although the
28184 @value{GDBN} input and output session proceeds normally, the auxiliary
28185 buffer does not display the current source and line of execution.
28186
28187 The initial working directory of @value{GDBN} is printed on the top
28188 line of the GUD buffer and this serves as a default for the commands
28189 that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate on. @xref{Files,
28190 ,Commands to Specify Files}.
28191
28192 By default, @kbd{M-x gdb} calls the program called @file{gdb}. If you
28193 need to call @value{GDBN} by a different name (for example, if you
28194 keep several configurations around, with different names) you can
28195 customize the Emacs variable @code{gud-gdb-command-name} to run the
28196 one you want.
28197
28198 In the GUD buffer, you can use these special Emacs commands in
28199 addition to the standard Shell mode commands:
28200
28201 @table @kbd
28202 @item C-h m
28203 Describe the features of Emacs' GUD Mode.
28204
28205 @item C-c C-s
28206 Execute to another source line, like the @value{GDBN} @code{step} command; also
28207 update the display window to show the current file and location.
28208
28209 @item C-c C-n
28210 Execute to next source line in this function, skipping all function
28211 calls, like the @value{GDBN} @code{next} command. Then update the display window
28212 to show the current file and location.
28213
28214 @item C-c C-i
28215 Execute one instruction, like the @value{GDBN} @code{stepi} command; update
28216 display window accordingly.
28217
28218 @item C-c C-f
28219 Execute until exit from the selected stack frame, like the @value{GDBN}
28220 @code{finish} command.
28221
28222 @item C-c C-r
28223 Continue execution of your program, like the @value{GDBN} @code{continue}
28224 command.
28225
28226 @item C-c <
28227 Go up the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument
28228 (@pxref{Arguments, , Numeric Arguments, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}),
28229 like the @value{GDBN} @code{up} command.
28230
28231 @item C-c >
28232 Go down the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument, like the
28233 @value{GDBN} @code{down} command.
28234 @end table
28235
28236 In any source file, the Emacs command @kbd{C-x @key{SPC}} (@code{gud-break})
28237 tells @value{GDBN} to set a breakpoint on the source line point is on.
28238
28239 In text command mode, if you type @kbd{M-x speedbar}, Emacs displays a
28240 separate frame which shows a backtrace when the GUD buffer is current.
28241 Move point to any frame in the stack and type @key{RET} to make it
28242 become the current frame and display the associated source in the
28243 source buffer. Alternatively, click @kbd{Mouse-2} to make the
28244 selected frame become the current one. In graphical mode, the
28245 speedbar displays watch expressions.
28246
28247 If you accidentally delete the source-display buffer, an easy way to get
28248 it back is to type the command @code{f} in the @value{GDBN} buffer, to
28249 request a frame display; when you run under Emacs, this recreates
28250 the source buffer if necessary to show you the context of the current
28251 frame.
28252
28253 The source files displayed in Emacs are in ordinary Emacs buffers
28254 which are visiting the source files in the usual way. You can edit
28255 the files with these buffers if you wish; but keep in mind that @value{GDBN}
28256 communicates with Emacs in terms of line numbers. If you add or
28257 delete lines from the text, the line numbers that @value{GDBN} knows cease
28258 to correspond properly with the code.
28259
28260 A more detailed description of Emacs' interaction with @value{GDBN} is
28261 given in the Emacs manual (@pxref{Debuggers,,, Emacs, The @sc{gnu}
28262 Emacs Manual}).
28263
28264 @node GDB/MI
28265 @chapter The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface
28266
28267 @unnumberedsec Function and Purpose
28268
28269 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, its purpose
28270 @sc{gdb/mi} is a line based machine oriented text interface to
28271 @value{GDBN} and is activated by specifying using the
28272 @option{--interpreter} command line option (@pxref{Mode Options}). It
28273 is specifically intended to support the development of systems which
28274 use the debugger as just one small component of a larger system.
28275
28276 This chapter is a specification of the @sc{gdb/mi} interface. It is written
28277 in the form of a reference manual.
28278
28279 Note that @sc{gdb/mi} is still under construction, so some of the
28280 features described below are incomplete and subject to change
28281 (@pxref{GDB/MI Development and Front Ends, , @sc{gdb/mi} Development and Front Ends}).
28282
28283 @unnumberedsec Notation and Terminology
28284
28285 @cindex notational conventions, for @sc{gdb/mi}
28286 This chapter uses the following notation:
28287
28288 @itemize @bullet
28289 @item
28290 @code{|} separates two alternatives.
28291
28292 @item
28293 @code{[ @var{something} ]} indicates that @var{something} is optional:
28294 it may or may not be given.
28295
28296 @item
28297 @code{( @var{group} )*} means that @var{group} inside the parentheses
28298 may repeat zero or more times.
28299
28300 @item
28301 @code{( @var{group} )+} means that @var{group} inside the parentheses
28302 may repeat one or more times.
28303
28304 @item
28305 @code{"@var{string}"} means a literal @var{string}.
28306 @end itemize
28307
28308 @ignore
28309 @heading Dependencies
28310 @end ignore
28311
28312 @menu
28313 * GDB/MI General Design::
28314 * GDB/MI Command Syntax::
28315 * GDB/MI Compatibility with CLI::
28316 * GDB/MI Development and Front Ends::
28317 * GDB/MI Output Records::
28318 * GDB/MI Simple Examples::
28319 * GDB/MI Command Description Format::
28320 * GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands::
28321 * GDB/MI Catchpoint Commands::
28322 * GDB/MI Program Context::
28323 * GDB/MI Thread Commands::
28324 * GDB/MI Ada Tasking Commands::
28325 * GDB/MI Program Execution::
28326 * GDB/MI Stack Manipulation::
28327 * GDB/MI Variable Objects::
28328 * GDB/MI Data Manipulation::
28329 * GDB/MI Tracepoint Commands::
28330 * GDB/MI Symbol Query::
28331 * GDB/MI File Commands::
28332 @ignore
28333 * GDB/MI Kod Commands::
28334 * GDB/MI Memory Overlay Commands::
28335 * GDB/MI Signal Handling Commands::
28336 @end ignore
28337 * GDB/MI Target Manipulation::
28338 * GDB/MI File Transfer Commands::
28339 * GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands::
28340 @end menu
28341
28342 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28343 @node GDB/MI General Design
28344 @section @sc{gdb/mi} General Design
28345 @cindex GDB/MI General Design
28346
28347 Interaction of a @sc{GDB/MI} frontend with @value{GDBN} involves three
28348 parts---commands sent to @value{GDBN}, responses to those commands
28349 and notifications. Each command results in exactly one response,
28350 indicating either successful completion of the command, or an error.
28351 For the commands that do not resume the target, the response contains the
28352 requested information. For the commands that resume the target, the
28353 response only indicates whether the target was successfully resumed.
28354 Notifications is the mechanism for reporting changes in the state of the
28355 target, or in @value{GDBN} state, that cannot conveniently be associated with
28356 a command and reported as part of that command response.
28357
28358 The important examples of notifications are:
28359 @itemize @bullet
28360
28361 @item
28362 Exec notifications. These are used to report changes in
28363 target state---when a target is resumed, or stopped. It would not
28364 be feasible to include this information in response of resuming
28365 commands, because one resume commands can result in multiple events in
28366 different threads. Also, quite some time may pass before any event
28367 happens in the target, while a frontend needs to know whether the resuming
28368 command itself was successfully executed.
28369
28370 @item
28371 Console output, and status notifications. Console output
28372 notifications are used to report output of CLI commands, as well as
28373 diagnostics for other commands. Status notifications are used to
28374 report the progress of a long-running operation. Naturally, including
28375 this information in command response would mean no output is produced
28376 until the command is finished, which is undesirable.
28377
28378 @item
28379 General notifications. Commands may have various side effects on
28380 the @value{GDBN} or target state beyond their official purpose. For example,
28381 a command may change the selected thread. Although such changes can
28382 be included in command response, using notification allows for more
28383 orthogonal frontend design.
28384
28385 @end itemize
28386
28387 There's no guarantee that whenever an MI command reports an error,
28388 @value{GDBN} or the target are in any specific state, and especially,
28389 the state is not reverted to the state before the MI command was
28390 processed. Therefore, whenever an MI command results in an error,
28391 we recommend that the frontend refreshes all the information shown in
28392 the user interface.
28393
28394
28395 @menu
28396 * Context management::
28397 * Asynchronous and non-stop modes::
28398 * Thread groups::
28399 @end menu
28400
28401 @node Context management
28402 @subsection Context management
28403
28404 In most cases when @value{GDBN} accesses the target, this access is
28405 done in context of a specific thread and frame (@pxref{Frames}).
28406 Often, even when accessing global data, the target requires that a thread
28407 be specified. The CLI interface maintains the selected thread and frame,
28408 and supplies them to target on each command. This is convenient,
28409 because a command line user would not want to specify that information
28410 explicitly on each command, and because user interacts with
28411 @value{GDBN} via a single terminal, so no confusion is possible as
28412 to what thread and frame are the current ones.
28413
28414 In the case of MI, the concept of selected thread and frame is less
28415 useful. First, a frontend can easily remember this information
28416 itself. Second, a graphical frontend can have more than one window,
28417 each one used for debugging a different thread, and the frontend might
28418 want to access additional threads for internal purposes. This
28419 increases the risk that by relying on implicitly selected thread, the
28420 frontend may be operating on a wrong one. Therefore, each MI command
28421 should explicitly specify which thread and frame to operate on. To
28422 make it possible, each MI command accepts the @samp{--thread} and
28423 @samp{--frame} options, the value to each is @value{GDBN} identifier
28424 for thread and frame to operate on.
28425
28426 Usually, each top-level window in a frontend allows the user to select
28427 a thread and a frame, and remembers the user selection for further
28428 operations. However, in some cases @value{GDBN} may suggest that the
28429 current thread be changed. For example, when stopping on a breakpoint
28430 it is reasonable to switch to the thread where breakpoint is hit. For
28431 another example, if the user issues the CLI @samp{thread} command via
28432 the frontend, it is desirable to change the frontend's selected thread to the
28433 one specified by user. @value{GDBN} communicates the suggestion to
28434 change current thread using the @samp{=thread-selected} notification.
28435 No such notification is available for the selected frame at the moment.
28436
28437 Note that historically, MI shares the selected thread with CLI, so
28438 frontends used the @code{-thread-select} to execute commands in the
28439 right context. However, getting this to work right is cumbersome. The
28440 simplest way is for frontend to emit @code{-thread-select} command
28441 before every command. This doubles the number of commands that need
28442 to be sent. The alternative approach is to suppress @code{-thread-select}
28443 if the selected thread in @value{GDBN} is supposed to be identical to the
28444 thread the frontend wants to operate on. However, getting this
28445 optimization right can be tricky. In particular, if the frontend
28446 sends several commands to @value{GDBN}, and one of the commands changes the
28447 selected thread, then the behaviour of subsequent commands will
28448 change. So, a frontend should either wait for response from such
28449 problematic commands, or explicitly add @code{-thread-select} for
28450 all subsequent commands. No frontend is known to do this exactly
28451 right, so it is suggested to just always pass the @samp{--thread} and
28452 @samp{--frame} options.
28453
28454 @node Asynchronous and non-stop modes
28455 @subsection Asynchronous command execution and non-stop mode
28456
28457 On some targets, @value{GDBN} is capable of processing MI commands
28458 even while the target is running. This is called @dfn{asynchronous
28459 command execution} (@pxref{Background Execution}). The frontend may
28460 specify a preferrence for asynchronous execution using the
28461 @code{-gdb-set target-async 1} command, which should be emitted before
28462 either running the executable or attaching to the target. After the
28463 frontend has started the executable or attached to the target, it can
28464 find if asynchronous execution is enabled using the
28465 @code{-list-target-features} command.
28466
28467 Even if @value{GDBN} can accept a command while target is running,
28468 many commands that access the target do not work when the target is
28469 running. Therefore, asynchronous command execution is most useful
28470 when combined with non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}). Then,
28471 it is possible to examine the state of one thread, while other threads
28472 are running.
28473
28474 When a given thread is running, MI commands that try to access the
28475 target in the context of that thread may not work, or may work only on
28476 some targets. In particular, commands that try to operate on thread's
28477 stack will not work, on any target. Commands that read memory, or
28478 modify breakpoints, may work or not work, depending on the target. Note
28479 that even commands that operate on global state, such as @code{print},
28480 @code{set}, and breakpoint commands, still access the target in the
28481 context of a specific thread, so frontend should try to find a
28482 stopped thread and perform the operation on that thread (using the
28483 @samp{--thread} option).
28484
28485 Which commands will work in the context of a running thread is
28486 highly target dependent. However, the two commands
28487 @code{-exec-interrupt}, to stop a thread, and @code{-thread-info},
28488 to find the state of a thread, will always work.
28489
28490 @node Thread groups
28491 @subsection Thread groups
28492 @value{GDBN} may be used to debug several processes at the same time.
28493 On some platfroms, @value{GDBN} may support debugging of several
28494 hardware systems, each one having several cores with several different
28495 processes running on each core. This section describes the MI
28496 mechanism to support such debugging scenarios.
28497
28498 The key observation is that regardless of the structure of the
28499 target, MI can have a global list of threads, because most commands that
28500 accept the @samp{--thread} option do not need to know what process that
28501 thread belongs to. Therefore, it is not necessary to introduce
28502 neither additional @samp{--process} option, nor an notion of the
28503 current process in the MI interface. The only strictly new feature
28504 that is required is the ability to find how the threads are grouped
28505 into processes.
28506
28507 To allow the user to discover such grouping, and to support arbitrary
28508 hierarchy of machines/cores/processes, MI introduces the concept of a
28509 @dfn{thread group}. Thread group is a collection of threads and other
28510 thread groups. A thread group always has a string identifier, a type,
28511 and may have additional attributes specific to the type. A new
28512 command, @code{-list-thread-groups}, returns the list of top-level
28513 thread groups, which correspond to processes that @value{GDBN} is
28514 debugging at the moment. By passing an identifier of a thread group
28515 to the @code{-list-thread-groups} command, it is possible to obtain
28516 the members of specific thread group.
28517
28518 To allow the user to easily discover processes, and other objects, he
28519 wishes to debug, a concept of @dfn{available thread group} is
28520 introduced. Available thread group is an thread group that
28521 @value{GDBN} is not debugging, but that can be attached to, using the
28522 @code{-target-attach} command. The list of available top-level thread
28523 groups can be obtained using @samp{-list-thread-groups --available}.
28524 In general, the content of a thread group may be only retrieved only
28525 after attaching to that thread group.
28526
28527 Thread groups are related to inferiors (@pxref{Inferiors and
28528 Programs}). Each inferior corresponds to a thread group of a special
28529 type @samp{process}, and some additional operations are permitted on
28530 such thread groups.
28531
28532 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28533 @node GDB/MI Command Syntax
28534 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Command Syntax
28535
28536 @menu
28537 * GDB/MI Input Syntax::
28538 * GDB/MI Output Syntax::
28539 @end menu
28540
28541 @node GDB/MI Input Syntax
28542 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Input Syntax
28543
28544 @cindex input syntax for @sc{gdb/mi}
28545 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, input syntax
28546 @table @code
28547 @item @var{command} @expansion{}
28548 @code{@var{cli-command} | @var{mi-command}}
28549
28550 @item @var{cli-command} @expansion{}
28551 @code{[ @var{token} ] @var{cli-command} @var{nl}}, where
28552 @var{cli-command} is any existing @value{GDBN} CLI command.
28553
28554 @item @var{mi-command} @expansion{}
28555 @code{[ @var{token} ] "-" @var{operation} ( " " @var{option} )*
28556 @code{[} " --" @code{]} ( " " @var{parameter} )* @var{nl}}
28557
28558 @item @var{token} @expansion{}
28559 "any sequence of digits"
28560
28561 @item @var{option} @expansion{}
28562 @code{"-" @var{parameter} [ " " @var{parameter} ]}
28563
28564 @item @var{parameter} @expansion{}
28565 @code{@var{non-blank-sequence} | @var{c-string}}
28566
28567 @item @var{operation} @expansion{}
28568 @emph{any of the operations described in this chapter}
28569
28570 @item @var{non-blank-sequence} @expansion{}
28571 @emph{anything, provided it doesn't contain special characters such as
28572 "-", @var{nl}, """ and of course " "}
28573
28574 @item @var{c-string} @expansion{}
28575 @code{""" @var{seven-bit-iso-c-string-content} """}
28576
28577 @item @var{nl} @expansion{}
28578 @code{CR | CR-LF}
28579 @end table
28580
28581 @noindent
28582 Notes:
28583
28584 @itemize @bullet
28585 @item
28586 The CLI commands are still handled by the @sc{mi} interpreter; their
28587 output is described below.
28588
28589 @item
28590 The @code{@var{token}}, when present, is passed back when the command
28591 finishes.
28592
28593 @item
28594 Some @sc{mi} commands accept optional arguments as part of the parameter
28595 list. Each option is identified by a leading @samp{-} (dash) and may be
28596 followed by an optional argument parameter. Options occur first in the
28597 parameter list and can be delimited from normal parameters using
28598 @samp{--} (this is useful when some parameters begin with a dash).
28599 @end itemize
28600
28601 Pragmatics:
28602
28603 @itemize @bullet
28604 @item
28605 We want easy access to the existing CLI syntax (for debugging).
28606
28607 @item
28608 We want it to be easy to spot a @sc{mi} operation.
28609 @end itemize
28610
28611 @node GDB/MI Output Syntax
28612 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Output Syntax
28613
28614 @cindex output syntax of @sc{gdb/mi}
28615 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, output syntax
28616 The output from @sc{gdb/mi} consists of zero or more out-of-band records
28617 followed, optionally, by a single result record. This result record
28618 is for the most recent command. The sequence of output records is
28619 terminated by @samp{(gdb)}.
28620
28621 If an input command was prefixed with a @code{@var{token}} then the
28622 corresponding output for that command will also be prefixed by that same
28623 @var{token}.
28624
28625 @table @code
28626 @item @var{output} @expansion{}
28627 @code{( @var{out-of-band-record} )* [ @var{result-record} ] "(gdb)" @var{nl}}
28628
28629 @item @var{result-record} @expansion{}
28630 @code{ [ @var{token} ] "^" @var{result-class} ( "," @var{result} )* @var{nl}}
28631
28632 @item @var{out-of-band-record} @expansion{}
28633 @code{@var{async-record} | @var{stream-record}}
28634
28635 @item @var{async-record} @expansion{}
28636 @code{@var{exec-async-output} | @var{status-async-output} | @var{notify-async-output}}
28637
28638 @item @var{exec-async-output} @expansion{}
28639 @code{[ @var{token} ] "*" @var{async-output}}
28640
28641 @item @var{status-async-output} @expansion{}
28642 @code{[ @var{token} ] "+" @var{async-output}}
28643
28644 @item @var{notify-async-output} @expansion{}
28645 @code{[ @var{token} ] "=" @var{async-output}}
28646
28647 @item @var{async-output} @expansion{}
28648 @code{@var{async-class} ( "," @var{result} )* @var{nl}}
28649
28650 @item @var{result-class} @expansion{}
28651 @code{"done" | "running" | "connected" | "error" | "exit"}
28652
28653 @item @var{async-class} @expansion{}
28654 @code{"stopped" | @var{others}} (where @var{others} will be added
28655 depending on the needs---this is still in development).
28656
28657 @item @var{result} @expansion{}
28658 @code{ @var{variable} "=" @var{value}}
28659
28660 @item @var{variable} @expansion{}
28661 @code{ @var{string} }
28662
28663 @item @var{value} @expansion{}
28664 @code{ @var{const} | @var{tuple} | @var{list} }
28665
28666 @item @var{const} @expansion{}
28667 @code{@var{c-string}}
28668
28669 @item @var{tuple} @expansion{}
28670 @code{ "@{@}" | "@{" @var{result} ( "," @var{result} )* "@}" }
28671
28672 @item @var{list} @expansion{}
28673 @code{ "[]" | "[" @var{value} ( "," @var{value} )* "]" | "["
28674 @var{result} ( "," @var{result} )* "]" }
28675
28676 @item @var{stream-record} @expansion{}
28677 @code{@var{console-stream-output} | @var{target-stream-output} | @var{log-stream-output}}
28678
28679 @item @var{console-stream-output} @expansion{}
28680 @code{"~" @var{c-string}}
28681
28682 @item @var{target-stream-output} @expansion{}
28683 @code{"@@" @var{c-string}}
28684
28685 @item @var{log-stream-output} @expansion{}
28686 @code{"&" @var{c-string}}
28687
28688 @item @var{nl} @expansion{}
28689 @code{CR | CR-LF}
28690
28691 @item @var{token} @expansion{}
28692 @emph{any sequence of digits}.
28693 @end table
28694
28695 @noindent
28696 Notes:
28697
28698 @itemize @bullet
28699 @item
28700 All output sequences end in a single line containing a period.
28701
28702 @item
28703 The @code{@var{token}} is from the corresponding request. Note that
28704 for all async output, while the token is allowed by the grammar and
28705 may be output by future versions of @value{GDBN} for select async
28706 output messages, it is generally omitted. Frontends should treat
28707 all async output as reporting general changes in the state of the
28708 target and there should be no need to associate async output to any
28709 prior command.
28710
28711 @item
28712 @cindex status output in @sc{gdb/mi}
28713 @var{status-async-output} contains on-going status information about the
28714 progress of a slow operation. It can be discarded. All status output is
28715 prefixed by @samp{+}.
28716
28717 @item
28718 @cindex async output in @sc{gdb/mi}
28719 @var{exec-async-output} contains asynchronous state change on the target
28720 (stopped, started, disappeared). All async output is prefixed by
28721 @samp{*}.
28722
28723 @item
28724 @cindex notify output in @sc{gdb/mi}
28725 @var{notify-async-output} contains supplementary information that the
28726 client should handle (e.g., a new breakpoint information). All notify
28727 output is prefixed by @samp{=}.
28728
28729 @item
28730 @cindex console output in @sc{gdb/mi}
28731 @var{console-stream-output} is output that should be displayed as is in the
28732 console. It is the textual response to a CLI command. All the console
28733 output is prefixed by @samp{~}.
28734
28735 @item
28736 @cindex target output in @sc{gdb/mi}
28737 @var{target-stream-output} is the output produced by the target program.
28738 All the target output is prefixed by @samp{@@}.
28739
28740 @item
28741 @cindex log output in @sc{gdb/mi}
28742 @var{log-stream-output} is output text coming from @value{GDBN}'s internals, for
28743 instance messages that should be displayed as part of an error log. All
28744 the log output is prefixed by @samp{&}.
28745
28746 @item
28747 @cindex list output in @sc{gdb/mi}
28748 New @sc{gdb/mi} commands should only output @var{lists} containing
28749 @var{values}.
28750
28751
28752 @end itemize
28753
28754 @xref{GDB/MI Stream Records, , @sc{gdb/mi} Stream Records}, for more
28755 details about the various output records.
28756
28757 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28758 @node GDB/MI Compatibility with CLI
28759 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Compatibility with CLI
28760
28761 @cindex compatibility, @sc{gdb/mi} and CLI
28762 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, compatibility with CLI
28763
28764 For the developers convenience CLI commands can be entered directly,
28765 but there may be some unexpected behaviour. For example, commands
28766 that query the user will behave as if the user replied yes, breakpoint
28767 command lists are not executed and some CLI commands, such as
28768 @code{if}, @code{when} and @code{define}, prompt for further input with
28769 @samp{>}, which is not valid MI output.
28770
28771 This feature may be removed at some stage in the future and it is
28772 recommended that front ends use the @code{-interpreter-exec} command
28773 (@pxref{-interpreter-exec}).
28774
28775 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28776 @node GDB/MI Development and Front Ends
28777 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Development and Front Ends
28778 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi} development
28779
28780 The application which takes the MI output and presents the state of the
28781 program being debugged to the user is called a @dfn{front end}.
28782
28783 Although @sc{gdb/mi} is still incomplete, it is currently being used
28784 by a variety of front ends to @value{GDBN}. This makes it difficult
28785 to introduce new functionality without breaking existing usage. This
28786 section tries to minimize the problems by describing how the protocol
28787 might change.
28788
28789 Some changes in MI need not break a carefully designed front end, and
28790 for these the MI version will remain unchanged. The following is a
28791 list of changes that may occur within one level, so front ends should
28792 parse MI output in a way that can handle them:
28793
28794 @itemize @bullet
28795 @item
28796 New MI commands may be added.
28797
28798 @item
28799 New fields may be added to the output of any MI command.
28800
28801 @item
28802 The range of values for fields with specified values, e.g.,
28803 @code{in_scope} (@pxref{-var-update}) may be extended.
28804
28805 @c The format of field's content e.g type prefix, may change so parse it
28806 @c at your own risk. Yes, in general?
28807
28808 @c The order of fields may change? Shouldn't really matter but it might
28809 @c resolve inconsistencies.
28810 @end itemize
28811
28812 If the changes are likely to break front ends, the MI version level
28813 will be increased by one. This will allow the front end to parse the
28814 output according to the MI version. Apart from mi0, new versions of
28815 @value{GDBN} will not support old versions of MI and it will be the
28816 responsibility of the front end to work with the new one.
28817
28818 @c Starting with mi3, add a new command -mi-version that prints the MI
28819 @c version?
28820
28821 The best way to avoid unexpected changes in MI that might break your front
28822 end is to make your project known to @value{GDBN} developers and
28823 follow development on @email{gdb@@sourceware.org} and
28824 @email{gdb-patches@@sourceware.org}.
28825 @cindex mailing lists
28826
28827 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28828 @node GDB/MI Output Records
28829 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Output Records
28830
28831 @menu
28832 * GDB/MI Result Records::
28833 * GDB/MI Stream Records::
28834 * GDB/MI Async Records::
28835 * GDB/MI Breakpoint Information::
28836 * GDB/MI Frame Information::
28837 * GDB/MI Thread Information::
28838 * GDB/MI Ada Exception Information::
28839 @end menu
28840
28841 @node GDB/MI Result Records
28842 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Result Records
28843
28844 @cindex result records in @sc{gdb/mi}
28845 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, result records
28846 In addition to a number of out-of-band notifications, the response to a
28847 @sc{gdb/mi} command includes one of the following result indications:
28848
28849 @table @code
28850 @findex ^done
28851 @item "^done" [ "," @var{results} ]
28852 The synchronous operation was successful, @code{@var{results}} are the return
28853 values.
28854
28855 @item "^running"
28856 @findex ^running
28857 This result record is equivalent to @samp{^done}. Historically, it
28858 was output instead of @samp{^done} if the command has resumed the
28859 target. This behaviour is maintained for backward compatibility, but
28860 all frontends should treat @samp{^done} and @samp{^running}
28861 identically and rely on the @samp{*running} output record to determine
28862 which threads are resumed.
28863
28864 @item "^connected"
28865 @findex ^connected
28866 @value{GDBN} has connected to a remote target.
28867
28868 @item "^error" "," @var{c-string}
28869 @findex ^error
28870 The operation failed. The @code{@var{c-string}} contains the corresponding
28871 error message.
28872
28873 @item "^exit"
28874 @findex ^exit
28875 @value{GDBN} has terminated.
28876
28877 @end table
28878
28879 @node GDB/MI Stream Records
28880 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Stream Records
28881
28882 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, stream records
28883 @cindex stream records in @sc{gdb/mi}
28884 @value{GDBN} internally maintains a number of output streams: the console, the
28885 target, and the log. The output intended for each of these streams is
28886 funneled through the @sc{gdb/mi} interface using @dfn{stream records}.
28887
28888 Each stream record begins with a unique @dfn{prefix character} which
28889 identifies its stream (@pxref{GDB/MI Output Syntax, , @sc{gdb/mi} Output
28890 Syntax}). In addition to the prefix, each stream record contains a
28891 @code{@var{string-output}}. This is either raw text (with an implicit new
28892 line) or a quoted C string (which does not contain an implicit newline).
28893
28894 @table @code
28895 @item "~" @var{string-output}
28896 The console output stream contains text that should be displayed in the
28897 CLI console window. It contains the textual responses to CLI commands.
28898
28899 @item "@@" @var{string-output}
28900 The target output stream contains any textual output from the running
28901 target. This is only present when GDB's event loop is truly
28902 asynchronous, which is currently only the case for remote targets.
28903
28904 @item "&" @var{string-output}
28905 The log stream contains debugging messages being produced by @value{GDBN}'s
28906 internals.
28907 @end table
28908
28909 @node GDB/MI Async Records
28910 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Async Records
28911
28912 @cindex async records in @sc{gdb/mi}
28913 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, async records
28914 @dfn{Async} records are used to notify the @sc{gdb/mi} client of
28915 additional changes that have occurred. Those changes can either be a
28916 consequence of @sc{gdb/mi} commands (e.g., a breakpoint modified) or a result of
28917 target activity (e.g., target stopped).
28918
28919 The following is the list of possible async records:
28920
28921 @table @code
28922
28923 @item *running,thread-id="@var{thread}"
28924 The target is now running. The @var{thread} field tells which
28925 specific thread is now running, and can be @samp{all} if all threads
28926 are running. The frontend should assume that no interaction with a
28927 running thread is possible after this notification is produced.
28928 The frontend should not assume that this notification is output
28929 only once for any command. @value{GDBN} may emit this notification
28930 several times, either for different threads, because it cannot resume
28931 all threads together, or even for a single thread, if the thread must
28932 be stepped though some code before letting it run freely.
28933
28934 @item *stopped,reason="@var{reason}",thread-id="@var{id}",stopped-threads="@var{stopped}",core="@var{core}"
28935 The target has stopped. The @var{reason} field can have one of the
28936 following values:
28937
28938 @table @code
28939 @item breakpoint-hit
28940 A breakpoint was reached.
28941 @item watchpoint-trigger
28942 A watchpoint was triggered.
28943 @item read-watchpoint-trigger
28944 A read watchpoint was triggered.
28945 @item access-watchpoint-trigger
28946 An access watchpoint was triggered.
28947 @item function-finished
28948 An -exec-finish or similar CLI command was accomplished.
28949 @item location-reached
28950 An -exec-until or similar CLI command was accomplished.
28951 @item watchpoint-scope
28952 A watchpoint has gone out of scope.
28953 @item end-stepping-range
28954 An -exec-next, -exec-next-instruction, -exec-step, -exec-step-instruction or
28955 similar CLI command was accomplished.
28956 @item exited-signalled
28957 The inferior exited because of a signal.
28958 @item exited
28959 The inferior exited.
28960 @item exited-normally
28961 The inferior exited normally.
28962 @item signal-received
28963 A signal was received by the inferior.
28964 @item solib-event
28965 The inferior has stopped due to a library being loaded or unloaded.
28966 This can happen when @code{stop-on-solib-events} (@pxref{Files}) is
28967 set or when a @code{catch load} or @code{catch unload} catchpoint is
28968 in use (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}).
28969 @item fork
28970 The inferior has forked. This is reported when @code{catch fork}
28971 (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
28972 @item vfork
28973 The inferior has vforked. This is reported in when @code{catch vfork}
28974 (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
28975 @item syscall-entry
28976 The inferior entered a system call. This is reported when @code{catch
28977 syscall} (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
28978 @item syscall-entry
28979 The inferior returned from a system call. This is reported when
28980 @code{catch syscall} (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
28981 @item exec
28982 The inferior called @code{exec}. This is reported when @code{catch exec}
28983 (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
28984 @end table
28985
28986 The @var{id} field identifies the thread that directly caused the stop
28987 -- for example by hitting a breakpoint. Depending on whether all-stop
28988 mode is in effect (@pxref{All-Stop Mode}), @value{GDBN} may either
28989 stop all threads, or only the thread that directly triggered the stop.
28990 If all threads are stopped, the @var{stopped} field will have the
28991 value of @code{"all"}. Otherwise, the value of the @var{stopped}
28992 field will be a list of thread identifiers. Presently, this list will
28993 always include a single thread, but frontend should be prepared to see
28994 several threads in the list. The @var{core} field reports the
28995 processor core on which the stop event has happened. This field may be absent
28996 if such information is not available.
28997
28998 @item =thread-group-added,id="@var{id}"
28999 @itemx =thread-group-removed,id="@var{id}"
29000 A thread group was either added or removed. The @var{id} field
29001 contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread group. When a thread
29002 group is added, it generally might not be associated with a running
29003 process. When a thread group is removed, its id becomes invalid and
29004 cannot be used in any way.
29005
29006 @item =thread-group-started,id="@var{id}",pid="@var{pid}"
29007 A thread group became associated with a running program,
29008 either because the program was just started or the thread group
29009 was attached to a program. The @var{id} field contains the
29010 @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread group. The @var{pid} field
29011 contains process identifier, specific to the operating system.
29012
29013 @item =thread-group-exited,id="@var{id}"[,exit-code="@var{code}"]
29014 A thread group is no longer associated with a running program,
29015 either because the program has exited, or because it was detached
29016 from. The @var{id} field contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the
29017 thread group. @var{code} is the exit code of the inferior; it exists
29018 only when the inferior exited with some code.
29019
29020 @item =thread-created,id="@var{id}",group-id="@var{gid}"
29021 @itemx =thread-exited,id="@var{id}",group-id="@var{gid}"
29022 A thread either was created, or has exited. The @var{id} field
29023 contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread. The @var{gid}
29024 field identifies the thread group this thread belongs to.
29025
29026 @item =thread-selected,id="@var{id}"
29027 Informs that the selected thread was changed as result of the last
29028 command. This notification is not emitted as result of @code{-thread-select}
29029 command but is emitted whenever an MI command that is not documented
29030 to change the selected thread actually changes it. In particular,
29031 invoking, directly or indirectly (via user-defined command), the CLI
29032 @code{thread} command, will generate this notification.
29033
29034 We suggest that in response to this notification, front ends
29035 highlight the selected thread and cause subsequent commands to apply to
29036 that thread.
29037
29038 @item =library-loaded,...
29039 Reports that a new library file was loaded by the program. This
29040 notification has 4 fields---@var{id}, @var{target-name},
29041 @var{host-name}, and @var{symbols-loaded}. The @var{id} field is an
29042 opaque identifier of the library. For remote debugging case,
29043 @var{target-name} and @var{host-name} fields give the name of the
29044 library file on the target, and on the host respectively. For native
29045 debugging, both those fields have the same value. The
29046 @var{symbols-loaded} field is emitted only for backward compatibility
29047 and should not be relied on to convey any useful information. The
29048 @var{thread-group} field, if present, specifies the id of the thread
29049 group in whose context the library was loaded. If the field is
29050 absent, it means the library was loaded in the context of all present
29051 thread groups.
29052
29053 @item =library-unloaded,...
29054 Reports that a library was unloaded by the program. This notification
29055 has 3 fields---@var{id}, @var{target-name} and @var{host-name} with
29056 the same meaning as for the @code{=library-loaded} notification.
29057 The @var{thread-group} field, if present, specifies the id of the
29058 thread group in whose context the library was unloaded. If the field is
29059 absent, it means the library was unloaded in the context of all present
29060 thread groups.
29061
29062 @item =traceframe-changed,num=@var{tfnum},tracepoint=@var{tpnum}
29063 @itemx =traceframe-changed,end
29064 Reports that the trace frame was changed and its new number is
29065 @var{tfnum}. The number of the tracepoint associated with this trace
29066 frame is @var{tpnum}.
29067
29068 @item =tsv-created,name=@var{name},initial=@var{initial}
29069 Reports that the new trace state variable @var{name} is created with
29070 initial value @var{initial}.
29071
29072 @item =tsv-deleted,name=@var{name}
29073 @itemx =tsv-deleted
29074 Reports that the trace state variable @var{name} is deleted or all
29075 trace state variables are deleted.
29076
29077 @item =tsv-modified,name=@var{name},initial=@var{initial}[,current=@var{current}]
29078 Reports that the trace state variable @var{name} is modified with
29079 the initial value @var{initial}. The current value @var{current} of
29080 trace state variable is optional and is reported if the current
29081 value of trace state variable is known.
29082
29083 @item =breakpoint-created,bkpt=@{...@}
29084 @itemx =breakpoint-modified,bkpt=@{...@}
29085 @itemx =breakpoint-deleted,id=@var{number}
29086 Reports that a breakpoint was created, modified, or deleted,
29087 respectively. Only user-visible breakpoints are reported to the MI
29088 user.
29089
29090 The @var{bkpt} argument is of the same form as returned by the various
29091 breakpoint commands; @xref{GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands}. The
29092 @var{number} is the ordinal number of the breakpoint.
29093
29094 Note that if a breakpoint is emitted in the result record of a
29095 command, then it will not also be emitted in an async record.
29096
29097 @item =record-started,thread-group="@var{id}"
29098 @itemx =record-stopped,thread-group="@var{id}"
29099 Execution log recording was either started or stopped on an
29100 inferior. The @var{id} is the @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread
29101 group corresponding to the affected inferior.
29102
29103 @item =cmd-param-changed,param=@var{param},value=@var{value}
29104 Reports that a parameter of the command @code{set @var{param}} is
29105 changed to @var{value}. In the multi-word @code{set} command,
29106 the @var{param} is the whole parameter list to @code{set} command.
29107 For example, In command @code{set check type on}, @var{param}
29108 is @code{check type} and @var{value} is @code{on}.
29109
29110 @item =memory-changed,thread-group=@var{id},addr=@var{addr},len=@var{len}[,type="code"]
29111 Reports that bytes from @var{addr} to @var{data} + @var{len} were
29112 written in an inferior. The @var{id} is the identifier of the
29113 thread group corresponding to the affected inferior. The optional
29114 @code{type="code"} part is reported if the memory written to holds
29115 executable code.
29116 @end table
29117
29118 @node GDB/MI Breakpoint Information
29119 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Breakpoint Information
29120
29121 When @value{GDBN} reports information about a breakpoint, a
29122 tracepoint, a watchpoint, or a catchpoint, it uses a tuple with the
29123 following fields:
29124
29125 @table @code
29126 @item number
29127 The breakpoint number. For a breakpoint that represents one location
29128 of a multi-location breakpoint, this will be a dotted pair, like
29129 @samp{1.2}.
29130
29131 @item type
29132 The type of the breakpoint. For ordinary breakpoints this will be
29133 @samp{breakpoint}, but many values are possible.
29134
29135 @item catch-type
29136 If the type of the breakpoint is @samp{catchpoint}, then this
29137 indicates the exact type of catchpoint.
29138
29139 @item disp
29140 This is the breakpoint disposition---either @samp{del}, meaning that
29141 the breakpoint will be deleted at the next stop, or @samp{keep},
29142 meaning that the breakpoint will not be deleted.
29143
29144 @item enabled
29145 This indicates whether the breakpoint is enabled, in which case the
29146 value is @samp{y}, or disabled, in which case the value is @samp{n}.
29147 Note that this is not the same as the field @code{enable}.
29148
29149 @item addr
29150 The address of the breakpoint. This may be a hexidecimal number,
29151 giving the address; or the string @samp{<PENDING>}, for a pending
29152 breakpoint; or the string @samp{<MULTIPLE>}, for a breakpoint with
29153 multiple locations. This field will not be present if no address can
29154 be determined. For example, a watchpoint does not have an address.
29155
29156 @item func
29157 If known, the function in which the breakpoint appears.
29158 If not known, this field is not present.
29159
29160 @item filename
29161 The name of the source file which contains this function, if known.
29162 If not known, this field is not present.
29163
29164 @item fullname
29165 The full file name of the source file which contains this function, if
29166 known. If not known, this field is not present.
29167
29168 @item line
29169 The line number at which this breakpoint appears, if known.
29170 If not known, this field is not present.
29171
29172 @item at
29173 If the source file is not known, this field may be provided. If
29174 provided, this holds the address of the breakpoint, possibly followed
29175 by a symbol name.
29176
29177 @item pending
29178 If this breakpoint is pending, this field is present and holds the
29179 text used to set the breakpoint, as entered by the user.
29180
29181 @item evaluated-by
29182 Where this breakpoint's condition is evaluated, either @samp{host} or
29183 @samp{target}.
29184
29185 @item thread
29186 If this is a thread-specific breakpoint, then this identifies the
29187 thread in which the breakpoint can trigger.
29188
29189 @item task
29190 If this breakpoint is restricted to a particular Ada task, then this
29191 field will hold the task identifier.
29192
29193 @item cond
29194 If the breakpoint is conditional, this is the condition expression.
29195
29196 @item ignore
29197 The ignore count of the breakpoint.
29198
29199 @item enable
29200 The enable count of the breakpoint.
29201
29202 @item traceframe-usage
29203 FIXME.
29204
29205 @item static-tracepoint-marker-string-id
29206 For a static tracepoint, the name of the static tracepoint marker.
29207
29208 @item mask
29209 For a masked watchpoint, this is the mask.
29210
29211 @item pass
29212 A tracepoint's pass count.
29213
29214 @item original-location
29215 The location of the breakpoint as originally specified by the user.
29216 This field is optional.
29217
29218 @item times
29219 The number of times the breakpoint has been hit.
29220
29221 @item installed
29222 This field is only given for tracepoints. This is either @samp{y},
29223 meaning that the tracepoint is installed, or @samp{n}, meaning that it
29224 is not.
29225
29226 @item what
29227 Some extra data, the exact contents of which are type-dependent.
29228
29229 @end table
29230
29231 For example, here is what the output of @code{-break-insert}
29232 (@pxref{GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands}) might be:
29233
29234 @smallexample
29235 -> -break-insert main
29236 <- ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
29237 enabled="y",addr="0x08048564",func="main",file="myprog.c",
29238 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68",thread-groups=["i1"],
29239 times="0"@}
29240 <- (gdb)
29241 @end smallexample
29242
29243 @node GDB/MI Frame Information
29244 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Frame Information
29245
29246 Response from many MI commands includes an information about stack
29247 frame. This information is a tuple that may have the following
29248 fields:
29249
29250 @table @code
29251 @item level
29252 The level of the stack frame. The innermost frame has the level of
29253 zero. This field is always present.
29254
29255 @item func
29256 The name of the function corresponding to the frame. This field may
29257 be absent if @value{GDBN} is unable to determine the function name.
29258
29259 @item addr
29260 The code address for the frame. This field is always present.
29261
29262 @item file
29263 The name of the source files that correspond to the frame's code
29264 address. This field may be absent.
29265
29266 @item line
29267 The source line corresponding to the frames' code address. This field
29268 may be absent.
29269
29270 @item from
29271 The name of the binary file (either executable or shared library) the
29272 corresponds to the frame's code address. This field may be absent.
29273
29274 @end table
29275
29276 @node GDB/MI Thread Information
29277 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Thread Information
29278
29279 Whenever @value{GDBN} has to report an information about a thread, it
29280 uses a tuple with the following fields:
29281
29282 @table @code
29283 @item id
29284 The numeric id assigned to the thread by @value{GDBN}. This field is
29285 always present.
29286
29287 @item target-id
29288 Target-specific string identifying the thread. This field is always present.
29289
29290 @item details
29291 Additional information about the thread provided by the target.
29292 It is supposed to be human-readable and not interpreted by the
29293 frontend. This field is optional.
29294
29295 @item state
29296 Either @samp{stopped} or @samp{running}, depending on whether the
29297 thread is presently running. This field is always present.
29298
29299 @item core
29300 The value of this field is an integer number of the processor core the
29301 thread was last seen on. This field is optional.
29302 @end table
29303
29304 @node GDB/MI Ada Exception Information
29305 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Ada Exception Information
29306
29307 Whenever a @code{*stopped} record is emitted because the program
29308 stopped after hitting an exception catchpoint (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}),
29309 @value{GDBN} provides the name of the exception that was raised via
29310 the @code{exception-name} field.
29311
29312 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29313 @node GDB/MI Simple Examples
29314 @section Simple Examples of @sc{gdb/mi} Interaction
29315 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, simple examples
29316
29317 This subsection presents several simple examples of interaction using
29318 the @sc{gdb/mi} interface. In these examples, @samp{->} means that the
29319 following line is passed to @sc{gdb/mi} as input, while @samp{<-} means
29320 the output received from @sc{gdb/mi}.
29321
29322 Note the line breaks shown in the examples are here only for
29323 readability, they don't appear in the real output.
29324
29325 @subheading Setting a Breakpoint
29326
29327 Setting a breakpoint generates synchronous output which contains detailed
29328 information of the breakpoint.
29329
29330 @smallexample
29331 -> -break-insert main
29332 <- ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
29333 enabled="y",addr="0x08048564",func="main",file="myprog.c",
29334 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68",thread-groups=["i1"],
29335 times="0"@}
29336 <- (gdb)
29337 @end smallexample
29338
29339 @subheading Program Execution
29340
29341 Program execution generates asynchronous records and MI gives the
29342 reason that execution stopped.
29343
29344 @smallexample
29345 -> -exec-run
29346 <- ^running
29347 <- (gdb)
29348 <- *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",thread-id="0",
29349 frame=@{addr="0x08048564",func="main",
29350 args=[@{name="argc",value="1"@},@{name="argv",value="0xbfc4d4d4"@}],
29351 file="myprog.c",fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68"@}
29352 <- (gdb)
29353 -> -exec-continue
29354 <- ^running
29355 <- (gdb)
29356 <- *stopped,reason="exited-normally"
29357 <- (gdb)
29358 @end smallexample
29359
29360 @subheading Quitting @value{GDBN}
29361
29362 Quitting @value{GDBN} just prints the result class @samp{^exit}.
29363
29364 @smallexample
29365 -> (gdb)
29366 <- -gdb-exit
29367 <- ^exit
29368 @end smallexample
29369
29370 Please note that @samp{^exit} is printed immediately, but it might
29371 take some time for @value{GDBN} to actually exit. During that time, @value{GDBN}
29372 performs necessary cleanups, including killing programs being debugged
29373 or disconnecting from debug hardware, so the frontend should wait till
29374 @value{GDBN} exits and should only forcibly kill @value{GDBN} if it
29375 fails to exit in reasonable time.
29376
29377 @subheading A Bad Command
29378
29379 Here's what happens if you pass a non-existent command:
29380
29381 @smallexample
29382 -> -rubbish
29383 <- ^error,msg="Undefined MI command: rubbish"
29384 <- (gdb)
29385 @end smallexample
29386
29387
29388 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29389 @node GDB/MI Command Description Format
29390 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Command Description Format
29391
29392 The remaining sections describe blocks of commands. Each block of
29393 commands is laid out in a fashion similar to this section.
29394
29395 @subheading Motivation
29396
29397 The motivation for this collection of commands.
29398
29399 @subheading Introduction
29400
29401 A brief introduction to this collection of commands as a whole.
29402
29403 @subheading Commands
29404
29405 For each command in the block, the following is described:
29406
29407 @subsubheading Synopsis
29408
29409 @smallexample
29410 -command @var{args}@dots{}
29411 @end smallexample
29412
29413 @subsubheading Result
29414
29415 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29416
29417 The corresponding @value{GDBN} CLI command(s), if any.
29418
29419 @subsubheading Example
29420
29421 Example(s) formatted for readability. Some of the described commands have
29422 not been implemented yet and these are labeled N.A.@: (not available).
29423
29424
29425 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29426 @node GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands
29427 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Breakpoint Commands
29428
29429 @cindex breakpoint commands for @sc{gdb/mi}
29430 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, breakpoint commands
29431 This section documents @sc{gdb/mi} commands for manipulating
29432 breakpoints.
29433
29434 @subheading The @code{-break-after} Command
29435 @findex -break-after
29436
29437 @subsubheading Synopsis
29438
29439 @smallexample
29440 -break-after @var{number} @var{count}
29441 @end smallexample
29442
29443 The breakpoint number @var{number} is not in effect until it has been
29444 hit @var{count} times. To see how this is reflected in the output of
29445 the @samp{-break-list} command, see the description of the
29446 @samp{-break-list} command below.
29447
29448 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29449
29450 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{ignore}.
29451
29452 @subsubheading Example
29453
29454 @smallexample
29455 (gdb)
29456 -break-insert main
29457 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
29458 enabled="y",addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",
29459 fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],
29460 times="0"@}
29461 (gdb)
29462 -break-after 1 3
29463 ~
29464 ^done
29465 (gdb)
29466 -break-list
29467 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
29468 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
29469 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
29470 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
29471 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
29472 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
29473 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
29474 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
29475 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
29476 line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0",ignore="3"@}]@}
29477 (gdb)
29478 @end smallexample
29479
29480 @ignore
29481 @subheading The @code{-break-catch} Command
29482 @findex -break-catch
29483 @end ignore
29484
29485 @subheading The @code{-break-commands} Command
29486 @findex -break-commands
29487
29488 @subsubheading Synopsis
29489
29490 @smallexample
29491 -break-commands @var{number} [ @var{command1} ... @var{commandN} ]
29492 @end smallexample
29493
29494 Specifies the CLI commands that should be executed when breakpoint
29495 @var{number} is hit. The parameters @var{command1} to @var{commandN}
29496 are the commands. If no command is specified, any previously-set
29497 commands are cleared. @xref{Break Commands}. Typical use of this
29498 functionality is tracing a program, that is, printing of values of
29499 some variables whenever breakpoint is hit and then continuing.
29500
29501 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29502
29503 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{commands}.
29504
29505 @subsubheading Example
29506
29507 @smallexample
29508 (gdb)
29509 -break-insert main
29510 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
29511 enabled="y",addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",
29512 fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],
29513 times="0"@}
29514 (gdb)
29515 -break-commands 1 "print v" "continue"
29516 ^done
29517 (gdb)
29518 @end smallexample
29519
29520 @subheading The @code{-break-condition} Command
29521 @findex -break-condition
29522
29523 @subsubheading Synopsis
29524
29525 @smallexample
29526 -break-condition @var{number} @var{expr}
29527 @end smallexample
29528
29529 Breakpoint @var{number} will stop the program only if the condition in
29530 @var{expr} is true. The condition becomes part of the
29531 @samp{-break-list} output (see the description of the @samp{-break-list}
29532 command below).
29533
29534 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29535
29536 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{condition}.
29537
29538 @subsubheading Example
29539
29540 @smallexample
29541 (gdb)
29542 -break-condition 1 1
29543 ^done
29544 (gdb)
29545 -break-list
29546 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
29547 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
29548 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
29549 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
29550 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
29551 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
29552 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
29553 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
29554 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
29555 line="5",cond="1",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0",ignore="3"@}]@}
29556 (gdb)
29557 @end smallexample
29558
29559 @subheading The @code{-break-delete} Command
29560 @findex -break-delete
29561
29562 @subsubheading Synopsis
29563
29564 @smallexample
29565 -break-delete ( @var{breakpoint} )+
29566 @end smallexample
29567
29568 Delete the breakpoint(s) whose number(s) are specified in the argument
29569 list. This is obviously reflected in the breakpoint list.
29570
29571 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29572
29573 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{delete}.
29574
29575 @subsubheading Example
29576
29577 @smallexample
29578 (gdb)
29579 -break-delete 1
29580 ^done
29581 (gdb)
29582 -break-list
29583 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="0",nr_cols="6",
29584 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
29585 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
29586 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
29587 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
29588 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
29589 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
29590 body=[]@}
29591 (gdb)
29592 @end smallexample
29593
29594 @subheading The @code{-break-disable} Command
29595 @findex -break-disable
29596
29597 @subsubheading Synopsis
29598
29599 @smallexample
29600 -break-disable ( @var{breakpoint} )+
29601 @end smallexample
29602
29603 Disable the named @var{breakpoint}(s). The field @samp{enabled} in the
29604 break list is now set to @samp{n} for the named @var{breakpoint}(s).
29605
29606 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29607
29608 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disable}.
29609
29610 @subsubheading Example
29611
29612 @smallexample
29613 (gdb)
29614 -break-disable 2
29615 ^done
29616 (gdb)
29617 -break-list
29618 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
29619 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
29620 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
29621 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
29622 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
29623 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
29624 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
29625 body=[bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="n",
29626 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
29627 line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0"@}]@}
29628 (gdb)
29629 @end smallexample
29630
29631 @subheading The @code{-break-enable} Command
29632 @findex -break-enable
29633
29634 @subsubheading Synopsis
29635
29636 @smallexample
29637 -break-enable ( @var{breakpoint} )+
29638 @end smallexample
29639
29640 Enable (previously disabled) @var{breakpoint}(s).
29641
29642 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29643
29644 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{enable}.
29645
29646 @subsubheading Example
29647
29648 @smallexample
29649 (gdb)
29650 -break-enable 2
29651 ^done
29652 (gdb)
29653 -break-list
29654 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
29655 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
29656 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
29657 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
29658 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
29659 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
29660 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
29661 body=[bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
29662 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
29663 line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0"@}]@}
29664 (gdb)
29665 @end smallexample
29666
29667 @subheading The @code{-break-info} Command
29668 @findex -break-info
29669
29670 @subsubheading Synopsis
29671
29672 @smallexample
29673 -break-info @var{breakpoint}
29674 @end smallexample
29675
29676 @c REDUNDANT???
29677 Get information about a single breakpoint.
29678
29679 The result is a table of breakpoints. @xref{GDB/MI Breakpoint
29680 Information}, for details on the format of each breakpoint in the
29681 table.
29682
29683 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29684
29685 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info break @var{breakpoint}}.
29686
29687 @subsubheading Example
29688 N.A.
29689
29690 @subheading The @code{-break-insert} Command
29691 @findex -break-insert
29692
29693 @subsubheading Synopsis
29694
29695 @smallexample
29696 -break-insert [ -t ] [ -h ] [ -f ] [ -d ] [ -a ]
29697 [ -c @var{condition} ] [ -i @var{ignore-count} ]
29698 [ -p @var{thread-id} ] [ @var{location} ]
29699 @end smallexample
29700
29701 @noindent
29702 If specified, @var{location}, can be one of:
29703
29704 @itemize @bullet
29705 @item function
29706 @c @item +offset
29707 @c @item -offset
29708 @c @item linenum
29709 @item filename:linenum
29710 @item filename:function
29711 @item *address
29712 @end itemize
29713
29714 The possible optional parameters of this command are:
29715
29716 @table @samp
29717 @item -t
29718 Insert a temporary breakpoint.
29719 @item -h
29720 Insert a hardware breakpoint.
29721 @item -f
29722 If @var{location} cannot be parsed (for example if it
29723 refers to unknown files or functions), create a pending
29724 breakpoint. Without this flag, @value{GDBN} will report
29725 an error, and won't create a breakpoint, if @var{location}
29726 cannot be parsed.
29727 @item -d
29728 Create a disabled breakpoint.
29729 @item -a
29730 Create a tracepoint. @xref{Tracepoints}. When this parameter
29731 is used together with @samp{-h}, a fast tracepoint is created.
29732 @item -c @var{condition}
29733 Make the breakpoint conditional on @var{condition}.
29734 @item -i @var{ignore-count}
29735 Initialize the @var{ignore-count}.
29736 @item -p @var{thread-id}
29737 Restrict the breakpoint to the specified @var{thread-id}.
29738 @end table
29739
29740 @subsubheading Result
29741
29742 @xref{GDB/MI Breakpoint Information}, for details on the format of the
29743 resulting breakpoint.
29744
29745 Note: this format is open to change.
29746 @c An out-of-band breakpoint instead of part of the result?
29747
29748 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29749
29750 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{break}, @samp{tbreak},
29751 @samp{hbreak}, and @samp{thbreak}. @c and @samp{rbreak}.
29752
29753 @subsubheading Example
29754
29755 @smallexample
29756 (gdb)
29757 -break-insert main
29758 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x0001072c",file="recursive2.c",
29759 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,line="4",thread-groups=["i1"],
29760 times="0"@}
29761 (gdb)
29762 -break-insert -t foo
29763 ^done,bkpt=@{number="2",addr="0x00010774",file="recursive2.c",
29764 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,line="11",thread-groups=["i1"],
29765 times="0"@}
29766 (gdb)
29767 -break-list
29768 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
29769 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
29770 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
29771 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
29772 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
29773 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
29774 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
29775 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
29776 addr="0x0001072c", func="main",file="recursive2.c",
29777 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,"line="4",thread-groups=["i1"],
29778 times="0"@},
29779 bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="del",enabled="y",
29780 addr="0x00010774",func="foo",file="recursive2.c",
29781 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c",line="11",thread-groups=["i1"],
29782 times="0"@}]@}
29783 (gdb)
29784 @c -break-insert -r foo.*
29785 @c ~int foo(int, int);
29786 @c ^done,bkpt=@{number="3",addr="0x00010774",file="recursive2.c,
29787 @c "fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c",line="11",thread-groups=["i1"],
29788 @c times="0"@}
29789 @c (gdb)
29790 @end smallexample
29791
29792 @subheading The @code{-dprintf-insert} Command
29793 @findex -dprintf-insert
29794
29795 @subsubheading Synopsis
29796
29797 @smallexample
29798 -dprintf-insert [ -t ] [ -f ] [ -d ]
29799 [ -c @var{condition} ] [ -i @var{ignore-count} ]
29800 [ -p @var{thread-id} ] [ @var{location} ] [ @var{format} ]
29801 [ @var{argument} ]
29802 @end smallexample
29803
29804 @noindent
29805 If specified, @var{location}, can be one of:
29806
29807 @itemize @bullet
29808 @item @var{function}
29809 @c @item +offset
29810 @c @item -offset
29811 @c @item @var{linenum}
29812 @item @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
29813 @item @var{filename}:function
29814 @item *@var{address}
29815 @end itemize
29816
29817 The possible optional parameters of this command are:
29818
29819 @table @samp
29820 @item -t
29821 Insert a temporary breakpoint.
29822 @item -f
29823 If @var{location} cannot be parsed (for example, if it
29824 refers to unknown files or functions), create a pending
29825 breakpoint. Without this flag, @value{GDBN} will report
29826 an error, and won't create a breakpoint, if @var{location}
29827 cannot be parsed.
29828 @item -d
29829 Create a disabled breakpoint.
29830 @item -c @var{condition}
29831 Make the breakpoint conditional on @var{condition}.
29832 @item -i @var{ignore-count}
29833 Set the ignore count of the breakpoint (@pxref{Conditions, ignore count})
29834 to @var{ignore-count}.
29835 @item -p @var{thread-id}
29836 Restrict the breakpoint to the specified @var{thread-id}.
29837 @end table
29838
29839 @subsubheading Result
29840
29841 @xref{GDB/MI Breakpoint Information}, for details on the format of the
29842 resulting breakpoint.
29843
29844 @c An out-of-band breakpoint instead of part of the result?
29845
29846 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29847
29848 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{dprintf}.
29849
29850 @subsubheading Example
29851
29852 @smallexample
29853 (gdb)
29854 4-dprintf-insert foo "At foo entry\n"
29855 4^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="dprintf",disp="keep",enabled="y",
29856 addr="0x000000000040061b",func="foo",file="mi-dprintf.c",
29857 fullname="mi-dprintf.c",line="25",thread-groups=["i1"],
29858 times="0",script=@{"printf \"At foo entry\\n\"","continue"@},
29859 original-location="foo"@}
29860 (gdb)
29861 5-dprintf-insert 26 "arg=%d, g=%d\n" arg g
29862 5^done,bkpt=@{number="2",type="dprintf",disp="keep",enabled="y",
29863 addr="0x000000000040062a",func="foo",file="mi-dprintf.c",
29864 fullname="mi-dprintf.c",line="26",thread-groups=["i1"],
29865 times="0",script=@{"printf \"arg=%d, g=%d\\n\", arg, g","continue"@},
29866 original-location="mi-dprintf.c:26"@}
29867 (gdb)
29868 @end smallexample
29869
29870 @subheading The @code{-break-list} Command
29871 @findex -break-list
29872
29873 @subsubheading Synopsis
29874
29875 @smallexample
29876 -break-list
29877 @end smallexample
29878
29879 Displays the list of inserted breakpoints, showing the following fields:
29880
29881 @table @samp
29882 @item Number
29883 number of the breakpoint
29884 @item Type
29885 type of the breakpoint: @samp{breakpoint} or @samp{watchpoint}
29886 @item Disposition
29887 should the breakpoint be deleted or disabled when it is hit: @samp{keep}
29888 or @samp{nokeep}
29889 @item Enabled
29890 is the breakpoint enabled or no: @samp{y} or @samp{n}
29891 @item Address
29892 memory location at which the breakpoint is set
29893 @item What
29894 logical location of the breakpoint, expressed by function name, file
29895 name, line number
29896 @item Thread-groups
29897 list of thread groups to which this breakpoint applies
29898 @item Times
29899 number of times the breakpoint has been hit
29900 @end table
29901
29902 If there are no breakpoints or watchpoints, the @code{BreakpointTable}
29903 @code{body} field is an empty list.
29904
29905 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29906
29907 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info break}.
29908
29909 @subsubheading Example
29910
29911 @smallexample
29912 (gdb)
29913 -break-list
29914 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
29915 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
29916 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
29917 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
29918 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
29919 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
29920 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
29921 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
29922 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],
29923 times="0"@},
29924 bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
29925 addr="0x00010114",func="foo",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
29926 line="13",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0"@}]@}
29927 (gdb)
29928 @end smallexample
29929
29930 Here's an example of the result when there are no breakpoints:
29931
29932 @smallexample
29933 (gdb)
29934 -break-list
29935 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="0",nr_cols="6",
29936 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
29937 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
29938 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
29939 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
29940 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
29941 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
29942 body=[]@}
29943 (gdb)
29944 @end smallexample
29945
29946 @subheading The @code{-break-passcount} Command
29947 @findex -break-passcount
29948
29949 @subsubheading Synopsis
29950
29951 @smallexample
29952 -break-passcount @var{tracepoint-number} @var{passcount}
29953 @end smallexample
29954
29955 Set the passcount for tracepoint @var{tracepoint-number} to
29956 @var{passcount}. If the breakpoint referred to by @var{tracepoint-number}
29957 is not a tracepoint, error is emitted. This corresponds to CLI
29958 command @samp{passcount}.
29959
29960 @subheading The @code{-break-watch} Command
29961 @findex -break-watch
29962
29963 @subsubheading Synopsis
29964
29965 @smallexample
29966 -break-watch [ -a | -r ]
29967 @end smallexample
29968
29969 Create a watchpoint. With the @samp{-a} option it will create an
29970 @dfn{access} watchpoint, i.e., a watchpoint that triggers either on a
29971 read from or on a write to the memory location. With the @samp{-r}
29972 option, the watchpoint created is a @dfn{read} watchpoint, i.e., it will
29973 trigger only when the memory location is accessed for reading. Without
29974 either of the options, the watchpoint created is a regular watchpoint,
29975 i.e., it will trigger when the memory location is accessed for writing.
29976 @xref{Set Watchpoints, , Setting Watchpoints}.
29977
29978 Note that @samp{-break-list} will report a single list of watchpoints and
29979 breakpoints inserted.
29980
29981 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29982
29983 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{watch}, @samp{awatch}, and
29984 @samp{rwatch}.
29985
29986 @subsubheading Example
29987
29988 Setting a watchpoint on a variable in the @code{main} function:
29989
29990 @smallexample
29991 (gdb)
29992 -break-watch x
29993 ^done,wpt=@{number="2",exp="x"@}
29994 (gdb)
29995 -exec-continue
29996 ^running
29997 (gdb)
29998 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",wpt=@{number="2",exp="x"@},
29999 value=@{old="-268439212",new="55"@},
30000 frame=@{func="main",args=[],file="recursive2.c",
30001 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="5"@}
30002 (gdb)
30003 @end smallexample
30004
30005 Setting a watchpoint on a variable local to a function. @value{GDBN} will stop
30006 the program execution twice: first for the variable changing value, then
30007 for the watchpoint going out of scope.
30008
30009 @smallexample
30010 (gdb)
30011 -break-watch C
30012 ^done,wpt=@{number="5",exp="C"@}
30013 (gdb)
30014 -exec-continue
30015 ^running
30016 (gdb)
30017 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",
30018 wpt=@{number="5",exp="C"@},value=@{old="-276895068",new="3"@},
30019 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
30020 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
30021 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="13"@}
30022 (gdb)
30023 -exec-continue
30024 ^running
30025 (gdb)
30026 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-scope",wpnum="5",
30027 frame=@{func="callee3",args=[@{name="strarg",
30028 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
30029 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
30030 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
30031 (gdb)
30032 @end smallexample
30033
30034 Listing breakpoints and watchpoints, at different points in the program
30035 execution. Note that once the watchpoint goes out of scope, it is
30036 deleted.
30037
30038 @smallexample
30039 (gdb)
30040 -break-watch C
30041 ^done,wpt=@{number="2",exp="C"@}
30042 (gdb)
30043 -break-list
30044 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
30045 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
30046 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
30047 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
30048 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
30049 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
30050 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
30051 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
30052 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
30053 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
30054 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c"line="8",thread-groups=["i1"],
30055 times="1"@},
30056 bkpt=@{number="2",type="watchpoint",disp="keep",
30057 enabled="y",addr="",what="C",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0"@}]@}
30058 (gdb)
30059 -exec-continue
30060 ^running
30061 (gdb)
30062 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",wpt=@{number="2",exp="C"@},
30063 value=@{old="-276895068",new="3"@},
30064 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
30065 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
30066 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="13"@}
30067 (gdb)
30068 -break-list
30069 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
30070 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
30071 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
30072 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
30073 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
30074 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
30075 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
30076 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
30077 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
30078 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
30079 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",thread-groups=["i1"],
30080 times="1"@},
30081 bkpt=@{number="2",type="watchpoint",disp="keep",
30082 enabled="y",addr="",what="C",thread-groups=["i1"],times="-5"@}]@}
30083 (gdb)
30084 -exec-continue
30085 ^running
30086 ^done,reason="watchpoint-scope",wpnum="2",
30087 frame=@{func="callee3",args=[@{name="strarg",
30088 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
30089 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
30090 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
30091 (gdb)
30092 -break-list
30093 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
30094 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
30095 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
30096 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
30097 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
30098 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
30099 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
30100 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
30101 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
30102 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
30103 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",
30104 thread-groups=["i1"],times="1"@}]@}
30105 (gdb)
30106 @end smallexample
30107
30108
30109 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
30110 @node GDB/MI Catchpoint Commands
30111 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Catchpoint Commands
30112
30113 This section documents @sc{gdb/mi} commands for manipulating
30114 catchpoints.
