get rid of unused m4 files
[deliverable/binutils-gdb.git] / gdb / doc / gdb.texinfo
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29a2b744 1\input texinfo @c -*-texinfo-*-
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2@c Copyright 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995
3@c Free Software Foundation, Inc.
18fae2a8 4@c
29a2b744 5@c %**start of header
18fae2a8 6@c makeinfo ignores cmds prev to setfilename, so its arg cannot make use
1d7c3357 7@c of @set vars. However, you can override filename with makeinfo -o.
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8@setfilename gdb.info
9@c
361daf65 10@include gdb-cfg.texi
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11@c
12@ifset GENERIC
13@settitle Debugging with @value{GDBN}
14@end ifset
15@ifclear GENERIC
1d7c3357 16@settitle Debugging with @value{GDBN} (@value{TARGET})
18fae2a8 17@end ifclear
af215b1a 18@clear RENAMED
29a2b744 19@setchapternewpage odd
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20@c %**end of header
21
ed447b95 22@iftex
51b65b74 23@c @smallbook
fe715d06 24@c @cropmarks
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25@end iftex
26
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27@finalout
28@syncodeindex ky cp
29
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30@c readline appendices use @vindex
31@syncodeindex vr cp
32
0cb95a9c 33@c !!set GDB manual's edition---not the same as GDB version!
9a27b06e 34@set EDITION 4.12
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35
36@c !!set GDB manual's revision date
9a27b06e 37@set DATE January 1994
29a2b744 38
d24e0922 39@c GDB CHANGELOG CONSULTED BETWEEN:
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40@c Fri Oct 11 23:27:06 1991 John Gilmore (gnu at cygnus.com)
41@c Sat Dec 22 02:51:40 1990 John Gilmore (gnu at cygint)
42
9c3ad547 43@c THIS MANUAL REQUIRES TEXINFO-2 macros and info-makers to format properly.
29a2b744 44
b7becc8f 45@ifinfo
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46@c This is a dir.info fragment to support semi-automated addition of
47@c manuals to an info tree. zoo@cygnus.com is developing this facility.
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48@format
49START-INFO-DIR-ENTRY
af215b1a 50* Gdb: (gdb). The @sc{gnu} debugger.
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51END-INFO-DIR-ENTRY
52@end format
53@end ifinfo
18fae2a8 54@c
70b88761 55@c
70b88761 56@ifinfo
af215b1a 57This file documents the @sc{gnu} debugger @value{GDBN}.
70b88761 58
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59
60This is Edition @value{EDITION}, @value{DATE},
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61of @cite{Debugging with @value{GDBN}: the @sc{gnu} Source-Level Debugger}
62for @value{GDBN} Version @value{GDBVN}.
29a2b744 63
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64Copyright (C) 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995
65Free Software Foundation, Inc.
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66
67Permission is granted to make and distribute verbatim copies of
68this manual provided the copyright notice and this permission notice
69are preserved on all copies.
70
71@ignore
72Permission is granted to process this file through TeX and print the
73results, provided the printed document carries copying permission
74notice identical to this one except for the removal of this paragraph
75(this paragraph not being relevant to the printed manual).
76
77@end ignore
78Permission is granted to copy and distribute modified versions of this
79manual under the conditions for verbatim copying, provided also that the
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80entire resulting derived work is distributed under the terms of a
81permission notice identical to this one.
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82
83Permission is granted to copy and distribute translations of this manual
d55320a0 84into another language, under the above conditions for modified versions.
70b88761 85@end ifinfo
1041a570 86
70b88761 87@titlepage
18fae2a8 88@title Debugging with @value{GDBN}
af215b1a 89@subtitle The @sc{gnu} Source-Level Debugger
18fae2a8 90@ifclear GENERIC
a64a6c2b 91@subtitle (@value{TARGET})
18fae2a8 92@end ifclear
70b88761 93@sp 1
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94@subtitle Edition @value{EDITION}, for @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN}
95@subtitle @value{DATE}
6b51acad 96@author Richard M. Stallman and Roland H. Pesch
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97@page
98@tex
99{\parskip=0pt
18fae2a8 100\hfill (Send bugs and comments on @value{GDBN} to bug-gdb\@prep.ai.mit.edu.)\par
ed447b95 101\hfill {\it Debugging with @value{GDBN}}\par
70b88761 102\hfill \TeX{}info \texinfoversion\par
af215b1a 103\hfill doc\@cygnus.com\par
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104}
105@end tex
106
107@vskip 0pt plus 1filll
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108Copyright @copyright{} 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995
109Free Software Foundation, Inc.
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110@sp 2
111Published by the Free Software Foundation @*
112675 Massachusetts Avenue, @*
113Cambridge, MA 02139 USA @*
114Printed copies are available for $20 each. @*
115ISBN 1-882114-11-6 @*
af215b1a 116
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117Permission is granted to make and distribute verbatim copies of
118this manual provided the copyright notice and this permission notice
119are preserved on all copies.
120
121Permission is granted to copy and distribute modified versions of this
122manual under the conditions for verbatim copying, provided also that the
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123entire resulting derived work is distributed under the terms of a
124permission notice identical to this one.
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125
126Permission is granted to copy and distribute translations of this manual
d55320a0 127into another language, under the above conditions for modified versions.
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128@end titlepage
129@page
130
70b88761 131@ifinfo
4eb4cf57 132@node Top
18fae2a8 133@top Debugging with @value{GDBN}
29a2b744 134
af215b1a 135This file describes @value{GDBN}, the @sc{gnu} symbolic debugger.
29a2b744 136
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137This is Edition @value{EDITION}, @value{DATE}, for @value{GDBN} Version
138@value{GDBVN}.
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139
140@menu
18fae2a8 141* Summary:: Summary of @value{GDBN}
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142@ifclear BARETARGET
143* Sample Session:: A sample @value{GDBN} session
144@end ifclear
b0157555 145
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146* Invocation:: Getting in and out of @value{GDBN}
147* Commands:: @value{GDBN} commands
148* Running:: Running programs under @value{GDBN}
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149* Stopping:: Stopping and continuing
150* Stack:: Examining the stack
151* Source:: Examining source files
152* Data:: Examining data
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153@ifclear CONLY
154* Languages:: Using @value{GDBN} with different languages
155@end ifclear
156@ifset CONLY
1d7c3357 157* C:: C language support
18fae2a8 158@end ifset
1d7c3357 159@c remnant makeinfo bug, blank line needed after two end-ifs?
18fae2a8 160
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161* Symbols:: Examining the symbol table
162* Altering:: Altering execution
93918348 163* GDB Files:: @value{GDBN} files
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164* Targets:: Specifying a debugging target
165* Controlling GDB:: Controlling @value{GDBN}
166* Sequences:: Canned sequences of commands
18fae2a8 167@ifclear DOSHOST
af215b1a 168* Emacs:: Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
18fae2a8 169@end ifclear
b0157555 170
18fae2a8 171* GDB Bugs:: Reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
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172* Command Line Editing:: Facilities of the readline library
173* Using History Interactively::
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174@c @ifset NOVEL
175@c * Renamed Commands::
176@c @end ifset
1d7c3357 177@ifclear PRECONFIGURED
af215b1a 178* Formatting Documentation:: How to format and print @value{GDBN} documentation
18fae2a8 179* Installing GDB:: Installing GDB
18fae2a8 180@end ifclear
b0157555 181
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182* Index:: Index
183@end menu
18fae2a8 184@end ifinfo
70b88761 185
4eb4cf57 186@node Summary
18fae2a8 187@unnumbered Summary of @value{GDBN}
70b88761 188
18fae2a8 189The purpose of a debugger such as @value{GDBN} is to allow you to see what is
70b88761 190going on ``inside'' another program while it executes---or what another
1041a570 191program was doing at the moment it crashed.
70b88761 192
18fae2a8 193@value{GDBN} can do four main kinds of things (plus other things in support of
1041a570 194these) to help you catch bugs in the act:
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195
196@itemize @bullet
197@item
198Start your program, specifying anything that might affect its behavior.
199
200@item
201Make your program stop on specified conditions.
202
203@item
204Examine what has happened, when your program has stopped.
205
206@item
207Change things in your program, so you can experiment with correcting the
208effects of one bug and go on to learn about another.
209@end itemize
210
18fae2a8 211@ifclear CONLY
9934dce8 212You can use @value{GDBN} to debug programs written in C or C++.
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213@c "MOD2" used as a "miscellaneous languages" flag here.
214@c This is acceptable while there is no real doc for Chill and Pascal.
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215@ifclear MOD2
216For more information, see @ref{Support,,Supported languages}.
217@end ifclear
218@ifset MOD2
219For more information, see @ref{C,,C and C++}.
220
3f73b7c8 221Support for Modula-2 and Chill is partial. For information on Modula-2,
2ae6d007 222see @ref{Modula-2,,Modula-2}. There is no further documentation on Chill yet.
3f73b7c8 223
b1955f0b 224Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or nested
22b5dba5 225functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
b1955f0b 226entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal syntax.
af215b1a 227
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228@end ifset
229@ifset FORTRAN
11e7b867 230@cindex Fortran
3ff8a96f 231@value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, although
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232it does not yet support entering expressions, printing values, or
233similar features using Fortran syntax. It may be necessary to refer to
234some variables with a trailing underscore.
09934a2b 235@end ifset
18fae2a8 236@end ifclear
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237
238@menu
ed447b95 239* Free Software:: Freely redistributable software
b80282d5 240* Contributors:: Contributors to GDB
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241@end menu
242
4eb4cf57 243@node Free Software
93928b60 244@unnumberedsec Free software
1041a570 245
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246@value{GDBN} is @dfn{free software}, protected by the @sc{gnu}
247General Public License
1041a570 248(GPL). The GPL gives you the freedom to copy or adapt a licensed
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249program---but every person getting a copy also gets with it the
250freedom to modify that copy (which means that they must get access to
251the source code), and the freedom to distribute further copies.
252Typical software companies use copyrights to limit your freedoms; the
253Free Software Foundation uses the GPL to preserve these freedoms.
254
255Fundamentally, the General Public License is a license which says that
29a2b744 256you have these freedoms and that you cannot take these freedoms away
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257from anyone else.
258
4eb4cf57 259@node Contributors
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260@unnumberedsec Contributors to GDB
261
af215b1a 262Richard Stallman was the original author of GDB, and of many other @sc{gnu}
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263programs. Many others have contributed to its development. This
264section attempts to credit major contributors. One of the virtues of
265free software is that everyone is free to contribute to it; with
266regret, we cannot actually acknowledge everyone here. The file
af215b1a 267@file{ChangeLog} in the @value{GDBN} distribution approximates a blow-by-blow
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268account.
269
270Changes much prior to version 2.0 are lost in the mists of time.
271
272@quotation
273@emph{Plea:} Additions to this section are particularly welcome. If you
93918348 274or your friends (or enemies, to be evenhanded) have been unfairly
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275omitted from this list, we would like to add your names!
276@end quotation
277
278So that they may not regard their long labor as thankless, we
356bc67b 279particularly thank those who shepherded GDB through major releases:
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280Stan Shebs (release 4.14),
281Fred Fish (releases 4.13, 4.12, 4.11, 4.10, and 4.9),
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282Stu Grossman and John Gilmore (releases 4.8, 4.7, 4.6, 4.5, and 4.4),
283John Gilmore (releases 4.3, 4.2, 4.1, 4.0, and 3.9);
284Jim Kingdon (releases 3.5, 3.4, and 3.3);
285and Randy Smith (releases 3.2, 3.1, and 3.0).
af215b1a 286As major maintainer of @value{GDBN} for some period, each
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287contributed significantly to the structure, stability, and capabilities
288of the entire debugger.
70b88761 289
6b51acad 290Richard Stallman, assisted at various times by Peter TerMaat, Chris
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291Hanson, and Richard Mlynarik, handled releases through 2.8.
292
1d7c3357 293@ifclear CONLY
af215b1a 294Michael Tiemann is the author of most of the @sc{gnu} C++ support in GDB,
70b88761 295with significant additional contributions from Per Bothner. James
af215b1a 296Clark wrote the @sc{gnu} C++ demangler. Early work on C++ was by Peter
70b88761 297TerMaat (who also did much general update work leading to release 3.0).
1d7c3357 298@end ifclear
70b88761 299
af215b1a 300@value{GDBN} 4 uses the BFD subroutine library to examine multiple
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301object-file formats; BFD was a joint project of David V.
302Henkel-Wallace, Rich Pixley, Steve Chamberlain, and John Gilmore.
70b88761 303
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304David Johnson wrote the original COFF support; Pace Willison did
305the original support for encapsulated COFF.
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306
307Adam de Boor and Bradley Davis contributed the ISI Optimum V support.
308Per Bothner, Noboyuki Hikichi, and Alessandro Forin contributed MIPS
1041a570 309support.
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310Jean-Daniel Fekete contributed Sun 386i support.
311Chris Hanson improved the HP9000 support.
312Noboyuki Hikichi and Tomoyuki Hasei contributed Sony/News OS 3 support.
313David Johnson contributed Encore Umax support.
314Jyrki Kuoppala contributed Altos 3068 support.
315Jeff Law contributed HP PA and SOM support.
316Keith Packard contributed NS32K support.
317Doug Rabson contributed Acorn Risc Machine support.
318Bob Rusk contributed Harris Nighthawk CX-UX support.
319Chris Smith contributed Convex support (and Fortran debugging).
320Jonathan Stone contributed Pyramid support.
321Michael Tiemann contributed SPARC support.
322Tim Tucker contributed support for the Gould NP1 and Gould Powernode.
323Pace Willison contributed Intel 386 support.
324Jay Vosburgh contributed Symmetry support.
70b88761 325
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326Rich Schaefer and Peter Schauer helped with support of SunOS shared
327libraries.
70b88761 328
af215b1a 329Jay Fenlason and Roland McGrath ensured that @value{GDBN} and GAS agree about
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330several machine instruction sets.
331
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332Patrick Duval, Ted Goldstein, Vikram Koka and Glenn Engel helped
333develop remote debugging. Intel Corporation and Wind River Systems
334contributed remote debugging modules for their products.
70b88761 335
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336Brian Fox is the author of the readline libraries providing
337command-line editing and command history.
70b88761 338
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339Andrew Beers of SUNY Buffalo wrote the language-switching code,
340@ifset MOD2
341the Modula-2 support,
342@end ifset
343and contributed the Languages chapter of this manual.
c2bbbb22 344
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345Fred Fish wrote most of the support for Unix System Vr4.
346@ifclear CONLY
347He also enhanced the command-completion support to cover C++ overloaded
348symbols.
349@end ifclear
350
a64a6c2b 351Hitachi America, Ltd. sponsored the support for Hitachi microprocessors.
14d01801 352
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353Kung Hsu, Jeff Law, and Rick Sladkey added support for hardware
354watchpoints.
355
356Stu Grossman wrote gdbserver.
357
358Jim Kingdon, Peter Schauer, Ian Taylor, and Stu Grossman made
359nearly innumerable bug fixes and cleanups throughout GDB.
360
18fae2a8 361@ifclear BARETARGET
4eb4cf57 362@node Sample Session
18fae2a8 363@chapter A Sample @value{GDBN} Session
70b88761 364
18fae2a8 365You can use this manual at your leisure to read all about @value{GDBN}.
70b88761 366However, a handful of commands are enough to get started using the
ed447b95 367debugger. This chapter illustrates those commands.
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368
369@iftex
6ca72cc6 370In this sample session, we emphasize user input like this: @b{input},
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371to make it easier to pick out from the surrounding output.
372@end iftex
373
374@c FIXME: this example may not be appropriate for some configs, where
375@c FIXME...primary interest is in remote use.
18fae2a8 376
af215b1a 377One of the preliminary versions of @sc{gnu} @code{m4} (a generic macro
70b88761 378processor) exhibits the following bug: sometimes, when we change its
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379quote strings from the default, the commands used to capture one macro
380definition within another stop working. In the following short @code{m4}
70b88761 381session, we define a macro @code{foo} which expands to @code{0000}; we
29a2b744 382then use the @code{m4} built-in @code{defn} to define @code{bar} as the
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383same thing. However, when we change the open quote string to
384@code{<QUOTE>} and the close quote string to @code{<UNQUOTE>}, the same
385procedure fails to define a new synonym @code{baz}:
386
387@smallexample
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388$ @b{cd gnu/m4}
389$ @b{./m4}
390@b{define(foo,0000)}
70b88761 391
6ca72cc6 392@b{foo}
70b88761 3930000
6ca72cc6 394@b{define(bar,defn(`foo'))}
70b88761 395
6ca72cc6 396@b{bar}
70b88761 3970000
6ca72cc6 398@b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
70b88761 399
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400@b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
401@b{baz}
402@b{C-d}
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403m4: End of input: 0: fatal error: EOF in string
404@end smallexample
405
406@noindent
93918348 407Let us use @value{GDBN} to try to see what is going on.
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408
409@smallexample
18fae2a8 410$ @b{@value{GDBP} m4}
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411@c FIXME: this falsifies the exact text played out, to permit smallbook
412@c FIXME... format to come out better.
af215b1a 413@value{GDBN} is free software and you are welcome to distribute copies
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414 of it under certain conditions; type "show copying" to see
415 the conditions.
af215b1a 416There is absolutely no warranty for @value{GDBN}; type "show warranty"
ed447b95 417 for details.
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418
419@value{GDBN} @value{GDBVN}, Copyright 1995 Free Software Foundation, Inc...
18fae2a8 420(@value{GDBP})
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421@end smallexample
422
423@noindent
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424@value{GDBN} reads only enough symbol data to know where to find the
425rest when needed; as a result, the first prompt comes up very quickly.
426We now tell @value{GDBN} to use a narrower display width than usual, so
427that examples fit in this manual.
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428
429@smallexample
18fae2a8 430(@value{GDBP}) @b{set width 70}
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431@end smallexample
432
e251e767 433@noindent
93918348 434We need to see how the @code{m4} built-in @code{changequote} works.
70b88761 435Having looked at the source, we know the relevant subroutine is
93918348 436@code{m4_changequote}, so we set a breakpoint there with the @value{GDBN}
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437@code{break} command.
438
439@smallexample
18fae2a8 440(@value{GDBP}) @b{break m4_changequote}
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441Breakpoint 1 at 0x62f4: file builtin.c, line 879.
442@end smallexample
443
444@noindent
18fae2a8 445Using the @code{run} command, we start @code{m4} running under @value{GDBN}
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446control; as long as control does not reach the @code{m4_changequote}
447subroutine, the program runs as usual:
448
449@smallexample
18fae2a8 450(@value{GDBP}) @b{run}
e251e767 451Starting program: /work/Editorial/gdb/gnu/m4/m4
6ca72cc6 452@b{define(foo,0000)}
70b88761 453
6ca72cc6 454@b{foo}
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4550000
456@end smallexample
457
458@noindent
18fae2a8 459To trigger the breakpoint, we call @code{changequote}. @value{GDBN}
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460suspends execution of @code{m4}, displaying information about the
461context where it stops.
462
463@smallexample
6ca72cc6 464@b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
70b88761 465
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466Breakpoint 1, m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
467 at builtin.c:879
38962738 468879 if (bad_argc(TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[0]),argc,1,3))
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469@end smallexample
470
471@noindent
472Now we use the command @code{n} (@code{next}) to advance execution to
473the next line of the current function.
474
475@smallexample
18fae2a8 476(@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
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477882 set_quotes((argc >= 2) ? TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[1])\
478 : nil,
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479@end smallexample
480
481@noindent
482@code{set_quotes} looks like a promising subroutine. We can go into it
483by using the command @code{s} (@code{step}) instead of @code{next}.
484@code{step} goes to the next line to be executed in @emph{any}
e251e767 485subroutine, so it steps into @code{set_quotes}.
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486
487@smallexample
18fae2a8 488(@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
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489set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
490 at input.c:530
491530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
492@end smallexample
493
494@noindent
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495The display that shows the subroutine where @code{m4} is now
496suspended (and its arguments) is called a stack frame display. It
497shows a summary of the stack. We can use the @code{backtrace}
498command (which can also be spelled @code{bt}), to see where we are
499in the stack as a whole: the @code{backtrace} command displays a
500stack frame for each active subroutine.
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501
502@smallexample
18fae2a8 503(@value{GDBP}) @b{bt}
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504#0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
505 at input.c:530
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506#1 0x6344 in m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
507 at builtin.c:882
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508#2 0x8174 in expand_macro (sym=0x33320) at macro.c:242
509#3 0x7a88 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=209696, td=0xf7fffa30)
510 at macro.c:71
511#4 0x79dc in expand_input () at macro.c:40
512#5 0x2930 in main (argc=0, argv=0xf7fffb20) at m4.c:195
513@end smallexample
514
515@noindent
9a27b06e 516We step through a few more lines to see what happens. The first two
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517times, we can use @samp{s}; the next two times we use @code{n} to avoid
518falling into the @code{xstrdup} subroutine.
1041a570 519
70b88761 520@smallexample
18fae2a8 521(@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
70b88761 5220x3b5c 532 if (rquote != def_rquote)
18fae2a8 523(@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
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5240x3b80 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? \
525def_lquote : xstrdup(lq);
18fae2a8 526(@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
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527536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
528 : xstrdup(rq);
18fae2a8 529(@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
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530538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
531@end smallexample
532
533@noindent
93918348 534The last line displayed looks a little odd; we can examine the variables
70b88761 535@code{lquote} and @code{rquote} to see if they are in fact the new left
93918348 536and right quotes we specified. We use the command @code{p}
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537(@code{print}) to see their values.
538
539@smallexample
18fae2a8 540(@value{GDBP}) @b{p lquote}
70b88761 541$1 = 0x35d40 "<QUOTE>"
18fae2a8 542(@value{GDBP}) @b{p rquote}
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543$2 = 0x35d50 "<UNQUOTE>"
544@end smallexample
545
546@noindent
547@code{lquote} and @code{rquote} are indeed the new left and right quotes.
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548To look at some context, we can display ten lines of source
549surrounding the current line with the @code{l} (@code{list}) command.
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550
551@smallexample
18fae2a8 552(@value{GDBP}) @b{l}
70b88761 553533 xfree(rquote);
e251e767 554534
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555535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? def_lquote\
556 : xstrdup (lq);
557536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
558 : xstrdup (rq);
e251e767 559537
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560538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
561539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
562540 @}
e251e767 563541
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564542 void
565@end smallexample
566
567@noindent
93918348 568Let us step past the two lines that set @code{len_lquote} and
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569@code{len_rquote}, and then examine the values of those variables.
570
571@smallexample
18fae2a8 572(@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
70b88761 573539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
18fae2a8 574(@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
70b88761 575540 @}
18fae2a8 576(@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote}
70b88761 577$3 = 9
18fae2a8 578(@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote}
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579$4 = 7
580@end smallexample
581
582@noindent
583That certainly looks wrong, assuming @code{len_lquote} and
584@code{len_rquote} are meant to be the lengths of @code{lquote} and
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585@code{rquote} respectively. We can set them to better values using
586the @code{p} command, since it can print the value of
70b88761 587any expression---and that expression can include subroutine calls and
e251e767 588assignments.
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589
590@smallexample
18fae2a8 591(@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote=strlen(lquote)}
70b88761 592$5 = 7
18fae2a8 593(@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote=strlen(rquote)}
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594$6 = 9
595@end smallexample
596
597@noindent
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598Is that enough to fix the problem of using the new quotes with the
599@code{m4} built-in @code{defn}? We can allow @code{m4} to continue
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600executing with the @code{c} (@code{continue}) command, and then try the
601example that caused trouble initially:
602
603@smallexample
18fae2a8 604(@value{GDBP}) @b{c}
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605Continuing.
606
6ca72cc6 607@b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
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608
609baz
6100000
611@end smallexample
612
613@noindent
614Success! The new quotes now work just as well as the default ones. The
615problem seems to have been just the two typos defining the wrong
93918348 616lengths. We allow @code{m4} exit by giving it an EOF as input:
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617
618@smallexample
6ca72cc6 619@b{C-d}
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620Program exited normally.
621@end smallexample
622
e251e767 623@noindent
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RP
624The message @samp{Program exited normally.} is from @value{GDBN}; it
625indicates @code{m4} has finished executing. We can end our @value{GDBN}
626session with the @value{GDBN} @code{quit} command.
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627
628@smallexample
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RP
629(@value{GDBP}) @b{quit}
630@end smallexample
631@end ifclear
70b88761 632
4eb4cf57 633@node Invocation
18fae2a8 634@chapter Getting In and Out of @value{GDBN}
70b88761 635
18fae2a8 636This chapter discusses how to start @value{GDBN}, and how to get out of it.
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637The essentials are:
638@itemize @bullet
639@item
640type @samp{@value{GDBP}} to start GDB.
641@item
642type @kbd{quit} or @kbd{C-d} to exit.
643@end itemize
29a2b744 644
70b88761 645@menu
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646* Invoking GDB:: How to start @value{GDBN}
647* Quitting GDB:: How to quit @value{GDBN}
ed447b95 648* Shell Commands:: How to use shell commands inside @value{GDBN}
70b88761 649@end menu
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650
651@node Invoking GDB
ed447b95 652@section Invoking @value{GDBN}
18fae2a8 653
a64a6c2b 654@ifset H8EXCLUSIVE
18fae2a8 655For details on starting up @value{GDBP} as a
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656remote debugger attached to a Hitachi microprocessor, see @ref{Hitachi
657Remote,,@value{GDBN} and Hitachi Microprocessors}.
18fae2a8 658@end ifset
4eb4cf57 659
ed447b95 660Invoke @value{GDBN} by running the program @code{@value{GDBP}}. Once started,
18fae2a8 661@value{GDBN} reads commands from the terminal until you tell it to exit.
70b88761 662
18fae2a8 663You can also run @code{@value{GDBP}} with a variety of arguments and options,
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RP
664to specify more of your debugging environment at the outset.
665
18fae2a8 666@ifset GENERIC
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667The command-line options described here are designed
668to cover a variety of situations; in some environments, some of these
669options may effectively be unavailable.
18fae2a8 670@end ifset
c7cb8acb 671
18fae2a8 672The most usual way to start @value{GDBN} is with one argument,
4eb4cf57 673specifying an executable program:
1041a570 674
70b88761 675@example
18fae2a8 676@value{GDBP} @var{program}
70b88761 677@end example
1041a570 678
18fae2a8 679@ifclear BARETARGET
70b88761 680@noindent
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681You can also start with both an executable program and a core file
682specified:
1041a570 683
70b88761 684@example
18fae2a8 685@value{GDBP} @var{program} @var{core}
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686@end example
687
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688You can, instead, specify a process ID as a second argument, if you want
689to debug a running process:
1041a570 690
b80282d5 691@example
18fae2a8 692@value{GDBP} @var{program} 1234
b80282d5 693@end example
1041a570 694
b80282d5 695@noindent
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696would attach @value{GDBN} to process @code{1234} (unless you also have a file
697named @file{1234}; @value{GDBN} does check for a core file first).
b80282d5 698
c7cb8acb 699Taking advantage of the second command-line argument requires a fairly
18fae2a8 700complete operating system; when you use @value{GDBN} as a remote debugger
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701attached to a bare board, there may not be any notion of ``process'',
702and there is often no way to get a core dump.
18fae2a8 703@end ifclear
c7cb8acb 704
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705You can run @code{gdb} without printing the front material, which describes
706@value{GDBN}'s non-warranty, by specifying @code{-silent}:
707
708@smallexample
709@value{GDBP} @var{-silent}
710@end smallexample
711
70b88761 712@noindent
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713You can further control how @value{GDBN} starts up by using command-line
714options. @value{GDBN} itself can remind you of the options available.
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715
716@noindent
717Type
718
70b88761 719@example
18fae2a8 720@value{GDBP} -help
70b88761 721@end example
29a2b744 722
70b88761 723@noindent
29a2b744 724to display all available options and briefly describe their use
18fae2a8 725(@samp{@value{GDBP} -h} is a shorter equivalent).
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726
727All options and command line arguments you give are processed
728in sequential order. The order makes a difference when the
e251e767 729@samp{-x} option is used.
70b88761 730
18fae2a8 731
70b88761 732@menu
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733@ifclear GENERIC
734@ifset REMOTESTUB
735* Remote Serial:: @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol
736@end ifset
a64a6c2b 737@ifset I960
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RP
738* i960-Nindy Remote:: @value{GDBN} with a remote i960 (Nindy)
739@end ifset
a64a6c2b 740@ifset AMD29K
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RP
741* UDI29K Remote:: The UDI protocol for AMD29K
742* EB29K Remote:: The EBMON protocol for AMD29K
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RP
743@end ifset
744@ifset VXWORKS
745* VxWorks Remote:: @value{GDBN} and VxWorks
746@end ifset
a64a6c2b 747@ifset ST2000
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RP
748* ST2000 Remote:: @value{GDBN} with a Tandem ST2000
749@end ifset
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750@ifset H8
751* Hitachi Remote:: @value{GDBN} and Hitachi Microprocessors
18fae2a8 752@end ifset
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753@ifset MIPS
754* MIPS Remote:: @value{GDBN} and MIPS boards
755@end ifset
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756@ifset SIMS
757* Simulator:: Simulated CPU target
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RP
758@end ifset
759@end ifclear
1d7c3357 760@c remnant makeinfo bug requires this blank line after *two* end-ifblahs:
18fae2a8 761
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762* File Options:: Choosing files
763* Mode Options:: Choosing modes
18fae2a8 764@end menu
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RP
765
766@ifclear GENERIC
4af6d502 767@include remote.texi
18fae2a8 768@end ifclear
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769
770@node File Options
93928b60 771@subsection Choosing files
70b88761 772
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773@ifclear BARETARGET
774When @value{GDBN} starts, it reads any arguments other than options as
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775specifying an executable file and core file (or process ID). This is
776the same as if the arguments were specified by the @samp{-se} and
18fae2a8 777@samp{-c} options respectively. (@value{GDBN} reads the first argument
29a2b744
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778that does not have an associated option flag as equivalent to the
779@samp{-se} option followed by that argument; and the second argument
780that does not have an associated option flag, if any, as equivalent to
781the @samp{-c} option followed by that argument.)
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RP
782@end ifclear
783@ifset BARETARGET
784When @value{GDBN} starts, it reads any argument other than options as
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785specifying an executable file. This is the same as if the argument was
786specified by the @samp{-se} option.
18fae2a8 787@end ifset
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RP
788
789Many options have both long and short forms; both are shown in the
18fae2a8 790following list. @value{GDBN} also recognizes the long forms if you truncate
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RP
791them, so long as enough of the option is present to be unambiguous.
792(If you prefer, you can flag option arguments with @samp{--} rather
793than @samp{-}, though we illustrate the more usual convention.)
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794
795@table @code
6b51acad 796@item -symbols @var{file}
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797@itemx -s @var{file}
798Read symbol table from file @var{file}.
799
6b51acad 800@item -exec @var{file}
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801@itemx -e @var{file}
802Use file @var{file} as the executable file to execute when
1d7c3357
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803@ifset BARETARGET
804appropriate.
805@end ifset
806@ifclear BARETARGET
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807appropriate, and for examining pure data in conjunction with a core
808dump.
1d7c3357 809@end ifclear
70b88761 810
6b51acad 811@item -se @var{file}
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812Read symbol table from file @var{file} and use it as the executable
813file.
814
18fae2a8 815@ifclear BARETARGET
6b51acad 816@item -core @var{file}
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817@itemx -c @var{file}
818Use file @var{file} as a core dump to examine.
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819
820@item -c @var{number}
821Connect to process ID @var{number}, as with the @code{attach} command
822(unless there is a file in core-dump format named @var{number}, in which
823case @samp{-c} specifies that file as a core dump to read).
18fae2a8 824@end ifclear
70b88761 825
6b51acad 826@item -command @var{file}
70b88761 827@itemx -x @var{file}
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828Execute @value{GDBN} commands from file @var{file}. @xref{Command
829Files,, Command files}.
70b88761 830
6b51acad 831@item -directory @var{directory}
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832@itemx -d @var{directory}
833Add @var{directory} to the path to search for source files.
14d01801 834
18fae2a8 835@ifclear BARETARGET
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836@item -m
837@itemx -mapped
838@emph{Warning: this option depends on operating system facilities that are not
839supported on all systems.}@*
77b46d13
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840If memory-mapped files are available on your system through the @code{mmap}
841system call, you can use this option
18fae2a8 842to have @value{GDBN} write the symbols from your
77b46d13 843program into a reusable file in the current directory. If the program you are debugging is
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844called @file{/tmp/fred}, the mapped symbol file is @file{./fred.syms}.
845Future @value{GDBN} debugging sessions notice the presence of this file,
846and can quickly map in symbol information from it, rather than reading
77b46d13
JG
847the symbol table from the executable program.
848
1d7c3357
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849The @file{.syms} file is specific to the host machine where @value{GDBN}
850is run. It holds an exact image of the internal @value{GDBN} symbol
851table. It cannot be shared across multiple host platforms.
18fae2a8 852@end ifclear
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853
854@item -r
855@itemx -readnow
856Read each symbol file's entire symbol table immediately, rather than
857the default, which is to read it incrementally as it is needed.
858This makes startup slower, but makes future operations faster.
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859@end table
860
18fae2a8 861@ifclear BARETARGET
93918348
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862The @code{-mapped} and @code{-readnow} options are typically combined in
863order to build a @file{.syms} file that contains complete symbol
93928b60 864information. (@xref{Files,,Commands to specify files}, for information
af215b1a 865
93918348 866a @file{.syms} file for future use is:
77b46d13
JG
867
868@example
869 gdb -batch -nx -mapped -readnow programname
870@end example
18fae2a8 871@end ifclear
77b46d13 872
4eb4cf57 873@node Mode Options
93928b60 874@subsection Choosing modes
1041a570 875
18fae2a8 876You can run @value{GDBN} in various alternative modes---for example, in
29a2b744 877batch mode or quiet mode.
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878
879@table @code
880@item -nx
881@itemx -n
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882Do not execute commands from any initialization files (normally called
883@file{@value{GDBINIT}}). Normally, the commands in these files are
884executed after all the command options and arguments have been
885processed. @xref{Command Files,,Command files}.
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886
887@item -quiet
888@itemx -q
889``Quiet''. Do not print the introductory and copyright messages. These
c338a2fd 890messages are also suppressed in batch mode.
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891
892@item -batch
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893Run in batch mode. Exit with status @code{0} after processing all the
894command files specified with @samp{-x} (and all commands from
895initialization files, if not inhibited with @samp{-n}). Exit with
896nonzero status if an error occurs in executing the @value{GDBN} commands
897in the command files.
70b88761 898
18fae2a8 899Batch mode may be useful for running @value{GDBN} as a filter, for example to
70b88761 900download and run a program on another computer; in order to make this
e251e767 901more useful, the message
1041a570 902
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903@example
904Program exited normally.
905@end example
1041a570 906
70b88761 907@noindent
18fae2a8 908(which is ordinarily issued whenever a program running under @value{GDBN} control
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909terminates) is not issued when running in batch mode.
910
6b51acad 911@item -cd @var{directory}
18fae2a8 912Run @value{GDBN} using @var{directory} as its working directory,
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913instead of the current directory.
