-a specific file in the subdirectory of the global debug file directory
-according to the @dfn{build id} content (if present), the file tried is
-@file{@var{globaldebugdir}/.debug-id/@var{bu}/@var{ild-id}.debug}.
+For the ``debug link'' method, @value{GDBN} looks up the named file in
+the directory of the executable file, then in a subdirectory of that
+directory named @file{.debug}, and finally under the global debug
+directory, in a subdirectory whose name is identical to the leading
+directories of the executable's absolute file name.
+
+@item
+For the ``debug ID'' method, @value{GDBN} looks in the
+@file{.build-id} subdirectory of the global debug directory for a file
+named @file{@var{nn}/@var{nnnnnnnn}.debug}, where @var{nn} are the
+first 2 hex characters of the debug ID signature, and @var{nnnnnnnn}
+are the rest of the signature. (Real signatures are 32 or more
+characters, not 10.)
+@end itemize
+
+So, for example, suppose you ask @value{GDBN} to debug
+@file{/usr/bin/ls}, which has a @dfn{debug link} that specifies the
+file @file{ls.debug}, and a @dfn{build id} whose value in hex is
+@code{abcdef1234}. If the global debug directory is
+@file{/usr/lib/debug}, then @value{GDBN} will look for the following
+debug information files, in the indicated order:
+
+@itemize @minus
+@item
+@file{/usr/lib/debug/.build-id/ab/cdef1234.debug}