30115
30116 @subheading The @code{-catch-load} Command
30117 @findex -catch-load
30118
30119 @subsubheading Synopsis
30120
30121 @smallexample
30122 -catch-load [ -t ] [ -d ] @var{regexp}
30123 @end smallexample
30124
30125 Add a catchpoint for library load events. If the @samp{-t} option is used,
30126 the catchpoint is a temporary one (@pxref{Set Breaks, ,Setting
30127 Breakpoints}). If the @samp{-d} option is used, the catchpoint is created
30128 in a disabled state. The @samp{regexp} argument is a regular
30129 expression used to match the name of the loaded library.
30130
30131
30132 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30133
30134 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{catch load}.
30135
30136 @subsubheading Example
30137
30138 @smallexample
30139 -catch-load -t foo.so
30140 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="catchpoint",disp="del",enabled="y",
30141 what="load of library matching foo.so",catch-type="load",times="0"@}
30142 (gdb)
30143 @end smallexample
30144
30145
30146 @subheading The @code{-catch-unload} Command
30147 @findex -catch-unload
30148
30149 @subsubheading Synopsis
30150
30151 @smallexample
30152 -catch-unload [ -t ] [ -d ] @var{regexp}
30153 @end smallexample
30154
30155 Add a catchpoint for library unload events. If the @samp{-t} option is
30156 used, the catchpoint is a temporary one (@pxref{Set Breaks, ,Setting
30157 Breakpoints}). If the @samp{-d} option is used, the catchpoint is
30158 created in a disabled state. The @samp{regexp} argument is a regular
30159 expression used to match the name of the unloaded library.
30160
30161 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30162
30163 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{catch unload}.
30164
30165 @subsubheading Example
30166
30167 @smallexample
30168 -catch-unload -d bar.so
30169 ^done,bkpt=@{number="2",type="catchpoint",disp="keep",enabled="n",
30170 what="load of library matching bar.so",catch-type="unload",times="0"@}
30171 (gdb)
30172 @end smallexample
30173
30174
30175 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
30176 @node GDB/MI Program Context
30177 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Program Context
30178
30179 @subheading The @code{-exec-arguments} Command
30180 @findex -exec-arguments
30181
30182
30183 @subsubheading Synopsis
30184
30185 @smallexample
30186 -exec-arguments @var{args}
30187 @end smallexample
30188
30189 Set the inferior program arguments, to be used in the next
30190 @samp{-exec-run}.
30191
30192 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30193
30194 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set args}.
30195
30196 @subsubheading Example
30197
30198 @smallexample
30199 (gdb)
30200 -exec-arguments -v word
30201 ^done
30202 (gdb)
30203 @end smallexample
30204
30205
30206 @ignore
30207 @subheading The @code{-exec-show-arguments} Command
30208 @findex -exec-show-arguments
30209
30210 @subsubheading Synopsis
30211
30212 @smallexample
30213 -exec-show-arguments
30214 @end smallexample
30215
30216 Print the arguments of the program.
30217
30218 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30219
30220 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show args}.
30221
30222 @subsubheading Example
30223 N.A.
30224 @end ignore
30225
30226
30227 @subheading The @code{-environment-cd} Command
30228 @findex -environment-cd
30229
30230 @subsubheading Synopsis
30231
30232 @smallexample
30233 -environment-cd @var{pathdir}
30234 @end smallexample
30235
30236 Set @value{GDBN}'s working directory.
30237
30238 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30239
30240 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{cd}.
30241
30242 @subsubheading Example
30243
30244 @smallexample
30245 (gdb)
30246 -environment-cd /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb
30247 ^done
30248 (gdb)
30249 @end smallexample
30250
30251
30252 @subheading The @code{-environment-directory} Command
30253 @findex -environment-directory
30254
30255 @subsubheading Synopsis
30256
30257 @smallexample
30258 -environment-directory [ -r ] [ @var{pathdir} ]+
30259 @end smallexample
30260
30261 Add directories @var{pathdir} to beginning of search path for source files.
30262 If the @samp{-r} option is used, the search path is reset to the default
30263 search path. If directories @var{pathdir} are supplied in addition to the
30264 @samp{-r} option, the search path is first reset and then addition
30265 occurs as normal.
30266 Multiple directories may be specified, separated by blanks. Specifying
30267 multiple directories in a single command
30268 results in the directories added to the beginning of the
30269 search path in the same order they were presented in the command.
30270 If blanks are needed as
30271 part of a directory name, double-quotes should be used around
30272 the name. In the command output, the path will show up separated
30273 by the system directory-separator character. The directory-separator
30274 character must not be used
30275 in any directory name.
30276 If no directories are specified, the current search path is displayed.
30277
30278 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30279
30280 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{dir}.
30281
30282 @subsubheading Example
30283
30284 @smallexample
30285 (gdb)
30286 -environment-directory /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb
30287 ^done,source-path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb:$cdir:$cwd"
30288 (gdb)
30289 -environment-directory ""
30290 ^done,source-path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb:$cdir:$cwd"
30291 (gdb)
30292 -environment-directory -r /home/jjohnstn/src/gdb /usr/src
30293 ^done,source-path="/home/jjohnstn/src/gdb:/usr/src:$cdir:$cwd"
30294 (gdb)
30295 -environment-directory -r
30296 ^done,source-path="$cdir:$cwd"
30297 (gdb)
30298 @end smallexample
30299
30300
30301 @subheading The @code{-environment-path} Command
30302 @findex -environment-path
30303
30304 @subsubheading Synopsis
30305
30306 @smallexample
30307 -environment-path [ -r ] [ @var{pathdir} ]+
30308 @end smallexample
30309
30310 Add directories @var{pathdir} to beginning of search path for object files.
30311 If the @samp{-r} option is used, the search path is reset to the original
30312 search path that existed at gdb start-up. If directories @var{pathdir} are
30313 supplied in addition to the
30314 @samp{-r} option, the search path is first reset and then addition
30315 occurs as normal.
30316 Multiple directories may be specified, separated by blanks. Specifying
30317 multiple directories in a single command
30318 results in the directories added to the beginning of the
30319 search path in the same order they were presented in the command.
30320 If blanks are needed as
30321 part of a directory name, double-quotes should be used around
30322 the name. In the command output, the path will show up separated
30323 by the system directory-separator character. The directory-separator
30324 character must not be used
30325 in any directory name.
30326 If no directories are specified, the current path is displayed.
30327
30328
30329 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30330
30331 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{path}.
30332
30333 @subsubheading Example
30334
30335 @smallexample
30336 (gdb)
30337 -environment-path
30338 ^done,path="/usr/bin"
30339 (gdb)
30340 -environment-path /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/ppc-eabi/gdb /bin
30341 ^done,path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/ppc-eabi/gdb:/bin:/usr/bin"
30342 (gdb)
30343 -environment-path -r /usr/local/bin
30344 ^done,path="/usr/local/bin:/usr/bin"
30345 (gdb)
30346 @end smallexample
30347
30348
30349 @subheading The @code{-environment-pwd} Command
30350 @findex -environment-pwd
30351
30352 @subsubheading Synopsis
30353
30354 @smallexample
30355 -environment-pwd
30356 @end smallexample
30357
30358 Show the current working directory.
30359
30360 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30361
30362 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{pwd}.
30363
30364 @subsubheading Example
30365
30366 @smallexample
30367 (gdb)
30368 -environment-pwd
30369 ^done,cwd="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb"
30370 (gdb)
30371 @end smallexample
30372
30373 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
30374 @node GDB/MI Thread Commands
30375 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Thread Commands
30376
30377
30378 @subheading The @code{-thread-info} Command
30379 @findex -thread-info
30380
30381 @subsubheading Synopsis
30382
30383 @smallexample
30384 -thread-info [ @var{thread-id} ]
30385 @end smallexample
30386
30387 Reports information about either a specific thread, if
30388 the @var{thread-id} parameter is present, or about all
30389 threads. When printing information about all threads,
30390 also reports the current thread.
30391
30392 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30393
30394 The @samp{info thread} command prints the same information
30395 about all threads.
30396
30397 @subsubheading Result
30398
30399 The result is a list of threads. The following attributes are
30400 defined for a given thread:
30401
30402 @table @samp
30403 @item current
30404 This field exists only for the current thread. It has the value @samp{*}.
30405
30406 @item id
30407 The identifier that @value{GDBN} uses to refer to the thread.
30408
30409 @item target-id
30410 The identifier that the target uses to refer to the thread.
30411
30412 @item details
30413 Extra information about the thread, in a target-specific format. This
30414 field is optional.
30415
30416 @item name
30417 The name of the thread. If the user specified a name using the
30418 @code{thread name} command, then this name is given. Otherwise, if
30419 @value{GDBN} can extract the thread name from the target, then that
30420 name is given. If @value{GDBN} cannot find the thread name, then this
30421 field is omitted.
30422
30423 @item frame
30424 The stack frame currently executing in the thread.
30425
30426 @item state
30427 The thread's state. The @samp{state} field may have the following
30428 values:
30429
30430 @table @code
30431 @item stopped
30432 The thread is stopped. Frame information is available for stopped
30433 threads.
30434
30435 @item running
30436 The thread is running. There's no frame information for running
30437 threads.
30438
30439 @end table
30440
30441 @item core
30442 If @value{GDBN} can find the CPU core on which this thread is running,
30443 then this field is the core identifier. This field is optional.
30444
30445 @end table
30446
30447 @subsubheading Example
30448
30449 @smallexample
30450 -thread-info
30451 ^done,threads=[
30452 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90 (LWP 21257)",
30453 frame=@{level="0",addr="0xffffe410",func="__kernel_vsyscall",
30454 args=[]@},state="running"@},
30455 @{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e156b0 (LWP 21254)",
30456 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0804891f",func="foo",
30457 args=[@{name="i",value="10"@}],
30458 file="/tmp/a.c",fullname="/tmp/a.c",line="158"@},
30459 state="running"@}],
30460 current-thread-id="1"
30461 (gdb)
30462 @end smallexample
30463
30464 @subheading The @code{-thread-list-ids} Command
30465 @findex -thread-list-ids
30466
30467 @subsubheading Synopsis
30468
30469 @smallexample
30470 -thread-list-ids
30471 @end smallexample
30472
30473 Produces a list of the currently known @value{GDBN} thread ids. At the
30474 end of the list it also prints the total number of such threads.
30475
30476 This command is retained for historical reasons, the
30477 @code{-thread-info} command should be used instead.
30478
30479 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30480
30481 Part of @samp{info threads} supplies the same information.
30482
30483 @subsubheading Example
30484
30485 @smallexample
30486 (gdb)
30487 -thread-list-ids
30488 ^done,thread-ids=@{thread-id="3",thread-id="2",thread-id="1"@},
30489 current-thread-id="1",number-of-threads="3"
30490 (gdb)
30491 @end smallexample
30492
30493
30494 @subheading The @code{-thread-select} Command
30495 @findex -thread-select
30496
30497 @subsubheading Synopsis
30498
30499 @smallexample
30500 -thread-select @var{threadnum}
30501 @end smallexample
30502
30503 Make @var{threadnum} the current thread. It prints the number of the new
30504 current thread, and the topmost frame for that thread.
30505
30506 This command is deprecated in favor of explicitly using the
30507 @samp{--thread} option to each command.
30508
30509 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30510
30511 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{thread}.
30512
30513 @subsubheading Example
30514
30515 @smallexample
30516 (gdb)
30517 -exec-next
30518 ^running
30519 (gdb)
30520 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",thread-id="2",line="187",
30521 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.threads/linux-dp.c"
30522 (gdb)
30523 -thread-list-ids
30524 ^done,
30525 thread-ids=@{thread-id="3",thread-id="2",thread-id="1"@},
30526 number-of-threads="3"
30527 (gdb)
30528 -thread-select 3
30529 ^done,new-thread-id="3",
30530 frame=@{level="0",func="vprintf",
30531 args=[@{name="format",value="0x8048e9c \"%*s%c %d %c\\n\""@},
30532 @{name="arg",value="0x2"@}],file="vprintf.c",line="31"@}
30533 (gdb)
30534 @end smallexample
30535
30536 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
30537 @node GDB/MI Ada Tasking Commands
30538 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Ada Tasking Commands
30539
30540 @subheading The @code{-ada-task-info} Command
30541 @findex -ada-task-info
30542
30543 @subsubheading Synopsis
30544
30545 @smallexample
30546 -ada-task-info [ @var{task-id} ]
30547 @end smallexample
30548
30549 Reports information about either a specific Ada task, if the
30550 @var{task-id} parameter is present, or about all Ada tasks.
30551
30552 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30553
30554 The @samp{info tasks} command prints the same information
30555 about all Ada tasks (@pxref{Ada Tasks}).
30556
30557 @subsubheading Result
30558
30559 The result is a table of Ada tasks. The following columns are
30560 defined for each Ada task:
30561
30562 @table @samp
30563 @item current
30564 This field exists only for the current thread. It has the value @samp{*}.
30565
30566 @item id
30567 The identifier that @value{GDBN} uses to refer to the Ada task.
30568
30569 @item task-id
30570 The identifier that the target uses to refer to the Ada task.
30571
30572 @item thread-id
30573 The identifier of the thread corresponding to the Ada task.
30574
30575 This field should always exist, as Ada tasks are always implemented
30576 on top of a thread. But if @value{GDBN} cannot find this corresponding
30577 thread for any reason, the field is omitted.
30578
30579 @item parent-id
30580 This field exists only when the task was created by another task.
30581 In this case, it provides the ID of the parent task.
30582
30583 @item priority
30584 The base priority of the task.
30585
30586 @item state
30587 The current state of the task. For a detailed description of the
30588 possible states, see @ref{Ada Tasks}.
30589
30590 @item name
30591 The name of the task.
30592
30593 @end table
30594
30595 @subsubheading Example
30596
30597 @smallexample
30598 -ada-task-info
30599 ^done,tasks=@{nr_rows="3",nr_cols="8",
30600 hdr=[@{width="1",alignment="-1",col_name="current",colhdr=""@},
30601 @{width="3",alignment="1",col_name="id",colhdr="ID"@},
30602 @{width="9",alignment="1",col_name="task-id",colhdr="TID"@},
30603 @{width="4",alignment="1",col_name="thread-id",colhdr=""@},
30604 @{width="4",alignment="1",col_name="parent-id",colhdr="P-ID"@},
30605 @{width="3",alignment="1",col_name="priority",colhdr="Pri"@},
30606 @{width="22",alignment="-1",col_name="state",colhdr="State"@},
30607 @{width="1",alignment="2",col_name="name",colhdr="Name"@}],
30608 body=[@{current="*",id="1",task-id=" 644010",thread-id="1",priority="48",
30609 state="Child Termination Wait",name="main_task"@}]@}
30610 (gdb)
30611 @end smallexample
30612
30613 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
30614 @node GDB/MI Program Execution
30615 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Program Execution
30616
30617 These are the asynchronous commands which generate the out-of-band
30618 record @samp{*stopped}. Currently @value{GDBN} only really executes
30619 asynchronously with remote targets and this interaction is mimicked in
30620 other cases.
30621
30622 @subheading The @code{-exec-continue} Command
30623 @findex -exec-continue
30624
30625 @subsubheading Synopsis
30626
30627 @smallexample
30628 -exec-continue [--reverse] [--all|--thread-group N]
30629 @end smallexample
30630
30631 Resumes the execution of the inferior program, which will continue
30632 to execute until it reaches a debugger stop event. If the
30633 @samp{--reverse} option is specified, execution resumes in reverse until
30634 it reaches a stop event. Stop events may include
30635 @itemize @bullet
30636 @item
30637 breakpoints or watchpoints
30638 @item
30639 signals or exceptions
30640 @item
30641 the end of the process (or its beginning under @samp{--reverse})
30642 @item
30643 the end or beginning of a replay log if one is being used.
30644 @end itemize
30645 In all-stop mode (@pxref{All-Stop
30646 Mode}), may resume only one thread, or all threads, depending on the
30647 value of the @samp{scheduler-locking} variable. If @samp{--all} is
30648 specified, all threads (in all inferiors) will be resumed. The @samp{--all} option is
30649 ignored in all-stop mode. If the @samp{--thread-group} options is
30650 specified, then all threads in that thread group are resumed.
30651
30652 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30653
30654 The corresponding @value{GDBN} corresponding is @samp{continue}.
30655
30656 @subsubheading Example
30657
30658 @smallexample
30659 -exec-continue
30660 ^running
30661 (gdb)
30662 @@Hello world
30663 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="2",frame=@{
30664 func="foo",args=[],file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/hello.c",
30665 line="13"@}
30666 (gdb)
30667 @end smallexample
30668
30669
30670 @subheading The @code{-exec-finish} Command
30671 @findex -exec-finish
30672
30673 @subsubheading Synopsis
30674
30675 @smallexample
30676 -exec-finish [--reverse]
30677 @end smallexample
30678
30679 Resumes the execution of the inferior program until the current
30680 function is exited. Displays the results returned by the function.
30681 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes the reverse
30682 execution of the inferior program until the point where current
30683 function was called.
30684
30685 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30686
30687 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{finish}.
30688
30689 @subsubheading Example
30690
30691 Function returning @code{void}.
30692
30693 @smallexample
30694 -exec-finish
30695 ^running
30696 (gdb)
30697 @@hello from foo
30698 *stopped,reason="function-finished",frame=@{func="main",args=[],
30699 file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/hello.c",line="7"@}
30700 (gdb)
30701 @end smallexample
30702
30703 Function returning other than @code{void}. The name of the internal
30704 @value{GDBN} variable storing the result is printed, together with the
30705 value itself.
30706
30707 @smallexample
30708 -exec-finish
30709 ^running
30710 (gdb)
30711 *stopped,reason="function-finished",frame=@{addr="0x000107b0",func="foo",
30712 args=[@{name="a",value="1"],@{name="b",value="9"@}@},
30713 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
30714 gdb-result-var="$1",return-value="0"
30715 (gdb)
30716 @end smallexample
30717
30718
30719 @subheading The @code{-exec-interrupt} Command
30720 @findex -exec-interrupt
30721
30722 @subsubheading Synopsis
30723
30724 @smallexample
30725 -exec-interrupt [--all|--thread-group N]
30726 @end smallexample
30727
30728 Interrupts the background execution of the target. Note how the token
30729 associated with the stop message is the one for the execution command
30730 that has been interrupted. The token for the interrupt itself only
30731 appears in the @samp{^done} output. If the user is trying to
30732 interrupt a non-running program, an error message will be printed.
30733
30734 Note that when asynchronous execution is enabled, this command is
30735 asynchronous just like other execution commands. That is, first the
30736 @samp{^done} response will be printed, and the target stop will be
30737 reported after that using the @samp{*stopped} notification.
30738
30739 In non-stop mode, only the context thread is interrupted by default.
30740 All threads (in all inferiors) will be interrupted if the
30741 @samp{--all} option is specified. If the @samp{--thread-group}
30742 option is specified, all threads in that group will be interrupted.
30743
30744 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30745
30746 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{interrupt}.
30747
30748 @subsubheading Example
30749
30750 @smallexample
30751 (gdb)
30752 111-exec-continue
30753 111^running
30754
30755 (gdb)
30756 222-exec-interrupt
30757 222^done
30758 (gdb)
30759 111*stopped,signal-name="SIGINT",signal-meaning="Interrupt",
30760 frame=@{addr="0x00010140",func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
30761 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="13"@}
30762 (gdb)
30763
30764 (gdb)
30765 -exec-interrupt
30766 ^error,msg="mi_cmd_exec_interrupt: Inferior not executing."
30767 (gdb)
30768 @end smallexample
30769
30770 @subheading The @code{-exec-jump} Command
30771 @findex -exec-jump
30772
30773 @subsubheading Synopsis
30774
30775 @smallexample
30776 -exec-jump @var{location}
30777 @end smallexample
30778
30779 Resumes execution of the inferior program at the location specified by
30780 parameter. @xref{Specify Location}, for a description of the
30781 different forms of @var{location}.
30782
30783 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30784
30785 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{jump}.
30786
30787 @subsubheading Example
30788
30789 @smallexample
30790 -exec-jump foo.c:10
30791 *running,thread-id="all"
30792 ^running
30793 @end smallexample
30794
30795
30796 @subheading The @code{-exec-next} Command
30797 @findex -exec-next
30798
30799 @subsubheading Synopsis
30800
30801 @smallexample
30802 -exec-next [--reverse]
30803 @end smallexample
30804
30805 Resumes execution of the inferior program, stopping when the beginning
30806 of the next source line is reached.
30807
30808 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution
30809 of the inferior program, stopping at the beginning of the previous
30810 source line. If you issue this command on the first line of a
30811 function, it will take you back to the caller of that function, to the
30812 source line where the function was called.
30813
30814
30815 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30816
30817 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{next}.
30818
30819 @subsubheading Example
30820
30821 @smallexample
30822 -exec-next
30823 ^running
30824 (gdb)
30825 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",line="8",file="hello.c"
30826 (gdb)
30827 @end smallexample
30828
30829
30830 @subheading The @code{-exec-next-instruction} Command
30831 @findex -exec-next-instruction
30832
30833 @subsubheading Synopsis
30834
30835 @smallexample
30836 -exec-next-instruction [--reverse]
30837 @end smallexample
30838
30839 Executes one machine instruction. If the instruction is a function
30840 call, continues until the function returns. If the program stops at an
30841 instruction in the middle of a source line, the address will be
30842 printed as well.
30843
30844 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution
30845 of the inferior program, stopping at the previous instruction. If the
30846 previously executed instruction was a return from another function,
30847 it will continue to execute in reverse until the call to that function
30848 (from the current stack frame) is reached.
30849
30850 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30851
30852 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{nexti}.
30853
30854 @subsubheading Example
30855
30856 @smallexample
30857 (gdb)
30858 -exec-next-instruction
30859 ^running
30860
30861 (gdb)
30862 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
30863 addr="0x000100d4",line="5",file="hello.c"
30864 (gdb)
30865 @end smallexample
30866
30867
30868 @subheading The @code{-exec-return} Command
30869 @findex -exec-return
30870
30871 @subsubheading Synopsis
30872
30873 @smallexample
30874 -exec-return
30875 @end smallexample
30876
30877 Makes current function return immediately. Doesn't execute the inferior.
30878 Displays the new current frame.
30879
30880 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30881
30882 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{return}.
30883
30884 @subsubheading Example
30885
30886 @smallexample
30887 (gdb)
30888 200-break-insert callee4
30889 200^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x00010734",
30890 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@}
30891 (gdb)
30892 000-exec-run
30893 000^running
30894 (gdb)
30895 000*stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",
30896 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
30897 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
30898 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@}
30899 (gdb)
30900 205-break-delete
30901 205^done
30902 (gdb)
30903 111-exec-return
30904 111^done,frame=@{level="0",func="callee3",
30905 args=[@{name="strarg",
30906 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
30907 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
30908 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
30909 (gdb)
30910 @end smallexample
30911
30912
30913 @subheading The @code{-exec-run} Command
30914 @findex -exec-run
30915
30916 @subsubheading Synopsis
30917
30918 @smallexample
30919 -exec-run [--all | --thread-group N]
30920 @end smallexample
30921
30922 Starts execution of the inferior from the beginning. The inferior
30923 executes until either a breakpoint is encountered or the program
30924 exits. In the latter case the output will include an exit code, if
30925 the program has exited exceptionally.
30926
30927 When no option is specified, the current inferior is started. If the
30928 @samp{--thread-group} option is specified, it should refer to a thread
30929 group of type @samp{process}, and that thread group will be started.
30930 If the @samp{--all} option is specified, then all inferiors will be started.
30931
30932 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30933
30934 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{run}.
30935
30936 @subsubheading Examples
30937
30938 @smallexample
30939 (gdb)
30940 -break-insert main
30941 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x0001072c",file="recursive2.c",line="4"@}
30942 (gdb)
30943 -exec-run
30944 ^running
30945 (gdb)
30946 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",
30947 frame=@{func="main",args=[],file="recursive2.c",
30948 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="4"@}
30949 (gdb)
30950 @end smallexample
30951
30952 @noindent
30953 Program exited normally:
30954
30955 @smallexample
30956 (gdb)
30957 -exec-run
30958 ^running
30959 (gdb)
30960 x = 55
30961 *stopped,reason="exited-normally"
30962 (gdb)
30963 @end smallexample
30964
30965 @noindent
30966 Program exited exceptionally:
30967
30968 @smallexample
30969 (gdb)
30970 -exec-run
30971 ^running
30972 (gdb)
30973 x = 55
30974 *stopped,reason="exited",exit-code="01"
30975 (gdb)
30976 @end smallexample
30977
30978 Another way the program can terminate is if it receives a signal such as
30979 @code{SIGINT}. In this case, @sc{gdb/mi} displays this:
30980
30981 @smallexample
30982 (gdb)
30983 *stopped,reason="exited-signalled",signal-name="SIGINT",
30984 signal-meaning="Interrupt"
30985 @end smallexample
30986
30987
30988 @c @subheading -exec-signal
30989
30990
30991 @subheading The @code{-exec-step} Command
30992 @findex -exec-step
30993
30994 @subsubheading Synopsis
30995
30996 @smallexample
30997 -exec-step [--reverse]
30998 @end smallexample
30999
31000 Resumes execution of the inferior program, stopping when the beginning
31001 of the next source line is reached, if the next source line is not a
31002 function call. If it is, stop at the first instruction of the called
31003 function. If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse
31004 execution of the inferior program, stopping at the beginning of the
31005 previously executed source line.
31006
31007 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31008
31009 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{step}.
31010
31011 @subsubheading Example
31012
31013 Stepping into a function:
31014
31015 @smallexample
31016 -exec-step
31017 ^running
31018 (gdb)
31019 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
31020 frame=@{func="foo",args=[@{name="a",value="10"@},
31021 @{name="b",value="0"@}],file="recursive2.c",
31022 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="11"@}
31023 (gdb)
31024 @end smallexample
31025
31026 Regular stepping:
31027
31028 @smallexample
31029 -exec-step
31030 ^running
31031 (gdb)
31032 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",line="14",file="recursive2.c"
31033 (gdb)
31034 @end smallexample
31035
31036
31037 @subheading The @code{-exec-step-instruction} Command
31038 @findex -exec-step-instruction
31039
31040 @subsubheading Synopsis
31041
31042 @smallexample
31043 -exec-step-instruction [--reverse]
31044 @end smallexample
31045
31046 Resumes the inferior which executes one machine instruction. If the
31047 @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution of the
31048 inferior program, stopping at the previously executed instruction.
31049 The output, once @value{GDBN} has stopped, will vary depending on
31050 whether we have stopped in the middle of a source line or not. In the
31051 former case, the address at which the program stopped will be printed
31052 as well.
31053
31054 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31055
31056 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{stepi}.
31057
31058 @subsubheading Example
31059
31060 @smallexample
31061 (gdb)
31062 -exec-step-instruction
31063 ^running
31064
31065 (gdb)
31066 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
31067 frame=@{func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
31068 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="10"@}
31069 (gdb)
31070 -exec-step-instruction
31071 ^running
31072
31073 (gdb)
31074 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
31075 frame=@{addr="0x000100f4",func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
31076 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="10"@}
31077 (gdb)
31078 @end smallexample
31079
31080
31081 @subheading The @code{-exec-until} Command
31082 @findex -exec-until
31083
31084 @subsubheading Synopsis
31085
31086 @smallexample
31087 -exec-until [ @var{location} ]
31088 @end smallexample
31089
31090 Executes the inferior until the @var{location} specified in the
31091 argument is reached. If there is no argument, the inferior executes
31092 until a source line greater than the current one is reached. The
31093 reason for stopping in this case will be @samp{location-reached}.
31094
31095 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31096
31097 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{until}.
31098
31099 @subsubheading Example
31100
31101 @smallexample
31102 (gdb)
31103 -exec-until recursive2.c:6
31104 ^running
31105 (gdb)
31106 x = 55
31107 *stopped,reason="location-reached",frame=@{func="main",args=[],
31108 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="6"@}
31109 (gdb)
31110 @end smallexample
31111
31112 @ignore
31113 @subheading -file-clear
31114 Is this going away????
31115 @end ignore
31116
31117 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
31118 @node GDB/MI Stack Manipulation
31119 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Stack Manipulation Commands
31120
31121 @subheading The @code{-enable-frame-filters} Command
31122 @findex -enable-frame-filters
31123
31124 @smallexample
31125 -enable-frame-filters
31126 @end smallexample
31127
31128 @value{GDBN} allows Python-based frame filters to affect the output of
31129 the MI commands relating to stack traces. As there is no way to
31130 implement this in a fully backward-compatible way, a front end must
31131 request that this functionality be enabled.
31132
31133 Once enabled, this feature cannot be disabled.
31134
31135 Note that if Python support has not been compiled into @value{GDBN},
31136 this command will still succeed (and do nothing).
31137
31138 @subheading The @code{-stack-info-frame} Command
31139 @findex -stack-info-frame
31140
31141 @subsubheading Synopsis
31142
31143 @smallexample
31144 -stack-info-frame
31145 @end smallexample
31146
31147 Get info on the selected frame.
31148
31149 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31150
31151 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info frame} or @samp{frame}
31152 (without arguments).
31153
31154 @subsubheading Example
31155
31156 @smallexample
31157 (gdb)
31158 -stack-info-frame
31159 ^done,frame=@{level="1",addr="0x0001076c",func="callee3",
31160 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
31161 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="17"@}
31162 (gdb)
31163 @end smallexample
31164
31165 @subheading The @code{-stack-info-depth} Command
31166 @findex -stack-info-depth
31167
31168 @subsubheading Synopsis
31169
31170 @smallexample
31171 -stack-info-depth [ @var{max-depth} ]
31172 @end smallexample
31173
31174 Return the depth of the stack. If the integer argument @var{max-depth}
31175 is specified, do not count beyond @var{max-depth} frames.
31176
31177 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31178
31179 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command.
31180
31181 @subsubheading Example
31182
31183 For a stack with frame levels 0 through 11:
31184
31185 @smallexample
31186 (gdb)
31187 -stack-info-depth
31188 ^done,depth="12"
31189 (gdb)
31190 -stack-info-depth 4
31191 ^done,depth="4"
31192 (gdb)
31193 -stack-info-depth 12
31194 ^done,depth="12"
31195 (gdb)
31196 -stack-info-depth 11
31197 ^done,depth="11"
31198 (gdb)
31199 -stack-info-depth 13
31200 ^done,depth="12"
31201 (gdb)
31202 @end smallexample
31203
31204 @anchor{-stack-list-arguments}
31205 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-arguments} Command
31206 @findex -stack-list-arguments
31207
31208 @subsubheading Synopsis
31209
31210 @smallexample
31211 -stack-list-arguments [ --no-frame-filters ] @var{print-values}
31212 [ @var{low-frame} @var{high-frame} ]
31213 @end smallexample
31214
31215 Display a list of the arguments for the frames between @var{low-frame}
31216 and @var{high-frame} (inclusive). If @var{low-frame} and
31217 @var{high-frame} are not provided, list the arguments for the whole
31218 call stack. If the two arguments are equal, show the single frame
31219 at the corresponding level. It is an error if @var{low-frame} is
31220 larger than the actual number of frames. On the other hand,
31221 @var{high-frame} may be larger than the actual number of frames, in
31222 which case only existing frames will be returned.
31223
31224 If @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
31225 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
31226 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
31227 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
31228 structures and unions. If the option @code{--no-frame-filters} is
31229 supplied, then Python frame filters will not be executed.
31230
31231
31232 Use of this command to obtain arguments in a single frame is
31233 deprecated in favor of the @samp{-stack-list-variables} command.
31234
31235 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31236
31237 @value{GDBN} does not have an equivalent command. @code{gdbtk} has a
31238 @samp{gdb_get_args} command which partially overlaps with the
31239 functionality of @samp{-stack-list-arguments}.
31240
31241 @subsubheading Example
31242
31243 @smallexample
31244 (gdb)
31245 -stack-list-frames
31246 ^done,
31247 stack=[
31248 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
31249 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
31250 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@},
31251 frame=@{level="1",addr="0x0001076c",func="callee3",
31252 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
31253 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="17"@},
31254 frame=@{level="2",addr="0x0001078c",func="callee2",
31255 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
31256 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="22"@},
31257 frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107b4",func="callee1",
31258 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
31259 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="27"@},
31260 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107e0",func="main",
31261 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
31262 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="32"@}]
31263 (gdb)
31264 -stack-list-arguments 0
31265 ^done,
31266 stack-args=[
31267 frame=@{level="0",args=[]@},
31268 frame=@{level="1",args=[name="strarg"]@},
31269 frame=@{level="2",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg"]@},
31270 frame=@{level="3",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg",name="fltarg"]@},
31271 frame=@{level="4",args=[]@}]
31272 (gdb)
31273 -stack-list-arguments 1
31274 ^done,
31275 stack-args=[
31276 frame=@{level="0",args=[]@},
31277 frame=@{level="1",
31278 args=[@{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@},
31279 frame=@{level="2",args=[
31280 @{name="intarg",value="2"@},
31281 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@},
31282 @{frame=@{level="3",args=[
31283 @{name="intarg",value="2"@},
31284 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@},
31285 @{name="fltarg",value="3.5"@}]@},
31286 frame=@{level="4",args=[]@}]
31287 (gdb)
31288 -stack-list-arguments 0 2 2
31289 ^done,stack-args=[frame=@{level="2",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg"]@}]
31290 (gdb)
31291 -stack-list-arguments 1 2 2
31292 ^done,stack-args=[frame=@{level="2",
31293 args=[@{name="intarg",value="2"@},
31294 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@}]
31295 (gdb)
31296 @end smallexample
31297
31298 @c @subheading -stack-list-exception-handlers
31299
31300
31301 @anchor{-stack-list-frames}
31302 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-frames} Command
31303 @findex -stack-list-frames
31304
31305 @subsubheading Synopsis
31306
31307 @smallexample
31308 -stack-list-frames [ --no-frame-filters @var{low-frame} @var{high-frame} ]
31309 @end smallexample
31310
31311 List the frames currently on the stack. For each frame it displays the
31312 following info:
31313
31314 @table @samp
31315 @item @var{level}
31316 The frame number, 0 being the topmost frame, i.e., the innermost function.
31317 @item @var{addr}
31318 The @code{$pc} value for that frame.
31319 @item @var{func}
31320 Function name.
31321 @item @var{file}
31322 File name of the source file where the function lives.
31323 @item @var{fullname}
31324 The full file name of the source file where the function lives.
31325 @item @var{line}
31326 Line number corresponding to the @code{$pc}.
31327 @item @var{from}
31328 The shared library where this function is defined. This is only given
31329 if the frame's function is not known.
31330 @end table
31331
31332 If invoked without arguments, this command prints a backtrace for the
31333 whole stack. If given two integer arguments, it shows the frames whose
31334 levels are between the two arguments (inclusive). If the two arguments
31335 are equal, it shows the single frame at the corresponding level. It is
31336 an error if @var{low-frame} is larger than the actual number of
31337 frames. On the other hand, @var{high-frame} may be larger than the
31338 actual number of frames, in which case only existing frames will be
31339 returned. If the option @code{--no-frame-filters} is supplied, then
31340 Python frame filters will not be executed.
31341
31342 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31343
31344 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{backtrace} and @samp{where}.
31345
31346 @subsubheading Example
31347
31348 Full stack backtrace:
31349
31350 @smallexample
31351 (gdb)
31352 -stack-list-frames
31353 ^done,stack=
31354 [frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0001076c",func="foo",
31355 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="11"@},
31356 frame=@{level="1",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
31357 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
31358 frame=@{level="2",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
31359 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
31360 frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
31361 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
31362 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
31363 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
31364 frame=@{level="5",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
31365 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
31366 frame=@{level="6",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
31367 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
31368 frame=@{level="7",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
31369 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
31370 frame=@{level="8",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
31371 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
31372 frame=@{level="9",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
31373 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
31374 frame=@{level="10",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
31375 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
31376 frame=@{level="11",addr="0x00010738",func="main",
31377 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="4"@}]
31378 (gdb)
31379 @end smallexample
31380
31381 Show frames between @var{low_frame} and @var{high_frame}:
31382
31383 @smallexample
31384 (gdb)
31385 -stack-list-frames 3 5
31386 ^done,stack=
31387 [frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
31388 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
31389 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
31390 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
31391 frame=@{level="5",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
31392 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@}]
31393 (gdb)
31394 @end smallexample
31395
31396 Show a single frame:
31397
31398 @smallexample
31399 (gdb)
31400 -stack-list-frames 3 3
31401 ^done,stack=
31402 [frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
31403 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@}]
31404 (gdb)
31405 @end smallexample
31406
31407
31408 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-locals} Command
31409 @findex -stack-list-locals
31410 @anchor{-stack-list-locals}
31411
31412 @subsubheading Synopsis
31413
31414 @smallexample
31415 -stack-list-locals [ --no-frame-filters ] @var{print-values}
31416 @end smallexample
31417
31418 Display the local variable names for the selected frame. If
31419 @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
31420 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
31421 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
31422 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
31423 structures and unions. In this last case, a frontend can immediately
31424 display the value of simple data types and create variable objects for
31425 other data types when the user wishes to explore their values in
31426 more detail. If the option @code{--no-frame-filters} is supplied, then
31427 Python frame filters will not be executed.
31428
31429 This command is deprecated in favor of the
31430 @samp{-stack-list-variables} command.
31431
31432 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31433
31434 @samp{info locals} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_get_locals} in @code{gdbtk}.
31435
31436 @subsubheading Example
31437
31438 @smallexample
31439 (gdb)
31440 -stack-list-locals 0
31441 ^done,locals=[name="A",name="B",name="C"]
31442 (gdb)
31443 -stack-list-locals --all-values
31444 ^done,locals=[@{name="A",value="1"@},@{name="B",value="2"@},
31445 @{name="C",value="@{1, 2, 3@}"@}]
31446 -stack-list-locals --simple-values
31447 ^done,locals=[@{name="A",type="int",value="1"@},
31448 @{name="B",type="int",value="2"@},@{name="C",type="int [3]"@}]
31449 (gdb)
31450 @end smallexample
31451
31452 @anchor{-stack-list-variables}
31453 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-variables} Command
31454 @findex -stack-list-variables
31455
31456 @subsubheading Synopsis
31457
31458 @smallexample
31459 -stack-list-variables [ --no-frame-filters ] @var{print-values}
31460 @end smallexample
31461
31462 Display the names of local variables and function arguments for the selected frame. If
31463 @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
31464 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
31465 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
31466 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
31467 structures and unions. If the option @code{--no-frame-filters} is
31468 supplied, then Python frame filters will not be executed.
31469
31470 @subsubheading Example
31471
31472 @smallexample
31473 (gdb)
31474 -stack-list-variables --thread 1 --frame 0 --all-values
31475 ^done,variables=[@{name="x",value="11"@},@{name="s",value="@{a = 1, b = 2@}"@}]
31476 (gdb)
31477 @end smallexample
31478
31479
31480 @subheading The @code{-stack-select-frame} Command
31481 @findex -stack-select-frame
31482
31483 @subsubheading Synopsis
31484
31485 @smallexample
31486 -stack-select-frame @var{framenum}
31487 @end smallexample
31488
31489 Change the selected frame. Select a different frame @var{framenum} on
31490 the stack.
31491
31492 This command in deprecated in favor of passing the @samp{--frame}
31493 option to every command.
31494
31495 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31496
31497 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{frame}, @samp{up},
31498 @samp{down}, @samp{select-frame}, @samp{up-silent}, and @samp{down-silent}.
31499
31500 @subsubheading Example
31501
31502 @smallexample
31503 (gdb)
31504 -stack-select-frame 2
31505 ^done
31506 (gdb)
31507 @end smallexample
31508
31509 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
31510 @node GDB/MI Variable Objects
31511 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Variable Objects
31512
31513 @ignore
31514
31515 @subheading Motivation for Variable Objects in @sc{gdb/mi}
31516
31517 For the implementation of a variable debugger window (locals, watched
31518 expressions, etc.), we are proposing the adaptation of the existing code
31519 used by @code{Insight}.
31520
31521 The two main reasons for that are:
31522
31523 @enumerate 1
31524 @item
31525 It has been proven in practice (it is already on its second generation).
31526
31527 @item
31528 It will shorten development time (needless to say how important it is
31529 now).
31530 @end enumerate
31531
31532 The original interface was designed to be used by Tcl code, so it was
31533 slightly changed so it could be used through @sc{gdb/mi}. This section
31534 describes the @sc{gdb/mi} operations that will be available and gives some
31535 hints about their use.
31536
31537 @emph{Note}: In addition to the set of operations described here, we
31538 expect the @sc{gui} implementation of a variable window to require, at
31539 least, the following operations:
31540
31541 @itemize @bullet
31542 @item @code{-gdb-show} @code{output-radix}
31543 @item @code{-stack-list-arguments}
31544 @item @code{-stack-list-locals}
31545 @item @code{-stack-select-frame}
31546 @end itemize
31547
31548 @end ignore
31549
31550 @subheading Introduction to Variable Objects
31551
31552 @cindex variable objects in @sc{gdb/mi}
31553
31554 Variable objects are "object-oriented" MI interface for examining and
31555 changing values of expressions. Unlike some other MI interfaces that
31556 work with expressions, variable objects are specifically designed for
31557 simple and efficient presentation in the frontend. A variable object
31558 is identified by string name. When a variable object is created, the
31559 frontend specifies the expression for that variable object. The
31560 expression can be a simple variable, or it can be an arbitrary complex
31561 expression, and can even involve CPU registers. After creating a
31562 variable object, the frontend can invoke other variable object
31563 operations---for example to obtain or change the value of a variable
31564 object, or to change display format.
31565
31566 Variable objects have hierarchical tree structure. Any variable object
31567 that corresponds to a composite type, such as structure in C, has
31568 a number of child variable objects, for example corresponding to each
31569 element of a structure. A child variable object can itself have
31570 children, recursively. Recursion ends when we reach
31571 leaf variable objects, which always have built-in types. Child variable
31572 objects are created only by explicit request, so if a frontend
31573 is not interested in the children of a particular variable object, no
31574 child will be created.
31575
31576 For a leaf variable object it is possible to obtain its value as a
31577 string, or set the value from a string. String value can be also
31578 obtained for a non-leaf variable object, but it's generally a string
31579 that only indicates the type of the object, and does not list its
31580 contents. Assignment to a non-leaf variable object is not allowed.
31581
31582 A frontend does not need to read the values of all variable objects each time
31583 the program stops. Instead, MI provides an update command that lists all
31584 variable objects whose values has changed since the last update
31585 operation. This considerably reduces the amount of data that must
31586 be transferred to the frontend. As noted above, children variable
31587 objects are created on demand, and only leaf variable objects have a
31588 real value. As result, gdb will read target memory only for leaf
31589 variables that frontend has created.
31590
31591 The automatic update is not always desirable. For example, a frontend
31592 might want to keep a value of some expression for future reference,
31593 and never update it. For another example, fetching memory is
31594 relatively slow for embedded targets, so a frontend might want
31595 to disable automatic update for the variables that are either not
31596 visible on the screen, or ``closed''. This is possible using so
31597 called ``frozen variable objects''. Such variable objects are never
31598 implicitly updated.
31599
31600 Variable objects can be either @dfn{fixed} or @dfn{floating}. For the
31601 fixed variable object, the expression is parsed when the variable
31602 object is created, including associating identifiers to specific
31603 variables. The meaning of expression never changes. For a floating
31604 variable object the values of variables whose names appear in the
31605 expressions are re-evaluated every time in the context of the current
31606 frame. Consider this example:
31607
31608 @smallexample
31609 void do_work(...)
31610 @{
31611 struct work_state state;
31612
31613 if (...)
31614 do_work(...);
31615 @}
31616 @end smallexample
31617
31618 If a fixed variable object for the @code{state} variable is created in
31619 this function, and we enter the recursive call, the variable
31620 object will report the value of @code{state} in the top-level
31621 @code{do_work} invocation. On the other hand, a floating variable
31622 object will report the value of @code{state} in the current frame.
31623
31624 If an expression specified when creating a fixed variable object
31625 refers to a local variable, the variable object becomes bound to the
31626 thread and frame in which the variable object is created. When such
31627 variable object is updated, @value{GDBN} makes sure that the
31628 thread/frame combination the variable object is bound to still exists,
31629 and re-evaluates the variable object in context of that thread/frame.
31630
31631 The following is the complete set of @sc{gdb/mi} operations defined to
31632 access this functionality:
31633
31634 @multitable @columnfractions .4 .6
31635 @item @strong{Operation}
31636 @tab @strong{Description}
31637
31638 @item @code{-enable-pretty-printing}
31639 @tab enable Python-based pretty-printing
31640 @item @code{-var-create}
31641 @tab create a variable object
31642 @item @code{-var-delete}
31643 @tab delete the variable object and/or its children
31644 @item @code{-var-set-format}
31645 @tab set the display format of this variable
31646 @item @code{-var-show-format}
31647 @tab show the display format of this variable
31648 @item @code{-var-info-num-children}
31649 @tab tells how many children this object has
31650 @item @code{-var-list-children}
31651 @tab return a list of the object's children
31652 @item @code{-var-info-type}
31653 @tab show the type of this variable object
31654 @item @code{-var-info-expression}
31655 @tab print parent-relative expression that this variable object represents
31656 @item @code{-var-info-path-expression}
31657 @tab print full expression that this variable object represents
31658 @item @code{-var-show-attributes}
31659 @tab is this variable editable? does it exist here?
31660 @item @code{-var-evaluate-expression}
31661 @tab get the value of this variable
31662 @item @code{-var-assign}
31663 @tab set the value of this variable
31664 @item @code{-var-update}
31665 @tab update the variable and its children
31666 @item @code{-var-set-frozen}
31667 @tab set frozeness attribute
31668 @item @code{-var-set-update-range}
31669 @tab set range of children to display on update
31670 @end multitable
31671
31672 In the next subsection we describe each operation in detail and suggest
31673 how it can be used.
31674
31675 @subheading Description And Use of Operations on Variable Objects
31676
31677 @subheading The @code{-enable-pretty-printing} Command
31678 @findex -enable-pretty-printing
31679
31680 @smallexample
31681 -enable-pretty-printing
31682 @end smallexample
31683
31684 @value{GDBN} allows Python-based visualizers to affect the output of the
31685 MI variable object commands. However, because there was no way to
31686 implement this in a fully backward-compatible way, a front end must
31687 request that this functionality be enabled.
31688
31689 Once enabled, this feature cannot be disabled.
31690
31691 Note that if Python support has not been compiled into @value{GDBN},
31692 this command will still succeed (and do nothing).
31693
31694 This feature is currently (as of @value{GDBN} 7.0) experimental, and
31695 may work differently in future versions of @value{GDBN}.
31696
31697 @subheading The @code{-var-create} Command
31698 @findex -var-create
31699
31700 @subsubheading Synopsis
31701
31702 @smallexample
31703 -var-create @{@var{name} | "-"@}
31704 @{@var{frame-addr} | "*" | "@@"@} @var{expression}
31705 @end smallexample
31706
31707 This operation creates a variable object, which allows the monitoring of
31708 a variable, the result of an expression, a memory cell or a CPU
31709 register.
31710
31711 The @var{name} parameter is the string by which the object can be
31712 referenced. It must be unique. If @samp{-} is specified, the varobj
31713 system will generate a string ``varNNNNNN'' automatically. It will be
31714 unique provided that one does not specify @var{name} of that format.
31715 The command fails if a duplicate name is found.
31716
31717 The frame under which the expression should be evaluated can be
31718 specified by @var{frame-addr}. A @samp{*} indicates that the current
31719 frame should be used. A @samp{@@} indicates that a floating variable
31720 object must be created.
31721
31722 @var{expression} is any expression valid on the current language set (must not
31723 begin with a @samp{*}), or one of the following:
31724
31725 @itemize @bullet
31726 @item
31727 @samp{*@var{addr}}, where @var{addr} is the address of a memory cell
31728
31729 @item
31730 @samp{*@var{addr}-@var{addr}} --- a memory address range (TBD)
31731
31732 @item
31733 @samp{$@var{regname}} --- a CPU register name
31734 @end itemize
31735
31736 @cindex dynamic varobj
31737 A varobj's contents may be provided by a Python-based pretty-printer. In this
31738 case the varobj is known as a @dfn{dynamic varobj}. Dynamic varobjs
31739 have slightly different semantics in some cases. If the
31740 @code{-enable-pretty-printing} command is not sent, then @value{GDBN}
31741 will never create a dynamic varobj. This ensures backward
31742 compatibility for existing clients.
31743
31744 @subsubheading Result
31745
31746 This operation returns attributes of the newly-created varobj. These
31747 are:
31748
31749 @table @samp
31750 @item name
31751 The name of the varobj.
31752
31753 @item numchild
31754 The number of children of the varobj. This number is not necessarily
31755 reliable for a dynamic varobj. Instead, you must examine the
31756 @samp{has_more} attribute.
31757
31758 @item value
31759 The varobj's scalar value. For a varobj whose type is some sort of
31760 aggregate (e.g., a @code{struct}), or for a dynamic varobj, this value
31761 will not be interesting.
31762
31763 @item type
31764 The varobj's type. This is a string representation of the type, as
31765 would be printed by the @value{GDBN} CLI. If @samp{print object}
31766 (@pxref{Print Settings, set print object}) is set to @code{on}, the
31767 @emph{actual} (derived) type of the object is shown rather than the
31768 @emph{declared} one.
31769
31770 @item thread-id
31771 If a variable object is bound to a specific thread, then this is the
31772 thread's identifier.
31773
31774 @item has_more
31775 For a dynamic varobj, this indicates whether there appear to be any
31776 children available. For a non-dynamic varobj, this will be 0.
31777
31778 @item dynamic
31779 This attribute will be present and have the value @samp{1} if the
31780 varobj is a dynamic varobj. If the varobj is not a dynamic varobj,
31781 then this attribute will not be present.
31782
31783 @item displayhint
31784 A dynamic varobj can supply a display hint to the front end. The
31785 value comes directly from the Python pretty-printer object's
31786 @code{display_hint} method. @xref{Pretty Printing API}.
31787 @end table
31788
31789 Typical output will look like this:
31790
31791 @smallexample
31792 name="@var{name}",numchild="@var{N}",type="@var{type}",thread-id="@var{M}",
31793 has_more="@var{has_more}"
31794 @end smallexample
31795
31796
31797 @subheading The @code{-var-delete} Command
31798 @findex -var-delete
31799
31800 @subsubheading Synopsis
31801
31802 @smallexample
31803 -var-delete [ -c ] @var{name}
31804 @end smallexample
31805
31806 Deletes a previously created variable object and all of its children.
31807 With the @samp{-c} option, just deletes the children.
31808
31809 Returns an error if the object @var{name} is not found.
31810
31811
31812 @subheading The @code{-var-set-format} Command
31813 @findex -var-set-format
31814
31815 @subsubheading Synopsis
31816
31817 @smallexample
31818 -var-set-format @var{name} @var{format-spec}
31819 @end smallexample
31820
31821 Sets the output format for the value of the object @var{name} to be
31822 @var{format-spec}.
31823
31824 @anchor{-var-set-format}
31825 The syntax for the @var{format-spec} is as follows:
31826
31827 @smallexample
31828 @var{format-spec} @expansion{}
31829 @{binary | decimal | hexadecimal | octal | natural@}
31830 @end smallexample
31831
31832 The natural format is the default format choosen automatically
31833 based on the variable type (like decimal for an @code{int}, hex
31834 for pointers, etc.).
31835
31836 For a variable with children, the format is set only on the
31837 variable itself, and the children are not affected.
31838
31839 @subheading The @code{-var-show-format} Command
31840 @findex -var-show-format
31841
31842 @subsubheading Synopsis
31843
31844 @smallexample
31845 -var-show-format @var{name}
31846 @end smallexample
31847
31848 Returns the format used to display the value of the object @var{name}.
31849
31850 @smallexample
31851 @var{format} @expansion{}
31852 @var{format-spec}
31853 @end smallexample
31854
31855
31856 @subheading The @code{-var-info-num-children} Command
31857 @findex -var-info-num-children
31858
31859 @subsubheading Synopsis
31860
31861 @smallexample
31862 -var-info-num-children @var{name}
31863 @end smallexample
31864
31865 Returns the number of children of a variable object @var{name}:
31866
31867 @smallexample
31868 numchild=@var{n}
31869 @end smallexample
31870
31871 Note that this number is not completely reliable for a dynamic varobj.
31872 It will return the current number of children, but more children may
31873 be available.
31874
31875
31876 @subheading The @code{-var-list-children} Command
31877 @findex -var-list-children
31878
31879 @subsubheading Synopsis
31880
31881 @smallexample
31882 -var-list-children [@var{print-values}] @var{name} [@var{from} @var{to}]
31883 @end smallexample
31884 @anchor{-var-list-children}
31885
31886 Return a list of the children of the specified variable object and
31887 create variable objects for them, if they do not already exist. With
31888 a single argument or if @var{print-values} has a value of 0 or
31889 @code{--no-values}, print only the names of the variables; if
31890 @var{print-values} is 1 or @code{--all-values}, also print their
31891 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values} print the name and
31892 value for simple data types and just the name for arrays, structures
31893 and unions.
31894
31895 @var{from} and @var{to}, if specified, indicate the range of children
31896 to report. If @var{from} or @var{to} is less than zero, the range is
31897 reset and all children will be reported. Otherwise, children starting
31898 at @var{from} (zero-based) and up to and excluding @var{to} will be
31899 reported.
31900
31901 If a child range is requested, it will only affect the current call to
31902 @code{-var-list-children}, but not future calls to @code{-var-update}.
31903 For this, you must instead use @code{-var-set-update-range}. The
31904 intent of this approach is to enable a front end to implement any
31905 update approach it likes; for example, scrolling a view may cause the
31906 front end to request more children with @code{-var-list-children}, and
31907 then the front end could call @code{-var-set-update-range} with a
31908 different range to ensure that future updates are restricted to just
31909 the visible items.
31910
31911 For each child the following results are returned:
31912
31913 @table @var
31914
31915 @item name
31916 Name of the variable object created for this child.
31917
31918 @item exp
31919 The expression to be shown to the user by the front end to designate this child.
31920 For example this may be the name of a structure member.
31921
31922 For a dynamic varobj, this value cannot be used to form an
31923 expression. There is no way to do this at all with a dynamic varobj.
31924
31925 For C/C@t{++} structures there are several pseudo children returned to
31926 designate access qualifiers. For these pseudo children @var{exp} is
31927 @samp{public}, @samp{private}, or @samp{protected}. In this case the
31928 type and value are not present.
31929
31930 A dynamic varobj will not report the access qualifying
31931 pseudo-children, regardless of the language. This information is not
31932 available at all with a dynamic varobj.
31933
31934 @item numchild
31935 Number of children this child has. For a dynamic varobj, this will be
31936 0.
31937
31938 @item type
31939 The type of the child. If @samp{print object}
31940 (@pxref{Print Settings, set print object}) is set to @code{on}, the
31941 @emph{actual} (derived) type of the object is shown rather than the
31942 @emph{declared} one.
31943
31944 @item value
31945 If values were requested, this is the value.
31946
31947 @item thread-id
31948 If this variable object is associated with a thread, this is the thread id.
31949 Otherwise this result is not present.
31950
31951 @item frozen
31952 If the variable object is frozen, this variable will be present with a value of 1.
31953 @end table
31954
31955 The result may have its own attributes:
31956
31957 @table @samp
31958 @item displayhint
31959 A dynamic varobj can supply a display hint to the front end. The
31960 value comes directly from the Python pretty-printer object's
31961 @code{display_hint} method. @xref{Pretty Printing API}.
31962
31963 @item has_more
31964 This is an integer attribute which is nonzero if there are children
31965 remaining after the end of the selected range.
31966 @end table
31967
31968 @subsubheading Example
31969
31970 @smallexample
31971 (gdb)
31972 -var-list-children n
31973 ^done,numchild=@var{n},children=[child=@{name=@var{name},exp=@var{exp},
31974 numchild=@var{n},type=@var{type}@},@r{(repeats N times)}]
31975 (gdb)
31976 -var-list-children --all-values n
31977 ^done,numchild=@var{n},children=[child=@{name=@var{name},exp=@var{exp},
31978 numchild=@var{n},value=@var{value},type=@var{type}@},@r{(repeats N times)}]
31979 @end smallexample
31980
31981
31982 @subheading The @code{-var-info-type} Command
31983 @findex -var-info-type
31984
31985 @subsubheading Synopsis
31986
31987 @smallexample
31988 -var-info-type @var{name}
31989 @end smallexample
31990
31991 Returns the type of the specified variable @var{name}. The type is
31992 returned as a string in the same format as it is output by the
31993 @value{GDBN} CLI:
31994
31995 @smallexample
31996 type=@var{typename}
31997 @end smallexample
31998
31999
32000 @subheading The @code{-var-info-expression} Command
32001 @findex -var-info-expression
32002
32003 @subsubheading Synopsis
32004
32005 @smallexample
32006 -var-info-expression @var{name}
32007 @end smallexample
32008
32009 Returns a string that is suitable for presenting this
32010 variable object in user interface. The string is generally
32011 not valid expression in the current language, and cannot be evaluated.
32012
32013 For example, if @code{a} is an array, and variable object
32014 @code{A} was created for @code{a}, then we'll get this output:
32015
32016 @smallexample
32017 (gdb) -var-info-expression A.1
32018 ^done,lang="C",exp="1"
32019 @end smallexample
32020
32021 @noindent
32022 Here, the values of @code{lang} can be @code{@{"C" | "C++" | "Java"@}}.
32023
32024 Note that the output of the @code{-var-list-children} command also
32025 includes those expressions, so the @code{-var-info-expression} command
32026 is of limited use.
32027
32028 @subheading The @code{-var-info-path-expression} Command
32029 @findex -var-info-path-expression
32030
32031 @subsubheading Synopsis
32032
32033 @smallexample
32034 -var-info-path-expression @var{name}
32035 @end smallexample
32036
32037 Returns an expression that can be evaluated in the current
32038 context and will yield the same value that a variable object has.
32039 Compare this with the @code{-var-info-expression} command, which
32040 result can be used only for UI presentation. Typical use of
32041 the @code{-var-info-path-expression} command is creating a
32042 watchpoint from a variable object.
32043
32044 This command is currently not valid for children of a dynamic varobj,
32045 and will give an error when invoked on one.
32046
32047 For example, suppose @code{C} is a C@t{++} class, derived from class
32048 @code{Base}, and that the @code{Base} class has a member called
32049 @code{m_size}. Assume a variable @code{c} is has the type of
32050 @code{C} and a variable object @code{C} was created for variable
32051 @code{c}. Then, we'll get this output:
32052 @smallexample
32053 (gdb) -var-info-path-expression C.Base.public.m_size
32054 ^done,path_expr=((Base)c).m_size)
32055 @end smallexample
32056
32057 @subheading The @code{-var-show-attributes} Command
32058 @findex -var-show-attributes
32059
32060 @subsubheading Synopsis
32061
32062 @smallexample
32063 -var-show-attributes @var{name}
32064 @end smallexample
32065
32066 List attributes of the specified variable object @var{name}:
32067
32068 @smallexample
32069 status=@var{attr} [ ( ,@var{attr} )* ]
32070 @end smallexample
32071
32072 @noindent
32073 where @var{attr} is @code{@{ @{ editable | noneditable @} | TBD @}}.
32074
32075 @subheading The @code{-var-evaluate-expression} Command
32076 @findex -var-evaluate-expression
32077
32078 @subsubheading Synopsis
32079
32080 @smallexample
32081 -var-evaluate-expression [-f @var{format-spec}] @var{name}
32082 @end smallexample
32083
32084 Evaluates the expression that is represented by the specified variable
32085 object and returns its value as a string. The format of the string
32086 can be specified with the @samp{-f} option. The possible values of
32087 this option are the same as for @code{-var-set-format}
32088 (@pxref{-var-set-format}). If the @samp{-f} option is not specified,
32089 the current display format will be used. The current display format
32090 can be changed using the @code{-var-set-format} command.
32091
32092 @smallexample
32093 value=@var{value}
32094 @end smallexample
32095
32096 Note that one must invoke @code{-var-list-children} for a variable
32097 before the value of a child variable can be evaluated.
32098
32099 @subheading The @code{-var-assign} Command
32100 @findex -var-assign
32101
32102 @subsubheading Synopsis
32103
32104 @smallexample
32105 -var-assign @var{name} @var{expression}
32106 @end smallexample
32107
32108 Assigns the value of @var{expression} to the variable object specified
32109 by @var{name}. The object must be @samp{editable}. If the variable's
32110 value is altered by the assign, the variable will show up in any
32111 subsequent @code{-var-update} list.
32112
32113 @subsubheading Example
32114
32115 @smallexample
32116 (gdb)
32117 -var-assign var1 3
32118 ^done,value="3"
32119 (gdb)
32120 -var-update *
32121 ^done,changelist=[@{name="var1",in_scope="true",type_changed="false"@}]
32122 (gdb)
32123 @end smallexample
32124
32125 @subheading The @code{-var-update} Command
32126 @findex -var-update
32127
32128 @subsubheading Synopsis
32129
32130 @smallexample
32131 -var-update [@var{print-values}] @{@var{name} | "*"@}
32132 @end smallexample
32133
32134 Reevaluate the expressions corresponding to the variable object
32135 @var{name} and all its direct and indirect children, and return the
32136 list of variable objects whose values have changed; @var{name} must
32137 be a root variable object. Here, ``changed'' means that the result of
32138 @code{-var-evaluate-expression} before and after the
32139 @code{-var-update} is different. If @samp{*} is used as the variable
32140 object names, all existing variable objects are updated, except
32141 for frozen ones (@pxref{-var-set-frozen}). The option
32142 @var{print-values} determines whether both names and values, or just
32143 names are printed. The possible values of this option are the same
32144 as for @code{-var-list-children} (@pxref{-var-list-children}). It is
32145 recommended to use the @samp{--all-values} option, to reduce the
32146 number of MI commands needed on each program stop.
32147
32148 With the @samp{*} parameter, if a variable object is bound to a
32149 currently running thread, it will not be updated, without any
32150 diagnostic.
32151
32152 If @code{-var-set-update-range} was previously used on a varobj, then
32153 only the selected range of children will be reported.
32154
32155 @code{-var-update} reports all the changed varobjs in a tuple named
32156 @samp{changelist}.
32157
32158 Each item in the change list is itself a tuple holding:
32159
32160 @table @samp
32161 @item name
32162 The name of the varobj.
32163
32164 @item value
32165 If values were requested for this update, then this field will be
32166 present and will hold the value of the varobj.
32167
32168 @item in_scope
32169 @anchor{-var-update}
32170 This field is a string which may take one of three values:
32171
32172 @table @code
32173 @item "true"
32174 The variable object's current value is valid.
32175
32176 @item "false"
32177 The variable object does not currently hold a valid value but it may
32178 hold one in the future if its associated expression comes back into
32179 scope.
32180
32181 @item "invalid"
32182 The variable object no longer holds a valid value.
32183 This can occur when the executable file being debugged has changed,
32184 either through recompilation or by using the @value{GDBN} @code{file}
32185 command. The front end should normally choose to delete these variable
32186 objects.
32187 @end table
32188
32189 In the future new values may be added to this list so the front should
32190 be prepared for this possibility. @xref{GDB/MI Development and Front Ends, ,@sc{GDB/MI} Development and Front Ends}.
32191
32192 @item type_changed
32193 This is only present if the varobj is still valid. If the type
32194 changed, then this will be the string @samp{true}; otherwise it will
32195 be @samp{false}.
32196
32197 When a varobj's type changes, its children are also likely to have
32198 become incorrect. Therefore, the varobj's children are automatically
32199 deleted when this attribute is @samp{true}. Also, the varobj's update
32200 range, when set using the @code{-var-set-update-range} command, is
32201 unset.
32202
32203 @item new_type
32204 If the varobj's type changed, then this field will be present and will
32205 hold the new type.
32206
32207 @item new_num_children
32208 For a dynamic varobj, if the number of children changed, or if the
32209 type changed, this will be the new number of children.
32210
32211 The @samp{numchild} field in other varobj responses is generally not
32212 valid for a dynamic varobj -- it will show the number of children that
32213 @value{GDBN} knows about, but because dynamic varobjs lazily
32214 instantiate their children, this will not reflect the number of
32215 children which may be available.
32216
32217 The @samp{new_num_children} attribute only reports changes to the
32218 number of children known by @value{GDBN}. This is the only way to
32219 detect whether an update has removed children (which necessarily can
32220 only happen at the end of the update range).
32221
32222 @item displayhint
32223 The display hint, if any.
32224
32225 @item has_more
32226 This is an integer value, which will be 1 if there are more children
32227 available outside the varobj's update range.
32228
32229 @item dynamic
32230 This attribute will be present and have the value @samp{1} if the
32231 varobj is a dynamic varobj. If the varobj is not a dynamic varobj,
32232 then this attribute will not be present.
32233
32234 @item new_children
32235 If new children were added to a dynamic varobj within the selected
32236 update range (as set by @code{-var-set-update-range}), then they will
32237 be listed in this attribute.
32238 @end table
32239
32240 @subsubheading Example
32241
32242 @smallexample
32243 (gdb)
32244 -var-assign var1 3
32245 ^done,value="3"
32246 (gdb)
32247 -var-update --all-values var1
32248 ^done,changelist=[@{name="var1",value="3",in_scope="true",
32249 type_changed="false"@}]
32250 (gdb)
32251 @end smallexample
32252
32253 @subheading The @code{-var-set-frozen} Command
32254 @findex -var-set-frozen
32255 @anchor{-var-set-frozen}
32256
32257 @subsubheading Synopsis
32258
32259 @smallexample
32260 -var-set-frozen @var{name} @var{flag}
32261 @end smallexample
32262
32263 Set the frozenness flag on the variable object @var{name}. The
32264 @var{flag} parameter should be either @samp{1} to make the variable
32265 frozen or @samp{0} to make it unfrozen. If a variable object is
32266 frozen, then neither itself, nor any of its children, are
32267 implicitly updated by @code{-var-update} of
32268 a parent variable or by @code{-var-update *}. Only
32269 @code{-var-update} of the variable itself will update its value and
32270 values of its children. After a variable object is unfrozen, it is
32271 implicitly updated by all subsequent @code{-var-update} operations.
32272 Unfreezing a variable does not update it, only subsequent
32273 @code{-var-update} does.