914
18fae2a8 915@ifset LUCID
45c53080 916@item -context @var{authentication}
18fae2a8 917When the Energize programming system starts up @value{GDBN}, it uses this
6ca72cc6 918option to trigger an alternate mode of interaction.
18fae2a8 919@var{authentication} is a pair of numeric codes that identify @value{GDBN}
6ca72cc6 920as a client in the Energize environment. Avoid this option when you run
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RP
921@value{GDBN} directly from the command line. See @ref{Energize,,Using
922@value{GDBN} with Energize} for more discussion of using @value{GDBN} with Energize.
923@end ifset
6ca72cc6 924
1d7c3357 925@ifclear DOSHOST
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926@item -fullname
927@itemx -f
af215b1a 928@sc{gnu} Emacs sets this option when it runs @value{GDBN} as a subprocess. It tells @value{GDBN}
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929to output the full file name and line number in a standard,
930recognizable fashion each time a stack frame is displayed (which
29a2b744 931includes each time your program stops). This recognizable format looks
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932like two @samp{\032} characters, followed by the file name, line number
933and character position separated by colons, and a newline. The
18fae2a8 934Emacs-to-@value{GDBN} interface program uses the two @samp{\032} characters as
70b88761 935a signal to display the source code for the frame.
1d7c3357 936@end ifclear
70b88761 937
18fae2a8 938@ifset SERIAL
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939@item -b @var{bps}
940Set the line speed (baud rate or bits per second) of any serial
18fae2a8 941interface used by @value{GDBN} for remote debugging.
70b88761 942
6b51acad 943@item -tty @var{device}
70b88761 944Run using @var{device} for your program's standard input and output.
29a2b744 945@c FIXME: kingdon thinks there is more to -tty. Investigate.
18fae2a8 946@end ifset
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947@end table
948
ed447b95
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949@node Quitting GDB
950@section Quitting @value{GDBN}
18fae2a8 951@cindex exiting @value{GDBN}
ed447b95 952@cindex leaving @value{GDBN}
1041a570 953
70b88761 954@table @code
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955@kindex quit
956@kindex q
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957@item quit
958To exit @value{GDBN}, use the @code{quit} command (abbreviated @code{q}), or
959type an end-of-file character (usually @kbd{C-d}).
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960@end table
961
962@cindex interrupt
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963An interrupt (often @kbd{C-c}) does not exit from @value{GDBN}, but rather
964terminates the action of any @value{GDBN} command that is in progress and
965returns to @value{GDBN} command level. It is safe to type the interrupt
18fae2a8 966character at any time because @value{GDBN} does not allow it to take effect
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967until a time when it is safe.
968
18fae2a8 969@ifclear BARETARGET
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970If you have been using @value{GDBN} to control an attached process or
971device, you can release it with the @code{detach} command
93928b60 972(@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an already-running process}).
18fae2a8 973@end ifclear
70b88761 974
4eb4cf57 975@node Shell Commands
93928b60 976@section Shell commands
1041a570 977
70b88761 978If you need to execute occasional shell commands during your
18fae2a8 979debugging session, there is no need to leave or suspend @value{GDBN}; you can
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980just use the @code{shell} command.
981
982@table @code
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983@kindex shell
984@cindex shell escape
af215b1a 985@item shell @var{command string}
75f844cc 986Invoke a the standard shell to execute @var{command string}.
a1eff6c2 987@ifclear DOSHOST
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988If it exists, the environment variable @code{SHELL} determines which
989shell to run. Otherwise @value{GDBN} uses @code{/bin/sh}.
a1eff6c2 990@end ifclear
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991@end table
992
993The utility @code{make} is often needed in development environments.
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994You do not have to use the @code{shell} command for this purpose in
995@value{GDBN}:
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996
997@table @code
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998@kindex make
999@cindex calling make
af215b1a 1000@item make @var{make-args}
a1eff6c2 1001Execute the @code{make} program with the specified
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1002arguments. This is equivalent to @samp{shell make @var{make-args}}.
1003@end table
1004
4eb4cf57 1005@node Commands
18fae2a8 1006@chapter @value{GDBN} Commands
70b88761 1007
18fae2a8 1008You can abbreviate a @value{GDBN} command to the first few letters of the command
6f3ec223 1009name, if that abbreviation is unambiguous; and you can repeat certain
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1010@value{GDBN} commands by typing just @key{RET}. You can also use the @key{TAB}
1011key to get @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest of a word in a command (or to
93918348 1012show you the alternatives available, if there is more than one possibility).
29a2b744 1013
70b88761 1014@menu
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1015* Command Syntax:: How to give commands to @value{GDBN}
1016* Completion:: Command completion
1017* Help:: How to ask @value{GDBN} for help
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1018@end menu
1019
4eb4cf57 1020@node Command Syntax
93928b60 1021@section Command syntax
1041a570 1022
fe715d06
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1023A @value{GDBN} command is a single line of input. There is no limit on
1024how long it can be. It starts with a command name, which is followed by
1025arguments whose meaning depends on the command name. For example, the
1026command @code{step} accepts an argument which is the number of times to
1027step, as in @samp{step 5}. You can also use the @code{step} command
1028with no arguments. Some command names do not allow any arguments.
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RP
1029
1030@cindex abbreviation
18fae2a8 1031@value{GDBN} command names may always be truncated if that abbreviation is
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RP
1032unambiguous. Other possible command abbreviations are listed in the
1033documentation for individual commands. In some cases, even ambiguous
1034abbreviations are allowed; for example, @code{s} is specially defined as
1035equivalent to @code{step} even though there are other commands whose
1036names start with @code{s}. You can test abbreviations by using them as
7463aadd 1037arguments to the @code{help} command.
70b88761 1038
e251e767 1039@cindex repeating commands
70b88761 1040@kindex RET
18fae2a8 1041A blank line as input to @value{GDBN} (typing just @key{RET}) means to
70b88761 1042repeat the previous command. Certain commands (for example, @code{run})
9a27b06e 1043will not repeat this way; these are commands whose unintentional
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RP
1044repetition might cause trouble and which you are unlikely to want to
1045repeat.
1046
1047The @code{list} and @code{x} commands, when you repeat them with
1048@key{RET}, construct new arguments rather than repeating
1049exactly as typed. This permits easy scanning of source or memory.
1050
18fae2a8 1051@value{GDBN} can also use @key{RET} in another way: to partition lengthy
b80282d5 1052output, in a way similar to the common utility @code{more}
93928b60
RP
1053(@pxref{Screen Size,,Screen size}). Since it is easy to press one
1054@key{RET} too many in this situation, @value{GDBN} disables command
1055repetition after any command that generates this sort of display.
b80282d5 1056
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RP
1057@kindex #
1058@cindex comment
fe715d06
RP
1059Any text from a @kbd{#} to the end of the line is a comment; it does
1060nothing. This is useful mainly in command files (@pxref{Command
1061Files,,Command files}).
70b88761 1062
4eb4cf57 1063@node Completion
93928b60 1064@section Command completion
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RP
1065
1066@cindex completion
1067@cindex word completion
93918348 1068@value{GDBN} can fill in the rest of a word in a command for you, if there is
6f3ec223 1069only one possibility; it can also show you what the valid possibilities
18fae2a8
RP
1070are for the next word in a command, at any time. This works for @value{GDBN}
1071commands, @value{GDBN} subcommands, and the names of symbols in your program.
6f3ec223 1072
18fae2a8 1073Press the @key{TAB} key whenever you want @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest
9a27b06e
RP
1074of a word. If there is only one possibility, @value{GDBN} fills in the
1075word, and waits for you to finish the command (or press @key{RET} to
6f3ec223
RP
1076enter it). For example, if you type
1077
93918348 1078@c FIXME "@key" does not distinguish its argument sufficiently to permit
0fdc6e27
RP
1079@c complete accuracy in these examples; space introduced for clarity.
1080@c If texinfo enhancements make it unnecessary, it would be nice to
1081@c replace " @key" by "@key" in the following...
6f3ec223 1082@example
18fae2a8 1083(@value{GDBP}) info bre @key{TAB}
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RP
1084@end example
1085
1086@noindent
93918348 1087@value{GDBN} fills in the rest of the word @samp{breakpoints}, since that is
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RP
1088the only @code{info} subcommand beginning with @samp{bre}:
1089
1090@example
18fae2a8 1091(@value{GDBP}) info breakpoints
6f3ec223
RP
1092@end example
1093
1094@noindent
1095You can either press @key{RET} at this point, to run the @code{info
1096breakpoints} command, or backspace and enter something else, if
93918348 1097@samp{breakpoints} does not look like the command you expected. (If you
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RP
1098were sure you wanted @code{info breakpoints} in the first place, you
1099might as well just type @key{RET} immediately after @samp{info bre},
1100to exploit command abbreviations rather than command completion).
1101
1102If there is more than one possibility for the next word when you press
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RP
1103@key{TAB}, @value{GDBN} sounds a bell. You can either supply more
1104characters and try again, or just press @key{TAB} a second time;
1105@value{GDBN} displays all the possible completions for that word. For
6f3ec223 1106example, you might want to set a breakpoint on a subroutine whose name
18fae2a8 1107begins with @samp{make_}, but when you type @kbd{b make_@key{TAB}} @value{GDBN}
9a27b06e 1108just sounds the bell. Typing @key{TAB} again displays all the
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RP
1109function names in your program that begin with those characters, for
1110example:
1111
1112@example
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RP
1113(@value{GDBP}) b make_ @key{TAB}
1114@exdent @value{GDBN} sounds bell; press @key{TAB} again, to see:
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RP
1115make_a_section_from_file make_environ
1116make_abs_section make_function_type
1117make_blockvector make_pointer_type
1118make_cleanup make_reference_type
1119make_command make_symbol_completion_list
18fae2a8 1120(@value{GDBP}) b make_
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RP
1121@end example
1122
1123@noindent
18fae2a8 1124After displaying the available possibilities, @value{GDBN} copies your
b1385986 1125partial input (@samp{b make_} in the example) so you can finish the
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RP
1126command.
1127
1128If you just want to see the list of alternatives in the first place, you
b1385986 1129can press @kbd{M-?} rather than pressing @key{TAB} twice. @kbd{M-?}
0f153e74 1130means @kbd{@key{META} ?}. You can type this
18fae2a8 1131@ifclear DOSHOST
0f153e74 1132either by holding down a
b1385986 1133key designated as the @key{META} shift on your keyboard (if there is
0f153e74 1134one) while typing @kbd{?}, or
18fae2a8 1135@end ifclear
0f153e74 1136as @key{ESC} followed by @kbd{?}.
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RP
1137
1138@cindex quotes in commands
1139@cindex completion of quoted strings
1140Sometimes the string you need, while logically a ``word'', may contain
18fae2a8 1141parentheses or other characters that @value{GDBN} normally excludes from its
6f3ec223 1142notion of a word. To permit word completion to work in this situation,
18fae2a8 1143you may enclose words in @code{'} (single quote marks) in @value{GDBN} commands.
6f3ec223 1144
1d7c3357 1145@ifclear CONLY
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RP
1146The most likely situation where you might need this is in typing the
1147name of a C++ function. This is because C++ allows function overloading
1148(multiple definitions of the same function, distinguished by argument
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RP
1149type). For example, when you want to set a breakpoint you may need to
1150distinguish whether you mean the version of @code{name} that takes an
1151@code{int} parameter, @code{name(int)}, or the version that takes a
1152@code{float} parameter, @code{name(float)}. To use the word-completion
1153facilities in this situation, type a single quote @code{'} at the
18fae2a8 1154beginning of the function name. This alerts @value{GDBN} that it may need to
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RP
1155consider more information than usual when you press @key{TAB} or
1156@kbd{M-?} to request word completion:
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RP
1157
1158@example
18fae2a8 1159(@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble( @key{M-?}
0fdc6e27 1160bubble(double,double) bubble(int,int)
18fae2a8 1161(@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble(
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RP
1162@end example
1163
9a27b06e
RP
1164In some cases, @value{GDBN} can tell that completing a name requires using
1165quotes. When this happens, @value{GDBN} inserts the quote for you (while
0fdc6e27
RP
1166completing as much as it can) if you do not type the quote in the first
1167place:
1168
1169@example
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RP
1170(@value{GDBP}) b bub @key{TAB}
1171@exdent @value{GDBN} alters your input line to the following, and rings a bell:
1172(@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble(
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RP
1173@end example
1174
1175@noindent
18fae2a8 1176In general, @value{GDBN} can tell that a quote is needed (and inserts it) if
0fdc6e27
RP
1177you have not yet started typing the argument list when you ask for
1178completion on an overloaded symbol.
1d7c3357 1179@end ifclear
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1180
1181
4eb4cf57 1182@node Help
93928b60 1183@section Getting help
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1184@cindex online documentation
1185@kindex help
1041a570 1186
af215b1a
VM
1187You can always ask @value{GDBN} itself for information on its commands,
1188using the command @code{help}.
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1189
1190@table @code
af215b1a 1191@kindex h
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1192@item help
1193@itemx h
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1194You can use @code{help} (abbreviated @code{h}) with no arguments to
1195display a short list of named classes of commands:
1041a570 1196
70b88761 1197@smallexample
18fae2a8 1198(@value{GDBP}) help
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RP
1199List of classes of commands:
1200
1201running -- Running the program
1202stack -- Examining the stack
1203data -- Examining data
1204breakpoints -- Making program stop at certain points
1205files -- Specifying and examining files
1206status -- Status inquiries
1207support -- Support facilities
1208user-defined -- User-defined commands
1209aliases -- Aliases of other commands
1210obscure -- Obscure features
1211
203eea5d
RP
1212Type "help" followed by a class name for a list of
1213commands in that class.
1214Type "help" followed by command name for full
1215documentation.
70b88761 1216Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
18fae2a8 1217(@value{GDBP})
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RP
1218@end smallexample
1219
1220@item help @var{class}
1221Using one of the general help classes as an argument, you can get a
1222list of the individual commands in that class. For example, here is the
1223help display for the class @code{status}:
1041a570 1224
70b88761 1225@smallexample
18fae2a8 1226(@value{GDBP}) help status
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RP
1227Status inquiries.
1228
1229List of commands:
1230
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RP
1231@c Line break in "show" line falsifies real output, but needed
1232@c to fit in smallbook page size.
1233show -- Generic command for showing things set
1234 with "set"
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1235info -- Generic command for printing status
1236
203eea5d
RP
1237Type "help" followed by command name for full
1238documentation.
70b88761 1239Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
18fae2a8 1240(@value{GDBP})
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RP
1241@end smallexample
1242
1243@item help @var{command}
9a27b06e 1244With a command name as @code{help} argument, @value{GDBN} displays a
e251e767 1245short paragraph on how to use that command.
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VM
1246
1247@kindex complete
1248@item complete @var{args}
1249The @code{complete @var{args}} command lists all the possible completions
1250for the beginning of a command. Use @var{args} to specify the beginning of the
1251command you want completed. For example:
1252
1253@smallexample
1254complete i
1255@end smallexample
1256
1257@noindent results in:
1258
1259@smallexample
1260info
1261inspect
1262ignore
1263@end smallexample
1264
1265@noindent This is intended for use by @sc{gnu} Emacs.
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1266@end table
1267
18fae2a8 1268In addition to @code{help}, you can use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{info}
70b88761 1269and @code{show} to inquire about the state of your program, or the state
18fae2a8 1270of @value{GDBN} itself. Each command supports many topics of inquiry; this
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RP
1271manual introduces each of them in the appropriate context. The listings
1272under @code{info} and under @code{show} in the Index point to
29a2b744 1273all the sub-commands. @xref{Index}.
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1274
1275@c @group
1276@table @code
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1277@kindex info
1278@kindex i
af215b1a 1279@item info
70b88761 1280This command (abbreviated @code{i}) is for describing the state of your
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RP
1281program. For example, you can list the arguments given to your program
1282with @code{info args}, list the registers currently in use with @code{info
1283registers}, or list the breakpoints you have set with @code{info breakpoints}.
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1284You can get a complete list of the @code{info} sub-commands with
1285@w{@code{help info}}.
1286
af215b1a
VM
1287@kindex set
1288@item set
1289You can assign the result of an expresson to an environment variable with
1290@code{set}. For example, you can set the @value{GDBN} prompt to a $-sign with
1291@code{set prompt $}.
1292
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1293@kindex show
1294@item show
af215b1a
VM
1295In contrast to @code{info}, @code{show} is for describing the state of
1296@value{GDBN} itself.
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RP
1297You can change most of the things you can @code{show}, by using the
1298related command @code{set}; for example, you can control what number
1299system is used for displays with @code{set radix}, or simply inquire
e251e767 1300which is currently in use with @code{show radix}.
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1301
1302@kindex info set
1303To display all the settable parameters and their current
1304values, you can use @code{show} with no arguments; you may also use
1305@code{info set}. Both commands produce the same display.
1306@c FIXME: "info set" violates the rule that "info" is for state of
1307@c FIXME...program. Ck w/ GNU: "info set" to be called something else,
1308@c FIXME...or change desc of rule---eg "state of prog and debugging session"?
1309@end table
1310@c @end group
1311
1312Here are three miscellaneous @code{show} subcommands, all of which are
1313exceptional in lacking corresponding @code{set} commands:
1314
1315@table @code
1316@kindex show version
3d3ab540 1317@cindex version number
70b88761 1318@item show version
18fae2a8
RP
1319Show what version of @value{GDBN} is running. You should include this
1320information in @value{GDBN} bug-reports. If multiple versions of @value{GDBN} are in
ed447b95 1321use at your site, you may occasionally want to determine which version
18fae2a8 1322of @value{GDBN} you are running; as @value{GDBN} evolves, new commands are introduced,
1041a570 1323and old ones may wither away. The version number is also announced
d55320a0 1324when you start @value{GDBN}.
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1325
1326@kindex show copying
1327@item show copying
18fae2a8 1328Display information about permission for copying @value{GDBN}.
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1329
1330@kindex show warranty
1331@item show warranty
af215b1a 1332Display the @sc{gnu} ``NO WARRANTY'' statement.
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1333@end table
1334
4eb4cf57 1335@node Running
18fae2a8 1336@chapter Running Programs Under @value{GDBN}
70b88761 1337
ed447b95 1338When you run a program under @value{GDBN}, you must first generate
1d7c3357 1339debugging information when you compile it.
18fae2a8 1340@ifclear BARETARGET
af215b1a
VM
1341You may start @value{GDBN} with its arguments, if any, in an environment
1342of your choice. You may redirect your program's input and output, debug an
1d7c3357 1343already running process, or kill a child process.
18fae2a8 1344@end ifclear
18fae2a8 1345
18fae2a8 1346@menu
ed447b95
RP
1347* Compilation:: Compiling for debugging
1348* Starting:: Starting your program
1d7c3357 1349@ifclear BARETARGET
ed447b95
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1350* Arguments:: Your program's arguments
1351* Environment:: Your program's environment
1352* Working Directory:: Your program's working directory
1353* Input/Output:: Your program's input and output
1354* Attach:: Debugging an already-running process
1355* Kill Process:: Killing the child process
1356* Process Information:: Additional process information
0cb95a9c 1357* Threads:: Debugging programs with multiple threads
1b0c5a4f 1358* Processes:: Debugging programs with multiple processes
18fae2a8 1359@end ifclear
18fae2a8 1360@end menu
70b88761 1361
4eb4cf57 1362@node Compilation
93928b60 1363@section Compiling for debugging
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RP
1364
1365In order to debug a program effectively, you need to generate
1366debugging information when you compile it. This debugging information
1367is stored in the object file; it describes the data type of each
1368variable or function and the correspondence between source line numbers
1369and addresses in the executable code.
1370
1371To request debugging information, specify the @samp{-g} option when you run
1372the compiler.
1373
1374Many C compilers are unable to handle the @samp{-g} and @samp{-O}
1375options together. Using those compilers, you cannot generate optimized
1376executables containing debugging information.
1377
af215b1a 1378@value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C compiler, supports @samp{-g} with or without
c7cb8acb
RP
1379@samp{-O}, making it possible to debug optimized code. We recommend
1380that you @emph{always} use @samp{-g} whenever you compile a program.
1381You may think your program is correct, but there is no sense in pushing
1382your luck.
70b88761 1383
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RP
1384@cindex optimized code, debugging
1385@cindex debugging optimized code
1386When you debug a program compiled with @samp{-g -O}, remember that the
9a27b06e 1387optimizer is rearranging your code; the debugger shows you what is
93918348 1388really there. Do not be too surprised when the execution path does not
6ca72cc6 1389exactly match your source file! An extreme example: if you define a
9a27b06e 1390variable, but never use it, @value{GDBN} never sees that
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RP
1391variable---because the compiler optimizes it out of existence.
1392
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1393Some things do not work as well with @samp{-g -O} as with just
1394@samp{-g}, particularly on machines with instruction scheduling. If in
1395doubt, recompile with @samp{-g} alone, and if this fixes the problem,
af215b1a 1396please report it to us as a bug (including a test case!).
70b88761 1397
af215b1a 1398Older versions of the @sc{gnu} C compiler permitted a variant option
18fae2a8 1399@w{@samp{-gg}} for debugging information. @value{GDBN} no longer supports this
af215b1a 1400format; if your @sc{gnu} C compiler has this option, do not use it.
70b88761 1401
d55320a0 1402@need 2000
4eb4cf57 1403@node Starting
93928b60 1404@section Starting your program
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1405@cindex starting
1406@cindex running
1041a570 1407
70b88761 1408@table @code
af215b1a 1409@kindex run
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1410@item run
1411@itemx r
18fae2a8 1412Use the @code{run} command to start your program under @value{GDBN}. You must
1041a570 1413first specify the program name
18fae2a8 1414@ifset VXWORKS
7463aadd 1415(except on VxWorks)
18fae2a8 1416@end ifset
ed447b95
RP
1417with an argument to @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Invocation, ,Getting In and
1418Out of @value{GDBN}}), or by using the @code{file} or @code{exec-file}
93928b60 1419command (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to specify files}).
1041a570 1420
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1421@end table
1422
18fae2a8 1423@ifclear BARETARGET
29a2b744
RP
1424If you are running your program in an execution environment that
1425supports processes, @code{run} creates an inferior process and makes
1426that process run your program. (In environments without processes,
1427@code{run} jumps to the start of your program.)
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1428
1429The execution of a program is affected by certain information it
18fae2a8 1430receives from its superior. @value{GDBN} provides ways to specify this
6ca72cc6 1431information, which you must do @emph{before} starting your program. (You
9a27b06e 1432can change it after starting your program, but such changes only affect
29a2b744 1433your program the next time you start it.) This information may be
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RP
1434divided into four categories:
1435
1436@table @asis
6ca72cc6 1437@item The @emph{arguments.}
29a2b744 1438Specify the arguments to give your program as the arguments of the
1041a570
RP
1439@code{run} command. If a shell is available on your target, the shell
1440is used to pass the arguments, so that you may use normal conventions
1441(such as wildcard expansion or variable substitution) in describing
1442the arguments. In Unix systems, you can control which shell is used
1443with the @code{SHELL} environment variable. @xref{Arguments, ,Your
93928b60 1444program's arguments}.
70b88761 1445
6ca72cc6 1446@item The @emph{environment.}
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RP
1447Your program normally inherits its environment from @value{GDBN}, but you can
1448use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{set environment} and @code{unset
9a27b06e 1449environment} to change parts of the environment that affect
93928b60 1450your program. @xref{Environment, ,Your program's environment}.
70b88761 1451
6ca72cc6 1452@item The @emph{working directory.}
18fae2a8 1453Your program inherits its working directory from @value{GDBN}. You can set
93918348 1454the @value{GDBN} working directory with the @code{cd} command in @value{GDBN}.
93928b60 1455@xref{Working Directory, ,Your program's working directory}.
70b88761 1456
6ca72cc6 1457@item The @emph{standard input and output.}
70b88761 1458Your program normally uses the same device for standard input and
18fae2a8 1459standard output as @value{GDBN} is using. You can redirect input and output
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1460in the @code{run} command line, or you can use the @code{tty} command to
1461set a different device for your program.
93928b60 1462@xref{Input/Output, ,Your program's input and output}.
3d3ab540
RP
1463
1464@cindex pipes
29a2b744
RP
1465@emph{Warning:} While input and output redirection work, you cannot use
1466pipes to pass the output of the program you are debugging to another
18fae2a8 1467program; if you attempt this, @value{GDBN} is likely to wind up debugging the
3d3ab540 1468wrong program.
70b88761 1469@end table
18fae2a8 1470@end ifclear
70b88761 1471
1041a570 1472When you issue the @code{run} command, your program begins to execute
93928b60 1473immediately. @xref{Stopping, ,Stopping and continuing}, for discussion
4eb4cf57 1474of how to arrange for your program to stop. Once your program has
6b51acad 1475stopped, you may call functions in your program, using the @code{print}
4eb4cf57 1476or @code{call} commands. @xref{Data, ,Examining Data}.
70b88761 1477
9a27b06e
RP
1478If the modification time of your symbol file has changed since the last
1479time @value{GDBN} read its symbols, @value{GDBN} discards its symbol
1480table, and reads it again. When it does this, @value{GDBN} tries to retain
1481your current breakpoints.
70b88761 1482
18fae2a8 1483@ifclear BARETARGET
4eb4cf57 1484@node Arguments
93928b60 1485@section Your program's arguments
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1486
1487@cindex arguments (to your program)
1488The arguments to your program can be specified by the arguments of the
1489@code{run} command. They are passed to a shell, which expands wildcard
29a2b744 1490characters and performs redirection of I/O, and thence to your program.
34ae25cd 1491Your @code{SHELL} environment variable (if it exists) specifies what
ac74588e
JK
1492shell @value{GDBN} uses. If you do not define @code{SHELL},
1493@value{GDBN} uses @code{/bin/sh}.
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1494
1495@code{run} with no arguments uses the same arguments used by the previous
1496@code{run}, or those set by the @code{set args} command.
1497
1498@kindex set args
1499@table @code
1500@item set args
1501Specify the arguments to be used the next time your program is run. If
9a27b06e 1502@code{set args} has no arguments, @code{run} executes your program
e251e767 1503with no arguments. Once you have run your program with arguments,
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1504using @code{set args} before the next @code{run} is the only way to run
1505it again without arguments.
1506
70b88761 1507@kindex show args
af215b1a 1508@item show args
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1509Show the arguments to give your program when it is started.
1510@end table
1511
4eb4cf57 1512@node Environment
93928b60 1513@section Your program's environment
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1514
1515@cindex environment (of your program)
1516The @dfn{environment} consists of a set of environment variables and
1517their values. Environment variables conventionally record such things as
1518your user name, your home directory, your terminal type, and your search
1519path for programs to run. Usually you set up environment variables with
1520the shell and they are inherited by all the other programs you run. When
29a2b744 1521debugging, it can be useful to try running your program with a modified
18fae2a8 1522environment without having to start @value{GDBN} over again.
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1523
1524@table @code
70b88761 1525@kindex path
af215b1a 1526@item path @var{directory}
70b88761 1527Add @var{directory} to the front of the @code{PATH} environment variable
18fae2a8 1528(the search path for executables), for both @value{GDBN} and your program.
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1529You may specify several directory names, separated by @samp{:} or
1530whitespace. If @var{directory} is already in the path, it is moved to
9a27b06e 1531the front, so it is searched sooner.
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1532
1533You can use the string @samp{$cwd} to refer to whatever is the current
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1534working directory at the time @value{GDBN} searches the path. If you
1535use @samp{.} instead, it refers to the directory where you executed the
1536@code{path} command. @value{GDBN} replaces @samp{.} in the
1537@var{directory} argument (with the current path) before adding
1538@var{directory} to the search path.
29a2b744 1539@c 'path' is explicitly nonrepeatable, but RMS points out it is silly to
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1540@c document that, since repeating it would be a no-op.
1541
70b88761 1542@kindex show paths
af215b1a 1543@item show paths
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RP
1544Display the list of search paths for executables (the @code{PATH}
1545environment variable).
1546
70b88761 1547@kindex show environment
af215b1a 1548@item show environment @r{[}@var{varname}@r{]}
70b88761 1549Print the value of environment variable @var{varname} to be given to
29a2b744 1550your program when it starts. If you do not supply @var{varname},
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1551print the names and values of all environment variables to be given to
1552your program. You can abbreviate @code{environment} as @code{env}.
1553
70b88761 1554@kindex set environment
af215b1a 1555@item set environment @var{varname} @r{[}=@r{]} @var{value}
ed447b95 1556Set environment variable @var{varname} to @var{value}. The value
18fae2a8 1557changes for your program only, not for @value{GDBN} itself. @var{value} may
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1558be any string; the values of environment variables are just strings, and
1559any interpretation is supplied by your program itself. The @var{value}
1560parameter is optional; if it is eliminated, the variable is set to a
1561null value.
29a2b744 1562@c "any string" here does not include leading, trailing
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1563@c blanks. Gnu asks: does anyone care?
1564
1565For example, this command:
1566
1567@example
1568set env USER = foo
1569@end example
1570
1571@noindent
1572tells a Unix program, when subsequently run, that its user is named
1573@samp{foo}. (The spaces around @samp{=} are used for clarity here; they
1574are not actually required.)
1575
70b88761 1576@kindex unset environment
af215b1a 1577@item unset environment @var{varname}
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1578Remove variable @var{varname} from the environment to be passed to your
1579program. This is different from @samp{set env @var{varname} =};
1580@code{unset environment} removes the variable from the environment,
e251e767 1581rather than assigning it an empty value.
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1582@end table
1583
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RP
1584@emph{Warning:} @value{GDBN} runs your program using the shell indicated
1585by your @code{SHELL} environment variable if it exists (or
1586@code{/bin/sh} if not). If your @code{SHELL} variable names a shell
1587that runs an initialization file---such as @file{.cshrc} for C-shell, or
9a27b06e 1588@file{.bashrc} for BASH---any variables you set in that file affect
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1589your program. You may wish to move setting of environment variables to
1590files that are only run when you sign on, such as @file{.login} or
1591@file{.profile}.
562a18b2 1592
4eb4cf57 1593@node Working Directory
93928b60 1594@section Your program's working directory
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1595
1596@cindex working directory (of your program)
1597Each time you start your program with @code{run}, it inherits its
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1598working directory from the current working directory of @value{GDBN}.
1599The @value{GDBN} working directory is initially whatever it inherited
1600from its parent process (typically the shell), but you can specify a new
1601working directory in @value{GDBN} with the @code{cd} command.
70b88761 1602
18fae2a8
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1603The @value{GDBN} working directory also serves as a default for the commands
1604that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate on. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
93928b60 1605specify files}.
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1606
1607@table @code
70b88761 1608@kindex cd
af215b1a 1609@item cd @var{directory}
93918348 1610Set the @value{GDBN} working directory to @var{directory}.
70b88761 1611
70b88761 1612@kindex pwd
af215b1a 1613@item pwd
93918348 1614Print the @value{GDBN} working directory.
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1615@end table
1616
4eb4cf57 1617@node Input/Output
93928b60 1618@section Your program's input and output
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1619
1620@cindex redirection
1621@cindex i/o
1622@cindex terminal
18fae2a8 1623By default, the program you run under @value{GDBN} does input and output to
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1624the same terminal that @value{GDBN} uses. @value{GDBN} switches the terminal
1625to its own terminal modes to interact with you, but it records the terminal
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1626modes your program was using and switches back to them when you continue
1627running your program.
1628
1629@table @code
70b88761 1630@kindex info terminal
af215b1a 1631@item info terminal
93918348 1632Displays information recorded by @value{GDBN} about the terminal modes your
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1633program is using.
1634@end table
1635
29a2b744 1636You can redirect your program's input and/or output using shell
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1637redirection with the @code{run} command. For example,
1638
18fae2a8 1639@example
70b88761 1640run > outfile
18fae2a8 1641@end example
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1642
1643@noindent
29a2b744 1644starts your program, diverting its output to the file @file{outfile}.
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1645
1646@kindex tty
1647@cindex controlling terminal
29a2b744 1648Another way to specify where your program should do input and output is
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1649with the @code{tty} command. This command accepts a file name as
1650argument, and causes this file to be the default for future @code{run}
1651commands. It also resets the controlling terminal for the child
1652process, for future @code{run} commands. For example,
1653
1654@example
1655tty /dev/ttyb
1656@end example
1657
1658@noindent
1659directs that processes started with subsequent @code{run} commands
1660default to do input and output on the terminal @file{/dev/ttyb} and have
1661that as their controlling terminal.
1662
1663An explicit redirection in @code{run} overrides the @code{tty} command's
1664effect on the input/output device, but not its effect on the controlling
1665terminal.
1666
1667When you use the @code{tty} command or redirect input in the @code{run}
1668command, only the input @emph{for your program} is affected. The input
18fae2a8 1669for @value{GDBN} still comes from your terminal.
70b88761 1670
4eb4cf57 1671@node Attach
93928b60 1672@section Debugging an already-running process
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1673@kindex attach
1674@cindex attach
1675
1676@table @code
1677@item attach @var{process-id}
1d7c3357 1678This command attaches to a running process---one that was started
9a27b06e 1679outside @value{GDBN}. (@code{info files} shows your active
1d7c3357
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1680targets.) The command takes as argument a process ID. The usual way to
1681find out the process-id of a Unix process is with the @code{ps} utility,
1682or with the @samp{jobs -l} shell command.
70b88761 1683
9a27b06e 1684@code{attach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} a second time after
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1685executing the command.
1686@end table
1687
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1688To use @code{attach}, your program must be running in an environment
1689which supports processes; for example, @code{attach} does not work for
1690programs on bare-board targets that lack an operating system. You must
1691also have permission to send the process a signal.
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1692
1693When using @code{attach}, you should first use the @code{file} command
1694to specify the program running in the process and load its symbol table.
29a2b744 1695@xref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}.
70b88761 1696
18fae2a8 1697The first thing @value{GDBN} does after arranging to debug the specified
70b88761 1698process is to stop it. You can examine and modify an attached process
18fae2a8 1699with all the @value{GDBN} commands that are ordinarily available when you start
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1700processes with @code{run}. You can insert breakpoints; you can step and
1701continue; you can modify storage. If you would rather the process
1702continue running, you may use the @code{continue} command after
18fae2a8 1703attaching @value{GDBN} to the process.
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1704
1705@table @code
70b88761 1706@kindex detach
af215b1a 1707@item detach
70b88761 1708When you have finished debugging the attached process, you can use the
93918348 1709@code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control. Detaching
70b88761 1710the process continues its execution. After the @code{detach} command,
18fae2a8 1711that process and @value{GDBN} become completely independent once more, and you
70b88761 1712are ready to @code{attach} another process or start one with @code{run}.
9a27b06e 1713@code{detach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
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1714executing the command.
1715@end table
1716
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1717If you exit @value{GDBN} or use the @code{run} command while you have an
1718attached process, you kill that process. By default, @value{GDBN} asks
1719for confirmation if you try to do either of these things; you can
1720control whether or not you need to confirm by using the @code{set
1721confirm} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional warnings and
1722messages}).