32274
32275 @subsubheading Example
32276
32277 @smallexample
32278 (gdb)
32279 -var-set-frozen V 1
32280 ^done
32281 (gdb)
32282 @end smallexample
32283
32284 @subheading The @code{-var-set-update-range} command
32285 @findex -var-set-update-range
32286 @anchor{-var-set-update-range}
32287
32288 @subsubheading Synopsis
32289
32290 @smallexample
32291 -var-set-update-range @var{name} @var{from} @var{to}
32292 @end smallexample
32293
32294 Set the range of children to be returned by future invocations of
32295 @code{-var-update}.
32296
32297 @var{from} and @var{to} indicate the range of children to report. If
32298 @var{from} or @var{to} is less than zero, the range is reset and all
32299 children will be reported. Otherwise, children starting at @var{from}
32300 (zero-based) and up to and excluding @var{to} will be reported.
32301
32302 @subsubheading Example
32303
32304 @smallexample
32305 (gdb)
32306 -var-set-update-range V 1 2
32307 ^done
32308 @end smallexample
32309
32310 @subheading The @code{-var-set-visualizer} command
32311 @findex -var-set-visualizer
32312 @anchor{-var-set-visualizer}
32313
32314 @subsubheading Synopsis
32315
32316 @smallexample
32317 -var-set-visualizer @var{name} @var{visualizer}
32318 @end smallexample
32319
32320 Set a visualizer for the variable object @var{name}.
32321
32322 @var{visualizer} is the visualizer to use. The special value
32323 @samp{None} means to disable any visualizer in use.
32324
32325 If not @samp{None}, @var{visualizer} must be a Python expression.
32326 This expression must evaluate to a callable object which accepts a
32327 single argument. @value{GDBN} will call this object with the value of
32328 the varobj @var{name} as an argument (this is done so that the same
32329 Python pretty-printing code can be used for both the CLI and MI).
32330 When called, this object must return an object which conforms to the
32331 pretty-printing interface (@pxref{Pretty Printing API}).
32332
32333 The pre-defined function @code{gdb.default_visualizer} may be used to
32334 select a visualizer by following the built-in process
32335 (@pxref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}). This is done automatically when
32336 a varobj is created, and so ordinarily is not needed.
32337
32338 This feature is only available if Python support is enabled. The MI
32339 command @code{-list-features} (@pxref{GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands})
32340 can be used to check this.
32341
32342 @subsubheading Example
32343
32344 Resetting the visualizer:
32345
32346 @smallexample
32347 (gdb)
32348 -var-set-visualizer V None
32349 ^done
32350 @end smallexample
32351
32352 Reselecting the default (type-based) visualizer:
32353
32354 @smallexample
32355 (gdb)
32356 -var-set-visualizer V gdb.default_visualizer
32357 ^done
32358 @end smallexample
32359
32360 Suppose @code{SomeClass} is a visualizer class. A lambda expression
32361 can be used to instantiate this class for a varobj:
32362
32363 @smallexample
32364 (gdb)
32365 -var-set-visualizer V "lambda val: SomeClass()"
32366 ^done
32367 @end smallexample
32368
32369 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
32370 @node GDB/MI Data Manipulation
32371 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Data Manipulation
32372
32373 @cindex data manipulation, in @sc{gdb/mi}
32374 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, data manipulation
32375 This section describes the @sc{gdb/mi} commands that manipulate data:
32376 examine memory and registers, evaluate expressions, etc.
32377
32378 @c REMOVED FROM THE INTERFACE.
32379 @c @subheading -data-assign
32380 @c Change the value of a program variable. Plenty of side effects.
32381 @c @subsubheading GDB Command
32382 @c set variable
32383 @c @subsubheading Example
32384 @c N.A.
32385
32386 @subheading The @code{-data-disassemble} Command
32387 @findex -data-disassemble
32388
32389 @subsubheading Synopsis
32390
32391 @smallexample
32392 -data-disassemble
32393 [ -s @var{start-addr} -e @var{end-addr} ]
32394 | [ -f @var{filename} -l @var{linenum} [ -n @var{lines} ] ]
32395 -- @var{mode}
32396 @end smallexample
32397
32398 @noindent
32399 Where:
32400
32401 @table @samp
32402 @item @var{start-addr}
32403 is the beginning address (or @code{$pc})
32404 @item @var{end-addr}
32405 is the end address
32406 @item @var{filename}
32407 is the name of the file to disassemble
32408 @item @var{linenum}
32409 is the line number to disassemble around
32410 @item @var{lines}
32411 is the number of disassembly lines to be produced. If it is -1,
32412 the whole function will be disassembled, in case no @var{end-addr} is
32413 specified. If @var{end-addr} is specified as a non-zero value, and
32414 @var{lines} is lower than the number of disassembly lines between
32415 @var{start-addr} and @var{end-addr}, only @var{lines} lines are
32416 displayed; if @var{lines} is higher than the number of lines between
32417 @var{start-addr} and @var{end-addr}, only the lines up to @var{end-addr}
32418 are displayed.
32419 @item @var{mode}
32420 is either 0 (meaning only disassembly), 1 (meaning mixed source and
32421 disassembly), 2 (meaning disassembly with raw opcodes), or 3 (meaning
32422 mixed source and disassembly with raw opcodes).
32423 @end table
32424
32425 @subsubheading Result
32426
32427 The result of the @code{-data-disassemble} command will be a list named
32428 @samp{asm_insns}, the contents of this list depend on the @var{mode}
32429 used with the @code{-data-disassemble} command.
32430
32431 For modes 0 and 2 the @samp{asm_insns} list contains tuples with the
32432 following fields:
32433
32434 @table @code
32435 @item address
32436 The address at which this instruction was disassembled.
32437
32438 @item func-name
32439 The name of the function this instruction is within.
32440
32441 @item offset
32442 The decimal offset in bytes from the start of @samp{func-name}.
32443
32444 @item inst
32445 The text disassembly for this @samp{address}.
32446
32447 @item opcodes
32448 This field is only present for mode 2. This contains the raw opcode
32449 bytes for the @samp{inst} field.
32450
32451 @end table
32452
32453 For modes 1 and 3 the @samp{asm_insns} list contains tuples named
32454 @samp{src_and_asm_line}, each of which has the following fields:
32455
32456 @table @code
32457 @item line
32458 The line number within @samp{file}.
32459
32460 @item file
32461 The file name from the compilation unit. This might be an absolute
32462 file name or a relative file name depending on the compile command
32463 used.
32464
32465 @item fullname
32466 Absolute file name of @samp{file}. It is converted to a canonical form
32467 using the source file search path
32468 (@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying Source Directories})
32469 and after resolving all the symbolic links.
32470
32471 If the source file is not found this field will contain the path as
32472 present in the debug information.
32473
32474 @item line_asm_insn
32475 This is a list of tuples containing the disassembly for @samp{line} in
32476 @samp{file}. The fields of each tuple are the same as for
32477 @code{-data-disassemble} in @var{mode} 0 and 2, so @samp{address},
32478 @samp{func-name}, @samp{offset}, @samp{inst}, and optionally
32479 @samp{opcodes}.
32480
32481 @end table
32482
32483 Note that whatever included in the @samp{inst} field, is not
32484 manipulated directly by @sc{gdb/mi}, i.e., it is not possible to
32485 adjust its format.
32486
32487 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32488
32489 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disassemble}.
32490
32491 @subsubheading Example
32492
32493 Disassemble from the current value of @code{$pc} to @code{$pc + 20}:
32494
32495 @smallexample
32496 (gdb)
32497 -data-disassemble -s $pc -e "$pc + 20" -- 0
32498 ^done,
32499 asm_insns=[
32500 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
32501 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
32502 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
32503 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
32504 @{address="0x000107c8",func-name="main",offset="12",
32505 inst="or %o2, 0x140, %o1\t! 0x11940 <_lib_version+8>"@},
32506 @{address="0x000107cc",func-name="main",offset="16",
32507 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
32508 @{address="0x000107d0",func-name="main",offset="20",
32509 inst="or %o2, 0x168, %o4\t! 0x11968 <_lib_version+48>"@}]
32510 (gdb)
32511 @end smallexample
32512
32513 Disassemble the whole @code{main} function. Line 32 is part of
32514 @code{main}.
32515
32516 @smallexample
32517 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -- 0
32518 ^done,asm_insns=[
32519 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
32520 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@},
32521 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
32522 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
32523 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
32524 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
32525 [@dots{}]
32526 @{address="0x0001081c",func-name="main",offset="96",inst="ret "@},
32527 @{address="0x00010820",func-name="main",offset="100",inst="restore "@}]
32528 (gdb)
32529 @end smallexample
32530
32531 Disassemble 3 instructions from the start of @code{main}:
32532
32533 @smallexample
32534 (gdb)
32535 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -n 3 -- 0
32536 ^done,asm_insns=[
32537 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
32538 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@},
32539 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
32540 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
32541 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
32542 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@}]
32543 (gdb)
32544 @end smallexample
32545
32546 Disassemble 3 instructions from the start of @code{main} in mixed mode:
32547
32548 @smallexample
32549 (gdb)
32550 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -n 3 -- 1
32551 ^done,asm_insns=[
32552 src_and_asm_line=@{line="31",
32553 file="../../../src/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
32554 fullname="/absolute/path/to/src/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
32555 line_asm_insn=[@{address="0x000107bc",
32556 func-name="main",offset="0",inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@}]@},
32557 src_and_asm_line=@{line="32",
32558 file="../../../src/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
32559 fullname="/absolute/path/to/src/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
32560 line_asm_insn=[@{address="0x000107c0",
32561 func-name="main",offset="4",inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
32562 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
32563 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@}]@}]
32564 (gdb)
32565 @end smallexample
32566
32567
32568 @subheading The @code{-data-evaluate-expression} Command
32569 @findex -data-evaluate-expression
32570
32571 @subsubheading Synopsis
32572
32573 @smallexample
32574 -data-evaluate-expression @var{expr}
32575 @end smallexample
32576
32577 Evaluate @var{expr} as an expression. The expression could contain an
32578 inferior function call. The function call will execute synchronously.
32579 If the expression contains spaces, it must be enclosed in double quotes.
32580
32581 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32582
32583 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{print}, @samp{output}, and
32584 @samp{call}. In @code{gdbtk} only, there's a corresponding
32585 @samp{gdb_eval} command.
32586
32587 @subsubheading Example
32588
32589 In the following example, the numbers that precede the commands are the
32590 @dfn{tokens} described in @ref{GDB/MI Command Syntax, ,@sc{gdb/mi}
32591 Command Syntax}. Notice how @sc{gdb/mi} returns the same tokens in its
32592 output.
32593
32594 @smallexample
32595 211-data-evaluate-expression A
32596 211^done,value="1"
32597 (gdb)
32598 311-data-evaluate-expression &A
32599 311^done,value="0xefffeb7c"
32600 (gdb)
32601 411-data-evaluate-expression A+3
32602 411^done,value="4"
32603 (gdb)
32604 511-data-evaluate-expression "A + 3"
32605 511^done,value="4"
32606 (gdb)
32607 @end smallexample
32608
32609
32610 @subheading The @code{-data-list-changed-registers} Command
32611 @findex -data-list-changed-registers
32612
32613 @subsubheading Synopsis
32614
32615 @smallexample
32616 -data-list-changed-registers
32617 @end smallexample
32618
32619 Display a list of the registers that have changed.
32620
32621 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32622
32623 @value{GDBN} doesn't have a direct analog for this command; @code{gdbtk}
32624 has the corresponding command @samp{gdb_changed_register_list}.
32625
32626 @subsubheading Example
32627
32628 On a PPC MBX board:
32629
32630 @smallexample
32631 (gdb)
32632 -exec-continue
32633 ^running
32634
32635 (gdb)
32636 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",frame=@{
32637 func="main",args=[],file="try.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",
32638 line="5"@}
32639 (gdb)
32640 -data-list-changed-registers
32641 ^done,changed-registers=["0","1","2","4","5","6","7","8","9",
32642 "10","11","13","14","15","16","17","18","19","20","21","22","23",
32643 "24","25","26","27","28","30","31","64","65","66","67","69"]
32644 (gdb)
32645 @end smallexample
32646
32647
32648 @subheading The @code{-data-list-register-names} Command
32649 @findex -data-list-register-names
32650
32651 @subsubheading Synopsis
32652
32653 @smallexample
32654 -data-list-register-names [ ( @var{regno} )+ ]
32655 @end smallexample
32656
32657 Show a list of register names for the current target. If no arguments
32658 are given, it shows a list of the names of all the registers. If
32659 integer numbers are given as arguments, it will print a list of the
32660 names of the registers corresponding to the arguments. To ensure
32661 consistency between a register name and its number, the output list may
32662 include empty register names.
32663
32664 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32665
32666 @value{GDBN} does not have a command which corresponds to
32667 @samp{-data-list-register-names}. In @code{gdbtk} there is a
32668 corresponding command @samp{gdb_regnames}.
32669
32670 @subsubheading Example
32671
32672 For the PPC MBX board:
32673 @smallexample
32674 (gdb)
32675 -data-list-register-names
32676 ^done,register-names=["r0","r1","r2","r3","r4","r5","r6","r7",
32677 "r8","r9","r10","r11","r12","r13","r14","r15","r16","r17","r18",
32678 "r19","r20","r21","r22","r23","r24","r25","r26","r27","r28","r29",
32679 "r30","r31","f0","f1","f2","f3","f4","f5","f6","f7","f8","f9",
32680 "f10","f11","f12","f13","f14","f15","f16","f17","f18","f19","f20",
32681 "f21","f22","f23","f24","f25","f26","f27","f28","f29","f30","f31",
32682 "", "pc","ps","cr","lr","ctr","xer"]
32683 (gdb)
32684 -data-list-register-names 1 2 3
32685 ^done,register-names=["r1","r2","r3"]
32686 (gdb)
32687 @end smallexample
32688
32689 @subheading The @code{-data-list-register-values} Command
32690 @findex -data-list-register-values
32691
32692 @subsubheading Synopsis
32693
32694 @smallexample
32695 -data-list-register-values @var{fmt} [ ( @var{regno} )*]
32696 @end smallexample
32697
32698 Display the registers' contents. @var{fmt} is the format according to
32699 which the registers' contents are to be returned, followed by an optional
32700 list of numbers specifying the registers to display. A missing list of
32701 numbers indicates that the contents of all the registers must be returned.
32702
32703 Allowed formats for @var{fmt} are:
32704
32705 @table @code
32706 @item x
32707 Hexadecimal
32708 @item o
32709 Octal
32710 @item t
32711 Binary
32712 @item d
32713 Decimal
32714 @item r
32715 Raw
32716 @item N
32717 Natural
32718 @end table
32719
32720 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32721
32722 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{info reg}, @samp{info
32723 all-reg}, and (in @code{gdbtk}) @samp{gdb_fetch_registers}.
32724
32725 @subsubheading Example
32726
32727 For a PPC MBX board (note: line breaks are for readability only, they
32728 don't appear in the actual output):
32729
32730 @smallexample
32731 (gdb)
32732 -data-list-register-values r 64 65
32733 ^done,register-values=[@{number="64",value="0xfe00a300"@},
32734 @{number="65",value="0x00029002"@}]
32735 (gdb)
32736 -data-list-register-values x
32737 ^done,register-values=[@{number="0",value="0xfe0043c8"@},
32738 @{number="1",value="0x3fff88"@},@{number="2",value="0xfffffffe"@},
32739 @{number="3",value="0x0"@},@{number="4",value="0xa"@},
32740 @{number="5",value="0x3fff68"@},@{number="6",value="0x3fff58"@},
32741 @{number="7",value="0xfe011e98"@},@{number="8",value="0x2"@},
32742 @{number="9",value="0xfa202820"@},@{number="10",value="0xfa202808"@},
32743 @{number="11",value="0x1"@},@{number="12",value="0x0"@},
32744 @{number="13",value="0x4544"@},@{number="14",value="0xffdfffff"@},
32745 @{number="15",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="16",value="0xfffffeff"@},
32746 @{number="17",value="0xefffffed"@},@{number="18",value="0xfffffffe"@},
32747 @{number="19",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="20",value="0xffffffff"@},
32748 @{number="21",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="22",value="0xfffffff7"@},
32749 @{number="23",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="24",value="0xffffffff"@},
32750 @{number="25",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="26",value="0xfffffffb"@},
32751 @{number="27",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="28",value="0xf7bfffff"@},
32752 @{number="29",value="0x0"@},@{number="30",value="0xfe010000"@},
32753 @{number="31",value="0x0"@},@{number="32",value="0x0"@},
32754 @{number="33",value="0x0"@},@{number="34",value="0x0"@},
32755 @{number="35",value="0x0"@},@{number="36",value="0x0"@},
32756 @{number="37",value="0x0"@},@{number="38",value="0x0"@},
32757 @{number="39",value="0x0"@},@{number="40",value="0x0"@},
32758 @{number="41",value="0x0"@},@{number="42",value="0x0"@},
32759 @{number="43",value="0x0"@},@{number="44",value="0x0"@},
32760 @{number="45",value="0x0"@},@{number="46",value="0x0"@},
32761 @{number="47",value="0x0"@},@{number="48",value="0x0"@},
32762 @{number="49",value="0x0"@},@{number="50",value="0x0"@},
32763 @{number="51",value="0x0"@},@{number="52",value="0x0"@},
32764 @{number="53",value="0x0"@},@{number="54",value="0x0"@},
32765 @{number="55",value="0x0"@},@{number="56",value="0x0"@},
32766 @{number="57",value="0x0"@},@{number="58",value="0x0"@},
32767 @{number="59",value="0x0"@},@{number="60",value="0x0"@},
32768 @{number="61",value="0x0"@},@{number="62",value="0x0"@},
32769 @{number="63",value="0x0"@},@{number="64",value="0xfe00a300"@},
32770 @{number="65",value="0x29002"@},@{number="66",value="0x202f04b5"@},
32771 @{number="67",value="0xfe0043b0"@},@{number="68",value="0xfe00b3e4"@},
32772 @{number="69",value="0x20002b03"@}]
32773 (gdb)
32774 @end smallexample
32775
32776
32777 @subheading The @code{-data-read-memory} Command
32778 @findex -data-read-memory
32779
32780 This command is deprecated, use @code{-data-read-memory-bytes} instead.
32781
32782 @subsubheading Synopsis
32783
32784 @smallexample
32785 -data-read-memory [ -o @var{byte-offset} ]
32786 @var{address} @var{word-format} @var{word-size}
32787 @var{nr-rows} @var{nr-cols} [ @var{aschar} ]
32788 @end smallexample
32789
32790 @noindent
32791 where:
32792
32793 @table @samp
32794 @item @var{address}
32795 An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
32796 read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
32797 quoted using the C convention.
32798
32799 @item @var{word-format}
32800 The format to be used to print the memory words. The notation is the
32801 same as for @value{GDBN}'s @code{print} command (@pxref{Output Formats,
32802 ,Output Formats}).
32803
32804 @item @var{word-size}
32805 The size of each memory word in bytes.
32806
32807 @item @var{nr-rows}
32808 The number of rows in the output table.
32809
32810 @item @var{nr-cols}
32811 The number of columns in the output table.
32812
32813 @item @var{aschar}
32814 If present, indicates that each row should include an @sc{ascii} dump. The
32815 value of @var{aschar} is used as a padding character when a byte is not a
32816 member of the printable @sc{ascii} character set (printable @sc{ascii}
32817 characters are those whose code is between 32 and 126, inclusively).
32818
32819 @item @var{byte-offset}
32820 An offset to add to the @var{address} before fetching memory.
32821 @end table
32822
32823 This command displays memory contents as a table of @var{nr-rows} by
32824 @var{nr-cols} words, each word being @var{word-size} bytes. In total,
32825 @code{@var{nr-rows} * @var{nr-cols} * @var{word-size}} bytes are read
32826 (returned as @samp{total-bytes}). Should less than the requested number
32827 of bytes be returned by the target, the missing words are identified
32828 using @samp{N/A}. The number of bytes read from the target is returned
32829 in @samp{nr-bytes} and the starting address used to read memory in
32830 @samp{addr}.
32831
32832 The address of the next/previous row or page is available in
32833 @samp{next-row} and @samp{prev-row}, @samp{next-page} and
32834 @samp{prev-page}.
32835
32836 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32837
32838 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{x}. @code{gdbtk} has
32839 @samp{gdb_get_mem} memory read command.
32840
32841 @subsubheading Example
32842
32843 Read six bytes of memory starting at @code{bytes+6} but then offset by
32844 @code{-6} bytes. Format as three rows of two columns. One byte per
32845 word. Display each word in hex.
32846
32847 @smallexample
32848 (gdb)
32849 9-data-read-memory -o -6 -- bytes+6 x 1 3 2
32850 9^done,addr="0x00001390",nr-bytes="6",total-bytes="6",
32851 next-row="0x00001396",prev-row="0x0000138e",next-page="0x00001396",
32852 prev-page="0x0000138a",memory=[
32853 @{addr="0x00001390",data=["0x00","0x01"]@},
32854 @{addr="0x00001392",data=["0x02","0x03"]@},
32855 @{addr="0x00001394",data=["0x04","0x05"]@}]
32856 (gdb)
32857 @end smallexample
32858
32859 Read two bytes of memory starting at address @code{shorts + 64} and
32860 display as a single word formatted in decimal.
32861
32862 @smallexample
32863 (gdb)
32864 5-data-read-memory shorts+64 d 2 1 1
32865 5^done,addr="0x00001510",nr-bytes="2",total-bytes="2",
32866 next-row="0x00001512",prev-row="0x0000150e",
32867 next-page="0x00001512",prev-page="0x0000150e",memory=[
32868 @{addr="0x00001510",data=["128"]@}]
32869 (gdb)
32870 @end smallexample
32871
32872 Read thirty two bytes of memory starting at @code{bytes+16} and format
32873 as eight rows of four columns. Include a string encoding with @samp{x}
32874 used as the non-printable character.
32875
32876 @smallexample
32877 (gdb)
32878 4-data-read-memory bytes+16 x 1 8 4 x
32879 4^done,addr="0x000013a0",nr-bytes="32",total-bytes="32",
32880 next-row="0x000013c0",prev-row="0x0000139c",
32881 next-page="0x000013c0",prev-page="0x00001380",memory=[
32882 @{addr="0x000013a0",data=["0x10","0x11","0x12","0x13"],ascii="xxxx"@},
32883 @{addr="0x000013a4",data=["0x14","0x15","0x16","0x17"],ascii="xxxx"@},
32884 @{addr="0x000013a8",data=["0x18","0x19","0x1a","0x1b"],ascii="xxxx"@},
32885 @{addr="0x000013ac",data=["0x1c","0x1d","0x1e","0x1f"],ascii="xxxx"@},
32886 @{addr="0x000013b0",data=["0x20","0x21","0x22","0x23"],ascii=" !\"#"@},
32887 @{addr="0x000013b4",data=["0x24","0x25","0x26","0x27"],ascii="$%&'"@},
32888 @{addr="0x000013b8",data=["0x28","0x29","0x2a","0x2b"],ascii="()*+"@},
32889 @{addr="0x000013bc",data=["0x2c","0x2d","0x2e","0x2f"],ascii=",-./"@}]
32890 (gdb)
32891 @end smallexample
32892
32893 @subheading The @code{-data-read-memory-bytes} Command
32894 @findex -data-read-memory-bytes
32895
32896 @subsubheading Synopsis
32897
32898 @smallexample
32899 -data-read-memory-bytes [ -o @var{byte-offset} ]
32900 @var{address} @var{count}
32901 @end smallexample
32902
32903 @noindent
32904 where:
32905
32906 @table @samp
32907 @item @var{address}
32908 An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
32909 read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
32910 quoted using the C convention.
32911
32912 @item @var{count}
32913 The number of bytes to read. This should be an integer literal.
32914
32915 @item @var{byte-offset}
32916 The offsets in bytes relative to @var{address} at which to start
32917 reading. This should be an integer literal. This option is provided
32918 so that a frontend is not required to first evaluate address and then
32919 perform address arithmetics itself.
32920
32921 @end table
32922
32923 This command attempts to read all accessible memory regions in the
32924 specified range. First, all regions marked as unreadable in the memory
32925 map (if one is defined) will be skipped. @xref{Memory Region
32926 Attributes}. Second, @value{GDBN} will attempt to read the remaining
32927 regions. For each one, if reading full region results in an errors,
32928 @value{GDBN} will try to read a subset of the region.
32929
32930 In general, every single byte in the region may be readable or not,
32931 and the only way to read every readable byte is to try a read at
32932 every address, which is not practical. Therefore, @value{GDBN} will
32933 attempt to read all accessible bytes at either beginning or the end
32934 of the region, using a binary division scheme. This heuristic works
32935 well for reading accross a memory map boundary. Note that if a region
32936 has a readable range that is neither at the beginning or the end,
32937 @value{GDBN} will not read it.
32938
32939 The result record (@pxref{GDB/MI Result Records}) that is output of
32940 the command includes a field named @samp{memory} whose content is a
32941 list of tuples. Each tuple represent a successfully read memory block
32942 and has the following fields:
32943
32944 @table @code
32945 @item begin
32946 The start address of the memory block, as hexadecimal literal.
32947
32948 @item end
32949 The end address of the memory block, as hexadecimal literal.
32950
32951 @item offset
32952 The offset of the memory block, as hexadecimal literal, relative to
32953 the start address passed to @code{-data-read-memory-bytes}.
32954
32955 @item contents
32956 The contents of the memory block, in hex.
32957
32958 @end table
32959
32960
32961
32962 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32963
32964 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{x}.
32965
32966 @subsubheading Example
32967
32968 @smallexample
32969 (gdb)
32970 -data-read-memory-bytes &a 10
32971 ^done,memory=[@{begin="0xbffff154",offset="0x00000000",
32972 end="0xbffff15e",
32973 contents="01000000020000000300"@}]
32974 (gdb)
32975 @end smallexample
32976
32977
32978 @subheading The @code{-data-write-memory-bytes} Command
32979 @findex -data-write-memory-bytes
32980
32981 @subsubheading Synopsis
32982
32983 @smallexample
32984 -data-write-memory-bytes @var{address} @var{contents}
32985 -data-write-memory-bytes @var{address} @var{contents} @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
32986 @end smallexample
32987
32988 @noindent
32989 where:
32990
32991 @table @samp
32992 @item @var{address}
32993 An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
32994 read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
32995 quoted using the C convention.
32996
32997 @item @var{contents}
32998 The hex-encoded bytes to write.
32999
33000 @item @var{count}
33001 Optional argument indicating the number of bytes to be written. If @var{count}
33002 is greater than @var{contents}' length, @value{GDBN} will repeatedly
33003 write @var{contents} until it fills @var{count} bytes.
33004
33005 @end table
33006
33007 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33008
33009 There's no corresponding @value{GDBN} command.
33010
33011 @subsubheading Example
33012
33013 @smallexample
33014 (gdb)
33015 -data-write-memory-bytes &a "aabbccdd"
33016 ^done
33017 (gdb)
33018 @end smallexample
33019
33020 @smallexample
33021 (gdb)
33022 -data-write-memory-bytes &a "aabbccdd" 16e
33023 ^done
33024 (gdb)
33025 @end smallexample
33026
33027 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
33028 @node GDB/MI Tracepoint Commands
33029 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Tracepoint Commands
33030
33031 The commands defined in this section implement MI support for
33032 tracepoints. For detailed introduction, see @ref{Tracepoints}.
33033
33034 @subheading The @code{-trace-find} Command
33035 @findex -trace-find
33036
33037 @subsubheading Synopsis
33038
33039 @smallexample
33040 -trace-find @var{mode} [@var{parameters}@dots{}]
33041 @end smallexample
33042
33043 Find a trace frame using criteria defined by @var{mode} and
33044 @var{parameters}. The following table lists permissible
33045 modes and their parameters. For details of operation, see @ref{tfind}.
33046
33047 @table @samp
33048
33049 @item none
33050 No parameters are required. Stops examining trace frames.
33051
33052 @item frame-number
33053 An integer is required as parameter. Selects tracepoint frame with
33054 that index.
33055
33056 @item tracepoint-number
33057 An integer is required as parameter. Finds next
33058 trace frame that corresponds to tracepoint with the specified number.
33059
33060 @item pc
33061 An address is required as parameter. Finds
33062 next trace frame that corresponds to any tracepoint at the specified
33063 address.
33064
33065 @item pc-inside-range
33066 Two addresses are required as parameters. Finds next trace
33067 frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at an address inside the
33068 specified range. Both bounds are considered to be inside the range.
33069
33070 @item pc-outside-range
33071 Two addresses are required as parameters. Finds
33072 next trace frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at an address outside
33073 the specified range. Both bounds are considered to be inside the range.
33074
33075 @item line
33076 Line specification is required as parameter. @xref{Specify Location}.
33077 Finds next trace frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at
33078 the specified location.
33079
33080 @end table
33081
33082 If @samp{none} was passed as @var{mode}, the response does not
33083 have fields. Otherwise, the response may have the following fields:
33084
33085 @table @samp
33086 @item found
33087 This field has either @samp{0} or @samp{1} as the value, depending
33088 on whether a matching tracepoint was found.
33089
33090 @item traceframe
33091 The index of the found traceframe. This field is present iff
33092 the @samp{found} field has value of @samp{1}.
33093
33094 @item tracepoint
33095 The index of the found tracepoint. This field is present iff
33096 the @samp{found} field has value of @samp{1}.
33097
33098 @item frame
33099 The information about the frame corresponding to the found trace
33100 frame. This field is present only if a trace frame was found.
33101 @xref{GDB/MI Frame Information}, for description of this field.
33102
33103 @end table
33104
33105 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33106
33107 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tfind}.
33108
33109 @subheading -trace-define-variable
33110 @findex -trace-define-variable
33111
33112 @subsubheading Synopsis
33113
33114 @smallexample
33115 -trace-define-variable @var{name} [ @var{value} ]
33116 @end smallexample
33117
33118 Create trace variable @var{name} if it does not exist. If
33119 @var{value} is specified, sets the initial value of the specified
33120 trace variable to that value. Note that the @var{name} should start
33121 with the @samp{$} character.
33122
33123 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33124
33125 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tvariable}.
33126
33127 @subheading -trace-list-variables
33128 @findex -trace-list-variables
33129
33130 @subsubheading Synopsis
33131
33132 @smallexample
33133 -trace-list-variables
33134 @end smallexample
33135
33136 Return a table of all defined trace variables. Each element of the
33137 table has the following fields:
33138
33139 @table @samp
33140 @item name
33141 The name of the trace variable. This field is always present.
33142
33143 @item initial
33144 The initial value. This is a 64-bit signed integer. This
33145 field is always present.
33146
33147 @item current
33148 The value the trace variable has at the moment. This is a 64-bit
33149 signed integer. This field is absent iff current value is
33150 not defined, for example if the trace was never run, or is
33151 presently running.
33152
33153 @end table
33154
33155 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33156
33157 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tvariables}.
33158
33159 @subsubheading Example
33160
33161 @smallexample
33162 (gdb)
33163 -trace-list-variables
33164 ^done,trace-variables=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="3",
33165 hdr=[@{width="15",alignment="-1",col_name="name",colhdr="Name"@},
33166 @{width="11",alignment="-1",col_name="initial",colhdr="Initial"@},
33167 @{width="11",alignment="-1",col_name="current",colhdr="Current"@}],
33168 body=[variable=@{name="$trace_timestamp",initial="0"@}
33169 variable=@{name="$foo",initial="10",current="15"@}]@}
33170 (gdb)
33171 @end smallexample
33172
33173 @subheading -trace-save
33174 @findex -trace-save
33175
33176 @subsubheading Synopsis
33177
33178 @smallexample
33179 -trace-save [-r ] @var{filename}
33180 @end smallexample
33181
33182 Saves the collected trace data to @var{filename}. Without the
33183 @samp{-r} option, the data is downloaded from the target and saved
33184 in a local file. With the @samp{-r} option the target is asked
33185 to perform the save.
33186
33187 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33188
33189 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tsave}.
33190
33191
33192 @subheading -trace-start
33193 @findex -trace-start
33194
33195 @subsubheading Synopsis
33196
33197 @smallexample
33198 -trace-start
33199 @end smallexample
33200
33201 Starts a tracing experiments. The result of this command does not
33202 have any fields.
33203
33204 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33205
33206 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstart}.
33207
33208 @subheading -trace-status
33209 @findex -trace-status
33210
33211 @subsubheading Synopsis
33212
33213 @smallexample
33214 -trace-status
33215 @end smallexample
33216
33217 Obtains the status of a tracing experiment. The result may include
33218 the following fields:
33219
33220 @table @samp
33221
33222 @item supported
33223 May have a value of either @samp{0}, when no tracing operations are
33224 supported, @samp{1}, when all tracing operations are supported, or
33225 @samp{file} when examining trace file. In the latter case, examining
33226 of trace frame is possible but new tracing experiement cannot be
33227 started. This field is always present.
33228
33229 @item running
33230 May have a value of either @samp{0} or @samp{1} depending on whether
33231 tracing experiement is in progress on target. This field is present
33232 if @samp{supported} field is not @samp{0}.
33233
33234 @item stop-reason
33235 Report the reason why the tracing was stopped last time. This field
33236 may be absent iff tracing was never stopped on target yet. The
33237 value of @samp{request} means the tracing was stopped as result of
33238 the @code{-trace-stop} command. The value of @samp{overflow} means
33239 the tracing buffer is full. The value of @samp{disconnection} means
33240 tracing was automatically stopped when @value{GDBN} has disconnected.
33241 The value of @samp{passcount} means tracing was stopped when a
33242 tracepoint was passed a maximal number of times for that tracepoint.
33243 This field is present if @samp{supported} field is not @samp{0}.
33244
33245 @item stopping-tracepoint
33246 The number of tracepoint whose passcount as exceeded. This field is
33247 present iff the @samp{stop-reason} field has the value of
33248 @samp{passcount}.
33249
33250 @item frames
33251 @itemx frames-created
33252 The @samp{frames} field is a count of the total number of trace frames
33253 in the trace buffer, while @samp{frames-created} is the total created
33254 during the run, including ones that were discarded, such as when a
33255 circular trace buffer filled up. Both fields are optional.
33256
33257 @item buffer-size
33258 @itemx buffer-free
33259 These fields tell the current size of the tracing buffer and the
33260 remaining space. These fields are optional.
33261
33262 @item circular
33263 The value of the circular trace buffer flag. @code{1} means that the
33264 trace buffer is circular and old trace frames will be discarded if
33265 necessary to make room, @code{0} means that the trace buffer is linear
33266 and may fill up.
33267
33268 @item disconnected
33269 The value of the disconnected tracing flag. @code{1} means that
33270 tracing will continue after @value{GDBN} disconnects, @code{0} means
33271 that the trace run will stop.
33272
33273 @item trace-file
33274 The filename of the trace file being examined. This field is
33275 optional, and only present when examining a trace file.
33276
33277 @end table
33278
33279 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33280
33281 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstatus}.
33282
33283 @subheading -trace-stop
33284 @findex -trace-stop
33285
33286 @subsubheading Synopsis
33287
33288 @smallexample
33289 -trace-stop
33290 @end smallexample
33291
33292 Stops a tracing experiment. The result of this command has the same
33293 fields as @code{-trace-status}, except that the @samp{supported} and
33294 @samp{running} fields are not output.
33295
33296 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33297
33298 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstop}.
33299
33300
33301 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
33302 @node GDB/MI Symbol Query
33303 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Symbol Query Commands
33304
33305
33306 @ignore
33307 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-address} Command
33308 @findex -symbol-info-address
33309
33310 @subsubheading Synopsis
33311
33312 @smallexample
33313 -symbol-info-address @var{symbol}
33314 @end smallexample
33315
33316 Describe where @var{symbol} is stored.
33317
33318 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33319
33320 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info address}.
33321
33322 @subsubheading Example
33323 N.A.
33324
33325
33326 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-file} Command
33327 @findex -symbol-info-file
33328
33329 @subsubheading Synopsis
33330
33331 @smallexample
33332 -symbol-info-file
33333 @end smallexample
33334
33335 Show the file for the symbol.
33336
33337 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33338
33339 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command. @code{gdbtk} has
33340 @samp{gdb_find_file}.
33341
33342 @subsubheading Example
33343 N.A.
33344
33345
33346 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-function} Command
33347 @findex -symbol-info-function
33348
33349 @subsubheading Synopsis
33350
33351 @smallexample
33352 -symbol-info-function
33353 @end smallexample
33354
33355 Show which function the symbol lives in.
33356
33357 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33358
33359 @samp{gdb_get_function} in @code{gdbtk}.
33360
33361 @subsubheading Example
33362 N.A.
33363
33364
33365 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-line} Command
33366 @findex -symbol-info-line
33367
33368 @subsubheading Synopsis
33369
33370 @smallexample
33371 -symbol-info-line
33372 @end smallexample
33373
33374 Show the core addresses of the code for a source line.
33375
33376 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33377
33378 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info line}.
33379 @code{gdbtk} has the @samp{gdb_get_line} and @samp{gdb_get_file} commands.
33380
33381 @subsubheading Example
33382 N.A.
33383
33384
33385 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-symbol} Command
33386 @findex -symbol-info-symbol
33387
33388 @subsubheading Synopsis
33389
33390 @smallexample
33391 -symbol-info-symbol @var{addr}
33392 @end smallexample
33393
33394 Describe what symbol is at location @var{addr}.
33395
33396 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33397
33398 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info symbol}.
33399
33400 @subsubheading Example
33401 N.A.
33402
33403
33404 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-functions} Command
33405 @findex -symbol-list-functions
33406
33407 @subsubheading Synopsis
33408
33409 @smallexample
33410 -symbol-list-functions
33411 @end smallexample
33412
33413 List the functions in the executable.
33414
33415 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33416
33417 @samp{info functions} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_listfunc} and
33418 @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
33419
33420 @subsubheading Example
33421 N.A.
33422 @end ignore
33423
33424
33425 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-lines} Command
33426 @findex -symbol-list-lines
33427
33428 @subsubheading Synopsis
33429
33430 @smallexample
33431 -symbol-list-lines @var{filename}
33432 @end smallexample
33433
33434 Print the list of lines that contain code and their associated program
33435 addresses for the given source filename. The entries are sorted in
33436 ascending PC order.
33437
33438 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33439
33440 There is no corresponding @value{GDBN} command.
33441
33442 @subsubheading Example
33443 @smallexample
33444 (gdb)
33445 -symbol-list-lines basics.c
33446 ^done,lines=[@{pc="0x08048554",line="7"@},@{pc="0x0804855a",line="8"@}]
33447 (gdb)
33448 @end smallexample
33449
33450
33451 @ignore
33452 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-types} Command
33453 @findex -symbol-list-types
33454
33455 @subsubheading Synopsis
33456
33457 @smallexample
33458 -symbol-list-types
33459 @end smallexample
33460
33461 List all the type names.
33462
33463 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33464
33465 The corresponding commands are @samp{info types} in @value{GDBN},
33466 @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
33467
33468 @subsubheading Example
33469 N.A.
33470
33471
33472 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-variables} Command
33473 @findex -symbol-list-variables
33474
33475 @subsubheading Synopsis
33476
33477 @smallexample
33478 -symbol-list-variables
33479 @end smallexample
33480
33481 List all the global and static variable names.
33482
33483 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33484
33485 @samp{info variables} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
33486
33487 @subsubheading Example
33488 N.A.
33489
33490
33491 @subheading The @code{-symbol-locate} Command
33492 @findex -symbol-locate
33493
33494 @subsubheading Synopsis
33495
33496 @smallexample
33497 -symbol-locate
33498 @end smallexample
33499
33500 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33501
33502 @samp{gdb_loc} in @code{gdbtk}.
33503
33504 @subsubheading Example
33505 N.A.
33506
33507
33508 @subheading The @code{-symbol-type} Command
33509 @findex -symbol-type
33510
33511 @subsubheading Synopsis
33512
33513 @smallexample
33514 -symbol-type @var{variable}
33515 @end smallexample
33516
33517 Show type of @var{variable}.
33518
33519 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33520
33521 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{ptype}, @code{gdbtk} has
33522 @samp{gdb_obj_variable}.
33523
33524 @subsubheading Example
33525 N.A.
33526 @end ignore
33527
33528
33529 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
33530 @node GDB/MI File Commands
33531 @section @sc{gdb/mi} File Commands
33532
33533 This section describes the GDB/MI commands to specify executable file names
33534 and to read in and obtain symbol table information.
33535
33536 @subheading The @code{-file-exec-and-symbols} Command
33537 @findex -file-exec-and-symbols
33538
33539 @subsubheading Synopsis
33540
33541 @smallexample
33542 -file-exec-and-symbols @var{file}
33543 @end smallexample
33544
33545 Specify the executable file to be debugged. This file is the one from
33546 which the symbol table is also read. If no file is specified, the
33547 command clears the executable and symbol information. If breakpoints
33548 are set when using this command with no arguments, @value{GDBN} will produce
33549 error messages. Otherwise, no output is produced, except a completion
33550 notification.
33551
33552 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33553
33554 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{file}.
33555
33556 @subsubheading Example
33557
33558 @smallexample
33559 (gdb)
33560 -file-exec-and-symbols /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
33561 ^done
33562 (gdb)
33563 @end smallexample
33564
33565
33566 @subheading The @code{-file-exec-file} Command
33567 @findex -file-exec-file
33568
33569 @subsubheading Synopsis
33570
33571 @smallexample
33572 -file-exec-file @var{file}
33573 @end smallexample
33574
33575 Specify the executable file to be debugged. Unlike
33576 @samp{-file-exec-and-symbols}, the symbol table is @emph{not} read
33577 from this file. If used without argument, @value{GDBN} clears the information
33578 about the executable file. No output is produced, except a completion
33579 notification.
33580
33581 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33582
33583 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{exec-file}.
33584
33585 @subsubheading Example
33586
33587 @smallexample
33588 (gdb)
33589 -file-exec-file /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
33590 ^done
33591 (gdb)
33592 @end smallexample
33593
33594
33595 @ignore
33596 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-sections} Command
33597 @findex -file-list-exec-sections
33598
33599 @subsubheading Synopsis
33600
33601 @smallexample
33602 -file-list-exec-sections
33603 @end smallexample
33604
33605 List the sections of the current executable file.
33606
33607 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33608
33609 The @value{GDBN} command @samp{info file} shows, among the rest, the same
33610 information as this command. @code{gdbtk} has a corresponding command
33611 @samp{gdb_load_info}.
33612
33613 @subsubheading Example
33614 N.A.
33615 @end ignore
33616
33617
33618 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-source-file} Command
33619 @findex -file-list-exec-source-file
33620
33621 @subsubheading Synopsis
33622
33623 @smallexample
33624 -file-list-exec-source-file
33625 @end smallexample
33626
33627 List the line number, the current source file, and the absolute path
33628 to the current source file for the current executable. The macro
33629 information field has a value of @samp{1} or @samp{0} depending on
33630 whether or not the file includes preprocessor macro information.
33631
33632 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33633
33634 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{info source}
33635
33636 @subsubheading Example
33637
33638 @smallexample
33639 (gdb)
33640 123-file-list-exec-source-file
33641 123^done,line="1",file="foo.c",fullname="/home/bar/foo.c,macro-info="1"
33642 (gdb)
33643 @end smallexample
33644
33645
33646 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-source-files} Command
33647 @findex -file-list-exec-source-files
33648
33649 @subsubheading Synopsis
33650
33651 @smallexample
33652 -file-list-exec-source-files
33653 @end smallexample
33654
33655 List the source files for the current executable.
33656
33657 It will always output both the filename and fullname (absolute file
33658 name) of a source file.
33659
33660 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33661
33662 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{info sources}.
33663 @code{gdbtk} has an analogous command @samp{gdb_listfiles}.
33664
33665 @subsubheading Example
33666 @smallexample
33667 (gdb)
33668 -file-list-exec-source-files
33669 ^done,files=[
33670 @{file=foo.c,fullname=/home/foo.c@},
33671 @{file=/home/bar.c,fullname=/home/bar.c@},
33672 @{file=gdb_could_not_find_fullpath.c@}]
33673 (gdb)
33674 @end smallexample
33675
33676 @ignore
33677 @subheading The @code{-file-list-shared-libraries} Command
33678 @findex -file-list-shared-libraries
33679
33680 @subsubheading Synopsis
33681
33682 @smallexample
33683 -file-list-shared-libraries
33684 @end smallexample
33685
33686 List the shared libraries in the program.
33687
33688 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33689
33690 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info shared}.
33691
33692 @subsubheading Example
33693 N.A.
33694
33695
33696 @subheading The @code{-file-list-symbol-files} Command
33697 @findex -file-list-symbol-files
33698
33699 @subsubheading Synopsis
33700
33701 @smallexample
33702 -file-list-symbol-files
33703 @end smallexample
33704
33705 List symbol files.
33706
33707 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33708
33709 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info file} (part of it).
33710
33711 @subsubheading Example
33712 N.A.
33713 @end ignore
33714
33715
33716 @subheading The @code{-file-symbol-file} Command
33717 @findex -file-symbol-file
33718
33719 @subsubheading Synopsis
33720
33721 @smallexample
33722 -file-symbol-file @var{file}
33723 @end smallexample
33724
33725 Read symbol table info from the specified @var{file} argument. When
33726 used without arguments, clears @value{GDBN}'s symbol table info. No output is
33727 produced, except for a completion notification.
33728
33729 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33730
33731 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{symbol-file}.
33732
33733 @subsubheading Example
33734
33735 @smallexample
33736 (gdb)
33737 -file-symbol-file /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
33738 ^done
33739 (gdb)
33740 @end smallexample
33741
33742 @ignore
33743 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
33744 @node GDB/MI Memory Overlay Commands
33745 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Memory Overlay Commands
33746
33747 The memory overlay commands are not implemented.
33748
33749 @c @subheading -overlay-auto
33750
33751 @c @subheading -overlay-list-mapping-state
33752
33753 @c @subheading -overlay-list-overlays
33754
33755 @c @subheading -overlay-map
33756
33757 @c @subheading -overlay-off
33758
33759 @c @subheading -overlay-on
33760
33761 @c @subheading -overlay-unmap
33762
33763 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
33764 @node GDB/MI Signal Handling Commands
33765 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Signal Handling Commands
33766
33767 Signal handling commands are not implemented.
33768
33769 @c @subheading -signal-handle
33770
33771 @c @subheading -signal-list-handle-actions
33772
33773 @c @subheading -signal-list-signal-types
33774 @end ignore
33775
33776
33777 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
33778 @node GDB/MI Target Manipulation
33779 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Target Manipulation Commands
33780
33781
33782 @subheading The @code{-target-attach} Command
33783 @findex -target-attach
33784
33785 @subsubheading Synopsis
33786
33787 @smallexample
33788 -target-attach @var{pid} | @var{gid} | @var{file}
33789 @end smallexample
33790
33791 Attach to a process @var{pid} or a file @var{file} outside of
33792 @value{GDBN}, or a thread group @var{gid}. If attaching to a thread
33793 group, the id previously returned by
33794 @samp{-list-thread-groups --available} must be used.
33795
33796 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33797
33798 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{attach}.
33799
33800 @subsubheading Example
33801 @smallexample
33802 (gdb)
33803 -target-attach 34
33804 =thread-created,id="1"
33805 *stopped,thread-id="1",frame=@{addr="0xb7f7e410",func="bar",args=[]@}
33806 ^done
33807 (gdb)
33808 @end smallexample
33809
33810 @ignore
33811 @subheading The @code{-target-compare-sections} Command
33812 @findex -target-compare-sections
33813
33814 @subsubheading Synopsis
33815
33816 @smallexample
33817 -target-compare-sections [ @var{section} ]
33818 @end smallexample
33819
33820 Compare data of section @var{section} on target to the exec file.
33821 Without the argument, all sections are compared.
33822
33823 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33824
33825 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{compare-sections}.
33826
33827 @subsubheading Example
33828 N.A.
33829 @end ignore
33830
33831
33832 @subheading The @code{-target-detach} Command
33833 @findex -target-detach
33834
33835 @subsubheading Synopsis
33836
33837 @smallexample
33838 -target-detach [ @var{pid} | @var{gid} ]
33839 @end smallexample
33840
33841 Detach from the remote target which normally resumes its execution.
33842 If either @var{pid} or @var{gid} is specified, detaches from either
33843 the specified process, or specified thread group. There's no output.
33844
33845 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33846
33847 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{detach}.
33848
33849 @subsubheading Example
33850
33851 @smallexample
33852 (gdb)
33853 -target-detach
33854 ^done
33855 (gdb)
33856 @end smallexample
33857
33858
33859 @subheading The @code{-target-disconnect} Command
33860 @findex -target-disconnect
33861
33862 @subsubheading Synopsis
33863
33864 @smallexample
33865 -target-disconnect
33866 @end smallexample
33867
33868 Disconnect from the remote target. There's no output and the target is
33869 generally not resumed.
33870
33871 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33872
33873 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disconnect}.
33874
33875 @subsubheading Example
33876
33877 @smallexample
33878 (gdb)
33879 -target-disconnect
33880 ^done
33881 (gdb)
33882 @end smallexample
33883
33884
33885 @subheading The @code{-target-download} Command
33886 @findex -target-download
33887
33888 @subsubheading Synopsis
33889
33890 @smallexample
33891 -target-download
33892 @end smallexample
33893
33894 Loads the executable onto the remote target.
33895 It prints out an update message every half second, which includes the fields:
33896
33897 @table @samp
33898 @item section
33899 The name of the section.
33900 @item section-sent
33901 The size of what has been sent so far for that section.
33902 @item section-size
33903 The size of the section.
33904 @item total-sent
33905 The total size of what was sent so far (the current and the previous sections).
33906 @item total-size
33907 The size of the overall executable to download.
33908 @end table
33909
33910 @noindent
33911 Each message is sent as status record (@pxref{GDB/MI Output Syntax, ,
33912 @sc{gdb/mi} Output Syntax}).
33913
33914 In addition, it prints the name and size of the sections, as they are
33915 downloaded. These messages include the following fields:
33916
33917 @table @samp
33918 @item section
33919 The name of the section.
33920 @item section-size
33921 The size of the section.
33922 @item total-size
33923 The size of the overall executable to download.
33924 @end table
33925
33926 @noindent
33927 At the end, a summary is printed.
33928
33929 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33930
33931 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{load}.
33932
33933 @subsubheading Example
33934
33935 Note: each status message appears on a single line. Here the messages
33936 have been broken down so that they can fit onto a page.
33937
33938 @smallexample
33939 (gdb)
33940 -target-download
33941 +download,@{section=".text",section-size="6668",total-size="9880"@}
33942 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="512",section-size="6668",
33943 total-sent="512",total-size="9880"@}
33944 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="1024",section-size="6668",
33945 total-sent="1024",total-size="9880"@}
33946 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="1536",section-size="6668",
33947 total-sent="1536",total-size="9880"@}
33948 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="2048",section-size="6668",
33949 total-sent="2048",total-size="9880"@}
33950 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="2560",section-size="6668",
33951 total-sent="2560",total-size="9880"@}
33952 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="3072",section-size="6668",
33953 total-sent="3072",total-size="9880"@}
33954 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="3584",section-size="6668",
33955 total-sent="3584",total-size="9880"@}
33956 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="4096",section-size="6668",
33957 total-sent="4096",total-size="9880"@}
33958 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="4608",section-size="6668",
33959 total-sent="4608",total-size="9880"@}
33960 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="5120",section-size="6668",
33961 total-sent="5120",total-size="9880"@}
33962 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="5632",section-size="6668",
33963 total-sent="5632",total-size="9880"@}
33964 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="6144",section-size="6668",
33965 total-sent="6144",total-size="9880"@}
33966 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="6656",section-size="6668",
33967 total-sent="6656",total-size="9880"@}
33968 +download,@{section=".init",section-size="28",total-size="9880"@}
33969 +download,@{section=".fini",section-size="28",total-size="9880"@}
33970 +download,@{section=".data",section-size="3156",total-size="9880"@}
33971 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="512",section-size="3156",
33972 total-sent="7236",total-size="9880"@}
33973 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="1024",section-size="3156",
33974 total-sent="7748",total-size="9880"@}
33975 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="1536",section-size="3156",
33976 total-sent="8260",total-size="9880"@}
33977 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="2048",section-size="3156",
33978 total-sent="8772",total-size="9880"@}
33979 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="2560",section-size="3156",
33980 total-sent="9284",total-size="9880"@}
33981 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="3072",section-size="3156",
33982 total-sent="9796",total-size="9880"@}
33983 ^done,address="0x10004",load-size="9880",transfer-rate="6586",
33984 write-rate="429"
33985 (gdb)
33986 @end smallexample
33987
33988
33989 @ignore
33990 @subheading The @code{-target-exec-status} Command
33991 @findex -target-exec-status
33992
33993 @subsubheading Synopsis
33994
33995 @smallexample
33996 -target-exec-status
33997 @end smallexample
33998
33999 Provide information on the state of the target (whether it is running or
34000 not, for instance).
34001
34002 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34003
34004 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command.
34005
34006 @subsubheading Example
34007 N.A.
34008
34009
34010 @subheading The @code{-target-list-available-targets} Command
34011 @findex -target-list-available-targets
34012
34013 @subsubheading Synopsis
34014
34015 @smallexample
34016 -target-list-available-targets
34017 @end smallexample
34018
34019 List the possible targets to connect to.
34020
34021 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34022
34023 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{help target}.
34024
34025 @subsubheading Example
34026 N.A.
34027
34028
34029 @subheading The @code{-target-list-current-targets} Command
34030 @findex -target-list-current-targets
34031
34032 @subsubheading Synopsis
34033
34034 @smallexample
34035 -target-list-current-targets
34036 @end smallexample
34037
34038 Describe the current target.
34039
34040 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34041
34042 The corresponding information is printed by @samp{info file} (among
34043 other things).
34044
34045 @subsubheading Example
34046 N.A.
34047
34048
34049 @subheading The @code{-target-list-parameters} Command
34050 @findex -target-list-parameters
34051
34052 @subsubheading Synopsis
34053
34054 @smallexample
34055 -target-list-parameters
34056 @end smallexample
34057
34058 @c ????
34059 @end ignore
34060
34061 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34062
34063 No equivalent.
34064
34065 @subsubheading Example
34066 N.A.
34067
34068
34069 @subheading The @code{-target-select} Command
34070 @findex -target-select
34071
34072 @subsubheading Synopsis
34073
34074 @smallexample
34075 -target-select @var{type} @var{parameters @dots{}}
34076 @end smallexample
34077
34078 Connect @value{GDBN} to the remote target. This command takes two args:
34079
34080 @table @samp
34081 @item @var{type}
34082 The type of target, for instance @samp{remote}, etc.
34083 @item @var{parameters}
34084 Device names, host names and the like. @xref{Target Commands, ,
34085 Commands for Managing Targets}, for more details.
34086 @end table
34087
34088 The output is a connection notification, followed by the address at
34089 which the target program is, in the following form:
34090
34091 @smallexample
34092 ^connected,addr="@var{address}",func="@var{function name}",
34093 args=[@var{arg list}]
34094 @end smallexample
34095
34096 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34097
34098 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{target}.
34099
34100 @subsubheading Example
34101
34102 @smallexample
34103 (gdb)
34104 -target-select remote /dev/ttya
34105 ^connected,addr="0xfe00a300",func="??",args=[]
34106 (gdb)
34107 @end smallexample
34108
34109 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
34110 @node GDB/MI File Transfer Commands
34111 @section @sc{gdb/mi} File Transfer Commands
34112
34113
34114 @subheading The @code{-target-file-put} Command
34115 @findex -target-file-put
34116
34117 @subsubheading Synopsis
34118
34119 @smallexample
34120 -target-file-put @var{hostfile} @var{targetfile}
34121 @end smallexample
34122
34123 Copy file @var{hostfile} from the host system (the machine running
34124 @value{GDBN}) to @var{targetfile} on the target system.
34125
34126 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34127
34128 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote put}.
34129
34130 @subsubheading Example
34131
34132 @smallexample
34133 (gdb)
34134 -target-file-put localfile remotefile
34135 ^done
34136 (gdb)
34137 @end smallexample
34138
34139
34140 @subheading The @code{-target-file-get} Command
34141 @findex -target-file-get
34142
34143 @subsubheading Synopsis
34144
34145 @smallexample
34146 -target-file-get @var{targetfile} @var{hostfile}
34147 @end smallexample
34148
34149 Copy file @var{targetfile} from the target system to @var{hostfile}
34150 on the host system.
34151
34152 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34153
34154 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote get}.
34155
34156 @subsubheading Example
34157
34158 @smallexample
34159 (gdb)
34160 -target-file-get remotefile localfile
34161 ^done
34162 (gdb)
34163 @end smallexample
34164
34165
34166 @subheading The @code{-target-file-delete} Command
34167 @findex -target-file-delete
34168
34169 @subsubheading Synopsis
34170
34171 @smallexample
34172 -target-file-delete @var{targetfile}
34173 @end smallexample
34174
34175 Delete @var{targetfile} from the target system.
34176
34177 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34178
34179 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote delete}.
34180
34181 @subsubheading Example
34182
34183 @smallexample
34184 (gdb)
34185 -target-file-delete remotefile
34186 ^done
34187 (gdb)
34188 @end smallexample
34189
34190
34191 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
34192 @node GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands
34193 @section Miscellaneous @sc{gdb/mi} Commands
34194
34195 @c @subheading -gdb-complete
34196
34197 @subheading The @code{-gdb-exit} Command
34198 @findex -gdb-exit
34199
34200 @subsubheading Synopsis
34201
34202 @smallexample
34203 -gdb-exit
34204 @end smallexample
34205
34206 Exit @value{GDBN} immediately.
34207
34208 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34209
34210 Approximately corresponds to @samp{quit}.
34211
34212 @subsubheading Example
34213
34214 @smallexample
34215 (gdb)
34216 -gdb-exit
34217 ^exit
34218 @end smallexample
34219
34220
34221 @ignore
34222 @subheading The @code{-exec-abort} Command
34223 @findex -exec-abort
34224
34225 @subsubheading Synopsis
34226
34227 @smallexample
34228 -exec-abort
34229 @end smallexample
34230
34231 Kill the inferior running program.
34232
34233 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34234
34235 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{kill}.
34236
34237 @subsubheading Example
34238 N.A.
34239 @end ignore
34240
34241
34242 @subheading The @code{-gdb-set} Command
34243 @findex -gdb-set
34244
34245 @subsubheading Synopsis
34246
34247 @smallexample
34248 -gdb-set
34249 @end smallexample
34250
34251 Set an internal @value{GDBN} variable.
34252 @c IS THIS A DOLLAR VARIABLE? OR SOMETHING LIKE ANNOTATE ?????
34253
34254 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34255
34256 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set}.
34257
34258 @subsubheading Example
34259
34260 @smallexample
34261 (gdb)
34262 -gdb-set $foo=3
34263 ^done
34264 (gdb)
34265 @end smallexample
34266
34267
34268 @subheading The @code{-gdb-show} Command
34269 @findex -gdb-show
34270
34271 @subsubheading Synopsis
34272
34273 @smallexample
34274 -gdb-show
34275 @end smallexample
34276
34277 Show the current value of a @value{GDBN} variable.
34278
34279 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34280
34281 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show}.
34282
34283 @subsubheading Example
34284
34285 @smallexample
34286 (gdb)
34287 -gdb-show annotate
34288 ^done,value="0"
34289 (gdb)
34290 @end smallexample
34291
34292 @c @subheading -gdb-source
34293
34294
34295 @subheading The @code{-gdb-version} Command
34296 @findex -gdb-version
34297
34298 @subsubheading Synopsis
34299
34300 @smallexample
34301 -gdb-version
34302 @end smallexample
34303
34304 Show version information for @value{GDBN}. Used mostly in testing.
34305
34306 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34307
34308 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{show version}. @value{GDBN} by
34309 default shows this information when you start an interactive session.
34310
34311 @subsubheading Example
34312
34313 @c This example modifies the actual output from GDB to avoid overfull
34314 @c box in TeX.
34315 @smallexample
34316 (gdb)
34317 -gdb-version
34318 ~GNU gdb 5.2.1
34319 ~Copyright 2000 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
34320 ~GDB is free software, covered by the GNU General Public License, and
34321 ~you are welcome to change it and/or distribute copies of it under
34322 ~ certain conditions.
34323 ~Type "show copying" to see the conditions.
34324 ~There is absolutely no warranty for GDB. Type "show warranty" for
34325 ~ details.
34326 ~This GDB was configured as
34327 "--host=sparc-sun-solaris2.5.1 --target=ppc-eabi".
34328 ^done
34329 (gdb)
34330 @end smallexample
34331
34332 @subheading The @code{-list-features} Command
34333 @findex -list-features
34334
34335 Returns a list of particular features of the MI protocol that
34336 this version of gdb implements. A feature can be a command,
34337 or a new field in an output of some command, or even an
34338 important bugfix. While a frontend can sometimes detect presence
34339 of a feature at runtime, it is easier to perform detection at debugger
34340 startup.
34341
34342 The command returns a list of strings, with each string naming an
34343 available feature. Each returned string is just a name, it does not
34344 have any internal structure. The list of possible feature names
34345 is given below.
34346
34347 Example output:
34348
34349 @smallexample
34350 (gdb) -list-features
34351 ^done,result=["feature1","feature2"]
34352 @end smallexample
34353
34354 The current list of features is:
34355
34356 @table @samp
34357 @item frozen-varobjs
34358 Indicates support for the @code{-var-set-frozen} command, as well
34359 as possible presense of the @code{frozen} field in the output
34360 of @code{-varobj-create}.
34361 @item pending-breakpoints
34362 Indicates support for the @option{-f} option to the @code{-break-insert}
34363 command.
34364 @item python
34365 Indicates Python scripting support, Python-based
34366 pretty-printing commands, and possible presence of the
34367 @samp{display_hint} field in the output of @code{-var-list-children}
34368 @item thread-info
34369 Indicates support for the @code{-thread-info} command.
34370 @item data-read-memory-bytes
34371 Indicates support for the @code{-data-read-memory-bytes} and the
34372 @code{-data-write-memory-bytes} commands.
34373 @item breakpoint-notifications
34374 Indicates that changes to breakpoints and breakpoints created via the
34375 CLI will be announced via async records.
34376 @item ada-task-info
34377 Indicates support for the @code{-ada-task-info} command.
34378 @end table
34379
34380 @subheading The @code{-list-target-features} Command
34381 @findex -list-target-features
34382
34383 Returns a list of particular features that are supported by the
34384 target. Those features affect the permitted MI commands, but
34385 unlike the features reported by the @code{-list-features} command, the
34386 features depend on which target GDB is using at the moment. Whenever
34387 a target can change, due to commands such as @code{-target-select},
34388 @code{-target-attach} or @code{-exec-run}, the list of target features
34389 may change, and the frontend should obtain it again.
34390 Example output:
34391
34392 @smallexample
34393 (gdb) -list-features
34394 ^done,result=["async"]
34395 @end smallexample
34396
34397 The current list of features is:
34398
34399 @table @samp
34400 @item async
34401 Indicates that the target is capable of asynchronous command
34402 execution, which means that @value{GDBN} will accept further commands
34403 while the target is running.
34404
34405 @item reverse
34406 Indicates that the target is capable of reverse execution.
34407 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
34408
34409 @end table
34410
34411 @subheading The @code{-list-thread-groups} Command
34412 @findex -list-thread-groups
34413
34414 @subheading Synopsis
34415
34416 @smallexample
34417 -list-thread-groups [ --available ] [ --recurse 1 ] [ @var{group} ... ]
34418 @end smallexample
34419
34420 Lists thread groups (@pxref{Thread groups}). When a single thread
34421 group is passed as the argument, lists the children of that group.
34422 When several thread group are passed, lists information about those
34423 thread groups. Without any parameters, lists information about all
34424 top-level thread groups.
34425
34426 Normally, thread groups that are being debugged are reported.
34427 With the @samp{--available} option, @value{GDBN} reports thread groups
34428 available on the target.
34429
34430 The output of this command may have either a @samp{threads} result or
34431 a @samp{groups} result. The @samp{thread} result has a list of tuples
34432 as value, with each tuple describing a thread (@pxref{GDB/MI Thread
34433 Information}). The @samp{groups} result has a list of tuples as value,
34434 each tuple describing a thread group. If top-level groups are
34435 requested (that is, no parameter is passed), or when several groups
34436 are passed, the output always has a @samp{groups} result. The format
34437 of the @samp{group} result is described below.
34438
34439 To reduce the number of roundtrips it's possible to list thread groups
34440 together with their children, by passing the @samp{--recurse} option
34441 and the recursion depth. Presently, only recursion depth of 1 is
34442 permitted. If this option is present, then every reported thread group
34443 will also include its children, either as @samp{group} or
34444 @samp{threads} field.
34445
34446 In general, any combination of option and parameters is permitted, with
34447 the following caveats:
34448
34449 @itemize @bullet
34450 @item
34451 When a single thread group is passed, the output will typically
34452 be the @samp{threads} result. Because threads may not contain
34453 anything, the @samp{recurse} option will be ignored.
34454
34455 @item
34456 When the @samp{--available} option is passed, limited information may
34457 be available. In particular, the list of threads of a process might
34458 be inaccessible. Further, specifying specific thread groups might
34459 not give any performance advantage over listing all thread groups.
34460 The frontend should assume that @samp{-list-thread-groups --available}
34461 is always an expensive operation and cache the results.
34462
34463 @end itemize
34464
34465 The @samp{groups} result is a list of tuples, where each tuple may
34466 have the following fields:
34467
34468 @table @code
34469 @item id
34470 Identifier of the thread group. This field is always present.
34471 The identifier is an opaque string; frontends should not try to
34472 convert it to an integer, even though it might look like one.
34473
34474 @item type
34475 The type of the thread group. At present, only @samp{process} is a
34476 valid type.
34477
34478 @item pid
34479 The target-specific process identifier. This field is only present
34480 for thread groups of type @samp{process} and only if the process exists.
34481
34482 @item num_children
34483 The number of children this thread group has. This field may be
34484 absent for an available thread group.
34485
34486 @item threads
34487 This field has a list of tuples as value, each tuple describing a
34488 thread. It may be present if the @samp{--recurse} option is
34489 specified, and it's actually possible to obtain the threads.
34490
34491 @item cores
34492 This field is a list of integers, each identifying a core that one
34493 thread of the group is running on. This field may be absent if
34494 such information is not available.
34495
34496 @item executable
34497 The name of the executable file that corresponds to this thread group.
34498 The field is only present for thread groups of type @samp{process},
34499 and only if there is a corresponding executable file.
34500
34501 @end table
34502
34503 @subheading Example
34504
34505 @smallexample
34506 @value{GDBP}
34507 -list-thread-groups
34508 ^done,groups=[@{id="17",type="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2"@}]
34509 -list-thread-groups 17
34510 ^done,threads=[@{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90 (LWP 21257)",
34511 frame=@{level="0",addr="0xffffe410",func="__kernel_vsyscall",args=[]@},state="running"@},
34512 @{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e156b0 (LWP 21254)",
34513 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0804891f",func="foo",args=[@{name="i",value="10"@}],
34514 file="/tmp/a.c",fullname="/tmp/a.c",line="158"@},state="running"@}]]
34515 -list-thread-groups --available
34516 ^done,groups=[@{id="17",type="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2]@}]
34517 -list-thread-groups --available --recurse 1
34518 ^done,groups=[@{id="17", types="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2],
34519 threads=[@{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[1]@},
34520 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[2]@}]@},..]
34521 -list-thread-groups --available --recurse 1 17 18
34522 ^done,groups=[@{id="17", types="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2],
34523 threads=[@{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[1]@},
34524 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[2]@}]@},...]
34525 @end smallexample
34526
34527 @subheading The @code{-info-os} Command
34528 @findex -info-os
34529
34530 @subsubheading Synopsis
34531
34532 @smallexample
34533 -info-os [ @var{type} ]
34534 @end smallexample
34535
34536 If no argument is supplied, the command returns a table of available
34537 operating-system-specific information types. If one of these types is
34538 supplied as an argument @var{type}, then the command returns a table
34539 of data of that type.
34540
34541 The types of information available depend on the target operating
34542 system.
34543
34544 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34545
34546 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info os}.
34547
34548 @subsubheading Example
34549
34550 When run on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, the output will look something
34551 like this:
34552
34553 @smallexample
34554 @value{GDBP}
34555 -info-os
34556 ^done,OSDataTable=@{nr_rows="9",nr_cols="3",
34557 hdr=[@{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col0",colhdr="Type"@},
34558 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col1",colhdr="Description"@},
34559 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col2",colhdr="Title"@}],
34560 body=[item=@{col0="processes",col1="Listing of all processes",
34561 col2="Processes"@},
34562 item=@{col0="procgroups",col1="Listing of all process groups",
34563 col2="Process groups"@},
34564 item=@{col0="threads",col1="Listing of all threads",
34565 col2="Threads"@},
34566 item=@{col0="files",col1="Listing of all file descriptors",
34567 col2="File descriptors"@},
34568 item=@{col0="sockets",col1="Listing of all internet-domain sockets",
34569 col2="Sockets"@},
34570 item=@{col0="shm",col1="Listing of all shared-memory regions",
34571 col2="Shared-memory regions"@},
34572 item=@{col0="semaphores",col1="Listing of all semaphores",
34573 col2="Semaphores"@},
34574 item=@{col0="msg",col1="Listing of all message queues",
34575 col2="Message queues"@},
34576 item=@{col0="modules",col1="Listing of all loaded kernel modules",
34577 col2="Kernel modules"@}]@}
34578 @value{GDBP}
34579 -info-os processes
34580 ^done,OSDataTable=@{nr_rows="190",nr_cols="4",
34581 hdr=[@{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col0",colhdr="pid"@},
34582 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col1",colhdr="user"@},
34583 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col2",colhdr="command"@},
34584 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col3",colhdr="cores"@}],
34585 body=[item=@{col0="1",col1="root",col2="/sbin/init",col3="0"@},
34586 item=@{col0="2",col1="root",col2="[kthreadd]",col3="1"@},
34587 item=@{col0="3",col1="root",col2="[ksoftirqd/0]",col3="0"@},
34588 ...
34589 item=@{col0="26446",col1="stan",col2="bash",col3="0"@},
34590 item=@{col0="28152",col1="stan",col2="bash",col3="1"@}]@}
34591 (gdb)
34592 @end smallexample
34593
34594 (Note that the MI output here includes a @code{"Title"} column that
34595 does not appear in command-line @code{info os}; this column is useful
34596 for MI clients that want to enumerate the types of data, such as in a
34597 popup menu, but is needless clutter on the command line, and
34598 @code{info os} omits it.)
34599
34600 @subheading The @code{-add-inferior} Command
34601 @findex -add-inferior
34602
34603 @subheading Synopsis
34604
34605 @smallexample
34606 -add-inferior
34607 @end smallexample
34608
34609 Creates a new inferior (@pxref{Inferiors and Programs}). The created
34610 inferior is not associated with any executable. Such association may
34611 be established with the @samp{-file-exec-and-symbols} command
34612 (@pxref{GDB/MI File Commands}). The command response has a single
34613 field, @samp{thread-group}, whose value is the identifier of the
34614 thread group corresponding to the new inferior.
34615
34616 @subheading Example
34617
34618 @smallexample
34619 @value{GDBP}
34620 -add-inferior
34621 ^done,thread-group="i3"
34622 @end smallexample
34623
34624 @subheading The @code{-interpreter-exec} Command
34625 @findex -interpreter-exec
34626
34627 @subheading Synopsis
34628
34629 @smallexample
34630 -interpreter-exec @var{interpreter} @var{command}
34631 @end smallexample
34632 @anchor{-interpreter-exec}
34633
34634 Execute the specified @var{command} in the given @var{interpreter}.
34635
34636 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
34637
34638 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{interpreter-exec}.
34639
34640 @subheading Example
34641
34642 @smallexample
34643 (gdb)
34644 -interpreter-exec console "break main"
34645 &"During symbol reading, couldn't parse type; debugger out of date?.\n"
34646 &"During symbol reading, bad structure-type format.\n"
34647 ~"Breakpoint 1 at 0x8074fc6: file ../../src/gdb/main.c, line 743.\n"
34648 ^done
34649 (gdb)
34650 @end smallexample
34651
34652 @subheading The @code{-inferior-tty-set} Command
34653 @findex -inferior-tty-set
34654
34655 @subheading Synopsis
34656
34657 @smallexample
34658 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
34659 @end smallexample
34660
34661 Set terminal for future runs of the program being debugged.
34662
34663 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
34664
34665 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set inferior-tty} /dev/pts/1.
34666
34667 @subheading Example
34668
34669 @smallexample
34670 (gdb)
34671 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
34672 ^done
34673 (gdb)
34674 @end smallexample
34675
34676 @subheading The @code{-inferior-tty-show} Command
34677 @findex -inferior-tty-show
34678
34679 @subheading Synopsis
34680
34681 @smallexample
34682 -inferior-tty-show
34683 @end smallexample
34684
34685 Show terminal for future runs of program being debugged.
34686
34687 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
34688
34689 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show inferior-tty}.
34690
34691 @subheading Example
34692
34693 @smallexample
34694 (gdb)
34695 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
34696 ^done
34697 (gdb)
34698 -inferior-tty-show
34699 ^done,inferior_tty_terminal="/dev/pts/1"
34700 (gdb)
34701 @end smallexample
34702
34703 @subheading The @code{-enable-timings} Command
34704 @findex -enable-timings
34705
34706 @subheading Synopsis
34707
34708 @smallexample
34709 -enable-timings [yes | no]
34710 @end smallexample
34711
34712 Toggle the printing of the wallclock, user and system times for an MI
34713 command as a field in its output. This command is to help frontend
34714 developers optimize the performance of their code. No argument is
34715 equivalent to @samp{yes}.
34716
34717 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
34718
34719 No equivalent.
34720
34721 @subheading Example
34722
34723 @smallexample
34724 (gdb)
34725 -enable-timings
34726 ^done
34727 (gdb)
34728 -break-insert main
34729 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
34730 addr="0x080484ed",func="main",file="myprog.c",
34731 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="73",thread-groups=["i1"],
34732 times="0"@},
34733 time=@{wallclock="0.05185",user="0.00800",system="0.00000"@}
34734 (gdb)
34735 -enable-timings no
34736 ^done
34737 (gdb)
34738 -exec-run
34739 ^running
34740 (gdb)
34741 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",thread-id="0",
34742 frame=@{addr="0x080484ed",func="main",args=[@{name="argc",value="1"@},
34743 @{name="argv",value="0xbfb60364"@}],file="myprog.c",
34744 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="73"@}
34745 (gdb)
34746 @end smallexample
34747
34748 @node Annotations
34749 @chapter @value{GDBN} Annotations
34750
34751 This chapter describes annotations in @value{GDBN}. Annotations were
34752 designed to interface @value{GDBN} to graphical user interfaces or other
34753 similar programs which want to interact with @value{GDBN} at a
34754 relatively high level.
34755
34756 The annotation mechanism has largely been superseded by @sc{gdb/mi}
34757 (@pxref{GDB/MI}).
34758
34759 @ignore
34760 This is Edition @value{EDITION}, @value{DATE}.
34761 @end ignore
34762
34763 @menu
34764 * Annotations Overview:: What annotations are; the general syntax.
34765 * Server Prefix:: Issuing a command without affecting user state.
34766 * Prompting:: Annotations marking @value{GDBN}'s need for input.
34767 * Errors:: Annotations for error messages.
34768 * Invalidation:: Some annotations describe things now invalid.
34769 * Annotations for Running::
34770 Whether the program is running, how it stopped, etc.
34771 * Source Annotations:: Annotations describing source code.
34772 @end menu
34773
34774 @node Annotations Overview
34775 @section What is an Annotation?
34776 @cindex annotations
34777
34778 Annotations start with a newline character, two @samp{control-z}
34779 characters, and the name of the annotation. If there is no additional
34780 information associated with this annotation, the name of the annotation
34781 is followed immediately by a newline. If there is additional
34782 information, the name of the annotation is followed by a space, the
34783 additional information, and a newline. The additional information
34784 cannot contain newline characters.
34785
34786 Any output not beginning with a newline and two @samp{control-z}
34787 characters denotes literal output from @value{GDBN}. Currently there is
34788 no need for @value{GDBN} to output a newline followed by two
34789 @samp{control-z} characters, but if there was such a need, the
34790 annotations could be extended with an @samp{escape} annotation which
34791 means those three characters as output.
34792
34793 The annotation @var{level}, which is specified using the
34794 @option{--annotate} command line option (@pxref{Mode Options}), controls
34795 how much information @value{GDBN} prints together with its prompt,
34796 values of expressions, source lines, and other types of output. Level 0
34797 is for no annotations, level 1 is for use when @value{GDBN} is run as a
34798 subprocess of @sc{gnu} Emacs, level 3 is the maximum annotation suitable
34799 for programs that control @value{GDBN}, and level 2 annotations have
34800 been made obsolete (@pxref{Limitations, , Limitations of the Annotation
34801 Interface, annotate, GDB's Obsolete Annotations}).
34802
34803 @table @code
34804 @kindex set annotate
34805 @item set annotate @var{level}
34806 The @value{GDBN} command @code{set annotate} sets the level of
34807 annotations to the specified @var{level}.
34808
34809 @item show annotate
34810 @kindex show annotate
34811 Show the current annotation level.
34812 @end table
34813
34814 This chapter describes level 3 annotations.
34815
34816 A simple example of starting up @value{GDBN} with annotations is:
34817
34818 @smallexample
34819 $ @kbd{gdb --annotate=3}
34820 GNU gdb 6.0
34821 Copyright 2003 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
34822 GDB is free software, covered by the GNU General Public License,
34823 and you are welcome to change it and/or distribute copies of it
34824 under certain conditions.
34825 Type "show copying" to see the conditions.
34826 There is absolutely no warranty for GDB. Type "show warranty"
34827 for details.
34828 This GDB was configured as "i386-pc-linux-gnu"
34829
34830 ^Z^Zpre-prompt
34831 (@value{GDBP})
34832 ^Z^Zprompt
34833 @kbd{quit}
34834
34835 ^Z^Zpost-prompt
34836 $
34837 @end smallexample
34838
34839 Here @samp{quit} is input to @value{GDBN}; the rest is output from
34840 @value{GDBN}. The three lines beginning @samp{^Z^Z} (where @samp{^Z}
34841 denotes a @samp{control-z} character) are annotations; the rest is
34842 output from @value{GDBN}.
34843
34844 @node Server Prefix
34845 @section The Server Prefix
34846 @cindex server prefix
34847
34848 If you prefix a command with @samp{server } then it will not affect
34849 the command history, nor will it affect @value{GDBN}'s notion of which
34850 command to repeat if @key{RET} is pressed on a line by itself. This
34851 means that commands can be run behind a user's back by a front-end in
34852 a transparent manner.
34853
34854 The @code{server } prefix does not affect the recording of values into
34855 the value history; to print a value without recording it into the
34856 value history, use the @code{output} command instead of the
34857 @code{print} command.
34858
34859 Using this prefix also disables confirmation requests
34860 (@pxref{confirmation requests}).
34861
34862 @node Prompting
34863 @section Annotation for @value{GDBN} Input
34864
34865 @cindex annotations for prompts
34866 When @value{GDBN} prompts for input, it annotates this fact so it is possible
34867 to know when to send output, when the output from a given command is
34868 over, etc.
34869
34870 Different kinds of input each have a different @dfn{input type}. Each
34871 input type has three annotations: a @code{pre-} annotation, which
34872 denotes the beginning of any prompt which is being output, a plain
34873 annotation, which denotes the end of the prompt, and then a @code{post-}
34874 annotation which denotes the end of any echo which may (or may not) be
34875 associated with the input. For example, the @code{prompt} input type
34876 features the following annotations:
34877
34878 @smallexample
34879 ^Z^Zpre-prompt
34880 ^Z^Zprompt
34881 ^Z^Zpost-prompt
34882 @end smallexample
34883
34884 The input types are
34885
34886 @table @code
34887 @findex pre-prompt annotation
34888 @findex prompt annotation
34889 @findex post-prompt annotation
34890 @item prompt
34891 When @value{GDBN} is prompting for a command (the main @value{GDBN} prompt).
34892
34893 @findex pre-commands annotation
34894 @findex commands annotation
34895 @findex post-commands annotation
34896 @item commands
34897 When @value{GDBN} prompts for a set of commands, like in the @code{commands}
34898 command. The annotations are repeated for each command which is input.
34899
34900 @findex pre-overload-choice annotation
34901 @findex overload-choice annotation
34902 @findex post-overload-choice annotation
34903 @item overload-choice
34904 When @value{GDBN} wants the user to select between various overloaded functions.
34905
34906 @findex pre-query annotation
34907 @findex query annotation
34908 @findex post-query annotation
34909 @item query
34910 When @value{GDBN} wants the user to confirm a potentially dangerous operation.
34911
34912 @findex pre-prompt-for-continue annotation
34913 @findex prompt-for-continue annotation
34914 @findex post-prompt-for-continue annotation
34915 @item prompt-for-continue
34916 When @value{GDBN} is asking the user to press return to continue. Note: Don't
34917 expect this to work well; instead use @code{set height 0} to disable
34918 prompting. This is because the counting of lines is buggy in the
34919 presence of annotations.
34920 @end table
34921
34922 @node Errors
34923 @section Errors
34924 @cindex annotations for errors, warnings and interrupts
34925
34926 @findex quit annotation
34927 @smallexample
34928 ^Z^Zquit
34929 @end smallexample
34930
34931 This annotation occurs right before @value{GDBN} responds to an interrupt.
34932
34933 @findex error annotation
34934 @smallexample
34935 ^Z^Zerror
34936 @end smallexample
34937
34938 This annotation occurs right before @value{GDBN} responds to an error.
34939
34940 Quit and error annotations indicate that any annotations which @value{GDBN} was
34941 in the middle of may end abruptly. For example, if a
34942 @code{value-history-begin} annotation is followed by a @code{error}, one
34943 cannot expect to receive the matching @code{value-history-end}. One
34944 cannot expect not to receive it either, however; an error annotation
34945 does not necessarily mean that @value{GDBN} is immediately returning all the way
34946 to the top level.
34947
34948 @findex error-begin annotation
34949 A quit or error annotation may be preceded by
34950
34951 @smallexample
34952 ^Z^Zerror-begin
34953 @end smallexample
34954
34955 Any output between that and the quit or error annotation is the error
34956 message.
34957
34958 Warning messages are not yet annotated.
34959 @c If we want to change that, need to fix warning(), type_error(),
34960 @c range_error(), and possibly other places.
34961
34962 @node Invalidation
34963 @section Invalidation Notices
34964
34965 @cindex annotations for invalidation messages
34966 The following annotations say that certain pieces of state may have
34967 changed.
34968
34969 @table @code
34970 @findex frames-invalid annotation
34971 @item ^Z^Zframes-invalid
34972
34973 The frames (for example, output from the @code{backtrace} command) may
34974 have changed.
34975
34976 @findex breakpoints-invalid annotation
34977 @item ^Z^Zbreakpoints-invalid
34978
34979 The breakpoints may have changed. For example, the user just added or
34980 deleted a breakpoint.
34981 @end table
34982
34983 @node Annotations for Running
34984 @section Running the Program
34985 @cindex annotations for running programs
34986
34987 @findex starting annotation
34988 @findex stopping annotation
34989 When the program starts executing due to a @value{GDBN} command such as
34990 @code{step} or @code{continue},
34991
34992 @smallexample
34993 ^Z^Zstarting
34994 @end smallexample
34995
34996 is output. When the program stops,
34997
34998 @smallexample
34999 ^Z^Zstopped
35000 @end smallexample
35001
35002 is output. Before the @code{stopped} annotation, a variety of
35003 annotations describe how the program stopped.
35004
35005 @table @code
35006 @findex exited annotation
35007 @item ^Z^Zexited @var{exit-status}
35008 The program exited, and @var{exit-status} is the exit status (zero for
35009 successful exit, otherwise nonzero).
35010
35011 @findex signalled annotation
35012 @findex signal-name annotation
35013 @findex signal-name-end annotation
35014 @findex signal-string annotation
35015 @findex signal-string-end annotation
35016 @item ^Z^Zsignalled
35017 The program exited with a signal. After the @code{^Z^Zsignalled}, the
35018 annotation continues:
35019
35020 @smallexample
35021 @var{intro-text}
35022 ^Z^Zsignal-name
35023 @var{name}
35024 ^Z^Zsignal-name-end
35025 @var{middle-text}
35026 ^Z^Zsignal-string
35027 @var{string}
35028 ^Z^Zsignal-string-end
35029 @var{end-text}
35030 @end smallexample
35031
35032 @noindent
35033 where @var{name} is the name of the signal, such as @code{SIGILL} or
35034 @code{SIGSEGV}, and @var{string} is the explanation of the signal, such
35035 as @code{Illegal Instruction} or @code{Segmentation fault}.
35036 @var{intro-text}, @var{middle-text}, and @var{end-text} are for the
35037 user's benefit and have no particular format.
35038
35039 @findex signal annotation
35040 @item ^Z^Zsignal
35041 The syntax of this annotation is just like @code{signalled}, but @value{GDBN} is
35042 just saying that the program received the signal, not that it was
35043 terminated with it.
35044
35045 @findex breakpoint annotation
35046 @item ^Z^Zbreakpoint @var{number}
35047 The program hit breakpoint number @var{number}.
35048
35049 @findex watchpoint annotation
35050 @item ^Z^Zwatchpoint @var{number}
35051 The program hit watchpoint number @var{number}.
35052 @end table
35053
35054 @node Source Annotations
35055 @section Displaying Source
35056 @cindex annotations for source display
35057
35058 @findex source annotation
35059 The following annotation is used instead of displaying source code:
35060
35061 @smallexample
35062 ^Z^Zsource @var{filename}:@var{line}:@var{character}:@var{middle}:@var{addr}
35063 @end smallexample
35064
35065 where @var{filename} is an absolute file name indicating which source
35066 file, @var{line} is the line number within that file (where 1 is the
35067 first line in the file), @var{character} is the character position
35068 within the file (where 0 is the first character in the file) (for most
35069 debug formats this will necessarily point to the beginning of a line),
35070 @var{middle} is @samp{middle} if @var{addr} is in the middle of the
35071 line, or @samp{beg} if @var{addr} is at the beginning of the line, and
35072 @var{addr} is the address in the target program associated with the
35073 source which is being displayed. @var{addr} is in the form @samp{0x}
35074 followed by one or more lowercase hex digits (note that this does not
35075 depend on the language).
35076
35077 @node JIT Interface
35078 @chapter JIT Compilation Interface
35079 @cindex just-in-time compilation
35080 @cindex JIT compilation interface
35081
35082 This chapter documents @value{GDBN}'s @dfn{just-in-time} (JIT) compilation
35083 interface. A JIT compiler is a program or library that generates native
35084 executable code at runtime and executes it, usually in order to achieve good
35085 performance while maintaining platform independence.
35086
35087 Programs that use JIT compilation are normally difficult to debug because
35088 portions of their code are generated at runtime, instead of being loaded from
35089 object files, which is where @value{GDBN} normally finds the program's symbols
35090 and debug information. In order to debug programs that use JIT compilation,
35091 @value{GDBN} has an interface that allows the program to register in-memory
35092 symbol files with @value{GDBN} at runtime.
35093
35094 If you are using @value{GDBN} to debug a program that uses this interface, then
35095 it should work transparently so long as you have not stripped the binary. If
35096 you are developing a JIT compiler, then the interface is documented in the rest
35097 of this chapter. At this time, the only known client of this interface is the
35098 LLVM JIT.
35099
35100 Broadly speaking, the JIT interface mirrors the dynamic loader interface. The
35101 JIT compiler communicates with @value{GDBN} by writing data into a global
35102 variable and calling a fuction at a well-known symbol. When @value{GDBN}
35103 attaches, it reads a linked list of symbol files from the global variable to
35104 find existing code, and puts a breakpoint in the function so that it can find
35105 out about additional code.
35106
35107 @menu
35108 * Declarations:: Relevant C struct declarations
35109 * Registering Code:: Steps to register code
35110 * Unregistering Code:: Steps to unregister code
35111 * Custom Debug Info:: Emit debug information in a custom format
35112 @end menu
35113
35114 @node Declarations
35115 @section JIT Declarations
35116
35117 These are the relevant struct declarations that a C program should include to
35118 implement the interface:
35119
35120 @smallexample
35121 typedef enum
35122 @{
35123 JIT_NOACTION = 0,
35124 JIT_REGISTER_FN,
35125 JIT_UNREGISTER_FN
35126 @} jit_actions_t;
35127
35128 struct jit_code_entry
35129 @{
35130 struct jit_code_entry *next_entry;
35131 struct jit_code_entry *prev_entry;
35132 const char *symfile_addr;
35133 uint64_t symfile_size;
35134 @};
35135
35136 struct jit_descriptor
35137 @{
35138 uint32_t version;
35139 /* This type should be jit_actions_t, but we use uint32_t
35140 to be explicit about the bitwidth. */
35141 uint32_t action_flag;
35142 struct jit_code_entry *relevant_entry;
35143 struct jit_code_entry *first_entry;
35144 @};
35145
35146 /* GDB puts a breakpoint in this function. */
35147 void __attribute__((noinline)) __jit_debug_register_code() @{ @};
35148
35149 /* Make sure to specify the version statically, because the
35150 debugger may check the version before we can set it. */
35151 struct jit_descriptor __jit_debug_descriptor = @{ 1, 0, 0, 0 @};
35152 @end smallexample
35153
35154 If the JIT is multi-threaded, then it is important that the JIT synchronize any
35155 modifications to this global data properly, which can easily be done by putting
35156 a global mutex around modifications to these structures.
35157
35158 @node Registering Code
35159 @section Registering Code
35160
35161 To register code with @value{GDBN}, the JIT should follow this protocol:
35162
35163 @itemize @bullet
35164 @item
35165 Generate an object file in memory with symbols and other desired debug
35166 information. The file must include the virtual addresses of the sections.
35167
35168 @item
35169 Create a code entry for the file, which gives the start and size of the symbol
35170 file.
35171
35172 @item
35173 Add it to the linked list in the JIT descriptor.
35174
35175 @item
35176 Point the relevant_entry field of the descriptor at the entry.
35177
35178 @item
35179 Set @code{action_flag} to @code{JIT_REGISTER} and call
35180 @code{__jit_debug_register_code}.
35181 @end itemize
35182
35183 When @value{GDBN} is attached and the breakpoint fires, @value{GDBN} uses the
35184 @code{relevant_entry} pointer so it doesn't have to walk the list looking for
35185 new code. However, the linked list must still be maintained in order to allow
35186 @value{GDBN} to attach to a running process and still find the symbol files.
35187
35188 @node Unregistering Code
35189 @section Unregistering Code
35190
35191 If code is freed, then the JIT should use the following protocol:
35192
35193 @itemize @bullet
35194 @item
35195 Remove the code entry corresponding to the code from the linked list.
35196
35197 @item
35198 Point the @code{relevant_entry} field of the descriptor at the code entry.
35199
35200 @item
35201 Set @code{action_flag} to @code{JIT_UNREGISTER} and call
35202 @code{__jit_debug_register_code}.
35203 @end itemize
35204
35205 If the JIT frees or recompiles code without unregistering it, then @value{GDBN}
35206 and the JIT will leak the memory used for the associated symbol files.
35207
35208 @node Custom Debug Info
35209 @section Custom Debug Info
35210 @cindex custom JIT debug info
35211 @cindex JIT debug info reader
35212
35213 Generating debug information in platform-native file formats (like ELF
35214 or COFF) may be an overkill for JIT compilers; especially if all the
35215 debug info is used for is displaying a meaningful backtrace. The
35216 issue can be resolved by having the JIT writers decide on a debug info
35217 format and also provide a reader that parses the debug info generated
35218 by the JIT compiler. This section gives a brief overview on writing
35219 such a parser. More specific details can be found in the source file
35220 @file{gdb/jit-reader.in}, which is also installed as a header at
35221 @file{@var{includedir}/gdb/jit-reader.h} for easy inclusion.
35222
35223 The reader is implemented as a shared object (so this functionality is
35224 not available on platforms which don't allow loading shared objects at
35225 runtime). Two @value{GDBN} commands, @code{jit-reader-load} and
35226 @code{jit-reader-unload} are provided, to be used to load and unload
35227 the readers from a preconfigured directory. Once loaded, the shared
35228 object is used the parse the debug information emitted by the JIT
35229 compiler.
35230
35231 @menu
35232 * Using JIT Debug Info Readers:: How to use supplied readers correctly
35233 * Writing JIT Debug Info Readers:: Creating a debug-info reader
35234 @end menu
35235
35236 @node Using JIT Debug Info Readers
35237 @subsection Using JIT Debug Info Readers
35238 @kindex jit-reader-load
35239 @kindex jit-reader-unload
35240
35241 Readers can be loaded and unloaded using the @code{jit-reader-load}
35242 and @code{jit-reader-unload} commands.
35243
35244 @table @code
35245 @item jit-reader-load @var{reader}
35246 Load the JIT reader named @var{reader}. @var{reader} is a shared
35247 object specified as either an absolute or a relative file name. In
35248 the latter case, @value{GDBN} will try to load the reader from a
35249 pre-configured directory, usually @file{@var{libdir}/gdb/} on a UNIX
35250 system (here @var{libdir} is the system library directory, often
35251 @file{/usr/local/lib}).
35252
35253 Only one reader can be active at a time; trying to load a second
35254 reader when one is already loaded will result in @value{GDBN}
35255 reporting an error. A new JIT reader can be loaded by first unloading
35256 the current one using @code{jit-reader-unload} and then invoking
35257 @code{jit-reader-load}.
35258
35259 @item jit-reader-unload
35260 Unload the currently loaded JIT reader.
35261
35262 @end table
35263
35264 @node Writing JIT Debug Info Readers
35265 @subsection Writing JIT Debug Info Readers
35266 @cindex writing JIT debug info readers
35267
35268 As mentioned, a reader is essentially a shared object conforming to a
35269 certain ABI. This ABI is described in @file{jit-reader.h}.
35270
35271 @file{jit-reader.h} defines the structures, macros and functions
35272 required to write a reader. It is installed (along with
35273 @value{GDBN}), in @file{@var{includedir}/gdb} where @var{includedir} is
35274 the system include directory.
35275
35276 Readers need to be released under a GPL compatible license. A reader
35277 can be declared as released under such a license by placing the macro
35278 @code{GDB_DECLARE_GPL_COMPATIBLE_READER} in a source file.
35279
35280 The entry point for readers is the symbol @code{gdb_init_reader},
35281 which is expected to be a function with the prototype
35282
35283 @findex gdb_init_reader
35284 @smallexample
35285 extern struct gdb_reader_funcs *gdb_init_reader (void);
35286 @end smallexample
35287
35288 @cindex @code{struct gdb_reader_funcs}
35289
35290 @code{struct gdb_reader_funcs} contains a set of pointers to callback
35291 functions. These functions are executed to read the debug info
35292 generated by the JIT compiler (@code{read}), to unwind stack frames
35293 (@code{unwind}) and to create canonical frame IDs
35294 (@code{get_Frame_id}). It also has a callback that is called when the
35295 reader is being unloaded (@code{destroy}). The struct looks like this
35296
35297 @smallexample
35298 struct gdb_reader_funcs
35299 @{
35300 /* Must be set to GDB_READER_INTERFACE_VERSION. */
35301 int reader_version;
35302
35303 /* For use by the reader. */
35304 void *priv_data;
35305
35306 gdb_read_debug_info *read;
35307 gdb_unwind_frame *unwind;
35308 gdb_get_frame_id *get_frame_id;
35309 gdb_destroy_reader *destroy;
35310 @};
35311 @end smallexample
35312
35313 @cindex @code{struct gdb_symbol_callbacks}
35314 @cindex @code{struct gdb_unwind_callbacks}
35315
35316 The callbacks are provided with another set of callbacks by
35317 @value{GDBN} to do their job. For @code{read}, these callbacks are
35318 passed in a @code{struct gdb_symbol_callbacks} and for @code{unwind}
35319 and @code{get_frame_id}, in a @code{struct gdb_unwind_callbacks}.
35320 @code{struct gdb_symbol_callbacks} has callbacks to create new object
35321 files and new symbol tables inside those object files. @code{struct
35322 gdb_unwind_callbacks} has callbacks to read registers off the current
35323 frame and to write out the values of the registers in the previous
35324 frame. Both have a callback (@code{target_read}) to read bytes off the
35325 target's address space.
35326
35327 @node In-Process Agent
35328 @chapter In-Process Agent
35329 @cindex debugging agent
35330 The traditional debugging model is conceptually low-speed, but works fine,
35331 because most bugs can be reproduced in debugging-mode execution. However,
35332 as multi-core or many-core processors are becoming mainstream, and
35333 multi-threaded programs become more and more popular, there should be more
35334 and more bugs that only manifest themselves at normal-mode execution, for
35335 example, thread races, because debugger's interference with the program's
35336 timing may conceal the bugs. On the other hand, in some applications,
35337 it is not feasible for the debugger to interrupt the program's execution
35338 long enough for the developer to learn anything helpful about its behavior.
35339 If the program's correctness depends on its real-time behavior, delays
35340 introduced by a debugger might cause the program to fail, even when the
35341 code itself is correct. It is useful to be able to observe the program's
35342 behavior without interrupting it.
35343
35344 Therefore, traditional debugging model is too intrusive to reproduce
35345 some bugs. In order to reduce the interference with the program, we can
35346 reduce the number of operations performed by debugger. The
35347 @dfn{In-Process Agent}, a shared library, is running within the same
35348 process with inferior, and is able to perform some debugging operations
35349 itself. As a result, debugger is only involved when necessary, and
35350 performance of debugging can be improved accordingly. Note that
35351 interference with program can be reduced but can't be removed completely,
35352 because the in-process agent will still stop or slow down the program.
35353
35354 The in-process agent can interpret and execute Agent Expressions
35355 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}) during performing debugging operations. The
35356 agent expressions can be used for different purposes, such as collecting
35357 data in tracepoints, and condition evaluation in breakpoints.
35358
35359 @anchor{Control Agent}
35360 You can control whether the in-process agent is used as an aid for
35361 debugging with the following commands:
35362
35363 @table @code
35364 @kindex set agent on
35365 @item set agent on
35366 Causes the in-process agent to perform some operations on behalf of the
35367 debugger. Just which operations requested by the user will be done
35368 by the in-process agent depends on the its capabilities. For example,
35369 if you request to evaluate breakpoint conditions in the in-process agent,
35370 and the in-process agent has such capability as well, then breakpoint
35371 conditions will be evaluated in the in-process agent.
35372
35373 @kindex set agent off
35374 @item set agent off
35375 Disables execution of debugging operations by the in-process agent. All
35376 of the operations will be performed by @value{GDBN}.
35377
35378 @kindex show agent
35379 @item show agent
35380 Display the current setting of execution of debugging operations by
35381 the in-process agent.
35382 @end table
35383
35384 @menu
35385 * In-Process Agent Protocol::
35386 @end menu
35387
35388 @node In-Process Agent Protocol
35389 @section In-Process Agent Protocol
35390 @cindex in-process agent protocol
35391
35392 The in-process agent is able to communicate with both @value{GDBN} and
35393 GDBserver (@pxref{In-Process Agent}). This section documents the protocol
35394 used for communications between @value{GDBN} or GDBserver and the IPA.
35395 In general, @value{GDBN} or GDBserver sends commands
35396 (@pxref{IPA Protocol Commands}) and data to in-process agent, and then
35397 in-process agent replies back with the return result of the command, or
35398 some other information. The data sent to in-process agent is composed
35399 of primitive data types, such as 4-byte or 8-byte type, and composite
35400 types, which are called objects (@pxref{IPA Protocol Objects}).
35401
35402 @menu
35403 * IPA Protocol Objects::
35404 * IPA Protocol Commands::
35405 @end menu
35406
35407 @node IPA Protocol Objects
35408 @subsection IPA Protocol Objects
35409 @cindex ipa protocol objects
35410
35411 The commands sent to and results received from agent may contain some
35412 complex data types called @dfn{objects}.
35413
35414 The in-process agent is running on the same machine with @value{GDBN}
35415 or GDBserver, so it doesn't have to handle as much differences between
35416 two ends as remote protocol (@pxref{Remote Protocol}) tries to handle.
35417 However, there are still some differences of two ends in two processes:
35418
35419 @enumerate
35420 @item
35421 word size. On some 64-bit machines, @value{GDBN} or GDBserver can be
35422 compiled as a 64-bit executable, while in-process agent is a 32-bit one.
35423 @item
35424 ABI. Some machines may have multiple types of ABI, @value{GDBN} or
35425 GDBserver is compiled with one, and in-process agent is compiled with
35426 the other one.
35427 @end enumerate
35428
35429 Here are the IPA Protocol Objects:
35430
35431 @enumerate
35432 @item
35433 agent expression object. It represents an agent expression
35434 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}).
35435 @anchor{agent expression object}
35436 @item
35437 tracepoint action object. It represents a tracepoint action
35438 (@pxref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action Lists}) to collect registers,
35439 memory, static trace data and to evaluate expression.
35440 @anchor{tracepoint action object}
35441 @item
35442 tracepoint object. It represents a tracepoint (@pxref{Tracepoints}).
35443 @anchor{tracepoint object}
35444
35445 @end enumerate
35446
35447 The following table describes important attributes of each IPA protocol
35448 object:
35449
35450 @multitable @columnfractions .30 .20 .50
35451 @headitem Name @tab Size @tab Description
35452 @item @emph{agent expression object} @tab @tab
35453 @item length @tab 4 @tab length of bytes code
35454 @item byte code @tab @var{length} @tab contents of byte code
35455 @item @emph{tracepoint action for collecting memory} @tab @tab
35456 @item 'M' @tab 1 @tab type of tracepoint action
35457 @item addr @tab 8 @tab if @var{basereg} is @samp{-1}, @var{addr} is the
35458 address of the lowest byte to collect, otherwise @var{addr} is the offset
35459 of @var{basereg} for memory collecting.
35460 @item len @tab 8 @tab length of memory for collecting
35461 @item basereg @tab 4 @tab the register number containing the starting
35462 memory address for collecting.
35463 @item @emph{tracepoint action for collecting registers} @tab @tab
35464 @item 'R' @tab 1 @tab type of tracepoint action
35465 @item @emph{tracepoint action for collecting static trace data} @tab @tab
35466 @item 'L' @tab 1 @tab type of tracepoint action
35467 @item @emph{tracepoint action for expression evaluation} @tab @tab
35468 @item 'X' @tab 1 @tab type of tracepoint action
35469 @item agent expression @tab length of @tab @ref{agent expression object}
35470 @item @emph{tracepoint object} @tab @tab
35471 @item number @tab 4 @tab number of tracepoint
35472 @item address @tab 8 @tab address of tracepoint inserted on
35473 @item type @tab 4 @tab type of tracepoint
35474 @item enabled @tab 1 @tab enable or disable of tracepoint
35475 @item step_count @tab 8 @tab step
35476 @item pass_count @tab 8 @tab pass
35477 @item numactions @tab 4 @tab number of tracepoint actions
35478 @item hit count @tab 8 @tab hit count
35479 @item trace frame usage @tab 8 @tab trace frame usage
35480 @item compiled_cond @tab 8 @tab compiled condition
35481 @item orig_size @tab 8 @tab orig size
35482 @item condition @tab 4 if condition is NULL otherwise length of
35483 @ref{agent expression object}
35484 @tab zero if condition is NULL, otherwise is
35485 @ref{agent expression object}
35486 @item actions @tab variable
35487 @tab numactions number of @ref{tracepoint action object}
35488 @end multitable
35489
35490 @node IPA Protocol Commands
35491 @subsection IPA Protocol Commands
35492 @cindex ipa protocol commands
35493
35494 The spaces in each command are delimiters to ease reading this commands
35495 specification. They don't exist in real commands.
35496
35497 @table @samp
35498
35499 @item FastTrace:@var{tracepoint_object} @var{gdb_jump_pad_head}
35500 Installs a new fast tracepoint described by @var{tracepoint_object}
35501 (@pxref{tracepoint object}). @var{gdb_jump_pad_head}, 8-byte long, is the
35502 head of @dfn{jumppad}, which is used to jump to data collection routine
35503 in IPA finally.
35504
35505 Replies:
35506 @table @samp
35507 @item OK @var{target_address} @var{gdb_jump_pad_head} @var{fjump_size} @var{fjump}
35508 @var{target_address} is address of tracepoint in the inferior.
35509 @var{gdb_jump_pad_head} is updated head of jumppad. Both of
35510 @var{target_address} and @var{gdb_jump_pad_head} are 8-byte long.
35511 @var{fjump} contains a sequence of instructions jump to jumppad entry.
35512 @var{fjump_size}, 4-byte long, is the size of @var{fjump}.
35513 @item E @var{NN}
35514 for an error
35515
35516 @end table
35517
35518 @item close
35519 Closes the in-process agent. This command is sent when @value{GDBN} or GDBserver
35520 is about to kill inferiors.
35521
35522 @item qTfSTM
35523 @xref{qTfSTM}.
35524 @item qTsSTM
35525 @xref{qTsSTM}.
35526 @item qTSTMat
35527 @xref{qTSTMat}.
35528 @item probe_marker_at:@var{address}
35529 Asks in-process agent to probe the marker at @var{address}.
35530
35531 Replies:
35532 @table @samp
35533 @item E @var{NN}
35534 for an error
35535 @end table
35536 @item unprobe_marker_at:@var{address}
35537 Asks in-process agent to unprobe the marker at @var{address}.
35538 @end table
35539
35540 @node GDB Bugs
35541 @chapter Reporting Bugs in @value{GDBN}
35542 @cindex bugs in @value{GDBN}
35543 @cindex reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
35544
35545 Your bug reports play an essential role in making @value{GDBN} reliable.
35546
35547 Reporting a bug may help you by bringing a solution to your problem, or it
35548 may not. But in any case the principal function of a bug report is to help
35549 the entire community by making the next version of @value{GDBN} work better. Bug
35550 reports are your contribution to the maintenance of @value{GDBN}.
35551
35552 In order for a bug report to serve its purpose, you must include the
35553 information that enables us to fix the bug.
35554
35555 @menu
35556 * Bug Criteria:: Have you found a bug?
35557 * Bug Reporting:: How to report bugs
35558 @end menu
35559
35560 @node Bug Criteria
35561 @section Have You Found a Bug?
35562 @cindex bug criteria
35563
35564 If you are not sure whether you have found a bug, here are some guidelines:
35565
35566 @itemize @bullet
35567 @cindex fatal signal
35568 @cindex debugger crash
35569 @cindex crash of debugger
35570 @item
35571 If the debugger gets a fatal signal, for any input whatever, that is a
35572 @value{GDBN} bug. Reliable debuggers never crash.
35573
35574 @cindex error on valid input
35575 @item
35576 If @value{GDBN} produces an error message for valid input, that is a
35577 bug. (Note that if you're cross debugging, the problem may also be
35578 somewhere in the connection to the target.)
35579
35580 @cindex invalid input
35581 @item
35582 If @value{GDBN} does not produce an error message for invalid input,
35583 that is a bug. However, you should note that your idea of
35584 ``invalid input'' might be our idea of ``an extension'' or ``support
35585 for traditional practice''.
35586
35587 @item
35588 If you are an experienced user of debugging tools, your suggestions
35589 for improvement of @value{GDBN} are welcome in any case.
35590 @end itemize
35591
35592 @node Bug Reporting
35593 @section How to Report Bugs
35594 @cindex bug reports
35595 @cindex @value{GDBN} bugs, reporting
35596
35597 A number of companies and individuals offer support for @sc{gnu} products.
35598 If you obtained @value{GDBN} from a support organization, we recommend you
35599 contact that organization first.
35600
35601 You can find contact information for many support companies and
35602 individuals in the file @file{etc/SERVICE} in the @sc{gnu} Emacs
35603 distribution.
35604 @c should add a web page ref...
35605
35606 @ifset BUGURL
35607 @ifset BUGURL_DEFAULT
35608 In any event, we also recommend that you submit bug reports for
35609 @value{GDBN}. The preferred method is to submit them directly using
35610 @uref{http://www.gnu.org/software/gdb/bugs/, @value{GDBN}'s Bugs web
35611 page}. Alternatively, the @email{bug-gdb@@gnu.org, e-mail gateway} can
35612 be used.
35613
35614 @strong{Do not send bug reports to @samp{info-gdb}, or to
35615 @samp{help-gdb}, or to any newsgroups.} Most users of @value{GDBN} do
35616 not want to receive bug reports. Those that do have arranged to receive
35617 @samp{bug-gdb}.
35618
35619 The mailing list @samp{bug-gdb} has a newsgroup @samp{gnu.gdb.bug} which
35620 serves as a repeater. The mailing list and the newsgroup carry exactly
35621 the same messages. Often people think of posting bug reports to the
35622 newsgroup instead of mailing them. This appears to work, but it has one
35623 problem which can be crucial: a newsgroup posting often lacks a mail
35624 path back to the sender. Thus, if we need to ask for more information,
35625 we may be unable to reach you. For this reason, it is better to send
35626 bug reports to the mailing list.
35627 @end ifset
35628 @ifclear BUGURL_DEFAULT
35629 In any event, we also recommend that you submit bug reports for
35630 @value{GDBN} to @value{BUGURL}.
35631 @end ifclear
35632 @end ifset
35633
35634 The fundamental principle of reporting bugs usefully is this:
35635 @strong{report all the facts}. If you are not sure whether to state a
35636 fact or leave it out, state it!
35637
35638 Often people omit facts because they think they know what causes the
35639 problem and assume that some details do not matter. Thus, you might
35640 assume that the name of the variable you use in an example does not matter.
35641 Well, probably it does not, but one cannot be sure. Perhaps the bug is a
35642 stray memory reference which happens to fetch from the location where that
35643 name is stored in memory; perhaps, if the name were different, the contents
35644 of that location would fool the debugger into doing the right thing despite
35645 the bug. Play it safe and give a specific, complete example. That is the
35646 easiest thing for you to do, and the most helpful.
35647
35648 Keep in mind that the purpose of a bug report is to enable us to fix the
35649 bug. It may be that the bug has been reported previously, but neither
35650 you nor we can know that unless your bug report is complete and
35651 self-contained.
35652
35653 Sometimes people give a few sketchy facts and ask, ``Does this ring a
35654 bell?'' Those bug reports are useless, and we urge everyone to
35655 @emph{refuse to respond to them} except to chide the sender to report
35656 bugs properly.
35657
35658 To enable us to fix the bug, you should include all these things:
35659
35660 @itemize @bullet
35661 @item
35662 The version of @value{GDBN}. @value{GDBN} announces it if you start
35663 with no arguments; you can also print it at any time using @code{show
35664 version}.
35665
35666 Without this, we will not know whether there is any point in looking for
35667 the bug in the current version of @value{GDBN}.
35668
35669 @item
35670 The type of machine you are using, and the operating system name and
35671 version number.
35672
35673 @item
35674 The details of the @value{GDBN} build-time configuration.
35675 @value{GDBN} shows these details if you invoke it with the
35676 @option{--configuration} command-line option, or if you type
35677 @code{show configuration} at @value{GDBN}'s prompt.
35678
35679 @item
35680 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile @value{GDBN}---e.g.@:
35681 ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1''.
35682
35683 @item
35684 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile the program you are
35685 debugging---e.g.@: ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1'', or ``HP92453-01 A.10.32.03 HP
35686 C Compiler''. For @value{NGCC}, you can say @kbd{@value{GCC} --version}
35687 to get this information; for other compilers, see the documentation for
35688 those compilers.
35689
35690 @item
35691 The command arguments you gave the compiler to compile your example and
35692 observe the bug. For example, did you use @samp{-O}? To guarantee
35693 you will not omit something important, list them all. A copy of the
35694 Makefile (or the output from make) is sufficient.
35695
35696 If we were to try to guess the arguments, we would probably guess wrong
35697 and then we might not encounter the bug.
35698
35699 @item
35700 A complete input script, and all necessary source files, that will
35701 reproduce the bug.
35702
35703 @item
35704 A description of what behavior you observe that you believe is
35705 incorrect. For example, ``It gets a fatal signal.''
35706
35707 Of course, if the bug is that @value{GDBN} gets a fatal signal, then we
35708 will certainly notice it. But if the bug is incorrect output, we might
35709 not notice unless it is glaringly wrong. You might as well not give us
35710 a chance to make a mistake.
35711
35712 Even if the problem you experience is a fatal signal, you should still
35713 say so explicitly. Suppose something strange is going on, such as, your
35714 copy of @value{GDBN} is out of synch, or you have encountered a bug in
35715 the C library on your system. (This has happened!) Your copy might
35716 crash and ours would not. If you told us to expect a crash, then when
35717 ours fails to crash, we would know that the bug was not happening for
35718 us. If you had not told us to expect a crash, then we would not be able
35719 to draw any conclusion from our observations.
35720
35721 @pindex script
35722 @cindex recording a session script
35723 To collect all this information, you can use a session recording program
35724 such as @command{script}, which is available on many Unix systems.
35725 Just run your @value{GDBN} session inside @command{script} and then
35726 include the @file{typescript} file with your bug report.
35727
35728 Another way to record a @value{GDBN} session is to run @value{GDBN}
35729 inside Emacs and then save the entire buffer to a file.
35730
35731 @item
35732 If you wish to suggest changes to the @value{GDBN} source, send us context
35733 diffs. If you even discuss something in the @value{GDBN} source, refer to
35734 it by context, not by line number.
35735
35736 The line numbers in our development sources will not match those in your
35737 sources. Your line numbers would convey no useful information to us.
35738
35739 @end itemize
35740
35741 Here are some things that are not necessary:
35742
35743 @itemize @bullet
35744 @item
35745 A description of the envelope of the bug.
35746
35747 Often people who encounter a bug spend a lot of time investigating
35748 which changes to the input file will make the bug go away and which
35749 changes will not affect it.
35750
35751 This is often time consuming and not very useful, because the way we
35752 will find the bug is by running a single example under the debugger
35753 with breakpoints, not by pure deduction from a series of examples.
35754 We recommend that you save your time for something else.
35755
35756 Of course, if you can find a simpler example to report @emph{instead}
35757 of the original one, that is a convenience for us. Errors in the
35758 output will be easier to spot, running under the debugger will take
35759 less time, and so on.
35760
35761 However, simplification is not vital; if you do not want to do this,
35762 report the bug anyway and send us the entire test case you used.
35763
35764 @item
35765 A patch for the bug.
35766
35767 A patch for the bug does help us if it is a good one. But do not omit
35768 the necessary information, such as the test case, on the assumption that
35769 a patch is all we need. We might see problems with your patch and decide
35770 to fix the problem another way, or we might not understand it at all.
35771
35772 Sometimes with a program as complicated as @value{GDBN} it is very hard to
35773 construct an example that will make the program follow a certain path
35774 through the code. If you do not send us the example, we will not be able
35775 to construct one, so we will not be able to verify that the bug is fixed.
35776
35777 And if we cannot understand what bug you are trying to fix, or why your
35778 patch should be an improvement, we will not install it. A test case will
35779 help us to understand.
35780
35781 @item
35782 A guess about what the bug is or what it depends on.
35783
35784 Such guesses are usually wrong. Even we cannot guess right about such
35785 things without first using the debugger to find the facts.
35786 @end itemize
35787
35788 @c The readline documentation is distributed with the readline code
35789 @c and consists of the two following files:
35790 @c rluser.texi
35791 @c hsuser.texi
35792 @c Use -I with makeinfo to point to the appropriate directory,
35793 @c environment var TEXINPUTS with TeX.
35794 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
35795 @include rluser.texi
35796 @include hsuser.texi
35797 @end ifclear
35798
35799 @node In Memoriam
35800 @appendix In Memoriam
35801
35802 The @value{GDBN} project mourns the loss of the following long-time
35803 contributors:
35804
35805 @table @code
35806 @item Fred Fish
35807 Fred was a long-standing contributor to @value{GDBN} (1991-2006), and
35808 to Free Software in general. Outside of @value{GDBN}, he was known in
35809 the Amiga world for his series of Fish Disks, and the GeekGadget project.
35810
35811 @item Michael Snyder
35812 Michael was one of the Global Maintainers of the @value{GDBN} project,
35813 with contributions recorded as early as 1996, until 2011. In addition
35814 to his day to day participation, he was a large driving force behind
35815 adding Reverse Debugging to @value{GDBN}.
35816 @end table
35817
35818 Beyond their technical contributions to the project, they were also
35819 enjoyable members of the Free Software Community. We will miss them.
35820
35821 @node Formatting Documentation
35822 @appendix Formatting Documentation
35823
35824 @cindex @value{GDBN} reference card
35825 @cindex reference card
35826 The @value{GDBN} 4 release includes an already-formatted reference card, ready
35827 for printing with PostScript or Ghostscript, in the @file{gdb}
35828 subdirectory of the main source directory@footnote{In
35829 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/refcard.ps} of the version @value{GDBVN}
35830 release.}. If you can use PostScript or Ghostscript with your printer,
35831 you can print the reference card immediately with @file{refcard.ps}.
35832
35833 The release also includes the source for the reference card. You
35834 can format it, using @TeX{}, by typing:
35835
35836 @smallexample
35837 make refcard.dvi
35838 @end smallexample
35839
35840 The @value{GDBN} reference card is designed to print in @dfn{landscape}
35841 mode on US ``letter'' size paper;
35842 that is, on a sheet 11 inches wide by 8.5 inches
35843 high. You will need to specify this form of printing as an option to
35844 your @sc{dvi} output program.
35845
35846 @cindex documentation
35847
35848 All the documentation for @value{GDBN} comes as part of the machine-readable
35849 distribution. The documentation is written in Texinfo format, which is
35850 a documentation system that uses a single source file to produce both
35851 on-line information and a printed manual. You can use one of the Info
35852 formatting commands to create the on-line version of the documentation
35853 and @TeX{} (or @code{texi2roff}) to typeset the printed version.
35854
35855 @value{GDBN} includes an already formatted copy of the on-line Info
35856 version of this manual in the @file{gdb} subdirectory. The main Info
35857 file is @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/gdb.info}, and it refers to
35858 subordinate files matching @samp{gdb.info*} in the same directory. If
35859 necessary, you can print out these files, or read them with any editor;
35860 but they are easier to read using the @code{info} subsystem in @sc{gnu}
35861 Emacs or the standalone @code{info} program, available as part of the
35862 @sc{gnu} Texinfo distribution.
35863
35864 If you want to format these Info files yourself, you need one of the
35865 Info formatting programs, such as @code{texinfo-format-buffer} or
35866 @code{makeinfo}.
35867
35868 If you have @code{makeinfo} installed, and are in the top level
35869 @value{GDBN} source directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, in the case of
35870 version @value{GDBVN}), you can make the Info file by typing:
35871
35872 @smallexample
35873 cd gdb
35874 make gdb.info
35875 @end smallexample
35876
35877 If you want to typeset and print copies of this manual, you need @TeX{},
35878 a program to print its @sc{dvi} output files, and @file{texinfo.tex}, the
35879 Texinfo definitions file.
35880
35881 @TeX{} is a typesetting program; it does not print files directly, but
35882 produces output files called @sc{dvi} files. To print a typeset
35883 document, you need a program to print @sc{dvi} files. If your system
35884 has @TeX{} installed, chances are it has such a program. The precise
35885 command to use depends on your system; @kbd{lpr -d} is common; another
35886 (for PostScript devices) is @kbd{dvips}. The @sc{dvi} print command may
35887 require a file name without any extension or a @samp{.dvi} extension.
35888
35889 @TeX{} also requires a macro definitions file called
35890 @file{texinfo.tex}. This file tells @TeX{} how to typeset a document
35891 written in Texinfo format. On its own, @TeX{} cannot either read or
35892 typeset a Texinfo file. @file{texinfo.tex} is distributed with GDB
35893 and is located in the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}/texinfo}
35894 directory.
35895
35896 If you have @TeX{} and a @sc{dvi} printer program installed, you can
35897 typeset and print this manual. First switch to the @file{gdb}
35898 subdirectory of the main source directory (for example, to
35899 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb}) and type:
35900
35901 @smallexample
35902 make gdb.dvi
35903 @end smallexample
35904
35905 Then give @file{gdb.dvi} to your @sc{dvi} printing program.
35906
35907 @node Installing GDB
35908 @appendix Installing @value{GDBN}
35909 @cindex installation
35910
35911 @menu
35912 * Requirements:: Requirements for building @value{GDBN}
35913 * Running Configure:: Invoking the @value{GDBN} @file{configure} script
35914 * Separate Objdir:: Compiling @value{GDBN} in another directory
35915 * Config Names:: Specifying names for hosts and targets
35916 * Configure Options:: Summary of options for configure
35917 * System-wide configuration:: Having a system-wide init file
35918 @end menu
35919
35920 @node Requirements
35921 @section Requirements for Building @value{GDBN}
35922 @cindex building @value{GDBN}, requirements for
35923
35924 Building @value{GDBN} requires various tools and packages to be available.
35925 Other packages will be used only if they are found.
35926
35927 @heading Tools/Packages Necessary for Building @value{GDBN}
35928 @table @asis
35929 @item ISO C90 compiler
35930 @value{GDBN} is written in ISO C90. It should be buildable with any
35931 working C90 compiler, e.g.@: GCC.
35932
35933 @end table
35934
35935 @heading Tools/Packages Optional for Building @value{GDBN}
35936 @table @asis
35937 @item Expat
35938 @anchor{Expat}
35939 @value{GDBN} can use the Expat XML parsing library. This library may be
35940 included with your operating system distribution; if it is not, you
35941 can get the latest version from @url{http://expat.sourceforge.net}.
35942 The @file{configure} script will search for this library in several
35943 standard locations; if it is installed in an unusual path, you can
35944 use the @option{--with-libexpat-prefix} option to specify its location.
35945
35946 Expat is used for:
35947
35948 @itemize @bullet
35949 @item
35950 Remote protocol memory maps (@pxref{Memory Map Format})
35951 @item
35952 Target descriptions (@pxref{Target Descriptions})
35953 @item
35954 Remote shared library lists (@xref{Library List Format},
35955 or alternatively @pxref{Library List Format for SVR4 Targets})
35956 @item
35957 MS-Windows shared libraries (@pxref{Shared Libraries})
35958 @item
35959 Traceframe info (@pxref{Traceframe Info Format})
35960 @item
35961 Branch trace (@pxref{Branch Trace Format})
35962 @end itemize
35963
35964 @item zlib
35965 @cindex compressed debug sections
35966 @value{GDBN} will use the @samp{zlib} library, if available, to read
35967 compressed debug sections. Some linkers, such as GNU gold, are capable
35968 of producing binaries with compressed debug sections. If @value{GDBN}
35969 is compiled with @samp{zlib}, it will be able to read the debug
35970 information in such binaries.
35971
35972 The @samp{zlib} library is likely included with your operating system
35973 distribution; if it is not, you can get the latest version from
35974 @url{http://zlib.net}.
35975
35976 @item iconv
35977 @value{GDBN}'s features related to character sets (@pxref{Character
35978 Sets}) require a functioning @code{iconv} implementation. If you are
35979 on a GNU system, then this is provided by the GNU C Library. Some
35980 other systems also provide a working @code{iconv}.
35981
35982 If @value{GDBN} is using the @code{iconv} program which is installed
35983 in a non-standard place, you will need to tell @value{GDBN} where to find it.
35984 This is done with @option{--with-iconv-bin} which specifies the
35985 directory that contains the @code{iconv} program.
35986
35987 On systems without @code{iconv}, you can install GNU Libiconv. If you
35988 have previously installed Libiconv, you can use the
35989 @option{--with-libiconv-prefix} option to configure.
35990
35991 @value{GDBN}'s top-level @file{configure} and @file{Makefile} will
35992 arrange to build Libiconv if a directory named @file{libiconv} appears
35993 in the top-most source directory. If Libiconv is built this way, and
35994 if the operating system does not provide a suitable @code{iconv}
35995 implementation, then the just-built library will automatically be used
35996 by @value{GDBN}. One easy way to set this up is to download GNU
35997 Libiconv, unpack it, and then rename the directory holding the
35998 Libiconv source code to @samp{libiconv}.
35999 @end table
36000
36001 @node Running Configure
36002 @section Invoking the @value{GDBN} @file{configure} Script
36003 @cindex configuring @value{GDBN}
36004 @value{GDBN} comes with a @file{configure} script that automates the process
36005 of preparing @value{GDBN} for installation; you can then use @code{make} to
36006 build the @code{gdb} program.
36007 @iftex
36008 @c irrelevant in info file; it's as current as the code it lives with.
36009 @footnote{If you have a more recent version of @value{GDBN} than @value{GDBVN},
36010 look at the @file{README} file in the sources; we may have improved the
36011 installation procedures since publishing this manual.}
36012 @end iftex
36013
36014 The @value{GDBN} distribution includes all the source code you need for
36015 @value{GDBN} in a single directory, whose name is usually composed by
36016 appending the version number to @samp{gdb}.
36017
36018 For example, the @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN} distribution is in the
36019 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory. That directory contains:
36020
36021 @table @code
36022 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure @r{(and supporting files)}
36023 script for configuring @value{GDBN} and all its supporting libraries
36024
36025 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb
36026 the source specific to @value{GDBN} itself
36027
36028 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/bfd
36029 source for the Binary File Descriptor library
36030
36031 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/include
36032 @sc{gnu} include files
36033
36034 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/libiberty
36035 source for the @samp{-liberty} free software library
36036
36037 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/opcodes
36038 source for the library of opcode tables and disassemblers
36039
36040 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/readline
36041 source for the @sc{gnu} command-line interface
36042
36043 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/glob
36044 source for the @sc{gnu} filename pattern-matching subroutine
36045
36046 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/mmalloc
36047 source for the @sc{gnu} memory-mapped malloc package
36048 @end table
36049
36050 The simplest way to configure and build @value{GDBN} is to run @file{configure}
36051 from the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory, which in
36052 this example is the @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory.
36053
36054 First switch to the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory
36055 if you are not already in it; then run @file{configure}. Pass the
36056 identifier for the platform on which @value{GDBN} will run as an
36057 argument.
36058
36059 For example:
36060
36061 @smallexample
36062 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
36063 ./configure @var{host}
36064 make
36065 @end smallexample
36066
36067 @noindent
36068 where @var{host} is an identifier such as @samp{sun4} or
36069 @samp{decstation}, that identifies the platform where @value{GDBN} will run.
36070 (You can often leave off @var{host}; @file{configure} tries to guess the
36071 correct value by examining your system.)
36072
36073 Running @samp{configure @var{host}} and then running @code{make} builds the
36074 @file{bfd}, @file{readline}, @file{mmalloc}, and @file{libiberty}
36075 libraries, then @code{gdb} itself. The configured source files, and the
36076 binaries, are left in the corresponding source directories.
36077
36078 @need 750
36079 @file{configure} is a Bourne-shell (@code{/bin/sh}) script; if your
36080 system does not recognize this automatically when you run a different
36081 shell, you may need to run @code{sh} on it explicitly:
36082
36083 @smallexample
36084 sh configure @var{host}
36085 @end smallexample
36086
36087 If you run @file{configure} from a directory that contains source
36088 directories for multiple libraries or programs, such as the
36089 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} source directory for version @value{GDBVN},
36090 @file{configure}
36091 creates configuration files for every directory level underneath (unless
36092 you tell it not to, with the @samp{--norecursion} option).
36093
36094 You should run the @file{configure} script from the top directory in the
36095 source tree, the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} directory. If you run
36096 @file{configure} from one of the subdirectories, you will configure only
36097 that subdirectory. That is usually not what you want. In particular,
36098 if you run the first @file{configure} from the @file{gdb} subdirectory
36099 of the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} directory, you will omit the
36100 configuration of @file{bfd}, @file{readline}, and other sibling
36101 directories of the @file{gdb} subdirectory. This leads to build errors
36102 about missing include files such as @file{bfd/bfd.h}.
36103
36104 You can install @code{@value{GDBP}} anywhere; it has no hardwired paths.
36105 However, you should make sure that the shell on your path (named by
36106 the @samp{SHELL} environment variable) is publicly readable. Remember
36107 that @value{GDBN} uses the shell to start your program---some systems refuse to
36108 let @value{GDBN} debug child processes whose programs are not readable.
36109
36110 @node Separate Objdir
36111 @section Compiling @value{GDBN} in Another Directory
36112
36113 If you want to run @value{GDBN} versions for several host or target machines,
36114 you need a different @code{gdb} compiled for each combination of
36115 host and target. @file{configure} is designed to make this easy by
36116 allowing you to generate each configuration in a separate subdirectory,
36117 rather than in the source directory. If your @code{make} program
36118 handles the @samp{VPATH} feature (@sc{gnu} @code{make} does), running
36119 @code{make} in each of these directories builds the @code{gdb}
36120 program specified there.
36121
36122 To build @code{gdb} in a separate directory, run @file{configure}
36123 with the @samp{--srcdir} option to specify where to find the source.
36124 (You also need to specify a path to find @file{configure}
36125 itself from your working directory. If the path to @file{configure}
36126 would be the same as the argument to @samp{--srcdir}, you can leave out
36127 the @samp{--srcdir} option; it is assumed.)
36128
36129 For example, with version @value{GDBVN}, you can build @value{GDBN} in a
36130 separate directory for a Sun 4 like this:
36131
36132 @smallexample
36133 @group
36134 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
36135 mkdir ../gdb-sun4
36136 cd ../gdb-sun4
36137 ../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure sun4
36138 make
36139 @end group
36140 @end smallexample
36141
36142 When @file{configure} builds a configuration using a remote source
36143 directory, it creates a tree for the binaries with the same structure
36144 (and using the same names) as the tree under the source directory. In
36145 the example, you'd find the Sun 4 library @file{libiberty.a} in the
36146 directory @file{gdb-sun4/libiberty}, and @value{GDBN} itself in
36147 @file{gdb-sun4/gdb}.
36148
36149 Make sure that your path to the @file{configure} script has just one
36150 instance of @file{gdb} in it. If your path to @file{configure} looks
36151 like @file{../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/configure}, you are configuring only
36152 one subdirectory of @value{GDBN}, not the whole package. This leads to
36153 build errors about missing include files such as @file{bfd/bfd.h}.
36154
36155 One popular reason to build several @value{GDBN} configurations in separate
36156 directories is to configure @value{GDBN} for cross-compiling (where
36157 @value{GDBN} runs on one machine---the @dfn{host}---while debugging
36158 programs that run on another machine---the @dfn{target}).
36159 You specify a cross-debugging target by
36160 giving the @samp{--target=@var{target}} option to @file{configure}.
36161
36162 When you run @code{make} to build a program or library, you must run
36163 it in a configured directory---whatever directory you were in when you
36164 called @file{configure} (or one of its subdirectories).
36165
36166 The @code{Makefile} that @file{configure} generates in each source
36167 directory also runs recursively. If you type @code{make} in a source
36168 directory such as @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} (or in a separate configured
36169 directory configured with @samp{--srcdir=@var{dirname}/gdb-@value{GDBVN}}), you
36170 will build all the required libraries, and then build GDB.
36171
36172 When you have multiple hosts or targets configured in separate
36173 directories, you can run @code{make} on them in parallel (for example,
36174 if they are NFS-mounted on each of the hosts); they will not interfere
36175 with each other.
36176
36177 @node Config Names
36178 @section Specifying Names for Hosts and Targets
36179
36180 The specifications used for hosts and targets in the @file{configure}
36181 script are based on a three-part naming scheme, but some short predefined
36182 aliases are also supported. The full naming scheme encodes three pieces
36183 of information in the following pattern:
36184
36185 @smallexample
36186 @var{architecture}-@var{vendor}-@var{os}
36187 @end smallexample
36188
36189 For example, you can use the alias @code{sun4} as a @var{host} argument,
36190 or as the value for @var{target} in a @code{--target=@var{target}}
36191 option. The equivalent full name is @samp{sparc-sun-sunos4}.
36192
36193 The @file{configure} script accompanying @value{GDBN} does not provide
36194 any query facility to list all supported host and target names or
36195 aliases. @file{configure} calls the Bourne shell script
36196 @code{config.sub} to map abbreviations to full names; you can read the
36197 script, if you wish, or you can use it to test your guesses on
36198 abbreviations---for example:
36199
36200 @smallexample
36201 % sh config.sub i386-linux
36202 i386-pc-linux-gnu
36203 % sh config.sub alpha-linux
36204 alpha-unknown-linux-gnu
36205 % sh config.sub hp9k700
36206 hppa1.1-hp-hpux
36207 % sh config.sub sun4
36208 sparc-sun-sunos4.1.1
36209 % sh config.sub sun3
36210 m68k-sun-sunos4.1.1
36211 % sh config.sub i986v
36212 Invalid configuration `i986v': machine `i986v' not recognized
36213 @end smallexample
36214
36215 @noindent
36216 @code{config.sub} is also distributed in the @value{GDBN} source
36217 directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, for version @value{GDBVN}).