70b88761 1723
4eb4cf57 1724@node Kill Process
70b88761 1725@c @group
93928b60 1726@section Killing the child process
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1727
1728@table @code
70b88761 1729@kindex kill
af215b1a 1730@item kill
18fae2a8 1731Kill the child process in which your program is running under @value{GDBN}.
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1732@end table
1733
1734This command is useful if you wish to debug a core dump instead of a
18fae2a8 1735running process. @value{GDBN} ignores any core dump file while your program
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1736is running.
1737@c @end group
1738
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RP
1739On some operating systems, a program cannot be executed outside @value{GDBN}
1740while you have breakpoints set on it inside @value{GDBN}. You can use the
29a2b744 1741@code{kill} command in this situation to permit running your program
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1742outside the debugger.
1743
1744The @code{kill} command is also useful if you wish to recompile and
29a2b744 1745relink your program, since on many systems it is impossible to modify an
70b88761 1746executable file while it is running in a process. In this case, when you
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1747next type @code{run}, @value{GDBN} notices that the file has changed, and
1748reads the symbol table again (while trying to preserve your current
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1749breakpoint settings).
1750
4eb4cf57 1751@node Process Information
93928b60 1752@section Additional process information
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1753
1754@kindex /proc
1755@cindex process image
1756Some operating systems provide a facility called @samp{/proc} that can
cc9bc574 1757be used to examine the image of a running process using file-system
18fae2a8 1758subroutines. If @value{GDBN} is configured for an operating system with this
cc9bc574 1759facility, the command @code{info proc} is available to report on several
af215b1a
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1760kinds of information about the process running your program.
1761@code{info proc} works only on SVR4 systems that support @code{procfs}.
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1762
1763@table @code
d24e0922 1764@kindex info proc
af215b1a 1765@item info proc
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1766Summarize available information about the process.
1767
d24e0922 1768@kindex info proc mappings
af215b1a 1769@item info proc mappings
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RP
1770Report on the address ranges accessible in the program, with information
1771on whether your program may read, write, or execute each range.
1772
d24e0922 1773@kindex info proc times
af215b1a 1774@item info proc times
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RP
1775Starting time, user CPU time, and system CPU time for your program and
1776its children.
1777
d24e0922 1778@kindex info proc id
af215b1a 1779@item info proc id
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1780Report on the process IDs related to your program: its own process ID,
1781the ID of its parent, the process group ID, and the session ID.
d24e0922 1782
d24e0922 1783@kindex info proc status
af215b1a 1784@item info proc status
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1785General information on the state of the process. If the process is
1786stopped, this report includes the reason for stopping, and any signal
1787received.
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1788
1789@item info proc all
1790Show all the above information about the process.
d24e0922 1791@end table
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1792
1793@node Threads
1794@section Debugging programs with multiple threads
1795
1796@cindex threads of execution
1797@cindex multiple threads
1798@cindex switching threads
1799In some operating systems, a single program may have more than one
1800@dfn{thread} of execution. The precise semantics of threads differ from
1801one operating system to another, but in general the threads of a single
1802program are akin to multiple processes---except that they share one
1803address space (that is, they can all examine and modify the same
1804variables). On the other hand, each thread has its own registers and
1805execution stack, and perhaps private memory.
1806
22b5dba5 1807@value{GDBN} provides these facilities for debugging multi-thread
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1808programs:
1809
1810@itemize @bullet
1811@item automatic notification of new threads
1812@item @samp{thread @var{threadno}}, a command to switch among threads
1813@item @samp{info threads}, a command to inquire about existing threads
af215b1a
VM
1814@item @samp{thread apply [@var{threadno}] [@var{all}] @var{args}},
1815a command to apply a command to a list of threads
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1816@item thread-specific breakpoints
1817@end itemize
1818
1819@quotation
1820@emph{Warning:} These facilities are not yet available on every
1821@value{GDBN} configuration where the operating system supports threads.
1822If your @value{GDBN} does not support threads, these commands have no
1823effect. For example, a system without thread support shows no output
1824from @samp{info threads}, and always rejects the @code{thread} command,
1825like this:
1826
1827@smallexample
1828(@value{GDBP}) info threads
1829(@value{GDBP}) thread 1
1830Thread ID 1 not known. Use the "info threads" command to
1831see the IDs of currently known threads.
1832@end smallexample
1833@c FIXME to implementors: how hard would it be to say "sorry, this GDB
1834@c doesn't support threads"?
1835@end quotation
1836
1837@cindex focus of debugging
1838@cindex current thread
1839The @value{GDBN} thread debugging facility allows you to observe all
1840threads while your program runs---but whenever @value{GDBN} takes
1841control, one thread in particular is always the focus of debugging.
1842This thread is called the @dfn{current thread}. Debugging commands show
1843program information from the perspective of the current thread.
1844
1845@kindex New @var{systag}
1846@cindex thread identifier (system)
1847@c FIXME-implementors!! It would be more helpful if the [New...] message
1848@c included GDB's numeric thread handle, so you could just go to that
1849@c thread without first checking `info threads'.
1850Whenever @value{GDBN} detects a new thread in your program, it displays
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1851the target system's identification for the thread with a message in the
1852form @samp{[New @var{systag}]}. @var{systag} is a thread identifier
1853whose form varies depending on the particular system. For example, on
1854LynxOS, you might see
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1855
1856@example
1857[New process 35 thread 27]
1858@end example
1859
1860@noindent
1861when @value{GDBN} notices a new thread. In contrast, on an SGI system,
1862the @var{systag} is simply something like @samp{process 368}, with no
1863further qualifier.
1864
1865@c FIXME!! (1) Does the [New...] message appear even for the very first
1866@c thread of a program, or does it only appear for the
1867@c second---i.e., when it becomes obvious we have a multithread
1868@c program?
1869@c (2) *Is* there necessarily a first thread always? Or do some
1870@c multithread systems permit starting a program with multiple
1871@c threads ab initio?
1872
1873@cindex thread number
1874@cindex thread identifier (GDB)
1875For debugging purposes, @value{GDBN} associates its own thread
1876number---always a single integer---with each thread in your program.
1877
1878@table @code
0cb95a9c 1879@kindex info threads
af215b1a 1880@item info threads
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RP
1881Display a summary of all threads currently in your
1882program. @value{GDBN} displays for each thread (in this order):
1883
1884@enumerate
22b5dba5 1885@item the thread number assigned by @value{GDBN}
0cb95a9c 1886
22b5dba5 1887@item the target system's thread identifier (@var{systag})
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1888
1889@item the current stack frame summary for that thread
1890@end enumerate
1891
1892@noindent
1893An asterisk @samp{*} to the left of the @value{GDBN} thread number
1894indicates the current thread.
1895
1896For example,
1897@end table
1898@c end table here to get a little more width for example
1899
1900@smallexample
1901(@value{GDBP}) info threads
1902 3 process 35 thread 27 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
1903 2 process 35 thread 23 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
1904* 1 process 35 thread 13 main (argc=1, argv=0x7ffffff8)
1905 at threadtest.c:68
1906@end smallexample
1907
1908@table @code
22b5dba5 1909@kindex thread @var{threadno}
af215b1a 1910@item thread @var{threadno}
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1911Make thread number @var{threadno} the current thread. The command
1912argument @var{threadno} is the internal @value{GDBN} thread number, as
1913shown in the first field of the @samp{info threads} display.
1914@value{GDBN} responds by displaying the system identifier of the thread
1915you selected, and its current stack frame summary:
1916
1917@smallexample
af215b1a 1918@c FIXME!! This example made up; find a @value{GDBN} w/threads and get real one
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1919(@value{GDBP}) thread 2
1920[Switching to process 35 thread 23]
19210x34e5 in sigpause ()
1922@end smallexample
1923
1924@noindent
1925As with the @samp{[New @dots{}]} message, the form of the text after
1926@samp{Switching to} depends on your system's conventions for identifying
1927threads.
af215b1a
VM
1928
1929@kindex thread apply
1930@item thread apply [@var{threadno}] [@var{all}] @var{args}
1931The @code{thread apply} command allows you to apply a command to one or
1932more threads. Specify the numbers of the threads that you want affected
1933with the command argument @var{threadno}. @var{threadno} is the internal
1934@value{GDBN} thread number, as shown in the first field of the @samp{info
1935threads} display. To apply a command to all threads, use
1936@code{thread apply all} @var{args}.
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1937@end table
1938
1939@cindex automatic thread selection
1940@cindex switching threads automatically
1941@cindex threads, automatic switching
1942Whenever @value{GDBN} stops your program, due to a breakpoint or a
1943signal, it automatically selects the thread where that breakpoint or
1944signal happened. @value{GDBN} alerts you to the context switch with a
1945message of the form @samp{[Switching to @var{systag}]} to identify the
1946thread.
1947
1948@xref{Thread Stops,,Stopping and starting multi-thread programs}, for
1949more information about how @value{GDBN} behaves when you stop and start
1950programs with multiple threads.
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1951
1952@xref{Set Watchpoints,,Setting watchpoints}, for information about
1953watchpoints in programs with multiple threads.
18fae2a8 1954@end ifclear
d24e0922 1955
1b0c5a4f
JK
1956@node Processes
1957@section Debugging programs with multiple processes
1958
1959@cindex fork, debugging programs which call
1960@cindex multiple processes
1961@cindex processes, multiple
1962@value{GDBN} has no special support for debugging programs which create
1963additional processes using the @code{fork} function. When a program
1964forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug the parent process and the
1965child process will run unimpeded. If you have set a breakpoint in any
1966code which the child then executes, the child will get a @code{SIGTRAP}
1967signal which (unless it catches the signal) will cause it to terminate.
1968
1969However, if you want to debug the child process there is a workaround
1970which isn't too painful. Put a call to @code{sleep} in the code which
1971the child process executes after the fork. It may be useful to sleep
1972only if a certain environment variable is set, or a certain file exists,
1973so that the delay need not occur when you don't want to run @value{GDBN}
1974on the child. While the child is sleeping, use the @code{ps} program to
1975get its process ID. Then tell @value{GDBN} (a new invocation of
1976@value{GDBN} if you are also debugging the parent process) to attach to
1977the child process (see @ref{Attach}). From that point on you can debug
1978the child process just like any other process which you attached to.
1979
4eb4cf57 1980@node Stopping
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1981@chapter Stopping and Continuing
1982
ed447b95 1983The principal purposes of using a debugger are so that you can stop your
29a2b744 1984program before it terminates; or so that, if your program runs into
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1985trouble, you can investigate and find out why.
1986
18fae2a8 1987Inside @value{GDBN}, your program may stop for any of several reasons, such
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1988as
1989@ifclear BARETARGET
1990a signal,
1991@end ifclear
1992a breakpoint, or reaching a new line after a @value{GDBN}
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1993command such as @code{step}. You may then examine and change
1994variables, set new breakpoints or remove old ones, and then continue
18fae2a8 1995execution. Usually, the messages shown by @value{GDBN} provide ample
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1996explanation of the status of your program---but you can also explicitly
1997request this information at any time.
1998
1999@table @code
70b88761 2000@kindex info program
af215b1a 2001@item info program
70b88761 2002Display information about the status of your program: whether it is
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2003running or not,
2004@ifclear BARETARGET
2005what process it is,
2006@end ifclear
2007and why it stopped.
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2008@end table
2009
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2010@menu
2011@ifclear CONLY
ed447b95 2012* Breakpoints:: Breakpoints, watchpoints, and exceptions
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2013@end ifclear
2014@ifset CONLY
ed447b95 2015* Breakpoints:: Breakpoints and watchpoints
18fae2a8 2016@end ifset
1d7c3357 2017@c Remnant makeinfo bug requires blank line after *successful* end-if in menu:
18fae2a8 2018
ed447b95 2019* Continuing and Stepping:: Resuming execution
18fae2a8 2020@ifset POSIX
b80282d5 2021* Signals:: Signals
18fae2a8 2022@end ifset
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RP
2023@ifclear BARETARGET
2024* Thread Stops:: Stopping and starting multi-thread programs
2025@end ifclear
18fae2a8 2026@end menu
70b88761 2027
1d7c3357 2028@c makeinfo node-defaulting requires adjacency of @node and sectioning cmds
18fae2a8
RP
2029@c ...hence distribute @node Breakpoints over two possible @if expansions.
2030@c
2031@ifclear CONLY
4eb4cf57 2032@node Breakpoints
93928b60 2033@section Breakpoints, watchpoints, and exceptions
18fae2a8
RP
2034@end ifclear
2035@ifset CONLY
2036@node Breakpoints
93928b60 2037@section Breakpoints and watchpoints
18fae2a8 2038@end ifset
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2039
2040@cindex breakpoints
2041A @dfn{breakpoint} makes your program stop whenever a certain point in
9a27b06e
RP
2042the program is reached. For each breakpoint, you can add
2043conditions to control in finer detail whether your program stops.
70b88761 2044You can set breakpoints with the @code{break} command and its variants
93928b60 2045(@pxref{Set Breaks, ,Setting breakpoints}), to specify the place where
29a2b744 2046your program should stop by line number, function name or exact address
0f153e74 2047in the program.
18fae2a8 2048@ifclear CONLY
af215b1a 2049In languages with exception handling (such as @sc{gnu} C++), you can also set
0cb95a9c
RP
2050breakpoints where an exception is raised (@pxref{Exception Handling,,
2051Breakpoints and exceptions}).
18fae2a8 2052@end ifclear
70b88761 2053
af215b1a
VM
2054In SunOS 4.x, SVR4, and Alpha OSF/1 configurations, you can now set
2055breakpoints in shared libraries before the executable is run.
2056
70b88761 2057@cindex watchpoints
6ca72cc6
RP
2058@cindex memory tracing
2059@cindex breakpoint on memory address
2060@cindex breakpoint on variable modification
29a2b744
RP
2061A @dfn{watchpoint} is a special breakpoint that stops your program
2062when the value of an expression changes. You must use a different
2063command to set watchpoints (@pxref{Set Watchpoints, ,Setting
93928b60 2064watchpoints}), but aside from that, you can manage a watchpoint like
29a2b744 2065any other breakpoint: you enable, disable, and delete both breakpoints
1041a570 2066and watchpoints using the same commands.
70b88761 2067
fe715d06 2068You can arrange to have values from your program displayed automatically
0cb95a9c
RP
2069whenever @value{GDBN} stops at a breakpoint. @xref{Auto Display,,
2070Automatic display}.
fe715d06 2071
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RP
2072@cindex breakpoint numbers
2073@cindex numbers for breakpoints
18fae2a8 2074@value{GDBN} assigns a number to each breakpoint or watchpoint when you
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RP
2075create it; these numbers are successive integers starting with one. In
2076many of the commands for controlling various features of breakpoints you
2077use the breakpoint number to say which breakpoint you want to change.
2078Each breakpoint may be @dfn{enabled} or @dfn{disabled}; if disabled, it has
29a2b744 2079no effect on your program until you enable it again.
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2080
2081@menu
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RP
2082* Set Breaks:: Setting breakpoints
2083* Set Watchpoints:: Setting watchpoints
1d7c3357 2084@ifclear CONLY
ed447b95 2085* Exception Handling:: Breakpoints and exceptions
1d7c3357 2086@end ifclear
b0157555 2087
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2088* Delete Breaks:: Deleting breakpoints
2089* Disabling:: Disabling breakpoints
2090* Conditions:: Break conditions
2091* Break Commands:: Breakpoint command lists
1d7c3357 2092@ifclear CONLY
ed447b95 2093* Breakpoint Menus:: Breakpoint menus
1d7c3357 2094@end ifclear
af215b1a
VM
2095@c @ifclear BARETARGET
2096@c * Error in Breakpoints:: ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
2097@c @end ifclear
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2098@end menu
2099
4eb4cf57 2100@node Set Breaks
93928b60 2101@subsection Setting breakpoints
70b88761 2102
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2103@c FIXME LMB what does GDB do if no code on line of breakpt?
2104@c consider in particular declaration with/without initialization.
2105@c
2106@c FIXME 2 is there stuff on this already? break at fun start, already init?
2107
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2108@kindex break
2109@kindex b
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2110@kindex $bpnum
2111@cindex latest breakpoint
2112Breakpoints are set with the @code{break} command (abbreviated
2113@code{b}). The debugger convenience variable @samp{$bpnum} records the
af215b1a 2114number of the breakpoints you've set most recently; see @ref{Convenience
93928b60 2115Vars,, Convenience variables}, for a discussion of what you can do with
6ca72cc6 2116convenience variables.
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2117
2118You have several ways to say where the breakpoint should go.
2119
2120@table @code
2121@item break @var{function}
0f153e74 2122Set a breakpoint at entry to function @var{function}.
18fae2a8 2123@ifclear CONLY
0f153e74
RP
2124When using source languages that permit overloading of symbols, such as
2125C++, @var{function} may refer to more than one possible place to break.
93928b60 2126@xref{Breakpoint Menus,,Breakpoint menus}, for a discussion of that situation.
18fae2a8 2127@end ifclear
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2128
2129@item break +@var{offset}
2130@itemx break -@var{offset}
2131Set a breakpoint some number of lines forward or back from the position
2132at which execution stopped in the currently selected frame.
2133
2134@item break @var{linenum}
2135Set a breakpoint at line @var{linenum} in the current source file.
2136That file is the last file whose source text was printed. This
9a27b06e 2137breakpoint stops your program just before it executes any of the
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2138code on that line.
2139
2140@item break @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
2141Set a breakpoint at line @var{linenum} in source file @var{filename}.
2142
2143@item break @var{filename}:@var{function}
2144Set a breakpoint at entry to function @var{function} found in file
2145@var{filename}. Specifying a file name as well as a function name is
2146superfluous except when multiple files contain similarly named
2147functions.
2148
2149@item break *@var{address}
2150Set a breakpoint at address @var{address}. You can use this to set
29a2b744 2151breakpoints in parts of your program which do not have debugging
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2152information or source files.
2153
2154@item break
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RP
2155When called without any arguments, @code{break} sets a breakpoint at
2156the next instruction to be executed in the selected stack frame
2157(@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the Stack}). In any selected frame but the
9a27b06e 2158innermost, this makes your program stop as soon as control
29a2b744
RP
2159returns to that frame. This is similar to the effect of a
2160@code{finish} command in the frame inside the selected frame---except
2161that @code{finish} does not leave an active breakpoint. If you use
9a27b06e 2162@code{break} without an argument in the innermost frame, @value{GDBN} stops
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2163the next time it reaches the current location; this may be useful
2164inside loops.
70b88761 2165
18fae2a8 2166@value{GDBN} normally ignores breakpoints when it resumes execution, until at
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2167least one instruction has been executed. If it did not do this, you
2168would be unable to proceed past a breakpoint without first disabling the
2169breakpoint. This rule applies whether or not the breakpoint already
29a2b744 2170existed when your program stopped.
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2171
2172@item break @dots{} if @var{cond}
2173Set a breakpoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
2174@var{cond} each time the breakpoint is reached, and stop only if the
3d3ab540 2175value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
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2176@samp{@dots{}} stands for one of the possible arguments described
2177above (or no argument) specifying where to break. @xref{Conditions,
93928b60 2178,Break conditions}, for more information on breakpoint conditions.
70b88761 2179
70b88761 2180@kindex tbreak
af215b1a 2181@item tbreak @var{args}
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2182Set a breakpoint enabled only for one stop. @var{args} are the
2183same as for the @code{break} command, and the breakpoint is set in the same
cfcafcba 2184way, but the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the first time your
93928b60 2185program stops there. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling breakpoints}.
70b88761 2186
af215b1a
VM
2187@kindex hbreak
2188@item hbreak @var{args}
2189Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint. @var{args} are the same as for the
2190@code{break} command and the breakpoint is set in the same way, but the
2191breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware may not
2192have this support. The main purpose of this is EPROM/ROM code
2193debugging, so you can set a breakpoint at an instruction without
2194changing the instruction. This can be used with the new trap-generation
2195provided by SPARClite DSU. DSU will generate traps when a program accesses
2196some date or instruction address that is assigned to the debug registers.
2197However the hardware breakpoint registers can only take two data breakpoints,
2198and @value{GDBN} will reject this command if more than two are used.
2199Delete or disable usused hardware breakpoints before setting
2200new ones. @xref{Conditions, ,Break conditions}.
2201
2202@kindex thbreak
2203@item thbreak @var{args}
2204Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint enabled only for one stop. @var{args}
2205are the same as for the @code{hbreak} command and the breakpoint is set in
2206the same way. However, like the @code{tbreak} command,
2207the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the
2208first time your program stops there. Also, like the @code{hbreak}
2209command, the breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware
2210may not have this support. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling breakpoints}.
2211Also @xref{Conditions, ,Break conditions}.
2212
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2213@kindex rbreak
2214@cindex regular expression
af215b1a 2215@item rbreak @var{regex}
4906534f 2216@c FIXME what kind of regexp?
70b88761 2217Set breakpoints on all functions matching the regular expression
b80282d5 2218@var{regex}. This command
70b88761 2219sets an unconditional breakpoint on all matches, printing a list of all
b1955f0b
RP
2220breakpoints it set. Once these breakpoints are set, they are treated
2221just like the breakpoints set with the @code{break} command. You can
2222delete them, disable them, or make them conditional the same way as any
2223other breakpoint.
70b88761 2224
18fae2a8 2225@ifclear CONLY
b80282d5
RP
2226When debugging C++ programs, @code{rbreak} is useful for setting
2227breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
2228classes.
18fae2a8 2229@end ifclear
b80282d5 2230
70b88761 2231@kindex info breakpoints
c338a2fd 2232@cindex @code{$_} and @code{info breakpoints}
70b88761 2233@item info breakpoints @r{[}@var{n}@r{]}
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2234@itemx info break @r{[}@var{n}@r{]}
2235@itemx info watchpoints @r{[}@var{n}@r{]}
2236Print a table of all breakpoints and watchpoints set and not
2237deleted, with the following columns for each breakpoint:
2238
2239@table @emph
2240@item Breakpoint Numbers
2241@item Type
2242Breakpoint or watchpoint.
2243@item Disposition
2244Whether the breakpoint is marked to be disabled or deleted when hit.
2245@item Enabled or Disabled
d24e0922 2246Enabled breakpoints are marked with @samp{y}. @samp{n} marks breakpoints
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RP
2247that are not enabled.
2248@item Address
2249Where the breakpoint is in your program, as a memory address
2250@item What
2251Where the breakpoint is in the source for your program, as a file and
2252line number.
2253@end table
2254
2255@noindent
d55320a0
RP
2256If a breakpoint is conditional, @code{info break} shows the condition on
2257the line following the affected breakpoint; breakpoint commands, if any,
2258are listed after that.
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2259
2260@noindent
2261@code{info break} with a breakpoint
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RP
2262number @var{n} as argument lists only that breakpoint. The
2263convenience variable @code{$_} and the default examining-address for
2264the @code{x} command are set to the address of the last breakpoint
93928b60 2265listed (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining memory}).
af215b1a
VM
2266
2267@noindent
2268@code{info break} now displays a count of the number of times the
2269breakpoint has been hit. This is especially useful in conjunction with
2270the @code{ignore} command. You can ignore a large number of breakpoint
2271hits, look at the breakpoint info to see how many times the
2272breakpoint was hit, and then run again, ignoring one less than that
2273number. This will get you quickly to the last hit of that breakpoint.
1041a570 2274@end table
70b88761 2275
18fae2a8 2276@value{GDBN} allows you to set any number of breakpoints at the same place in
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2277your program. There is nothing silly or meaningless about this. When
2278the breakpoints are conditional, this is even useful
93928b60 2279(@pxref{Conditions, ,Break conditions}).
70b88761 2280
6ca72cc6 2281@cindex negative breakpoint numbers
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2282@cindex internal @value{GDBN} breakpoints
2283@value{GDBN} itself sometimes sets breakpoints in your program for special
6ca72cc6
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2284purposes, such as proper handling of @code{longjmp} (in C programs).
2285These internal breakpoints are assigned negative numbers, starting with
5a2c1d85 2286@code{-1}; @samp{info breakpoints} does not display them.
d48da190 2287
18fae2a8 2288You can see these breakpoints with the @value{GDBN} maintenance command
5a2c1d85 2289@samp{maint info breakpoints}.
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RP
2290
2291@table @code
d48da190
RP
2292@kindex maint info breakpoints
2293@item maint info breakpoints
6ca72cc6 2294Using the same format as @samp{info breakpoints}, display both the
18fae2a8 2295breakpoints you've set explicitly, and those @value{GDBN} is using for
6ca72cc6
RP
2296internal purposes. Internal breakpoints are shown with negative
2297breakpoint numbers. The type column identifies what kind of breakpoint
2298is shown:
2299
2300@table @code
2301@item breakpoint
2302Normal, explicitly set breakpoint.
2303
2304@item watchpoint
2305Normal, explicitly set watchpoint.
2306
2307@item longjmp
2308Internal breakpoint, used to handle correctly stepping through
2309@code{longjmp} calls.
2310
2311@item longjmp resume
2312Internal breakpoint at the target of a @code{longjmp}.
2313
2314@item until
18fae2a8 2315Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{until} command.
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2316
2317@item finish
18fae2a8 2318Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{finish} command.
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RP
2319@end table
2320
2321@end table
2322
2323
4eb4cf57 2324@node Set Watchpoints
93928b60 2325@subsection Setting watchpoints
70b88761 2326@cindex setting watchpoints
1041a570 2327
70b88761 2328You can use a watchpoint to stop execution whenever the value of an
e251e767 2329expression changes, without having to predict a particular place
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2330where this may happen.
2331
2332Watchpoints currently execute two orders of magnitude more slowly than
6b51acad 2333other breakpoints, but this can be well worth it to catch errors where
9a27b06e
RP
2334you have no clue what part of your program is the culprit.
2335
af215b1a
VM
2336@c FIXME - did Stan mean to @ignore this out?
2337@ignore
9a27b06e 2338Some processors provide special hardware to support watchpoint
f886dc0f
SS
2339evaluation; @value{GDBN} will use such hardware if it is available,
2340and if the support code has been added for that configuration.
af215b1a 2341@end ignore
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2342
2343@table @code
e251e767 2344@kindex watch
70b88761 2345@item watch @var{expr}
af215b1a
VM
2346Set a watchpoint for an expression. @value{GDBN} will break when @var{expr}
2347is written into by the program and its value changes.
2348This can be used with the new trap-generation provided by
2349SPARClite DSU. DSU will generate traps when a program accesses
2350some date or instruction address that is assigned to the debug registers.
2351For the data addresses, DSU facilitates the @code{watch} command.
2352However the hardware breakpoint registers can only take two data watchpoints,
2353and both watchpoints must be the same kind. For example, you can set two
2354watchpoints with @code{watch} commands, two with @code{rwatch}
2355commands, @strong{or} two with @code{awatch} commands, but you cannot set one
2356watchpoint with one command and the other with a different command.
2357@value{GBDN} will reject the command if you try to mix watchpoints.
2358Delete or disable unused watchpoint commands before setting new ones.
2359
2360@kindex rwatch
2361@item rwatch @var{expr}
2362Set a watchpoint that will break when watch @var{args} is read by the program.
2363If you use both watchpoints, both must be set with the @code{rwatch}
2364command.
2365
2366@kindex awatch
2367@item awatch @var{expr}
2368Set a watchpoint that will break when @var{args} is read and written into
2369by the program. If you use both watchpoints, both must be set with the
2370@code{awatch} command.
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2371
2372@kindex info watchpoints
2373@item info watchpoints
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RP
2374This command prints a list of watchpoints and breakpoints; it is the
2375same as @code{info break}.
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2376@end table
2377
0cb95a9c
RP
2378@ifclear BARETARGET
2379@quotation
2380@cindex watchpoints and threads
2381@cindex threads and watchpoints
2382@emph{Warning:} in multi-thread programs, watchpoints have only limited
2383usefulness. With the current watchpoint implementation, @value{GDBN}
2384can only watch the value of an expression @emph{in a single thread}. If
2385you are confident that the expression can only change due to the current
9a27b06e
RP
2386thread's activity (and if you are also confident that no other thread
2387can become current), then you can use watchpoints as usual. However,
0cb95a9c
RP
2388@value{GDBN} may not notice when a non-current thread's activity changes
2389the expression.
2390@end quotation
2391@end ifclear
2392
1d7c3357 2393@ifclear CONLY
4eb4cf57 2394@node Exception Handling
93928b60 2395@subsection Breakpoints and exceptions
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2396@cindex exception handlers
2397
af215b1a 2398Some languages, such as @sc{gnu} C++, implement exception handling. You can
18fae2a8 2399use @value{GDBN} to examine what caused your program to raise an exception,
29a2b744 2400and to list the exceptions your program is prepared to handle at a
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2401given point in time.
2402
2403@table @code
70b88761 2404@kindex catch
af215b1a 2405@item catch @var{exceptions}
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2406You can set breakpoints at active exception handlers by using the
2407@code{catch} command. @var{exceptions} is a list of names of exceptions
2408to catch.
2409@end table
2410
29a2b744 2411You can use @code{info catch} to list active exception handlers.
93928b60 2412@xref{Frame Info, ,Information about a frame}.
70b88761 2413
9a27b06e 2414There are currently some limitations to exception handling in @value{GDBN}:
70b88761
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2415
2416@itemize @bullet
2417@item
18fae2a8 2418If you call a function interactively, @value{GDBN} normally returns
70b88761
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2419control to you when the function has finished executing. If the call
2420raises an exception, however, the call may bypass the mechanism that
29a2b744 2421returns control to you and cause your program to simply continue
18fae2a8 2422running until it hits a breakpoint, catches a signal that @value{GDBN} is
70b88761 2423listening for, or exits.
9a27b06e 2424
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2425@item
2426You cannot raise an exception interactively.
9a27b06e 2427
70b88761 2428@item
9a27b06e 2429You cannot install an exception handler interactively.
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2430@end itemize
2431
2432@cindex raise exceptions
2433Sometimes @code{catch} is not the best way to debug exception handling:
29a2b744 2434if you need to know exactly where an exception is raised, it is better to
70b88761
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2435stop @emph{before} the exception handler is called, since that way you
2436can see the stack before any unwinding takes place. If you set a
2437breakpoint in an exception handler instead, it may not be easy to find
2438out where the exception was raised.
2439
2440To stop just before an exception handler is called, you need some
af215b1a 2441knowledge of the implementation. In the case of @sc{gnu} C++, exceptions are
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2442raised by calling a library function named @code{__raise_exception}
2443which has the following ANSI C interface:
2444
2445@example
b80282d5 2446 /* @var{addr} is where the exception identifier is stored.
70b88761
RP
2447 ID is the exception identifier. */
2448 void __raise_exception (void **@var{addr}, void *@var{id});
2449@end example
2450
2451@noindent
2452To make the debugger catch all exceptions before any stack
2453unwinding takes place, set a breakpoint on @code{__raise_exception}
93928b60 2454(@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints; watchpoints; and exceptions}).
70b88761 2455
93928b60 2456With a conditional breakpoint (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break conditions})
29a2b744
RP
2457that depends on the value of @var{id}, you can stop your program when
2458a specific exception is raised. You can use multiple conditional
2459breakpoints to stop your program when any of a number of exceptions are
2460raised.
1d7c3357 2461@end ifclear
70b88761 2462
4eb4cf57 2463@node Delete Breaks
93928b60 2464@subsection Deleting breakpoints
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2465
2466@cindex clearing breakpoints, watchpoints
2467@cindex deleting breakpoints, watchpoints
2468It is often necessary to eliminate a breakpoint or watchpoint once it
29a2b744 2469has done its job and you no longer want your program to stop there. This
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2470is called @dfn{deleting} the breakpoint. A breakpoint that has been
2471deleted no longer exists; it is forgotten.
2472
2473With the @code{clear} command you can delete breakpoints according to
29a2b744 2474where they are in your program. With the @code{delete} command you can
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2475delete individual breakpoints or watchpoints by specifying their
2476breakpoint numbers.
2477
18fae2a8 2478It is not necessary to delete a breakpoint to proceed past it. @value{GDBN}
70b88761
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2479automatically ignores breakpoints on the first instruction to be executed
2480when you continue execution without changing the execution address.
2481
2482@table @code
2483@item clear
2484@kindex clear
2485Delete any breakpoints at the next instruction to be executed in the
93928b60 2486selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a frame}). When
29a2b744
RP
2487the innermost frame is selected, this is a good way to delete a
2488breakpoint where your program just stopped.
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2489
2490@item clear @var{function}
2491@itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{function}
2492Delete any breakpoints set at entry to the function @var{function}.
2493
2494@item clear @var{linenum}
2495@itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
2496Delete any breakpoints set at or within the code of the specified line.
2497
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2498@cindex delete breakpoints
2499@kindex delete
2500@kindex d
af215b1a 2501@item delete @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{bnums}@dots{}@r{]}
70b88761 2502Delete the breakpoints or watchpoints of the numbers specified as
18fae2a8 2503arguments. If no argument is specified, delete all breakpoints (@value{GDBN}
1041a570 2504asks confirmation, unless you have @code{set confirm off}). You
70b88761
RP
2505can abbreviate this command as @code{d}.
2506@end table
2507
4eb4cf57 2508@node Disabling
93928b60 2509@subsection Disabling breakpoints
70b88761 2510
af215b1a
VM
2511@kindex disable breakpoints
2512@kindex enable breakpoints
70b88761
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2513Rather than deleting a breakpoint or watchpoint, you might prefer to
2514@dfn{disable} it. This makes the breakpoint inoperative as if it had
2515been deleted, but remembers the information on the breakpoint so that
2516you can @dfn{enable} it again later.
2517
2518You disable and enable breakpoints and watchpoints with the
2519@code{enable} and @code{disable} commands, optionally specifying one or
2520more breakpoint numbers as arguments. Use @code{info break} or
2521@code{info watch} to print a list of breakpoints or watchpoints if you
29a2b744 2522do not know which numbers to use.
70b88761
RP
2523
2524A breakpoint or watchpoint can have any of four different states of
2525enablement:
2526
2527@itemize @bullet
2528@item
9a27b06e 2529Enabled. The breakpoint stops your program. A breakpoint set
70b88761
RP
2530with the @code{break} command starts out in this state.
2531@item
29a2b744 2532Disabled. The breakpoint has no effect on your program.
70b88761 2533@item
9a27b06e
RP
2534Enabled once. The breakpoint stops your program, but then becomes
2535disabled. A breakpoint set with the @code{tbreak} command starts out in
2536this state.
70b88761 2537@item
9a27b06e
RP
2538Enabled for deletion. The breakpoint stops your program, but
2539immediately after it does so it is deleted permanently.
70b88761
RP
2540@end itemize
2541
2542You can use the following commands to enable or disable breakpoints and
2543watchpoints:
2544
2545@table @code
70b88761
RP
2546@kindex disable breakpoints
2547@kindex disable
2548@kindex dis
af215b1a 2549@item disable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{bnums}@dots{}@r{]}
70b88761
RP
2550Disable the specified breakpoints---or all breakpoints, if none are
2551listed. A disabled breakpoint has no effect but is not forgotten. All
2552options such as ignore-counts, conditions and commands are remembered in
2553case the breakpoint is enabled again later. You may abbreviate
2554@code{disable} as @code{dis}.