36218
36219 @node Configure Options
36220 @section @file{configure} Options
36221
36222 Here is a summary of the @file{configure} options and arguments that
36223 are most often useful for building @value{GDBN}. @file{configure} also has
36224 several other options not listed here. @inforef{What Configure
36225 Does,,configure.info}, for a full explanation of @file{configure}.
36226
36227 @smallexample
36228 configure @r{[}--help@r{]}
36229 @r{[}--prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
36230 @r{[}--exec-prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
36231 @r{[}--srcdir=@var{dirname}@r{]}
36232 @r{[}--norecursion@r{]} @r{[}--rm@r{]}
36233 @r{[}--target=@var{target}@r{]}
36234 @var{host}
36235 @end smallexample
36236
36237 @noindent
36238 You may introduce options with a single @samp{-} rather than
36239 @samp{--} if you prefer; but you may abbreviate option names if you use
36240 @samp{--}.
36241
36242 @table @code
36243 @item --help
36244 Display a quick summary of how to invoke @file{configure}.
36245
36246 @item --prefix=@var{dir}
36247 Configure the source to install programs and files under directory
36248 @file{@var{dir}}.
36249
36250 @item --exec-prefix=@var{dir}
36251 Configure the source to install programs under directory
36252 @file{@var{dir}}.
36253
36254 @c avoid splitting the warning from the explanation:
36255 @need 2000
36256 @item --srcdir=@var{dirname}
36257 @strong{Warning: using this option requires @sc{gnu} @code{make}, or another
36258 @code{make} that implements the @code{VPATH} feature.}@*
36259 Use this option to make configurations in directories separate from the
36260 @value{GDBN} source directories. Among other things, you can use this to
36261 build (or maintain) several configurations simultaneously, in separate
36262 directories. @file{configure} writes configuration-specific files in
36263 the current directory, but arranges for them to use the source in the
36264 directory @var{dirname}. @file{configure} creates directories under
36265 the working directory in parallel to the source directories below
36266 @var{dirname}.
36267
36268 @item --norecursion
36269 Configure only the directory level where @file{configure} is executed; do not
36270 propagate configuration to subdirectories.
36271
36272 @item --target=@var{target}
36273 Configure @value{GDBN} for cross-debugging programs running on the specified
36274 @var{target}. Without this option, @value{GDBN} is configured to debug
36275 programs that run on the same machine (@var{host}) as @value{GDBN} itself.
36276
36277 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available targets.
36278
36279 @item @var{host} @dots{}
36280 Configure @value{GDBN} to run on the specified @var{host}.
36281
36282 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available hosts.
36283 @end table
36284
36285 There are many other options available as well, but they are generally
36286 needed for special purposes only.
36287
36288 @node System-wide configuration
36289 @section System-wide configuration and settings
36290 @cindex system-wide init file
36291
36292 @value{GDBN} can be configured to have a system-wide init file;
36293 this file will be read and executed at startup (@pxref{Startup, , What
36294 @value{GDBN} does during startup}).
36295
36296 Here is the corresponding configure option:
36297
36298 @table @code
36299 @item --with-system-gdbinit=@var{file}
36300 Specify that the default location of the system-wide init file is
36301 @var{file}.
36302 @end table
36303
36304 If @value{GDBN} has been configured with the option @option{--prefix=$prefix},
36305 it may be subject to relocation. Two possible cases:
36306
36307 @itemize @bullet
36308 @item
36309 If the default location of this init file contains @file{$prefix},
36310 it will be subject to relocation. Suppose that the configure options
36311 are @option{--prefix=$prefix --with-system-gdbinit=$prefix/etc/gdbinit};
36312 if @value{GDBN} is moved from @file{$prefix} to @file{$install}, the system
36313 init file is looked for as @file{$install/etc/gdbinit} instead of
36314 @file{$prefix/etc/gdbinit}.
36315
36316 @item
36317 By contrast, if the default location does not contain the prefix,
36318 it will not be relocated. E.g.@: if @value{GDBN} has been configured with
36319 @option{--prefix=/usr/local --with-system-gdbinit=/usr/share/gdb/gdbinit},
36320 then @value{GDBN} will always look for @file{/usr/share/gdb/gdbinit},
36321 wherever @value{GDBN} is installed.
36322 @end itemize
36323
36324 If the configured location of the system-wide init file (as given by the
36325 @option{--with-system-gdbinit} option at configure time) is in the
36326 data-directory (as specified by @option{--with-gdb-datadir} at configure
36327 time) or in one of its subdirectories, then @value{GDBN} will look for the
36328 system-wide init file in the directory specified by the
36329 @option{--data-directory} command-line option.
36330 Note that the system-wide init file is only read once, during @value{GDBN}
36331 initialization. If the data-directory is changed after @value{GDBN} has
36332 started with the @code{set data-directory} command, the file will not be
36333 reread.
36334
36335 @node Maintenance Commands
36336 @appendix Maintenance Commands
36337 @cindex maintenance commands
36338 @cindex internal commands
36339
36340 In addition to commands intended for @value{GDBN} users, @value{GDBN}
36341 includes a number of commands intended for @value{GDBN} developers,
36342 that are not documented elsewhere in this manual. These commands are
36343 provided here for reference. (For commands that turn on debugging
36344 messages, see @ref{Debugging Output}.)
36345
36346 @table @code
36347 @kindex maint agent
36348 @kindex maint agent-eval
36349 @item maint agent @r{[}-at @var{location}@r{,}@r{]} @var{expression}
36350 @itemx maint agent-eval @r{[}-at @var{location}@r{,}@r{]} @var{expression}
36351 Translate the given @var{expression} into remote agent bytecodes.
36352 This command is useful for debugging the Agent Expression mechanism
36353 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}). The @samp{agent} version produces an
36354 expression useful for data collection, such as by tracepoints, while
36355 @samp{maint agent-eval} produces an expression that evaluates directly
36356 to a result. For instance, a collection expression for @code{globa +
36357 globb} will include bytecodes to record four bytes of memory at each
36358 of the addresses of @code{globa} and @code{globb}, while discarding
36359 the result of the addition, while an evaluation expression will do the
36360 addition and return the sum.
36361 If @code{-at} is given, generate remote agent bytecode for @var{location}.
36362 If not, generate remote agent bytecode for current frame PC address.
36363
36364 @kindex maint agent-printf
36365 @item maint agent-printf @var{format},@var{expr},...
36366 Translate the given format string and list of argument expressions
36367 into remote agent bytecodes and display them as a disassembled list.
36368 This command is useful for debugging the agent version of dynamic
36369 printf (@pxref{Dynamic Printf}).
36370
36371 @kindex maint info breakpoints
36372 @item @anchor{maint info breakpoints}maint info breakpoints
36373 Using the same format as @samp{info breakpoints}, display both the
36374 breakpoints you've set explicitly, and those @value{GDBN} is using for
36375 internal purposes. Internal breakpoints are shown with negative
36376 breakpoint numbers. The type column identifies what kind of breakpoint
36377 is shown:
36378
36379 @table @code
36380 @item breakpoint
36381 Normal, explicitly set breakpoint.
36382
36383 @item watchpoint
36384 Normal, explicitly set watchpoint.
36385
36386 @item longjmp
36387 Internal breakpoint, used to handle correctly stepping through
36388 @code{longjmp} calls.
36389
36390 @item longjmp resume
36391 Internal breakpoint at the target of a @code{longjmp}.
36392
36393 @item until
36394 Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{until} command.
36395
36396 @item finish
36397 Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{finish} command.
36398
36399 @item shlib events
36400 Shared library events.
36401
36402 @end table
36403
36404 @kindex maint info bfds
36405 @item maint info bfds
36406 This prints information about each @code{bfd} object that is known to
36407 @value{GDBN}. @xref{Top, , BFD, bfd, The Binary File Descriptor Library}.
36408
36409 @kindex set displaced-stepping
36410 @kindex show displaced-stepping
36411 @cindex displaced stepping support
36412 @cindex out-of-line single-stepping
36413 @item set displaced-stepping
36414 @itemx show displaced-stepping
36415 Control whether or not @value{GDBN} will do @dfn{displaced stepping}
36416 if the target supports it. Displaced stepping is a way to single-step
36417 over breakpoints without removing them from the inferior, by executing
36418 an out-of-line copy of the instruction that was originally at the
36419 breakpoint location. It is also known as out-of-line single-stepping.
36420
36421 @table @code
36422 @item set displaced-stepping on
36423 If the target architecture supports it, @value{GDBN} will use
36424 displaced stepping to step over breakpoints.
36425
36426 @item set displaced-stepping off
36427 @value{GDBN} will not use displaced stepping to step over breakpoints,
36428 even if such is supported by the target architecture.
36429
36430 @cindex non-stop mode, and @samp{set displaced-stepping}
36431 @item set displaced-stepping auto
36432 This is the default mode. @value{GDBN} will use displaced stepping
36433 only if non-stop mode is active (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}) and the target
36434 architecture supports displaced stepping.
36435 @end table
36436
36437 @kindex maint check-psymtabs
36438 @item maint check-psymtabs
36439 Check the consistency of currently expanded psymtabs versus symtabs.
36440 Use this to check, for example, whether a symbol is in one but not the other.
36441
36442 @kindex maint check-symtabs
36443 @item maint check-symtabs
36444 Check the consistency of currently expanded symtabs.
36445
36446 @kindex maint expand-symtabs
36447 @item maint expand-symtabs [@var{regexp}]
36448 Expand symbol tables.
36449 If @var{regexp} is specified, only expand symbol tables for file
36450 names matching @var{regexp}.
36451
36452 @kindex maint cplus first_component
36453 @item maint cplus first_component @var{name}
36454 Print the first C@t{++} class/namespace component of @var{name}.
36455
36456 @kindex maint cplus namespace
36457 @item maint cplus namespace
36458 Print the list of possible C@t{++} namespaces.
36459
36460 @kindex maint demangle
36461 @item maint demangle @var{name}
36462 Demangle a C@t{++} or Objective-C mangled @var{name}.
36463
36464 @kindex maint deprecate
36465 @kindex maint undeprecate
36466 @cindex deprecated commands
36467 @item maint deprecate @var{command} @r{[}@var{replacement}@r{]}
36468 @itemx maint undeprecate @var{command}
36469 Deprecate or undeprecate the named @var{command}. Deprecated commands
36470 cause @value{GDBN} to issue a warning when you use them. The optional
36471 argument @var{replacement} says which newer command should be used in
36472 favor of the deprecated one; if it is given, @value{GDBN} will mention
36473 the replacement as part of the warning.
36474
36475 @kindex maint dump-me
36476 @item maint dump-me
36477 @cindex @code{SIGQUIT} signal, dump core of @value{GDBN}
36478 Cause a fatal signal in the debugger and force it to dump its core.
36479 This is supported only on systems which support aborting a program
36480 with the @code{SIGQUIT} signal.
36481
36482 @kindex maint internal-error
36483 @kindex maint internal-warning
36484 @item maint internal-error @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
36485 @itemx maint internal-warning @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
36486 Cause @value{GDBN} to call the internal function @code{internal_error}
36487 or @code{internal_warning} and hence behave as though an internal error
36488 or internal warning has been detected. In addition to reporting the
36489 internal problem, these functions give the user the opportunity to
36490 either quit @value{GDBN} or create a core file of the current
36491 @value{GDBN} session.
36492
36493 These commands take an optional parameter @var{message-text} that is
36494 used as the text of the error or warning message.
36495
36496 Here's an example of using @code{internal-error}:
36497
36498 @smallexample
36499 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint internal-error testing, 1, 2}
36500 @dots{}/maint.c:121: internal-error: testing, 1, 2
36501 A problem internal to GDB has been detected. Further
36502 debugging may prove unreliable.
36503 Quit this debugging session? (y or n) @kbd{n}
36504 Create a core file? (y or n) @kbd{n}
36505 (@value{GDBP})
36506 @end smallexample
36507
36508 @cindex @value{GDBN} internal error
36509 @cindex internal errors, control of @value{GDBN} behavior
36510
36511 @kindex maint set internal-error
36512 @kindex maint show internal-error
36513 @kindex maint set internal-warning
36514 @kindex maint show internal-warning
36515 @item maint set internal-error @var{action} [ask|yes|no]
36516 @itemx maint show internal-error @var{action}
36517 @itemx maint set internal-warning @var{action} [ask|yes|no]
36518 @itemx maint show internal-warning @var{action}
36519 When @value{GDBN} reports an internal problem (error or warning) it
36520 gives the user the opportunity to both quit @value{GDBN} and create a
36521 core file of the current @value{GDBN} session. These commands let you
36522 override the default behaviour for each particular @var{action},
36523 described in the table below.
36524
36525 @table @samp
36526 @item quit
36527 You can specify that @value{GDBN} should always (yes) or never (no)
36528 quit. The default is to ask the user what to do.
36529
36530 @item corefile
36531 You can specify that @value{GDBN} should always (yes) or never (no)
36532 create a core file. The default is to ask the user what to do.
36533 @end table
36534
36535 @kindex maint packet
36536 @item maint packet @var{text}
36537 If @value{GDBN} is talking to an inferior via the serial protocol,
36538 then this command sends the string @var{text} to the inferior, and
36539 displays the response packet. @value{GDBN} supplies the initial
36540 @samp{$} character, the terminating @samp{#} character, and the
36541 checksum.
36542
36543 @kindex maint print architecture
36544 @item maint print architecture @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
36545 Print the entire architecture configuration. The optional argument
36546 @var{file} names the file where the output goes.
36547
36548 @kindex maint print c-tdesc
36549 @item maint print c-tdesc
36550 Print the current target description (@pxref{Target Descriptions}) as
36551 a C source file. The created source file can be used in @value{GDBN}
36552 when an XML parser is not available to parse the description.
36553
36554 @kindex maint print dummy-frames
36555 @item maint print dummy-frames
36556 Prints the contents of @value{GDBN}'s internal dummy-frame stack.
36557
36558 @smallexample
36559 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{b add}
36560 @dots{}
36561 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{print add(2,3)}
36562 Breakpoint 2, add (a=2, b=3) at @dots{}
36563 58 return (a + b);
36564 The program being debugged stopped while in a function called from GDB.
36565 @dots{}
36566 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint print dummy-frames}
36567 0x1a57c80: pc=0x01014068 fp=0x0200bddc sp=0x0200bdd6
36568 top=0x0200bdd4 id=@{stack=0x200bddc,code=0x101405c@}
36569 call_lo=0x01014000 call_hi=0x01014001
36570 (@value{GDBP})
36571 @end smallexample
36572
36573 Takes an optional file parameter.
36574
36575 @kindex maint print registers
36576 @kindex maint print raw-registers
36577 @kindex maint print cooked-registers
36578 @kindex maint print register-groups
36579 @kindex maint print remote-registers
36580 @item maint print registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
36581 @itemx maint print raw-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
36582 @itemx maint print cooked-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
36583 @itemx maint print register-groups @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
36584 @itemx maint print remote-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
36585 Print @value{GDBN}'s internal register data structures.
36586
36587 The command @code{maint print raw-registers} includes the contents of
36588 the raw register cache; the command @code{maint print
36589 cooked-registers} includes the (cooked) value of all registers,
36590 including registers which aren't available on the target nor visible
36591 to user; the command @code{maint print register-groups} includes the
36592 groups that each register is a member of; and the command @code{maint
36593 print remote-registers} includes the remote target's register numbers
36594 and offsets in the `G' packets. @xref{Registers,, Registers, gdbint,
36595 @value{GDBN} Internals}.
36596
36597 These commands take an optional parameter, a file name to which to
36598 write the information.
36599
36600 @kindex maint print reggroups
36601 @item maint print reggroups @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
36602 Print @value{GDBN}'s internal register group data structures. The
36603 optional argument @var{file} tells to what file to write the
36604 information.
36605
36606 The register groups info looks like this:
36607
36608 @smallexample
36609 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint print reggroups}
36610 Group Type
36611 general user
36612 float user
36613 all user
36614 vector user
36615 system user
36616 save internal
36617 restore internal
36618 @end smallexample
36619
36620 @kindex flushregs
36621 @item flushregs
36622 This command forces @value{GDBN} to flush its internal register cache.
36623
36624 @kindex maint print objfiles
36625 @cindex info for known object files
36626 @item maint print objfiles
36627 Print a dump of all known object files. For each object file, this
36628 command prints its name, address in memory, and all of its psymtabs
36629 and symtabs.
36630
36631 @kindex maint print section-scripts
36632 @cindex info for known .debug_gdb_scripts-loaded scripts
36633 @item maint print section-scripts [@var{regexp}]
36634 Print a dump of scripts specified in the @code{.debug_gdb_section} section.
36635 If @var{regexp} is specified, only print scripts loaded by object files
36636 matching @var{regexp}.
36637 For each script, this command prints its name as specified in the objfile,
36638 and the full path if known.
36639 @xref{dotdebug_gdb_scripts section}.
36640
36641 @kindex maint print statistics
36642 @cindex bcache statistics
36643 @item maint print statistics
36644 This command prints, for each object file in the program, various data
36645 about that object file followed by the byte cache (@dfn{bcache})
36646 statistics for the object file. The objfile data includes the number
36647 of minimal, partial, full, and stabs symbols, the number of types
36648 defined by the objfile, the number of as yet unexpanded psym tables,
36649 the number of line tables and string tables, and the amount of memory
36650 used by the various tables. The bcache statistics include the counts,
36651 sizes, and counts of duplicates of all and unique objects, max,
36652 average, and median entry size, total memory used and its overhead and
36653 savings, and various measures of the hash table size and chain
36654 lengths.
36655
36656 @kindex maint print target-stack
36657 @cindex target stack description
36658 @item maint print target-stack
36659 A @dfn{target} is an interface between the debugger and a particular
36660 kind of file or process. Targets can be stacked in @dfn{strata},
36661 so that more than one target can potentially respond to a request.
36662 In particular, memory accesses will walk down the stack of targets
36663 until they find a target that is interested in handling that particular
36664 address.
36665
36666 This command prints a short description of each layer that was pushed on
36667 the @dfn{target stack}, starting from the top layer down to the bottom one.
36668
36669 @kindex maint print type
36670 @cindex type chain of a data type
36671 @item maint print type @var{expr}
36672 Print the type chain for a type specified by @var{expr}. The argument
36673 can be either a type name or a symbol. If it is a symbol, the type of
36674 that symbol is described. The type chain produced by this command is
36675 a recursive definition of the data type as stored in @value{GDBN}'s
36676 data structures, including its flags and contained types.
36677
36678 @kindex maint set dwarf2 always-disassemble
36679 @kindex maint show dwarf2 always-disassemble
36680 @item maint set dwarf2 always-disassemble
36681 @item maint show dwarf2 always-disassemble
36682 Control the behavior of @code{info address} when using DWARF debugging
36683 information.
36684
36685 The default is @code{off}, which means that @value{GDBN} should try to
36686 describe a variable's location in an easily readable format. When
36687 @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will instead display the DWARF location
36688 expression in an assembly-like format. Note that some locations are
36689 too complex for @value{GDBN} to describe simply; in this case you will
36690 always see the disassembly form.
36691
36692 Here is an example of the resulting disassembly:
36693
36694 @smallexample
36695 (gdb) info addr argc
36696 Symbol "argc" is a complex DWARF expression:
36697 1: DW_OP_fbreg 0
36698 @end smallexample
36699
36700 For more information on these expressions, see
36701 @uref{http://www.dwarfstd.org/, the DWARF standard}.
36702
36703 @kindex maint set dwarf2 max-cache-age
36704 @kindex maint show dwarf2 max-cache-age
36705 @item maint set dwarf2 max-cache-age
36706 @itemx maint show dwarf2 max-cache-age
36707 Control the DWARF 2 compilation unit cache.
36708
36709 @cindex DWARF 2 compilation units cache
36710 In object files with inter-compilation-unit references, such as those
36711 produced by the GCC option @samp{-feliminate-dwarf2-dups}, the DWARF 2
36712 reader needs to frequently refer to previously read compilation units.
36713 This setting controls how long a compilation unit will remain in the
36714 cache if it is not referenced. A higher limit means that cached
36715 compilation units will be stored in memory longer, and more total
36716 memory will be used. Setting it to zero disables caching, which will
36717 slow down @value{GDBN} startup, but reduce memory consumption.
36718
36719 @kindex maint set profile
36720 @kindex maint show profile
36721 @cindex profiling GDB
36722 @item maint set profile
36723 @itemx maint show profile
36724 Control profiling of @value{GDBN}.
36725
36726 Profiling will be disabled until you use the @samp{maint set profile}
36727 command to enable it. When you enable profiling, the system will begin
36728 collecting timing and execution count data; when you disable profiling or
36729 exit @value{GDBN}, the results will be written to a log file. Remember that
36730 if you use profiling, @value{GDBN} will overwrite the profiling log file
36731 (often called @file{gmon.out}). If you have a record of important profiling
36732 data in a @file{gmon.out} file, be sure to move it to a safe location.
36733
36734 Configuring with @samp{--enable-profiling} arranges for @value{GDBN} to be
36735 compiled with the @samp{-pg} compiler option.
36736
36737 @kindex maint set show-debug-regs
36738 @kindex maint show show-debug-regs
36739 @cindex hardware debug registers
36740 @item maint set show-debug-regs
36741 @itemx maint show show-debug-regs
36742 Control whether to show variables that mirror the hardware debug
36743 registers. Use @code{ON} to enable, @code{OFF} to disable. If
36744 enabled, the debug registers values are shown when @value{GDBN} inserts or
36745 removes a hardware breakpoint or watchpoint, and when the inferior
36746 triggers a hardware-assisted breakpoint or watchpoint.
36747
36748 @kindex maint set show-all-tib
36749 @kindex maint show show-all-tib
36750 @item maint set show-all-tib
36751 @itemx maint show show-all-tib
36752 Control whether to show all non zero areas within a 1k block starting
36753 at thread local base, when using the @samp{info w32 thread-information-block}
36754 command.
36755
36756 @kindex maint set per-command
36757 @kindex maint show per-command
36758 @item maint set per-command
36759 @itemx maint show per-command
36760 @cindex resources used by commands
36761
36762 @value{GDBN} can display the resources used by each command.
36763 This is useful in debugging performance problems.
36764
36765 @table @code
36766 @item maint set per-command space [on|off]
36767 @itemx maint show per-command space
36768 Enable or disable the printing of the memory used by GDB for each command.
36769 If enabled, @value{GDBN} will display how much memory each command
36770 took, following the command's own output.
36771 This can also be requested by invoking @value{GDBN} with the
36772 @option{--statistics} command-line switch (@pxref{Mode Options}).
36773
36774 @item maint set per-command time [on|off]
36775 @itemx maint show per-command time
36776 Enable or disable the printing of the execution time of @value{GDBN}
36777 for each command.
36778 If enabled, @value{GDBN} will display how much time it
36779 took to execute each command, following the command's own output.
36780 Both CPU time and wallclock time are printed.
36781 Printing both is useful when trying to determine whether the cost is
36782 CPU or, e.g., disk/network latency.
36783 Note that the CPU time printed is for @value{GDBN} only, it does not include
36784 the execution time of the inferior because there's no mechanism currently
36785 to compute how much time was spent by @value{GDBN} and how much time was
36786 spent by the program been debugged.
36787 This can also be requested by invoking @value{GDBN} with the
36788 @option{--statistics} command-line switch (@pxref{Mode Options}).
36789
36790 @item maint set per-command symtab [on|off]
36791 @itemx maint show per-command symtab
36792 Enable or disable the printing of basic symbol table statistics
36793 for each command.
36794 If enabled, @value{GDBN} will display the following information:
36795
36796 @enumerate a
36797 @item
36798 number of symbol tables
36799 @item
36800 number of primary symbol tables
36801 @item
36802 number of blocks in the blockvector
36803 @end enumerate
36804 @end table
36805
36806 @kindex maint space
36807 @cindex memory used by commands
36808 @item maint space @var{value}
36809 An alias for @code{maint set per-command space}.
36810 A non-zero value enables it, zero disables it.
36811
36812 @kindex maint time
36813 @cindex time of command execution
36814 @item maint time @var{value}
36815 An alias for @code{maint set per-command time}.
36816 A non-zero value enables it, zero disables it.
36817
36818 @kindex maint translate-address
36819 @item maint translate-address @r{[}@var{section}@r{]} @var{addr}
36820 Find the symbol stored at the location specified by the address
36821 @var{addr} and an optional section name @var{section}. If found,
36822 @value{GDBN} prints the name of the closest symbol and an offset from
36823 the symbol's location to the specified address. This is similar to
36824 the @code{info address} command (@pxref{Symbols}), except that this
36825 command also allows to find symbols in other sections.
36826
36827 If section was not specified, the section in which the symbol was found
36828 is also printed. For dynamically linked executables, the name of
36829 executable or shared library containing the symbol is printed as well.
36830
36831 @end table
36832
36833 The following command is useful for non-interactive invocations of
36834 @value{GDBN}, such as in the test suite.
36835
36836 @table @code
36837 @item set watchdog @var{nsec}
36838 @kindex set watchdog
36839 @cindex watchdog timer
36840 @cindex timeout for commands
36841 Set the maximum number of seconds @value{GDBN} will wait for the
36842 target operation to finish. If this time expires, @value{GDBN}
36843 reports and error and the command is aborted.
36844
36845 @item show watchdog
36846 Show the current setting of the target wait timeout.
36847 @end table
36848
36849 @node Remote Protocol
36850 @appendix @value{GDBN} Remote Serial Protocol
36851
36852 @menu
36853 * Overview::
36854 * Packets::
36855 * Stop Reply Packets::
36856 * General Query Packets::
36857 * Architecture-Specific Protocol Details::
36858 * Tracepoint Packets::
36859 * Host I/O Packets::
36860 * Interrupts::
36861 * Notification Packets::
36862 * Remote Non-Stop::
36863 * Packet Acknowledgment::
36864 * Examples::
36865 * File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension::
36866 * Library List Format::
36867 * Library List Format for SVR4 Targets::
36868 * Memory Map Format::
36869 * Thread List Format::
36870 * Traceframe Info Format::
36871 * Branch Trace Format::
36872 @end menu
36873
36874 @node Overview
36875 @section Overview
36876
36877 There may be occasions when you need to know something about the
36878 protocol---for example, if there is only one serial port to your target
36879 machine, you might want your program to do something special if it
36880 recognizes a packet meant for @value{GDBN}.
36881
36882 In the examples below, @samp{->} and @samp{<-} are used to indicate
36883 transmitted and received data, respectively.
36884
36885 @cindex protocol, @value{GDBN} remote serial
36886 @cindex serial protocol, @value{GDBN} remote
36887 @cindex remote serial protocol
36888 All @value{GDBN} commands and responses (other than acknowledgments
36889 and notifications, see @ref{Notification Packets}) are sent as a
36890 @var{packet}. A @var{packet} is introduced with the character
36891 @samp{$}, the actual @var{packet-data}, and the terminating character
36892 @samp{#} followed by a two-digit @var{checksum}:
36893
36894 @smallexample
36895 @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
36896 @end smallexample
36897 @noindent
36898
36899 @cindex checksum, for @value{GDBN} remote
36900 @noindent
36901 The two-digit @var{checksum} is computed as the modulo 256 sum of all
36902 characters between the leading @samp{$} and the trailing @samp{#} (an
36903 eight bit unsigned checksum).
36904
36905 Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0 the protocol
36906 specification also included an optional two-digit @var{sequence-id}:
36907
36908 @smallexample
36909 @code{$}@var{sequence-id}@code{:}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
36910 @end smallexample
36911
36912 @cindex sequence-id, for @value{GDBN} remote
36913 @noindent
36914 That @var{sequence-id} was appended to the acknowledgment. @value{GDBN}
36915 has never output @var{sequence-id}s. Stubs that handle packets added
36916 since @value{GDBN} 5.0 must not accept @var{sequence-id}.
36917
36918 When either the host or the target machine receives a packet, the first
36919 response expected is an acknowledgment: either @samp{+} (to indicate
36920 the package was received correctly) or @samp{-} (to request
36921 retransmission):
36922
36923 @smallexample
36924 -> @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
36925 <- @code{+}
36926 @end smallexample
36927 @noindent
36928
36929 The @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments can be disabled
36930 once a connection is established.
36931 @xref{Packet Acknowledgment}, for details.
36932
36933 The host (@value{GDBN}) sends @var{command}s, and the target (the
36934 debugging stub incorporated in your program) sends a @var{response}. In
36935 the case of step and continue @var{command}s, the response is only sent
36936 when the operation has completed, and the target has again stopped all
36937 threads in all attached processes. This is the default all-stop mode
36938 behavior, but the remote protocol also supports @value{GDBN}'s non-stop
36939 execution mode; see @ref{Remote Non-Stop}, for details.
36940
36941 @var{packet-data} consists of a sequence of characters with the
36942 exception of @samp{#} and @samp{$} (see @samp{X} packet for additional
36943 exceptions).
36944
36945 @cindex remote protocol, field separator
36946 Fields within the packet should be separated using @samp{,} @samp{;} or
36947 @samp{:}. Except where otherwise noted all numbers are represented in
36948 @sc{hex} with leading zeros suppressed.
36949
36950 Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0, the character
36951 @samp{:} could not appear as the third character in a packet (as it
36952 would potentially conflict with the @var{sequence-id}).
36953
36954 @cindex remote protocol, binary data
36955 @anchor{Binary Data}
36956 Binary data in most packets is encoded either as two hexadecimal
36957 digits per byte of binary data. This allowed the traditional remote
36958 protocol to work over connections which were only seven-bit clean.
36959 Some packets designed more recently assume an eight-bit clean
36960 connection, and use a more efficient encoding to send and receive
36961 binary data.
36962
36963 The binary data representation uses @code{7d} (@sc{ascii} @samp{@}})
36964 as an escape character. Any escaped byte is transmitted as the escape
36965 character followed by the original character XORed with @code{0x20}.
36966 For example, the byte @code{0x7d} would be transmitted as the two
36967 bytes @code{0x7d 0x5d}. The bytes @code{0x23} (@sc{ascii} @samp{#}),
36968 @code{0x24} (@sc{ascii} @samp{$}), and @code{0x7d} (@sc{ascii}
36969 @samp{@}}) must always be escaped. Responses sent by the stub
36970 must also escape @code{0x2a} (@sc{ascii} @samp{*}), so that it
36971 is not interpreted as the start of a run-length encoded sequence
36972 (described next).
36973
36974 Response @var{data} can be run-length encoded to save space.
36975 Run-length encoding replaces runs of identical characters with one
36976 instance of the repeated character, followed by a @samp{*} and a
36977 repeat count. The repeat count is itself sent encoded, to avoid
36978 binary characters in @var{data}: a value of @var{n} is sent as
36979 @code{@var{n}+29}. For a repeat count greater or equal to 3, this
36980 produces a printable @sc{ascii} character, e.g.@: a space (@sc{ascii}
36981 code 32) for a repeat count of 3. (This is because run-length
36982 encoding starts to win for counts 3 or more.) Thus, for example,
36983 @samp{0* } is a run-length encoding of ``0000'': the space character
36984 after @samp{*} means repeat the leading @code{0} @w{@code{32 - 29 =
36985 3}} more times.
36986
36987 The printable characters @samp{#} and @samp{$} or with a numeric value
36988 greater than 126 must not be used. Runs of six repeats (@samp{#}) or
36989 seven repeats (@samp{$}) can be expanded using a repeat count of only
36990 five (@samp{"}). For example, @samp{00000000} can be encoded as
36991 @samp{0*"00}.
36992
36993 The error response returned for some packets includes a two character
36994 error number. That number is not well defined.
36995
36996 @cindex empty response, for unsupported packets
36997 For any @var{command} not supported by the stub, an empty response
36998 (@samp{$#00}) should be returned. That way it is possible to extend the
36999 protocol. A newer @value{GDBN} can tell if a packet is supported based
37000 on that response.
37001
37002 At a minimum, a stub is required to support the @samp{g} and @samp{G}
37003 commands for register access, and the @samp{m} and @samp{M} commands
37004 for memory access. Stubs that only control single-threaded targets
37005 can implement run control with the @samp{c} (continue), and @samp{s}
37006 (step) commands. Stubs that support multi-threading targets should
37007 support the @samp{vCont} command. All other commands are optional.
37008
37009 @node Packets
37010 @section Packets
37011
37012 The following table provides a complete list of all currently defined
37013 @var{command}s and their corresponding response @var{data}.
37014 @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension}, for details about the File
37015 I/O extension of the remote protocol.
37016
37017 Each packet's description has a template showing the packet's overall
37018 syntax, followed by an explanation of the packet's meaning. We
37019 include spaces in some of the templates for clarity; these are not
37020 part of the packet's syntax. No @value{GDBN} packet uses spaces to
37021 separate its components. For example, a template like @samp{foo
37022 @var{bar} @var{baz}} describes a packet beginning with the three ASCII
37023 bytes @samp{foo}, followed by a @var{bar}, followed directly by a
37024 @var{baz}. @value{GDBN} does not transmit a space character between the
37025 @samp{foo} and the @var{bar}, or between the @var{bar} and the
37026 @var{baz}.
37027
37028 @cindex @var{thread-id}, in remote protocol
37029 @anchor{thread-id syntax}
37030 Several packets and replies include a @var{thread-id} field to identify
37031 a thread. Normally these are positive numbers with a target-specific
37032 interpretation, formatted as big-endian hex strings. A @var{thread-id}
37033 can also be a literal @samp{-1} to indicate all threads, or @samp{0} to
37034 pick any thread.
37035
37036 In addition, the remote protocol supports a multiprocess feature in
37037 which the @var{thread-id} syntax is extended to optionally include both
37038 process and thread ID fields, as @samp{p@var{pid}.@var{tid}}.
37039 The @var{pid} (process) and @var{tid} (thread) components each have the
37040 format described above: a positive number with target-specific
37041 interpretation formatted as a big-endian hex string, literal @samp{-1}
37042 to indicate all processes or threads (respectively), or @samp{0} to
37043 indicate an arbitrary process or thread. Specifying just a process, as
37044 @samp{p@var{pid}}, is equivalent to @samp{p@var{pid}.-1}. It is an
37045 error to specify all processes but a specific thread, such as
37046 @samp{p-1.@var{tid}}. Note that the @samp{p} prefix is @emph{not} used
37047 for those packets and replies explicitly documented to include a process
37048 ID, rather than a @var{thread-id}.
37049
37050 The multiprocess @var{thread-id} syntax extensions are only used if both
37051 @value{GDBN} and the stub report support for the @samp{multiprocess}
37052 feature using @samp{qSupported}. @xref{multiprocess extensions}, for
37053 more information.
37054
37055 Note that all packet forms beginning with an upper- or lower-case
37056 letter, other than those described here, are reserved for future use.
37057
37058 Here are the packet descriptions.
37059
37060 @table @samp
37061
37062 @item !
37063 @cindex @samp{!} packet
37064 @anchor{extended mode}
37065 Enable extended mode. In extended mode, the remote server is made
37066 persistent. The @samp{R} packet is used to restart the program being
37067 debugged.
37068
37069 Reply:
37070 @table @samp
37071 @item OK
37072 The remote target both supports and has enabled extended mode.
37073 @end table
37074
37075 @item ?
37076 @cindex @samp{?} packet
37077 Indicate the reason the target halted. The reply is the same as for
37078 step and continue. This packet has a special interpretation when the
37079 target is in non-stop mode; see @ref{Remote Non-Stop}.
37080
37081 Reply:
37082 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
37083
37084 @item A @var{arglen},@var{argnum},@var{arg},@dots{}
37085 @cindex @samp{A} packet
37086 Initialized @code{argv[]} array passed into program. @var{arglen}
37087 specifies the number of bytes in the hex encoded byte stream
37088 @var{arg}. See @code{gdbserver} for more details.
37089
37090 Reply:
37091 @table @samp
37092 @item OK
37093 The arguments were set.
37094 @item E @var{NN}
37095 An error occurred.
37096 @end table
37097
37098 @item b @var{baud}
37099 @cindex @samp{b} packet
37100 (Don't use this packet; its behavior is not well-defined.)
37101 Change the serial line speed to @var{baud}.
37102
37103 JTC: @emph{When does the transport layer state change? When it's
37104 received, or after the ACK is transmitted. In either case, there are
37105 problems if the command or the acknowledgment packet is dropped.}
37106
37107 Stan: @emph{If people really wanted to add something like this, and get
37108 it working for the first time, they ought to modify ser-unix.c to send
37109 some kind of out-of-band message to a specially-setup stub and have the
37110 switch happen "in between" packets, so that from remote protocol's point
37111 of view, nothing actually happened.}
37112
37113 @item B @var{addr},@var{mode}
37114 @cindex @samp{B} packet
37115 Set (@var{mode} is @samp{S}) or clear (@var{mode} is @samp{C}) a
37116 breakpoint at @var{addr}.
37117
37118 Don't use this packet. Use the @samp{Z} and @samp{z} packets instead
37119 (@pxref{insert breakpoint or watchpoint packet}).
37120
37121 @cindex @samp{bc} packet
37122 @anchor{bc}
37123 @item bc
37124 Backward continue. Execute the target system in reverse. No parameter.
37125 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
37126
37127 Reply:
37128 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
37129
37130 @cindex @samp{bs} packet
37131 @anchor{bs}
37132 @item bs
37133 Backward single step. Execute one instruction in reverse. No parameter.
37134 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
37135
37136 Reply:
37137 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
37138
37139 @item c @r{[}@var{addr}@r{]}
37140 @cindex @samp{c} packet
37141 Continue. @var{addr} is address to resume. If @var{addr} is omitted,
37142 resume at current address.
37143
37144 This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
37145 packet}.
37146
37147 Reply:
37148 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
37149
37150 @item C @var{sig}@r{[};@var{addr}@r{]}
37151 @cindex @samp{C} packet
37152 Continue with signal @var{sig} (hex signal number). If
37153 @samp{;@var{addr}} is omitted, resume at same address.
37154
37155 This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
37156 packet}.
37157
37158 Reply:
37159 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
37160
37161 @item d
37162 @cindex @samp{d} packet
37163 Toggle debug flag.
37164
37165 Don't use this packet; instead, define a general set packet
37166 (@pxref{General Query Packets}).
37167
37168 @item D
37169 @itemx D;@var{pid}
37170 @cindex @samp{D} packet
37171 The first form of the packet is used to detach @value{GDBN} from the
37172 remote system. It is sent to the remote target
37173 before @value{GDBN} disconnects via the @code{detach} command.
37174
37175 The second form, including a process ID, is used when multiprocess
37176 protocol extensions are enabled (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}), to
37177 detach only a specific process. The @var{pid} is specified as a
37178 big-endian hex string.
37179
37180 Reply:
37181 @table @samp
37182 @item OK
37183 for success
37184 @item E @var{NN}
37185 for an error
37186 @end table
37187
37188 @item F @var{RC},@var{EE},@var{CF};@var{XX}
37189 @cindex @samp{F} packet
37190 A reply from @value{GDBN} to an @samp{F} packet sent by the target.
37191 This is part of the File-I/O protocol extension. @xref{File-I/O
37192 Remote Protocol Extension}, for the specification.
37193
37194 @item g
37195 @anchor{read registers packet}
37196 @cindex @samp{g} packet
37197 Read general registers.
37198
37199 Reply:
37200 @table @samp
37201 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
37202 Each byte of register data is described by two hex digits. The bytes
37203 with the register are transmitted in target byte order. The size of
37204 each register and their position within the @samp{g} packet are
37205 determined by the @value{GDBN} internal gdbarch functions
37206 @code{DEPRECATED_REGISTER_RAW_SIZE} and @code{gdbarch_register_name}. The
37207 specification of several standard @samp{g} packets is specified below.
37208
37209 When reading registers from a trace frame (@pxref{Analyze Collected
37210 Data,,Using the Collected Data}), the stub may also return a string of
37211 literal @samp{x}'s in place of the register data digits, to indicate
37212 that the corresponding register has not been collected, thus its value
37213 is unavailable. For example, for an architecture with 4 registers of
37214 4 bytes each, the following reply indicates to @value{GDBN} that
37215 registers 0 and 2 have not been collected, while registers 1 and 3
37216 have been collected, and both have zero value:
37217
37218 @smallexample
37219 -> @code{g}
37220 <- @code{xxxxxxxx00000000xxxxxxxx00000000}
37221 @end smallexample
37222
37223 @item E @var{NN}
37224 for an error.
37225 @end table
37226
37227 @item G @var{XX@dots{}}
37228 @cindex @samp{G} packet
37229 Write general registers. @xref{read registers packet}, for a
37230 description of the @var{XX@dots{}} data.
37231
37232 Reply:
37233 @table @samp
37234 @item OK
37235 for success
37236 @item E @var{NN}
37237 for an error
37238 @end table
37239
37240 @item H @var{op} @var{thread-id}
37241 @cindex @samp{H} packet
37242 Set thread for subsequent operations (@samp{m}, @samp{M}, @samp{g},
37243 @samp{G}, et.al.). @var{op} depends on the operation to be performed:
37244 it should be @samp{c} for step and continue operations (note that this
37245 is deprecated, supporting the @samp{vCont} command is a better
37246 option), @samp{g} for other operations. The thread designator
37247 @var{thread-id} has the format and interpretation described in
37248 @ref{thread-id syntax}.
37249
37250 Reply:
37251 @table @samp
37252 @item OK
37253 for success
37254 @item E @var{NN}
37255 for an error
37256 @end table
37257
37258 @c FIXME: JTC:
37259 @c 'H': How restrictive (or permissive) is the thread model. If a
37260 @c thread is selected and stopped, are other threads allowed
37261 @c to continue to execute? As I mentioned above, I think the
37262 @c semantics of each command when a thread is selected must be
37263 @c described. For example:
37264 @c
37265 @c 'g': If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
37266 @c selected, returns the register block from that thread;
37267 @c otherwise returns current registers.
37268 @c
37269 @c 'G' If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
37270 @c selected, sets the registers of the register block of
37271 @c that thread; otherwise sets current registers.
37272
37273 @item i @r{[}@var{addr}@r{[},@var{nnn}@r{]]}
37274 @anchor{cycle step packet}
37275 @cindex @samp{i} packet
37276 Step the remote target by a single clock cycle. If @samp{,@var{nnn}} is
37277 present, cycle step @var{nnn} cycles. If @var{addr} is present, cycle
37278 step starting at that address.
37279
37280 @item I
37281 @cindex @samp{I} packet
37282 Signal, then cycle step. @xref{step with signal packet}. @xref{cycle
37283 step packet}.
37284
37285 @item k
37286 @cindex @samp{k} packet
37287 Kill request.
37288
37289 FIXME: @emph{There is no description of how to operate when a specific
37290 thread context has been selected (i.e.@: does 'k' kill only that
37291 thread?)}.
37292
37293 @item m @var{addr},@var{length}
37294 @cindex @samp{m} packet
37295 Read @var{length} bytes of memory starting at address @var{addr}.
37296 Note that @var{addr} may not be aligned to any particular boundary.
37297
37298 The stub need not use any particular size or alignment when gathering
37299 data from memory for the response; even if @var{addr} is word-aligned
37300 and @var{length} is a multiple of the word size, the stub is free to
37301 use byte accesses, or not. For this reason, this packet may not be
37302 suitable for accessing memory-mapped I/O devices.
37303 @cindex alignment of remote memory accesses
37304 @cindex size of remote memory accesses
37305 @cindex memory, alignment and size of remote accesses
37306
37307 Reply:
37308 @table @samp
37309 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
37310 Memory contents; each byte is transmitted as a two-digit hexadecimal
37311 number. The reply may contain fewer bytes than requested if the
37312 server was able to read only part of the region of memory.
37313 @item E @var{NN}
37314 @var{NN} is errno
37315 @end table
37316
37317 @item M @var{addr},@var{length}:@var{XX@dots{}}
37318 @cindex @samp{M} packet
37319 Write @var{length} bytes of memory starting at address @var{addr}.
37320 @var{XX@dots{}} is the data; each byte is transmitted as a two-digit
37321 hexadecimal number.
37322
37323 Reply:
37324 @table @samp
37325 @item OK
37326 for success
37327 @item E @var{NN}
37328 for an error (this includes the case where only part of the data was
37329 written).
37330 @end table
37331
37332 @item p @var{n}
37333 @cindex @samp{p} packet
37334 Read the value of register @var{n}; @var{n} is in hex.
37335 @xref{read registers packet}, for a description of how the returned
37336 register value is encoded.
37337
37338 Reply:
37339 @table @samp
37340 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
37341 the register's value
37342 @item E @var{NN}
37343 for an error
37344 @item @w{}
37345 Indicating an unrecognized @var{query}.
37346 @end table
37347
37348 @item P @var{n@dots{}}=@var{r@dots{}}
37349 @anchor{write register packet}
37350 @cindex @samp{P} packet
37351 Write register @var{n@dots{}} with value @var{r@dots{}}. The register
37352 number @var{n} is in hexadecimal, and @var{r@dots{}} contains two hex
37353 digits for each byte in the register (target byte order).
37354
37355 Reply:
37356 @table @samp
37357 @item OK
37358 for success
37359 @item E @var{NN}
37360 for an error
37361 @end table
37362
37363 @item q @var{name} @var{params}@dots{}
37364 @itemx Q @var{name} @var{params}@dots{}
37365 @cindex @samp{q} packet
37366 @cindex @samp{Q} packet
37367 General query (@samp{q}) and set (@samp{Q}). These packets are
37368 described fully in @ref{General Query Packets}.
37369
37370 @item r
37371 @cindex @samp{r} packet
37372 Reset the entire system.
37373
37374 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{R} packet instead.
37375
37376 @item R @var{XX}
37377 @cindex @samp{R} packet
37378 Restart the program being debugged. @var{XX}, while needed, is ignored.
37379 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
37380
37381 The @samp{R} packet has no reply.
37382
37383 @item s @r{[}@var{addr}@r{]}
37384 @cindex @samp{s} packet
37385 Single step. @var{addr} is the address at which to resume. If
37386 @var{addr} is omitted, resume at same address.
37387
37388 This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
37389 packet}.
37390
37391 Reply:
37392 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
37393
37394 @item S @var{sig}@r{[};@var{addr}@r{]}
37395 @anchor{step with signal packet}
37396 @cindex @samp{S} packet
37397 Step with signal. This is analogous to the @samp{C} packet, but
37398 requests a single-step, rather than a normal resumption of execution.
37399
37400 This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
37401 packet}.
37402
37403 Reply:
37404 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
37405
37406 @item t @var{addr}:@var{PP},@var{MM}
37407 @cindex @samp{t} packet
37408 Search backwards starting at address @var{addr} for a match with pattern
37409 @var{PP} and mask @var{MM}. @var{PP} and @var{MM} are 4 bytes.
37410 @var{addr} must be at least 3 digits.
37411
37412 @item T @var{thread-id}
37413 @cindex @samp{T} packet
37414 Find out if the thread @var{thread-id} is alive. @xref{thread-id syntax}.
37415
37416 Reply:
37417 @table @samp
37418 @item OK
37419 thread is still alive
37420 @item E @var{NN}
37421 thread is dead
37422 @end table
37423
37424 @item v
37425 Packets starting with @samp{v} are identified by a multi-letter name,
37426 up to the first @samp{;} or @samp{?} (or the end of the packet).
37427
37428 @item vAttach;@var{pid}
37429 @cindex @samp{vAttach} packet
37430 Attach to a new process with the specified process ID @var{pid}.
37431 The process ID is a
37432 hexadecimal integer identifying the process. In all-stop mode, all
37433 threads in the attached process are stopped; in non-stop mode, it may be
37434 attached without being stopped if that is supported by the target.
37435
37436 @c In non-stop mode, on a successful vAttach, the stub should set the
37437 @c current thread to a thread of the newly-attached process. After
37438 @c attaching, GDB queries for the attached process's thread ID with qC.
37439 @c Also note that, from a user perspective, whether or not the
37440 @c target is stopped on attach in non-stop mode depends on whether you
37441 @c use the foreground or background version of the attach command, not
37442 @c on what vAttach does; GDB does the right thing with respect to either
37443 @c stopping or restarting threads.
37444
37445 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
37446
37447 Reply:
37448 @table @samp
37449 @item E @var{nn}
37450 for an error
37451 @item @r{Any stop packet}
37452 for success in all-stop mode (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
37453 @item OK
37454 for success in non-stop mode (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop})
37455 @end table
37456
37457 @item vCont@r{[};@var{action}@r{[}:@var{thread-id}@r{]]}@dots{}
37458 @cindex @samp{vCont} packet
37459 @anchor{vCont packet}
37460 Resume the inferior, specifying different actions for each thread.
37461 If an action is specified with no @var{thread-id}, then it is applied to any
37462 threads that don't have a specific action specified; if no default action is
37463 specified then other threads should remain stopped in all-stop mode and
37464 in their current state in non-stop mode.
37465 Specifying multiple
37466 default actions is an error; specifying no actions is also an error.
37467 Thread IDs are specified using the syntax described in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
37468
37469 Currently supported actions are:
37470
37471 @table @samp
37472 @item c
37473 Continue.
37474 @item C @var{sig}
37475 Continue with signal @var{sig}. The signal @var{sig} should be two hex digits.
37476 @item s
37477 Step.
37478 @item S @var{sig}
37479 Step with signal @var{sig}. The signal @var{sig} should be two hex digits.
37480 @item t
37481 Stop.
37482 @end table
37483
37484 The optional argument @var{addr} normally associated with the
37485 @samp{c}, @samp{C}, @samp{s}, and @samp{S} packets is
37486 not supported in @samp{vCont}.
37487
37488 The @samp{t} action is only relevant in non-stop mode
37489 (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop}) and may be ignored by the stub otherwise.
37490 A stop reply should be generated for any affected thread not already stopped.
37491 When a thread is stopped by means of a @samp{t} action,
37492 the corresponding stop reply should indicate that the thread has stopped with
37493 signal @samp{0}, regardless of whether the target uses some other signal
37494 as an implementation detail.
37495
37496 The stub must support @samp{vCont} if it reports support for
37497 multiprocess extensions (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}). Note that in
37498 this case @samp{vCont} actions can be specified to apply to all threads
37499 in a process by using the @samp{p@var{pid}.-1} form of the
37500 @var{thread-id}.
37501
37502 Reply:
37503 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
37504
37505 @item vCont?
37506 @cindex @samp{vCont?} packet
37507 Request a list of actions supported by the @samp{vCont} packet.
37508
37509 Reply:
37510 @table @samp
37511 @item vCont@r{[};@var{action}@dots{}@r{]}
37512 The @samp{vCont} packet is supported. Each @var{action} is a supported
37513 command in the @samp{vCont} packet.
37514 @item @w{}
37515 The @samp{vCont} packet is not supported.
37516 @end table
37517
37518 @item vFile:@var{operation}:@var{parameter}@dots{}
37519 @cindex @samp{vFile} packet
37520 Perform a file operation on the target system. For details,
37521 see @ref{Host I/O Packets}.
37522
37523 @item vFlashErase:@var{addr},@var{length}
37524 @cindex @samp{vFlashErase} packet
37525 Direct the stub to erase @var{length} bytes of flash starting at
37526 @var{addr}. The region may enclose any number of flash blocks, but
37527 its start and end must fall on block boundaries, as indicated by the
37528 flash block size appearing in the memory map (@pxref{Memory Map
37529 Format}). @value{GDBN} groups flash memory programming operations
37530 together, and sends a @samp{vFlashDone} request after each group; the
37531 stub is allowed to delay erase operation until the @samp{vFlashDone}
37532 packet is received.
37533
37534 Reply:
37535 @table @samp
37536 @item OK
37537 for success
37538 @item E @var{NN}
37539 for an error
37540 @end table
37541
37542 @item vFlashWrite:@var{addr}:@var{XX@dots{}}
37543 @cindex @samp{vFlashWrite} packet
37544 Direct the stub to write data to flash address @var{addr}. The data
37545 is passed in binary form using the same encoding as for the @samp{X}
37546 packet (@pxref{Binary Data}). The memory ranges specified by
37547 @samp{vFlashWrite} packets preceding a @samp{vFlashDone} packet must
37548 not overlap, and must appear in order of increasing addresses
37549 (although @samp{vFlashErase} packets for higher addresses may already
37550 have been received; the ordering is guaranteed only between
37551 @samp{vFlashWrite} packets). If a packet writes to an address that was
37552 neither erased by a preceding @samp{vFlashErase} packet nor by some other
37553 target-specific method, the results are unpredictable.
37554
37555
37556 Reply:
37557 @table @samp
37558 @item OK
37559 for success
37560 @item E.memtype
37561 for vFlashWrite addressing non-flash memory
37562 @item E @var{NN}
37563 for an error
37564 @end table
37565
37566 @item vFlashDone
37567 @cindex @samp{vFlashDone} packet
37568 Indicate to the stub that flash programming operation is finished.
37569 The stub is permitted to delay or batch the effects of a group of
37570 @samp{vFlashErase} and @samp{vFlashWrite} packets until a
37571 @samp{vFlashDone} packet is received. The contents of the affected
37572 regions of flash memory are unpredictable until the @samp{vFlashDone}
37573 request is completed.
37574
37575 @item vKill;@var{pid}
37576 @cindex @samp{vKill} packet
37577 Kill the process with the specified process ID. @var{pid} is a
37578 hexadecimal integer identifying the process. This packet is used in
37579 preference to @samp{k} when multiprocess protocol extensions are
37580 supported; see @ref{multiprocess extensions}.
37581
37582 Reply:
37583 @table @samp
37584 @item E @var{nn}
37585 for an error
37586 @item OK
37587 for success
37588 @end table
37589
37590 @item vRun;@var{filename}@r{[};@var{argument}@r{]}@dots{}
37591 @cindex @samp{vRun} packet
37592 Run the program @var{filename}, passing it each @var{argument} on its
37593 command line. The file and arguments are hex-encoded strings. If
37594 @var{filename} is an empty string, the stub may use a default program
37595 (e.g.@: the last program run). The program is created in the stopped
37596 state.
37597
37598 @c FIXME: What about non-stop mode?
37599
37600 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
37601
37602 Reply:
37603 @table @samp
37604 @item E @var{nn}
37605 for an error
37606 @item @r{Any stop packet}
37607 for success (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
37608 @end table
37609
37610 @item vStopped
37611 @cindex @samp{vStopped} packet
37612 @xref{Notification Packets}.
37613
37614 @item X @var{addr},@var{length}:@var{XX@dots{}}
37615 @anchor{X packet}
37616 @cindex @samp{X} packet
37617 Write data to memory, where the data is transmitted in binary.
37618 @var{addr} is address, @var{length} is number of bytes,
37619 @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is binary data (@pxref{Binary Data}).
37620
37621 Reply:
37622 @table @samp
37623 @item OK
37624 for success
37625 @item E @var{NN}
37626 for an error
37627 @end table
37628
37629 @item z @var{type},@var{addr},@var{kind}
37630 @itemx Z @var{type},@var{addr},@var{kind}
37631 @anchor{insert breakpoint or watchpoint packet}
37632 @cindex @samp{z} packet
37633 @cindex @samp{Z} packets
37634 Insert (@samp{Z}) or remove (@samp{z}) a @var{type} breakpoint or
37635 watchpoint starting at address @var{address} of kind @var{kind}.
37636
37637 Each breakpoint and watchpoint packet @var{type} is documented
37638 separately.
37639
37640 @emph{Implementation notes: A remote target shall return an empty string
37641 for an unrecognized breakpoint or watchpoint packet @var{type}. A
37642 remote target shall support either both or neither of a given
37643 @samp{Z@var{type}@dots{}} and @samp{z@var{type}@dots{}} packet pair. To
37644 avoid potential problems with duplicate packets, the operations should
37645 be implemented in an idempotent way.}
37646
37647 @item z0,@var{addr},@var{kind}
37648 @itemx Z0,@var{addr},@var{kind}@r{[};@var{cond_list}@dots{}@r{]}@r{[};cmds:@var{persist},@var{cmd_list}@dots{}@r{]}
37649 @cindex @samp{z0} packet
37650 @cindex @samp{Z0} packet
37651 Insert (@samp{Z0}) or remove (@samp{z0}) a memory breakpoint at address
37652 @var{addr} of type @var{kind}.
37653
37654 A memory breakpoint is implemented by replacing the instruction at
37655 @var{addr} with a software breakpoint or trap instruction. The
37656 @var{kind} is target-specific and typically indicates the size of
37657 the breakpoint in bytes that should be inserted. E.g., the @sc{arm}
37658 and @sc{mips} can insert either a 2 or 4 byte breakpoint. Some
37659 architectures have additional meanings for @var{kind};
37660 @var{cond_list} is an optional list of conditional expressions in bytecode
37661 form that should be evaluated on the target's side. These are the
37662 conditions that should be taken into consideration when deciding if
37663 the breakpoint trigger should be reported back to @var{GDBN}.
37664
37665 The @var{cond_list} parameter is comprised of a series of expressions,
37666 concatenated without separators. Each expression has the following form:
37667
37668 @table @samp
37669
37670 @item X @var{len},@var{expr}
37671 @var{len} is the length of the bytecode expression and @var{expr} is the
37672 actual conditional expression in bytecode form.
37673
37674 @end table
37675
37676 The optional @var{cmd_list} parameter introduces commands that may be
37677 run on the target, rather than being reported back to @value{GDBN}.
37678 The parameter starts with a numeric flag @var{persist}; if the flag is
37679 nonzero, then the breakpoint may remain active and the commands
37680 continue to be run even when @value{GDBN} disconnects from the target.
37681 Following this flag is a series of expressions concatenated with no
37682 separators. Each expression has the following form:
37683
37684 @table @samp
37685
37686 @item X @var{len},@var{expr}
37687 @var{len} is the length of the bytecode expression and @var{expr} is the
37688 actual conditional expression in bytecode form.
37689
37690 @end table
37691
37692 see @ref{Architecture-Specific Protocol Details}.
37693
37694 @emph{Implementation note: It is possible for a target to copy or move
37695 code that contains memory breakpoints (e.g., when implementing
37696 overlays). The behavior of this packet, in the presence of such a
37697 target, is not defined.}
37698
37699 Reply:
37700 @table @samp
37701 @item OK
37702 success
37703 @item @w{}
37704 not supported
37705 @item E @var{NN}
37706 for an error
37707 @end table
37708
37709 @item z1,@var{addr},@var{kind}
37710 @itemx Z1,@var{addr},@var{kind}@r{[};@var{cond_list}@dots{}@r{]}
37711 @cindex @samp{z1} packet
37712 @cindex @samp{Z1} packet
37713 Insert (@samp{Z1}) or remove (@samp{z1}) a hardware breakpoint at
37714 address @var{addr}.
37715
37716 A hardware breakpoint is implemented using a mechanism that is not
37717 dependant on being able to modify the target's memory. @var{kind}
37718 and @var{cond_list} have the same meaning as in @samp{Z0} packets.
37719
37720 @emph{Implementation note: A hardware breakpoint is not affected by code
37721 movement.}
37722
37723 Reply:
37724 @table @samp
37725 @item OK
37726 success
37727 @item @w{}
37728 not supported
37729 @item E @var{NN}
37730 for an error
37731 @end table
37732
37733 @item z2,@var{addr},@var{kind}
37734 @itemx Z2,@var{addr},@var{kind}
37735 @cindex @samp{z2} packet
37736 @cindex @samp{Z2} packet
37737 Insert (@samp{Z2}) or remove (@samp{z2}) a write watchpoint at @var{addr}.
37738 @var{kind} is interpreted as the number of bytes to watch.
37739
37740 Reply:
37741 @table @samp
37742 @item OK
37743 success
37744 @item @w{}
37745 not supported
37746 @item E @var{NN}
37747 for an error
37748 @end table
37749
37750 @item z3,@var{addr},@var{kind}
37751 @itemx Z3,@var{addr},@var{kind}
37752 @cindex @samp{z3} packet
37753 @cindex @samp{Z3} packet
37754 Insert (@samp{Z3}) or remove (@samp{z3}) a read watchpoint at @var{addr}.
37755 @var{kind} is interpreted as the number of bytes to watch.
37756
37757 Reply:
37758 @table @samp
37759 @item OK
37760 success
37761 @item @w{}
37762 not supported
37763 @item E @var{NN}
37764 for an error
37765 @end table
37766
37767 @item z4,@var{addr},@var{kind}
37768 @itemx Z4,@var{addr},@var{kind}
37769 @cindex @samp{z4} packet
37770 @cindex @samp{Z4} packet
37771 Insert (@samp{Z4}) or remove (@samp{z4}) an access watchpoint at @var{addr}.
37772 @var{kind} is interpreted as the number of bytes to watch.
37773
37774 Reply:
37775 @table @samp
37776 @item OK
37777 success
37778 @item @w{}
37779 not supported
37780 @item E @var{NN}
37781 for an error
37782 @end table
37783
37784 @end table
37785
37786 @node Stop Reply Packets
37787 @section Stop Reply Packets
37788 @cindex stop reply packets
37789
37790 The @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}, @samp{s}, @samp{vCont},
37791 @samp{vAttach}, @samp{vRun}, @samp{vStopped}, and @samp{?} packets can
37792 receive any of the below as a reply. Except for @samp{?}
37793 and @samp{vStopped}, that reply is only returned
37794 when the target halts. In the below the exact meaning of @dfn{signal
37795 number} is defined by the header @file{include/gdb/signals.h} in the
37796 @value{GDBN} source code.
37797
37798 As in the description of request packets, we include spaces in the
37799 reply templates for clarity; these are not part of the reply packet's
37800 syntax. No @value{GDBN} stop reply packet uses spaces to separate its
37801 components.
37802
37803 @table @samp
37804
37805 @item S @var{AA}
37806 The program received signal number @var{AA} (a two-digit hexadecimal
37807 number). This is equivalent to a @samp{T} response with no
37808 @var{n}:@var{r} pairs.
37809
37810 @item T @var{AA} @var{n1}:@var{r1};@var{n2}:@var{r2};@dots{}
37811 @cindex @samp{T} packet reply
37812 The program received signal number @var{AA} (a two-digit hexadecimal
37813 number). This is equivalent to an @samp{S} response, except that the
37814 @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pairs can carry values of important registers
37815 and other information directly in the stop reply packet, reducing
37816 round-trip latency. Single-step and breakpoint traps are reported
37817 this way. Each @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pair is interpreted as follows:
37818
37819 @itemize @bullet
37820 @item
37821 If @var{n} is a hexadecimal number, it is a register number, and the
37822 corresponding @var{r} gives that register's value. @var{r} is a
37823 series of bytes in target byte order, with each byte given by a
37824 two-digit hex number.
37825
37826 @item
37827 If @var{n} is @samp{thread}, then @var{r} is the @var{thread-id} of
37828 the stopped thread, as specified in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
37829
37830 @item
37831 If @var{n} is @samp{core}, then @var{r} is the hexadecimal number of
37832 the core on which the stop event was detected.
37833
37834 @item
37835 If @var{n} is a recognized @dfn{stop reason}, it describes a more
37836 specific event that stopped the target. The currently defined stop
37837 reasons are listed below. @var{aa} should be @samp{05}, the trap
37838 signal. At most one stop reason should be present.
37839
37840 @item
37841 Otherwise, @value{GDBN} should ignore this @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pair
37842 and go on to the next; this allows us to extend the protocol in the
37843 future.
37844 @end itemize
37845
37846 The currently defined stop reasons are:
37847
37848 @table @samp
37849 @item watch
37850 @itemx rwatch
37851 @itemx awatch
37852 The packet indicates a watchpoint hit, and @var{r} is the data address, in
37853 hex.
37854
37855 @cindex shared library events, remote reply
37856 @item library
37857 The packet indicates that the loaded libraries have changed.
37858 @value{GDBN} should use @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} to fetch a new
37859 list of loaded libraries. @var{r} is ignored.
37860
37861 @cindex replay log events, remote reply
37862 @item replaylog
37863 The packet indicates that the target cannot continue replaying
37864 logged execution events, because it has reached the end (or the
37865 beginning when executing backward) of the log. The value of @var{r}
37866 will be either @samp{begin} or @samp{end}. @xref{Reverse Execution},
37867 for more information.
37868 @end table
37869
37870 @item W @var{AA}
37871 @itemx W @var{AA} ; process:@var{pid}
37872 The process exited, and @var{AA} is the exit status. This is only
37873 applicable to certain targets.
37874
37875 The second form of the response, including the process ID of the exited
37876 process, can be used only when @value{GDBN} has reported support for
37877 multiprocess protocol extensions; see @ref{multiprocess extensions}.
37878 The @var{pid} is formatted as a big-endian hex string.
37879
37880 @item X @var{AA}
37881 @itemx X @var{AA} ; process:@var{pid}
37882 The process terminated with signal @var{AA}.
37883
37884 The second form of the response, including the process ID of the
37885 terminated process, can be used only when @value{GDBN} has reported
37886 support for multiprocess protocol extensions; see @ref{multiprocess
37887 extensions}. The @var{pid} is formatted as a big-endian hex string.
37888
37889 @item O @var{XX}@dots{}
37890 @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data, to be
37891 written as the program's console output. This can happen at any time
37892 while the program is running and the debugger should continue to wait
37893 for @samp{W}, @samp{T}, etc. This reply is not permitted in non-stop mode.
37894
37895 @item F @var{call-id},@var{parameter}@dots{}
37896 @var{call-id} is the identifier which says which host system call should
37897 be called. This is just the name of the function. Translation into the
37898 correct system call is only applicable as it's defined in @value{GDBN}.
37899 @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension}, for a list of implemented
37900 system calls.
37901
37902 @samp{@var{parameter}@dots{}} is a list of parameters as defined for
37903 this very system call.
37904
37905 The target replies with this packet when it expects @value{GDBN} to
37906 call a host system call on behalf of the target. @value{GDBN} replies
37907 with an appropriate @samp{F} packet and keeps up waiting for the next
37908 reply packet from the target. The latest @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}
37909 or @samp{s} action is expected to be continued. @xref{File-I/O Remote
37910 Protocol Extension}, for more details.
37911
37912 @end table
37913
37914 @node General Query Packets
37915 @section General Query Packets
37916 @cindex remote query requests
37917
37918 Packets starting with @samp{q} are @dfn{general query packets};
37919 packets starting with @samp{Q} are @dfn{general set packets}. General
37920 query and set packets are a semi-unified form for retrieving and
37921 sending information to and from the stub.