2555
70b88761
RP
2556@kindex enable breakpoints
2557@kindex enable
af215b1a 2558@item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{bnums}@dots{}@r{]}
70b88761 2559Enable the specified breakpoints (or all defined breakpoints). They
29a2b744 2560become effective once again in stopping your program.
70b88761
RP
2561
2562@item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} once @var{bnums}@dots{}
9a27b06e
RP
2563Enable the specified breakpoints temporarily. @value{GDBN} disables any
2564of these breakpoints immediately after stopping your program.
70b88761
RP
2565
2566@item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} delete @var{bnums}@dots{}
9a27b06e
RP
2567Enable the specified breakpoints to work once, then die. @value{GDBN}
2568deletes any of these breakpoints as soon as your program stops there.
70b88761
RP
2569@end table
2570
af215b1a 2571Except for a breakpoint set with @code{tbreak} (@pxref{Set Breaks,
93928b60
RP
2572,Setting breakpoints}), breakpoints that you set are initially enabled;
2573subsequently, they become disabled or enabled only when you use one of
2574the commands above. (The command @code{until} can set and delete a
9a27b06e 2575breakpoint of its own, but it does not change the state of your other
93928b60
RP
2576breakpoints; see @ref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and
2577stepping}.)
70b88761 2578
4eb4cf57 2579@node Conditions
93928b60 2580@subsection Break conditions
70b88761
RP
2581@cindex conditional breakpoints
2582@cindex breakpoint conditions
2583
4906534f
RP
2584@c FIXME what is scope of break condition expr? Context where wanted?
2585@c in particular for a watchpoint?
29a2b744 2586The simplest sort of breakpoint breaks every time your program reaches a
70b88761
RP
2587specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for a
2588breakpoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
1041a570
RP
2589programming language (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). A breakpoint with
2590a condition evaluates the expression each time your program reaches it,
2591and your program stops only if the condition is @emph{true}.
3d3ab540
RP
2592
2593This is the converse of using assertions for program validation; in that
2594situation, you want to stop when the assertion is violated---that is,
2595when the condition is false. In C, if you want to test an assertion expressed
e251e767 2596by the condition @var{assert}, you should set the condition
3d3ab540 2597@samp{! @var{assert}} on the appropriate breakpoint.
70b88761
RP
2598
2599Conditions are also accepted for watchpoints; you may not need them,
2600since a watchpoint is inspecting the value of an expression anyhow---but
2601it might be simpler, say, to just set a watchpoint on a variable name,
2602and specify a condition that tests whether the new value is an interesting
e251e767 2603one.
70b88761 2604
29a2b744 2605Break conditions can have side effects, and may even call functions in
70b88761 2606your program. This can be useful, for example, to activate functions
29a2b744
RP
2607that log program progress, or to use your own print functions to
2608format special data structures. The effects are completely predictable
2609unless there is another enabled breakpoint at the same address. (In
18fae2a8 2610that case, @value{GDBN} might see the other breakpoint first and stop your
29a2b744
RP
2611program without checking the condition of this one.) Note that
2612breakpoint commands are usually more convenient and flexible for the
2613purpose of performing side effects when a breakpoint is reached
93928b60 2614(@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint command lists}).
70b88761
RP
2615
2616Break conditions can be specified when a breakpoint is set, by using
29a2b744 2617@samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{break} command. @xref{Set
93928b60 2618Breaks, ,Setting breakpoints}. They can also be changed at any time
29a2b744
RP
2619with the @code{condition} command. The @code{watch} command does not
2620recognize the @code{if} keyword; @code{condition} is the only way to
2621impose a further condition on a watchpoint.
70b88761 2622
e251e767 2623@table @code
e251e767 2624@kindex condition
af215b1a 2625@item condition @var{bnum} @var{expression}
70b88761 2626Specify @var{expression} as the break condition for breakpoint or
9a27b06e
RP
2627watchpoint number @var{bnum}. After you set a condition, breakpoint
2628@var{bnum} stops your program only if the value of @var{expression} is
2629true (nonzero, in C). When you use @code{condition}, @value{GDBN}
2630checks @var{expression} immediately for syntactic correctness, and to
2631determine whether symbols in it have referents in the context of your
2632breakpoint.
29a2b744 2633@c FIXME so what does GDB do if there is no referent? Moreover, what
4906534f 2634@c about watchpoints?
18fae2a8 2635@value{GDBN} does
70b88761 2636not actually evaluate @var{expression} at the time the @code{condition}
1041a570 2637command is given, however. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
70b88761
RP
2638
2639@item condition @var{bnum}
2640Remove the condition from breakpoint number @var{bnum}. It becomes
2641an ordinary unconditional breakpoint.
2642@end table
2643
2644@cindex ignore count (of breakpoint)
2645A special case of a breakpoint condition is to stop only when the
2646breakpoint has been reached a certain number of times. This is so
2647useful that there is a special way to do it, using the @dfn{ignore
2648count} of the breakpoint. Every breakpoint has an ignore count, which
2649is an integer. Most of the time, the ignore count is zero, and
29a2b744 2650therefore has no effect. But if your program reaches a breakpoint whose
70b88761
RP
2651ignore count is positive, then instead of stopping, it just decrements
2652the ignore count by one and continues. As a result, if the ignore count
9a27b06e
RP
2653value is @var{n}, the breakpoint does not stop the next @var{n} times
2654your program reaches it.
70b88761
RP
2655
2656@table @code
70b88761 2657@kindex ignore
af215b1a 2658@item ignore @var{bnum} @var{count}
70b88761
RP
2659Set the ignore count of breakpoint number @var{bnum} to @var{count}.
2660The next @var{count} times the breakpoint is reached, your program's
9a27b06e 2661execution does not stop; other than to decrement the ignore count, @value{GDBN}
70b88761
RP
2662takes no action.
2663
2664To make the breakpoint stop the next time it is reached, specify
2665a count of zero.
2666
d55320a0
RP
2667When you use @code{continue} to resume execution of your program from a
2668breakpoint, you can specify an ignore count directly as an argument to
2669@code{continue}, rather than using @code{ignore}. @xref{Continuing and
2670Stepping,,Continuing and stepping}.
70b88761 2671
9a27b06e
RP
2672If a breakpoint has a positive ignore count and a condition, the
2673condition is not checked. Once the ignore count reaches zero,
2674@value{GDBN} resumes checking the condition.
70b88761 2675
29a2b744 2676You could achieve the effect of the ignore count with a condition such
18fae2a8 2677as @w{@samp{$foo-- <= 0}} using a debugger convenience variable that
1041a570 2678is decremented each time. @xref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
93928b60 2679variables}.
d55320a0 2680@end table
70b88761 2681
4eb4cf57 2682@node Break Commands
93928b60 2683@subsection Breakpoint command lists
70b88761
RP
2684
2685@cindex breakpoint commands
2686You can give any breakpoint (or watchpoint) a series of commands to
29a2b744 2687execute when your program stops due to that breakpoint. For example, you
70b88761
RP
2688might want to print the values of certain expressions, or enable other
2689breakpoints.
2690
2691@table @code
af215b1a
VM
2692@kindex commands
2693@kindex end
70b88761
RP
2694@item commands @r{[}@var{bnum}@r{]}
2695@itemx @dots{} @var{command-list} @dots{}
2696@itemx end
70b88761
RP
2697Specify a list of commands for breakpoint number @var{bnum}. The commands
2698themselves appear on the following lines. Type a line containing just
2699@code{end} to terminate the commands.
2700
203eea5d
RP
2701To remove all commands from a breakpoint, type @code{commands} and
2702follow it immediately with @code{end}; that is, give no commands.
70b88761
RP
2703
2704With no @var{bnum} argument, @code{commands} refers to the last
2705breakpoint or watchpoint set (not to the breakpoint most recently
2706encountered).
2707@end table
2708
18fae2a8 2709Pressing @key{RET} as a means of repeating the last @value{GDBN} command is
70b88761
RP
2710disabled within a @var{command-list}.
2711
29a2b744 2712You can use breakpoint commands to start your program up again. Simply
70b88761 2713use the @code{continue} command, or @code{step}, or any other command
fe715d06
RP
2714that resumes execution.
2715
2716Any other commands in the command list, after a command that resumes
2717execution, are ignored. This is because any time you resume execution
2718(even with a simple @code{next} or @code{step}), you may encounter
2719another breakpoint---which could have its own command list, leading to
2720ambiguities about which list to execute.
70b88761
RP
2721
2722@kindex silent
fe715d06
RP
2723If the first command you specify in a command list is @code{silent}, the
2724usual message about stopping at a breakpoint is not printed. This may
2725be desirable for breakpoints that are to print a specific message and
2726then continue. If none of the remaining commands print anything, you
9a27b06e 2727see no sign that the breakpoint was reached. @code{silent} is
fe715d06 2728meaningful only at the beginning of a breakpoint command list.
70b88761 2729
d55320a0
RP
2730The commands @code{echo}, @code{output}, and @code{printf} allow you to
2731print precisely controlled output, and are often useful in silent
2732breakpoints. @xref{Output, ,Commands for controlled output}.
70b88761
RP
2733
2734For example, here is how you could use breakpoint commands to print the
2735value of @code{x} at entry to @code{foo} whenever @code{x} is positive.
2736
18fae2a8 2737@example
70b88761
RP
2738break foo if x>0
2739commands
2740silent
d55320a0 2741printf "x is %d\n",x
70b88761
RP
2742cont
2743end
18fae2a8 2744@end example
70b88761
RP
2745
2746One application for breakpoint commands is to compensate for one bug so
2747you can test for another. Put a breakpoint just after the erroneous line
2748of code, give it a condition to detect the case in which something
2749erroneous has been done, and give it commands to assign correct values
2750to any variables that need them. End with the @code{continue} command
29a2b744 2751so that your program does not stop, and start with the @code{silent}
70b88761
RP
2752command so that no output is produced. Here is an example:
2753
2754@example
2755break 403
2756commands
2757silent
2758set x = y + 4
2759cont
2760end
2761@end example
2762
1d7c3357 2763@ifclear CONLY
4eb4cf57 2764@node Breakpoint Menus
93928b60 2765@subsection Breakpoint menus
b80282d5 2766@cindex overloading
e251e767 2767@cindex symbol overloading
70b88761
RP
2768
2769Some programming languages (notably C++) permit a single function name
2770to be defined several times, for application in different contexts.
2771This is called @dfn{overloading}. When a function name is overloaded,
18fae2a8 2772@samp{break @var{function}} is not enough to tell @value{GDBN} where you want
9a27b06e 2773a breakpoint. If you realize this is a problem, you can use
6f3ec223 2774something like @samp{break @var{function}(@var{types})} to specify which
18fae2a8 2775particular version of the function you want. Otherwise, @value{GDBN} offers
6f3ec223
RP
2776you a menu of numbered choices for different possible breakpoints, and
2777waits for your selection with the prompt @samp{>}. The first two
2778options are always @samp{[0] cancel} and @samp{[1] all}. Typing @kbd{1}
2779sets a breakpoint at each definition of @var{function}, and typing
2780@kbd{0} aborts the @code{break} command without setting any new
2781breakpoints.
70b88761
RP
2782
2783For example, the following session excerpt shows an attempt to set a
e251e767 2784breakpoint at the overloaded symbol @code{String::after}.
70b88761
RP
2785We choose three particular definitions of that function name:
2786
6f3ec223 2787@c FIXME! This is likely to change to show arg type lists, at least
d55320a0 2788@smallexample
18fae2a8 2789(@value{GDBP}) b String::after
70b88761
RP
2790[0] cancel
2791[1] all
2792[2] file:String.cc; line number:867
2793[3] file:String.cc; line number:860
2794[4] file:String.cc; line number:875
2795[5] file:String.cc; line number:853
2796[6] file:String.cc; line number:846
2797[7] file:String.cc; line number:735
2798> 2 4 6
2799Breakpoint 1 at 0xb26c: file String.cc, line 867.
2800Breakpoint 2 at 0xb344: file String.cc, line 875.
2801Breakpoint 3 at 0xafcc: file String.cc, line 846.
2802Multiple breakpoints were set.
d55320a0
RP
2803Use the "delete" command to delete unwanted
2804 breakpoints.
18fae2a8 2805(@value{GDBP})
d55320a0 2806@end smallexample
1d7c3357 2807@end ifclear
70b88761 2808
af215b1a
VM
2809@c @ifclear BARETARGET
2810@c @node Error in Breakpoints
2811@c @subsection ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
2812@c
2813@c FIXME!! 14/6/95 Is there a real example of this? Let's use it.
2814@c
2815@c Under some operating systems, breakpoints cannot be used in a program if
2816@c any other process is running that program. In this situation,
2817@c attempting to run or continue a program with a breakpoint causes
2818@c @value{GDBN} to stop the other process.
2819@c
2820@c When this happens, you have three ways to proceed:
2821@c
2822@c @enumerate
2823@c @item
2824@c Remove or disable the breakpoints, then continue.
2825@c
2826@c @item
2827@c Suspend @value{GDBN}, and copy the file containing your program to a new
2828@c name. Resume @value{GDBN} and use the @code{exec-file} command to specify
2829@c that @value{GDBN} should run your program under that name.
2830@c Then start your program again.
2831@c
2832@c @item
2833@c Relink your program so that the text segment is nonsharable, using the
2834@c linker option @samp{-N}. The operating system limitation may not apply
2835@c to nonsharable executables.
2836@c @end enumerate
2837@c @end ifclear
70b88761 2838
4eb4cf57 2839@node Continuing and Stepping
93928b60 2840@section Continuing and stepping
70b88761
RP
2841
2842@cindex stepping
7463aadd
RP
2843@cindex continuing
2844@cindex resuming execution
3d3ab540 2845@dfn{Continuing} means resuming program execution until your program
cedaf8bc
RP
2846completes normally. In contrast, @dfn{stepping} means executing just
2847one more ``step'' of your program, where ``step'' may mean either one
2848line of source code, or one machine instruction (depending on what
2849particular command you use). Either when continuing
4eb4cf57 2850or when stepping, your program may stop even sooner, due to
18fae2a8 2851@ifset BARETARGET
4eb4cf57 2852a breakpoint.
18fae2a8
RP
2853@end ifset
2854@ifclear BARETARGET
6b51acad 2855a breakpoint or a signal. (If due to a signal, you may want to use
4eb4cf57
RP
2856@code{handle}, or use @samp{signal 0} to resume execution.
2857@xref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
18fae2a8 2858@end ifclear
3d3ab540
RP
2859
2860@table @code
3d3ab540 2861@kindex continue
d55320a0
RP
2862@kindex c
2863@kindex fg
af215b1a
VM
2864@item continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
2865@itemx c @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
2866@itemx fg @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
6b51acad
RP
2867Resume program execution, at the address where your program last stopped;
2868any breakpoints set at that address are bypassed. The optional argument
2869@var{ignore-count} allows you to specify a further number of times to
2870ignore a breakpoint at this location; its effect is like that of
2871@code{ignore} (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break conditions}).
2872
2873The argument @var{ignore-count} is meaningful only when your program
d55320a0
RP
2874stopped due to a breakpoint. At other times, the argument to
2875@code{continue} is ignored.
2876
2877The synonyms @code{c} and @code{fg} are provided purely for convenience,
2878and have exactly the same behavior as @code{continue}.
2879@end table
2880
3d3ab540 2881To resume execution at a different place, you can use @code{return}
93928b60 2882(@pxref{Returning, ,Returning from a function}) to go back to the
29a2b744 2883calling function; or @code{jump} (@pxref{Jumping, ,Continuing at a
93928b60 2884different address}) to go to an arbitrary location in your program.
7463aadd
RP
2885
2886A typical technique for using stepping is to set a breakpoint
93928b60
RP
2887@ifclear CONLY
2888(@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints; watchpoints; and exceptions})
2889@end ifclear
2890@ifset CONLY
2891(@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints and watchpoints})
2892@end ifset
2893at the
29a2b744
RP
2894beginning of the function or the section of your program where a
2895problem is believed to lie, run your program until it stops at that
2896breakpoint, and then step through the suspect area, examining the
2897variables that are interesting, until you see the problem happen.
70b88761
RP
2898
2899@table @code
70b88761
RP
2900@kindex step
2901@kindex s
af215b1a 2902@item step
29a2b744 2903Continue running your program until control reaches a different source
18fae2a8 2904line, then stop it and return control to @value{GDBN}. This command is
70b88761
RP
2905abbreviated @code{s}.
2906
3d3ab540 2907@quotation
068b06f2
JK
2908@c "without debugging information" is imprecise; actually "without line
2909@c numbers in the debugging information". (gcc -g1 has debugging info but
2910@c not line numbers). But it seems complex to try to make that
2911@c distinction here.
3d3ab540
RP
2912@emph{Warning:} If you use the @code{step} command while control is
2913within a function that was compiled without debugging information,
d55320a0 2914execution proceeds until control reaches a function that does have
068b06f2
JK
2915debugging information. Likewise, it will not step into a function which
2916is compiled without debugging information. To step through functions
2917without debugging information, use the @code{stepi} command, described
2918below.
3d3ab540 2919@end quotation
70b88761 2920
af215b1a
VM
2921The @code{step} command now only stops at the first instruction of a
2922source line. This prevents the multiple stops that used to occur in
2923switch statements, for loops, etc. @code{step} continues to stop if a
2924function that has debugging information is called within the line.
2925
2926Also, the @code{step} command now only enters a subroutine if there is line
2927number information for the subroutine. Otherwise it acts like the
2928@code{next} command. This avoids problems when using @code{cc -gl}
2929on MIPS machines. Previously, @code{step} entered subroutines if there
2930was any debugging information about the routine.
2931
70b88761
RP
2932@item step @var{count}
2933Continue running as in @code{step}, but do so @var{count} times. If a
1d7c3357
RP
2934breakpoint is reached,
2935@ifclear BARETARGET
2936or a signal not related to stepping occurs before @var{count} steps,
2937@end ifclear
2938stepping stops right away.
70b88761 2939
70b88761
RP
2940@kindex next
2941@kindex n
af215b1a 2942@item next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
7463aadd 2943Continue to the next source line in the current (innermost) stack frame.
af215b1a 2944This is similar to @code{step}, but function calls that appear within the line
7463aadd 2945of code are executed without stopping. Execution stops when control
af215b1a
VM
2946reaches a different line of code at the original stack level that was
2947executing when you gave the @code{next} command. This command is abbreviated
7463aadd 2948@code{n}.
70b88761 2949
7463aadd 2950An argument @var{count} is a repeat count, as for @code{step}.
70b88761 2951
70b88761 2952
af215b1a
VM
2953@c FIX ME!! Do we delete this, or is there a way it fits in with
2954@c the following paragraph? --- Vctoria
2955@c
2956@c @code{next} within a function that lacks debugging information acts like
2957@c @code{step}, but any function calls appearing within the code of the
2958@c function are executed without stopping.
2959
2960The @code{next} command now only stops at the first instruction of a
2961source line. This prevents the multiple stops that used to occur in
2962swtch statements, for loops, etc.
2963
70b88761 2964@kindex finish
af215b1a 2965@item finish
7463aadd
RP
2966Continue running until just after function in the selected stack frame
2967returns. Print the returned value (if any).
70b88761 2968
29a2b744 2969Contrast this with the @code{return} command (@pxref{Returning,
93928b60 2970,Returning from a function}).
70b88761 2971
70b88761 2972@kindex until
6b51acad 2973@itemx u
70b88761 2974@kindex u
af215b1a 2975@item until
70b88761
RP
2976Continue running until a source line past the current line, in the
2977current stack frame, is reached. This command is used to avoid single
2978stepping through a loop more than once. It is like the @code{next}
2979command, except that when @code{until} encounters a jump, it
2980automatically continues execution until the program counter is greater
2981than the address of the jump.
2982
2983This means that when you reach the end of a loop after single stepping
9a27b06e
RP
2984though it, @code{until} makes your program continue execution until it
2985exits the loop. In contrast, a @code{next} command at the end of a loop
2986simply steps back to the beginning of the loop, which forces you to step
2987through the next iteration.
70b88761 2988
29a2b744 2989@code{until} always stops your program if it attempts to exit the current
70b88761
RP
2990stack frame.
2991
2992@code{until} may produce somewhat counterintuitive results if the order
7463aadd 2993of machine code does not match the order of the source lines. For
70b88761
RP
2994example, in the following excerpt from a debugging session, the @code{f}
2995(@code{frame}) command shows that execution is stopped at line
2996@code{206}; yet when we use @code{until}, we get to line @code{195}:
2997
2998@example
18fae2a8 2999(@value{GDBP}) f
70b88761 3000#0 main (argc=4, argv=0xf7fffae8) at m4.c:206
b80282d5 3001206 expand_input();
18fae2a8 3002(@value{GDBP}) until
b80282d5 3003195 for ( ; argc > 0; NEXTARG) @{
70b88761
RP
3004@end example
3005
7463aadd
RP
3006This happened because, for execution efficiency, the compiler had
3007generated code for the loop closure test at the end, rather than the
3008start, of the loop---even though the test in a C @code{for}-loop is
3009written before the body of the loop. The @code{until} command appeared
3010to step back to the beginning of the loop when it advanced to this
3011expression; however, it has not really gone to an earlier
3012statement---not in terms of the actual machine code.
70b88761
RP
3013
3014@code{until} with no argument works by means of single
3015instruction stepping, and hence is slower than @code{until} with an
3016argument.
3017
3018@item until @var{location}
6b51acad 3019@itemx u @var{location}
29a2b744
RP
3020Continue running your program until either the specified location is
3021reached, or the current stack frame returns. @var{location} is any of
3022the forms of argument acceptable to @code{break} (@pxref{Set Breaks,
93928b60 3023,Setting breakpoints}). This form of the command uses breakpoints,
1041a570 3024and hence is quicker than @code{until} without an argument.
70b88761 3025
70b88761
RP
3026@kindex stepi
3027@kindex si
af215b1a
VM
3028@item stepi
3029@itemx si
70b88761
RP
3030Execute one machine instruction, then stop and return to the debugger.
3031
3032It is often useful to do @samp{display/i $pc} when stepping by machine
9a27b06e
RP
3033instructions. This makes @value{GDBN} automatically display the next
3034instruction to be executed, each time your program stops. @xref{Auto
3035Display,, Automatic display}.
70b88761
RP
3036
3037An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{step}.
3038
ed447b95 3039@need 750
70b88761
RP
3040@kindex nexti
3041@kindex ni
af215b1a
VM
3042@item nexti
3043@itemx ni
70b88761
RP
3044Execute one machine instruction, but if it is a function call,
3045proceed until the function returns.
3046
3047An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{next}.
70b88761
RP
3048@end table
3049
18fae2a8 3050@ifset POSIX
4eb4cf57 3051@node Signals
70b88761
RP
3052@section Signals
3053@cindex signals
3054
3055A signal is an asynchronous event that can happen in a program. The
3056operating system defines the possible kinds of signals, and gives each
3057kind a name and a number. For example, in Unix @code{SIGINT} is the
3058signal a program gets when you type an interrupt (often @kbd{C-c});
3059@code{SIGSEGV} is the signal a program gets from referencing a place in
3060memory far away from all the areas in use; @code{SIGALRM} occurs when
29a2b744 3061the alarm clock timer goes off (which happens only if your program has
70b88761
RP
3062requested an alarm).
3063
3064@cindex fatal signals
3065Some signals, including @code{SIGALRM}, are a normal part of the
29a2b744
RP
3066functioning of your program. Others, such as @code{SIGSEGV}, indicate
3067errors; these signals are @dfn{fatal} (kill your program immediately) if the
70b88761 3068program has not specified in advance some other way to handle the signal.
29a2b744 3069@code{SIGINT} does not indicate an error in your program, but it is normally
70b88761
RP
3070fatal so it can carry out the purpose of the interrupt: to kill the program.
3071
18fae2a8
RP
3072@value{GDBN} has the ability to detect any occurrence of a signal in your
3073program. You can tell @value{GDBN} in advance what to do for each kind of
29a2b744 3074signal.
70b88761
RP
3075
3076@cindex handling signals
18fae2a8 3077Normally, @value{GDBN} is set up to ignore non-erroneous signals like @code{SIGALRM}
29a2b744
RP
3078(so as not to interfere with their role in the functioning of your program)
3079but to stop your program immediately whenever an error signal happens.
70b88761
RP
3080You can change these settings with the @code{handle} command.
3081
3082@table @code
70b88761 3083@kindex info signals
af215b1a 3084@item info signals
18fae2a8 3085Print a table of all the kinds of signals and how @value{GDBN} has been told to
70b88761
RP
3086handle each one. You can use this to see the signal numbers of all
3087the defined types of signals.
3088
af215b1a
VM
3089@code{info handle} is the new alias for @code{info signals}.
3090
70b88761 3091@kindex handle
af215b1a
VM
3092@item handle @var{signal} @var{keywords}@dots{}
3093Change the way @value{GDBN} handles signal @var{signal}. @var{signal} can
3094be the number of a signal or its name (with or without the @samp{SIG} at the
70b88761
RP
3095beginning). The @var{keywords} say what change to make.
3096@end table
3097
3098@c @group
3099The keywords allowed by the @code{handle} command can be abbreviated.
3100Their full names are:
3101
3102@table @code
3103@item nostop
18fae2a8 3104@value{GDBN} should not stop your program when this signal happens. It may
70b88761
RP
3105still print a message telling you that the signal has come in.
3106
3107@item stop
18fae2a8 3108@value{GDBN} should stop your program when this signal happens. This implies
70b88761
RP
3109the @code{print} keyword as well.
3110
3111@item print
18fae2a8 3112@value{GDBN} should print a message when this signal happens.
70b88761
RP
3113
3114@item noprint
18fae2a8 3115@value{GDBN} should not mention the occurrence of the signal at all. This
70b88761
RP
3116implies the @code{nostop} keyword as well.
3117
3118@item pass
9a27b06e
RP
3119@value{GDBN} should allow your program to see this signal; your program
3120can handle the signal, or else it may terminate if the signal is fatal
70b88761
RP
3121and not handled.
3122
3123@item nopass
18fae2a8 3124@value{GDBN} should not allow your program to see this signal.
70b88761
RP
3125@end table
3126@c @end group
3127
ed447b95 3128When a signal stops your program, the signal is not visible until you
9a27b06e 3129continue. Your program sees the signal then, if @code{pass} is in
ed447b95
RP
3130effect for the signal in question @emph{at that time}. In other words,
3131after @value{GDBN} reports a signal, you can use the @code{handle}
9a27b06e
RP
3132command with @code{pass} or @code{nopass} to control whether your
3133program sees that signal when you continue.
70b88761 3134
29a2b744 3135You can also use the @code{signal} command to prevent your program from
70b88761 3136seeing a signal, or cause it to see a signal it normally would not see,
29a2b744 3137or to give it any signal at any time. For example, if your program stopped
7463aadd
RP
3138due to some sort of memory reference error, you might store correct
3139values into the erroneous variables and continue, hoping to see more
29a2b744
RP
3140execution; but your program would probably terminate immediately as
3141a result of the fatal signal once it saw the signal. To prevent this,
3142you can continue with @samp{signal 0}. @xref{Signaling, ,Giving your
93928b60 3143program a signal}.
18fae2a8 3144@end ifset
70b88761 3145
0cb95a9c
RP
3146@ifclear BARETARGET
3147@node Thread Stops
3148@section Stopping and starting multi-thread programs
3149
3150When your program has multiple threads (@pxref{Threads,, Debugging
3151programs with multiple threads}), you can choose whether to set
3152breakpoints on all threads, or on a particular thread.
3153
3154@table @code
22b5dba5
RP
3155@cindex breakpoints and threads
3156@cindex thread breakpoints
0cb95a9c
RP
3157@kindex break @dots{} thread @var{threadno}
3158@item break @var{linespec} thread @var{threadno}
3159@itemx break @var{linespec} thread @var{threadno} if @dots{}
af215b1a
VM
3160@var{linespec} specifies source lines; there are several ways of
3161writing them, but the effect is always to specify some source line.
3162
0cb95a9c
RP
3163Use the qualifier @samp{thread @var{threadno}} with a breakpoint command
3164to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
22b5dba5
RP
3165particular thread reaches this breakpoint. @var{threadno} is one of the
3166numeric thread identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown in the first
3167column of the @samp{info threads} display.
0cb95a9c
RP
3168
3169If you do not specify @samp{thread @var{threadno}} when you set a
3170breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} threads of your
3171program.
22b5dba5
RP
3172
3173You can use the @code{thread} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
3174well; in this case, place @samp{thread @var{threadno}} before the
3175breakpoint condition, like this:
3176
3177@smallexample
3178(gdb) break frik.c:13 thread 28 if bartab > lim
3179@end smallexample
af215b1a 3180
0cb95a9c
RP
3181@end table
3182
3183@cindex stopped threads
3184@cindex threads, stopped
3185Whenever your program stops under @value{GDBN} for any reason,
3186@emph{all} threads of execution stop, not just the current thread. This
3187allows you to examine the overall state of the program, including
3188switching between threads, without worrying that things may change
3189underfoot.
3190
3191@cindex continuing threads
3192@cindex threads, continuing
3193Conversely, whenever you restart the program, @emph{all} threads start
3194executing. @emph{This is true even when single-stepping} with commands
3195like @code{step} or @code{next}.
3196
3197In particular, @value{GDBN} cannot single-step all threads in lockstep.
22b5dba5
RP
3198Since thread scheduling is up to your debugging target's operating
3199system (not controlled by @value{GDBN}), other threads may
3200execute more than one statement while the current thread completes a
3201single step. Moreover, in general other threads stop in the middle of a
3202statement, rather than at a clean statement boundary, when the program
3203stops.
0cb95a9c
RP
3204
3205You might even find your program stopped in another thread after
3206continuing or even single-stepping. This happens whenever some other
3207thread runs into a breakpoint, a signal, or an exception before the
3208first thread completes whatever you requested.
3209@end ifclear
3210
4eb4cf57 3211@node Stack
70b88761
RP
3212@chapter Examining the Stack
3213
3214When your program has stopped, the first thing you need to know is where it
3215stopped and how it got there.
3216
3217@cindex call stack
af215b1a
VM
3218Each time your program performs a function call, information about the call
3219is generated.
3220That information includes the location of the call in your program,
3221the arguments of the call,
3222and the local variables of the function being called.
3223The information is saved in a block of data called a @dfn{stack frame}.
3224The stack frames are allocated in a region of memory called the @dfn{call
70b88761
RP
3225stack}.
3226
93928b60
RP
3227When your program stops, the @value{GDBN} commands for examining the
3228stack allow you to see all of this information.
70b88761
RP
3229
3230@cindex selected frame
93928b60
RP
3231One of the stack frames is @dfn{selected} by @value{GDBN} and many
3232@value{GDBN} commands refer implicitly to the selected frame. In
3233particular, whenever you ask @value{GDBN} for the value of a variable in
3234your program, the value is found in the selected frame. There are
3235special @value{GDBN} commands to select whichever frame you are
af215b1a 3236interested in. @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a frame}.
70b88761 3237
93928b60 3238When your program stops, @value{GDBN} automatically selects the
af215b1a
VM
3239currently executing frame and describes it briefly, similar to the
3240@code{frame} command (@pxref{Frame Info, ,Information about a frame}).
70b88761
RP
3241
3242@menu
ed447b95 3243* Frames:: Stack frames
b80282d5 3244* Backtrace:: Backtraces
ed447b95
RP
3245* Selection:: Selecting a frame
3246* Frame Info:: Information on a frame
572867a8
RP
3247@ifset MIPS
3248* MIPS Stack:: MIPS machines and the function stack
3249@end ifset
70b88761
RP
3250@end menu
3251
4eb4cf57 3252@node Frames
93928b60 3253@section Stack frames
70b88761
RP
3254
3255@cindex frame
3256@cindex stack frame
3257The call stack is divided up into contiguous pieces called @dfn{stack
3258frames}, or @dfn{frames} for short; each frame is the data associated
3259with one call to one function. The frame contains the arguments given
3260to the function, the function's local variables, and the address at
3261which the function is executing.
3262
3263@cindex initial frame
3264@cindex outermost frame
3265@cindex innermost frame
3266When your program is started, the stack has only one frame, that of the
3267function @code{main}. This is called the @dfn{initial} frame or the
3268@dfn{outermost} frame. Each time a function is called, a new frame is
3269made. Each time a function returns, the frame for that function invocation
3270is eliminated. If a function is recursive, there can be many frames for
3271the same function. The frame for the function in which execution is
3272actually occurring is called the @dfn{innermost} frame. This is the most
3273recently created of all the stack frames that still exist.
3274
3275@cindex frame pointer
3276Inside your program, stack frames are identified by their addresses. A
3277stack frame consists of many bytes, each of which has its own address; each
af215b1a 3278kind of computer has a convention for choosing one byte whose
70b88761
RP
3279address serves as the address of the frame. Usually this address is kept
3280in a register called the @dfn{frame pointer register} while execution is
3281going on in that frame.
3282
3283@cindex frame number
18fae2a8 3284@value{GDBN} assigns numbers to all existing stack frames, starting with
70b88761
RP
3285zero for the innermost frame, one for the frame that called it,
3286and so on upward. These numbers do not really exist in your program;
18fae2a8
RP
3287they are assigned by @value{GDBN} to give you a way of designating stack
3288frames in @value{GDBN} commands.
70b88761 3289
6b51acad 3290@c below produces an acceptable overful hbox. --mew 13aug1993
70b88761 3291@cindex frameless execution
8c69096b 3292Some compilers provide a way to compile functions so that they operate
18fae2a8 3293without stack frames. (For example, the @code{@value{GCC}} option
9a27b06e 3294@samp{-fomit-frame-pointer} generates functions without a frame.)
70b88761 3295This is occasionally done with heavily used library functions to save
8c69096b
RP
3296the frame setup time. @value{GDBN} has limited facilities for dealing
3297with these function invocations. If the innermost function invocation
9a27b06e 3298has no stack frame, @value{GDBN} nevertheless regards it as though
8c69096b
RP
3299it had a separate frame, which is numbered zero as usual, allowing
3300correct tracing of the function call chain. However, @value{GDBN} has
3301no provision for frameless functions elsewhere in the stack.
70b88761 3302
af215b1a
VM
3303@table @code
3304@kindex frame
3305@item frame @var{args}
3306The @code{frame} command allows you to move from one stack frame to another,
3307and to print the stack frame you select. @var{args} may be either the
3308address of the frame of the stack frame number. Without an argument,
3309@code{frame} prints the current stack frame.
3310
3311@kindex select-frame
3312@item select-frame
3313The @code{select-frame} command allows you to move from one stack frame
3314to another without printing the frame. This is the silent version of
3315@code{frame}.
3316@end table
3317
4eb4cf57 3318@node Backtrace
70b88761
RP
3319@section Backtraces
3320
29a2b744 3321A backtrace is a summary of how your program got where it is. It shows one
70b88761
RP
3322line per frame, for many frames, starting with the currently executing
3323frame (frame zero), followed by its caller (frame one), and on up the
3324stack.
3325
3326@table @code
70b88761
RP
3327@kindex backtrace
3328@kindex bt
af215b1a
VM
3329@item backtrace
3330@itemx bt
70b88761
RP
3331Print a backtrace of the entire stack: one line per frame for all
3332frames in the stack.