37922
37923 The initial letter of a query or set packet is followed by a name
37924 indicating what sort of thing the packet applies to. For example,
37925 @value{GDBN} may use a @samp{qSymbol} packet to exchange symbol
37926 definitions with the stub. These packet names follow some
37927 conventions:
37928
37929 @itemize @bullet
37930 @item
37931 The name must not contain commas, colons or semicolons.
37932 @item
37933 Most @value{GDBN} query and set packets have a leading upper case
37934 letter.
37935 @item
37936 The names of custom vendor packets should use a company prefix, in
37937 lower case, followed by a period. For example, packets designed at
37938 the Acme Corporation might begin with @samp{qacme.foo} (for querying
37939 foos) or @samp{Qacme.bar} (for setting bars).
37940 @end itemize
37941
37942 The name of a query or set packet should be separated from any
37943 parameters by a @samp{:}; the parameters themselves should be
37944 separated by @samp{,} or @samp{;}. Stubs must be careful to match the
37945 full packet name, and check for a separator or the end of the packet,
37946 in case two packet names share a common prefix. New packets should not begin
37947 with @samp{qC}, @samp{qP}, or @samp{qL}@footnote{The @samp{qP} and @samp{qL}
37948 packets predate these conventions, and have arguments without any terminator
37949 for the packet name; we suspect they are in widespread use in places that
37950 are difficult to upgrade. The @samp{qC} packet has no arguments, but some
37951 existing stubs (e.g.@: RedBoot) are known to not check for the end of the
37952 packet.}.
37953
37954 Like the descriptions of the other packets, each description here
37955 has a template showing the packet's overall syntax, followed by an
37956 explanation of the packet's meaning. We include spaces in some of the
37957 templates for clarity; these are not part of the packet's syntax. No
37958 @value{GDBN} packet uses spaces to separate its components.
37959
37960 Here are the currently defined query and set packets:
37961
37962 @table @samp
37963
37964 @item QAgent:1
37965 @itemx QAgent:0
37966 Turn on or off the agent as a helper to perform some debugging operations
37967 delegated from @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Control Agent}).
37968
37969 @item QAllow:@var{op}:@var{val}@dots{}
37970 @cindex @samp{QAllow} packet
37971 Specify which operations @value{GDBN} expects to request of the
37972 target, as a semicolon-separated list of operation name and value
37973 pairs. Possible values for @var{op} include @samp{WriteReg},
37974 @samp{WriteMem}, @samp{InsertBreak}, @samp{InsertTrace},
37975 @samp{InsertFastTrace}, and @samp{Stop}. @var{val} is either 0,
37976 indicating that @value{GDBN} will not request the operation, or 1,
37977 indicating that it may. (The target can then use this to set up its
37978 own internals optimally, for instance if the debugger never expects to
37979 insert breakpoints, it may not need to install its own trap handler.)
37980
37981 @item qC
37982 @cindex current thread, remote request
37983 @cindex @samp{qC} packet
37984 Return the current thread ID.
37985
37986 Reply:
37987 @table @samp
37988 @item QC @var{thread-id}
37989 Where @var{thread-id} is a thread ID as documented in
37990 @ref{thread-id syntax}.
37991 @item @r{(anything else)}
37992 Any other reply implies the old thread ID.
37993 @end table
37994
37995 @item qCRC:@var{addr},@var{length}
37996 @cindex CRC of memory block, remote request
37997 @cindex @samp{qCRC} packet
37998 Compute the CRC checksum of a block of memory using CRC-32 defined in
37999 IEEE 802.3. The CRC is computed byte at a time, taking the most
38000 significant bit of each byte first. The initial pattern code
38001 @code{0xffffffff} is used to ensure leading zeros affect the CRC.
38002
38003 @emph{Note:} This is the same CRC used in validating separate debug
38004 files (@pxref{Separate Debug Files, , Debugging Information in Separate
38005 Files}). However the algorithm is slightly different. When validating
38006 separate debug files, the CRC is computed taking the @emph{least}
38007 significant bit of each byte first, and the final result is inverted to
38008 detect trailing zeros.
38009
38010 Reply:
38011 @table @samp
38012 @item E @var{NN}
38013 An error (such as memory fault)
38014 @item C @var{crc32}
38015 The specified memory region's checksum is @var{crc32}.
38016 @end table
38017
38018 @item QDisableRandomization:@var{value}
38019 @cindex disable address space randomization, remote request
38020 @cindex @samp{QDisableRandomization} packet
38021 Some target operating systems will randomize the virtual address space
38022 of the inferior process as a security feature, but provide a feature
38023 to disable such randomization, e.g.@: to allow for a more deterministic
38024 debugging experience. On such systems, this packet with a @var{value}
38025 of 1 directs the target to disable address space randomization for
38026 processes subsequently started via @samp{vRun} packets, while a packet
38027 with a @var{value} of 0 tells the target to enable address space
38028 randomization.
38029
38030 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
38031
38032 Reply:
38033 @table @samp
38034 @item OK
38035 The request succeeded.
38036
38037 @item E @var{nn}
38038 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
38039
38040 @item @w{}
38041 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QDisableRandomization} is not supported
38042 by the stub.
38043 @end table
38044
38045 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
38046 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
38047 This should only be done on targets that actually support disabling
38048 address space randomization.
38049
38050 @item qfThreadInfo
38051 @itemx qsThreadInfo
38052 @cindex list active threads, remote request
38053 @cindex @samp{qfThreadInfo} packet
38054 @cindex @samp{qsThreadInfo} packet
38055 Obtain a list of all active thread IDs from the target (OS). Since there
38056 may be too many active threads to fit into one reply packet, this query
38057 works iteratively: it may require more than one query/reply sequence to
38058 obtain the entire list of threads. The first query of the sequence will
38059 be the @samp{qfThreadInfo} query; subsequent queries in the
38060 sequence will be the @samp{qsThreadInfo} query.
38061
38062 NOTE: This packet replaces the @samp{qL} query (see below).
38063
38064 Reply:
38065 @table @samp
38066 @item m @var{thread-id}
38067 A single thread ID
38068 @item m @var{thread-id},@var{thread-id}@dots{}
38069 a comma-separated list of thread IDs
38070 @item l
38071 (lower case letter @samp{L}) denotes end of list.
38072 @end table
38073
38074 In response to each query, the target will reply with a list of one or
38075 more thread IDs, separated by commas.
38076 @value{GDBN} will respond to each reply with a request for more thread
38077 ids (using the @samp{qs} form of the query), until the target responds
38078 with @samp{l} (lower-case ell, for @dfn{last}).
38079 Refer to @ref{thread-id syntax}, for the format of the @var{thread-id}
38080 fields.
38081
38082 @item qGetTLSAddr:@var{thread-id},@var{offset},@var{lm}
38083 @cindex get thread-local storage address, remote request
38084 @cindex @samp{qGetTLSAddr} packet
38085 Fetch the address associated with thread local storage specified
38086 by @var{thread-id}, @var{offset}, and @var{lm}.
38087
38088 @var{thread-id} is the thread ID associated with the
38089 thread for which to fetch the TLS address. @xref{thread-id syntax}.
38090
38091 @var{offset} is the (big endian, hex encoded) offset associated with the
38092 thread local variable. (This offset is obtained from the debug
38093 information associated with the variable.)
38094
38095 @var{lm} is the (big endian, hex encoded) OS/ABI-specific encoding of the
38096 load module associated with the thread local storage. For example,
38097 a @sc{gnu}/Linux system will pass the link map address of the shared
38098 object associated with the thread local storage under consideration.
38099 Other operating environments may choose to represent the load module
38100 differently, so the precise meaning of this parameter will vary.
38101
38102 Reply:
38103 @table @samp
38104 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
38105 Hex encoded (big endian) bytes representing the address of the thread
38106 local storage requested.
38107
38108 @item E @var{nn}
38109 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
38110
38111 @item @w{}
38112 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qGetTLSAddr} is not supported by the stub.
38113 @end table
38114
38115 @item qGetTIBAddr:@var{thread-id}
38116 @cindex get thread information block address
38117 @cindex @samp{qGetTIBAddr} packet
38118 Fetch address of the Windows OS specific Thread Information Block.
38119
38120 @var{thread-id} is the thread ID associated with the thread.
38121
38122 Reply:
38123 @table @samp
38124 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
38125 Hex encoded (big endian) bytes representing the linear address of the
38126 thread information block.
38127
38128 @item E @var{nn}
38129 An error occured. This means that either the thread was not found, or the
38130 address could not be retrieved.
38131
38132 @item @w{}
38133 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qGetTIBAddr} is not supported by the stub.
38134 @end table
38135
38136 @item qL @var{startflag} @var{threadcount} @var{nextthread}
38137 Obtain thread information from RTOS. Where: @var{startflag} (one hex
38138 digit) is one to indicate the first query and zero to indicate a
38139 subsequent query; @var{threadcount} (two hex digits) is the maximum
38140 number of threads the response packet can contain; and @var{nextthread}
38141 (eight hex digits), for subsequent queries (@var{startflag} is zero), is
38142 returned in the response as @var{argthread}.
38143
38144 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{qfThreadInfo} query instead (see above).
38145
38146 Reply:
38147 @table @samp
38148 @item qM @var{count} @var{done} @var{argthread} @var{thread}@dots{}
38149 Where: @var{count} (two hex digits) is the number of threads being
38150 returned; @var{done} (one hex digit) is zero to indicate more threads
38151 and one indicates no further threads; @var{argthreadid} (eight hex
38152 digits) is @var{nextthread} from the request packet; @var{thread}@dots{}
38153 is a sequence of thread IDs from the target. @var{threadid} (eight hex
38154 digits). See @code{remote.c:parse_threadlist_response()}.
38155 @end table
38156
38157 @item qOffsets
38158 @cindex section offsets, remote request
38159 @cindex @samp{qOffsets} packet
38160 Get section offsets that the target used when relocating the downloaded
38161 image.
38162
38163 Reply:
38164 @table @samp
38165 @item Text=@var{xxx};Data=@var{yyy}@r{[};Bss=@var{zzz}@r{]}
38166 Relocate the @code{Text} section by @var{xxx} from its original address.
38167 Relocate the @code{Data} section by @var{yyy} from its original address.
38168 If the object file format provides segment information (e.g.@: @sc{elf}
38169 @samp{PT_LOAD} program headers), @value{GDBN} will relocate entire
38170 segments by the supplied offsets.
38171
38172 @emph{Note: while a @code{Bss} offset may be included in the response,
38173 @value{GDBN} ignores this and instead applies the @code{Data} offset
38174 to the @code{Bss} section.}
38175
38176 @item TextSeg=@var{xxx}@r{[};DataSeg=@var{yyy}@r{]}
38177 Relocate the first segment of the object file, which conventionally
38178 contains program code, to a starting address of @var{xxx}. If
38179 @samp{DataSeg} is specified, relocate the second segment, which
38180 conventionally contains modifiable data, to a starting address of
38181 @var{yyy}. @value{GDBN} will report an error if the object file
38182 does not contain segment information, or does not contain at least
38183 as many segments as mentioned in the reply. Extra segments are
38184 kept at fixed offsets relative to the last relocated segment.
38185 @end table
38186
38187 @item qP @var{mode} @var{thread-id}
38188 @cindex thread information, remote request
38189 @cindex @samp{qP} packet
38190 Returns information on @var{thread-id}. Where: @var{mode} is a hex
38191 encoded 32 bit mode; @var{thread-id} is a thread ID
38192 (@pxref{thread-id syntax}).
38193
38194 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{qThreadExtraInfo} query instead
38195 (see below).
38196
38197 Reply: see @code{remote.c:remote_unpack_thread_info_response()}.
38198
38199 @item QNonStop:1
38200 @itemx QNonStop:0
38201 @cindex non-stop mode, remote request
38202 @cindex @samp{QNonStop} packet
38203 @anchor{QNonStop}
38204 Enter non-stop (@samp{QNonStop:1}) or all-stop (@samp{QNonStop:0}) mode.
38205 @xref{Remote Non-Stop}, for more information.
38206
38207 Reply:
38208 @table @samp
38209 @item OK
38210 The request succeeded.
38211
38212 @item E @var{nn}
38213 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
38214
38215 @item @w{}
38216 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QNonStop} is not supported by
38217 the stub.
38218 @end table
38219
38220 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
38221 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
38222 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set non-stop} command;
38223 @pxref{Non-Stop Mode}.
38224
38225 @item QPassSignals: @var{signal} @r{[};@var{signal}@r{]}@dots{}
38226 @cindex pass signals to inferior, remote request
38227 @cindex @samp{QPassSignals} packet
38228 @anchor{QPassSignals}
38229 Each listed @var{signal} should be passed directly to the inferior process.
38230 Signals are numbered identically to continue packets and stop replies
38231 (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}). Each @var{signal} list item should be
38232 strictly greater than the previous item. These signals do not need to stop
38233 the inferior, or be reported to @value{GDBN}. All other signals should be
38234 reported to @value{GDBN}. Multiple @samp{QPassSignals} packets do not
38235 combine; any earlier @samp{QPassSignals} list is completely replaced by the
38236 new list. This packet improves performance when using @samp{handle
38237 @var{signal} nostop noprint pass}.
38238
38239 Reply:
38240 @table @samp
38241 @item OK
38242 The request succeeded.
38243
38244 @item E @var{nn}
38245 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
38246
38247 @item @w{}
38248 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QPassSignals} is not supported by
38249 the stub.
38250 @end table
38251
38252 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set remote pass-signals}
38253 command (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remote pass-signals}).
38254 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
38255 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
38256
38257 @item QProgramSignals: @var{signal} @r{[};@var{signal}@r{]}@dots{}
38258 @cindex signals the inferior may see, remote request
38259 @cindex @samp{QProgramSignals} packet
38260 @anchor{QProgramSignals}
38261 Each listed @var{signal} may be delivered to the inferior process.
38262 Others should be silently discarded.
38263
38264 In some cases, the remote stub may need to decide whether to deliver a
38265 signal to the program or not without @value{GDBN} involvement. One
38266 example of that is while detaching --- the program's threads may have
38267 stopped for signals that haven't yet had a chance of being reported to
38268 @value{GDBN}, and so the remote stub can use the signal list specified
38269 by this packet to know whether to deliver or ignore those pending
38270 signals.
38271
38272 This does not influence whether to deliver a signal as requested by a
38273 resumption packet (@pxref{vCont packet}).
38274
38275 Signals are numbered identically to continue packets and stop replies
38276 (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}). Each @var{signal} list item should be
38277 strictly greater than the previous item. Multiple
38278 @samp{QProgramSignals} packets do not combine; any earlier
38279 @samp{QProgramSignals} list is completely replaced by the new list.
38280
38281 Reply:
38282 @table @samp
38283 @item OK
38284 The request succeeded.
38285
38286 @item E @var{nn}
38287 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
38288
38289 @item @w{}
38290 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QProgramSignals} is not supported
38291 by the stub.
38292 @end table
38293
38294 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set remote program-signals}
38295 command (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remote program-signals}).
38296 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
38297 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
38298
38299 @item qRcmd,@var{command}
38300 @cindex execute remote command, remote request
38301 @cindex @samp{qRcmd} packet
38302 @var{command} (hex encoded) is passed to the local interpreter for
38303 execution. Invalid commands should be reported using the output
38304 string. Before the final result packet, the target may also respond
38305 with a number of intermediate @samp{O@var{output}} console output
38306 packets. @emph{Implementors should note that providing access to a
38307 stubs's interpreter may have security implications}.
38308
38309 Reply:
38310 @table @samp
38311 @item OK
38312 A command response with no output.
38313 @item @var{OUTPUT}
38314 A command response with the hex encoded output string @var{OUTPUT}.
38315 @item E @var{NN}
38316 Indicate a badly formed request.
38317 @item @w{}
38318 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qRcmd} is not recognized.
38319 @end table
38320
38321 (Note that the @code{qRcmd} packet's name is separated from the
38322 command by a @samp{,}, not a @samp{:}, contrary to the naming
38323 conventions above. Please don't use this packet as a model for new
38324 packets.)
38325
38326 @item qSearch:memory:@var{address};@var{length};@var{search-pattern}
38327 @cindex searching memory, in remote debugging
38328 @ifnotinfo
38329 @cindex @samp{qSearch:memory} packet
38330 @end ifnotinfo
38331 @cindex @samp{qSearch memory} packet
38332 @anchor{qSearch memory}
38333 Search @var{length} bytes at @var{address} for @var{search-pattern}.
38334 @var{address} and @var{length} are encoded in hex.
38335 @var{search-pattern} is a sequence of bytes, hex encoded.
38336
38337 Reply:
38338 @table @samp
38339 @item 0
38340 The pattern was not found.
38341 @item 1,address
38342 The pattern was found at @var{address}.
38343 @item E @var{NN}
38344 A badly formed request or an error was encountered while searching memory.
38345 @item @w{}
38346 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qSearch:memory} is not recognized.
38347 @end table
38348
38349 @item QStartNoAckMode
38350 @cindex @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet
38351 @anchor{QStartNoAckMode}
38352 Request that the remote stub disable the normal @samp{+}/@samp{-}
38353 protocol acknowledgments (@pxref{Packet Acknowledgment}).
38354
38355 Reply:
38356 @table @samp
38357 @item OK
38358 The stub has switched to no-acknowledgment mode.
38359 @value{GDBN} acknowledges this reponse,
38360 but neither the stub nor @value{GDBN} shall send or expect further
38361 @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments in the current connection.
38362 @item @w{}
38363 An empty reply indicates that the stub does not support no-acknowledgment mode.
38364 @end table
38365
38366 @item qSupported @r{[}:@var{gdbfeature} @r{[};@var{gdbfeature}@r{]}@dots{} @r{]}
38367 @cindex supported packets, remote query
38368 @cindex features of the remote protocol
38369 @cindex @samp{qSupported} packet
38370 @anchor{qSupported}
38371 Tell the remote stub about features supported by @value{GDBN}, and
38372 query the stub for features it supports. This packet allows
38373 @value{GDBN} and the remote stub to take advantage of each others'
38374 features. @samp{qSupported} also consolidates multiple feature probes
38375 at startup, to improve @value{GDBN} performance---a single larger
38376 packet performs better than multiple smaller probe packets on
38377 high-latency links. Some features may enable behavior which must not
38378 be on by default, e.g.@: because it would confuse older clients or
38379 stubs. Other features may describe packets which could be
38380 automatically probed for, but are not. These features must be
38381 reported before @value{GDBN} will use them. This ``default
38382 unsupported'' behavior is not appropriate for all packets, but it
38383 helps to keep the initial connection time under control with new
38384 versions of @value{GDBN} which support increasing numbers of packets.
38385
38386 Reply:
38387 @table @samp
38388 @item @var{stubfeature} @r{[};@var{stubfeature}@r{]}@dots{}
38389 The stub supports or does not support each returned @var{stubfeature},
38390 depending on the form of each @var{stubfeature} (see below for the
38391 possible forms).
38392 @item @w{}
38393 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qSupported} is not recognized,
38394 or that no features needed to be reported to @value{GDBN}.
38395 @end table
38396
38397 The allowed forms for each feature (either a @var{gdbfeature} in the
38398 @samp{qSupported} packet, or a @var{stubfeature} in the response)
38399 are:
38400
38401 @table @samp
38402 @item @var{name}=@var{value}
38403 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is supported, and associated
38404 with the specified @var{value}. The format of @var{value} depends
38405 on the feature, but it must not include a semicolon.
38406 @item @var{name}+
38407 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is supported, and does not
38408 need an associated value.
38409 @item @var{name}-
38410 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is not supported.
38411 @item @var{name}?
38412 The remote protocol feature @var{name} may be supported, and
38413 @value{GDBN} should auto-detect support in some other way when it is
38414 needed. This form will not be used for @var{gdbfeature} notifications,
38415 but may be used for @var{stubfeature} responses.
38416 @end table
38417
38418 Whenever the stub receives a @samp{qSupported} request, the
38419 supplied set of @value{GDBN} features should override any previous
38420 request. This allows @value{GDBN} to put the stub in a known
38421 state, even if the stub had previously been communicating with
38422 a different version of @value{GDBN}.
38423
38424 The following values of @var{gdbfeature} (for the packet sent by @value{GDBN})
38425 are defined:
38426
38427 @table @samp
38428 @item multiprocess
38429 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports multiprocess
38430 extensions to the remote protocol. @value{GDBN} does not use such
38431 extensions unless the stub also reports that it supports them by
38432 including @samp{multiprocess+} in its @samp{qSupported} reply.
38433 @xref{multiprocess extensions}, for details.
38434
38435 @item xmlRegisters
38436 This feature indicates that @value{GDBN} supports the XML target
38437 description. If the stub sees @samp{xmlRegisters=} with target
38438 specific strings separated by a comma, it will report register
38439 description.
38440
38441 @item qRelocInsn
38442 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports the
38443 @samp{qRelocInsn} packet (@pxref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate
38444 instruction reply packet}).
38445 @end table
38446
38447 Stubs should ignore any unknown values for
38448 @var{gdbfeature}. Any @value{GDBN} which sends a @samp{qSupported}
38449 packet supports receiving packets of unlimited length (earlier
38450 versions of @value{GDBN} may reject overly long responses). Additional values
38451 for @var{gdbfeature} may be defined in the future to let the stub take
38452 advantage of new features in @value{GDBN}, e.g.@: incompatible
38453 improvements in the remote protocol---the @samp{multiprocess} feature is
38454 an example of such a feature. The stub's reply should be independent
38455 of the @var{gdbfeature} entries sent by @value{GDBN}; first @value{GDBN}
38456 describes all the features it supports, and then the stub replies with
38457 all the features it supports.
38458
38459 Similarly, @value{GDBN} will silently ignore unrecognized stub feature
38460 responses, as long as each response uses one of the standard forms.
38461
38462 Some features are flags. A stub which supports a flag feature
38463 should respond with a @samp{+} form response. Other features
38464 require values, and the stub should respond with an @samp{=}
38465 form response.
38466
38467 Each feature has a default value, which @value{GDBN} will use if
38468 @samp{qSupported} is not available or if the feature is not mentioned
38469 in the @samp{qSupported} response. The default values are fixed; a
38470 stub is free to omit any feature responses that match the defaults.
38471
38472 Not all features can be probed, but for those which can, the probing
38473 mechanism is useful: in some cases, a stub's internal
38474 architecture may not allow the protocol layer to know some information
38475 about the underlying target in advance. This is especially common in
38476 stubs which may be configured for multiple targets.
38477
38478 These are the currently defined stub features and their properties:
38479
38480 @multitable @columnfractions 0.35 0.2 0.12 0.2
38481 @c NOTE: The first row should be @headitem, but we do not yet require
38482 @c a new enough version of Texinfo (4.7) to use @headitem.
38483 @item Feature Name
38484 @tab Value Required
38485 @tab Default
38486 @tab Probe Allowed
38487
38488 @item @samp{PacketSize}
38489 @tab Yes
38490 @tab @samp{-}
38491 @tab No
38492
38493 @item @samp{qXfer:auxv:read}
38494 @tab No
38495 @tab @samp{-}
38496 @tab Yes
38497
38498 @item @samp{qXfer:btrace:read}
38499 @tab No
38500 @tab @samp{-}
38501 @tab Yes
38502
38503 @item @samp{qXfer:features:read}
38504 @tab No
38505 @tab @samp{-}
38506 @tab Yes
38507
38508 @item @samp{qXfer:libraries:read}
38509 @tab No
38510 @tab @samp{-}
38511 @tab Yes
38512
38513 @item @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read}
38514 @tab No
38515 @tab @samp{-}
38516 @tab Yes
38517
38518 @item @samp{qXfer:sdata:read}
38519 @tab No
38520 @tab @samp{-}
38521 @tab Yes
38522
38523 @item @samp{qXfer:spu:read}
38524 @tab No
38525 @tab @samp{-}
38526 @tab Yes
38527
38528 @item @samp{qXfer:spu:write}
38529 @tab No
38530 @tab @samp{-}
38531 @tab Yes
38532
38533 @item @samp{qXfer:siginfo:read}
38534 @tab No
38535 @tab @samp{-}
38536 @tab Yes
38537
38538 @item @samp{qXfer:siginfo:write}
38539 @tab No
38540 @tab @samp{-}
38541 @tab Yes
38542
38543 @item @samp{qXfer:threads:read}
38544 @tab No
38545 @tab @samp{-}
38546 @tab Yes
38547
38548 @item @samp{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
38549 @tab No
38550 @tab @samp{-}
38551 @tab Yes
38552
38553 @item @samp{qXfer:uib:read}
38554 @tab No
38555 @tab @samp{-}
38556 @tab Yes
38557
38558 @item @samp{qXfer:fdpic:read}
38559 @tab No
38560 @tab @samp{-}
38561 @tab Yes
38562
38563 @item @samp{Qbtrace:off}
38564 @tab Yes
38565 @tab @samp{-}
38566 @tab Yes
38567
38568 @item @samp{Qbtrace:bts}
38569 @tab Yes
38570 @tab @samp{-}
38571 @tab Yes
38572
38573 @item @samp{QNonStop}
38574 @tab No
38575 @tab @samp{-}
38576 @tab Yes
38577
38578 @item @samp{QPassSignals}
38579 @tab No
38580 @tab @samp{-}
38581 @tab Yes
38582
38583 @item @samp{QStartNoAckMode}
38584 @tab No
38585 @tab @samp{-}
38586 @tab Yes
38587
38588 @item @samp{multiprocess}
38589 @tab No
38590 @tab @samp{-}
38591 @tab No
38592
38593 @item @samp{ConditionalBreakpoints}
38594 @tab No
38595 @tab @samp{-}
38596 @tab No
38597
38598 @item @samp{ConditionalTracepoints}
38599 @tab No
38600 @tab @samp{-}
38601 @tab No
38602
38603 @item @samp{ReverseContinue}
38604 @tab No
38605 @tab @samp{-}
38606 @tab No
38607
38608 @item @samp{ReverseStep}
38609 @tab No
38610 @tab @samp{-}
38611 @tab No
38612
38613 @item @samp{TracepointSource}
38614 @tab No
38615 @tab @samp{-}
38616 @tab No
38617
38618 @item @samp{QAgent}
38619 @tab No
38620 @tab @samp{-}
38621 @tab No
38622
38623 @item @samp{QAllow}
38624 @tab No
38625 @tab @samp{-}
38626 @tab No
38627
38628 @item @samp{QDisableRandomization}
38629 @tab No
38630 @tab @samp{-}
38631 @tab No
38632
38633 @item @samp{EnableDisableTracepoints}
38634 @tab No
38635 @tab @samp{-}
38636 @tab No
38637
38638 @item @samp{QTBuffer:size}
38639 @tab No
38640 @tab @samp{-}
38641 @tab No
38642
38643 @item @samp{tracenz}
38644 @tab No
38645 @tab @samp{-}
38646 @tab No
38647
38648 @item @samp{BreakpointCommands}
38649 @tab No
38650 @tab @samp{-}
38651 @tab No
38652
38653 @end multitable
38654
38655 These are the currently defined stub features, in more detail:
38656
38657 @table @samp
38658 @cindex packet size, remote protocol
38659 @item PacketSize=@var{bytes}
38660 The remote stub can accept packets up to at least @var{bytes} in
38661 length. @value{GDBN} will send packets up to this size for bulk
38662 transfers, and will never send larger packets. This is a limit on the
38663 data characters in the packet, including the frame and checksum.
38664 There is no trailing NUL byte in a remote protocol packet; if the stub
38665 stores packets in a NUL-terminated format, it should allow an extra
38666 byte in its buffer for the NUL. If this stub feature is not supported,
38667 @value{GDBN} guesses based on the size of the @samp{g} packet response.
38668
38669 @item qXfer:auxv:read
38670 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:auxv:read} packet
38671 (@pxref{qXfer auxiliary vector read}).
38672
38673 @item qXfer:btrace:read
38674 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:btrace:read}
38675 packet (@pxref{qXfer btrace read}).
38676
38677 @item qXfer:features:read
38678 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:features:read} packet
38679 (@pxref{qXfer target description read}).
38680
38681 @item qXfer:libraries:read
38682 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} packet
38683 (@pxref{qXfer library list read}).
38684
38685 @item qXfer:libraries-svr4:read
38686 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:libraries-svr4:read} packet
38687 (@pxref{qXfer svr4 library list read}).
38688
38689 @item qXfer:memory-map:read
38690 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read} packet
38691 (@pxref{qXfer memory map read}).
38692
38693 @item qXfer:sdata:read
38694 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:sdata:read} packet
38695 (@pxref{qXfer sdata read}).
38696
38697 @item qXfer:spu:read
38698 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:spu:read} packet
38699 (@pxref{qXfer spu read}).
38700
38701 @item qXfer:spu:write
38702 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:spu:write} packet
38703 (@pxref{qXfer spu write}).
38704
38705 @item qXfer:siginfo:read
38706 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:siginfo:read} packet
38707 (@pxref{qXfer siginfo read}).
38708
38709 @item qXfer:siginfo:write
38710 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:siginfo:write} packet
38711 (@pxref{qXfer siginfo write}).
38712
38713 @item qXfer:threads:read
38714 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:threads:read} packet
38715 (@pxref{qXfer threads read}).
38716
38717 @item qXfer:traceframe-info:read
38718 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
38719 packet (@pxref{qXfer traceframe info read}).
38720
38721 @item qXfer:uib:read
38722 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:uib:read}
38723 packet (@pxref{qXfer unwind info block}).
38724
38725 @item qXfer:fdpic:read
38726 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:fdpic:read}
38727 packet (@pxref{qXfer fdpic loadmap read}).
38728
38729 @item QNonStop
38730 The remote stub understands the @samp{QNonStop} packet
38731 (@pxref{QNonStop}).
38732
38733 @item QPassSignals
38734 The remote stub understands the @samp{QPassSignals} packet
38735 (@pxref{QPassSignals}).
38736
38737 @item QStartNoAckMode
38738 The remote stub understands the @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet and
38739 prefers to operate in no-acknowledgment mode. @xref{Packet Acknowledgment}.
38740
38741 @item multiprocess
38742 @anchor{multiprocess extensions}
38743 @cindex multiprocess extensions, in remote protocol
38744 The remote stub understands the multiprocess extensions to the remote
38745 protocol syntax. The multiprocess extensions affect the syntax of
38746 thread IDs in both packets and replies (@pxref{thread-id syntax}), and
38747 add process IDs to the @samp{D} packet and @samp{W} and @samp{X}
38748 replies. Note that reporting this feature indicates support for the
38749 syntactic extensions only, not that the stub necessarily supports
38750 debugging of more than one process at a time. The stub must not use
38751 multiprocess extensions in packet replies unless @value{GDBN} has also
38752 indicated it supports them in its @samp{qSupported} request.
38753
38754 @item qXfer:osdata:read
38755 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:osdata:read} packet
38756 ((@pxref{qXfer osdata read}).
38757
38758 @item ConditionalBreakpoints
38759 The target accepts and implements evaluation of conditional expressions
38760 defined for breakpoints. The target will only report breakpoint triggers
38761 when such conditions are true (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
38762
38763 @item ConditionalTracepoints
38764 The remote stub accepts and implements conditional expressions defined
38765 for tracepoints (@pxref{Tracepoint Conditions}).
38766
38767 @item ReverseContinue
38768 The remote stub accepts and implements the reverse continue packet
38769 (@pxref{bc}).
38770
38771 @item ReverseStep
38772 The remote stub accepts and implements the reverse step packet
38773 (@pxref{bs}).
38774
38775 @item TracepointSource
38776 The remote stub understands the @samp{QTDPsrc} packet that supplies
38777 the source form of tracepoint definitions.
38778
38779 @item QAgent
38780 The remote stub understands the @samp{QAgent} packet.
38781
38782 @item QAllow
38783 The remote stub understands the @samp{QAllow} packet.
38784
38785 @item QDisableRandomization
38786 The remote stub understands the @samp{QDisableRandomization} packet.
38787
38788 @item StaticTracepoint
38789 @cindex static tracepoints, in remote protocol
38790 The remote stub supports static tracepoints.
38791
38792 @item InstallInTrace
38793 @anchor{install tracepoint in tracing}
38794 The remote stub supports installing tracepoint in tracing.
38795
38796 @item EnableDisableTracepoints
38797 The remote stub supports the @samp{QTEnable} (@pxref{QTEnable}) and
38798 @samp{QTDisable} (@pxref{QTDisable}) packets that allow tracepoints
38799 to be enabled and disabled while a trace experiment is running.
38800
38801 @item QTBuffer:size
38802 The remote stub supports the @samp{QTBuffer:size} (@pxref{QTBuffer-size})
38803 packet that allows to change the size of the trace buffer.
38804
38805 @item tracenz
38806 @cindex string tracing, in remote protocol
38807 The remote stub supports the @samp{tracenz} bytecode for collecting strings.
38808 See @ref{Bytecode Descriptions} for details about the bytecode.
38809
38810 @item BreakpointCommands
38811 @cindex breakpoint commands, in remote protocol
38812 The remote stub supports running a breakpoint's command list itself,
38813 rather than reporting the hit to @value{GDBN}.
38814
38815 @item Qbtrace:off
38816 The remote stub understands the @samp{Qbtrace:off} packet.
38817
38818 @item Qbtrace:bts
38819 The remote stub understands the @samp{Qbtrace:bts} packet.
38820
38821 @end table
38822
38823 @item qSymbol::
38824 @cindex symbol lookup, remote request
38825 @cindex @samp{qSymbol} packet
38826 Notify the target that @value{GDBN} is prepared to serve symbol lookup
38827 requests. Accept requests from the target for the values of symbols.
38828
38829 Reply:
38830 @table @samp
38831 @item OK
38832 The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
38833 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_name}
38834 The target requests the value of symbol @var{sym_name} (hex encoded).
38835 @value{GDBN} may provide the value by using the
38836 @samp{qSymbol:@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}} message, described
38837 below.
38838 @end table
38839
38840 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}
38841 Set the value of @var{sym_name} to @var{sym_value}.
38842
38843 @var{sym_name} (hex encoded) is the name of a symbol whose value the
38844 target has previously requested.
38845
38846 @var{sym_value} (hex) is the value for symbol @var{sym_name}. If
38847 @value{GDBN} cannot supply a value for @var{sym_name}, then this field
38848 will be empty.
38849
38850 Reply:
38851 @table @samp
38852 @item OK
38853 The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
38854 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_name}
38855 The target requests the value of a new symbol @var{sym_name} (hex
38856 encoded). @value{GDBN} will continue to supply the values of symbols
38857 (if available), until the target ceases to request them.
38858 @end table
38859
38860 @item qTBuffer
38861 @itemx QTBuffer
38862 @itemx QTDisconnected
38863 @itemx QTDP
38864 @itemx QTDPsrc
38865 @itemx QTDV
38866 @itemx qTfP
38867 @itemx qTfV
38868 @itemx QTFrame
38869 @itemx qTMinFTPILen
38870
38871 @xref{Tracepoint Packets}.
38872
38873 @item qThreadExtraInfo,@var{thread-id}
38874 @cindex thread attributes info, remote request
38875 @cindex @samp{qThreadExtraInfo} packet
38876 Obtain a printable string description of a thread's attributes from
38877 the target OS. @var{thread-id} is a thread ID;
38878 see @ref{thread-id syntax}. This
38879 string may contain anything that the target OS thinks is interesting
38880 for @value{GDBN} to tell the user about the thread. The string is
38881 displayed in @value{GDBN}'s @code{info threads} display. Some
38882 examples of possible thread extra info strings are @samp{Runnable}, or
38883 @samp{Blocked on Mutex}.
38884
38885 Reply:
38886 @table @samp
38887 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
38888 Where @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is a hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data,
38889 comprising the printable string containing the extra information about
38890 the thread's attributes.
38891 @end table
38892
38893 (Note that the @code{qThreadExtraInfo} packet's name is separated from
38894 the command by a @samp{,}, not a @samp{:}, contrary to the naming
38895 conventions above. Please don't use this packet as a model for new
38896 packets.)
38897
38898 @item QTNotes
38899 @itemx qTP
38900 @itemx QTSave
38901 @itemx qTsP
38902 @itemx qTsV
38903 @itemx QTStart
38904 @itemx QTStop
38905 @itemx QTEnable
38906 @itemx QTDisable
38907 @itemx QTinit
38908 @itemx QTro
38909 @itemx qTStatus
38910 @itemx qTV
38911 @itemx qTfSTM
38912 @itemx qTsSTM
38913 @itemx qTSTMat
38914 @xref{Tracepoint Packets}.
38915
38916 @item qXfer:@var{object}:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
38917 @cindex read special object, remote request
38918 @cindex @samp{qXfer} packet
38919 @anchor{qXfer read}
38920 Read uninterpreted bytes from the target's special data area
38921 identified by the keyword @var{object}. Request @var{length} bytes
38922 starting at @var{offset} bytes into the data. The content and
38923 encoding of @var{annex} is specific to @var{object}; it can supply
38924 additional details about what data to access.
38925
38926 Here are the specific requests of this form defined so far. All
38927 @samp{qXfer:@var{object}:read:@dots{}} requests use the same reply
38928 formats, listed below.
38929
38930 @table @samp
38931 @item qXfer:auxv:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
38932 @anchor{qXfer auxiliary vector read}
38933 Access the target's @dfn{auxiliary vector}. @xref{OS Information,
38934 auxiliary vector}. Note @var{annex} must be empty.
38935
38936 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
38937 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
38938
38939 @item qXfer:btrace:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
38940 @anchor{qXfer btrace read}
38941
38942 Return a description of the current branch trace.
38943 @xref{Branch Trace Format}. The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer}
38944 packet may have one of the following values:
38945
38946 @table @code
38947 @item all
38948 Returns all available branch trace.
38949
38950 @item new
38951 Returns all available branch trace if the branch trace changed since
38952 the last read request.
38953 @end table
38954
38955 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it
38956 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
38957
38958 @item qXfer:features:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
38959 @anchor{qXfer target description read}
38960 Access the @dfn{target description}. @xref{Target Descriptions}. The
38961 annex specifies which XML document to access. The main description is
38962 always loaded from the @samp{target.xml} annex.
38963
38964 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
38965 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
38966
38967 @item qXfer:libraries:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
38968 @anchor{qXfer library list read}
38969 Access the target's list of loaded libraries. @xref{Library List Format}.
38970 The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
38971 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
38972
38973 Targets which maintain a list of libraries in the program's memory do
38974 not need to implement this packet; it is designed for platforms where
38975 the operating system manages the list of loaded libraries.
38976
38977 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
38978 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
38979
38980 @item qXfer:libraries-svr4:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
38981 @anchor{qXfer svr4 library list read}
38982 Access the target's list of loaded libraries when the target is an SVR4
38983 platform. @xref{Library List Format for SVR4 Targets}. The annex part
38984 of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty (@pxref{qXfer read}).
38985
38986 This packet is optional for better performance on SVR4 targets.
38987 @value{GDBN} uses memory read packets to read the SVR4 library list otherwise.
38988
38989 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
38990 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
38991
38992 @item qXfer:memory-map:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
38993 @anchor{qXfer memory map read}
38994 Access the target's @dfn{memory-map}. @xref{Memory Map Format}. The
38995 annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
38996 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
38997
38998 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
38999 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
39000
39001 @item qXfer:sdata:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
39002 @anchor{qXfer sdata read}
39003
39004 Read contents of the extra collected static tracepoint marker
39005 information. The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must
39006 be empty (@pxref{qXfer read}). @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint
39007 Action Lists}.
39008
39009 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
39010 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
39011 (@pxref{qSupported}).
39012
39013 @item qXfer:siginfo:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
39014 @anchor{qXfer siginfo read}
39015 Read contents of the extra signal information on the target
39016 system. The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be
39017 empty (@pxref{qXfer read}).
39018
39019 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
39020 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
39021 (@pxref{qSupported}).
39022
39023 @item qXfer:spu:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
39024 @anchor{qXfer spu read}
39025 Read contents of an @code{spufs} file on the target system. The
39026 annex specifies which file to read; it must be of the form
39027 @file{@var{id}/@var{name}}, where @var{id} specifies an SPU context ID
39028 in the target process, and @var{name} identifes the @code{spufs} file
39029 in that context to be accessed.
39030
39031 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
39032 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
39033 (@pxref{qSupported}).
39034
39035 @item qXfer:threads:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
39036 @anchor{qXfer threads read}
39037 Access the list of threads on target. @xref{Thread List Format}. The
39038 annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
39039 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
39040
39041 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
39042 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
39043
39044 @item qXfer:traceframe-info:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
39045 @anchor{qXfer traceframe info read}
39046
39047 Return a description of the current traceframe's contents.
39048 @xref{Traceframe Info Format}. The annex part of the generic
39049 @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty (@pxref{qXfer read}).
39050
39051 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
39052 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
39053
39054 @item qXfer:uib:read:@var{pc}:@var{offset},@var{length}
39055 @anchor{qXfer unwind info block}
39056
39057 Return the unwind information block for @var{pc}. This packet is used
39058 on OpenVMS/ia64 to ask the kernel unwind information.
39059
39060 This packet is not probed by default.
39061
39062 @item qXfer:fdpic:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
39063 @anchor{qXfer fdpic loadmap read}
39064 Read contents of @code{loadmap}s on the target system. The
39065 annex, either @samp{exec} or @samp{interp}, specifies which @code{loadmap},
39066 executable @code{loadmap} or interpreter @code{loadmap} to read.
39067
39068 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
39069 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
39070
39071 @item qXfer:osdata:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
39072 @anchor{qXfer osdata read}
39073 Access the target's @dfn{operating system information}.
39074 @xref{Operating System Information}.
39075
39076 @end table
39077
39078 Reply:
39079 @table @samp
39080 @item m @var{data}
39081 Data @var{data} (@pxref{Binary Data}) has been read from the
39082 target. There may be more data at a higher address (although
39083 it is permitted to return @samp{m} even for the last valid
39084 block of data, as long as at least one byte of data was read).
39085 @var{data} may have fewer bytes than the @var{length} in the
39086 request.
39087
39088 @item l @var{data}
39089 Data @var{data} (@pxref{Binary Data}) has been read from the target.
39090 There is no more data to be read. @var{data} may have fewer bytes
39091 than the @var{length} in the request.
39092
39093 @item l
39094 The @var{offset} in the request is at the end of the data.
39095 There is no more data to be read.
39096
39097 @item E00
39098 The request was malformed, or @var{annex} was invalid.
39099
39100 @item E @var{nn}
39101 The offset was invalid, or there was an error encountered reading the data.
39102 @var{nn} is a hex-encoded @code{errno} value.
39103
39104 @item @w{}
39105 An empty reply indicates the @var{object} string was not recognized by
39106 the stub, or that the object does not support reading.
39107 @end table
39108
39109 @item qXfer:@var{object}:write:@var{annex}:@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
39110 @cindex write data into object, remote request
39111 @anchor{qXfer write}
39112 Write uninterpreted bytes into the target's special data area
39113 identified by the keyword @var{object}, starting at @var{offset} bytes
39114 into the data. @var{data}@dots{} is the binary-encoded data
39115 (@pxref{Binary Data}) to be written. The content and encoding of @var{annex}
39116 is specific to @var{object}; it can supply additional details about what data
39117 to access.
39118
39119 Here are the specific requests of this form defined so far. All
39120 @samp{qXfer:@var{object}:write:@dots{}} requests use the same reply
39121 formats, listed below.
39122
39123 @table @samp
39124 @item qXfer:siginfo:write::@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
39125 @anchor{qXfer siginfo write}
39126 Write @var{data} to the extra signal information on the target system.
39127 The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be
39128 empty (@pxref{qXfer write}).
39129
39130 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
39131 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
39132 (@pxref{qSupported}).
39133
39134 @item qXfer:spu:write:@var{annex}:@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
39135 @anchor{qXfer spu write}
39136 Write @var{data} to an @code{spufs} file on the target system. The
39137 annex specifies which file to write; it must be of the form
39138 @file{@var{id}/@var{name}}, where @var{id} specifies an SPU context ID
39139 in the target process, and @var{name} identifes the @code{spufs} file
39140 in that context to be accessed.
39141
39142 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
39143 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
39144 @end table
39145
39146 Reply:
39147 @table @samp
39148 @item @var{nn}
39149 @var{nn} (hex encoded) is the number of bytes written.
39150 This may be fewer bytes than supplied in the request.
39151
39152 @item E00
39153 The request was malformed, or @var{annex} was invalid.
39154
39155 @item E @var{nn}
39156 The offset was invalid, or there was an error encountered writing the data.
39157 @var{nn} is a hex-encoded @code{errno} value.
39158
39159 @item @w{}
39160 An empty reply indicates the @var{object} string was not
39161 recognized by the stub, or that the object does not support writing.
39162 @end table
39163
39164 @item qXfer:@var{object}:@var{operation}:@dots{}
39165 Requests of this form may be added in the future. When a stub does
39166 not recognize the @var{object} keyword, or its support for
39167 @var{object} does not recognize the @var{operation} keyword, the stub
39168 must respond with an empty packet.
39169
39170 @item qAttached:@var{pid}
39171 @cindex query attached, remote request
39172 @cindex @samp{qAttached} packet
39173 Return an indication of whether the remote server attached to an
39174 existing process or created a new process. When the multiprocess
39175 protocol extensions are supported (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}),
39176 @var{pid} is an integer in hexadecimal format identifying the target
39177 process. Otherwise, @value{GDBN} will omit the @var{pid} field and
39178 the query packet will be simplified as @samp{qAttached}.
39179
39180 This query is used, for example, to know whether the remote process
39181 should be detached or killed when a @value{GDBN} session is ended with
39182 the @code{quit} command.
39183
39184 Reply:
39185 @table @samp
39186 @item 1
39187 The remote server attached to an existing process.
39188 @item 0
39189 The remote server created a new process.
39190 @item E @var{NN}
39191 A badly formed request or an error was encountered.
39192 @end table
39193
39194 @item Qbtrace:bts
39195 Enable branch tracing for the current thread using bts tracing.
39196
39197 Reply:
39198 @table @samp
39199 @item OK
39200 Branch tracing has been enabled.
39201 @item E.errtext
39202 A badly formed request or an error was encountered.
39203 @end table
39204
39205 @item Qbtrace:off
39206 Disable branch tracing for the current thread.
39207
39208 Reply:
39209 @table @samp
39210 @item OK
39211 Branch tracing has been disabled.
39212 @item E.errtext
39213 A badly formed request or an error was encountered.
39214 @end table
39215
39216 @end table
39217
39218 @node Architecture-Specific Protocol Details
39219 @section Architecture-Specific Protocol Details
39220
39221 This section describes how the remote protocol is applied to specific
39222 target architectures. Also see @ref{Standard Target Features}, for
39223 details of XML target descriptions for each architecture.
39224
39225 @menu
39226 * ARM-Specific Protocol Details::
39227 * MIPS-Specific Protocol Details::
39228 @end menu
39229
39230 @node ARM-Specific Protocol Details
39231 @subsection @acronym{ARM}-specific Protocol Details
39232
39233 @menu
39234 * ARM Breakpoint Kinds::
39235 @end menu
39236
39237 @node ARM Breakpoint Kinds
39238 @subsubsection @acronym{ARM} Breakpoint Kinds
39239 @cindex breakpoint kinds, @acronym{ARM}
39240
39241 These breakpoint kinds are defined for the @samp{Z0} and @samp{Z1} packets.
39242
39243 @table @r
39244
39245 @item 2
39246 16-bit Thumb mode breakpoint.
39247
39248 @item 3
39249 32-bit Thumb mode (Thumb-2) breakpoint.
39250
39251 @item 4
39252 32-bit @acronym{ARM} mode breakpoint.
39253
39254 @end table
39255
39256 @node MIPS-Specific Protocol Details
39257 @subsection @acronym{MIPS}-specific Protocol Details
39258
39259 @menu
39260 * MIPS Register packet Format::
39261 * MIPS Breakpoint Kinds::
39262 @end menu
39263
39264 @node MIPS Register packet Format
39265 @subsubsection @acronym{MIPS} Register Packet Format
39266 @cindex register packet format, @acronym{MIPS}
39267
39268 The following @code{g}/@code{G} packets have previously been defined.
39269 In the below, some thirty-two bit registers are transferred as
39270 sixty-four bits. Those registers should be zero/sign extended (which?)
39271 to fill the space allocated. Register bytes are transferred in target
39272 byte order. The two nibbles within a register byte are transferred
39273 most-significant -- least-significant.
39274
39275 @table @r
39276
39277 @item MIPS32
39278 All registers are transferred as thirty-two bit quantities in the order:
39279 32 general-purpose; sr; lo; hi; bad; cause; pc; 32 floating-point
39280 registers; fsr; fir; fp.
39281
39282 @item MIPS64
39283 All registers are transferred as sixty-four bit quantities (including
39284 thirty-two bit registers such as @code{sr}). The ordering is the same
39285 as @code{MIPS32}.
39286
39287 @end table
39288
39289 @node MIPS Breakpoint Kinds
39290 @subsubsection @acronym{MIPS} Breakpoint Kinds
39291 @cindex breakpoint kinds, @acronym{MIPS}
39292
39293 These breakpoint kinds are defined for the @samp{Z0} and @samp{Z1} packets.
39294
39295 @table @r
39296
39297 @item 2
39298 16-bit @acronym{MIPS16} mode breakpoint.
39299
39300 @item 3
39301 16-bit @acronym{microMIPS} mode breakpoint.
39302
39303 @item 4
39304 32-bit standard @acronym{MIPS} mode breakpoint.
39305
39306 @item 5
39307 32-bit @acronym{microMIPS} mode breakpoint.
39308
39309 @end table
39310
39311 @node Tracepoint Packets
39312 @section Tracepoint Packets
39313 @cindex tracepoint packets
39314 @cindex packets, tracepoint
39315
39316 Here we describe the packets @value{GDBN} uses to implement
39317 tracepoints (@pxref{Tracepoints}).
39318
39319 @table @samp
39320
39321 @item QTDP:@var{n}:@var{addr}:@var{ena}:@var{step}:@var{pass}[:F@var{flen}][:X@var{len},@var{bytes}]@r{[}-@r{]}
39322 @cindex @samp{QTDP} packet
39323 Create a new tracepoint, number @var{n}, at @var{addr}. If @var{ena}
39324 is @samp{E}, then the tracepoint is enabled; if it is @samp{D}, then
39325 the tracepoint is disabled. @var{step} is the tracepoint's step
39326 count, and @var{pass} is its pass count. If an @samp{F} is present,
39327 then the tracepoint is to be a fast tracepoint, and the @var{flen} is
39328 the number of bytes that the target should copy elsewhere to make room
39329 for the tracepoint. If an @samp{X} is present, it introduces a
39330 tracepoint condition, which consists of a hexadecimal length, followed
39331 by a comma and hex-encoded bytes, in a manner similar to action
39332 encodings as described below. If the trailing @samp{-} is present,
39333 further @samp{QTDP} packets will follow to specify this tracepoint's
39334 actions.
39335
39336 Replies:
39337 @table @samp
39338 @item OK
39339 The packet was understood and carried out.
39340 @item qRelocInsn
39341 @xref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate instruction reply packet}.
39342 @item @w{}
39343 The packet was not recognized.
39344 @end table
39345
39346 @item QTDP:-@var{n}:@var{addr}:@r{[}S@r{]}@var{action}@dots{}@r{[}-@r{]}
39347 Define actions to be taken when a tracepoint is hit. @var{n} and
39348 @var{addr} must be the same as in the initial @samp{QTDP} packet for
39349 this tracepoint. This packet may only be sent immediately after
39350 another @samp{QTDP} packet that ended with a @samp{-}. If the
39351 trailing @samp{-} is present, further @samp{QTDP} packets will follow,
39352 specifying more actions for this tracepoint.
39353
39354 In the series of action packets for a given tracepoint, at most one
39355 can have an @samp{S} before its first @var{action}. If such a packet
39356 is sent, it and the following packets define ``while-stepping''
39357 actions. Any prior packets define ordinary actions --- that is, those
39358 taken when the tracepoint is first hit. If no action packet has an
39359 @samp{S}, then all the packets in the series specify ordinary
39360 tracepoint actions.
39361
39362 The @samp{@var{action}@dots{}} portion of the packet is a series of
39363 actions, concatenated without separators. Each action has one of the
39364 following forms:
39365
39366 @table @samp
39367
39368 @item R @var{mask}
39369 Collect the registers whose bits are set in @var{mask}. @var{mask} is
39370 a hexadecimal number whose @var{i}'th bit is set if register number
39371 @var{i} should be collected. (The least significant bit is numbered
39372 zero.) Note that @var{mask} may be any number of digits long; it may
39373 not fit in a 32-bit word.
39374
39375 @item M @var{basereg},@var{offset},@var{len}
39376 Collect @var{len} bytes of memory starting at the address in register
39377 number @var{basereg}, plus @var{offset}. If @var{basereg} is
39378 @samp{-1}, then the range has a fixed address: @var{offset} is the
39379 address of the lowest byte to collect. The @var{basereg},
39380 @var{offset}, and @var{len} parameters are all unsigned hexadecimal
39381 values (the @samp{-1} value for @var{basereg} is a special case).
39382
39383 @item X @var{len},@var{expr}
39384 Evaluate @var{expr}, whose length is @var{len}, and collect memory as
39385 it directs. @var{expr} is an agent expression, as described in
39386 @ref{Agent Expressions}. Each byte of the expression is encoded as a
39387 two-digit hex number in the packet; @var{len} is the number of bytes
39388 in the expression (and thus one-half the number of hex digits in the
39389 packet).
39390
39391 @end table
39392
39393 Any number of actions may be packed together in a single @samp{QTDP}
39394 packet, as long as the packet does not exceed the maximum packet
39395 length (400 bytes, for many stubs). There may be only one @samp{R}
39396 action per tracepoint, and it must precede any @samp{M} or @samp{X}
39397 actions. Any registers referred to by @samp{M} and @samp{X} actions
39398 must be collected by a preceding @samp{R} action. (The
39399 ``while-stepping'' actions are treated as if they were attached to a
39400 separate tracepoint, as far as these restrictions are concerned.)
39401
39402 Replies:
39403 @table @samp
39404 @item OK
39405 The packet was understood and carried out.
39406 @item qRelocInsn
39407 @xref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate instruction reply packet}.
39408 @item @w{}
39409 The packet was not recognized.
39410 @end table
39411
39412 @item QTDPsrc:@var{n}:@var{addr}:@var{type}:@var{start}:@var{slen}:@var{bytes}
39413 @cindex @samp{QTDPsrc} packet
39414 Specify a source string of tracepoint @var{n} at address @var{addr}.
39415 This is useful to get accurate reproduction of the tracepoints
39416 originally downloaded at the beginning of the trace run. @var{type}
39417 is the name of the tracepoint part, such as @samp{cond} for the
39418 tracepoint's conditional expression (see below for a list of types), while
39419 @var{bytes} is the string, encoded in hexadecimal.
39420
39421 @var{start} is the offset of the @var{bytes} within the overall source
39422 string, while @var{slen} is the total length of the source string.
39423 This is intended for handling source strings that are longer than will
39424 fit in a single packet.
39425 @c Add detailed example when this info is moved into a dedicated
39426 @c tracepoint descriptions section.
39427
39428 The available string types are @samp{at} for the location,
39429 @samp{cond} for the conditional, and @samp{cmd} for an action command.
39430 @value{GDBN} sends a separate packet for each command in the action
39431 list, in the same order in which the commands are stored in the list.
39432
39433 The target does not need to do anything with source strings except
39434 report them back as part of the replies to the @samp{qTfP}/@samp{qTsP}
39435 query packets.
39436
39437 Although this packet is optional, and @value{GDBN} will only send it
39438 if the target replies with @samp{TracepointSource} @xref{General
39439 Query Packets}, it makes both disconnected tracing and trace files
39440 much easier to use. Otherwise the user must be careful that the
39441 tracepoints in effect while looking at trace frames are identical to
39442 the ones in effect during the trace run; even a small discrepancy
39443 could cause @samp{tdump} not to work, or a particular trace frame not
39444 be found.
39445
39446 @item QTDV:@var{n}:@var{value}
39447 @cindex define trace state variable, remote request
39448 @cindex @samp{QTDV} packet
39449 Create a new trace state variable, number @var{n}, with an initial
39450 value of @var{value}, which is a 64-bit signed integer. Both @var{n}
39451 and @var{value} are encoded as hexadecimal values. @value{GDBN} has
39452 the option of not using this packet for initial values of zero; the
39453 target should simply create the trace state variables as they are
39454 mentioned in expressions.
39455
39456 @item QTFrame:@var{n}
39457 @cindex @samp{QTFrame} packet
39458 Select the @var{n}'th tracepoint frame from the buffer, and use the
39459 register and memory contents recorded there to answer subsequent
39460 request packets from @value{GDBN}.
39461
39462 A successful reply from the stub indicates that the stub has found the
39463 requested frame. The response is a series of parts, concatenated
39464 without separators, describing the frame we selected. Each part has
39465 one of the following forms:
39466
39467 @table @samp
39468 @item F @var{f}
39469 The selected frame is number @var{n} in the trace frame buffer;
39470 @var{f} is a hexadecimal number. If @var{f} is @samp{-1}, then there
39471 was no frame matching the criteria in the request packet.
39472
39473 @item T @var{t}
39474 The selected trace frame records a hit of tracepoint number @var{t};
39475 @var{t} is a hexadecimal number.
39476
39477 @end table
39478
39479 @item QTFrame:pc:@var{addr}
39480 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
39481 currently selected frame whose PC is @var{addr};
39482 @var{addr} is a hexadecimal number.
39483
39484 @item QTFrame:tdp:@var{t}
39485 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
39486 currently selected frame that is a hit of tracepoint @var{t}; @var{t}
39487 is a hexadecimal number.
39488
39489 @item QTFrame:range:@var{start}:@var{end}
39490 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
39491 currently selected frame whose PC is between @var{start} (inclusive)
39492 and @var{end} (inclusive); @var{start} and @var{end} are hexadecimal
39493 numbers.
39494
39495 @item QTFrame:outside:@var{start}:@var{end}
39496 Like @samp{QTFrame:range:@var{start}:@var{end}}, but select the first
39497 frame @emph{outside} the given range of addresses (exclusive).
39498
39499 @item qTMinFTPILen
39500 @cindex @samp{qTMinFTPILen} packet
39501 This packet requests the minimum length of instruction at which a fast
39502 tracepoint (@pxref{Set Tracepoints}) may be placed. For instance, on
39503 the 32-bit x86 architecture, it is possible to use a 4-byte jump, but
39504 it depends on the target system being able to create trampolines in
39505 the first 64K of memory, which might or might not be possible for that
39506 system. So the reply to this packet will be 4 if it is able to
39507 arrange for that.
39508
39509 Replies:
39510
39511 @table @samp
39512 @item 0
39513 The minimum instruction length is currently unknown.
39514 @item @var{length}
39515 The minimum instruction length is @var{length}, where @var{length} is greater
39516 or equal to 1. @var{length} is a hexadecimal number. A reply of 1 means
39517 that a fast tracepoint may be placed on any instruction regardless of size.
39518 @item E
39519 An error has occurred.
39520 @item @w{}
39521 An empty reply indicates that the request is not supported by the stub.
39522 @end table
39523
39524 @item QTStart
39525 @cindex @samp{QTStart} packet
39526 Begin the tracepoint experiment. Begin collecting data from
39527 tracepoint hits in the trace frame buffer. This packet supports the
39528 @samp{qRelocInsn} reply (@pxref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate
39529 instruction reply packet}).
39530
39531 @item QTStop
39532 @cindex @samp{QTStop} packet
39533 End the tracepoint experiment. Stop collecting trace frames.
39534
39535 @item QTEnable:@var{n}:@var{addr}
39536 @anchor{QTEnable}
39537 @cindex @samp{QTEnable} packet
39538 Enable tracepoint @var{n} at address @var{addr} in a started tracepoint
39539 experiment. If the tracepoint was previously disabled, then collection
39540 of data from it will resume.
39541
39542 @item QTDisable:@var{n}:@var{addr}
39543 @anchor{QTDisable}
39544 @cindex @samp{QTDisable} packet
39545 Disable tracepoint @var{n} at address @var{addr} in a started tracepoint
39546 experiment. No more data will be collected from the tracepoint unless
39547 @samp{QTEnable:@var{n}:@var{addr}} is subsequently issued.
39548
39549 @item QTinit
39550 @cindex @samp{QTinit} packet
39551 Clear the table of tracepoints, and empty the trace frame buffer.
39552
39553 @item QTro:@var{start1},@var{end1}:@var{start2},@var{end2}:@dots{}
39554 @cindex @samp{QTro} packet
39555 Establish the given ranges of memory as ``transparent''. The stub
39556 will answer requests for these ranges from memory's current contents,
39557 if they were not collected as part of the tracepoint hit.
39558
39559 @value{GDBN} uses this to mark read-only regions of memory, like those
39560 containing program code. Since these areas never change, they should
39561 still have the same contents they did when the tracepoint was hit, so
39562 there's no reason for the stub to refuse to provide their contents.
39563
39564 @item QTDisconnected:@var{value}
39565 @cindex @samp{QTDisconnected} packet
39566 Set the choice to what to do with the tracing run when @value{GDBN}
39567 disconnects from the target. A @var{value} of 1 directs the target to
39568 continue the tracing run, while 0 tells the target to stop tracing if
39569 @value{GDBN} is no longer in the picture.
39570
39571 @item qTStatus
39572 @cindex @samp{qTStatus} packet
39573 Ask the stub if there is a trace experiment running right now.
39574
39575 The reply has the form:
39576
39577 @table @samp
39578
39579 @item T@var{running}@r{[};@var{field}@r{]}@dots{}
39580 @var{running} is a single digit @code{1} if the trace is presently
39581 running, or @code{0} if not. It is followed by semicolon-separated
39582 optional fields that an agent may use to report additional status.
39583
39584 @end table
39585
39586 If the trace is not running, the agent may report any of several
39587 explanations as one of the optional fields:
39588
39589 @table @samp
39590
39591 @item tnotrun:0
39592 No trace has been run yet.
39593
39594 @item tstop[:@var{text}]:0
39595 The trace was stopped by a user-originated stop command. The optional
39596 @var{text} field is a user-supplied string supplied as part of the
39597 stop command (for instance, an explanation of why the trace was
39598 stopped manually). It is hex-encoded.
39599
39600 @item tfull:0
39601 The trace stopped because the trace buffer filled up.
39602
39603 @item tdisconnected:0
39604 The trace stopped because @value{GDBN} disconnected from the target.
39605
39606 @item tpasscount:@var{tpnum}
39607 The trace stopped because tracepoint @var{tpnum} exceeded its pass count.
39608
39609 @item terror:@var{text}:@var{tpnum}
39610 The trace stopped because tracepoint @var{tpnum} had an error. The
39611 string @var{text} is available to describe the nature of the error
39612 (for instance, a divide by zero in the condition expression).
39613 @var{text} is hex encoded.
39614
39615 @item tunknown:0
39616 The trace stopped for some other reason.
39617
39618 @end table
39619
39620 Additional optional fields supply statistical and other information.
39621 Although not required, they are extremely useful for users monitoring
39622 the progress of a trace run. If a trace has stopped, and these
39623 numbers are reported, they must reflect the state of the just-stopped
39624 trace.
39625
39626 @table @samp
39627
39628 @item tframes:@var{n}
39629 The number of trace frames in the buffer.
39630
39631 @item tcreated:@var{n}
39632 The total number of trace frames created during the run. This may
39633 be larger than the trace frame count, if the buffer is circular.
39634
39635 @item tsize:@var{n}
39636 The total size of the trace buffer, in bytes.
39637
39638 @item tfree:@var{n}
39639 The number of bytes still unused in the buffer.
39640
39641 @item circular:@var{n}
39642 The value of the circular trace buffer flag. @code{1} means that the
39643 trace buffer is circular and old trace frames will be discarded if
39644 necessary to make room, @code{0} means that the trace buffer is linear
39645 and may fill up.
39646
39647 @item disconn:@var{n}
39648 The value of the disconnected tracing flag. @code{1} means that
39649 tracing will continue after @value{GDBN} disconnects, @code{0} means
39650 that the trace run will stop.
39651
39652 @end table
39653
39654 @item qTP:@var{tp}:@var{addr}
39655 @cindex tracepoint status, remote request
39656 @cindex @samp{qTP} packet
39657 Ask the stub for the current state of tracepoint number @var{tp} at
39658 address @var{addr}.
39659
39660 Replies:
39661 @table @samp
39662 @item V@var{hits}:@var{usage}
39663 The tracepoint has been hit @var{hits} times so far during the trace
39664 run, and accounts for @var{usage} in the trace buffer. Note that
39665 @code{while-stepping} steps are not counted as separate hits, but the
39666 steps' space consumption is added into the usage number.
39667
39668 @end table
39669
39670 @item qTV:@var{var}
39671 @cindex trace state variable value, remote request
39672 @cindex @samp{qTV} packet
39673 Ask the stub for the value of the trace state variable number @var{var}.
39674
39675 Replies:
39676 @table @samp
39677 @item V@var{value}
39678 The value of the variable is @var{value}. This will be the current
39679 value of the variable if the user is examining a running target, or a
39680 saved value if the variable was collected in the trace frame that the
39681 user is looking at. Note that multiple requests may result in
39682 different reply values, such as when requesting values while the
39683 program is running.
39684
39685 @item U
39686 The value of the variable is unknown. This would occur, for example,
39687 if the user is examining a trace frame in which the requested variable
39688 was not collected.
39689 @end table
39690
39691 @item qTfP
39692 @cindex @samp{qTfP} packet
39693 @itemx qTsP
39694 @cindex @samp{qTsP} packet
39695 These packets request data about tracepoints that are being used by
39696 the target. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfP} to get the first piece
39697 of data, and multiple @code{qTsP} to get additional pieces. Replies
39698 to these packets generally take the form of the @code{QTDP} packets
39699 that define tracepoints. (FIXME add detailed syntax)
39700
39701 @item qTfV
39702 @cindex @samp{qTfV} packet
39703 @itemx qTsV
39704 @cindex @samp{qTsV} packet
39705 These packets request data about trace state variables that are on the
39706 target. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfV} to get the first vari of data,
39707 and multiple @code{qTsV} to get additional variables. Replies to
39708 these packets follow the syntax of the @code{QTDV} packets that define
39709 trace state variables.