3333
3334You can stop the backtrace at any time by typing the system interrupt
3335character, normally @kbd{C-c}.
3336
3337@item backtrace @var{n}
3338@itemx bt @var{n}
3339Similar, but print only the innermost @var{n} frames.
3340
3341@item backtrace -@var{n}
3342@itemx bt -@var{n}
3343Similar, but print only the outermost @var{n} frames.
3344@end table
3345
3346@kindex where
3347@kindex info stack
3348@kindex info s
3349The names @code{where} and @code{info stack} (abbreviated @code{info s})
3350are additional aliases for @code{backtrace}.
3351
3352Each line in the backtrace shows the frame number and the function name.
3353The program counter value is also shown---unless you use @code{set
3354print address off}. The backtrace also shows the source file name and
3355line number, as well as the arguments to the function. The program
3356counter value is omitted if it is at the beginning of the code for that
3357line number.
3358
3359Here is an example of a backtrace. It was made with the command
3360@samp{bt 3}, so it shows the innermost three frames.
3361
3362@smallexample
3363@group
203eea5d
RP
3364#0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
3365 at builtin.c:993
70b88761
RP
3366#1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=0x2b600) at macro.c:242
3367#2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=177664, td=0xf7fffb08)
3368 at macro.c:71
3369(More stack frames follow...)
3370@end group
3371@end smallexample
3372
3373@noindent
29a2b744
RP
3374The display for frame zero does not begin with a program counter
3375value, indicating that your program has stopped at the beginning of the
70b88761
RP
3376code for line @code{993} of @code{builtin.c}.
3377
4eb4cf57 3378@node Selection
93928b60 3379@section Selecting a frame
70b88761 3380
29a2b744 3381Most commands for examining the stack and other data in your program work on
70b88761
RP
3382whichever stack frame is selected at the moment. Here are the commands for
3383selecting a stack frame; all of them finish by printing a brief description
3384of the stack frame just selected.
3385
3386@table @code
70b88761
RP
3387@kindex frame
3388@kindex f
af215b1a
VM
3389@item frame @var{n}
3390@itemx f @var{n}
70b88761
RP
3391Select frame number @var{n}. Recall that frame zero is the innermost
3392(currently executing) frame, frame one is the frame that called the
93918348
RP
3393innermost one, and so on. The highest-numbered frame is the one for
3394@code{main}.
70b88761
RP
3395
3396@item frame @var{addr}
3397@itemx f @var{addr}
3398Select the frame at address @var{addr}. This is useful mainly if the
3399chaining of stack frames has been damaged by a bug, making it
18fae2a8 3400impossible for @value{GDBN} to assign numbers properly to all frames. In
29a2b744 3401addition, this can be useful when your program has multiple stacks and
70b88761
RP
3402switches between them.
3403
7e17041f 3404@ifclear H8EXCLUSIVE
70b88761 3405On the SPARC architecture, @code{frame} needs two addresses to
e251e767 3406select an arbitrary frame: a frame pointer and a stack pointer.
7e17041f
JK
3407
3408On the MIPS and Alpha architecture, it needs two addresses: a stack
3409pointer and a program counter.
3410
3411On the 29k architecture, it needs three addresses: a register stack
3412pointer, a program counter, and a memory stack pointer.
70b88761 3413@c note to future updaters: this is conditioned on a flag
7e17041f
JK
3414@c SETUP_ARBITRARY_FRAME in the tm-*.h files. The above is up to date
3415@c as of 27 Jan 1994.
3416@end ifclear
70b88761 3417
70b88761 3418@kindex up
af215b1a 3419@item up @var{n}
70b88761
RP
3420Move @var{n} frames up the stack. For positive numbers @var{n}, this
3421advances toward the outermost frame, to higher frame numbers, to frames
3422that have existed longer. @var{n} defaults to one.
3423
70b88761
RP
3424@kindex down
3425@kindex do
af215b1a 3426@item down @var{n}
70b88761
RP
3427Move @var{n} frames down the stack. For positive numbers @var{n}, this
3428advances toward the innermost frame, to lower frame numbers, to frames
3429that were created more recently. @var{n} defaults to one. You may
3430abbreviate @code{down} as @code{do}.
3431@end table
3432
3433All of these commands end by printing two lines of output describing the
3434frame. The first line shows the frame number, the function name, the
3435arguments, and the source file and line number of execution in that
ed447b95 3436frame. The second line shows the text of that source line.
70b88761 3437
b1955f0b 3438@need 1000
ed447b95 3439For example:
b1955f0b 3440
70b88761 3441@smallexample
29a2b744 3442@group
18fae2a8 3443(@value{GDBP}) up
203eea5d
RP
3444#1 0x22f0 in main (argc=1, argv=0xf7fffbf4, env=0xf7fffbfc)
3445 at env.c:10
70b88761 344610 read_input_file (argv[i]);
29a2b744 3447@end group
70b88761
RP
3448@end smallexample
3449
9a27b06e
RP
3450After such a printout, the @code{list} command with no arguments
3451prints ten lines centered on the point of execution in the frame.
93928b60 3452@xref{List, ,Printing source lines}.
70b88761
RP
3453
3454@table @code
70b88761
RP
3455@kindex down-silently
3456@kindex up-silently
af215b1a
VM
3457@item up-silently @var{n}
3458@itemx down-silently @var{n}
70b88761
RP
3459These two commands are variants of @code{up} and @code{down},
3460respectively; they differ in that they do their work silently, without
3461causing display of the new frame. They are intended primarily for use
18fae2a8 3462in @value{GDBN} command scripts, where the output might be unnecessary and
e251e767 3463distracting.
70b88761
RP
3464@end table
3465
4eb4cf57 3466@node Frame Info
93928b60 3467@section Information about a frame
70b88761
RP
3468
3469There are several other commands to print information about the selected
3470stack frame.
3471
3472@table @code
3473@item frame
3474@itemx f
29a2b744
RP
3475When used without any argument, this command does not change which
3476frame is selected, but prints a brief description of the currently
70b88761 3477selected stack frame. It can be abbreviated @code{f}. With an
ed447b95 3478argument, this command is used to select a stack frame.
93928b60 3479@xref{Selection, ,Selecting a frame}.
70b88761 3480
29a2b744 3481@kindex info frame
70b88761 3482@kindex info f
af215b1a
VM
3483@item info frame
3484@itemx info f
70b88761 3485This command prints a verbose description of the selected stack frame,
af215b1a
VM
3486including:
3487
3488@itemize
3489@item
3490the address of the frame
3491@item
3492the address of the next frame down (called by this frame)
3493@item
3494the address of the next frame up (caller of this frame)
3495@item
3496the language in which the source code corresponding to this frame is written
3497@item
3498the address of the frame's arguments
3499@item
3500the program counter saved in it (the address of execution in the caller frame)
3501@item
3502which registers were saved in the frame
3503@end itemize
3504
3505@noindent The verbose description is useful when
70b88761
RP
3506something has gone wrong that has made the stack format fail to fit
3507the usual conventions.
3508
3509@item info frame @var{addr}
3510@itemx info f @var{addr}
7e17041f
JK
3511Print a verbose description of the frame at address @var{addr}, without
3512selecting that frame. The selected frame remains unchanged by this
3513command. This requires the same kind of address (more than one for some
3514architectures) that you specify in the @code{frame} command.
3515@xref{Selection, ,Selecting a frame}.
70b88761 3516
70b88761 3517@kindex info args
af215b1a 3518@item info args
70b88761
RP
3519Print the arguments of the selected frame, each on a separate line.
3520
3521@item info locals
3522@kindex info locals
3523Print the local variables of the selected frame, each on a separate
ed447b95
RP
3524line. These are all variables (declared either static or automatic)
3525accessible at the point of execution of the selected frame.
70b88761 3526
1d7c3357 3527@ifclear CONLY
70b88761
RP
3528@kindex info catch
3529@cindex catch exceptions
3530@cindex exception handlers
af215b1a 3531@item info catch
70b88761
RP
3532Print a list of all the exception handlers that are active in the
3533current stack frame at the current point of execution. To see other
3534exception handlers, visit the associated frame (using the @code{up},
3535@code{down}, or @code{frame} commands); then type @code{info catch}.
93928b60 3536@xref{Exception Handling, ,Breakpoints and exceptions}.
1d7c3357 3537@end ifclear
70b88761
RP
3538@end table
3539
572867a8
RP
3540@ifset MIPS
3541@node MIPS Stack
3542@section MIPS machines and the function stack
3543
3544@cindex stack on MIPS
3545@cindex MIPS stack
3546MIPS based computers use an unusual stack frame, which sometimes
3547requires @value{GDBN} to search backward in the object code to find the
3548beginning of a function.
3549
3550@cindex response time, MIPS debugging
3551To improve response time (especially for embedded applications, where
3552@value{GDBN} may be restricted to a slow serial line for this search)
3553you may want to limit the size of this search, using one of these
3554commands:
572867a8 3555
572867a8 3556@table @code
af215b1a 3557@cindex @code{heuristic-fence-post} (MIPS)
572867a8 3558@item set heuristic-fence-post @var{limit}
c79890ee 3559Restrict @value{GDBN} to examining at most @var{limit} bytes in its search
af215b1a
VM
3560for the beginning of a function. A value of @var{0} (the default)
3561means there is no limit. However, except for @var{0}, the larger the
3562limit the more bytes @code{heuristic-fence-post} must search and
3563therefore the longer it takes to run.
572867a8
RP
3564
3565@item show heuristic-fence-post
3566Display the current limit.
3567@end table
3568
3569@noindent
3570These commands are available @emph{only} when @value{GDBN} is configured
3571for debugging programs on MIPS processors.
3572@end ifset
3573
4eb4cf57 3574@node Source
70b88761
RP
3575@chapter Examining Source Files
3576
18fae2a8 3577@value{GDBN} can print parts of your program's source, since the debugging
ed447b95 3578information recorded in the program tells @value{GDBN} what source files were
18fae2a8 3579used to build it. When your program stops, @value{GDBN} spontaneously prints
1041a570 3580the line where it stopped. Likewise, when you select a stack frame
93928b60 3581(@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a frame}), @value{GDBN} prints the line where
1041a570
RP
3582execution in that frame has stopped. You can print other portions of
3583source files by explicit command.
70b88761 3584
18fae2a8 3585@ifclear DOSHOST
af215b1a
VM
3586If you use @value{GDBN} through its @sc{gnu} Emacs interface, you may prefer
3587to use
3588Emacs facilities to view source; @pxref{Emacs, ,Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}.
18fae2a8 3589@end ifclear
70b88761
RP
3590
3591@menu
ed447b95 3592* List:: Printing source lines
18fae2a8 3593@ifclear DOSHOST
ed447b95 3594* Search:: Searching source files
18fae2a8 3595@end ifclear
b0157555 3596
ed447b95
RP
3597* Source Path:: Specifying source directories
3598* Machine Code:: Source and machine code
70b88761
RP
3599@end menu
3600
4eb4cf57 3601@node List
93928b60 3602@section Printing source lines
70b88761
RP
3603
3604@kindex list
3605@kindex l
3606To print lines from a source file, use the @code{list} command
af215b1a
VM
3607(abbreviated @code{l}). By default, ten lines are printed.
3608There are several ways to specify what part of the file you want to print.
70b88761
RP
3609
3610Here are the forms of the @code{list} command most commonly used:
3611
3612@table @code
3613@item list @var{linenum}
c338a2fd 3614Print lines centered around line number @var{linenum} in the
70b88761
RP
3615current source file.
3616
3617@item list @var{function}
c338a2fd 3618Print lines centered around the beginning of function
70b88761
RP
3619@var{function}.
3620
3621@item list
c338a2fd
RP
3622Print more lines. If the last lines printed were printed with a
3623@code{list} command, this prints lines following the last lines
70b88761 3624printed; however, if the last line printed was a solitary line printed
29a2b744 3625as part of displaying a stack frame (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the
1041a570 3626Stack}), this prints lines centered around that line.
70b88761
RP
3627
3628@item list -
c338a2fd
RP
3629Print lines just before the lines last printed.
3630@end table
3631
18fae2a8 3632By default, @value{GDBN} prints ten source lines with any of these forms of
c338a2fd
RP
3633the @code{list} command. You can change this using @code{set listsize}:
3634
3635@table @code
c338a2fd 3636@kindex set listsize
af215b1a 3637@item set listsize @var{count}
c338a2fd
RP
3638Make the @code{list} command display @var{count} source lines (unless
3639the @code{list} argument explicitly specifies some other number).
3640
c338a2fd 3641@kindex show listsize
af215b1a 3642@item show listsize
9a27b06e 3643Display the number of lines that @code{list} prints.
70b88761
RP
3644@end table
3645
3646Repeating a @code{list} command with @key{RET} discards the argument,
3647so it is equivalent to typing just @code{list}. This is more useful
3648than listing the same lines again. An exception is made for an
3649argument of @samp{-}; that argument is preserved in repetition so that
3650each repetition moves up in the source file.
3651
3652@cindex linespec
3653In general, the @code{list} command expects you to supply zero, one or two
3654@dfn{linespecs}. Linespecs specify source lines; there are several ways
3655of writing them but the effect is always to specify some source line.
3656Here is a complete description of the possible arguments for @code{list}:
3657
3658@table @code
3659@item list @var{linespec}
c338a2fd 3660Print lines centered around the line specified by @var{linespec}.
70b88761
RP
3661
3662@item list @var{first},@var{last}
3663Print lines from @var{first} to @var{last}. Both arguments are
3664linespecs.
3665
3666@item list ,@var{last}
c338a2fd 3667Print lines ending with @var{last}.
70b88761
RP
3668
3669@item list @var{first},
c338a2fd 3670Print lines starting with @var{first}.
70b88761
RP
3671
3672@item list +
c338a2fd 3673Print lines just after the lines last printed.
70b88761
RP
3674
3675@item list -
c338a2fd 3676Print lines just before the lines last printed.
70b88761
RP
3677
3678@item list
3679As described in the preceding table.
3680@end table
3681
3682Here are the ways of specifying a single source line---all the
3683kinds of linespec.
3684
3685@table @code
3686@item @var{number}
3687Specifies line @var{number} of the current source file.
3688When a @code{list} command has two linespecs, this refers to
3689the same source file as the first linespec.
3690
3691@item +@var{offset}
3692Specifies the line @var{offset} lines after the last line printed.
3693When used as the second linespec in a @code{list} command that has
3694two, this specifies the line @var{offset} lines down from the
3695first linespec.
3696
3697@item -@var{offset}
3698Specifies the line @var{offset} lines before the last line printed.
3699
3700@item @var{filename}:@var{number}
3701Specifies line @var{number} in the source file @var{filename}.
3702
3703@item @var{function}
af215b1a
VM
3704Specifies the line that begins the body of the function @var{function}.
3705For example: in C, this is the line with the open brace.
70b88761
RP
3706
3707@item @var{filename}:@var{function}
3708Specifies the line of the open-brace that begins the body of the
3709function @var{function} in the file @var{filename}. You only need the
3710file name with a function name to avoid ambiguity when there are
3711identically named functions in different source files.
3712
3713@item *@var{address}
3714Specifies the line containing the program address @var{address}.
3715@var{address} may be any expression.
3716@end table
3717
18fae2a8 3718@ifclear DOSHOST
4eb4cf57 3719@node Search
93928b60 3720@section Searching source files
70b88761
RP
3721@cindex searching
3722@kindex reverse-search
3723
3724There are two commands for searching through the current source file for a
3725regular expression.
3726
3727@table @code
70b88761
RP
3728@kindex search
3729@kindex forward-search
af215b1a
VM
3730@item forward-search @var{regexp}
3731@itemx search @var{regexp}
1041a570
RP
3732The command @samp{forward-search @var{regexp}} checks each line,
3733starting with the one following the last line listed, for a match for
af215b1a 3734@var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can use the
1041a570
RP
3735synonym @samp{search @var{regexp}} or abbreviate the command name as
3736@code{fo}.
70b88761
RP
3737
3738@item reverse-search @var{regexp}
3739The command @samp{reverse-search @var{regexp}} checks each line, starting
3740with the one before the last line listed and going backward, for a match
3741for @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can abbreviate
3742this command as @code{rev}.
3743@end table
18fae2a8 3744@end ifclear
70b88761 3745
4eb4cf57 3746@node Source Path
93928b60 3747@section Specifying source directories
70b88761
RP
3748
3749@cindex source path
3750@cindex directories for source files
3751Executable programs sometimes do not record the directories of the source
3752files from which they were compiled, just the names. Even when they do,
3753the directories could be moved between the compilation and your debugging
18fae2a8
RP
3754session. @value{GDBN} has a list of directories to search for source files;
3755this is called the @dfn{source path}. Each time @value{GDBN} wants a source file,
70b88761
RP
3756it tries all the directories in the list, in the order they are present
3757in the list, until it finds a file with the desired name. Note that
3758the executable search path is @emph{not} used for this purpose. Neither is
3759the current working directory, unless it happens to be in the source
3760path.
3761
9a27b06e
RP
3762If @value{GDBN} cannot find a source file in the source path, and the
3763object program records a directory, @value{GDBN} tries that directory
3764too. If the source path is empty, and there is no record of the
3765compilation directory, @value{GDBN} looks in the current directory as a
3766last resort.
70b88761 3767
9a27b06e 3768Whenever you reset or rearrange the source path, @value{GDBN} clears out
b1955f0b
RP
3769any information it has cached about where source files are found and where
3770each line is in the file.
70b88761
RP
3771
3772@kindex directory
af215b1a 3773@kindex dir
18fae2a8 3774When you start @value{GDBN}, its source path is empty.
70b88761
RP
3775To add other directories, use the @code{directory} command.
3776
3777@table @code
3778@item directory @var{dirname} @dots{}
af215b1a 3779@item dir @var{dirname} @dots{}
70b88761
RP
3780Add directory @var{dirname} to the front of the source path. Several
3781directory names may be given to this command, separated by @samp{:} or
3782whitespace. You may specify a directory that is already in the source
9a27b06e 3783path; this moves it forward, so @value{GDBN} searches it sooner.
7463aadd 3784
fa6df1a7
RP
3785@kindex cdir
3786@kindex cwd
a88ec213
RP
3787@kindex $cdir
3788@kindex $cwd
fa6df1a7
RP
3789@cindex compilation directory
3790@cindex current directory
3791@cindex working directory
3792@cindex directory, current
3793@cindex directory, compilation
7463aadd
RP
3794You can use the string @samp{$cdir} to refer to the compilation
3795directory (if one is recorded), and @samp{$cwd} to refer to the current
3796working directory. @samp{$cwd} is not the same as @samp{.}---the former
18fae2a8 3797tracks the current working directory as it changes during your @value{GDBN}
7463aadd
RP
3798session, while the latter is immediately expanded to the current
3799directory at the time you add an entry to the source path.
70b88761
RP
3800
3801@item directory
3802Reset the source path to empty again. This requires confirmation.
3803
3804@c RET-repeat for @code{directory} is explicitly disabled, but since
29a2b744 3805@c repeating it would be a no-op we do not say that. (thanks to RMS)
70b88761
RP
3806
3807@item show directories
3808@kindex show directories
3809Print the source path: show which directories it contains.
3810@end table
3811
3812If your source path is cluttered with directories that are no longer of
18fae2a8 3813interest, @value{GDBN} may sometimes cause confusion by finding the wrong
70b88761
RP
3814versions of source. You can correct the situation as follows:
3815
3816@enumerate
3817@item
3818Use @code{directory} with no argument to reset the source path to empty.
3819
3820@item
3821Use @code{directory} with suitable arguments to reinstall the
3822directories you want in the source path. You can add all the
3823directories in one command.
3824@end enumerate
3825
4eb4cf57 3826@node Machine Code
93928b60 3827@section Source and machine code
1041a570 3828
70b88761 3829You can use the command @code{info line} to map source lines to program
ed447b95 3830addresses (and vice versa), and the command @code{disassemble} to display
af215b1a
VM
3831a range of addresses as machine instructions. When run under @sc{gnu} Emacs
3832mode, the @code{info line} command now causes the arrow to point to the
3833line specified. Also, @code{info line} prints addresses in symbolic form as
3834well as hex.
70b88761
RP
3835
3836@table @code
70b88761 3837@kindex info line
af215b1a 3838@item info line @var{linespec}
70b88761 3839Print the starting and ending addresses of the compiled code for
1041a570
RP
3840source line @var{linespec}. You can specify source lines in any of
3841the ways understood by the @code{list} command (@pxref{List, ,Printing
93928b60 3842source lines}).
70b88761
RP
3843@end table
3844
1041a570
RP
3845For example, we can use @code{info line} to discover the location of
3846the object code for the first line of function
3847@code{m4_changequote}:
3848
70b88761 3849@smallexample
18fae2a8 3850(@value{GDBP}) info line m4_changecom
70b88761
RP
3851Line 895 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x634c and ends at 0x6350.
3852@end smallexample
3853
3854@noindent
3855We can also inquire (using @code{*@var{addr}} as the form for
3856@var{linespec}) what source line covers a particular address:
3857@smallexample
18fae2a8 3858(@value{GDBP}) info line *0x63ff
70b88761
RP
3859Line 926 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x63e4 and ends at 0x6404.
3860@end smallexample
3861
c338a2fd 3862@cindex @code{$_} and @code{info line}
29a2b744
RP
3863After @code{info line}, the default address for the @code{x} command
3864is changed to the starting address of the line, so that @samp{x/i} is
3865sufficient to begin examining the machine code (@pxref{Memory,
93928b60 3866,Examining memory}). Also, this address is saved as the value of the
29a2b744 3867convenience variable @code{$_} (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
93928b60 3868variables}).
70b88761
RP
3869
3870@table @code
3871@kindex disassemble
c5f69ff8
RP
3872@cindex assembly instructions
3873@cindex instructions, assembly
3874@cindex machine instructions
3875@cindex listing machine instructions
af215b1a 3876@item disassemble
e94b4a2b
RP
3877This specialized command dumps a range of memory as machine
3878instructions. The default memory range is the function surrounding the
3879program counter of the selected frame. A single argument to this
9a27b06e
RP
3880command is a program counter value; @value{GDBN} dumps the function
3881surrounding this value. Two arguments specify a range of addresses
3882(first inclusive, second exclusive) to dump.
70b88761
RP
3883@end table
3884
a64a6c2b 3885@ifclear H8EXCLUSIVE
70b88761 3886We can use @code{disassemble} to inspect the object code
4eb4cf57
RP
3887range shown in the last @code{info line} example (the example
3888shows SPARC machine instructions):
70b88761 3889
18fae2a8 3890
70b88761 3891@smallexample
18fae2a8 3892(@value{GDBP}) disas 0x63e4 0x6404
70b88761 3893Dump of assembler code from 0x63e4 to 0x6404:
b80282d5
RP
38940x63e4 <builtin_init+5340>: ble 0x63f8 <builtin_init+5360>
38950x63e8 <builtin_init+5344>: sethi %hi(0x4c00), %o0
38960x63ec <builtin_init+5348>: ld [%i1+4], %o0
38970x63f0 <builtin_init+5352>: b 0x63fc <builtin_init+5364>
38980x63f4 <builtin_init+5356>: ld [%o0+4], %o0
38990x63f8 <builtin_init+5360>: or %o0, 0x1a4, %o0
39000x63fc <builtin_init+5364>: call 0x9288 <path_search>
e251e767 39010x6400 <builtin_init+5368>: nop
70b88761 3902End of assembler dump.
70b88761 3903@end smallexample
18fae2a8 3904@end ifclear
4eb4cf57 3905
a64a6c2b 3906@ifset H8EXCLUSIVE
4eb4cf57
RP
3907For example, here is the beginning of the output for the
3908disassembly of a function @code{fact}:
70b88761 3909
18fae2a8 3910
4eb4cf57 3911@smallexample
18fae2a8 3912(@value{GDBP}) disas fact
4eb4cf57
RP
3913Dump of assembler code for function fact:
3914to 0x808c:
39150x802c <fact>: 6d f2 mov.w r2,@@-r7
39160x802e <fact+2>: 6d f3 mov.w r3,@@-r7
39170x8030 <fact+4>: 6d f6 mov.w r6,@@-r7
39180x8032 <fact+6>: 0d 76 mov.w r7,r6
39190x8034 <fact+8>: 6f 70 00 08 mov.w @@(0x8,r7),r0
39200x8038 <fact+12> 19 11 sub.w r1,r1
3921 .
3922 .
3923 .
3924@end smallexample
18fae2a8 3925@end ifset
4eb4cf57
RP
3926
3927@node Data
70b88761
RP
3928@chapter Examining Data
3929
3930@cindex printing data
3931@cindex examining data
3932@kindex print
3933@kindex inspect
1041a570 3934@c "inspect" is not quite a synonym if you are using Epoch, which we do not
29a2b744 3935@c document because it is nonstandard... Under Epoch it displays in a
70b88761
RP
3936@c different window or something like that.
3937The usual way to examine data in your program is with the @code{print}
4eb4cf57 3938command (abbreviated @code{p}), or its synonym @code{inspect}.
18fae2a8 3939@ifclear CONLY
4eb4cf57 3940It evaluates and prints the value of an expression of the language your
18fae2a8 3941program is written in (@pxref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with Different
4eb4cf57 3942Languages}).
18fae2a8 3943@end ifclear
70b88761 3944
e0dacfd1
RP
3945@table @code
3946@item print @var{exp}
3947@itemx print /@var{f} @var{exp}
93928b60
RP
3948@var{exp} is an expression (in the source language). By default the
3949value of @var{exp} is printed in a format appropriate to its data type;
3950you can choose a different format by specifying @samp{/@var{f}}, where
3951@var{f} is a letter specifying the format; @pxref{Output Formats,,Output
3952formats}.
e0dacfd1
RP
3953
3954@item print
3955@itemx print /@var{f}
18fae2a8 3956If you omit @var{exp}, @value{GDBN} displays the last value again (from the
93928b60 3957@dfn{value history}; @pxref{Value History, ,Value history}). This allows you to
e0dacfd1
RP
3958conveniently inspect the same value in an alternative format.
3959@end table
70b88761
RP
3960
3961A more low-level way of examining data is with the @code{x} command.
3962It examines data in memory at a specified address and prints it in a
93928b60 3963specified format. @xref{Memory, ,Examining memory}.
70b88761 3964
29a2b744 3965If you are interested in information about types, or about how the fields
1d7c3357
RP
3966of a struct
3967@ifclear CONLY
3968or class
18fae2a8 3969@end ifclear
1d7c3357
RP
3970are declared, use the @code{ptype @var{exp}}
3971command rather than @code{print}. @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}.
18fae2a8 3972
70b88761 3973@menu
b80282d5 3974* Expressions:: Expressions
ed447b95
RP
3975* Variables:: Program variables
3976* Arrays:: Artificial arrays
eb7faec1 3977* Output Formats:: Output formats
ed447b95
RP
3978* Memory:: Examining memory
3979* Auto Display:: Automatic display
3980* Print Settings:: Print settings
3981* Value History:: Value history
3982* Convenience Vars:: Convenience variables
b80282d5 3983* Registers:: Registers
a64a6c2b 3984@ifclear HAVE-FLOAT
ed447b95 3985* Floating Point Hardware:: Floating point hardware
18fae2a8 3986@end ifclear
18fae2a8 3987@end menu
70b88761 3988
4eb4cf57 3989@node Expressions
70b88761
RP
3990@section Expressions
3991
3992@cindex expressions
18fae2a8 3993@code{print} and many other @value{GDBN} commands accept an expression and
70b88761 3994compute its value. Any kind of constant, variable or operator defined
fe715d06 3995by the programming language you are using is valid in an expression in
18fae2a8 3996@value{GDBN}. This includes conditional expressions, function calls, casts
70b88761 3997and string constants. It unfortunately does not include symbols defined
b80282d5 3998by preprocessor @code{#define} commands.
70b88761 3999
af215b1a
VM
4000@value{GDBN} now supports array constants in expressions input by
4001the user. The syntax is @var{element, element@dots{}}. For example,
4002you can now use the command @code{print @{1 2 3@}} to build up an array in
4003memory that is malloc'd in the target program.
4004
18fae2a8 4005@ifclear CONLY
c2bbbb22 4006Because C is so widespread, most of the expressions shown in examples in
18fae2a8 4007this manual are in C. @xref{Languages, , Using @value{GDBN} with Different
c2bbbb22 4008Languages}, for information on how to use expressions in other
e251e767 4009languages.
c2bbbb22 4010
18fae2a8 4011In this section, we discuss operators that you can use in @value{GDBN}
e251e767 4012expressions regardless of your programming language.
c2bbbb22 4013
70b88761 4014Casts are supported in all languages, not just in C, because it is so
af215b1a 4015useful to cast a number into a pointer in order to examine a structure
70b88761 4016at that address in memory.
c2bbbb22 4017@c FIXME: casts supported---Mod2 true?
18fae2a8 4018@end ifclear
70b88761 4019
af215b1a
VM
4020@value{GDBN} supports these operators, in addition to those common
4021to programming languages:
70b88761
RP
4022
4023@table @code
4024@item @@
4025@samp{@@} is a binary operator for treating parts of memory as arrays.
93928b60 4026@xref{Arrays, ,Artificial arrays}, for more information.
70b88761
RP
4027
4028@item ::
4029@samp{::} allows you to specify a variable in terms of the file or
93928b60 4030function where it is defined. @xref{Variables, ,Program variables}.
70b88761 4031
fe715d06
RP
4032@cindex @{@var{type}@}
4033@cindex type casting memory
4034@cindex memory, viewing as typed object
4035@cindex casts, to view memory
af215b1a 4036@item @{@var{type}@} @var{addr}
70b88761
RP
4037Refers to an object of type @var{type} stored at address @var{addr} in
4038memory. @var{addr} may be any expression whose value is an integer or
4039pointer (but parentheses are required around binary operators, just as in
4040a cast). This construct is allowed regardless of what kind of data is
1041a570 4041normally supposed to reside at @var{addr}.
70b88761
RP
4042@end table
4043
4eb4cf57 4044@node Variables
93928b60 4045@section Program variables
70b88761
RP
4046
4047The most common kind of expression to use is the name of a variable
4048in your program.
4049
4050Variables in expressions are understood in the selected stack frame
af215b1a
VM
4051(@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a frame}); they must be either:
4052
4053@itemize
4054@item
4055global (or static)
4056@end itemize
4057
4058@noindent or
4059
4060@itemize
4061@item
4062visible according to the scope rules of the
4063programming language from the point of execution in that frame
4064@end itemize
4065
4066@noindent This means that in the function
70b88761
RP
4067
4068@example
4069foo (a)
4070 int a;
4071@{
4072 bar (a);
4073 @{
4074 int b = test ();
4075 bar (b);
4076 @}
4077@}
4078@end example
4079
4080@noindent
ed447b95
RP
4081you can examine and use the variable @code{a} whenever your program is
4082executing within the function @code{foo}, but you can only use or
4083examine the variable @code{b} while your program is executing inside
4084the block where @code{b} is declared.
70b88761
RP
4085
4086@cindex variable name conflict
4087There is an exception: you can refer to a variable or function whose
4088scope is a single source file even if the current execution point is not
4089in this file. But it is possible to have more than one such variable or
6ca72cc6
RP
4090function with the same name (in different source files). If that
4091happens, referring to that name has unpredictable effects. If you wish,
4092you can specify a static variable in a particular function or file,
4093using the colon-colon notation:
70b88761
RP
4094
4095@cindex colon-colon
a6d0b6d3 4096@iftex
29a2b744 4097@c info cannot cope with a :: index entry, but why deprive hard copy readers?
70b88761 4098@kindex ::
a6d0b6d3 4099@end iftex
70b88761
RP
4100@example
4101@var{file}::@var{variable}
6ca72cc6 4102@var{function}::@var{variable}
70b88761
RP
4103@end example
4104
4105@noindent
6ca72cc6 4106Here @var{file} or @var{function} is the name of the context for the
6c380b13 4107static @var{variable}. In the case of file names, you can use quotes to
18fae2a8 4108make sure @value{GDBN} parses the file name as a single word---for example,
6c380b13
RP
4109to print a global value of @code{x} defined in @file{f2.c}:
4110
4111@example
18fae2a8 4112(@value{GDBP}) p 'f2.c'::x
6c380b13 4113@end example
70b88761 4114
18fae2a8 4115@ifclear CONLY
c2bbbb22 4116@cindex C++ scope resolution
70b88761 4117This use of @samp{::} is very rarely in conflict with the very similar
18fae2a8
RP
4118use of the same notation in C++. @value{GDBN} also supports use of the C++
4119scope resolution operator in @value{GDBN} expressions.
ed447b95
RP
4120@c FIXME: Um, so what happens in one of those rare cases where it's in
4121@c conflict?? --mew
18fae2a8 4122@end ifclear
70b88761 4123
3d3ab540
RP
4124@cindex wrong values
4125@cindex variable values, wrong
4126@quotation
4127@emph{Warning:} Occasionally, a local variable may appear to have the
b0157555
RP
4128wrong value at certain points in a function---just after entry to a new
4129scope, and just before exit.
3d3ab540 4130@end quotation
b0157555 4131You may see this problem when you are stepping by machine instructions.
af215b1a 4132This is because, on most machines, it takes more than one instruction to
b0157555
RP
4133set up a stack frame (including local variable definitions); if you are
4134stepping by machine instructions, variables may appear to have the wrong
4135values until the stack frame is completely built. On exit, it usually
4136also takes more than one machine instruction to destroy a stack frame;
4137after you begin stepping through that group of instructions, local
4138variable definitions may be gone.
3d3ab540 4139
4eb4cf57 4140@node Arrays
93928b60 4141@section Artificial arrays
70b88761
RP
4142
4143@cindex artificial array
4144@kindex @@
4145It is often useful to print out several successive objects of the
4146same type in memory; a section of an array, or an array of
4147dynamically determined size for which only a pointer exists in the
4148program.
4149
fe715d06
RP
4150You can do this by referring to a contiguous span of memory as an
4151@dfn{artificial array}, using the binary operator @samp{@@}. The left
af215b1a
VM
4152operand of @samp{@@} should be the first element of the desired array
4153and be an individual object. The right operand should be the desired length
fe715d06
RP
4154of the array. The result is an array value whose elements are all of
4155the type of the left argument. The first element is actually the left
4156argument; the second element comes from bytes of memory immediately
4157following those that hold the first element, and so on. Here is an
4158example. If a program says
70b88761
RP
4159
4160@example
4161int *array = (int *) malloc (len * sizeof (int));
4162@end example
4163
4164@noindent
4165you can print the contents of @code{array} with
4166
4167@example
4168p *array@@len
4169@end example
4170
4171The left operand of @samp{@@} must reside in memory. Array values made
4172with @samp{@@} in this way behave just like other arrays in terms of
4173subscripting, and are coerced to pointers when used in expressions.
4174Artificial arrays most often appear in expressions via the value history
7640fe71 4175(@pxref{Value History, ,Value history}), after printing one out.
70b88761 4176
27648f26
PB
4177Another way to create an artificial array is to use a cast.
4178This re-interprets a value as if it were an array.
4179The value need not be in memory:
4180@example
4181(@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[2])0x12345678
4182$1 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
4183@end example
4184
4185As a convenience, if you leave the array length out (as in
4186@samp{(@var{type})[])@var{value}}) gdb calculates the size to fill
4187the value (as @samp{sizeof(@var{value})/sizeof(@var{type})}:
4188@example
4189(@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[])0x12345678
4190$2 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
4191@end example
4192
1041a570 4193Sometimes the artificial array mechanism is not quite enough; in
3d3ab540 4194moderately complex data structures, the elements of interest may not
1041a570
RP
4195actually be adjacent---for example, if you are interested in the values
4196of pointers in an array. One useful work-around in this situation is
4197to use a convenience variable (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
93928b60 4198variables}) as a counter in an expression that prints the first
1041a570
RP
4199interesting value, and then repeat that expression via @key{RET}. For
4200instance, suppose you have an array @code{dtab} of pointers to
4201structures, and you are interested in the values of a field @code{fv}
4202in each structure. Here is an example of what you might type:
4203
3d3ab540
RP
4204@example
4205set $i = 0
4206p dtab[$i++]->fv
4207@key{RET}
4208@key{RET}
4209@dots{}
4210@end example
4211
ed447b95 4212@node Output Formats
70b88761
RP
4213@section Output formats
4214
4215@cindex formatted output
4216@cindex output formats
18fae2a8 4217By default, @value{GDBN} prints a value according to its data type. Sometimes
70b88761
RP
4218this is not what you want. For example, you might want to print a number
4219in hex, or a pointer in decimal. Or you might want to view data in memory
4220at a certain address as a character string or as an instruction. To do
4221these things, specify an @dfn{output format} when you print a value.
4222
4223The simplest use of output formats is to say how to print a value
4224already computed. This is done by starting the arguments of the
4225@code{print} command with a slash and a format letter. The format
4226letters supported are:
4227
4228@table @code
4229@item x
4230Regard the bits of the value as an integer, and print the integer in
4231hexadecimal.
4232
4233@item d
4234Print as integer in signed decimal.
4235
4236@item u
4237Print as integer in unsigned decimal.
4238
4239@item o
4240Print as integer in octal.
4241
4242@item t
4243Print as integer in binary. The letter @samp{t} stands for ``two''.
fe715d06
RP
4244@footnote{@samp{b} cannot be used because these format letters are also
4245used with the @code{x} command, where @samp{b} stands for ``byte'';
4246@pxref{Memory,,Examining memory}.}
70b88761
RP
4247
4248@item a
9a27b06e
RP
4249@cindex unknown address, locating
4250Print as an address, both absolute in hexadecimal and as an offset from
4251the nearest preceding symbol. You can use this format used to discover
4252where (in what function) an unknown address is located:
1041a570 4253
70b88761 4254@example
18fae2a8
RP
4255(@value{GDBP}) p/a 0x54320
4256$3 = 0x54320 <_initialize_vx+396>
70b88761
RP
4257@end example
4258
70b88761
RP
4259@item c
4260Regard as an integer and print it as a character constant.
4261
4262@item f
4263Regard the bits of the value as a floating point number and print
4264using typical floating point syntax.
4265@end table
4266
4267For example, to print the program counter in hex (@pxref{Registers}), type
4268
4269@example
4270p/x $pc
4271@end example
4272
4273@noindent
4274Note that no space is required before the slash; this is because command
18fae2a8 4275names in @value{GDBN} cannot contain a slash.
70b88761
RP
4276
4277To reprint the last value in the value history with a different format,
4278you can use the @code{print} command with just a format and no
4279expression. For example, @samp{p/x} reprints the last value in hex.
4280
4eb4cf57 4281@node Memory
93928b60 4282@section Examining memory
70b88761 4283
1041a570
RP
4284You can use the command @code{x} (for ``examine'') to examine memory in
4285any of several formats, independently of your program's data types.
4286
70b88761
RP
4287@cindex examining memory
4288@table @code
4289@kindex x
cedaf8bc
RP
4290@item x/@var{nfu} @var{addr}
4291@itemx x @var{addr}
4292@itemx x
ed447b95 4293Use the @code{x} command to examine memory.
1041a570
RP
4294@end table
4295
4296@var{n}, @var{f}, and @var{u} are all optional parameters that specify how
4297much memory to display and how to format it; @var{addr} is an
cedaf8bc
RP
4298expression giving the address where you want to start displaying memory.
4299If you use defaults for @var{nfu}, you need not type the slash @samp{/}.
4300Several commands set convenient defaults for @var{addr}.
70b88761 4301
1041a570
RP
4302@table @r
4303@item @var{n}, the repeat count
4304The repeat count is a decimal integer; the default is 1. It specifies
4305how much memory (counting by units @var{u}) to display.
cedaf8bc
RP
4306@c This really is **decimal**; unaffected by 'set radix' as of GDB
4307@c 4.1.2.
70b88761 4308
1041a570
RP
4309@item @var{f}, the display format
4310The display format is one of the formats used by @code{print},
af215b1a
VM
4311@samp{s} (null-terminated string), or @samp{i} (machine instruction).
4312The default is @samp{x} (hexadecimal) initially.
4313The default changes each time you use either @code{x} or @code{print}.
70b88761 4314
1041a570
RP
4315@item @var{u}, the unit size
4316The unit size is any of
ed447b95 4317
70b88761
RP
4318@table @code
4319@item b
cedaf8bc 4320Bytes.
70b88761 4321@item h
cedaf8bc 4322Halfwords (two bytes).
70b88761 4323@item w
cedaf8bc 4324Words (four bytes). This is the initial default.
70b88761 4325@item g
cedaf8bc 4326Giant words (eight bytes).
70b88761
RP
4327@end table
4328
cedaf8bc
RP
4329Each time you specify a unit size with @code{x}, that size becomes the
4330default unit the next time you use @code{x}. (For the @samp{s} and
4331@samp{i} formats, the unit size is ignored and is normally not written.)
4332
1041a570 4333@item @var{addr}, starting display address
18fae2a8 4334@var{addr} is the address where you want @value{GDBN} to begin displaying
cedaf8bc
RP
4335memory. The expression need not have a pointer value (though it may);
4336it is always interpreted as an integer address of a byte of memory.
1041a570 4337@xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information on expressions. The default for
cedaf8bc
RP
4338@var{addr} is usually just after the last address examined---but several
4339other commands also set the default address: @code{info breakpoints} (to
4340the address of the last breakpoint listed), @code{info line} (to the
4341starting address of a line), and @code{print} (if you use it to display
4342a value from memory).
1041a570 4343@end table
70b88761 4344
cedaf8bc
RP
4345For example, @samp{x/3uh 0x54320} is a request to display three halfwords
4346(@code{h}) of memory, formatted as unsigned decimal integers (@samp{u}),
4347starting at address @code{0x54320}. @samp{x/4xw $sp} prints the four
4348words (@samp{w}) of memory above the stack pointer (here, @samp{$sp};
4349@pxref{Registers}) in hexadecimal (@samp{x}).
70b88761 4350
cedaf8bc 4351Since the letters indicating unit sizes are all distinct from the
29a2b744 4352letters specifying output formats, you do not have to remember whether
9a27b06e 4353unit size or format comes first; either order works. The output
cedaf8bc 4354specifications @samp{4xw} and @samp{4wx} mean exactly the same thing.
9a27b06e 4355(However, the count @var{n} must come first; @samp{wx4} does not work.)
cedaf8bc
RP
4356
4357Even though the unit size @var{u} is ignored for the formats @samp{s}
4358and @samp{i}, you might still want to use a count @var{n}; for example,
4359@samp{3i} specifies that you want to see three machine instructions,
4360including any operands. The command @code{disassemble} gives an
4361alternative way of inspecting machine instructions; @pxref{Machine
93928b60 4362Code,,Source and machine code}.
cedaf8bc
RP
4363
4364All the defaults for the arguments to @code{x} are designed to make it
4365easy to continue scanning memory with minimal specifications each time
1041a570 4366you use @code{x}. For example, after you have inspected three machine
cedaf8bc
RP
4367instructions with @samp{x/3i @var{addr}}, you can inspect the next seven
4368with just @samp{x/7}. If you use @key{RET} to repeat the @code{x} command,
4369the repeat count @var{n} is used again; the other arguments default as
4370for successive uses of @code{x}.
70b88761 4371
c338a2fd 4372@cindex @code{$_}, @code{$__}, and value history
cedaf8bc 4373The addresses and contents printed by the @code{x} command are not saved
70b88761 4374in the value history because there is often too much of them and they
18fae2a8 4375would get in the way. Instead, @value{GDBN} makes these values available for
70b88761
RP
4376subsequent use in expressions as values of the convenience variables
4377@code{$_} and @code{$__}. After an @code{x} command, the last address
4378examined is available for use in expressions in the convenience variable
4379@code{$_}. The contents of that address, as examined, are available in
4380the convenience variable @code{$__}.
4381
4382If the @code{x} command has a repeat count, the address and contents saved
4383are from the last memory unit printed; this is not the same as the last
4384address printed if several units were printed on the last line of output.
4385
4eb4cf57 4386@node Auto Display
93928b60 4387@section Automatic display
70b88761
RP
4388@cindex automatic display
4389@cindex display of expressions
4390
4391If you find that you want to print the value of an expression frequently
4392(to see how it changes), you might want to add it to the @dfn{automatic
9a27b06e 4393display list} so that @value{GDBN} prints its value each time your program stops.
70b88761
RP
4394Each expression added to the list is given a number to identify it;
4395to remove an expression from the list, you specify that number.
4396The automatic display looks like this:
4397
4398@example
43992: foo = 38
44003: bar[5] = (struct hack *) 0x3804
4401@end example
4402
4403@noindent
ed447b95 4404This display shows item numbers, expressions and their current values. As with
70b88761
RP
4405displays you request manually using @code{x} or @code{print}, you can
4406specify the output format you prefer; in fact, @code{display} decides
4407whether to use @code{print} or @code{x} depending on how elaborate your
4408format specification is---it uses @code{x} if you specify a unit size,
4409or one of the two formats (@samp{i} and @samp{s}) that are only
4410supported by @code{x}; otherwise it uses @code{print}.
4411
4412@table @code
70b88761 4413@kindex display
af215b1a 4414@item display @var{exp}
70b88761 4415Add the expression @var{exp} to the list of expressions to display
1041a570 4416each time your program stops. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
70b88761 4417
9a27b06e 4418@code{display} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
70b88761
RP
4419
4420@item display/@var{fmt} @var{exp}
4421For @var{fmt} specifying only a display format and not a size or
4422count, add the expression @var{exp} to the auto-display list but
7640fe71 4423arrange to display it each time in the specified format @var{fmt}.
ed447b95 4424@xref{Output Formats,,Output formats}.
70b88761
RP
4425
4426@item display/@var{fmt} @var{addr}
4427For @var{fmt} @samp{i} or @samp{s}, or including a unit-size or a
4428number of units, add the expression @var{addr} as a memory address to
29a2b744 4429be examined each time your program stops. Examining means in effect
93928b60 4430doing @samp{x/@var{fmt} @var{addr}}. @xref{Memory, ,Examining memory}.
70b88761
RP
4431@end table
4432
4433For example, @samp{display/i $pc} can be helpful, to see the machine
4434instruction about to be executed each time execution stops (@samp{$pc}
4435is a common name for the program counter; @pxref{Registers}).
4436
4437@table @code
70b88761
RP
4438@kindex delete display
4439@kindex undisplay
af215b1a
VM
4440@item undisplay @var{dnums}@dots{}
4441@itemx delete display @var{dnums}@dots{}
70b88761
RP
4442Remove item numbers @var{dnums} from the list of expressions to display.
4443
9a27b06e 4444@code{undisplay} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
70b88761
RP
4445(Otherwise you would just get the error @samp{No display number @dots{}}.)
4446
70b88761 4447@kindex disable display
af215b1a 4448@item disable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
70b88761
RP
4449Disable the display of item numbers @var{dnums}. A disabled display
4450item is not printed automatically, but is not forgotten. It may be
4451enabled again later.
4452
70b88761 4453@kindex enable display
af215b1a 4454@item enable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
70b88761
RP
4455Enable display of item numbers @var{dnums}. It becomes effective once
4456again in auto display of its expression, until you specify otherwise.
4457
4458@item display
4459Display the current values of the expressions on the list, just as is
29a2b744 4460done when your program stops.
70b88761 4461
70b88761 4462@kindex info display
af215b1a 4463@item info display
70b88761
RP
4464Print the list of expressions previously set up to display
4465automatically, each one with its item number, but without showing the
4466values. This includes disabled expressions, which are marked as such.
4467It also includes expressions which would not be displayed right now
4468because they refer to automatic variables not currently available.
4469@end table
4470
4471If a display expression refers to local variables, then it does not make
4472sense outside the lexical context for which it was set up. Such an
4473expression is disabled when execution enters a context where one of its
4474variables is not defined. For example, if you give the command
4475@code{display last_char} while inside a function with an argument
9a27b06e 4476@code{last_char}, @value{GDBN} displays this argument while your program
70b88761 4477continues to stop inside that function. When it stops elsewhere---where
9a27b06e
RP
4478there is no variable @code{last_char}---the display is disabled
4479automatically. The next time your program stops where @code{last_char}
4480is meaningful, you can enable the display expression once again.
70b88761 4481
4eb4cf57 4482@node Print Settings
93928b60 4483@section Print settings
70b88761
RP
4484
4485@cindex format options
4486@cindex print settings
18fae2a8 4487@value{GDBN} provides the following ways to control how arrays, structures,
e251e767 4488and symbols are printed.
70b88761
RP
4489
4490@noindent
4491These settings are useful for debugging programs in any language:
4492
4493@table @code
af215b1a 4494@kindex set print address
70b88761 4495@item set print address
6b51acad 4496@itemx set print address on
9a27b06e 4497@value{GDBN} prints memory addresses showing the location of stack
70b88761
RP
4498traces, structure values, pointer values, breakpoints, and so forth,
4499even when it also displays the contents of those addresses. The default
af215b1a 4500is @code{on}. For example, this is what a stack frame display looks like with
70b88761 4501@code{set print address on}:
1041a570 4502
70b88761 4503@smallexample
1041a570 4504@group
18fae2a8 4505(@value{GDBP}) f
e251e767 4506#0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<<", rq=0x34c88 ">>")
70b88761 4507 at input.c:530
b80282d5 4508530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
1041a570 4509@end group
70b88761
RP
4510@end smallexample
4511
4512@item set print address off
4513Do not print addresses when displaying their contents. For example,
4514this is the same stack frame displayed with @code{set print address off}:
1041a570 4515
d55320a0 4516@smallexample
1041a570 4517@group
18fae2a8
RP
4518(@value{GDBP}) set print addr off
4519(@value{GDBP}) f
70b88761 4520#0 set_quotes (lq="<<", rq=">>") at input.c:530
b80282d5 4521530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
1041a570 4522@end group
d55320a0 4523@end smallexample
70b88761 4524
fe715d06
RP
4525You can use @samp{set print address off} to eliminate all machine
4526dependent displays from the @value{GDBN} interface. For example, with
4527@code{print address off}, you should get the same text for backtraces on
4528all machines---whether or not they involve pointer arguments.
4529
70b88761 4530@kindex show print address
af215b1a 4531@item show print address
70b88761 4532Show whether or not addresses are to be printed.
14621224
JK
4533@end table
4534
4535When @value{GDBN} prints a symbolic address, it normally prints the
4536closest earlier symbol plus an offset. If that symbol does not uniquely
4537identify the address (for example, it is a name whose scope is a single
af215b1a 4538source file), you may need to clarify. One way to do this is with
9a27b06e 4539@code{info line}, for example @samp{info line *0x4537}. Alternately,
14621224
JK
4540you can set @value{GDBN} to print the source file and line number when
4541it prints a symbolic address:
4542
4543@table @code
14621224 4544@kindex set print symbol-filename
af215b1a 4545@item set print symbol-filename on
14621224
JK
4546Tell @value{GDBN} to print the source file name and line number of a
4547symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
4548
4549@item set print symbol-filename off
4550Do not print source file name and line number of a symbol. This is the
4551default.
4552
14621224 4553@kindex show print symbol-filename
af215b1a 4554@item show print symbol-filename
14621224
JK
4555Show whether or not @value{GDBN} will print the source file name and
4556line number of a symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
4557@end table
4558
9a27b06e
RP
4559Another situation where it is helpful to show symbol filenames and line
4560numbers is when disassembling code; @value{GDBN} shows you the line
5986c8ea
JG
4561number and source file that corresponds to each instruction.
4562
14621224
JK
4563Also, you may wish to see the symbolic form only if the address being
4564printed is reasonably close to the closest earlier symbol:
4565
4566@table @code
14621224 4567@kindex set print max-symbolic-offset
af215b1a 4568@item set print max-symbolic-offset @var{max-offset}
14621224
JK
4569Tell @value{GDBN} to only display the symbolic form of an address if the
4570offset between the closest earlier symbol and the address is less than
af215b1a
VM
4571@var{max-offset}. The default is 0, which tells @value{GDBN}
4572to always print the symbolic form of an address if any symbol precedes it.
14621224 4573
14621224 4574@kindex show print max-symbolic-offset
af215b1a 4575@item show print max-symbolic-offset
9a27b06e 4576Ask how large the maximum offset is that @value{GDBN} prints in a
14621224
JK
4577symbolic address.
4578@end table
70b88761 4579
9a27b06e
RP
4580@cindex wild pointer, interpreting
4581@cindex pointer, finding referent
4582If you have a pointer and you are not sure where it points, try
ec35141c
JK
4583@samp{set print symbol-filename on}. Then you can determine the name
4584and source file location of the variable where it points, using
4585@samp{p/a @var{pointer}}. This interprets the address in symbolic form.
4586For example, here @value{GDBN} shows that a variable @code{ptt} points
4587at another variable @code{t}, defined in @file{hi2.c}:
9a27b06e
RP
4588
4589@example
9a27b06e
RP
4590(@value{GDBP}) set print symbol-filename on
4591(@value{GDBP}) p/a ptt
4592$4 = 0xe008 <t in hi2.c>
4593@end example
4594
4595@quotation
4596@emph{Warning:} For pointers that point to a local variable, @samp{p/a}
4597does not show the symbol name and filename of the referent, even with
4598the appropriate @code{set print} options turned on.
4599@end quotation
4600
5986c8ea
JG
4601Other settings control how different kinds of objects are printed:
4602
14621224 4603@table @code
af215b1a 4604@kindex set print array
70b88761
RP
4605@item set print array
4606@itemx set print array on
af215b1a 4607Pretty print arrays. This format is more convenient to read,
70b88761
RP
4608but uses more space. The default is off.
4609
fe715d06 4610@item set print array off
70b88761
RP
4611Return to compressed format for arrays.
4612
70b88761 4613@kindex show print array
af215b1a 4614@item show print array
70b88761 4615Show whether compressed or pretty format is selected for displaying
e251e767 4616arrays.
70b88761 4617
70b88761 4618@kindex set print elements
af215b1a
VM
4619@item set print elements @var{number-of-elements}
4620Set a limit on how many elements of an array @value{GDBN} will print.
9a27b06e 4621If @value{GDBN} is printing a large array, it stops printing after it has
70b88761
RP
4622printed the number of elements set by the @code{set print elements} command.
4623This limit also applies to the display of strings.
af215b1a 4624Setting @var{number-of-elements} to zero means that the printing is unlimited.
70b88761 4625
70b88761 4626@kindex show print elements
af215b1a
VM
4627@item show print elements
4628Display the number of elements of a large array that @value{GDBN} will print.
4629If the number is 0, then the printing is unlimited.
4630
4631@kindex set print null-stop
4632@item set print null-stop
4633Cause @value{GDBN} to stop printing the characters of an array when the first
4634@sc{NULL} is encountered. This is useful when large arrays actually
4635contain only short strings.
70b88761 4636
70b88761 4637@kindex set print pretty
af215b1a
VM
4638@item set print pretty on
4639Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in an indented format with one member
4640per line, like this:
70b88761 4641
d55320a0 4642@smallexample
1041a570 4643@group
70b88761
RP
4644$1 = @{
4645 next = 0x0,
4646 flags = @{
4647 sweet = 1,
4648 sour = 1
4649 @},
4650 meat = 0x54 "Pork"
4651@}
1041a570 4652@end group
d55320a0 4653@end smallexample
70b88761
RP
4654
4655@item set print pretty off
18fae2a8 4656Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in a compact format, like this:
70b88761
RP
4657
4658@smallexample
1041a570 4659@group
38962738
RP
4660$1 = @{next = 0x0, flags = @{sweet = 1, sour = 1@}, \
4661meat = 0x54 "Pork"@}
1041a570 4662@end group
70b88761
RP
4663@end smallexample
4664
4665@noindent
4666This is the default format.
4667
70b88761 4668@kindex show print pretty
af215b1a 4669@item show print pretty
9a27b06e 4670Show which format @value{GDBN} is using to print structures.
70b88761 4671
f2857bd9 4672@kindex set print sevenbit-strings
af215b1a 4673@item set print sevenbit-strings on
e251e767 4674Print using only seven-bit characters; if this option is set,
9a27b06e
RP
4675@value{GDBN} displays any eight-bit characters (in strings or
4676character values) using the notation @code{\}@var{nnn}. This setting is
4677best if you are working in English (@sc{ascii}) and you use the
4678high-order bit of characters as a marker or ``meta'' bit.
70b88761
RP
4679
4680@item set print sevenbit-strings off
9a27b06e
RP
4681Print full eight-bit characters. This allows the use of more
4682international character sets, and is the default.
70b88761 4683
f2857bd9 4684@kindex show print sevenbit-strings
af215b1a 4685@item show print sevenbit-strings
9a27b06e 4686Show whether or not @value{GDBN} is printing only seven-bit characters.
70b88761 4687
70b88761 4688@kindex set print union
af215b1a
VM
4689@item set print union on
4690Tell @value{GDBN} to print unions which are contained in structures. This
4691is the default setting.
70b88761
RP
4692
4693@item set print union off
18fae2a8 4694Tell @value{GDBN} not to print unions which are contained in structures.
70b88761 4695
70b88761 4696@kindex show print union
af215b1a 4697@item show print union
18fae2a8 4698Ask @value{GDBN} whether or not it will print unions which are contained in
e251e767 4699structures.
70b88761
RP
4700
4701For example, given the declarations
4702
4703@smallexample
4704typedef enum @{Tree, Bug@} Species;
4705typedef enum @{Big_tree, Acorn, Seedling@} Tree_forms;
203eea5d
RP
4706typedef enum @{Caterpillar, Cocoon, Butterfly@}
4707 Bug_forms;
70b88761
RP
4708
4709struct thing @{
4710 Species it;
4711 union @{
4712 Tree_forms tree;
4713 Bug_forms bug;
4714 @} form;
4715@};
4716
4717struct thing foo = @{Tree, @{Acorn@}@};
4718@end smallexample
4719
4720@noindent
4721with @code{set print union on} in effect @samp{p foo} would print
4722
4723@smallexample
4724$1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{tree = Acorn, bug = Cocoon@}@}
4725@end smallexample
4726
4727@noindent
4728and with @code{set print union off} in effect it would print
4729
4730@smallexample
4731$1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{...@}@}
4732@end smallexample
4733@end table
4734
1d7c3357 4735@ifclear CONLY
d55320a0 4736@need 1000
70b88761
RP
4737@noindent
4738These settings are of interest when debugging C++ programs:
4739
4740@table @code
af215b1a
VM
4741@cindex demangling
4742@kindex set print demangle
e251e767
RP
4743@item set print demangle
4744@itemx set print demangle on
fe715d06
RP
4745Print C++ names in their source form rather than in the encoded
4746(``mangled'') form passed to the assembler and linker for type-safe
4747linkage. The default is @samp{on}.
70b88761 4748
70b88761 4749@kindex show print demangle
af215b1a 4750@item show print demangle
9a27b06e 4751Show whether C++ names are printed in mangled or demangled form.
70b88761 4752
af215b1a 4753@kindex set print asm-demangle
e251e767
RP
4754@item set print asm-demangle
4755@itemx set print asm-demangle on
70b88761
RP
4756Print C++ names in their source form rather than their mangled form, even
4757in assembler code printouts such as instruction disassemblies.
4758The default is off.
4759
70b88761 4760@kindex show print asm-demangle
af215b1a 4761@item show print asm-demangle
9a27b06e 4762Show whether C++ names in assembly listings are printed in mangled
70b88761
RP
4763or demangled form.
4764
fe715d06
RP
4765@kindex set demangle-style
4766@cindex C++ symbol decoding style
4767@cindex symbol decoding style, C++
af215b1a 4768@item set demangle-style @var{style}
fe715d06
RP
4769Choose among several encoding schemes used by different compilers to
4770represent C++ names. The choices for @var{style} are currently:
4771
4772@table @code
4773@item auto
4774Allow @value{GDBN} to choose a decoding style by inspecting your program.
4775
4776@item gnu
af215b1a
VM
4777Decode based on the @sc{gnu} C++ compiler (@code{g++}) encoding algorithm.
4778This is the default.
fe715d06
RP
4779
4780@item lucid
4781Decode based on the Lucid C++ compiler (@code{lcc}) encoding algorithm.
4782
a1eff6c2 4783@item arm
fe715d06 4784Decode using the algorithm in the @cite{C++ Annotated Reference Manual}.
a1eff6c2
RP
4785@strong{Warning:} this setting alone is not sufficient to allow
4786debugging @code{cfront}-generated executables. @value{GDBN} would
4787require further enhancement to permit that.
af215b1a
VM
4788
4789@item foo
4790Show the list of formats.
fe715d06
RP
4791@end table
4792
fe715d06 4793@kindex show demangle-style
af215b1a 4794@item show demangle-style
fe715d06
RP
4795Display the encoding style currently in use for decoding C++ symbols.
4796
af215b1a 4797@kindex set print object
70b88761
RP
4798@item set print object
4799@itemx set print object on
70b88761
RP
4800When displaying a pointer to an object, identify the @emph{actual}
4801(derived) type of the object rather than the @emph{declared} type, using
4802the virtual function table.
4803
4804@item set print object off
4805Display only the declared type of objects, without reference to the
4806virtual function table. This is the default setting.
4807
70b88761 4808@kindex show print object
af215b1a 4809@item show print object
9a27b06e 4810Show whether actual, or declared, object types are displayed.
70b88761 4811
af215b1a 4812@kindex set print vtbl
e251e767
RP
4813@item set print vtbl
4814@itemx set print vtbl on
70b88761
RP
4815Pretty print C++ virtual function tables. The default is off.
4816
4817@item set print vtbl off
4818Do not pretty print C++ virtual function tables.
4819
70b88761 4820@kindex show print vtbl
af215b1a 4821@item show print vtbl
70b88761 4822Show whether C++ virtual function tables are pretty printed, or not.
70b88761 4823@end table
1d7c3357 4824@end ifclear
70b88761 4825
4eb4cf57 4826@node Value History
93928b60 4827@section Value history
70b88761
RP
4828
4829@cindex value history
af215b1a
VM
4830Values printed by the @code{print} command are saved in the @value{GDBN}
4831@dfn{value history}. This allows you to refer to them in other expressions.
4832Values are kept until the symbol table is re-read or discarded
4833(for example with the @code{file} or @code{symbol-file} commands).
4834When the symbol table changes, the value history is discarded,
4835since the values may contain pointers back to the types defined in the
4836symbol table.
70b88761
RP
4837
4838@cindex @code{$}
4839@cindex @code{$$}
4840@cindex history number
6b51acad
RP
4841The values printed are given @dfn{history numbers} by which you can
4842refer to them. These are successive integers starting with one.
4843@code{print} shows you the history number assigned to a value by
4844printing @samp{$@var{num} = } before the value; here @var{num} is the
4845history number.
70b88761
RP
4846
4847To refer to any previous value, use @samp{$} followed by the value's
4848history number. The way @code{print} labels its output is designed to
4849remind you of this. Just @code{$} refers to the most recent value in
4850the history, and @code{$$} refers to the value before that.
4851@code{$$@var{n}} refers to the @var{n}th value from the end; @code{$$2}
4852is the value just prior to @code{$$}, @code{$$1} is equivalent to
4853@code{$$}, and @code{$$0} is equivalent to @code{$}.
4854
4855For example, suppose you have just printed a pointer to a structure and
4856want to see the contents of the structure. It suffices to type
4857
4858@example
4859p *$
4860@end example
4861
4862If you have a chain of structures where the component @code{next} points
4863to the next one, you can print the contents of the next one with this:
4864
4865@example
4866p *$.next
4867@end example
4868
4869@noindent
4870You can print successive links in the chain by repeating this
4871command---which you can do by just typing @key{RET}.
4872
4873Note that the history records values, not expressions. If the value of
4874@code{x} is 4 and you type these commands:
4875
4876@example
4877print x
4878set x=5
4879@end example
4880
4881@noindent
4882then the value recorded in the value history by the @code{print} command
4883remains 4 even though the value of @code{x} has changed.
4884
4885@table @code
4886@kindex show values
4887@item show values
4888Print the last ten values in the value history, with their item numbers.
4889This is like @samp{p@ $$9} repeated ten times, except that @code{show
4890values} does not change the history.
4891
4892@item show values @var{n}
4893Print ten history values centered on history item number @var{n}.
4894
4895@item show values +
4896Print ten history values just after the values last printed. If no more
af215b1a 4897values are available, @code{show values +} produces no display.
70b88761
RP
4898@end table
4899
4900Pressing @key{RET} to repeat @code{show values @var{n}} has exactly the
e251e767 4901same effect as @samp{show values +}.
70b88761 4902
4eb4cf57 4903@node Convenience Vars
93928b60 4904@section Convenience variables
70b88761
RP
4905
4906@cindex convenience variables
18fae2a8
RP
4907@value{GDBN} provides @dfn{convenience variables} that you can use within
4908@value{GDBN} to hold on to a value and refer to it later. These variables
4909exist entirely within @value{GDBN}; they are not part of your program, and
70b88761 4910setting a convenience variable has no direct effect on further execution
1041a570 4911of your program. That is why you can use them freely.
70b88761
RP
4912
4913Convenience variables are prefixed with @samp{$}. Any name preceded by
4914@samp{$} can be used for a convenience variable, unless it is one of
4915the predefined machine-specific register names (@pxref{Registers}).
4916(Value history references, in contrast, are @emph{numbers} preceded
93928b60 4917by @samp{$}. @xref{Value History, ,Value history}.)
70b88761
RP
4918
4919You can save a value in a convenience variable with an assignment
ed447b95
RP
4920expression, just as you would set a variable in your program.
4921For example:
70b88761
RP
4922
4923@example
4924set $foo = *object_ptr
4925@end example
4926
4927@noindent
4928would save in @code{$foo} the value contained in the object pointed to by
4929@code{object_ptr}.
4930
6b51acad
RP
4931Using a convenience variable for the first time creates it, but its
4932value is @code{void} until you assign a new value. You can alter the
4933value with another assignment at any time.
70b88761
RP
4934
4935Convenience variables have no fixed types. You can assign a convenience
4936variable any type of value, including structures and arrays, even if
4937that variable already has a value of a different type. The convenience
4938variable, when used as an expression, has the type of its current value.
4939
4940@table @code
70b88761 4941@kindex show convenience
af215b1a 4942@item show convenience
70b88761
RP
4943Print a list of convenience variables used so far, and their values.
4944Abbreviated @code{show con}.
4945@end table
4946
4947One of the ways to use a convenience variable is as a counter to be
4948incremented or a pointer to be advanced. For example, to print
4949a field from successive elements of an array of structures:
4950
18fae2a8 4951@example
70b88761
RP
4952set $i = 0
4953print bar[$i++]->contents
18fae2a8 4954@end example
70b88761 4955
af215b1a
VM
4956@noindent Repeat that command by typing @key{RET}.
4957
18fae2a8 4958Some convenience variables are created automatically by @value{GDBN} and given
70b88761
RP
4959values likely to be useful.
4960
4961@table @code
c338a2fd 4962@kindex $_
af215b1a 4963@item $_
70b88761 4964The variable @code{$_} is automatically set by the @code{x} command to
93928b60 4965the last address examined (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining memory}). Other
29a2b744
RP
4966commands which provide a default address for @code{x} to examine also
4967set @code{$_} to that address; these commands include @code{info line}
4968and @code{info breakpoint}. The type of @code{$_} is @code{void *}
4969except when set by the @code{x} command, in which case it is a pointer
4970to the type of @code{$__}.
70b88761 4971
c338a2fd 4972@kindex $__
af215b1a 4973@item $__
70b88761 4974The variable @code{$__} is automatically set by the @code{x} command
c2bbbb22
RP
4975to the value found in the last address examined. Its type is chosen
4976to match the format in which the data was printed.
70b88761
RP
4977@end table
4978
4eb4cf57 4979@node Registers
70b88761
RP
4980@section Registers
4981
4982@cindex registers
b80282d5 4983You can refer to machine register contents, in expressions, as variables
70b88761
RP
4984with names starting with @samp{$}. The names of registers are different
4985for each machine; use @code{info registers} to see the names used on
e251e767 4986your machine.
70b88761
RP
4987
4988@table @code
70b88761 4989@kindex info registers
af215b1a 4990@item info registers
b80282d5
RP
4991Print the names and values of all registers except floating-point
4992registers (in the selected stack frame).
4993
b80282d5
RP
4994@kindex info all-registers
4995@cindex floating point registers
af215b1a 4996@item info all-registers
b80282d5
RP
4997Print the names and values of all registers, including floating-point
4998registers.
70b88761 4999
4eb4cf57 5000@item info registers @var{regname} @dots{}
af215b1a
VM
5001Print the @dfn{relativized} value of each specified register @var{regname}.
5002As discussed in detail below, register values are normally relative to
5003the selected stack frame. @var{regname} may be any register name valid on
5004the machine you are using, with or without the initial @samp{$}.
70b88761
RP
5005@end table
5006
18fae2a8 5007@value{GDBN} has four ``standard'' register names that are available (in
29a2b744 5008expressions) on most machines---whenever they do not conflict with an
09267865
RP
5009architecture's canonical mnemonics for registers. The register names
5010@code{$pc} and @code{$sp} are used for the program counter register and
5011the stack pointer. @code{$fp} is used for a register that contains a
5012pointer to the current stack frame, and @code{$ps} is used for a
5013register that contains the processor status. For example,
70b88761 5014you could print the program counter in hex with
1041a570 5015
70b88761
RP
5016@example
5017p/x $pc
5018@end example
5019
5020@noindent
5021or print the instruction to be executed next with
1041a570 5022
70b88761
RP
5023@example
5024x/i $pc
5025@end example
5026
5027@noindent
ed447b95 5028or add four to the stack pointer@footnote{This is a way of removing
29a2b744
RP
5029one word from the stack, on machines where stacks grow downward in
5030memory (most machines, nowadays). This assumes that the innermost
5031stack frame is selected; setting @code{$sp} is not allowed when other
5032stack frames are selected. To pop entire frames off the stack,
5033regardless of machine architecture, use @code{return};
93928b60 5034@pxref{Returning, ,Returning from a function}.} with
1041a570 5035
70b88761
RP
5036@example
5037set $sp += 4
5038@end example
5039
09267865
RP
5040Whenever possible, these four standard register names are available on
5041your machine even though the machine has different canonical mnemonics,
5042so long as there is no conflict. The @code{info registers} command
5043shows the canonical names. For example, on the SPARC, @code{info
70b88761
RP
5044registers} displays the processor status register as @code{$psr} but you
5045can also refer to it as @code{$ps}.