39710
39711 @item qTfSTM
39712 @itemx qTsSTM
39713 @anchor{qTfSTM}
39714 @anchor{qTsSTM}
39715 @cindex @samp{qTfSTM} packet
39716 @cindex @samp{qTsSTM} packet
39717 These packets request data about static tracepoint markers that exist
39718 in the target program. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfSTM} to get the
39719 first piece of data, and multiple @code{qTsSTM} to get additional
39720 pieces. Replies to these packets take the following form:
39721
39722 Reply:
39723 @table @samp
39724 @item m @var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra}
39725 A single marker
39726 @item m @var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra},@var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra}@dots{}
39727 a comma-separated list of markers
39728 @item l
39729 (lower case letter @samp{L}) denotes end of list.
39730 @item E @var{nn}
39731 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
39732 @item @w{}
39733 An empty reply indicates that the request is not supported by the
39734 stub.
39735 @end table
39736
39737 @var{address} is encoded in hex.
39738 @var{id} and @var{extra} are strings encoded in hex.
39739
39740 In response to each query, the target will reply with a list of one or
39741 more markers, separated by commas. @value{GDBN} will respond to each
39742 reply with a request for more markers (using the @samp{qs} form of the
39743 query), until the target responds with @samp{l} (lower-case ell, for
39744 @dfn{last}).
39745
39746 @item qTSTMat:@var{address}
39747 @anchor{qTSTMat}
39748 @cindex @samp{qTSTMat} packet
39749 This packets requests data about static tracepoint markers in the
39750 target program at @var{address}. Replies to this packet follow the
39751 syntax of the @samp{qTfSTM} and @code{qTsSTM} packets that list static
39752 tracepoint markers.
39753
39754 @item QTSave:@var{filename}
39755 @cindex @samp{QTSave} packet
39756 This packet directs the target to save trace data to the file name
39757 @var{filename} in the target's filesystem. @var{filename} is encoded
39758 as a hex string; the interpretation of the file name (relative vs
39759 absolute, wild cards, etc) is up to the target.
39760
39761 @item qTBuffer:@var{offset},@var{len}
39762 @cindex @samp{qTBuffer} packet
39763 Return up to @var{len} bytes of the current contents of trace buffer,
39764 starting at @var{offset}. The trace buffer is treated as if it were
39765 a contiguous collection of traceframes, as per the trace file format.
39766 The reply consists as many hex-encoded bytes as the target can deliver
39767 in a packet; it is not an error to return fewer than were asked for.
39768 A reply consisting of just @code{l} indicates that no bytes are
39769 available.
39770
39771 @item QTBuffer:circular:@var{value}
39772 This packet directs the target to use a circular trace buffer if
39773 @var{value} is 1, or a linear buffer if the value is 0.
39774
39775 @item QTBuffer:size:@var{size}
39776 @anchor{QTBuffer-size}
39777 @cindex @samp{QTBuffer size} packet
39778 This packet directs the target to make the trace buffer be of size
39779 @var{size} if possible. A value of @code{-1} tells the target to
39780 use whatever size it prefers.
39781
39782 @item QTNotes:@r{[}@var{type}:@var{text}@r{]}@r{[};@var{type}:@var{text}@r{]}@dots{}
39783 @cindex @samp{QTNotes} packet
39784 This packet adds optional textual notes to the trace run. Allowable
39785 types include @code{user}, @code{notes}, and @code{tstop}, the
39786 @var{text} fields are arbitrary strings, hex-encoded.
39787
39788 @end table
39789
39790 @subsection Relocate instruction reply packet
39791 When installing fast tracepoints in memory, the target may need to
39792 relocate the instruction currently at the tracepoint address to a
39793 different address in memory. For most instructions, a simple copy is
39794 enough, but, for example, call instructions that implicitly push the
39795 return address on the stack, and relative branches or other
39796 PC-relative instructions require offset adjustment, so that the effect
39797 of executing the instruction at a different address is the same as if
39798 it had executed in the original location.
39799
39800 In response to several of the tracepoint packets, the target may also
39801 respond with a number of intermediate @samp{qRelocInsn} request
39802 packets before the final result packet, to have @value{GDBN} handle
39803 this relocation operation. If a packet supports this mechanism, its
39804 documentation will explicitly say so. See for example the above
39805 descriptions for the @samp{QTStart} and @samp{QTDP} packets. The
39806 format of the request is:
39807
39808 @table @samp
39809 @item qRelocInsn:@var{from};@var{to}
39810
39811 This requests @value{GDBN} to copy instruction at address @var{from}
39812 to address @var{to}, possibly adjusted so that executing the
39813 instruction at @var{to} has the same effect as executing it at
39814 @var{from}. @value{GDBN} writes the adjusted instruction to target
39815 memory starting at @var{to}.
39816 @end table
39817
39818 Replies:
39819 @table @samp
39820 @item qRelocInsn:@var{adjusted_size}
39821 Informs the stub the relocation is complete. @var{adjusted_size} is
39822 the length in bytes of resulting relocated instruction sequence.
39823 @item E @var{NN}
39824 A badly formed request was detected, or an error was encountered while
39825 relocating the instruction.
39826 @end table
39827
39828 @node Host I/O Packets
39829 @section Host I/O Packets
39830 @cindex Host I/O, remote protocol
39831 @cindex file transfer, remote protocol
39832
39833 The @dfn{Host I/O} packets allow @value{GDBN} to perform I/O
39834 operations on the far side of a remote link. For example, Host I/O is
39835 used to upload and download files to a remote target with its own
39836 filesystem. Host I/O uses the same constant values and data structure
39837 layout as the target-initiated File-I/O protocol. However, the
39838 Host I/O packets are structured differently. The target-initiated
39839 protocol relies on target memory to store parameters and buffers.
39840 Host I/O requests are initiated by @value{GDBN}, and the
39841 target's memory is not involved. @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol
39842 Extension}, for more details on the target-initiated protocol.
39843
39844 The Host I/O request packets all encode a single operation along with
39845 its arguments. They have this format:
39846
39847 @table @samp
39848
39849 @item vFile:@var{operation}: @var{parameter}@dots{}
39850 @var{operation} is the name of the particular request; the target
39851 should compare the entire packet name up to the second colon when checking
39852 for a supported operation. The format of @var{parameter} depends on
39853 the operation. Numbers are always passed in hexadecimal. Negative
39854 numbers have an explicit minus sign (i.e.@: two's complement is not
39855 used). Strings (e.g.@: filenames) are encoded as a series of
39856 hexadecimal bytes. The last argument to a system call may be a
39857 buffer of escaped binary data (@pxref{Binary Data}).
39858
39859 @end table
39860
39861 The valid responses to Host I/O packets are:
39862
39863 @table @samp
39864
39865 @item F @var{result} [, @var{errno}] [; @var{attachment}]
39866 @var{result} is the integer value returned by this operation, usually
39867 non-negative for success and -1 for errors. If an error has occured,
39868 @var{errno} will be included in the result. @var{errno} will have a
39869 value defined by the File-I/O protocol (@pxref{Errno Values}). For
39870 operations which return data, @var{attachment} supplies the data as a
39871 binary buffer. Binary buffers in response packets are escaped in the
39872 normal way (@pxref{Binary Data}). See the individual packet
39873 documentation for the interpretation of @var{result} and
39874 @var{attachment}.
39875
39876 @item @w{}
39877 An empty response indicates that this operation is not recognized.
39878
39879 @end table
39880
39881 These are the supported Host I/O operations:
39882
39883 @table @samp
39884 @item vFile:open: @var{pathname}, @var{flags}, @var{mode}
39885 Open a file at @var{pathname} and return a file descriptor for it, or
39886 return -1 if an error occurs. @var{pathname} is a string,
39887 @var{flags} is an integer indicating a mask of open flags
39888 (@pxref{Open Flags}), and @var{mode} is an integer indicating a mask
39889 of mode bits to use if the file is created (@pxref{mode_t Values}).
39890 @xref{open}, for details of the open flags and mode values.
39891
39892 @item vFile:close: @var{fd}
39893 Close the open file corresponding to @var{fd} and return 0, or
39894 -1 if an error occurs.
39895
39896 @item vFile:pread: @var{fd}, @var{count}, @var{offset}
39897 Read data from the open file corresponding to @var{fd}. Up to
39898 @var{count} bytes will be read from the file, starting at @var{offset}
39899 relative to the start of the file. The target may read fewer bytes;
39900 common reasons include packet size limits and an end-of-file
39901 condition. The number of bytes read is returned. Zero should only be
39902 returned for a successful read at the end of the file, or if
39903 @var{count} was zero.
39904
39905 The data read should be returned as a binary attachment on success.
39906 If zero bytes were read, the response should include an empty binary
39907 attachment (i.e.@: a trailing semicolon). The return value is the
39908 number of target bytes read; the binary attachment may be longer if
39909 some characters were escaped.
39910
39911 @item vFile:pwrite: @var{fd}, @var{offset}, @var{data}
39912 Write @var{data} (a binary buffer) to the open file corresponding
39913 to @var{fd}. Start the write at @var{offset} from the start of the
39914 file. Unlike many @code{write} system calls, there is no
39915 separate @var{count} argument; the length of @var{data} in the
39916 packet is used. @samp{vFile:write} returns the number of bytes written,
39917 which may be shorter than the length of @var{data}, or -1 if an
39918 error occurred.
39919
39920 @item vFile:unlink: @var{pathname}
39921 Delete the file at @var{pathname} on the target. Return 0,
39922 or -1 if an error occurs. @var{pathname} is a string.
39923
39924 @item vFile:readlink: @var{filename}
39925 Read value of symbolic link @var{filename} on the target. Return
39926 the number of bytes read, or -1 if an error occurs.
39927
39928 The data read should be returned as a binary attachment on success.
39929 If zero bytes were read, the response should include an empty binary
39930 attachment (i.e.@: a trailing semicolon). The return value is the
39931 number of target bytes read; the binary attachment may be longer if
39932 some characters were escaped.
39933
39934 @end table
39935
39936 @node Interrupts
39937 @section Interrupts
39938 @cindex interrupts (remote protocol)
39939
39940 When a program on the remote target is running, @value{GDBN} may
39941 attempt to interrupt it by sending a @samp{Ctrl-C}, @code{BREAK} or
39942 a @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g},
39943 control of which is specified via @value{GDBN}'s @samp{interrupt-sequence}.
39944
39945 The precise meaning of @code{BREAK} is defined by the transport
39946 mechanism and may, in fact, be undefined. @value{GDBN} does not
39947 currently define a @code{BREAK} mechanism for any of the network
39948 interfaces except for TCP, in which case @value{GDBN} sends the
39949 @code{telnet} BREAK sequence.
39950
39951 @samp{Ctrl-C}, on the other hand, is defined and implemented for all
39952 transport mechanisms. It is represented by sending the single byte
39953 @code{0x03} without any of the usual packet overhead described in
39954 the Overview section (@pxref{Overview}). When a @code{0x03} byte is
39955 transmitted as part of a packet, it is considered to be packet data
39956 and does @emph{not} represent an interrupt. E.g., an @samp{X} packet
39957 (@pxref{X packet}), used for binary downloads, may include an unescaped
39958 @code{0x03} as part of its packet.
39959
39960 @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g} is also known as Magic SysRq g.
39961 When Linux kernel receives this sequence from serial port,
39962 it stops execution and connects to gdb.
39963
39964 Stubs are not required to recognize these interrupt mechanisms and the
39965 precise meaning associated with receipt of the interrupt is
39966 implementation defined. If the target supports debugging of multiple
39967 threads and/or processes, it should attempt to interrupt all
39968 currently-executing threads and processes.
39969 If the stub is successful at interrupting the
39970 running program, it should send one of the stop
39971 reply packets (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}) to @value{GDBN} as a result
39972 of successfully stopping the program in all-stop mode, and a stop reply
39973 for each stopped thread in non-stop mode.
39974 Interrupts received while the
39975 program is stopped are discarded.
39976
39977 @node Notification Packets
39978 @section Notification Packets
39979 @cindex notification packets
39980 @cindex packets, notification
39981
39982 The @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol includes @dfn{notifications},
39983 packets that require no acknowledgment. Both the GDB and the stub
39984 may send notifications (although the only notifications defined at
39985 present are sent by the stub). Notifications carry information
39986 without incurring the round-trip latency of an acknowledgment, and so
39987 are useful for low-impact communications where occasional packet loss
39988 is not a problem.
39989
39990 A notification packet has the form @samp{% @var{data} #
39991 @var{checksum}}, where @var{data} is the content of the notification,
39992 and @var{checksum} is a checksum of @var{data}, computed and formatted
39993 as for ordinary @value{GDBN} packets. A notification's @var{data}
39994 never contains @samp{$}, @samp{%} or @samp{#} characters. Upon
39995 receiving a notification, the recipient sends no @samp{+} or @samp{-}
39996 to acknowledge the notification's receipt or to report its corruption.
39997
39998 Every notification's @var{data} begins with a name, which contains no
39999 colon characters, followed by a colon character.
40000
40001 Recipients should silently ignore corrupted notifications and
40002 notifications they do not understand. Recipients should restart
40003 timeout periods on receipt of a well-formed notification, whether or
40004 not they understand it.
40005
40006 Senders should only send the notifications described here when this
40007 protocol description specifies that they are permitted. In the
40008 future, we may extend the protocol to permit existing notifications in
40009 new contexts; this rule helps older senders avoid confusing newer
40010 recipients.
40011
40012 (Older versions of @value{GDBN} ignore bytes received until they see
40013 the @samp{$} byte that begins an ordinary packet, so new stubs may
40014 transmit notifications without fear of confusing older clients. There
40015 are no notifications defined for @value{GDBN} to send at the moment, but we
40016 assume that most older stubs would ignore them, as well.)
40017
40018 Each notification is comprised of three parts:
40019 @table @samp
40020 @item @var{name}:@var{event}
40021 The notification packet is sent by the side that initiates the
40022 exchange (currently, only the stub does that), with @var{event}
40023 carrying the specific information about the notification.
40024 @var{name} is the name of the notification.
40025 @item @var{ack}
40026 The acknowledge sent by the other side, usually @value{GDBN}, to
40027 acknowledge the exchange and request the event.
40028 @end table
40029
40030 The purpose of an asynchronous notification mechanism is to report to
40031 @value{GDBN} that something interesting happened in the remote stub.
40032
40033 The remote stub may send notification @var{name}:@var{event}
40034 at any time, but @value{GDBN} acknowledges the notification when
40035 appropriate. The notification event is pending before @value{GDBN}
40036 acknowledges. Only one notification at a time may be pending; if
40037 additional events occur before @value{GDBN} has acknowledged the
40038 previous notification, they must be queued by the stub for later
40039 synchronous transmission in response to @var{ack} packets from
40040 @value{GDBN}. Because the notification mechanism is unreliable,
40041 the stub is permitted to resend a notification if it believes
40042 @value{GDBN} may not have received it.
40043
40044 Specifically, notifications may appear when @value{GDBN} is not
40045 otherwise reading input from the stub, or when @value{GDBN} is
40046 expecting to read a normal synchronous response or a
40047 @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgment to a packet it has sent.
40048 Notification packets are distinct from any other communication from
40049 the stub so there is no ambiguity.
40050
40051 After receiving a notification, @value{GDBN} shall acknowledge it by
40052 sending a @var{ack} packet as a regular, synchronous request to the
40053 stub. Such acknowledgment is not required to happen immediately, as
40054 @value{GDBN} is permitted to send other, unrelated packets to the
40055 stub first, which the stub should process normally.
40056
40057 Upon receiving a @var{ack} packet, if the stub has other queued
40058 events to report to @value{GDBN}, it shall respond by sending a
40059 normal @var{event}. @value{GDBN} shall then send another @var{ack}
40060 packet to solicit further responses; again, it is permitted to send
40061 other, unrelated packets as well which the stub should process
40062 normally.
40063
40064 If the stub receives a @var{ack} packet and there are no additional
40065 @var{event} to report, the stub shall return an @samp{OK} response.
40066 At this point, @value{GDBN} has finished processing a notification
40067 and the stub has completed sending any queued events. @value{GDBN}
40068 won't accept any new notifications until the final @samp{OK} is
40069 received . If further notification events occur, the stub shall send
40070 a new notification, @value{GDBN} shall accept the notification, and
40071 the process shall be repeated.
40072
40073 The process of asynchronous notification can be illustrated by the
40074 following example:
40075 @smallexample
40076 <- @code{%%Stop:T0505:98e7ffbf;04:4ce6ffbf;08:b1b6e54c;thread:p7526.7526;core:0;}
40077 @code{...}
40078 -> @code{vStopped}
40079 <- @code{T0505:68f37db7;04:40f37db7;08:63850408;thread:p7526.7528;core:0;}
40080 -> @code{vStopped}
40081 <- @code{T0505:68e3fdb6;04:40e3fdb6;08:63850408;thread:p7526.7529;core:0;}
40082 -> @code{vStopped}
40083 <- @code{OK}
40084 @end smallexample
40085
40086 The following notifications are defined:
40087 @multitable @columnfractions 0.12 0.12 0.38 0.38
40088
40089 @item Notification
40090 @tab Ack
40091 @tab Event
40092 @tab Description
40093
40094 @item Stop
40095 @tab vStopped
40096 @tab @var{reply}. The @var{reply} has the form of a stop reply, as
40097 described in @ref{Stop Reply Packets}. Refer to @ref{Remote Non-Stop},
40098 for information on how these notifications are acknowledged by
40099 @value{GDBN}.
40100 @tab Report an asynchronous stop event in non-stop mode.
40101
40102 @end multitable
40103
40104 @node Remote Non-Stop
40105 @section Remote Protocol Support for Non-Stop Mode
40106
40107 @value{GDBN}'s remote protocol supports non-stop debugging of
40108 multi-threaded programs, as described in @ref{Non-Stop Mode}. If the stub
40109 supports non-stop mode, it should report that to @value{GDBN} by including
40110 @samp{QNonStop+} in its @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
40111
40112 @value{GDBN} typically sends a @samp{QNonStop} packet only when
40113 establishing a new connection with the stub. Entering non-stop mode
40114 does not alter the state of any currently-running threads, but targets
40115 must stop all threads in any already-attached processes when entering
40116 all-stop mode. @value{GDBN} uses the @samp{?} packet as necessary to
40117 probe the target state after a mode change.
40118
40119 In non-stop mode, when an attached process encounters an event that
40120 would otherwise be reported with a stop reply, it uses the
40121 asynchronous notification mechanism (@pxref{Notification Packets}) to
40122 inform @value{GDBN}. In contrast to all-stop mode, where all threads
40123 in all processes are stopped when a stop reply is sent, in non-stop
40124 mode only the thread reporting the stop event is stopped. That is,
40125 when reporting a @samp{S} or @samp{T} response to indicate completion
40126 of a step operation, hitting a breakpoint, or a fault, only the
40127 affected thread is stopped; any other still-running threads continue
40128 to run. When reporting a @samp{W} or @samp{X} response, all running
40129 threads belonging to other attached processes continue to run.
40130
40131 In non-stop mode, the target shall respond to the @samp{?} packet as
40132 follows. First, any incomplete stop reply notification/@samp{vStopped}
40133 sequence in progress is abandoned. The target must begin a new
40134 sequence reporting stop events for all stopped threads, whether or not
40135 it has previously reported those events to @value{GDBN}. The first
40136 stop reply is sent as a synchronous reply to the @samp{?} packet, and
40137 subsequent stop replies are sent as responses to @samp{vStopped} packets
40138 using the mechanism described above. The target must not send
40139 asynchronous stop reply notifications until the sequence is complete.
40140 If all threads are running when the target receives the @samp{?} packet,
40141 or if the target is not attached to any process, it shall respond
40142 @samp{OK}.
40143
40144 @node Packet Acknowledgment
40145 @section Packet Acknowledgment
40146
40147 @cindex acknowledgment, for @value{GDBN} remote
40148 @cindex packet acknowledgment, for @value{GDBN} remote
40149 By default, when either the host or the target machine receives a packet,
40150 the first response expected is an acknowledgment: either @samp{+} (to indicate
40151 the package was received correctly) or @samp{-} (to request retransmission).
40152 This mechanism allows the @value{GDBN} remote protocol to operate over
40153 unreliable transport mechanisms, such as a serial line.
40154
40155 In cases where the transport mechanism is itself reliable (such as a pipe or
40156 TCP connection), the @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments are redundant.
40157 It may be desirable to disable them in that case to reduce communication
40158 overhead, or for other reasons. This can be accomplished by means of the
40159 @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet; @pxref{QStartNoAckMode}.
40160
40161 When in no-acknowledgment mode, neither the stub nor @value{GDBN} shall send or
40162 expect @samp{+}/@samp{-} protocol acknowledgments. The packet
40163 and response format still includes the normal checksum, as described in
40164 @ref{Overview}, but the checksum may be ignored by the receiver.
40165
40166 If the stub supports @samp{QStartNoAckMode} and prefers to operate in
40167 no-acknowledgment mode, it should report that to @value{GDBN}
40168 by including @samp{QStartNoAckMode+} in its response to @samp{qSupported};
40169 @pxref{qSupported}.
40170 If @value{GDBN} also supports @samp{QStartNoAckMode} and it has not been
40171 disabled via the @code{set remote noack-packet off} command
40172 (@pxref{Remote Configuration}),
40173 @value{GDBN} may then send a @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet to the stub.
40174 Only then may the stub actually turn off packet acknowledgments.
40175 @value{GDBN} sends a final @samp{+} acknowledgment of the stub's @samp{OK}
40176 response, which can be safely ignored by the stub.
40177
40178 Note that @code{set remote noack-packet} command only affects negotiation
40179 between @value{GDBN} and the stub when subsequent connections are made;
40180 it does not affect the protocol acknowledgment state for any current
40181 connection.
40182 Since @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments are enabled by default when a
40183 new connection is established,
40184 there is also no protocol request to re-enable the acknowledgments
40185 for the current connection, once disabled.
40186
40187 @node Examples
40188 @section Examples
40189
40190 Example sequence of a target being re-started. Notice how the restart
40191 does not get any direct output:
40192
40193 @smallexample
40194 -> @code{R00}
40195 <- @code{+}
40196 @emph{target restarts}
40197 -> @code{?}
40198 <- @code{+}
40199 <- @code{T001:1234123412341234}
40200 -> @code{+}
40201 @end smallexample
40202
40203 Example sequence of a target being stepped by a single instruction:
40204
40205 @smallexample
40206 -> @code{G1445@dots{}}
40207 <- @code{+}
40208 -> @code{s}
40209 <- @code{+}
40210 @emph{time passes}
40211 <- @code{T001:1234123412341234}
40212 -> @code{+}
40213 -> @code{g}
40214 <- @code{+}
40215 <- @code{1455@dots{}}
40216 -> @code{+}
40217 @end smallexample
40218
40219 @node File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension
40220 @section File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension
40221 @cindex File-I/O remote protocol extension
40222
40223 @menu
40224 * File-I/O Overview::
40225 * Protocol Basics::
40226 * The F Request Packet::
40227 * The F Reply Packet::
40228 * The Ctrl-C Message::
40229 * Console I/O::
40230 * List of Supported Calls::
40231 * Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes::
40232 * Constants::
40233 * File-I/O Examples::
40234 @end menu
40235
40236 @node File-I/O Overview
40237 @subsection File-I/O Overview
40238 @cindex file-i/o overview
40239
40240 The @dfn{File I/O remote protocol extension} (short: File-I/O) allows the
40241 target to use the host's file system and console I/O to perform various
40242 system calls. System calls on the target system are translated into a
40243 remote protocol packet to the host system, which then performs the needed
40244 actions and returns a response packet to the target system.
40245 This simulates file system operations even on targets that lack file systems.
40246
40247 The protocol is defined to be independent of both the host and target systems.
40248 It uses its own internal representation of datatypes and values. Both
40249 @value{GDBN} and the target's @value{GDBN} stub are responsible for
40250 translating the system-dependent value representations into the internal
40251 protocol representations when data is transmitted.
40252
40253 The communication is synchronous. A system call is possible only when
40254 @value{GDBN} is waiting for a response from the @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}
40255 or @samp{s} packets. While @value{GDBN} handles the request for a system call,
40256 the target is stopped to allow deterministic access to the target's
40257 memory. Therefore File-I/O is not interruptible by target signals. On
40258 the other hand, it is possible to interrupt File-I/O by a user interrupt
40259 (@samp{Ctrl-C}) within @value{GDBN}.
40260
40261 The target's request to perform a host system call does not finish
40262 the latest @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S} or @samp{s} action. That means,
40263 after finishing the system call, the target returns to continuing the
40264 previous activity (continue, step). No additional continue or step
40265 request from @value{GDBN} is required.
40266
40267 @smallexample
40268 (@value{GDBP}) continue
40269 <- target requests 'system call X'
40270 target is stopped, @value{GDBN} executes system call
40271 -> @value{GDBN} returns result
40272 ... target continues, @value{GDBN} returns to wait for the target
40273 <- target hits breakpoint and sends a Txx packet
40274 @end smallexample
40275
40276 The protocol only supports I/O on the console and to regular files on
40277 the host file system. Character or block special devices, pipes,
40278 named pipes, sockets or any other communication method on the host
40279 system are not supported by this protocol.
40280
40281 File I/O is not supported in non-stop mode.
40282
40283 @node Protocol Basics
40284 @subsection Protocol Basics
40285 @cindex protocol basics, file-i/o
40286
40287 The File-I/O protocol uses the @code{F} packet as the request as well
40288 as reply packet. Since a File-I/O system call can only occur when
40289 @value{GDBN} is waiting for a response from the continuing or stepping target,
40290 the File-I/O request is a reply that @value{GDBN} has to expect as a result
40291 of a previous @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S} or @samp{s} packet.
40292 This @code{F} packet contains all information needed to allow @value{GDBN}
40293 to call the appropriate host system call:
40294
40295 @itemize @bullet
40296 @item
40297 A unique identifier for the requested system call.
40298
40299 @item
40300 All parameters to the system call. Pointers are given as addresses
40301 in the target memory address space. Pointers to strings are given as
40302 pointer/length pair. Numerical values are given as they are.
40303 Numerical control flags are given in a protocol-specific representation.
40304
40305 @end itemize
40306
40307 At this point, @value{GDBN} has to perform the following actions.
40308
40309 @itemize @bullet
40310 @item
40311 If the parameters include pointer values to data needed as input to a
40312 system call, @value{GDBN} requests this data from the target with a
40313 standard @code{m} packet request. This additional communication has to be
40314 expected by the target implementation and is handled as any other @code{m}
40315 packet.
40316
40317 @item
40318 @value{GDBN} translates all value from protocol representation to host
40319 representation as needed. Datatypes are coerced into the host types.
40320
40321 @item
40322 @value{GDBN} calls the system call.
40323
40324 @item
40325 It then coerces datatypes back to protocol representation.
40326
40327 @item
40328 If the system call is expected to return data in buffer space specified
40329 by pointer parameters to the call, the data is transmitted to the
40330 target using a @code{M} or @code{X} packet. This packet has to be expected
40331 by the target implementation and is handled as any other @code{M} or @code{X}
40332 packet.
40333
40334 @end itemize
40335
40336 Eventually @value{GDBN} replies with another @code{F} packet which contains all
40337 necessary information for the target to continue. This at least contains
40338
40339 @itemize @bullet
40340 @item
40341 Return value.
40342
40343 @item
40344 @code{errno}, if has been changed by the system call.
40345
40346 @item
40347 ``Ctrl-C'' flag.
40348
40349 @end itemize
40350
40351 After having done the needed type and value coercion, the target continues
40352 the latest continue or step action.
40353
40354 @node The F Request Packet
40355 @subsection The @code{F} Request Packet
40356 @cindex file-i/o request packet
40357 @cindex @code{F} request packet
40358
40359 The @code{F} request packet has the following format:
40360
40361 @table @samp
40362 @item F@var{call-id},@var{parameter@dots{}}
40363
40364 @var{call-id} is the identifier to indicate the host system call to be called.
40365 This is just the name of the function.
40366
40367 @var{parameter@dots{}} are the parameters to the system call.
40368 Parameters are hexadecimal integer values, either the actual values in case
40369 of scalar datatypes, pointers to target buffer space in case of compound
40370 datatypes and unspecified memory areas, or pointer/length pairs in case
40371 of string parameters. These are appended to the @var{call-id} as a
40372 comma-delimited list. All values are transmitted in ASCII
40373 string representation, pointer/length pairs separated by a slash.
40374
40375 @end table
40376
40377
40378
40379 @node The F Reply Packet
40380 @subsection The @code{F} Reply Packet
40381 @cindex file-i/o reply packet
40382 @cindex @code{F} reply packet
40383
40384 The @code{F} reply packet has the following format:
40385
40386 @table @samp
40387
40388 @item F@var{retcode},@var{errno},@var{Ctrl-C flag};@var{call-specific attachment}
40389
40390 @var{retcode} is the return code of the system call as hexadecimal value.
40391
40392 @var{errno} is the @code{errno} set by the call, in protocol-specific
40393 representation.
40394 This parameter can be omitted if the call was successful.
40395
40396 @var{Ctrl-C flag} is only sent if the user requested a break. In this
40397 case, @var{errno} must be sent as well, even if the call was successful.
40398 The @var{Ctrl-C flag} itself consists of the character @samp{C}:
40399
40400 @smallexample
40401 F0,0,C
40402 @end smallexample
40403
40404 @noindent
40405 or, if the call was interrupted before the host call has been performed:
40406
40407 @smallexample
40408 F-1,4,C
40409 @end smallexample
40410
40411 @noindent
40412 assuming 4 is the protocol-specific representation of @code{EINTR}.
40413
40414 @end table
40415
40416
40417 @node The Ctrl-C Message
40418 @subsection The @samp{Ctrl-C} Message
40419 @cindex ctrl-c message, in file-i/o protocol
40420
40421 If the @samp{Ctrl-C} flag is set in the @value{GDBN}
40422 reply packet (@pxref{The F Reply Packet}),
40423 the target should behave as if it had
40424 gotten a break message. The meaning for the target is ``system call
40425 interrupted by @code{SIGINT}''. Consequentially, the target should actually stop
40426 (as with a break message) and return to @value{GDBN} with a @code{T02}
40427 packet.
40428
40429 It's important for the target to know in which
40430 state the system call was interrupted. There are two possible cases:
40431
40432 @itemize @bullet
40433 @item
40434 The system call hasn't been performed on the host yet.
40435
40436 @item
40437 The system call on the host has been finished.
40438
40439 @end itemize
40440
40441 These two states can be distinguished by the target by the value of the
40442 returned @code{errno}. If it's the protocol representation of @code{EINTR}, the system
40443 call hasn't been performed. This is equivalent to the @code{EINTR} handling
40444 on POSIX systems. In any other case, the target may presume that the
40445 system call has been finished --- successfully or not --- and should behave
40446 as if the break message arrived right after the system call.
40447
40448 @value{GDBN} must behave reliably. If the system call has not been called
40449 yet, @value{GDBN} may send the @code{F} reply immediately, setting @code{EINTR} as
40450 @code{errno} in the packet. If the system call on the host has been finished
40451 before the user requests a break, the full action must be finished by
40452 @value{GDBN}. This requires sending @code{M} or @code{X} packets as necessary.
40453 The @code{F} packet may only be sent when either nothing has happened
40454 or the full action has been completed.
40455
40456 @node Console I/O
40457 @subsection Console I/O
40458 @cindex console i/o as part of file-i/o
40459
40460 By default and if not explicitly closed by the target system, the file
40461 descriptors 0, 1 and 2 are connected to the @value{GDBN} console. Output
40462 on the @value{GDBN} console is handled as any other file output operation
40463 (@code{write(1, @dots{})} or @code{write(2, @dots{})}). Console input is handled
40464 by @value{GDBN} so that after the target read request from file descriptor
40465 0 all following typing is buffered until either one of the following
40466 conditions is met:
40467
40468 @itemize @bullet
40469 @item
40470 The user types @kbd{Ctrl-c}. The behaviour is as explained above, and the
40471 @code{read}
40472 system call is treated as finished.
40473
40474 @item
40475 The user presses @key{RET}. This is treated as end of input with a trailing
40476 newline.
40477
40478 @item
40479 The user types @kbd{Ctrl-d}. This is treated as end of input. No trailing
40480 character (neither newline nor @samp{Ctrl-D}) is appended to the input.
40481
40482 @end itemize
40483
40484 If the user has typed more characters than fit in the buffer given to
40485 the @code{read} call, the trailing characters are buffered in @value{GDBN} until
40486 either another @code{read(0, @dots{})} is requested by the target, or debugging
40487 is stopped at the user's request.
40488
40489
40490 @node List of Supported Calls
40491 @subsection List of Supported Calls
40492 @cindex list of supported file-i/o calls
40493
40494 @menu
40495 * open::
40496 * close::
40497 * read::
40498 * write::
40499 * lseek::
40500 * rename::
40501 * unlink::
40502 * stat/fstat::
40503 * gettimeofday::
40504 * isatty::
40505 * system::
40506 @end menu
40507
40508 @node open
40509 @unnumberedsubsubsec open
40510 @cindex open, file-i/o system call
40511
40512 @table @asis
40513 @item Synopsis:
40514 @smallexample
40515 int open(const char *pathname, int flags);
40516 int open(const char *pathname, int flags, mode_t mode);
40517 @end smallexample
40518
40519 @item Request:
40520 @samp{Fopen,@var{pathptr}/@var{len},@var{flags},@var{mode}}
40521
40522 @noindent
40523 @var{flags} is the bitwise @code{OR} of the following values:
40524
40525 @table @code
40526 @item O_CREAT
40527 If the file does not exist it will be created. The host
40528 rules apply as far as file ownership and time stamps
40529 are concerned.
40530
40531 @item O_EXCL
40532 When used with @code{O_CREAT}, if the file already exists it is
40533 an error and open() fails.
40534
40535 @item O_TRUNC
40536 If the file already exists and the open mode allows
40537 writing (@code{O_RDWR} or @code{O_WRONLY} is given) it will be
40538 truncated to zero length.
40539
40540 @item O_APPEND
40541 The file is opened in append mode.
40542
40543 @item O_RDONLY
40544 The file is opened for reading only.
40545
40546 @item O_WRONLY
40547 The file is opened for writing only.
40548
40549 @item O_RDWR
40550 The file is opened for reading and writing.
40551 @end table
40552
40553 @noindent
40554 Other bits are silently ignored.
40555
40556
40557 @noindent
40558 @var{mode} is the bitwise @code{OR} of the following values:
40559
40560 @table @code
40561 @item S_IRUSR
40562 User has read permission.
40563
40564 @item S_IWUSR
40565 User has write permission.
40566
40567 @item S_IRGRP
40568 Group has read permission.
40569
40570 @item S_IWGRP
40571 Group has write permission.
40572
40573 @item S_IROTH
40574 Others have read permission.
40575
40576 @item S_IWOTH
40577 Others have write permission.
40578 @end table
40579
40580 @noindent
40581 Other bits are silently ignored.
40582
40583
40584 @item Return value:
40585 @code{open} returns the new file descriptor or -1 if an error
40586 occurred.
40587
40588 @item Errors:
40589
40590 @table @code
40591 @item EEXIST
40592 @var{pathname} already exists and @code{O_CREAT} and @code{O_EXCL} were used.
40593
40594 @item EISDIR
40595 @var{pathname} refers to a directory.
40596
40597 @item EACCES
40598 The requested access is not allowed.
40599
40600 @item ENAMETOOLONG
40601 @var{pathname} was too long.
40602
40603 @item ENOENT
40604 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist.
40605
40606 @item ENODEV
40607 @var{pathname} refers to a device, pipe, named pipe or socket.
40608
40609 @item EROFS
40610 @var{pathname} refers to a file on a read-only filesystem and
40611 write access was requested.
40612
40613 @item EFAULT
40614 @var{pathname} is an invalid pointer value.
40615
40616 @item ENOSPC
40617 No space on device to create the file.
40618
40619 @item EMFILE
40620 The process already has the maximum number of files open.
40621
40622 @item ENFILE
40623 The limit on the total number of files open on the system
40624 has been reached.
40625
40626 @item EINTR
40627 The call was interrupted by the user.
40628 @end table
40629
40630 @end table
40631
40632 @node close
40633 @unnumberedsubsubsec close
40634 @cindex close, file-i/o system call
40635
40636 @table @asis
40637 @item Synopsis:
40638 @smallexample
40639 int close(int fd);
40640 @end smallexample
40641
40642 @item Request:
40643 @samp{Fclose,@var{fd}}
40644
40645 @item Return value:
40646 @code{close} returns zero on success, or -1 if an error occurred.
40647
40648 @item Errors:
40649
40650 @table @code
40651 @item EBADF
40652 @var{fd} isn't a valid open file descriptor.
40653
40654 @item EINTR
40655 The call was interrupted by the user.
40656 @end table
40657
40658 @end table
40659
40660 @node read
40661 @unnumberedsubsubsec read
40662 @cindex read, file-i/o system call
40663
40664 @table @asis
40665 @item Synopsis:
40666 @smallexample
40667 int read(int fd, void *buf, unsigned int count);
40668 @end smallexample
40669
40670 @item Request:
40671 @samp{Fread,@var{fd},@var{bufptr},@var{count}}
40672
40673 @item Return value:
40674 On success, the number of bytes read is returned.
40675 Zero indicates end of file. If count is zero, read
40676 returns zero as well. On error, -1 is returned.
40677
40678 @item Errors:
40679
40680 @table @code
40681 @item EBADF
40682 @var{fd} is not a valid file descriptor or is not open for
40683 reading.
40684
40685 @item EFAULT
40686 @var{bufptr} is an invalid pointer value.
40687
40688 @item EINTR
40689 The call was interrupted by the user.
40690 @end table
40691
40692 @end table
40693
40694 @node write
40695 @unnumberedsubsubsec write
40696 @cindex write, file-i/o system call
40697
40698 @table @asis
40699 @item Synopsis:
40700 @smallexample
40701 int write(int fd, const void *buf, unsigned int count);
40702 @end smallexample
40703
40704 @item Request:
40705 @samp{Fwrite,@var{fd},@var{bufptr},@var{count}}
40706
40707 @item Return value:
40708 On success, the number of bytes written are returned.
40709 Zero indicates nothing was written. On error, -1
40710 is returned.
40711
40712 @item Errors:
40713
40714 @table @code
40715 @item EBADF
40716 @var{fd} is not a valid file descriptor or is not open for
40717 writing.
40718
40719 @item EFAULT
40720 @var{bufptr} is an invalid pointer value.
40721
40722 @item EFBIG
40723 An attempt was made to write a file that exceeds the
40724 host-specific maximum file size allowed.
40725
40726 @item ENOSPC
40727 No space on device to write the data.
40728
40729 @item EINTR
40730 The call was interrupted by the user.
40731 @end table
40732
40733 @end table
40734
40735 @node lseek
40736 @unnumberedsubsubsec lseek
40737 @cindex lseek, file-i/o system call
40738
40739 @table @asis
40740 @item Synopsis:
40741 @smallexample
40742 long lseek (int fd, long offset, int flag);
40743 @end smallexample
40744
40745 @item Request:
40746 @samp{Flseek,@var{fd},@var{offset},@var{flag}}
40747
40748 @var{flag} is one of:
40749
40750 @table @code
40751 @item SEEK_SET
40752 The offset is set to @var{offset} bytes.
40753
40754 @item SEEK_CUR
40755 The offset is set to its current location plus @var{offset}
40756 bytes.
40757
40758 @item SEEK_END
40759 The offset is set to the size of the file plus @var{offset}
40760 bytes.
40761 @end table
40762
40763 @item Return value:
40764 On success, the resulting unsigned offset in bytes from
40765 the beginning of the file is returned. Otherwise, a
40766 value of -1 is returned.
40767
40768 @item Errors:
40769
40770 @table @code
40771 @item EBADF
40772 @var{fd} is not a valid open file descriptor.
40773
40774 @item ESPIPE
40775 @var{fd} is associated with the @value{GDBN} console.
40776
40777 @item EINVAL
40778 @var{flag} is not a proper value.
40779
40780 @item EINTR
40781 The call was interrupted by the user.
40782 @end table
40783
40784 @end table
40785
40786 @node rename
40787 @unnumberedsubsubsec rename
40788 @cindex rename, file-i/o system call
40789
40790 @table @asis
40791 @item Synopsis:
40792 @smallexample
40793 int rename(const char *oldpath, const char *newpath);
40794 @end smallexample
40795
40796 @item Request:
40797 @samp{Frename,@var{oldpathptr}/@var{len},@var{newpathptr}/@var{len}}
40798
40799 @item Return value:
40800 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
40801
40802 @item Errors:
40803
40804 @table @code
40805 @item EISDIR
40806 @var{newpath} is an existing directory, but @var{oldpath} is not a
40807 directory.
40808
40809 @item EEXIST
40810 @var{newpath} is a non-empty directory.
40811
40812 @item EBUSY
40813 @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} is a directory that is in use by some
40814 process.
40815
40816 @item EINVAL
40817 An attempt was made to make a directory a subdirectory
40818 of itself.
40819
40820 @item ENOTDIR
40821 A component used as a directory in @var{oldpath} or new
40822 path is not a directory. Or @var{oldpath} is a directory
40823 and @var{newpath} exists but is not a directory.
40824
40825 @item EFAULT
40826 @var{oldpathptr} or @var{newpathptr} are invalid pointer values.
40827
40828 @item EACCES
40829 No access to the file or the path of the file.
40830
40831 @item ENAMETOOLONG
40832
40833 @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} was too long.
40834
40835 @item ENOENT
40836 A directory component in @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} does not exist.
40837
40838 @item EROFS
40839 The file is on a read-only filesystem.
40840
40841 @item ENOSPC
40842 The device containing the file has no room for the new
40843 directory entry.
40844
40845 @item EINTR
40846 The call was interrupted by the user.
40847 @end table
40848
40849 @end table
40850
40851 @node unlink
40852 @unnumberedsubsubsec unlink
40853 @cindex unlink, file-i/o system call
40854
40855 @table @asis
40856 @item Synopsis:
40857 @smallexample
40858 int unlink(const char *pathname);
40859 @end smallexample
40860
40861 @item Request:
40862 @samp{Funlink,@var{pathnameptr}/@var{len}}
40863
40864 @item Return value:
40865 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
40866
40867 @item Errors:
40868
40869 @table @code
40870 @item EACCES
40871 No access to the file or the path of the file.
40872
40873 @item EPERM
40874 The system does not allow unlinking of directories.
40875
40876 @item EBUSY
40877 The file @var{pathname} cannot be unlinked because it's
40878 being used by another process.
40879
40880 @item EFAULT
40881 @var{pathnameptr} is an invalid pointer value.
40882
40883 @item ENAMETOOLONG
40884 @var{pathname} was too long.
40885
40886 @item ENOENT
40887 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist.
40888
40889 @item ENOTDIR
40890 A component of the path is not a directory.
40891
40892 @item EROFS
40893 The file is on a read-only filesystem.
40894
40895 @item EINTR
40896 The call was interrupted by the user.
40897 @end table
40898
40899 @end table
40900
40901 @node stat/fstat
40902 @unnumberedsubsubsec stat/fstat
40903 @cindex fstat, file-i/o system call
40904 @cindex stat, file-i/o system call
40905
40906 @table @asis
40907 @item Synopsis:
40908 @smallexample
40909 int stat(const char *pathname, struct stat *buf);
40910 int fstat(int fd, struct stat *buf);
40911 @end smallexample
40912
40913 @item Request:
40914 @samp{Fstat,@var{pathnameptr}/@var{len},@var{bufptr}}@*
40915 @samp{Ffstat,@var{fd},@var{bufptr}}
40916
40917 @item Return value:
40918 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
40919
40920 @item Errors:
40921
40922 @table @code
40923 @item EBADF
40924 @var{fd} is not a valid open file.
40925
40926 @item ENOENT
40927 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist or the
40928 path is an empty string.
40929
40930 @item ENOTDIR
40931 A component of the path is not a directory.
40932
40933 @item EFAULT
40934 @var{pathnameptr} is an invalid pointer value.
40935
40936 @item EACCES
40937 No access to the file or the path of the file.
40938
40939 @item ENAMETOOLONG
40940 @var{pathname} was too long.
40941
40942 @item EINTR
40943 The call was interrupted by the user.
40944 @end table
40945
40946 @end table
40947
40948 @node gettimeofday
40949 @unnumberedsubsubsec gettimeofday
40950 @cindex gettimeofday, file-i/o system call
40951
40952 @table @asis
40953 @item Synopsis:
40954 @smallexample
40955 int gettimeofday(struct timeval *tv, void *tz);
40956 @end smallexample
40957
40958 @item Request:
40959 @samp{Fgettimeofday,@var{tvptr},@var{tzptr}}
40960
40961 @item Return value:
40962 On success, 0 is returned, -1 otherwise.
40963
40964 @item Errors:
40965
40966 @table @code
40967 @item EINVAL
40968 @var{tz} is a non-NULL pointer.
40969
40970 @item EFAULT
40971 @var{tvptr} and/or @var{tzptr} is an invalid pointer value.
40972 @end table
40973
40974 @end table
40975
40976 @node isatty
40977 @unnumberedsubsubsec isatty
40978 @cindex isatty, file-i/o system call
40979
40980 @table @asis
40981 @item Synopsis:
40982 @smallexample
40983 int isatty(int fd);
40984 @end smallexample
40985
40986 @item Request:
40987 @samp{Fisatty,@var{fd}}
40988
40989 @item Return value:
40990 Returns 1 if @var{fd} refers to the @value{GDBN} console, 0 otherwise.
40991
40992 @item Errors:
40993
40994 @table @code
40995 @item EINTR
40996 The call was interrupted by the user.
40997 @end table
40998
40999 @end table
41000
41001 Note that the @code{isatty} call is treated as a special case: it returns
41002 1 to the target if the file descriptor is attached
41003 to the @value{GDBN} console, 0 otherwise. Implementing through system calls
41004 would require implementing @code{ioctl} and would be more complex than
41005 needed.
41006
41007
41008 @node system
41009 @unnumberedsubsubsec system
41010 @cindex system, file-i/o system call
41011
41012 @table @asis
41013 @item Synopsis:
41014 @smallexample
41015 int system(const char *command);
41016 @end smallexample
41017
41018 @item Request:
41019 @samp{Fsystem,@var{commandptr}/@var{len}}
41020
41021 @item Return value:
41022 If @var{len} is zero, the return value indicates whether a shell is
41023 available. A zero return value indicates a shell is not available.
41024 For non-zero @var{len}, the value returned is -1 on error and the
41025 return status of the command otherwise. Only the exit status of the
41026 command is returned, which is extracted from the host's @code{system}
41027 return value by calling @code{WEXITSTATUS(retval)}. In case
41028 @file{/bin/sh} could not be executed, 127 is returned.
41029
41030 @item Errors:
41031
41032 @table @code
41033 @item EINTR
41034 The call was interrupted by the user.
41035 @end table
41036
41037 @end table
41038
41039 @value{GDBN} takes over the full task of calling the necessary host calls
41040 to perform the @code{system} call. The return value of @code{system} on
41041 the host is simplified before it's returned
41042 to the target. Any termination signal information from the child process
41043 is discarded, and the return value consists
41044 entirely of the exit status of the called command.
41045
41046 Due to security concerns, the @code{system} call is by default refused
41047 by @value{GDBN}. The user has to allow this call explicitly with the
41048 @code{set remote system-call-allowed 1} command.
41049
41050 @table @code
41051 @item set remote system-call-allowed
41052 @kindex set remote system-call-allowed
41053 Control whether to allow the @code{system} calls in the File I/O
41054 protocol for the remote target. The default is zero (disabled).
41055
41056 @item show remote system-call-allowed
41057 @kindex show remote system-call-allowed
41058 Show whether the @code{system} calls are allowed in the File I/O
41059 protocol.
41060 @end table
41061
41062 @node Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes
41063 @subsection Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes
41064 @cindex protocol-specific representation of datatypes, in file-i/o protocol
41065
41066 @menu
41067 * Integral Datatypes::
41068 * Pointer Values::
41069 * Memory Transfer::
41070 * struct stat::
41071 * struct timeval::
41072 @end menu
41073
41074 @node Integral Datatypes
41075 @unnumberedsubsubsec Integral Datatypes
41076 @cindex integral datatypes, in file-i/o protocol
41077
41078 The integral datatypes used in the system calls are @code{int},
41079 @code{unsigned int}, @code{long}, @code{unsigned long},
41080 @code{mode_t}, and @code{time_t}.
41081
41082 @code{int}, @code{unsigned int}, @code{mode_t} and @code{time_t} are
41083 implemented as 32 bit values in this protocol.
41084
41085 @code{long} and @code{unsigned long} are implemented as 64 bit types.
41086
41087 @xref{Limits}, for corresponding MIN and MAX values (similar to those
41088 in @file{limits.h}) to allow range checking on host and target.
41089
41090 @code{time_t} datatypes are defined as seconds since the Epoch.
41091
41092 All integral datatypes transferred as part of a memory read or write of a
41093 structured datatype e.g.@: a @code{struct stat} have to be given in big endian
41094 byte order.
41095
41096 @node Pointer Values
41097 @unnumberedsubsubsec Pointer Values
41098 @cindex pointer values, in file-i/o protocol
41099
41100 Pointers to target data are transmitted as they are. An exception
41101 is made for pointers to buffers for which the length isn't
41102 transmitted as part of the function call, namely strings. Strings
41103 are transmitted as a pointer/length pair, both as hex values, e.g.@:
41104
41105 @smallexample
41106 @code{1aaf/12}
41107 @end smallexample
41108
41109 @noindent
41110 which is a pointer to data of length 18 bytes at position 0x1aaf.
41111 The length is defined as the full string length in bytes, including
41112 the trailing null byte. For example, the string @code{"hello world"}
41113 at address 0x123456 is transmitted as
41114
41115 @smallexample
41116 @code{123456/d}
41117 @end smallexample
41118
41119 @node Memory Transfer
41120 @unnumberedsubsubsec Memory Transfer
41121 @cindex memory transfer, in file-i/o protocol
41122
41123 Structured data which is transferred using a memory read or write (for
41124 example, a @code{struct stat}) is expected to be in a protocol-specific format
41125 with all scalar multibyte datatypes being big endian. Translation to
41126 this representation needs to be done both by the target before the @code{F}
41127 packet is sent, and by @value{GDBN} before
41128 it transfers memory to the target. Transferred pointers to structured
41129 data should point to the already-coerced data at any time.
41130
41131
41132 @node struct stat
41133 @unnumberedsubsubsec struct stat
41134 @cindex struct stat, in file-i/o protocol
41135
41136 The buffer of type @code{struct stat} used by the target and @value{GDBN}
41137 is defined as follows:
41138
41139 @smallexample
41140 struct stat @{
41141 unsigned int st_dev; /* device */
41142 unsigned int st_ino; /* inode */
41143 mode_t st_mode; /* protection */
41144 unsigned int st_nlink; /* number of hard links */
41145 unsigned int st_uid; /* user ID of owner */
41146 unsigned int st_gid; /* group ID of owner */
41147 unsigned int st_rdev; /* device type (if inode device) */
41148 unsigned long st_size; /* total size, in bytes */
41149 unsigned long st_blksize; /* blocksize for filesystem I/O */
41150 unsigned long st_blocks; /* number of blocks allocated */
41151 time_t st_atime; /* time of last access */
41152 time_t st_mtime; /* time of last modification */
41153 time_t st_ctime; /* time of last change */
41154 @};
41155 @end smallexample
41156
41157 The integral datatypes conform to the definitions given in the
41158 appropriate section (see @ref{Integral Datatypes}, for details) so this
41159 structure is of size 64 bytes.
41160
41161 The values of several fields have a restricted meaning and/or
41162 range of values.
41163
41164 @table @code
41165
41166 @item st_dev
41167 A value of 0 represents a file, 1 the console.
41168
41169 @item st_ino
41170 No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
41171
41172 @item st_mode
41173 Valid mode bits are described in @ref{Constants}. Any other
41174 bits have currently no meaning for the target.
41175
41176 @item st_uid
41177 @itemx st_gid
41178 @itemx st_rdev
41179 No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
41180
41181 @item st_atime
41182 @itemx st_mtime
41183 @itemx st_ctime
41184 These values have a host and file system dependent
41185 accuracy. Especially on Windows hosts, the file system may not
41186 support exact timing values.
41187 @end table
41188
41189 The target gets a @code{struct stat} of the above representation and is
41190 responsible for coercing it to the target representation before
41191 continuing.
41192
41193 Note that due to size differences between the host, target, and protocol
41194 representations of @code{struct stat} members, these members could eventually
41195 get truncated on the target.
41196
41197 @node struct timeval
41198 @unnumberedsubsubsec struct timeval
41199 @cindex struct timeval, in file-i/o protocol
41200
41201 The buffer of type @code{struct timeval} used by the File-I/O protocol
41202 is defined as follows:
41203
41204 @smallexample
41205 struct timeval @{
41206 time_t tv_sec; /* second */
41207 long tv_usec; /* microsecond */
41208 @};
41209 @end smallexample
41210
41211 The integral datatypes conform to the definitions given in the
41212 appropriate section (see @ref{Integral Datatypes}, for details) so this
41213 structure is of size 8 bytes.
41214
41215 @node Constants
41216 @subsection Constants
41217 @cindex constants, in file-i/o protocol
41218
41219 The following values are used for the constants inside of the
41220 protocol. @value{GDBN} and target are responsible for translating these
41221 values before and after the call as needed.
41222
41223 @menu
41224 * Open Flags::
41225 * mode_t Values::
41226 * Errno Values::
41227 * Lseek Flags::
41228 * Limits::
41229 @end menu
41230
41231 @node Open Flags
41232 @unnumberedsubsubsec Open Flags
41233 @cindex open flags, in file-i/o protocol
41234
41235 All values are given in hexadecimal representation.
41236
41237 @smallexample
41238 O_RDONLY 0x0
41239 O_WRONLY 0x1
41240 O_RDWR 0x2
41241 O_APPEND 0x8
41242 O_CREAT 0x200
41243 O_TRUNC 0x400
41244 O_EXCL 0x800
41245 @end smallexample
41246
41247 @node mode_t Values
41248 @unnumberedsubsubsec mode_t Values
41249 @cindex mode_t values, in file-i/o protocol
41250
41251 All values are given in octal representation.
41252
41253 @smallexample
41254 S_IFREG 0100000
41255 S_IFDIR 040000
41256 S_IRUSR 0400
41257 S_IWUSR 0200
41258 S_IXUSR 0100
41259 S_IRGRP 040
41260 S_IWGRP 020
41261 S_IXGRP 010
41262 S_IROTH 04
41263 S_IWOTH 02
41264 S_IXOTH 01
41265 @end smallexample
41266
41267 @node Errno Values
41268 @unnumberedsubsubsec Errno Values
41269 @cindex errno values, in file-i/o protocol
41270
41271 All values are given in decimal representation.
41272
41273 @smallexample
41274 EPERM 1
41275 ENOENT 2
41276 EINTR 4
41277 EBADF 9
41278 EACCES 13
41279 EFAULT 14
41280 EBUSY 16
41281 EEXIST 17
41282 ENODEV 19
41283 ENOTDIR 20
41284 EISDIR 21
41285 EINVAL 22
41286 ENFILE 23
41287 EMFILE 24
41288 EFBIG 27
41289 ENOSPC 28
41290 ESPIPE 29
41291 EROFS 30
41292 ENAMETOOLONG 91
41293 EUNKNOWN 9999
41294 @end smallexample
41295
41296 @code{EUNKNOWN} is used as a fallback error value if a host system returns
41297 any error value not in the list of supported error numbers.
41298
41299 @node Lseek Flags
41300 @unnumberedsubsubsec Lseek Flags
41301 @cindex lseek flags, in file-i/o protocol
41302
41303 @smallexample
41304 SEEK_SET 0
41305 SEEK_CUR 1
41306 SEEK_END 2
41307 @end smallexample
41308
41309 @node Limits
41310 @unnumberedsubsubsec Limits
41311 @cindex limits, in file-i/o protocol
41312
41313 All values are given in decimal representation.
41314
41315 @smallexample
41316 INT_MIN -2147483648
41317 INT_MAX 2147483647
41318 UINT_MAX 4294967295
41319 LONG_MIN -9223372036854775808
41320 LONG_MAX 9223372036854775807
41321 ULONG_MAX 18446744073709551615
41322 @end smallexample
41323
41324 @node File-I/O Examples
41325 @subsection File-I/O Examples
41326 @cindex file-i/o examples
41327
41328 Example sequence of a write call, file descriptor 3, buffer is at target
41329 address 0x1234, 6 bytes should be written:
41330
41331 @smallexample
41332 <- @code{Fwrite,3,1234,6}
41333 @emph{request memory read from target}
41334 -> @code{m1234,6}
41335 <- XXXXXX
41336 @emph{return "6 bytes written"}
41337 -> @code{F6}
41338 @end smallexample
41339
41340 Example sequence of a read call, file descriptor 3, buffer is at target
41341 address 0x1234, 6 bytes should be read:
41342
41343 @smallexample
41344 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
41345 @emph{request memory write to target}
41346 -> @code{X1234,6:XXXXXX}
41347 @emph{return "6 bytes read"}
41348 -> @code{F6}
41349 @end smallexample
41350
41351 Example sequence of a read call, call fails on the host due to invalid
41352 file descriptor (@code{EBADF}):
41353
41354 @smallexample
41355 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
41356 -> @code{F-1,9}
41357 @end smallexample
41358
41359 Example sequence of a read call, user presses @kbd{Ctrl-c} before syscall on
41360 host is called:
41361
41362 @smallexample
41363 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
41364 -> @code{F-1,4,C}
41365 <- @code{T02}
41366 @end smallexample
41367
41368 Example sequence of a read call, user presses @kbd{Ctrl-c} after syscall on
41369 host is called:
41370
41371 @smallexample
41372 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
41373 -> @code{X1234,6:XXXXXX}
41374 <- @code{T02}
41375 @end smallexample
41376
41377 @node Library List Format
41378 @section Library List Format
41379 @cindex library list format, remote protocol
41380
41381 On some platforms, a dynamic loader (e.g.@: @file{ld.so}) runs in the
41382 same process as your application to manage libraries. In this case,
41383 @value{GDBN} can use the loader's symbol table and normal memory
41384 operations to maintain a list of shared libraries. On other
41385 platforms, the operating system manages loaded libraries.
41386 @value{GDBN} can not retrieve the list of currently loaded libraries
41387 through memory operations, so it uses the @samp{qXfer:libraries:read}
41388 packet (@pxref{qXfer library list read}) instead. The remote stub
41389 queries the target's operating system and reports which libraries
41390 are loaded.
41391
41392 The @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} packet returns an XML document which
41393 lists loaded libraries and their offsets. Each library has an
41394 associated name and one or more segment or section base addresses,
41395 which report where the library was loaded in memory.
41396
41397 For the common case of libraries that are fully linked binaries, the
41398 library should have a list of segments. If the target supports
41399 dynamic linking of a relocatable object file, its library XML element
41400 should instead include a list of allocated sections. The segment or
41401 section bases are start addresses, not relocation offsets; they do not
41402 depend on the library's link-time base addresses.
41403
41404 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
41405 library lists. @xref{Expat}.
41406
41407 A simple memory map, with one loaded library relocated by a single
41408 offset, looks like this:
41409
41410 @smallexample
41411 <library-list>
41412 <library name="/lib/libc.so.6">
41413 <segment address="0x10000000"/>
41414 </library>
41415 </library-list>
41416 @end smallexample
41417
41418 Another simple memory map, with one loaded library with three
41419 allocated sections (.text, .data, .bss), looks like this:
41420
41421 @smallexample
41422 <library-list>
41423 <library name="sharedlib.o">
41424 <section address="0x10000000"/>
41425 <section address="0x20000000"/>
41426 <section address="0x30000000"/>
41427 </library>
41428 </library-list>
41429 @end smallexample
41430
41431 The format of a library list is described by this DTD:
41432
41433 @smallexample
41434 <!-- library-list: Root element with versioning -->
41435 <!ELEMENT library-list (library)*>
41436 <!ATTLIST library-list version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
41437 <!ELEMENT library (segment*, section*)>
41438 <!ATTLIST library name CDATA #REQUIRED>
41439 <!ELEMENT segment EMPTY>
41440 <!ATTLIST segment address CDATA #REQUIRED>
41441 <!ELEMENT section EMPTY>
41442 <!ATTLIST section address CDATA #REQUIRED>
41443 @end smallexample
41444
41445 In addition, segments and section descriptors cannot be mixed within a
41446 single library element, and you must supply at least one segment or
41447 section for each library.
41448
41449 @node Library List Format for SVR4 Targets
41450 @section Library List Format for SVR4 Targets
41451 @cindex library list format, remote protocol
41452
41453 On SVR4 platforms @value{GDBN} can use the symbol table of a dynamic loader
41454 (e.g.@: @file{ld.so}) and normal memory operations to maintain a list of
41455 shared libraries. Still a special library list provided by this packet is
41456 more efficient for the @value{GDBN} remote protocol.
41457
41458 The @samp{qXfer:libraries-svr4:read} packet returns an XML document which lists
41459 loaded libraries and their SVR4 linker parameters. For each library on SVR4
41460 target, the following parameters are reported:
41461
41462 @itemize @minus
41463 @item
41464 @code{name}, the absolute file name from the @code{l_name} field of
41465 @code{struct link_map}.
41466 @item
41467 @code{lm} with address of @code{struct link_map} used for TLS
41468 (Thread Local Storage) access.
41469 @item
41470 @code{l_addr}, the displacement as read from the field @code{l_addr} of
41471 @code{struct link_map}. For prelinked libraries this is not an absolute
41472 memory address. It is a displacement of absolute memory address against
41473 address the file was prelinked to during the library load.
41474 @item
41475 @code{l_ld}, which is memory address of the @code{PT_DYNAMIC} segment
41476 @end itemize
41477
41478 Additionally the single @code{main-lm} attribute specifies address of
41479 @code{struct link_map} used for the main executable. This parameter is used
41480 for TLS access and its presence is optional.
41481
41482 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
41483 SVR4 library lists. @xref{Expat}.
41484
41485 A simple memory map, with two loaded libraries (which do not use prelink),
41486 looks like this:
41487
41488 @smallexample
41489 <library-list-svr4 version="1.0" main-lm="0xe4f8f8">
41490 <library name="/lib/ld-linux.so.2" lm="0xe4f51c" l_addr="0xe2d000"
41491 l_ld="0xe4eefc"/>
41492 <library name="/lib/libc.so.6" lm="0xe4fbe8" l_addr="0x154000"
41493 l_ld="0x152350"/>
41494 </library-list-svr>
41495 @end smallexample
41496
41497 The format of an SVR4 library list is described by this DTD:
41498
41499 @smallexample
41500 <!-- library-list-svr4: Root element with versioning -->
41501 <!ELEMENT library-list-svr4 (library)*>
41502 <!ATTLIST library-list-svr4 version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
41503 <!ATTLIST library-list-svr4 main-lm CDATA #IMPLIED>
41504 <!ELEMENT library EMPTY>
41505 <!ATTLIST library name CDATA #REQUIRED>
41506 <!ATTLIST library lm CDATA #REQUIRED>
41507 <!ATTLIST library l_addr CDATA #REQUIRED>
41508 <!ATTLIST library l_ld CDATA #REQUIRED>
41509 @end smallexample
41510
41511 @node Memory Map Format
41512 @section Memory Map Format
41513 @cindex memory map format
41514
41515 To be able to write into flash memory, @value{GDBN} needs to obtain a
41516 memory map from the target. This section describes the format of the
41517 memory map.
41518
41519 The memory map is obtained using the @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read}
41520 (@pxref{qXfer memory map read}) packet and is an XML document that
41521 lists memory regions.
41522
41523 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
41524 memory maps. @xref{Expat}.
41525
41526 The top-level structure of the document is shown below:
41527
41528 @smallexample
41529 <?xml version="1.0"?>
41530 <!DOCTYPE memory-map
41531 PUBLIC "+//IDN gnu.org//DTD GDB Memory Map V1.0//EN"
41532 "http://sourceware.org/gdb/gdb-memory-map.dtd">
41533 <memory-map>
41534 region...
41535 </memory-map>
41536 @end smallexample
41537
41538 Each region can be either:
41539
41540 @itemize
41541
41542 @item
41543 A region of RAM starting at @var{addr} and extending for @var{length}
41544 bytes from there:
41545
41546 @smallexample
41547 <memory type="ram" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
41548 @end smallexample
41549
41550
41551 @item
41552 A region of read-only memory:
41553
41554 @smallexample
41555 <memory type="rom" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
41556 @end smallexample
41557
41558
41559 @item
41560 A region of flash memory, with erasure blocks @var{blocksize}
41561 bytes in length:
41562
41563 @smallexample
41564 <memory type="flash" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}">
41565 <property name="blocksize">@var{blocksize}</property>
41566 </memory>
41567 @end smallexample
41568
41569 @end itemize
41570
41571 Regions must not overlap. @value{GDBN} assumes that areas of memory not covered
41572 by the memory map are RAM, and uses the ordinary @samp{M} and @samp{X}
41573 packets to write to addresses in such ranges.
41574
41575 The formal DTD for memory map format is given below:
41576
41577 @smallexample
41578 <!-- ................................................... -->
41579 <!-- Memory Map XML DTD ................................ -->
41580 <!-- File: memory-map.dtd .............................. -->
41581 <!-- .................................... .............. -->
41582 <!-- memory-map.dtd -->
41583 <!-- memory-map: Root element with versioning -->
41584 <!ELEMENT memory-map (memory | property)>
41585 <!ATTLIST memory-map version CDATA #FIXED "1.0.0">
41586 <!ELEMENT memory (property)>
41587 <!-- memory: Specifies a memory region,
41588 and its type, or device. -->
41589 <!ATTLIST memory type CDATA #REQUIRED
41590 start CDATA #REQUIRED
41591 length CDATA #REQUIRED
41592 device CDATA #IMPLIED>
41593 <!-- property: Generic attribute tag -->
41594 <!ELEMENT property (#PCDATA | property)*>
41595 <!ATTLIST property name CDATA #REQUIRED>
41596 @end smallexample
41597
41598 @node Thread List Format
41599 @section Thread List Format
41600 @cindex thread list format
41601
41602 To efficiently update the list of threads and their attributes,
41603 @value{GDBN} issues the @samp{qXfer:threads:read} packet
41604 (@pxref{qXfer threads read}) and obtains the XML document with
41605 the following structure:
41606
41607 @smallexample
41608 <?xml version="1.0"?>
41609 <threads>
41610 <thread id="id" core="0">
41611 ... description ...
41612 </thread>
41613 </threads>
41614 @end smallexample
41615
41616 Each @samp{thread} element must have the @samp{id} attribute that
41617 identifies the thread (@pxref{thread-id syntax}). The
41618 @samp{core} attribute, if present, specifies which processor core
41619 the thread was last executing on. The content of the of @samp{thread}
41620 element is interpreted as human-readable auxilliary information.
41621
41622 @node Traceframe Info Format
41623 @section Traceframe Info Format
41624 @cindex traceframe info format
41625
41626 To be able to know which objects in the inferior can be examined when
41627 inspecting a tracepoint hit, @value{GDBN} needs to obtain the list of
41628 memory ranges, registers and trace state variables that have been
41629 collected in a traceframe.
41630
41631 This list is obtained using the @samp{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
41632 (@pxref{qXfer traceframe info read}) packet and is an XML document.
41633
41634 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
41635 traceframe info discovery. @xref{Expat}.
41636
41637 The top-level structure of the document is shown below:
41638
41639 @smallexample
41640 <?xml version="1.0"?>
41641 <!DOCTYPE traceframe-info
41642 PUBLIC "+//IDN gnu.org//DTD GDB Memory Map V1.0//EN"
41643 "http://sourceware.org/gdb/gdb-traceframe-info.dtd">
41644 <traceframe-info>
41645 block...
41646 </traceframe-info>
41647 @end smallexample
41648
41649 Each traceframe block can be either:
41650
41651 @itemize
41652
41653 @item
41654 A region of collected memory starting at @var{addr} and extending for
41655 @var{length} bytes from there:
41656
41657 @smallexample
41658 <memory start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
41659 @end smallexample
41660
41661 @end itemize
41662
41663 The formal DTD for the traceframe info format is given below:
41664
41665 @smallexample
41666 <!ELEMENT traceframe-info (memory)* >
41667 <!ATTLIST traceframe-info version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
41668
41669 <!ELEMENT memory EMPTY>
41670 <!ATTLIST memory start CDATA #REQUIRED
41671 length CDATA #REQUIRED>
41672 @end smallexample
41673
41674 @node Branch Trace Format
41675 @section Branch Trace Format
41676 @cindex branch trace format
41677
41678 In order to display the branch trace of an inferior thread,
41679 @value{GDBN} needs to obtain the list of branches. This list is
41680 represented as list of sequential code blocks that are connected via
41681 branches. The code in each block has been executed sequentially.
41682
41683 This list is obtained using the @samp{qXfer:btrace:read}
41684 (@pxref{qXfer btrace read}) packet and is an XML document.
41685
41686 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
41687 traceframe info discovery. @xref{Expat}.
41688
41689 The top-level structure of the document is shown below:
41690
41691 @smallexample
41692 <?xml version="1.0"?>
41693 <!DOCTYPE btrace
41694 PUBLIC "+//IDN gnu.org//DTD GDB Branch Trace V1.0//EN"
41695 "http://sourceware.org/gdb/gdb-btrace.dtd">
41696 <btrace>
41697 block...
41698 </btrace>
41699 @end smallexample
41700
41701 @itemize
41702
41703 @item
41704 A block of sequentially executed instructions starting at @var{begin}
41705 and ending at @var{end}:
41706
41707 @smallexample
41708 <block begin="@var{begin}" end="@var{end}"/>
41709 @end smallexample
41710
41711 @end itemize
41712
41713 The formal DTD for the branch trace format is given below:
41714
41715 @smallexample
41716 <!ELEMENT btrace (block)* >
41717 <!ATTLIST btrace version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
41718
41719 <!ELEMENT block EMPTY>
41720 <!ATTLIST block begin CDATA #REQUIRED
41721 end CDATA #REQUIRED>
41722 @end smallexample
41723
41724 @include agentexpr.texi
41725
41726 @node Target Descriptions
41727 @appendix Target Descriptions
41728 @cindex target descriptions
41729
41730 One of the challenges of using @value{GDBN} to debug embedded systems
41731 is that there are so many minor variants of each processor
41732 architecture in use. It is common practice for vendors to start with
41733 a standard processor core --- ARM, PowerPC, or @acronym{MIPS}, for example ---
41734 and then make changes to adapt it to a particular market niche. Some
41735 architectures have hundreds of variants, available from dozens of
41736 vendors. This leads to a number of problems:
41737
41738 @itemize @bullet
41739 @item
41740 With so many different customized processors, it is difficult for
41741 the @value{GDBN} maintainers to keep up with the changes.
41742 @item
41743 Since individual variants may have short lifetimes or limited
41744 audiences, it may not be worthwhile to carry information about every
41745 variant in the @value{GDBN} source tree.
41746 @item
41747 When @value{GDBN} does support the architecture of the embedded system
41748 at hand, the task of finding the correct architecture name to give the
41749 @command{set architecture} command can be error-prone.
41750 @end itemize
41751
41752 To address these problems, the @value{GDBN} remote protocol allows a
41753 target system to not only identify itself to @value{GDBN}, but to
41754 actually describe its own features. This lets @value{GDBN} support
41755 processor variants it has never seen before --- to the extent that the
41756 descriptions are accurate, and that @value{GDBN} understands them.
41757
41758 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
41759 target descriptions. @xref{Expat}.
41760
41761 @menu
41762 * Retrieving Descriptions:: How descriptions are fetched from a target.
41763 * Target Description Format:: The contents of a target description.
41764 * Predefined Target Types:: Standard types available for target
41765 descriptions.
41766 * Standard Target Features:: Features @value{GDBN} knows about.
41767 @end menu
41768
41769 @node Retrieving Descriptions
41770 @section Retrieving Descriptions
41771
41772 Target descriptions can be read from the target automatically, or
41773 specified by the user manually. The default behavior is to read the
41774 description from the target. @value{GDBN} retrieves it via the remote
41775 protocol using @samp{qXfer} requests (@pxref{General Query Packets,
41776 qXfer}). The @var{annex} in the @samp{qXfer} packet will be
41777 @samp{target.xml}. The contents of the @samp{target.xml} annex are an
41778 XML document, of the form described in @ref{Target Description
41779 Format}.
41780
41781 Alternatively, you can specify a file to read for the target description.
41782 If a file is set, the target will not be queried. The commands to
41783 specify a file are:
41784
41785 @table @code
41786 @cindex set tdesc filename
41787 @item set tdesc filename @var{path}
41788 Read the target description from @var{path}.
41789
41790 @cindex unset tdesc filename
41791 @item unset tdesc filename
41792 Do not read the XML target description from a file. @value{GDBN}
41793 will use the description supplied by the current target.
41794
41795 @cindex show tdesc filename
41796 @item show tdesc filename
41797 Show the filename to read for a target description, if any.
41798 @end table
41799
41800
41801 @node Target Description Format
41802 @section Target Description Format
41803 @cindex target descriptions, XML format
41804
41805 A target description annex is an @uref{http://www.w3.org/XML/, XML}
41806 document which complies with the Document Type Definition provided in
41807 the @value{GDBN} sources in @file{gdb/features/gdb-target.dtd}. This
41808 means you can use generally available tools like @command{xmllint} to
41809 check that your feature descriptions are well-formed and valid.
41810 However, to help people unfamiliar with XML write descriptions for
41811 their targets, we also describe the grammar here.
41812
41813 Target descriptions can identify the architecture of the remote target
41814 and (for some architectures) provide information about custom register
41815 sets. They can also identify the OS ABI of the remote target.
41816 @value{GDBN} can use this information to autoconfigure for your
41817 target, or to warn you if you connect to an unsupported target.
41818
41819 Here is a simple target description:
41820
41821 @smallexample
41822 <target version="1.0">
41823 <architecture>i386:x86-64</architecture>
41824 </target>
41825 @end smallexample
41826
41827 @noindent
41828 This minimal description only says that the target uses
41829 the x86-64 architecture.
41830
41831 A target description has the following overall form, with [ ] marking
41832 optional elements and @dots{} marking repeatable elements. The elements
41833 are explained further below.
41834
41835 @smallexample
41836 <?xml version="1.0"?>
41837 <!DOCTYPE target SYSTEM "gdb-target.dtd">
41838 <target version="1.0">
41839 @r{[}@var{architecture}@r{]}
41840 @r{[}@var{osabi}@r{]}
41841 @r{[}@var{compatible}@r{]}
41842 @r{[}@var{feature}@dots{}@r{]}
41843 </target>
41844 @end smallexample
41845
41846 @noindent
41847 The description is generally insensitive to whitespace and line
41848 breaks, under the usual common-sense rules. The XML version
41849 declaration and document type declaration can generally be omitted
41850 (@value{GDBN} does not require them), but specifying them may be
41851 useful for XML validation tools. The @samp{version} attribute for
41852 @samp{<target>} may also be omitted, but we recommend
41853 including it; if future versions of @value{GDBN} use an incompatible
41854 revision of @file{gdb-target.dtd}, they will detect and report
41855 the version mismatch.
41856
41857 @subsection Inclusion
41858 @cindex target descriptions, inclusion
41859 @cindex XInclude
41860 @ifnotinfo
41861 @cindex <xi:include>
41862 @end ifnotinfo
41863
41864 It can sometimes be valuable to split a target description up into
41865 several different annexes, either for organizational purposes, or to
41866 share files between different possible target descriptions. You can
41867 divide a description into multiple files by replacing any element of
41868 the target description with an inclusion directive of the form:
41869
41870 @smallexample
41871 <xi:include href="@var{document}"/>
41872 @end smallexample
41873
41874 @noindent
41875 When @value{GDBN} encounters an element of this form, it will retrieve
41876 the named XML @var{document}, and replace the inclusion directive with
41877 the contents of that document. If the current description was read
41878 using @samp{qXfer}, then so will be the included document;
41879 @var{document} will be interpreted as the name of an annex. If the
41880 current description was read from a file, @value{GDBN} will look for
41881 @var{document} as a file in the same directory where it found the
41882 original description.
41883
41884 @subsection Architecture
41885 @cindex <architecture>
41886
41887 An @samp{<architecture>} element has this form:
41888
41889 @smallexample
41890 <architecture>@var{arch}</architecture>
41891 @end smallexample
41892
41893 @var{arch} is one of the architectures from the set accepted by
41894 @code{set architecture} (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
41895
41896 @subsection OS ABI
41897 @cindex @code{<osabi>}
41898
41899 This optional field was introduced in @value{GDBN} version 7.0.
41900 Previous versions of @value{GDBN} ignore it.
41901
41902 An @samp{<osabi>} element has this form:
41903
41904 @smallexample
41905 <osabi>@var{abi-name}</osabi>
41906 @end smallexample
41907
41908 @var{abi-name} is an OS ABI name from the same selection accepted by
41909 @w{@code{set osabi}} (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the Current ABI}).
41910
41911 @subsection Compatible Architecture
41912 @cindex @code{<compatible>}
41913
41914 This optional field was introduced in @value{GDBN} version 7.0.
41915 Previous versions of @value{GDBN} ignore it.
41916
41917 A @samp{<compatible>} element has this form:
41918
41919 @smallexample
41920 <compatible>@var{arch}</compatible>
41921 @end smallexample
41922
41923 @var{arch} is one of the architectures from the set accepted by
41924 @code{set architecture} (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
41925
41926 A @samp{<compatible>} element is used to specify that the target
41927 is able to run binaries in some other than the main target architecture
41928 given by the @samp{<architecture>} element. For example, on the
41929 Cell Broadband Engine, the main architecture is @code{powerpc:common}
41930 or @code{powerpc:common64}, but the system is able to run binaries
41931 in the @code{spu} architecture as well. The way to describe this
41932 capability with @samp{<compatible>} is as follows:
41933
41934 @smallexample
41935 <architecture>powerpc:common</architecture>
41936 <compatible>spu</compatible>
41937 @end smallexample
41938
41939 @subsection Features
41940 @cindex <feature>
41941
41942 Each @samp{<feature>} describes some logical portion of the target
41943 system. Features are currently used to describe available CPU
41944 registers and the types of their contents. A @samp{<feature>} element
41945 has this form:
41946
41947 @smallexample
41948 <feature name="@var{name}">
41949 @r{[}@var{type}@dots{}@r{]}
41950 @var{reg}@dots{}
41951 </feature>
41952 @end smallexample
41953
41954 @noindent
41955 Each feature's name should be unique within the description. The name
41956 of a feature does not matter unless @value{GDBN} has some special
41957 knowledge of the contents of that feature; if it does, the feature
41958 should have its standard name. @xref{Standard Target Features}.
41959
41960 @subsection Types
41961
41962 Any register's value is a collection of bits which @value{GDBN} must
41963 interpret. The default interpretation is a two's complement integer,
41964 but other types can be requested by name in the register description.
41965 Some predefined types are provided by @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Predefined
41966 Target Types}), and the description can define additional composite types.
41967
41968 Each type element must have an @samp{id} attribute, which gives
41969 a unique (within the containing @samp{<feature>}) name to the type.
41970 Types must be defined before they are used.
41971
41972 @cindex <vector>
41973 Some targets offer vector registers, which can be treated as arrays
41974 of scalar elements. These types are written as @samp{<vector>} elements,
41975 specifying the array element type, @var{type}, and the number of elements,
41976 @var{count}:
41977
41978 @smallexample
41979 <vector id="@var{id}" type="@var{type}" count="@var{count}"/>
41980 @end smallexample
41981
41982 @cindex <union>
41983 If a register's value is usefully viewed in multiple ways, define it
41984 with a union type containing the useful representations. The
41985 @samp{<union>} element contains one or more @samp{<field>} elements,
41986 each of which has a @var{name} and a @var{type}:
41987
41988 @smallexample
41989 <union id="@var{id}">
41990 <field name="@var{name}" type="@var{type}"/>
41991 @dots{}
41992 </union>
41993 @end smallexample
41994
41995 @cindex <struct>
41996 If a register's value is composed from several separate values, define
41997 it with a structure type. There are two forms of the @samp{<struct>}
41998 element; a @samp{<struct>} element must either contain only bitfields
41999 or contain no bitfields. If the structure contains only bitfields,
42000 its total size in bytes must be specified, each bitfield must have an
42001 explicit start and end, and bitfields are automatically assigned an
42002 integer type. The field's @var{start} should be less than or
42003 equal to its @var{end}, and zero represents the least significant bit.
42004
42005 @smallexample
42006 <struct id="@var{id}" size="@var{size}">
42007 <field name="@var{name}" start="@var{start}" end="@var{end}"/>
42008 @dots{}
42009 </struct>
42010 @end smallexample
42011
42012 If the structure contains no bitfields, then each field has an
42013 explicit type, and no implicit padding is added.
42014
42015 @smallexample
42016 <struct id="@var{id}">
42017 <field name="@var{name}" type="@var{type}"/>
42018 @dots{}
42019 </struct>
42020 @end smallexample
42021
42022 @cindex <flags>
42023 If a register's value is a series of single-bit flags, define it with
42024 a flags type. The @samp{<flags>} element has an explicit @var{size}
42025 and contains one or more @samp{<field>} elements. Each field has a
42026 @var{name}, a @var{start}, and an @var{end}. Only single-bit flags
42027 are supported.
42028
42029 @smallexample
42030 <flags id="@var{id}" size="@var{size}">
42031 <field name="@var{name}" start="@var{start}" end="@var{end}"/>
42032 @dots{}
42033 </flags>
42034 @end smallexample
42035
42036 @subsection Registers
42037 @cindex <reg>
42038
42039 Each register is represented as an element with this form:
42040
42041 @smallexample
42042 <reg name="@var{name}"
42043 bitsize="@var{size}"
42044 @r{[}regnum="@var{num}"@r{]}
42045 @r{[}save-restore="@var{save-restore}"@r{]}
42046 @r{[}type="@var{type}"@r{]}
42047 @r{[}group="@var{group}"@r{]}/>
42048 @end smallexample
42049
42050 @noindent
42051 The components are as follows:
42052
42053 @table @var
42054
42055 @item name
42056 The register's name; it must be unique within the target description.
42057
42058 @item bitsize
42059 The register's size, in bits.
42060
42061 @item regnum
42062 The register's number. If omitted, a register's number is one greater
42063 than that of the previous register (either in the current feature or in
42064 a preceding feature); the first register in the target description
42065 defaults to zero. This register number is used to read or write
42066 the register; e.g.@: it is used in the remote @code{p} and @code{P}
42067 packets, and registers appear in the @code{g} and @code{G} packets
42068 in order of increasing register number.
42069
42070 @item save-restore
42071 Whether the register should be preserved across inferior function
42072 calls; this must be either @code{yes} or @code{no}. The default is
42073 @code{yes}, which is appropriate for most registers except for
42074 some system control registers; this is not related to the target's
42075 ABI.
42076
42077 @item type
42078 The type of the register. @var{type} may be a predefined type, a type
42079 defined in the current feature, or one of the special types @code{int}
42080 and @code{float}. @code{int} is an integer type of the correct size
42081 for @var{bitsize}, and @code{float} is a floating point type (in the
42082 architecture's normal floating point format) of the correct size for
42083 @var{bitsize}. The default is @code{int}.
42084
42085 @item group
42086 The register group to which this register belongs. @var{group} must
42087 be either @code{general}, @code{float}, or @code{vector}. If no
42088 @var{group} is specified, @value{GDBN} will not display the register
42089 in @code{info registers}.
42090
42091 @end table
42092
42093 @node Predefined Target Types
42094 @section Predefined Target Types
42095 @cindex target descriptions, predefined types
42096
42097 Type definitions in the self-description can build up composite types
42098 from basic building blocks, but can not define fundamental types. Instead,
42099 standard identifiers are provided by @value{GDBN} for the fundamental
42100 types. The currently supported types are:
42101
42102 @table @code
42103
42104 @item int8
42105 @itemx int16
42106 @itemx int32
42107 @itemx int64
42108 @itemx int128
42109 Signed integer types holding the specified number of bits.
42110
42111 @item uint8
42112 @itemx uint16
42113 @itemx uint32
42114 @itemx uint64
42115 @itemx uint128
42116 Unsigned integer types holding the specified number of bits.
42117
42118 @item code_ptr
42119 @itemx data_ptr
42120 Pointers to unspecified code and data. The program counter and
42121 any dedicated return address register may be marked as code
42122 pointers; printing a code pointer converts it into a symbolic
42123 address. The stack pointer and any dedicated address registers
42124 may be marked as data pointers.
42125
42126 @item ieee_single
42127 Single precision IEEE floating point.
42128
42129 @item ieee_double
42130 Double precision IEEE floating point.
42131
42132 @item arm_fpa_ext
42133 The 12-byte extended precision format used by ARM FPA registers.
42134
42135 @item i387_ext
42136 The 10-byte extended precision format used by x87 registers.
42137
42138 @item i386_eflags
42139 32bit @sc{eflags} register used by x86.
42140
42141 @item i386_mxcsr
42142 32bit @sc{mxcsr} register used by x86.
42143
42144 @end table
42145
42146 @node Standard Target Features
42147 @section Standard Target Features
42148 @cindex target descriptions, standard features
42149
42150 A target description must contain either no registers or all the
42151 target's registers. If the description contains no registers, then
42152 @value{GDBN} will assume a default register layout, selected based on
42153 the architecture. If the description contains any registers, the
42154 default layout will not be used; the standard registers must be
42155 described in the target description, in such a way that @value{GDBN}
42156 can recognize them.
42157
42158 This is accomplished by giving specific names to feature elements
42159 which contain standard registers. @value{GDBN} will look for features
42160 with those names and verify that they contain the expected registers;
42161 if any known feature is missing required registers, or if any required
42162 feature is missing, @value{GDBN} will reject the target
42163 description. You can add additional registers to any of the
42164 standard features --- @value{GDBN} will display them just as if
42165 they were added to an unrecognized feature.
42166
42167 This section lists the known features and their expected contents.
42168 Sample XML documents for these features are included in the
42169 @value{GDBN} source tree, in the directory @file{gdb/features}.
42170
42171 Names recognized by @value{GDBN} should include the name of the
42172 company or organization which selected the name, and the overall
42173 architecture to which the feature applies; so e.g.@: the feature
42174 containing ARM core registers is named @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core}.
42175
42176 The names of registers are not case sensitive for the purpose
42177 of recognizing standard features, but @value{GDBN} will only display
42178 registers using the capitalization used in the description.
42179
42180 @menu
42181 * AArch64 Features::
42182 * ARM Features::
42183 * i386 Features::
42184 * MIPS Features::
42185 * M68K Features::
42186 * Nios II Features::
42187 * PowerPC Features::
42188 * TIC6x Features::
42189 @end menu
42190
42191
42192 @node AArch64 Features
42193 @subsection AArch64 Features
42194 @cindex target descriptions, AArch64 features
42195
42196 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.aarch64.core} feature is required for AArch64
42197 targets. It should contain registers @samp{x0} through @samp{x30},
42198 @samp{sp}, @samp{pc}, and @samp{cpsr}.
42199
42200 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.aarch64.fpu} feature is optional. If present,
42201 it should contain registers @samp{v0} through @samp{v31}, @samp{fpsr},
42202 and @samp{fpcr}.
42203
42204 @node ARM Features
42205 @subsection ARM Features
42206 @cindex target descriptions, ARM features
42207
42208 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core} feature is required for non-M-profile
42209 ARM targets.
42210 It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r13}, @samp{sp},
42211 @samp{lr}, @samp{pc}, and @samp{cpsr}.
42212
42213 For M-profile targets (e.g. Cortex-M3), the @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core}
42214 feature is replaced by @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.m-profile}. It should contain
42215 registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r13}, @samp{sp}, @samp{lr}, @samp{pc},
42216 and @samp{xpsr}.
42217
42218 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.fpa} feature is optional. If present, it
42219 should contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f7} and @samp{fps}.
42220
42221 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.xscale.iwmmxt} feature is optional. If present,
42222 it should contain at least registers @samp{wR0} through @samp{wR15} and
42223 @samp{wCGR0} through @samp{wCGR3}. The @samp{wCID}, @samp{wCon},
42224 @samp{wCSSF}, and @samp{wCASF} registers are optional.
42225
42226 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.vfp} feature is optional. If present, it
42227 should contain at least registers @samp{d0} through @samp{d15}. If
42228 they are present, @samp{d16} through @samp{d31} should also be included.
42229 @value{GDBN} will synthesize the single-precision registers from
42230 halves of the double-precision registers.
42231
42232 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.neon} feature is optional. It does not
42233 need to contain registers; it instructs @value{GDBN} to display the
42234 VFP double-precision registers as vectors and to synthesize the
42235 quad-precision registers from pairs of double-precision registers.
42236 If this feature is present, @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.vfp} must also
42237 be present and include 32 double-precision registers.
42238
42239 @node i386 Features
42240 @subsection i386 Features
42241 @cindex target descriptions, i386 features
42242
42243 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.core} feature is required for i386/amd64
42244 targets. It should describe the following registers:
42245
42246 @itemize @minus
42247 @item
42248 @samp{eax} through @samp{edi} plus @samp{eip} for i386
42249 @item
42250 @samp{rax} through @samp{r15} plus @samp{rip} for amd64
42251 @item
42252 @samp{eflags}, @samp{cs}, @samp{ss}, @samp{ds}, @samp{es},
42253 @samp{fs}, @samp{gs}
42254 @item
42255 @samp{st0} through @samp{st7}
42256 @item
42257 @samp{fctrl}, @samp{fstat}, @samp{ftag}, @samp{fiseg}, @samp{fioff},
42258 @samp{foseg}, @samp{fooff} and @samp{fop}
42259 @end itemize
42260
42261 The register sets may be different, depending on the target.
42262
42263 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.sse} feature is optional. It should
42264 describe registers:
42265
42266 @itemize @minus
42267 @item
42268 @samp{xmm0} through @samp{xmm7} for i386
42269 @item
42270 @samp{xmm0} through @samp{xmm15} for amd64
42271 @item
42272 @samp{mxcsr}
42273 @end itemize
42274
42275 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.avx} feature is optional and requires the
42276 @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.sse} feature. It should
42277 describe the upper 128 bits of @sc{ymm} registers:
42278
42279 @itemize @minus
42280 @item
42281 @samp{ymm0h} through @samp{ymm7h} for i386
42282 @item
42283 @samp{ymm0h} through @samp{ymm15h} for amd64
42284 @end itemize
42285
42286 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.linux} feature is optional. It should
42287 describe a single register, @samp{orig_eax}.
42288
42289 @node MIPS Features
42290 @subsection @acronym{MIPS} Features
42291 @cindex target descriptions, @acronym{MIPS} features
42292
42293 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.cpu} feature is required for @acronym{MIPS} targets.
42294 It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r31}, @samp{lo},
42295 @samp{hi}, and @samp{pc}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending
42296 on the target.
42297
42298 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.cp0} feature is also required. It should
42299 contain at least the @samp{status}, @samp{badvaddr}, and @samp{cause}
42300 registers. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
42301
42302 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.fpu} feature is currently required, though
42303 it may be optional in a future version of @value{GDBN}. It should
42304 contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f31}, @samp{fcsr}, and
42305 @samp{fir}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
42306
42307 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.dsp} feature is optional. It should
42308 contain registers @samp{hi1} through @samp{hi3}, @samp{lo1} through
42309 @samp{lo3}, and @samp{dspctl}. The @samp{dspctl} register should
42310 be 32-bit and the rest may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
42311
42312 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.linux} feature is optional. It should
42313 contain a single register, @samp{restart}, which is used by the
42314 Linux kernel to control restartable syscalls.
42315
42316 @node M68K Features
42317 @subsection M68K Features
42318 @cindex target descriptions, M68K features
42319
42320 @table @code
42321 @item @samp{org.gnu.gdb.m68k.core}
42322 @itemx @samp{org.gnu.gdb.coldfire.core}
42323 @itemx @samp{org.gnu.gdb.fido.core}
42324 One of those features must be always present.
42325 The feature that is present determines which flavor of m68k is
42326 used. The feature that is present should contain registers
42327 @samp{d0} through @samp{d7}, @samp{a0} through @samp{a5}, @samp{fp},
42328 @samp{sp}, @samp{ps} and @samp{pc}.
42329
42330 @item @samp{org.gnu.gdb.coldfire.fp}
42331 This feature is optional. If present, it should contain registers
42332 @samp{fp0} through @samp{fp7}, @samp{fpcontrol}, @samp{fpstatus} and
42333 @samp{fpiaddr}.
42334 @end table
42335
42336 @node Nios II Features
42337 @subsection Nios II Features
42338 @cindex target descriptions, Nios II features
42339
42340 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.nios2.cpu} feature is required for Nios II
42341 targets. It should contain the 32 core registers (@samp{zero},
42342 @samp{at}, @samp{r2} through @samp{r23}, @samp{et} through @samp{ra}),
42343 @samp{pc}, and the 16 control registers (@samp{status} through
42344 @samp{mpuacc}).
42345
42346 @node PowerPC Features
42347 @subsection PowerPC Features
42348 @cindex target descriptions, PowerPC features
42349
42350 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.core} feature is required for PowerPC
42351 targets. It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r31},
42352 @samp{pc}, @samp{msr}, @samp{cr}, @samp{lr}, @samp{ctr}, and
42353 @samp{xer}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
42354
42355 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.fpu} feature is optional. It should
42356 contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f31} and @samp{fpscr}.
42357
42358 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.altivec} feature is optional. It should
42359 contain registers @samp{vr0} through @samp{vr31}, @samp{vscr},
42360 and @samp{vrsave}.
42361
42362 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.vsx} feature is optional. It should
42363 contain registers @samp{vs0h} through @samp{vs31h}. @value{GDBN}
42364 will combine these registers with the floating point registers
42365 (@samp{f0} through @samp{f31}) and the altivec registers (@samp{vr0}
42366 through @samp{vr31}) to present the 128-bit wide registers @samp{vs0}
42367 through @samp{vs63}, the set of vector registers for POWER7.
42368
42369 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.spe} feature is optional. It should
42370 contain registers @samp{ev0h} through @samp{ev31h}, @samp{acc}, and
42371 @samp{spefscr}. SPE targets should provide 32-bit registers in
42372 @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.core} and provide the upper halves in
42373 @samp{ev0h} through @samp{ev31h}. @value{GDBN} will combine
42374 these to present registers @samp{ev0} through @samp{ev31} to the
42375 user.
42376
42377 @node TIC6x Features
42378 @subsection TMS320C6x Features
42379 @cindex target descriptions, TIC6x features
42380 @cindex target descriptions, TMS320C6x features
42381 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.tic6x.core} feature is required for TMS320C6x
42382 targets. It should contain registers @samp{A0} through @samp{A15},
42383 registers @samp{B0} through @samp{B15}, @samp{CSR} and @samp{PC}.
42384
42385 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.tic6x.gp} feature is optional. It should
42386 contain registers @samp{A16} through @samp{A31} and @samp{B16}
42387 through @samp{B31}.
42388
42389 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.tic6x.c6xp} feature is optional. It should
42390 contain registers @samp{TSR}, @samp{ILC} and @samp{RILC}.
42391
42392 @node Operating System Information
42393 @appendix Operating System Information
42394 @cindex operating system information
42395
42396 @menu
42397 * Process list::
42398 @end menu
42399
42400 Users of @value{GDBN} often wish to obtain information about the state of
42401 the operating system running on the target---for example the list of
42402 processes, or the list of open files. This section describes the
42403 mechanism that makes it possible. This mechanism is similar to the
42404 target features mechanism (@pxref{Target Descriptions}), but focuses
42405 on a different aspect of target.
42406
42407 Operating system information is retrived from the target via the
42408 remote protocol, using @samp{qXfer} requests (@pxref{qXfer osdata
42409 read}). The object name in the request should be @samp{osdata}, and
42410 the @var{annex} identifies the data to be fetched.
42411
42412 @node Process list
42413 @appendixsection Process list
42414 @cindex operating system information, process list
42415
42416 When requesting the process list, the @var{annex} field in the
42417 @samp{qXfer} request should be @samp{processes}. The returned data is
42418 an XML document. The formal syntax of this document is defined in
42419 @file{gdb/features/osdata.dtd}.
42420
42421 An example document is:
42422
42423 @smallexample
42424 <?xml version="1.0"?>
42425 <!DOCTYPE target SYSTEM "osdata.dtd">
42426 <osdata type="processes">
42427 <item>
42428 <column name="pid">1</column>
42429 <column name="user">root</column>
42430 <column name="command">/sbin/init</column>
42431 <column name="cores">1,2,3</column>
42432 </item>
42433 </osdata>
42434 @end smallexample
42435
42436 Each item should include a column whose name is @samp{pid}. The value
42437 of that column should identify the process on the target. The
42438 @samp{user} and @samp{command} columns are optional, and will be
42439 displayed by @value{GDBN}. The @samp{cores} column, if present,
42440 should contain a comma-separated list of cores that this process
42441 is running on. Target may provide additional columns,
42442 which @value{GDBN} currently ignores.
42443
42444 @node Trace File Format
42445 @appendix Trace File Format
42446 @cindex trace file format
42447
42448 The trace file comes in three parts: a header, a textual description
42449 section, and a trace frame section with binary data.
42450
42451 The header has the form @code{\x7fTRACE0\n}. The first byte is
42452 @code{0x7f} so as to indicate that the file contains binary data,
42453 while the @code{0} is a version number that may have different values
42454 in the future.
42455
42456 The description section consists of multiple lines of @sc{ascii} text
42457 separated by newline characters (@code{0xa}). The lines may include a
42458 variety of optional descriptive or context-setting information, such
42459 as tracepoint definitions or register set size. @value{GDBN} will
42460 ignore any line that it does not recognize. An empty line marks the end
42461 of this section.
42462
42463 @c FIXME add some specific types of data
42464
42465 The trace frame section consists of a number of consecutive frames.
42466 Each frame begins with a two-byte tracepoint number, followed by a
42467 four-byte size giving the amount of data in the frame. The data in
42468 the frame consists of a number of blocks, each introduced by a
42469 character indicating its type (at least register, memory, and trace
42470 state variable). The data in this section is raw binary, not a
42471 hexadecimal or other encoding; its endianness matches the target's
42472 endianness.
42473
42474 @c FIXME bi-arch may require endianness/arch info in description section
42475
42476 @table @code
42477 @item R @var{bytes}
42478 Register block. The number and ordering of bytes matches that of a
42479 @code{g} packet in the remote protocol. Note that these are the
42480 actual bytes, in target order and @value{GDBN} register order, not a
42481 hexadecimal encoding.
42482
42483 @item M @var{address} @var{length} @var{bytes}...
42484 Memory block. This is a contiguous block of memory, at the 8-byte
42485 address @var{address}, with a 2-byte length @var{length}, followed by
42486 @var{length} bytes.
42487
42488 @item V @var{number} @var{value}
42489 Trace state variable block. This records the 8-byte signed value
42490 @var{value} of trace state variable numbered @var{number}.
42491
42492 @end table
42493
42494 Future enhancements of the trace file format may include additional types
42495 of blocks.
42496
42497 @node Index Section Format
42498 @appendix @code{.gdb_index} section format
42499 @cindex .gdb_index section format
42500 @cindex index section format
42501
42502 This section documents the index section that is created by @code{save
42503 gdb-index} (@pxref{Index Files}). The index section is
42504 DWARF-specific; some knowledge of DWARF is assumed in this
42505 description.
42506
42507 The mapped index file format is designed to be directly
42508 @code{mmap}able on any architecture. In most cases, a datum is
42509 represented using a little-endian 32-bit integer value, called an
42510 @code{offset_type}. Big endian machines must byte-swap the values
42511 before using them. Exceptions to this rule are noted. The data is
42512 laid out such that alignment is always respected.
42513
42514 A mapped index consists of several areas, laid out in order.
42515
42516 @enumerate
42517 @item
42518 The file header. This is a sequence of values, of @code{offset_type}
42519 unless otherwise noted:
42520
42521 @enumerate
42522 @item
42523 The version number, currently 8. Versions 1, 2 and 3 are obsolete.
42524 Version 4 uses a different hashing function from versions 5 and 6.
42525 Version 6 includes symbols for inlined functions, whereas versions 4
42526 and 5 do not. Version 7 adds attributes to the CU indices in the
42527 symbol table. Version 8 specifies that symbols from DWARF type units
42528 (@samp{DW_TAG_type_unit}) refer to the type unit's symbol table and not the
42529 compilation unit (@samp{DW_TAG_comp_unit}) using the type.
42530
42531 @value{GDBN} will only read version 4, 5, or 6 indices
42532 by specifying @code{set use-deprecated-index-sections on}.
42533 GDB has a workaround for potentially broken version 7 indices so it is
42534 currently not flagged as deprecated.
42535
42536 @item
42537 The offset, from the start of the file, of the CU list.
42538
42539 @item
42540 The offset, from the start of the file, of the types CU list. Note
42541 that this area can be empty, in which case this offset will be equal
42542 to the next offset.
42543
42544 @item
42545 The offset, from the start of the file, of the address area.
42546
42547 @item
42548 The offset, from the start of the file, of the symbol table.
42549
42550 @item
42551 The offset, from the start of the file, of the constant pool.
42552 @end enumerate
42553
42554 @item
42555 The CU list. This is a sequence of pairs of 64-bit little-endian
42556 values, sorted by the CU offset. The first element in each pair is
42557 the offset of a CU in the @code{.debug_info} section. The second
42558 element in each pair is the length of that CU. References to a CU
42559 elsewhere in the map are done using a CU index, which is just the
42560 0-based index into this table. Note that if there are type CUs, then
42561 conceptually CUs and type CUs form a single list for the purposes of
42562 CU indices.
42563
42564 @item
42565 The types CU list. This is a sequence of triplets of 64-bit
42566 little-endian values. In a triplet, the first value is the CU offset,
42567 the second value is the type offset in the CU, and the third value is
42568 the type signature. The types CU list is not sorted.
42569
42570 @item
42571 The address area. The address area consists of a sequence of address
42572 entries. Each address entry has three elements:
42573
42574 @enumerate
42575 @item
42576 The low address. This is a 64-bit little-endian value.
42577
42578 @item
42579 The high address. This is a 64-bit little-endian value. Like
42580 @code{DW_AT_high_pc}, the value is one byte beyond the end.
42581
42582 @item
42583 The CU index. This is an @code{offset_type} value.
42584 @end enumerate
42585
42586 @item
42587 The symbol table. This is an open-addressed hash table. The size of
42588 the hash table is always a power of 2.
42589
42590 Each slot in the hash table consists of a pair of @code{offset_type}
42591 values. The first value is the offset of the symbol's name in the
42592 constant pool. The second value is the offset of the CU vector in the
42593 constant pool.
42594
42595 If both values are 0, then this slot in the hash table is empty. This
42596 is ok because while 0 is a valid constant pool index, it cannot be a
42597 valid index for both a string and a CU vector.
42598
42599 The hash value for a table entry is computed by applying an
42600 iterative hash function to the symbol's name. Starting with an
42601 initial value of @code{r = 0}, each (unsigned) character @samp{c} in
42602 the string is incorporated into the hash using the formula depending on the
42603 index version:
42604
42605 @table @asis
42606 @item Version 4
42607 The formula is @code{r = r * 67 + c - 113}.
42608
42609 @item Versions 5 to 7
42610 The formula is @code{r = r * 67 + tolower (c) - 113}.
42611 @end table
42612
42613 The terminating @samp{\0} is not incorporated into the hash.
42614
42615 The step size used in the hash table is computed via
42616 @code{((hash * 17) & (size - 1)) | 1}, where @samp{hash} is the hash
42617 value, and @samp{size} is the size of the hash table. The step size
42618 is used to find the next candidate slot when handling a hash
42619 collision.
42620
42621 The names of C@t{++} symbols in the hash table are canonicalized. We
42622 don't currently have a simple description of the canonicalization
42623 algorithm; if you intend to create new index sections, you must read
42624 the code.
42625
42626 @item
42627 The constant pool. This is simply a bunch of bytes. It is organized
42628 so that alignment is correct: CU vectors are stored first, followed by
42629 strings.
42630
42631 A CU vector in the constant pool is a sequence of @code{offset_type}
42632 values. The first value is the number of CU indices in the vector.
42633 Each subsequent value is the index and symbol attributes of a CU in
42634 the CU list. This element in the hash table is used to indicate which
42635 CUs define the symbol and how the symbol is used.
42636 See below for the format of each CU index+attributes entry.
42637
42638 A string in the constant pool is zero-terminated.
42639 @end enumerate
42640
42641 Attributes were added to CU index values in @code{.gdb_index} version 7.
42642 If a symbol has multiple uses within a CU then there is one
42643 CU index+attributes value for each use.
42644
42645 The format of each CU index+attributes entry is as follows
42646 (bit 0 = LSB):
42647
42648 @table @asis
42649
42650 @item Bits 0-23
42651 This is the index of the CU in the CU list.
42652 @item Bits 24-27
42653 These bits are reserved for future purposes and must be zero.
42654 @item Bits 28-30
42655 The kind of the symbol in the CU.
42656
42657 @table @asis
42658 @item 0
42659 This value is reserved and should not be used.
42660 By reserving zero the full @code{offset_type} value is backwards compatible
42661 with previous versions of the index.
42662 @item 1
42663 The symbol is a type.
42664 @item 2
42665 The symbol is a variable or an enum value.
42666 @item 3
42667 The symbol is a function.
42668 @item 4
42669 Any other kind of symbol.
42670 @item 5,6,7
42671 These values are reserved.
42672 @end table
42673
42674 @item Bit 31
42675 This bit is zero if the value is global and one if it is static.
42676
42677 The determination of whether a symbol is global or static is complicated.
42678 The authorative reference is the file @file{dwarf2read.c} in
42679 @value{GDBN} sources.
42680
42681 @end table
42682
42683 This pseudo-code describes the computation of a symbol's kind and
42684 global/static attributes in the index.
42685
42686 @smallexample
42687 is_external = get_attribute (die, DW_AT_external);
42688 language = get_attribute (cu_die, DW_AT_language);
42689 switch (die->tag)
42690 @{
42691 case DW_TAG_typedef:
42692 case DW_TAG_base_type:
42693 case DW_TAG_subrange_type:
42694 kind = TYPE;
42695 is_static = 1;
42696 break;
42697 case DW_TAG_enumerator:
42698 kind = VARIABLE;
42699 is_static = (language != CPLUS && language != JAVA);
42700 break;
42701 case DW_TAG_subprogram:
42702 kind = FUNCTION;
42703 is_static = ! (is_external || language == ADA);
42704 break;
42705 case DW_TAG_constant:
42706 kind = VARIABLE;
42707 is_static = ! is_external;
42708 break;
42709 case DW_TAG_variable:
42710 kind = VARIABLE;
42711 is_static = ! is_external;
42712 break;
42713 case DW_TAG_namespace:
42714 kind = TYPE;
42715 is_static = 0;
42716 break;
42717 case DW_TAG_class_type:
42718 case DW_TAG_interface_type:
42719 case DW_TAG_structure_type:
42720 case DW_TAG_union_type:
42721 case DW_TAG_enumeration_type:
42722 kind = TYPE;
42723 is_static = (language != CPLUS && language != JAVA);
42724 break;
42725 default:
42726 assert (0);
42727 @}
42728 @end smallexample
42729
42730 @node Man Pages
42731 @appendix Manual pages
42732 @cindex Man pages
42733
42734 @menu
42735 * gdb man:: The GNU Debugger man page
42736 * gdbserver man:: Remote Server for the GNU Debugger man page
42737 * gcore man:: Generate a core file of a running program
42738 * gdbinit man:: gdbinit scripts
42739 @end menu
42740
42741 @node gdb man
42742 @heading gdb man
42743
42744 @c man title gdb The GNU Debugger
42745
42746 @c man begin SYNOPSIS gdb
42747 gdb [@option{-help}] [@option{-nh}] [@option{-nx}] [@option{-q}]
42748 [@option{-batch}] [@option{-cd=}@var{dir}] [@option{-f}]
42749 [@option{-b}@w{ }@var{bps}]
42750 [@option{-tty=}@var{dev}] [@option{-s} @var{symfile}]
42751 [@option{-e}@w{ }@var{prog}] [@option{-se}@w{ }@var{prog}]
42752 [@option{-c}@w{ }@var{core}] [@option{-p}@w{ }@var{procID}]
42753 [@option{-x}@w{ }@var{cmds}] [@option{-d}@w{ }@var{dir}]
42754 [@var{prog}|@var{prog} @var{procID}|@var{prog} @var{core}]
42755 @c man end
42756
42757 @c man begin DESCRIPTION gdb
42758 The purpose of a debugger such as @value{GDBN} is to allow you to see what is
42759 going on ``inside'' another program while it executes -- or what another
42760 program was doing at the moment it crashed.
42761
42762 @value{GDBN} can do four main kinds of things (plus other things in support of
42763 these) to help you catch bugs in the act:
42764
42765 @itemize @bullet
42766 @item
42767 Start your program, specifying anything that might affect its behavior.
42768
42769 @item
42770 Make your program stop on specified conditions.
42771
42772 @item
42773 Examine what has happened, when your program has stopped.
42774
42775 @item
42776 Change things in your program, so you can experiment with correcting the
42777 effects of one bug and go on to learn about another.
42778 @end itemize
42779
42780 You can use @value{GDBN} to debug programs written in C, C@t{++}, Fortran and
42781 Modula-2.
42782
42783 @value{GDBN} is invoked with the shell command @code{gdb}. Once started, it reads
42784 commands from the terminal until you tell it to exit with the @value{GDBN}
42785 command @code{quit}. You can get online help from @value{GDBN} itself
42786 by using the command @code{help}.
42787
42788 You can run @code{gdb} with no arguments or options; but the most
42789 usual way to start @value{GDBN} is with one argument or two, specifying an
42790 executable program as the argument:
42791
42792 @smallexample
42793 gdb program
42794 @end smallexample
42795
42796 You can also start with both an executable program and a core file specified:
42797
42798 @smallexample
42799 gdb program core
42800 @end smallexample
42801
42802 You can, instead, specify a process ID as a second argument, if you want
42803 to debug a running process:
42804
42805 @smallexample
42806 gdb program 1234
42807 gdb -p 1234
42808 @end smallexample
42809
42810 @noindent
42811 would attach @value{GDBN} to process @code{1234} (unless you also have a file
42812 named @file{1234}; @value{GDBN} does check for a core file first).
42813 With option @option{-p} you can omit the @var{program} filename.
42814
42815 Here are some of the most frequently needed @value{GDBN} commands:
42816
42817 @c pod2man highlights the right hand side of the @item lines.
42818 @table @env
42819 @item break [@var{file}:]@var{functiop}
42820 Set a breakpoint at @var{function} (in @var{file}).
42821
42822 @item run [@var{arglist}]
42823 Start your program (with @var{arglist}, if specified).
42824
42825 @item bt
42826 Backtrace: display the program stack.
42827
42828 @item print @var{expr}
42829 Display the value of an expression.
42830
42831 @item c
42832 Continue running your program (after stopping, e.g. at a breakpoint).
42833
42834 @item next
42835 Execute next program line (after stopping); step @emph{over} any
42836 function calls in the line.
42837
42838 @item edit [@var{file}:]@var{function}
42839 look at the program line where it is presently stopped.
42840
42841 @item list [@var{file}:]@var{function}
42842 type the text of the program in the vicinity of where it is presently stopped.
42843
42844 @item step
42845 Execute next program line (after stopping); step @emph{into} any
42846 function calls in the line.
42847
42848 @item help [@var{name}]
42849 Show information about @value{GDBN} command @var{name}, or general information
42850 about using @value{GDBN}.
42851
42852 @item quit
42853 Exit from @value{GDBN}.
42854 @end table
42855
42856 @ifset man
42857 For full details on @value{GDBN},
42858 see @cite{Using GDB: A Guide to the GNU Source-Level Debugger},
42859 by Richard M. Stallman and Roland H. Pesch. The same text is available online
42860 as the @code{gdb} entry in the @code{info} program.
42861 @end ifset
42862 @c man end
42863
42864 @c man begin OPTIONS gdb
42865 Any arguments other than options specify an executable
42866 file and core file (or process ID); that is, the first argument
42867 encountered with no
42868 associated option flag is equivalent to a @option{-se} option, and the second,
42869 if any, is equivalent to a @option{-c} option if it's the name of a file.
42870 Many options have
42871 both long and short forms; both are shown here. The long forms are also
42872 recognized if you truncate them, so long as enough of the option is
42873 present to be unambiguous. (If you prefer, you can flag option
42874 arguments with @option{+} rather than @option{-}, though we illustrate the
42875 more usual convention.)
42876
42877 All the options and command line arguments you give are processed
42878 in sequential order. The order makes a difference when the @option{-x}
42879 option is used.
42880
42881 @table @env
42882 @item -help
42883 @itemx -h
42884 List all options, with brief explanations.
42885
42886 @item -symbols=@var{file}
42887 @itemx -s @var{file}
42888 Read symbol table from file @var{file}.
42889
42890 @item -write
42891 Enable writing into executable and core files.
42892
42893 @item -exec=@var{file}
42894 @itemx -e @var{file}
42895 Use file @var{file} as the executable file to execute when
42896 appropriate, and for examining pure data in conjunction with a core
42897 dump.
42898
42899 @item -se=@var{file}
42900 Read symbol table from file @var{file} and use it as the executable
42901 file.
42902
42903 @item -core=@var{file}
42904 @itemx -c @var{file}
42905 Use file @var{file} as a core dump to examine.
42906
42907 @item -command=@var{file}
42908 @itemx -x @var{file}
42909 Execute @value{GDBN} commands from file @var{file}.
42910
42911 @item -ex @var{command}
42912 Execute given @value{GDBN} @var{command}.
42913
42914 @item -directory=@var{directory}
42915 @itemx -d @var{directory}
42916 Add @var{directory} to the path to search for source files.
42917
42918 @item -nh
42919 Do not execute commands from @file{~/.gdbinit}.
42920
42921 @item -nx
42922 @itemx -n
42923 Do not execute commands from any @file{.gdbinit} initialization files.
42924
42925 @item -quiet
42926 @itemx -q
42927 ``Quiet''. Do not print the introductory and copyright messages. These
42928 messages are also suppressed in batch mode.
42929
42930 @item -batch
42931 Run in batch mode. Exit with status @code{0} after processing all the command
42932 files specified with @option{-x} (and @file{.gdbinit}, if not inhibited).
42933 Exit with nonzero status if an error occurs in executing the @value{GDBN}
42934 commands in the command files.
42935
42936 Batch mode may be useful for running @value{GDBN} as a filter, for example to
42937 download and run a program on another computer; in order to make this
42938 more useful, the message
42939
42940 @smallexample
42941 Program exited normally.
42942 @end smallexample
42943
42944 @noindent
42945 (which is ordinarily issued whenever a program running under @value{GDBN} control
42946 terminates) is not issued when running in batch mode.
42947
42948 @item -cd=@var{directory}
42949 Run @value{GDBN} using @var{directory} as its working directory,
42950 instead of the current directory.
42951
42952 @item -fullname
42953 @itemx -f
42954 Emacs sets this option when it runs @value{GDBN} as a subprocess. It tells
42955 @value{GDBN} to output the full file name and line number in a standard,
42956 recognizable fashion each time a stack frame is displayed (which
42957 includes each time the program stops). This recognizable format looks
42958 like two @samp{\032} characters, followed by the file name, line number
42959 and character position separated by colons, and a newline. The
42960 Emacs-to-@value{GDBN} interface program uses the two @samp{\032}
42961 characters as a signal to display the source code for the frame.
42962
42963 @item -b @var{bps}
42964 Set the line speed (baud rate or bits per second) of any serial
42965 interface used by @value{GDBN} for remote debugging.
42966
42967 @item -tty=@var{device}
42968 Run using @var{device} for your program's standard input and output.
42969 @end table
42970 @c man end
42971
42972 @c man begin SEEALSO gdb
42973 @ifset man
42974 The full documentation for @value{GDBN} is maintained as a Texinfo manual.
42975 If the @code{info} and @code{gdb} programs and @value{GDBN}'s Texinfo
42976 documentation are properly installed at your site, the command
42977
42978 @smallexample
42979 info gdb
42980 @end smallexample
42981
42982 @noindent
42983 should give you access to the complete manual.
42984
42985 @cite{Using GDB: A Guide to the GNU Source-Level Debugger},
42986 Richard M. Stallman and Roland H. Pesch, July 1991.
42987 @end ifset
42988 @c man end
42989
42990 @node gdbserver man
42991 @heading gdbserver man
42992
42993 @c man title gdbserver Remote Server for the GNU Debugger
42994 @format
42995 @c man begin SYNOPSIS gdbserver
42996 gdbserver @var{comm} @var{prog} [@var{args}@dots{}]
42997
42998 gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
42999
43000 gdbserver --multi @var{comm}
43001 @c man end
43002 @end format
43003
43004 @c man begin DESCRIPTION gdbserver
43005 @command{gdbserver} is a program that allows you to run @value{GDBN} on a different machine
43006 than the one which is running the program being debugged.
43007
43008 @ifclear man
43009 @subheading Usage (server (target) side)
43010 @end ifclear
43011 @ifset man
43012 Usage (server (target) side):
43013 @end ifset
43014
43015 First, you need to have a copy of the program you want to debug put onto
43016 the target system. The program can be stripped to save space if needed, as
43017 @command{gdbserver} doesn't care about symbols. All symbol handling is taken care of by
43018 the @value{GDBN} running on the host system.
43019
43020 To use the server, you log on to the target system, and run the @command{gdbserver}
43021 program. You must tell it (a) how to communicate with @value{GDBN}, (b) the name of
43022 your program, and (c) its arguments. The general syntax is:
43023
43024 @smallexample
43025 target> gdbserver @var{comm} @var{program} [@var{args} ...]
43026 @end smallexample
43027
43028 For example, using a serial port, you might say:
43029
43030 @smallexample
43031 @ifset man
43032 @c @file would wrap it as F</dev/com1>.
43033 target> gdbserver /dev/com1 emacs foo.txt
43034 @end ifset
43035 @ifclear man
43036 target> gdbserver @file{/dev/com1} emacs foo.txt
43037 @end ifclear
43038 @end smallexample
43039
43040 This tells @command{gdbserver} to debug emacs with an argument of foo.txt, and
43041 to communicate with @value{GDBN} via @file{/dev/com1}. @command{gdbserver} now
43042 waits patiently for the host @value{GDBN} to communicate with it.
43043
43044 To use a TCP connection, you could say:
43045
43046 @smallexample
43047 target> gdbserver host:2345 emacs foo.txt
43048 @end smallexample
43049
43050 This says pretty much the same thing as the last example, except that we are
43051 going to communicate with the @code{host} @value{GDBN} via TCP. The @code{host:2345} argument means
43052 that we are expecting to see a TCP connection from @code{host} to local TCP port
43053 2345. (Currently, the @code{host} part is ignored.) You can choose any number you
43054 want for the port number as long as it does not conflict with any existing TCP
43055 ports on the target system. This same port number must be used in the host
43056 @value{GDBN}s @code{target remote} command, which will be described shortly. Note that if
43057 you chose a port number that conflicts with another service, @command{gdbserver} will
43058 print an error message and exit.
43059
43060 @command{gdbserver} can also attach to running programs.
43061 This is accomplished via the @option{--attach} argument. The syntax is:
43062
43063 @smallexample
43064 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
43065 @end smallexample
43066
43067 @var{pid} is the process ID of a currently running process. It isn't
43068 necessary to point @command{gdbserver} at a binary for the running process.
43069
43070 To start @code{gdbserver} without supplying an initial command to run
43071 or process ID to attach, use the @option{--multi} command line option.
43072 In such case you should connect using @kbd{target extended-remote} to start
43073 the program you want to debug.
43074
43075 @smallexample
43076 target> gdbserver --multi @var{comm}
43077 @end smallexample
43078
43079 @ifclear man
43080 @subheading Usage (host side)
43081 @end ifclear
43082 @ifset man
43083 Usage (host side):
43084 @end ifset
43085
43086 You need an unstripped copy of the target program on your host system, since
43087 @value{GDBN} needs to examine it's symbol tables and such. Start up @value{GDBN} as you normally
43088 would, with the target program as the first argument. (You may need to use the
43089 @option{--baud} option if the serial line is running at anything except 9600 baud.)
43090 That is @code{gdb TARGET-PROG}, or @code{gdb --baud BAUD TARGET-PROG}. After that, the only
43091 new command you need to know about is @code{target remote}
43092 (or @code{target extended-remote}). Its argument is either
43093 a device name (usually a serial device, like @file{/dev/ttyb}), or a @code{HOST:PORT}
43094 descriptor. For example:
43095
43096 @smallexample
43097 @ifset man
43098 @c @file would wrap it as F</dev/ttyb>.
43099 (gdb) target remote /dev/ttyb
43100 @end ifset
43101 @ifclear man
43102 (gdb) target remote @file{/dev/ttyb}
43103 @end ifclear
43104 @end smallexample
43105
43106 @noindent
43107 communicates with the server via serial line @file{/dev/ttyb}, and:
43108
43109 @smallexample
43110 (gdb) target remote the-target:2345
43111 @end smallexample
43112
43113 @noindent
43114 communicates via a TCP connection to port 2345 on host `the-target', where
43115 you previously started up @command{gdbserver} with the same port number. Note that for
43116 TCP connections, you must start up @command{gdbserver} prior to using the `target remote'
43117 command, otherwise you may get an error that looks something like
43118 `Connection refused'.
43119
43120 @command{gdbserver} can also debug multiple inferiors at once,
43121 described in
43122 @ifset man
43123 the @value{GDBN} manual in node @code{Inferiors and Programs}
43124 -- shell command @code{info -f gdb -n 'Inferiors and Programs'}.
43125 @end ifset
43126 @ifclear man
43127 @ref{Inferiors and Programs}.
43128 @end ifclear
43129 In such case use the @code{extended-remote} @value{GDBN} command variant:
43130
43131 @smallexample
43132 (gdb) target extended-remote the-target:2345
43133 @end smallexample
43134
43135 The @command{gdbserver} option @option{--multi} may or may not be used in such
43136 case.
43137 @c man end
43138
43139 @c man begin OPTIONS gdbserver
43140 There are three different modes for invoking @command{gdbserver}:
43141
43142 @itemize @bullet
43143
43144 @item
43145 Debug a specific program specified by its program name:
43146
43147 @smallexample
43148 gdbserver @var{comm} @var{prog} [@var{args}@dots{}]
43149 @end smallexample
43150
43151 The @var{comm} parameter specifies how should the server communicate
43152 with @value{GDBN}; it is either a device name (to use a serial line),
43153 a TCP port number (@code{:1234}), or @code{-} or @code{stdio} to use
43154 stdin/stdout of @code{gdbserver}. Specify the name of the program to
43155 debug in @var{prog}. Any remaining arguments will be passed to the
43156 program verbatim. When the program exits, @value{GDBN} will close the
43157 connection, and @code{gdbserver} will exit.
43158
43159 @item
43160 Debug a specific program by specifying the process ID of a running
43161 program:
43162
43163 @smallexample
43164 gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
43165 @end smallexample
43166
43167 The @var{comm} parameter is as described above. Supply the process ID
43168 of a running program in @var{pid}; @value{GDBN} will do everything
43169 else. Like with the previous mode, when the process @var{pid} exits,
43170 @value{GDBN} will close the connection, and @code{gdbserver} will exit.
43171
43172 @item
43173 Multi-process mode -- debug more than one program/process:
43174
43175 @smallexample
43176 gdbserver --multi @var{comm}
43177 @end smallexample
43178
43179 In this mode, @value{GDBN} can instruct @command{gdbserver} which
43180 command(s) to run. Unlike the other 2 modes, @value{GDBN} will not
43181 close the connection when a process being debugged exits, so you can
43182 debug several processes in the same session.
43183 @end itemize
43184
43185 In each of the modes you may specify these options:
43186
43187 @table @env
43188
43189 @item --help
43190 List all options, with brief explanations.
43191
43192 @item --version
43193 This option causes @command{gdbserver} to print its version number and exit.
43194
43195 @item --attach
43196 @command{gdbserver} will attach to a running program. The syntax is:
43197
43198 @smallexample
43199 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
43200 @end smallexample
43201
43202 @var{pid} is the process ID of a currently running process. It isn't
43203 necessary to point @command{gdbserver} at a binary for the running process.
43204
43205 @item --multi
43206 To start @code{gdbserver} without supplying an initial command to run
43207 or process ID to attach, use this command line option.
43208 Then you can connect using @kbd{target extended-remote} and start
43209 the program you want to debug. The syntax is:
43210
43211 @smallexample
43212 target> gdbserver --multi @var{comm}
43213 @end smallexample
43214
43215 @item --debug
43216 Instruct @code{gdbserver} to display extra status information about the debugging
43217 process.
43218 This option is intended for @code{gdbserver} development and for bug reports to
43219 the developers.
43220
43221 @item --remote-debug
43222 Instruct @code{gdbserver} to display remote protocol debug output.
43223 This option is intended for @code{gdbserver} development and for bug reports to
43224 the developers.
43225
43226 @item --wrapper
43227 Specify a wrapper to launch programs
43228 for debugging. The option should be followed by the name of the
43229 wrapper, then any command-line arguments to pass to the wrapper, then
43230 @kbd{--} indicating the end of the wrapper arguments.
43231
43232 @item --once
43233 By default, @command{gdbserver} keeps the listening TCP port open, so that
43234 additional connections are possible. However, if you start @code{gdbserver}
43235 with the @option{--once} option, it will stop listening for any further
43236 connection attempts after connecting to the first @value{GDBN} session.
43237
43238 @c --disable-packet is not documented for users.
43239
43240 @c --disable-randomization and --no-disable-randomization are superseded by
43241 @c QDisableRandomization.
43242
43243 @end table
43244 @c man end
43245
43246 @c man begin SEEALSO gdbserver
43247 @ifset man
43248 The full documentation for @value{GDBN} is maintained as a Texinfo manual.
43249 If the @code{info} and @code{gdb} programs and @value{GDBN}'s Texinfo
43250 documentation are properly installed at your site, the command
43251
43252 @smallexample
43253 info gdb
43254 @end smallexample
43255
43256 should give you access to the complete manual.
43257
43258 @cite{Using GDB: A Guide to the GNU Source-Level Debugger},
43259 Richard M. Stallman and Roland H. Pesch, July 1991.
43260 @end ifset
43261 @c man end
43262
43263 @node gcore man
43264 @heading gcore
43265
43266 @c man title gcore Generate a core file of a running program
43267
43268 @format
43269 @c man begin SYNOPSIS gcore
43270 gcore [-o @var{filename}] @var{pid}
43271 @c man end
43272 @end format
43273
43274 @c man begin DESCRIPTION gcore
43275 Generate a core dump of a running program with process ID @var{pid}.
43276 Produced file is equivalent to a kernel produced core file as if the process
43277 crashed (and if @kbd{ulimit -c} were used to set up an appropriate core dump
43278 limit). Unlike after a crash, after @command{gcore} the program remains
43279 running without any change.
43280 @c man end
43281
43282 @c man begin OPTIONS gcore
43283 @table @env
43284 @item -o @var{filename}
43285 The optional argument
43286 @var{filename} specifies the file name where to put the core dump.
43287 If not specified, the file name defaults to @file{core.@var{pid}},
43288 where @var{pid} is the running program process ID.
43289 @end table
43290 @c man end
43291
43292 @c man begin SEEALSO gcore
43293 @ifset man
43294 The full documentation for @value{GDBN} is maintained as a Texinfo manual.
43295 If the @code{info} and @code{gdb} programs and @value{GDBN}'s Texinfo
43296 documentation are properly installed at your site, the command
43297
43298 @smallexample
43299 info gdb
43300 @end smallexample
43301
43302 @noindent
43303 should give you access to the complete manual.
43304
43305 @cite{Using GDB: A Guide to the GNU Source-Level Debugger},
43306 Richard M. Stallman and Roland H. Pesch, July 1991.
43307 @end ifset
43308 @c man end
43309
43310 @node gdbinit man
43311 @heading gdbinit
43312
43313 @c man title gdbinit GDB initialization scripts
43314
43315 @format
43316 @c man begin SYNOPSIS gdbinit
43317 @ifset SYSTEM_GDBINIT
43318 @value{SYSTEM_GDBINIT}
43319 @end ifset
43320
43321 ~/.gdbinit
43322
43323 ./.gdbinit
43324 @c man end
43325 @end format
43326
43327 @c man begin DESCRIPTION gdbinit
43328 These files contain @value{GDBN} commands to automatically execute during
43329 @value{GDBN} startup. The lines of contents are canned sequences of commands,
43330 described in
43331 @ifset man
43332 the @value{GDBN} manual in node @code{Sequences}
43333 -- shell command @code{info -f gdb -n Sequences}.
43334 @end ifset
43335 @ifclear man
43336 @ref{Sequences}.
43337 @end ifclear
43338
43339 Please read more in
43340 @ifset man
43341 the @value{GDBN} manual in node @code{Startup}
43342 -- shell command @code{info -f gdb -n Startup}.
43343 @end ifset
43344 @ifclear man
43345 @ref{Startup}.
43346 @end ifclear
43347
43348 @table @env
43349 @ifset SYSTEM_GDBINIT
43350 @item @value{SYSTEM_GDBINIT}
43351 @end ifset
43352 @ifclear SYSTEM_GDBINIT
43353 @item (not enabled with @code{--with-system-gdbinit} during compilation)
43354 @end ifclear
43355 System-wide initialization file. It is executed unless user specified
43356 @value{GDBN} option @code{-nx} or @code{-n}.
43357 See more in
43358 @ifset man
43359 the @value{GDBN} manual in node @code{System-wide configuration}
43360 -- shell command @code{info -f gdb -n 'System-wide configuration'}.
43361 @end ifset
43362 @ifclear man
43363 @ref{System-wide configuration}.
43364 @end ifclear
43365
43366 @item ~/.gdbinit
43367 User initialization file. It is executed unless user specified
43368 @value{GDBN} options @code{-nx}, @code{-n} or @code{-nh}.
43369
43370 @item ./.gdbinit
43371 Initialization file for current directory. It may need to be enabled with
43372 @value{GDBN} security command @code{set auto-load local-gdbinit}.
43373 See more in
43374 @ifset man
43375 the @value{GDBN} manual in node @code{Init File in the Current Directory}
43376 -- shell command @code{info -f gdb -n 'Init File in the Current Directory'}.
43377 @end ifset
43378 @ifclear man
43379 @ref{Init File in the Current Directory}.
43380 @end ifclear
43381 @end table
43382 @c man end
43383
43384 @c man begin SEEALSO gdbinit
43385 @ifset man
43386 gdb(1), @code{info -f gdb -n Startup}
43387
43388 The full documentation for @value{GDBN} is maintained as a Texinfo manual.
43389 If the @code{info} and @code{gdb} programs and @value{GDBN}'s Texinfo
43390 documentation are properly installed at your site, the command
43391
43392 @smallexample
43393 info gdb
43394 @end smallexample
43395
43396 should give you access to the complete manual.
43397
43398 @cite{Using GDB: A Guide to the GNU Source-Level Debugger},
43399 Richard M. Stallman and Roland H. Pesch, July 1991.
43400 @end ifset
43401 @c man end
43402
43403 @include gpl.texi
43404
43405 @node GNU Free Documentation License
43406 @appendix GNU Free Documentation License
43407 @include fdl.texi
43408
43409 @node Concept Index
43410 @unnumbered Concept Index
43411
43412 @printindex cp
43413
43414 @node Command and Variable Index
43415 @unnumbered Command, Variable, and Function Index
43416
43417 @printindex fn
43418
43419 @tex
43420 % I think something like @@colophon should be in texinfo. In the
43421 % meantime:
43422 \long\def\colophon{\hbox to0pt{}\vfill
43423 \centerline{The body of this manual is set in}
43424 \centerline{\fontname\tenrm,}
43425 \centerline{with headings in {\bf\fontname\tenbf}}
43426 \centerline{and examples in {\tt\fontname\tentt}.}
43427 \centerline{{\it\fontname\tenit\/},}
43428 \centerline{{\bf\fontname\tenbf}, and}
43429 \centerline{{\sl\fontname\tensl\/}}
43430 \centerline{are used for emphasis.}\vfill}
43431 \page\colophon
43432 % Blame: doc@@cygnus.com, 1991.
43433 @end tex
43434
43435 @bye
This page took 0.921251 seconds and 5 git commands to generate.