5046
18fae2a8 5047@value{GDBN} always considers the contents of an ordinary register as an
70b88761
RP
5048integer when the register is examined in this way. Some machines have
5049special registers which can hold nothing but floating point; these
5050registers are considered to have floating point values. There is no way
5051to refer to the contents of an ordinary register as floating point value
5052(although you can @emph{print} it as a floating point value with
5053@samp{print/f $@var{regname}}).
5054
5055Some registers have distinct ``raw'' and ``virtual'' data formats. This
5056means that the data format in which the register contents are saved by
5057the operating system is not the same one that your program normally
5058sees. For example, the registers of the 68881 floating point
5059coprocessor are always saved in ``extended'' (raw) format, but all C
5060programs expect to work with ``double'' (virtual) format. In such
af215b1a
VM
5061cases, @value{GDBN} normally works with the virtual format only (the format
5062that makes sense for your program), but the @code{info registers} command
70b88761
RP
5063prints the data in both formats.
5064
5065Normally, register values are relative to the selected stack frame
93928b60 5066(@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a frame}). This means that you get the
29a2b744
RP
5067value that the register would contain if all stack frames farther in
5068were exited and their saved registers restored. In order to see the
5069true contents of hardware registers, you must select the innermost
5070frame (with @samp{frame 0}).
70b88761 5071
18fae2a8 5072However, @value{GDBN} must deduce where registers are saved, from the machine
70b88761 5073code generated by your compiler. If some registers are not saved, or if
18fae2a8 5074@value{GDBN} is unable to locate the saved registers, the selected stack
9a27b06e 5075frame makes no difference.
70b88761 5076
a64a6c2b 5077@ifset AMD29K
03a77779 5078@table @code
d8a68b28 5079@kindex set rstack_high_address
03a77779
RP
5080@cindex AMD 29K register stack
5081@cindex register stack, AMD29K
af215b1a 5082@item set rstack_high_address @var{address}
03a77779 5083On AMD 29000 family processors, registers are saved in a separate
18fae2a8
RP
5084``register stack''. There is no way for @value{GDBN} to determine the extent
5085of this stack. Normally, @value{GDBN} just assumes that the stack is ``large
5086enough''. This may result in @value{GDBN} referencing memory locations that
93918348 5087do not exist. If necessary, you can get around this problem by
03a77779
RP
5088specifying the ending address of the register stack with the @code{set
5089rstack_high_address} command. The argument should be an address, which
9a27b06e 5090you probably want to precede with @samp{0x} to specify in
03a77779 5091hexadecimal.
d8a68b28 5092
d8a68b28 5093@kindex show rstack_high_address
af215b1a 5094@item show rstack_high_address
03a77779
RP
5095Display the current limit of the register stack, on AMD 29000 family
5096processors.
5097@end table
18fae2a8 5098@end ifset
d8a68b28 5099
a64a6c2b 5100@ifclear HAVE-FLOAT
4eb4cf57 5101@node Floating Point Hardware
93928b60 5102@section Floating point hardware
70b88761 5103@cindex floating point
1041a570 5104
f886dc0f 5105Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give
70b88761
RP
5106you more information about the status of the floating point hardware.
5107
5108@table @code
70b88761 5109@kindex info float
af215b1a 5110@item info float
8c69096b 5111Display hardware-dependent information about the floating
70b88761 5112point unit. The exact contents and layout vary depending on the
af215b1a
VM
5113floating point chip. Currently, @samp{info float} is supported on
5114the ARM and x86 machines.
70b88761 5115@end table
18fae2a8 5116@end ifclear
70b88761 5117
18fae2a8 5118@ifclear CONLY
4eb4cf57 5119@node Languages
18fae2a8 5120@chapter Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages
c2bbbb22
RP
5121@cindex languages
5122
09934a2b 5123@ifset MOD2
c2bbbb22
RP
5124Although programming languages generally have common aspects, they are
5125rarely expressed in the same manner. For instance, in ANSI C,
5126dereferencing a pointer @code{p} is accomplished by @code{*p}, but in
5127Modula-2, it is accomplished by @code{p^}. Values can also be
af215b1a
VM
5128represented (and displayed) differently. Hex numbers in C appear as
5129@samp{0x1ae}, while in Modula-2 they appear as @samp{1AEH}.
09934a2b 5130@end ifset
c2bbbb22
RP
5131
5132@cindex working language
18fae2a8 5133Language-specific information is built into @value{GDBN} for some languages,
29a2b744 5134allowing you to express operations like the above in your program's
18fae2a8 5135native language, and allowing @value{GDBN} to output values in a manner
29a2b744 5136consistent with the syntax of your program's native language. The
af215b1a
VM
5137language you use to build expressions is called the @dfn{working
5138language}.
c2bbbb22
RP
5139
5140@menu
5141* Setting:: Switching between source languages
5142* Show:: Displaying the language
09934a2b 5143@ifset MOD2
ed447b95 5144* Checks:: Type and range checks
09934a2b 5145@end ifset
da374d80 5146
c2bbbb22
RP
5147* Support:: Supported languages
5148@end menu
5149
4eb4cf57 5150@node Setting
c2bbbb22
RP
5151@section Switching between source languages
5152
18fae2a8 5153There are two ways to control the working language---either have @value{GDBN}
c2bbbb22 5154set it automatically, or select it manually yourself. You can use the
18fae2a8 5155@code{set language} command for either purpose. On startup, @value{GDBN}
d05baf08
JK
5156defaults to setting the language automatically. The working language is
5157used to determine how expressions you type are interpreted, how values
5158are printed, etc.
5159
af215b1a 5160In addition to the working language, every source file that
d05baf08
JK
5161@value{GDBN} knows about has its own working language. For some object
5162file formats, the compiler might indicate which language a particular
af215b1a 5163source file is in. However, most of the time @value{GDBN} infers the
d05baf08
JK
5164language from the name of the file. The language of a source file
5165controls whether C++ names are demangled---this way @code{backtrace} can
5166show each frame appropriately for its own language. There is no way to
af215b1a
VM
5167set the language of a source file from within @value{GDBN}.
5168
5169This is most commonly a problem when you use a program, such
5170as @code{cfront} or @code{f2c}, that generates C but is written in
5171another language. In that case, make the
d05baf08 5172program use @code{#line} directives in its C output; that way
af215b1a
VM
5173@value{GDBN} will know the correct language of the source code of the original
5174program, and will display that source code, not the generated C code.
c2bbbb22
RP
5175
5176@menu
d05baf08 5177* Filenames:: Filename extensions and languages.
c2bbbb22 5178* Manually:: Setting the working language manually
18fae2a8 5179* Automatically:: Having @value{GDBN} infer the source language
c2bbbb22
RP
5180@end menu
5181
d05baf08
JK
5182@node Filenames
5183@subsection List of filename extensions and languages
5184
5185If a source file name ends in one of the following extensions, then
5186@value{GDBN} infers that its language is the one indicated.
5187
5188@table @file
5189@ifset MOD2
5190@item .mod
5191Modula-2 source file
5192@end ifset
5193
5194@item .c
5195C source file
5196
5197@item .C
5198@itemx .cc
5199@itemx .cxx
5200@itemx .cpp
5201@itemx .cp
5202@itemx .c++
5203C++ source file
5204
5205@item .ch
5206@itemx .c186
5207@itemx .c286
5208CHILL source file.
5209
5210@item .s
5211@itemx .S
5212Assembler source file. This actually behaves almost like C, but
5213@value{GDBN} does not skip over function prologues when stepping.
5214@end table
5215
4eb4cf57 5216@node Manually
c2bbbb22
RP
5217@subsection Setting the working language
5218
ed447b95
RP
5219If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically,
5220expressions are interpreted the same way in your debugging session and
5221your program.
5222
c2bbbb22 5223@kindex set language
ed447b95
RP
5224If you wish, you may set the language manually. To do this, issue the
5225command @samp{set language @var{lang}}, where @var{lang} is the name of
09934a2b
RP
5226a language, such as
5227@ifclear MOD2
5228@code{c}.
5229@end ifclear
5230@ifset MOD2
5231@code{c} or @code{modula-2}.
5232@end ifset
5233For a list of the supported languages, type @samp{set language}.
c2bbbb22 5234
09934a2b 5235@ifset MOD2
18fae2a8 5236Setting the language manually prevents @value{GDBN} from updating the working
c2bbbb22
RP
5237language automatically. This can lead to confusion if you try
5238to debug a program when the working language is not the same as the
5239source language, when an expression is acceptable to both
5240languages---but means different things. For instance, if the current
18fae2a8 5241source file were written in C, and @value{GDBN} was parsing Modula-2, a
c2bbbb22
RP
5242command such as:
5243
5244@example
5245print a = b + c
5246@end example
5247
5248@noindent
5249might not have the effect you intended. In C, this means to add
5250@code{b} and @code{c} and place the result in @code{a}. The result
5251printed would be the value of @code{a}. In Modula-2, this means to compare
5252@code{a} to the result of @code{b+c}, yielding a @code{BOOLEAN} value.
09934a2b 5253@end ifset
c2bbbb22 5254
4eb4cf57 5255@node Automatically
18fae2a8 5256@subsection Having @value{GDBN} infer the source language
c2bbbb22 5257
d05baf08
JK
5258To have @value{GDBN} set the working language automatically, use
5259@samp{set language local} or @samp{set language auto}. @value{GDBN}
5260then infers the working language. That is, when your program stops in a
5261frame (usually by encountering a breakpoint), @value{GDBN} sets the
5262working language to the language recorded for the function in that
5263frame. If the language for a frame is unknown (that is, if the function
5264or block corresponding to the frame was defined in a source file that
5265does not have a recognized extension), the current working language is
5266not changed, and @value{GDBN} issues a warning.
c2bbbb22
RP
5267
5268This may not seem necessary for most programs, which are written
5269entirely in one source language. However, program modules and libraries
5270written in one source language can be used by a main program written in
5271a different source language. Using @samp{set language auto} in this
5272case frees you from having to set the working language manually.
5273
4eb4cf57 5274@node Show
c2bbbb22
RP
5275@section Displaying the language
5276
9a27b06e 5277The following commands help you find out which language is the
c2bbbb22
RP
5278working language, and also what language source files were written in.
5279
5280@kindex show language
5281@kindex info frame
5282@kindex info source
5283@table @code
5284@item show language
5285Display the current working language. This is the
5286language you can use with commands such as @code{print} to
29a2b744 5287build and compute expressions that may involve variables in your program.
c2bbbb22
RP
5288
5289@item info frame
af215b1a
VM
5290Display the source language for this frame. This language becomes the
5291working language if you use an identifier from this frame.
5292@xref{Frame Info, ,Information about a frame}, to identify the other
5293information listed here.
c2bbbb22
RP
5294
5295@item info source
af215b1a
VM
5296Display the source language of this source file.
5297@xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}, to identify the other
5298information listed here.
c2bbbb22
RP
5299@end table
5300
09934a2b 5301@ifset MOD2
4eb4cf57 5302@node Checks
93928b60 5303@section Type and range checking
c2bbbb22
RP
5304
5305@quotation
18fae2a8 5306@emph{Warning:} In this release, the @value{GDBN} commands for type and range
c2bbbb22
RP
5307checking are included, but they do not yet have any effect. This
5308section documents the intended facilities.
5309@end quotation
5310@c FIXME remove warning when type/range code added
5311
5312Some languages are designed to guard you against making seemingly common
5313errors through a series of compile- and run-time checks. These include
5314checking the type of arguments to functions and operators, and making
5315sure mathematical overflows are caught at run time. Checks such as
5316these help to ensure a program's correctness once it has been compiled
5317by eliminating type mismatches, and providing active checks for range
29a2b744 5318errors when your program is running.
c2bbbb22 5319
18fae2a8 5320@value{GDBN} can check for conditions like the above if you wish.
9a27b06e 5321Although @value{GDBN} does not check the statements in your program, it
18fae2a8 5322can check expressions entered directly into @value{GDBN} for evaluation via
1041a570 5323the @code{print} command, for example. As with the working language,
18fae2a8 5324@value{GDBN} can also decide whether or not to check automatically based on
93928b60 5325your program's source language. @xref{Support, ,Supported languages},
1041a570 5326for the default settings of supported languages.
c2bbbb22
RP
5327
5328@menu
5329* Type Checking:: An overview of type checking
5330* Range Checking:: An overview of range checking
5331@end menu
5332
5333@cindex type checking
5334@cindex checks, type
4eb4cf57 5335@node Type Checking
c2bbbb22
RP
5336@subsection An overview of type checking
5337
5338Some languages, such as Modula-2, are strongly typed, meaning that the
5339arguments to operators and functions have to be of the correct type,
5340otherwise an error occurs. These checks prevent type mismatch
5341errors from ever causing any run-time problems. For example,
5342
af215b1a 5343@smallexample
c2bbbb22 53441 + 2 @result{} 3
1041a570 5345@exdent but
c2bbbb22 5346@error{} 1 + 2.3
af215b1a 5347@end smallexample
c2bbbb22
RP
5348
5349The second example fails because the @code{CARDINAL} 1 is not
5350type-compatible with the @code{REAL} 2.3.
5351
af215b1a
VM
5352For the expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell the
5353@value{GDBN} type checker to skip checking;
5354to treat any mismatches as errors and abandon the expression;
5355or to only issue warnings when type mismatches occur,
5356but evaluate the expression anyway. When you choose the last of
18fae2a8 5357these, @value{GDBN} evaluates expressions like the second example above, but
c2bbbb22
RP
5358also issues a warning.
5359
af215b1a
VM
5360Even if you turn type checking off, there may be other reasons
5361related to type that prevent @value{GDBN} from evaluating an expression.
5362For instance, @value{GDBN} does not know how to add an @code{int} and
5363a @code{struct foo}. These particular type errors have nothing to do
5364with the language in use, and usually arise from expressions, such as
5365the one described above, which make little sense to evaluate anyway.
c2bbbb22
RP
5366
5367Each language defines to what degree it is strict about type. For
5368instance, both Modula-2 and C require the arguments to arithmetical
5369operators to be numbers. In C, enumerated types and pointers can be
5370represented as numbers, so that they are valid arguments to mathematical
93928b60 5371operators. @xref{Support, ,Supported languages}, for further
c2bbbb22
RP
5372details on specific languages.
5373
18fae2a8 5374@value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling the type checker:
c2bbbb22
RP
5375
5376@kindex set check
5377@kindex set check type
5378@kindex show check type
5379@table @code
5380@item set check type auto
e251e767 5381Set type checking on or off based on the current working language.
93928b60 5382@xref{Support, ,Supported languages}, for the default settings for
c2bbbb22
RP
5383each language.
5384
5385@item set check type on
5386@itemx set check type off
5387Set type checking on or off, overriding the default setting for the
5388current working language. Issue a warning if the setting does not
93918348 5389match the language default. If any type mismatches occur in
18fae2a8 5390evaluating an expression while typechecking is on, @value{GDBN} prints a
c2bbbb22
RP
5391message and aborts evaluation of the expression.
5392
5393@item set check type warn
5394Cause the type checker to issue warnings, but to always attempt to
5395evaluate the expression. Evaluating the expression may still
18fae2a8 5396be impossible for other reasons. For example, @value{GDBN} cannot add
c2bbbb22
RP
5397numbers and structures.
5398
5399@item show type
af215b1a
VM
5400Show the current setting of the type checker, and whether or not @value{GDBN}
5401is setting it automatically.
c2bbbb22
RP
5402@end table
5403
5404@cindex range checking
5405@cindex checks, range
4eb4cf57 5406@node Range Checking
ed447b95 5407@subsection An overview of range checking
c2bbbb22
RP
5408
5409In some languages (such as Modula-2), it is an error to exceed the
5410bounds of a type; this is enforced with run-time checks. Such range
5411checking is meant to ensure program correctness by making sure
5412computations do not overflow, or indices on an array element access do
5413not exceed the bounds of the array.
5414
ed447b95
RP
5415For expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell
5416@value{GDBN} to treat range errors in one of three ways: ignore them,
5417always treat them as errors and abandon the expression, or issue
5418warnings but evaluate the expression anyway.
c2bbbb22
RP
5419
5420A range error can result from numerical overflow, from exceeding an
ed447b95 5421array index bound, or when you type a constant that is not a member
c2bbbb22
RP
5422of any type. Some languages, however, do not treat overflows as an
5423error. In many implementations of C, mathematical overflow causes the
5424result to ``wrap around'' to lower values---for example, if @var{m} is
5425the largest integer value, and @var{s} is the smallest, then
1041a570 5426
c2bbbb22
RP
5427@example
5428@var{m} + 1 @result{} @var{s}
5429@end example
5430
5431This, too, is specific to individual languages, and in some cases
1041a570 5432specific to individual compilers or machines. @xref{Support, ,
93928b60 5433Supported languages}, for further details on specific languages.
c2bbbb22 5434
18fae2a8 5435@value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling the range checker:
c2bbbb22
RP
5436
5437@kindex set check
5438@kindex set check range
5439@kindex show check range
5440@table @code
5441@item set check range auto
e251e767 5442Set range checking on or off based on the current working language.
93928b60 5443@xref{Support, ,Supported languages}, for the default settings for
c2bbbb22
RP
5444each language.
5445
5446@item set check range on
5447@itemx set check range off
5448Set range checking on or off, overriding the default setting for the
5449current working language. A warning is issued if the setting does not
93918348 5450match the language default. If a range error occurs, then a message
c2bbbb22
RP
5451is printed and evaluation of the expression is aborted.
5452
5453@item set check range warn
18fae2a8 5454Output messages when the @value{GDBN} range checker detects a range error,
c2bbbb22
RP
5455but attempt to evaluate the expression anyway. Evaluating the
5456expression may still be impossible for other reasons, such as accessing
6b51acad 5457memory that the process does not own (a typical example from many Unix
c2bbbb22
RP
5458systems).
5459
5460@item show range
e251e767 5461Show the current setting of the range checker, and whether or not it is
18fae2a8 5462being set automatically by @value{GDBN}.
c2bbbb22 5463@end table
09934a2b 5464@end ifset
c2bbbb22 5465
4eb4cf57 5466@node Support
93928b60 5467@section Supported languages
c2bbbb22 5468
09934a2b
RP
5469@ifset MOD2
5470@value{GDBN} 4 supports C, C++, and Modula-2.
5471@end ifset
5472@ifclear MOD2
5473@value{GDBN} 4 supports C, and C++.
5474@end ifclear
5475Some @value{GDBN} features may be used in expressions regardless of the
5476language you use: the @value{GDBN} @code{@@} and @code{::} operators,
5477and the @samp{@{type@}addr} construct (@pxref{Expressions,
5478,Expressions}) can be used with the constructs of any supported
5479language.
5480
5481The following sections detail to what degree each source language is
5482supported by @value{GDBN}. These sections are not meant to be language
5483tutorials or references, but serve only as a reference guide to what the
9a27b06e 5484@value{GDBN} expression parser accepts, and what input and output
09934a2b
RP
5485formats should look like for different languages. There are many good
5486books written on each of these languages; please look to these for a
5487language reference or tutorial.
5488
5489@ifset MOD2
c2bbbb22
RP
5490@menu
5491* C:: C and C++
5492* Modula-2:: Modula-2
5493@end menu
5494
4eb4cf57 5495@node C
c2bbbb22
RP
5496@subsection C and C++
5497@cindex C and C++
c2bbbb22 5498@cindex expressions in C or C++
0f153e74 5499
18fae2a8 5500Since C and C++ are so closely related, many features of @value{GDBN} apply
af215b1a 5501to both languages. Whenever this is the case, we discuss those languages
5a2c1d85 5502together.
09934a2b
RP
5503@end ifset
5504@ifclear MOD2
5505@c Cancel this below, under same condition, at end of this chapter!
6370267a 5506@raisesections
09934a2b 5507@end ifclear
b80282d5
RP
5508
5509@cindex C++
5510@kindex g++
af215b1a
VM
5511@cindex @sc{gnu} C++
5512The C++ debugging facilities are jointly implemented by the @sc{gnu} C++
22b5dba5 5513compiler and @value{GDBN}. Therefore, to debug your C++ code
af215b1a 5514effectively, you must compile your C++ programs with the @sc{gnu} C++
22b5dba5
RP
5515compiler, @code{g++}.
5516
5517For best results when debugging C++ programs, use the stabs debugging
5518format. You can select that format explicitly with the @code{g++}
5519command-line options @samp{-gstabs} or @samp{-gstabs+}. See
af215b1a
VM
5520@ref{Debugging Options,,Options for Debugging Your Program or @sc{gnu} CC,
5521gcc.info, Using @sc{gnu} CC}, for more information.
18fae2a8
RP
5522@end ifclear
5523@ifset CONLY
0f153e74
RP
5524@node C
5525@chapter C Language Support
5526@cindex C language
5527@cindex expressions in C
5528
18fae2a8
RP
5529Information specific to the C language is built into @value{GDBN} so that you
5530can use C expressions while degugging. This also permits @value{GDBN} to
0f153e74 5531output values in a manner consistent with C conventions.
c2bbbb22 5532
0f153e74 5533@menu
ed447b95
RP
5534* C Operators:: C operators
5535* C Constants:: C constants
18fae2a8 5536* Debugging C:: @value{GDBN} and C
0f153e74 5537@end menu
18fae2a8
RP
5538@end ifset
5539@ifclear CONLY
b80282d5 5540@menu
ed447b95
RP
5541* C Operators:: C and C++ operators
5542* C Constants:: C and C++ constants
5543* Cplus expressions:: C++ expressions
c2bbbb22 5544* C Defaults:: Default settings for C and C++
09934a2b 5545@ifset MOD2
ed447b95 5546* C Checks:: C and C++ type and range checks
09934a2b 5547@end ifset
da374d80 5548
18fae2a8 5549* Debugging C:: @value{GDBN} and C
c2bbbb22 5550* Debugging C plus plus:: Special features for C++
b80282d5 5551@end menu
18fae2a8 5552@end ifclear
b80282d5 5553
18fae2a8 5554@ifclear CONLY
c2bbbb22 5555@cindex C and C++ operators
4eb4cf57 5556@node C Operators
93928b60 5557@subsubsection C and C++ operators
18fae2a8
RP
5558@end ifclear
5559@ifset CONLY
0f153e74
RP
5560@cindex C operators
5561@node C Operators
93928b60 5562@section C operators
18fae2a8 5563@end ifset
c2bbbb22
RP
5564
5565Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
5566@code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
0f153e74
RP
5567often defined on groups of types.
5568
18fae2a8 5569@ifclear CONLY
0f153e74 5570For the purposes of C and C++, the following definitions hold:
18fae2a8 5571@end ifclear
c2bbbb22
RP
5572
5573@itemize @bullet
e251e767 5574@item
c2bbbb22 5575@emph{Integral types} include @code{int} with any of its storage-class
9aa964da 5576specifiers; @code{char}; and @code{enum}.
c2bbbb22
RP
5577
5578@item
5579@emph{Floating-point types} include @code{float} and @code{double}.
5580
5581@item
5582@emph{Pointer types} include all types defined as @code{(@var{type}
5583*)}.
5584
e251e767 5585@item
c2bbbb22 5586@emph{Scalar types} include all of the above.
c2bbbb22
RP
5587@end itemize
5588
5589@noindent
5590The following operators are supported. They are listed here
5591in order of increasing precedence:
5592
5593@table @code
18fae2a8 5594@item ,
c2bbbb22
RP
5595The comma or sequencing operator. Expressions in a comma-separated list
5596are evaluated from left to right, with the result of the entire
5597expression being the last expression evaluated.
5598
5599@item =
5600Assignment. The value of an assignment expression is the value
5601assigned. Defined on scalar types.
5602
5603@item @var{op}=
1041a570
RP
5604Used in an expression of the form @w{@code{@var{a} @var{op}= @var{b}}},
5605and translated to @w{@code{@var{a} = @var{a op b}}}.
5606@w{@code{@var{op}=}} and @code{=} have the same precendence.
5607@var{op} is any one of the operators @code{|}, @code{^}, @code{&},
5608@code{<<}, @code{>>}, @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{%}.
c2bbbb22
RP
5609
5610@item ?:
5611The ternary operator. @code{@var{a} ? @var{b} : @var{c}} can be thought
5612of as: if @var{a} then @var{b} else @var{c}. @var{a} should be of an
5613integral type.
5614
5615@item ||
1041a570 5616Logical @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
c2bbbb22
RP
5617
5618@item &&
1041a570 5619Logical @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
c2bbbb22
RP
5620
5621@item |
1041a570 5622Bitwise @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
c2bbbb22
RP
5623
5624@item ^
1041a570 5625Bitwise exclusive-@sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
c2bbbb22
RP
5626
5627@item &
1041a570 5628Bitwise @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
c2bbbb22
RP
5629
5630@item ==@r{, }!=
5631Equality and inequality. Defined on scalar types. The value of these
5632expressions is 0 for false and non-zero for true.
5633
5634@item <@r{, }>@r{, }<=@r{, }>=
5635Less than, greater than, less than or equal, greater than or equal.
5636Defined on scalar types. The value of these expressions is 0 for false
5637and non-zero for true.
5638
5639@item <<@r{, }>>
18fae2a8 5640left shift, and right shift. Defined on integral types.
c2bbbb22 5641
e251e767 5642@item @@
18fae2a8 5643The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
c2bbbb22
RP
5644
5645@item +@r{, }-
5646Addition and subtraction. Defined on integral types, floating-point types and
e251e767 5647pointer types.
c2bbbb22
RP
5648
5649@item *@r{, }/@r{, }%
5650Multiplication, division, and modulus. Multiplication and division are
5651defined on integral and floating-point types. Modulus is defined on
5652integral types.
5653
5654@item ++@r{, }--
5655Increment and decrement. When appearing before a variable, the
5656operation is performed before the variable is used in an expression;
5657when appearing after it, the variable's value is used before the
5658operation takes place.
5659
5660@item *
5661Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types. Same precedence as
5662@code{++}.
5663
5664@item &
5665Address operator. Defined on variables. Same precedence as @code{++}.
5666
18fae2a8 5667@ifclear CONLY
93918348 5668For debugging C++, @value{GDBN} implements a use of @samp{&} beyond what is
6ca72cc6 5669allowed in the C++ language itself: you can use @samp{&(&@var{ref})}
7640fe71 5670(or, if you prefer, simply @samp{&&@var{ref}}) to examine the address
6ca72cc6
RP
5671where a C++ reference variable (declared with @samp{&@var{ref}}) is
5672stored.
18fae2a8 5673@end ifclear
6ca72cc6 5674
c2bbbb22
RP
5675@item -
5676Negative. Defined on integral and floating-point types. Same
5677precedence as @code{++}.
5678
5679@item !
5680Logical negation. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
5681@code{++}.
5682
5683@item ~
5684Bitwise complement operator. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
5685@code{++}.
5686
18fae2a8 5687
c2bbbb22
RP
5688@item .@r{, }->
5689Structure member, and pointer-to-structure member. For convenience,
18fae2a8 5690@value{GDBN} regards the two as equivalent, choosing whether to dereference a
e251e767 5691pointer based on the stored type information.
9aa964da 5692Defined on @code{struct} and @code{union} data.
c2bbbb22
RP
5693
5694@item []
5695Array indexing. @code{@var{a}[@var{i}]} is defined as
5696@code{*(@var{a}+@var{i})}. Same precedence as @code{->}.
5697
5698@item ()
18fae2a8 5699Function parameter list. Same precedence as @code{->}.
c2bbbb22 5700
18fae2a8 5701@ifclear CONLY
c2bbbb22
RP
5702@item ::
5703C++ scope resolution operator. Defined on
5704@code{struct}, @code{union}, and @code{class} types.
18fae2a8 5705@end ifclear
c2bbbb22
RP
5706
5707@item ::
ed447b95
RP
5708Doubled colons
5709@ifclear CONLY
5710also
5711@end ifclear
5712represent the @value{GDBN} scope operator (@pxref{Expressions,
5713,Expressions}).
18fae2a8 5714@ifclear CONLY
0f153e74 5715Same precedence as @code{::}, above.
18fae2a8 5716@end ifclear
c2bbbb22
RP
5717@end table
5718
18fae2a8 5719@ifclear CONLY
c2bbbb22 5720@cindex C and C++ constants
4eb4cf57 5721@node C Constants
93928b60 5722@subsubsection C and C++ constants
0f153e74 5723
18fae2a8 5724@value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of C and C++ in the
0f153e74 5725following ways:
18fae2a8
RP
5726@end ifclear
5727@ifset CONLY
0f153e74
RP
5728@cindex C constants
5729@node C Constants
93928b60 5730@section C constants
c2bbbb22 5731
18fae2a8 5732@value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of C in the
c2bbbb22 5733following ways:
18fae2a8 5734@end ifset
c2bbbb22
RP
5735
5736@itemize @bullet
c2bbbb22
RP
5737@item
5738Integer constants are a sequence of digits. Octal constants are
af215b1a 5739specified by a leading @samp{0} (i.e. zero), and hexadecimal constants by
1041a570 5740a leading @samp{0x} or @samp{0X}. Constants may also end with a letter
c2bbbb22
RP
5741@samp{l}, specifying that the constant should be treated as a
5742@code{long} value.
5743
5744@item
5745Floating point constants are a sequence of digits, followed by a decimal
5746point, followed by a sequence of digits, and optionally followed by an
5747exponent. An exponent is of the form:
5748@samp{@w{e@r{[[}+@r{]|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}}, where @var{nnn} is another
5749sequence of digits. The @samp{+} is optional for positive exponents.
5750
5751@item
5752Enumerated constants consist of enumerated identifiers, or their
5753integral equivalents.
5754
5755@item
5756Character constants are a single character surrounded by single quotes
5757(@code{'}), or a number---the ordinal value of the corresponding character
5758(usually its @sc{ASCII} value). Within quotes, the single character may
5759be represented by a letter or by @dfn{escape sequences}, which are of
5760the form @samp{\@var{nnn}}, where @var{nnn} is the octal representation
5761of the character's ordinal value; or of the form @samp{\@var{x}}, where
5762@samp{@var{x}} is a predefined special character---for example,
5763@samp{\n} for newline.
5764
5765@item
5766String constants are a sequence of character constants surrounded
5767by double quotes (@code{"}).
5768
5769@item
fe715d06
RP
5770Pointer constants are an integral value. You can also write pointers
5771to constants using the C operator @samp{&}.
5772
5773@item
5774Array constants are comma-separated lists surrounded by braces @samp{@{}
5775and @samp{@}}; for example, @samp{@{1,2,3@}} is a three-element array of
5776integers, @samp{@{@{1,2@}, @{3,4@}, @{5,6@}@}} is a three-by-two array,
5777and @samp{@{&"hi", &"there", &"fred"@}} is a three-element array of pointers.
c2bbbb22
RP
5778@end itemize
5779
18fae2a8 5780@ifclear CONLY
ed447b95 5781@node Cplus expressions
93928b60 5782@subsubsection C++ expressions
b80282d5
RP
5783
5784@cindex expressions in C++
93918348 5785@value{GDBN} expression handling has a number of extensions to
b1385986
RP
5786interpret a significant subset of C++ expressions.
5787
5788@cindex C++ support, not in @sc{coff}
5789@cindex @sc{coff} versus C++
5790@cindex C++ and object formats
5791@cindex object formats and C++
5792@cindex a.out and C++
5793@cindex @sc{ecoff} and C++
5794@cindex @sc{xcoff} and C++
5795@cindex @sc{elf}/stabs and C++
5796@cindex @sc{elf}/@sc{dwarf} and C++
9a27b06e
RP
5797@c FIXME!! GDB may eventually be able to debug C++ using DWARF; check
5798@c periodically whether this has happened...
b1385986 5799@quotation
9a27b06e 5800@emph{Warning:} @value{GDBN} can only debug C++ code if you compile with
af215b1a 5801the @sc{gnu} C++ compiler. Moreover, C++ debugging depends on the use of
9a27b06e
RP
5802additional debugging information in the symbol table, and thus requires
5803special support. @value{GDBN} has this support @emph{only} with the
5804stabs debug format. In particular, if your compiler generates a.out,
5805MIPS @sc{ecoff}, RS/6000 @sc{xcoff}, or @sc{elf} with stabs extensions
af215b1a 5806to the symbol table, these facilities are all available. (With @sc{gnu} CC,
9a27b06e
RP
5807you can use the @samp{-gstabs} option to request stabs debugging
5808extensions explicitly.) Where the object code format is standard
5809@sc{coff} or @sc{dwarf} in @sc{elf}, on the other hand, most of the C++
5810support in @value{GDBN} does @emph{not} work.
b1385986 5811@end quotation
b80282d5
RP
5812
5813@enumerate
5814
5815@cindex member functions
e251e767 5816@item
b80282d5 5817Member function calls are allowed; you can use expressions like
1041a570 5818
b80282d5
RP
5819@example
5820count = aml->GetOriginal(x, y)
5821@end example
5822
5823@kindex this
5824@cindex namespace in C++
e251e767 5825@item
b80282d5
RP
5826While a member function is active (in the selected stack frame), your
5827expressions have the same namespace available as the member function;
18fae2a8 5828that is, @value{GDBN} allows implicit references to the class instance
b80282d5
RP
5829pointer @code{this} following the same rules as C++.
5830
5831@cindex call overloaded functions
5832@cindex type conversions in C++
e251e767 5833@item
9a27b06e 5834You can call overloaded functions; @value{GDBN} resolves the function
b80282d5
RP
5835call to the right definition, with one restriction---you must use
5836arguments of the type required by the function that you want to call.
9a27b06e 5837@value{GDBN} does not perform conversions requiring constructors or
b80282d5
RP
5838user-defined type operators.
5839
5840@cindex reference declarations
5841@item
af215b1a
VM
5842@value{GDBN} understands variables declared as C++ references; you can use
5843them in expressions just as you do in C++ source---they are automatically
e251e767 5844dereferenced.
b80282d5 5845
18fae2a8 5846In the parameter list shown when @value{GDBN} displays a frame, the values of
b80282d5
RP
5847reference variables are not displayed (unlike other variables); this
5848avoids clutter, since references are often used for large structures.
5849The @emph{address} of a reference variable is always shown, unless
1041a570 5850you have specified @samp{set print address off}.
b80282d5
RP
5851
5852@item
18fae2a8 5853@value{GDBN} supports the C++ name resolution operator @code{::}---your
c2bbbb22
RP
5854expressions can use it just as expressions in your program do. Since
5855one scope may be defined in another, you can use @code{::} repeatedly if
5856necessary, for example in an expression like
18fae2a8 5857@samp{@var{scope1}::@var{scope2}::@var{name}}. @value{GDBN} also allows
c2bbbb22 5858resolving name scope by reference to source files, in both C and C++
93928b60 5859debugging (@pxref{Variables, ,Program variables}).
b80282d5
RP
5860@end enumerate
5861
4eb4cf57 5862@node C Defaults
93928b60 5863@subsubsection C and C++ defaults
c2bbbb22
RP
5864@cindex C and C++ defaults
5865
18fae2a8 5866If you allow @value{GDBN} to set type and range checking automatically, they
e251e767 5867both default to @code{off} whenever the working language changes to
af215b1a
VM
5868C or C++. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
5869selects the working language.
c2bbbb22 5870
af215b1a
VM
5871If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, it recognizes
5872source files whose names end with @file{.c}, @file{.C}, or @file{.cc}, and
5873when @value{GDBN} enters code compiled from one of these files,
5874it sets the working language to C or C++.
18fae2a8 5875@xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN} infer the source language}, for
c2bbbb22
RP
5876further details.
5877
09934a2b
RP
5878@ifset MOD2
5879@c Type checking is (a) primarily motivated by Modula-2, and (b)
5880@c unimplemented. If (b) changes, it might make sense to let this node
5881@c appear even if Mod-2 does not, but meanwhile ignore it. pesch 16jul93.
4eb4cf57 5882@node C Checks
93928b60 5883@subsubsection C and C++ type and range checks
c2bbbb22
RP
5884@cindex C and C++ checks
5885
18fae2a8 5886By default, when @value{GDBN} parses C or C++ expressions, type checking
9a27b06e
RP
5887is not used. However, if you turn type checking on, @value{GDBN}
5888considers two variables type equivalent if:
c2bbbb22
RP
5889
5890@itemize @bullet
5891@item
5892The two variables are structured and have the same structure, union, or
5893enumerated tag.
5894
e251e767 5895@item
af215b1a 5896The two variables have the same type name, or types that have been
c2bbbb22
RP
5897declared equivalent through @code{typedef}.
5898
5899@ignore
5900@c leaving this out because neither J Gilmore nor R Pesch understand it.
5901@c FIXME--beers?
5902@item
5903The two @code{struct}, @code{union}, or @code{enum} variables are
5904declared in the same declaration. (Note: this may not be true for all C
5905compilers.)
5906@end ignore
c2bbbb22
RP
5907@end itemize
5908
5909Range checking, if turned on, is done on mathematical operations. Array
5910indices are not checked, since they are often used to index a pointer
5911that is not itself an array.
09934a2b 5912@end ifset
18fae2a8 5913@end ifclear
c2bbbb22 5914
18fae2a8 5915@ifclear CONLY
4eb4cf57 5916@node Debugging C
18fae2a8
RP
5917@subsubsection @value{GDBN} and C
5918@end ifclear
5919@ifset CONLY
5920@node Debugging C
5921@section @value{GDBN} and C
5922@end ifset
c2bbbb22
RP
5923
5924The @code{set print union} and @code{show print union} commands apply to
5925the @code{union} type. When set to @samp{on}, any @code{union} that is
1d7c3357
RP
5926inside a @code{struct}
5927@ifclear CONLY
5928or @code{class}
5929@end ifclear
9a27b06e
RP
5930is also printed.
5931Otherwise, it appears as @samp{@{...@}}.
c2bbbb22
RP
5932
5933The @code{@@} operator aids in the debugging of dynamic arrays, formed
ed447b95
RP
5934with pointers and a memory allocation function. @xref{Expressions,
5935,Expressions}.
c2bbbb22 5936
18fae2a8 5937@ifclear CONLY
4eb4cf57 5938@node Debugging C plus plus
93928b60 5939@subsubsection @value{GDBN} features for C++
b80282d5
RP
5940
5941@cindex commands for C++
18fae2a8 5942Some @value{GDBN} commands are particularly useful with C++, and some are
b80282d5
RP
5943designed specifically for use with C++. Here is a summary:
5944
5945@table @code
5946@cindex break in overloaded functions
5947@item @r{breakpoint menus}
5948When you want a breakpoint in a function whose name is overloaded,
93918348 5949@value{GDBN} breakpoint menus help you specify which function definition
93928b60 5950you want. @xref{Breakpoint Menus,,Breakpoint menus}.
b80282d5
RP
5951
5952@cindex overloading in C++
5953@item rbreak @var{regex}
5954Setting breakpoints using regular expressions is helpful for setting
5955breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
e251e767 5956classes.
93928b60 5957@xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting breakpoints}.
b80282d5
RP
5958
5959@cindex C++ exception handling
5960@item catch @var{exceptions}
5961@itemx info catch
29a2b744 5962Debug C++ exception handling using these commands. @xref{Exception
93928b60 5963Handling, ,Breakpoints and exceptions}.
b80282d5 5964
e251e767 5965@cindex inheritance
b80282d5
RP
5966@item ptype @var{typename}
5967Print inheritance relationships as well as other information for type
e251e767 5968@var{typename}.
1041a570 5969@xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}.
b80282d5
RP
5970
5971@cindex C++ symbol display
5972@item set print demangle
5973@itemx show print demangle
5974@itemx set print asm-demangle
5975@itemx show print asm-demangle
5976Control whether C++ symbols display in their source form, both when
5977displaying code as C++ source and when displaying disassemblies.
93928b60 5978@xref{Print Settings, ,Print settings}.
b80282d5
RP
5979
5980@item set print object
5981@itemx show print object
e251e767 5982Choose whether to print derived (actual) or declared types of objects.
93928b60 5983@xref{Print Settings, ,Print settings}.
b80282d5
RP
5984
5985@item set print vtbl
5986@itemx show print vtbl
5987Control the format for printing virtual function tables.
93928b60 5988@xref{Print Settings, ,Print settings}.
6f3ec223
RP
5989
5990@item @r{Overloaded symbol names}
5991You can specify a particular definition of an overloaded symbol, using
93918348 5992the same notation that is used to declare such symbols in C++: type
6f3ec223 5993@code{@var{symbol}(@var{types})} rather than just @var{symbol}. You can
93918348 5994also use the @value{GDBN} command-line word completion facilities to list the
6f3ec223 5995available choices, or to finish the type list for you.
93928b60 5996@xref{Completion,, Command completion}, for details on how to do this.
b80282d5 5997@end table
09934a2b 5998@ifclear MOD2
6370267a
RP
5999@c cancels "raisesections" under same conditions near bgn of chapter
6000@lowersections
09934a2b 6001@end ifclear
b80282d5 6002
09934a2b 6003@ifset MOD2
4eb4cf57 6004@node Modula-2
c2bbbb22
RP
6005@subsection Modula-2
6006@cindex Modula-2
6007
ed447b95 6008The extensions made to @value{GDBN} to support Modula-2 only support
af215b1a 6009output from the @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler (which is currently being
ed447b95 6010developed). Other Modula-2 compilers are not currently supported, and
9a27b06e
RP
6011attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
6012to give an error as @value{GDBN} reads in the executable's symbol
ed447b95 6013table.
c2bbbb22
RP
6014
6015@cindex expressions in Modula-2
6016@menu
6017* M2 Operators:: Built-in operators
ed447b95
RP
6018* Built-In Func/Proc:: Built-in functions and procedures
6019* M2 Constants:: Modula-2 constants
c2bbbb22
RP
6020* M2 Defaults:: Default settings for Modula-2
6021* Deviations:: Deviations from standard Modula-2
ed447b95 6022* M2 Checks:: Modula-2 type and range checks
c2bbbb22 6023* M2 Scope:: The scope operators @code{::} and @code{.}
18fae2a8 6024* GDB/M2:: @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
c2bbbb22
RP
6025@end menu
6026
4eb4cf57 6027@node M2 Operators
c2bbbb22
RP
6028@subsubsection Operators
6029@cindex Modula-2 operators
6030
6031Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
6032@code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
6033often defined on groups of types. For the purposes of Modula-2, the
6034following definitions hold:
6035
6036@itemize @bullet
6037
6038@item
6039@emph{Integral types} consist of @code{INTEGER}, @code{CARDINAL}, and
6040their subranges.
6041
6042@item
6043@emph{Character types} consist of @code{CHAR} and its subranges.
6044
6045@item
6046@emph{Floating-point types} consist of @code{REAL}.
6047
6048@item
6049@emph{Pointer types} consist of anything declared as @code{POINTER TO
6050@var{type}}.
6051
6052@item
6053@emph{Scalar types} consist of all of the above.
6054
6055@item
9aa964da 6056@emph{Set types} consist of @code{SET} and @code{BITSET} types.
c2bbbb22
RP
6057
6058@item
6059@emph{Boolean types} consist of @code{BOOLEAN}.
c2bbbb22
RP
6060@end itemize
6061
6062@noindent
6063The following operators are supported, and appear in order of
6064increasing precedence:
6065
6066@table @code
c2bbbb22
RP
6067@item ,
6068Function argument or array index separator.
18fae2a8 6069
c2bbbb22
RP
6070@item :=
6071Assignment. The value of @var{var} @code{:=} @var{value} is
6072@var{value}.
6073
6074@item <@r{, }>
6075Less than, greater than on integral, floating-point, or enumerated
6076types.
6077
6078@item <=@r{, }>=
6079Less than, greater than, less than or equal to, greater than or equal to
6080on integral, floating-point and enumerated types, or set inclusion on
6081set types. Same precedence as @code{<}.
6082
6083@item =@r{, }<>@r{, }#
6084Equality and two ways of expressing inequality, valid on scalar types.
18fae2a8 6085Same precedence as @code{<}. In @value{GDBN} scripts, only @code{<>} is
c2bbbb22
RP
6086available for inequality, since @code{#} conflicts with the script
6087comment character.
6088
6089@item IN
6090Set membership. Defined on set types and the types of their members.
6091Same precedence as @code{<}.
6092
6093@item OR
6094Boolean disjunction. Defined on boolean types.
6095
6096@item AND@r{, }&
6097Boolean conjuction. Defined on boolean types.
6098
6099@item @@
18fae2a8 6100The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
c2bbbb22
RP
6101
6102@item +@r{, }-
6103Addition and subtraction on integral and floating-point types, or union
6104and difference on set types.
6105
6106@item *
6107Multiplication on integral and floating-point types, or set intersection
6108on set types.
6109
6110@item /
6111Division on floating-point types, or symmetric set difference on set
6112types. Same precedence as @code{*}.
6113
6114@item DIV@r{, }MOD
6115Integer division and remainder. Defined on integral types. Same
6116precedence as @code{*}.
6117
6118@item -
9aa964da 6119Negative. Defined on @code{INTEGER} and @code{REAL} data.
c2bbbb22
RP
6120
6121@item ^
e251e767 6122Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types.
c2bbbb22
RP
6123
6124@item NOT
6125Boolean negation. Defined on boolean types. Same precedence as
6126@code{^}.
6127
6128@item .
9aa964da 6129@code{RECORD} field selector. Defined on @code{RECORD} data. Same
c2bbbb22
RP
6130precedence as @code{^}.
6131
6132@item []
9aa964da 6133Array indexing. Defined on @code{ARRAY} data. Same precedence as @code{^}.
c2bbbb22
RP
6134
6135@item ()
9aa964da 6136Procedure argument list. Defined on @code{PROCEDURE} objects. Same precedence
c2bbbb22
RP
6137as @code{^}.
6138
6139@item ::@r{, }.
18fae2a8 6140@value{GDBN} and Modula-2 scope operators.
c2bbbb22
RP
6141@end table
6142
6143@quotation
18fae2a8 6144@emph{Warning:} Sets and their operations are not yet supported, so @value{GDBN}
9a27b06e 6145treats the use of the operator @code{IN}, or the use of operators
c2bbbb22
RP
6146@code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{=}, , @code{<>}, @code{#},
6147@code{<=}, and @code{>=} on sets as an error.
6148@end quotation
18fae2a8 6149
29a2b744 6150@cindex Modula-2 built-ins
4eb4cf57 6151@node Built-In Func/Proc
93928b60 6152@subsubsection Built-in functions and procedures
c2bbbb22
RP
6153
6154Modula-2 also makes available several built-in procedures and functions.
6155In describing these, the following metavariables are used:
6156
6157@table @var
6158
6159@item a
6160represents an @code{ARRAY} variable.
6161
6162@item c
6163represents a @code{CHAR} constant or variable.
6164
6165@item i
6166represents a variable or constant of integral type.
6167
6168@item m
6169represents an identifier that belongs to a set. Generally used in the
6170same function with the metavariable @var{s}. The type of @var{s} should
6b51acad 6171be @code{SET OF @var{mtype}} (where @var{mtype} is the type of @var{m}).
c2bbbb22
RP
6172
6173@item n
6174represents a variable or constant of integral or floating-point type.
6175
6176@item r
6177represents a variable or constant of floating-point type.
6178
6179@item t
6180represents a type.
6181
6182@item v
6183represents a variable.
6184
6185@item x
6186represents a variable or constant of one of many types. See the
6187explanation of the function for details.
c2bbbb22
RP
6188@end table
6189
6190All Modula-2 built-in procedures also return a result, described below.
6191
6192@table @code
6193@item ABS(@var{n})
6194Returns the absolute value of @var{n}.
6195
6196@item CAP(@var{c})
6197If @var{c} is a lower case letter, it returns its upper case
6198equivalent, otherwise it returns its argument
6199
6200@item CHR(@var{i})
6201Returns the character whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
6202
6203@item DEC(@var{v})
6204Decrements the value in the variable @var{v}. Returns the new value.
6205
6206@item DEC(@var{v},@var{i})
6207Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
6208new value.
6209
6210@item EXCL(@var{m},@var{s})
6211Removes the element @var{m} from the set @var{s}. Returns the new
6212set.
6213
6214@item FLOAT(@var{i})
6215Returns the floating point equivalent of the integer @var{i}.
6216
6217@item HIGH(@var{a})
6218Returns the index of the last member of @var{a}.
6219
6220@item INC(@var{v})
6221Increments the value in the variable @var{v}. Returns the new value.
6222
6223@item INC(@var{v},@var{i})
6224Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
6225new value.
6226
6227@item INCL(@var{m},@var{s})
6228Adds the element @var{m} to the set @var{s} if it is not already
6229there. Returns the new set.
6230
6231@item MAX(@var{t})
6232Returns the maximum value of the type @var{t}.
6233
6234@item MIN(@var{t})
6235Returns the minimum value of the type @var{t}.
6236
6237@item ODD(@var{i})
6238Returns boolean TRUE if @var{i} is an odd number.
6239
6240@item ORD(@var{x})
6241Returns the ordinal value of its argument. For example, the ordinal
6242value of a character is its ASCII value (on machines supporting the
6243ASCII character set). @var{x} must be of an ordered type, which include
6244integral, character and enumerated types.
6245
6246@item SIZE(@var{x})
6247Returns the size of its argument. @var{x} can be a variable or a type.
6248
6249@item TRUNC(@var{r})
6250Returns the integral part of @var{r}.
6251
6252@item VAL(@var{t},@var{i})
6253Returns the member of the type @var{t} whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
6254@end table
6255
6256@quotation
6257@emph{Warning:} Sets and their operations are not yet supported, so
9a27b06e 6258@value{GDBN} treats the use of procedures @code{INCL} and @code{EXCL} as
c2bbbb22
RP
6259an error.
6260@end quotation
6261
6262@cindex Modula-2 constants
4eb4cf57 6263@node M2 Constants
c2bbbb22
RP
6264@subsubsection Constants
6265
18fae2a8 6266@value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of Modula-2 in the following
c2bbbb22
RP
6267ways:
6268
6269@itemize @bullet
6270
6271@item
6272Integer constants are simply a sequence of digits. When used in an
6273expression, a constant is interpreted to be type-compatible with the
6274rest of the expression. Hexadecimal integers are specified by a
6275trailing @samp{H}, and octal integers by a trailing @samp{B}.
6276
6277@item
6278Floating point constants appear as a sequence of digits, followed by a
6279decimal point and another sequence of digits. An optional exponent can
6280then be specified, in the form @samp{E@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}, where
6281@samp{@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}} is the desired exponent. All of the
6282digits of the floating point constant must be valid decimal (base 10)
6283digits.
6284
6285@item
6286Character constants consist of a single character enclosed by a pair of
6287like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}). They may
6288also be expressed by their ordinal value (their ASCII value, usually)
6289followed by a @samp{C}.
6290
6291@item
1041a570
RP
6292String constants consist of a sequence of characters enclosed by a
6293pair of like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}).
6294Escape sequences in the style of C are also allowed. @xref{C
93928b60 6295Constants, ,C and C++ constants}, for a brief explanation of escape
1041a570 6296sequences.
c2bbbb22
RP
6297
6298@item
6299Enumerated constants consist of an enumerated identifier.
6300
6301@item
6302Boolean constants consist of the identifiers @code{TRUE} and
6303@code{FALSE}.
6304
6305@item
6306Pointer constants consist of integral values only.
6307
6308@item
6309Set constants are not yet supported.
c2bbbb22
RP
6310@end itemize
6311
4eb4cf57 6312@node M2 Defaults
93928b60 6313@subsubsection Modula-2 defaults
c2bbbb22
RP
6314@cindex Modula-2 defaults
6315
18fae2a8 6316If type and range checking are set automatically by @value{GDBN}, they
e251e767 6317both default to @code{on} whenever the working language changes to
18fae2a8 6318Modula-2. This happens regardless of whether you, or @value{GDBN},
c2bbbb22
RP
6319selected the working language.
6320
18fae2a8 6321If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, then entering
9a27b06e 6322code compiled from a file whose name ends with @file{.mod} sets the
18fae2a8 6323working language to Modula-2. @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN} set
c2bbbb22
RP
6324the language automatically}, for further details.
6325
4eb4cf57 6326@node Deviations
93928b60 6327@subsubsection Deviations from standard Modula-2
c2bbbb22
RP
6328@cindex Modula-2, deviations from
6329
6330A few changes have been made to make Modula-2 programs easier to debug.
6331This is done primarily via loosening its type strictness:
6332
6333@itemize @bullet
e251e767 6334@item
c2bbbb22
RP
6335Unlike in standard Modula-2, pointer constants can be formed by
6336integers. This allows you to modify pointer variables during
6337debugging. (In standard Modula-2, the actual address contained in a
6338pointer variable is hidden from you; it can only be modified
6339through direct assignment to another pointer variable or expression that
6340returned a pointer.)
6341
e251e767 6342@item
c2bbbb22 6343C escape sequences can be used in strings and characters to represent
9a27b06e 6344non-printable characters. @value{GDBN} prints out strings with these
c2bbbb22
RP
6345escape sequences embedded. Single non-printable characters are
6346printed using the @samp{CHR(@var{nnn})} format.
6347
6348@item
6349The assignment operator (@code{:=}) returns the value of its right-hand
6350argument.
6351
6352@item
29a2b744 6353All built-in procedures both modify @emph{and} return their argument.
e251e767 6354@end itemize
c2bbbb22 6355
4eb4cf57 6356@node M2 Checks
93928b60 6357@subsubsection Modula-2 type and range checks
c2bbbb22
RP
6358@cindex Modula-2 checks
6359
6360@quotation
18fae2a8 6361@emph{Warning:} in this release, @value{GDBN} does not yet perform type or
c2bbbb22
RP
6362range checking.
6363@end quotation
6364@c FIXME remove warning when type/range checks added
6365
18fae2a8 6366@value{GDBN} considers two Modula-2 variables type equivalent if:
c2bbbb22
RP
6367
6368@itemize @bullet
6369@item
6370They are of types that have been declared equivalent via a @code{TYPE
6371@var{t1} = @var{t2}} statement
6372
6373@item
6374They have been declared on the same line. (Note: This is true of the
af215b1a 6375@sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler, but it may not be true of other compilers.)
c2bbbb22
RP
6376@end itemize
6377
6378As long as type checking is enabled, any attempt to combine variables
6379whose types are not equivalent is an error.
6380
6381Range checking is done on all mathematical operations, assignment, array
29a2b744 6382index bounds, and all built-in functions and procedures.
c2bbbb22 6383
4eb4cf57 6384@node M2 Scope
c2bbbb22
RP
6385@subsubsection The scope operators @code{::} and @code{.}
6386@cindex scope
6387@kindex .
e94b4a2b 6388@cindex colon, doubled as scope operator
1041a570
RP
6389@ifinfo
6390@kindex colon-colon
ed447b95 6391@c Info cannot handle :: but TeX can.
1041a570
RP
6392@end ifinfo
6393@iftex
c2bbbb22 6394@kindex ::
1041a570 6395@end iftex
c2bbbb22
RP
6396
6397There are a few subtle differences between the Modula-2 scope operator
18fae2a8 6398(@code{.}) and the @value{GDBN} scope operator (@code{::}). The two have
c2bbbb22
RP
6399similar syntax:
6400
6401@example
6402
6403@var{module} . @var{id}
6404@var{scope} :: @var{id}
c2bbbb22
RP
6405@end example
6406
6407@noindent
6408where @var{scope} is the name of a module or a procedure,
29a2b744
RP
6409@var{module} the name of a module, and @var{id} is any declared
6410identifier within your program, except another module.
c2bbbb22 6411
18fae2a8 6412Using the @code{::} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the scope
c2bbbb22 6413specified by @var{scope} for the identifier @var{id}. If it is not
9a27b06e 6414found in the specified scope, then @value{GDBN} searches all scopes
c2bbbb22
RP
6415enclosing the one specified by @var{scope}.
6416
18fae2a8 6417Using the @code{.} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the current scope for
c2bbbb22
RP
6418the identifier specified by @var{id} that was imported from the
6419definition module specified by @var{module}. With this operator, it is
6420an error if the identifier @var{id} was not imported from definition
6421module @var{module}, or if @var{id} is not an identifier in
6422@var{module}.
6423
4eb4cf57 6424@node GDB/M2
18fae2a8 6425@subsubsection @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
c2bbbb22 6426
18fae2a8 6427Some @value{GDBN} commands have little use when debugging Modula-2 programs.
c2bbbb22
RP
6428Five subcommands of @code{set print} and @code{show print} apply
6429specifically to C and C++: @samp{vtbl}, @samp{demangle},
6430@samp{asm-demangle}, @samp{object}, and @samp{union}. The first four
93918348 6431apply to C++, and the last to the C @code{union} type, which has no direct
c2bbbb22
RP
6432analogue in Modula-2.
6433
1041a570 6434The @code{@@} operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}), while available
c2bbbb22
RP
6435while using any language, is not useful with Modula-2. Its
6436intent is to aid the debugging of @dfn{dynamic arrays}, which cannot be
6437created in Modula-2 as they can in C or C++. However, because an
6438address can be specified by an integral constant, the construct
1041a570 6439@samp{@{@var{type}@}@var{adrexp}} is still useful. (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions})
18fae2a8 6440
c2bbbb22 6441@cindex @code{#} in Modula-2
18fae2a8 6442In @value{GDBN} scripts, the Modula-2 inequality operator @code{#} is
c2bbbb22 6443interpreted as the beginning of a comment. Use @code{<>} instead.
09934a2b 6444@end ifset
da374d80 6445@end ifclear
4eb4cf57
RP
6446
6447@node Symbols
70b88761
RP
6448@chapter Examining the Symbol Table
6449
6450The commands described in this section allow you to inquire about the
6451symbols (names of variables, functions and types) defined in your
6452program. This information is inherent in the text of your program and
18fae2a8
RP
6453does not change as your program executes. @value{GDBN} finds it in your
6454program's symbol table, in the file indicated when you started @value{GDBN}
93928b60
RP
6455(@pxref{File Options, ,Choosing files}), or by one of the
6456file-management commands (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to specify files}).
70b88761 6457
6c380b13
RP
6458@cindex symbol names
6459@cindex names of symbols
6460@cindex quoting names
6461Occasionally, you may need to refer to symbols that contain unusual
18fae2a8 6462characters, which @value{GDBN} ordinarily treats as word delimiters. The
6c380b13 6463most frequent case is in referring to static variables in other
93928b60 6464source files (@pxref{Variables,,Program variables}). File names
18fae2a8 6465are recorded in object files as debugging symbols, but @value{GDBN} would
6c380b13 6466ordinarily parse a typical file name, like @file{foo.c}, as the three words
18fae2a8 6467@samp{foo} @samp{.} @samp{c}. To allow @value{GDBN} to recognize
6c380b13
RP
6468@samp{foo.c} as a single symbol, enclose it in single quotes; for example,
6469
6470@example
6471p 'foo.c'::x
6472@end example
6473
6474@noindent
6475looks up the value of @code{x} in the scope of the file @file{foo.c}.
6476
70b88761 6477@table @code
70b88761 6478@kindex info address
af215b1a 6479@item info address @var{symbol}
70b88761
RP
6480Describe where the data for @var{symbol} is stored. For a register
6481variable, this says which register it is kept in. For a non-register
6482local variable, this prints the stack-frame offset at which the variable
6483is always stored.
6484
6485Note the contrast with @samp{print &@var{symbol}}, which does not work
6b51acad 6486at all for a register variable, and for a stack local variable prints
70b88761
RP
6487the exact address of the current instantiation of the variable.
6488
70b88761 6489@kindex whatis
af215b1a 6490@item whatis @var{exp}
70b88761
RP
6491Print the data type of expression @var{exp}. @var{exp} is not
6492actually evaluated, and any side-effecting operations (such as
6493assignments or function calls) inside it do not take place.
1041a570 6494@xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
70b88761
RP
6495
6496@item whatis
6497Print the data type of @code{$}, the last value in the value history.
6498
70b88761 6499@kindex ptype
af215b1a 6500@item ptype @var{typename}
70b88761
RP
6501Print a description of data type @var{typename}. @var{typename} may be
6502the name of a type, or for C code it may have the form
25f9d853
JK
6503@ifclear CONLY
6504@samp{class @var{class-name}},
6505@end ifclear
70b88761 6506@samp{struct @var{struct-tag}}, @samp{union @var{union-tag}} or
1041a570 6507@samp{enum @var{enum-tag}}.
70b88761
RP
6508
6509@item ptype @var{exp}
e0dacfd1 6510@itemx ptype
70b88761 6511Print a description of the type of expression @var{exp}. @code{ptype}
1041a570 6512differs from @code{whatis} by printing a detailed description, instead
ed447b95
RP
6513of just the name of the type.
6514
6515For example, for this variable declaration:
1041a570 6516
70b88761
RP
6517@example
6518struct complex @{double real; double imag;@} v;
6519@end example
1041a570 6520
70b88761 6521@noindent
ed447b95 6522the two commands give this output:
1041a570 6523
70b88761 6524@example
1041a570 6525@group
18fae2a8 6526(@value{GDBP}) whatis v
70b88761 6527type = struct complex
18fae2a8 6528(@value{GDBP}) ptype v
70b88761
RP
6529type = struct complex @{
6530 double real;
6531 double imag;
6532@}
1041a570 6533@end group
70b88761 6534@end example
1041a570 6535
e0dacfd1
RP
6536@noindent
6537As with @code{whatis}, using @code{ptype} without an argument refers to
6538the type of @code{$}, the last value in the value history.
70b88761 6539
af215b1a 6540@kindex info types
70b88761
RP
6541@item info types @var{regexp}
6542@itemx info types
70b88761
RP
6543Print a brief description of all types whose name matches @var{regexp}
6544(or all types in your program, if you supply no argument). Each
6545complete typename is matched as though it were a complete line; thus,
6546@samp{i type value} gives information on all types in your program whose
6547name includes the string @code{value}, but @samp{i type ^value$} gives
6548information only on types whose complete name is @code{value}.
6549
6550This command differs from @code{ptype} in two ways: first, like
6551@code{whatis}, it does not print a detailed description; second, it
6552lists all source files where a type is defined.
6553
70b88761 6554@kindex info source
af215b1a 6555@item info source
70b88761 6556Show the name of the current source file---that is, the source file for
c2bbbb22
RP
6557the function containing the current point of execution---and the language
6558it was written in.
70b88761 6559
70b88761 6560@kindex info sources
af215b1a 6561@item info sources
29a2b744 6562Print the names of all source files in your program for which there is
b80282d5
RP
6563debugging information, organized into two lists: files whose symbols
6564have already been read, and files whose symbols will be read when needed.
70b88761 6565
70b88761 6566@kindex info functions
af215b1a 6567@item info functions
70b88761
RP
6568Print the names and data types of all defined functions.
6569
6570@item info functions @var{regexp}
6571Print the names and data types of all defined functions
6572whose names contain a match for regular expression @var{regexp}.
6573Thus, @samp{info fun step} finds all functions whose names
6574include @code{step}; @samp{info fun ^step} finds those whose names
6575start with @code{step}.
6576
70b88761 6577@kindex info variables
af215b1a 6578@item info variables
70b88761
RP
6579Print the names and data types of all variables that are declared
6580outside of functions (i.e., excluding local variables).
6581
6582@item info variables @var{regexp}
6583Print the names and data types of all variables (except for local
6584variables) whose names contain a match for regular expression
6585@var{regexp}.
6586
70b88761
RP
6587@ignore
6588This was never implemented.
af215b1a 6589@kindex info methods
70b88761
RP
6590@item info methods
6591@itemx info methods @var{regexp}
70b88761
RP
6592The @code{info methods} command permits the user to examine all defined
6593methods within C++ program, or (with the @var{regexp} argument) a
6594specific set of methods found in the various C++ classes. Many
6595C++ classes provide a large number of methods. Thus, the output
6596from the @code{ptype} command can be overwhelming and hard to use. The
6597@code{info-methods} command filters the methods, printing only those
6598which match the regular-expression @var{regexp}.
6599@end ignore
6600
af215b1a
VM
6601@cindex reloading symbols
6602Some systems allow individual object files that make up your program to
6603be replaced without stopping and restarting your program.
6604@ifset VXWORKS
6605For example, in VxWorks you can simply recompile a defective object file
6606and keep on running.
6607@end ifset
6608If you are running on one of these systems, you can allow @value{GDBN} to
6609reload the symbols for automatically relinked modules:
6610
6611@table @code
6612@kindex set symbol-reloading
6613@item set symbol-reloading on
6614Replace symbol definitions for the corresponding source file when an
6615object file with a particular name is seen again.
6616
6617@item set symbol-reloading off
6618Do not replace symbol definitions when re-encountering object files of
6619the same name. This is the default state; if you are not running on a
6620system that permits automatically relinking modules, you should leave
6621@code{symbol-reloading} off, since otherwise @value{GDBN} may discard symbols
6622when linking large programs, that may contain several modules (from
6623different directories or libraries) with the same name.
6624
6625@kindex show symbol-reloading
6626@item show symbol-reloading
6627Show the current @code{on} or @code{off} setting.
6628@end table
6629
d48da190 6630@kindex maint print symbols
440d9834 6631@cindex symbol dump
d48da190 6632@kindex maint print psymbols
440d9834 6633@cindex partial symbol dump
af215b1a
VM
6634@item maint print symbols @var{filename}
6635@itemx maint print psymbols @var{filename}
6636@itemx maint print msymbols @var{filename}
440d9834 6637Write a dump of debugging symbol data into the file @var{filename}.
18fae2a8 6638These commands are used to debug the @value{GDBN} symbol-reading code. Only
d48da190 6639symbols with debugging data are included. If you use @samp{maint print
18fae2a8 6640symbols}, @value{GDBN} includes all the symbols for which it has already
d48da190 6641collected full details: that is, @var{filename} reflects symbols for
18fae2a8 6642only those files whose symbols @value{GDBN} has read. You can use the
d48da190
RP
6643command @code{info sources} to find out which files these are. If you
6644use @samp{maint print psymbols} instead, the dump shows information about
18fae2a8
RP
6645symbols that @value{GDBN} only knows partially---that is, symbols defined in
6646files that @value{GDBN} has skimmed, but not yet read completely. Finally,
d48da190 6647@samp{maint print msymbols} dumps just the minimal symbol information
18fae2a8 6648required for each object file from which @value{GDBN} has read some symbols.
d55320a0
RP
6649@xref{Files, ,Commands to specify files}, for a discussion of how
6650@value{GDBN} reads symbols (in the description of @code{symbol-file}).
70b88761
RP
6651@end table
6652
4eb4cf57 6653@node Altering
70b88761
RP
6654@chapter Altering Execution
6655
29a2b744 6656Once you think you have found an error in your program, you might want to
70b88761
RP
6657find out for certain whether correcting the apparent error would lead to
6658correct results in the rest of the run. You can find the answer by
18fae2a8 6659experiment, using the @value{GDBN} features for altering execution of the
70b88761
RP
6660program.
6661
6662For example, you can store new values into variables or memory
1d7c3357 6663locations,
18fae2a8 6664@ifclear BARETARGET
1d7c3357 6665give your program a signal, restart it
18fae2a8 6666@end ifclear
1d7c3357
RP
6667@ifset BARETARGET
6668restart your program
6669@end ifset
af215b1a 6670at a different address, or even return prematurely from a function.
18fae2a8 6671
18fae2a8 6672@menu
ed447b95
RP
6673* Assignment:: Assignment to variables
6674* Jumping:: Continuing at a different address
1d7c3357 6675@ifclear BARETARGET
ed447b95 6676* Signaling:: Giving your program a signal
18fae2a8 6677@end ifclear
b0157555 6678
ed447b95
RP
6679* Returning:: Returning from a function
6680* Calling:: Calling your program's functions
6681* Patching:: Patching your program
18fae2a8 6682@end menu
70b88761 6683
4eb4cf57 6684@node Assignment
93928b60 6685@section Assignment to variables
70b88761
RP
6686
6687@cindex assignment
6688@cindex setting variables
6689To alter the value of a variable, evaluate an assignment expression.
1041a570 6690@xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}. For example,
70b88761
RP
6691
6692@example
6693print x=4
6694@end example
6695
6696@noindent
1041a570 6697stores the value 4 into the variable @code{x}, and then prints the
4eb4cf57 6698value of the assignment expression (which is 4).
18fae2a8
RP
6699@ifclear CONLY
6700@xref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages}, for more
4eb4cf57 6701information on operators in supported languages.
18fae2a8 6702@end ifclear
70b88761 6703
70b88761
RP
6704@kindex set variable
6705@cindex variables, setting
6706If you are not interested in seeing the value of the assignment, use the
6707@code{set} command instead of the @code{print} command. @code{set} is
93928b60
RP
6708really the same as @code{print} except that the expression's value is
6709not printed and is not put in the value history (@pxref{Value History,
6710,Value history}). The expression is evaluated only for its effects.
70b88761
RP
6711
6712If the beginning of the argument string of the @code{set} command
6713appears identical to a @code{set} subcommand, use the @code{set
6714variable} command instead of just @code{set}. This command is identical
ed447b95
RP
6715to @code{set} except for its lack of subcommands. For example, if
6716your program has a variable @code{width}, you get
6717an error if you try to set a new value with just @samp{set width=13},
6718because @value{GDBN} has the command @code{set width}:
1041a570 6719
70b88761 6720@example
18fae2a8 6721(@value{GDBP}) whatis width
70b88761 6722type = double
18fae2a8 6723(@value{GDBP}) p width
70b88761 6724$4 = 13
18fae2a8 6725(@value{GDBP}) set width=47
70b88761
RP
6726Invalid syntax in expression.
6727@end example
1041a570 6728
70b88761 6729@noindent
ed447b95
RP
6730The invalid expression, of course, is @samp{=47}. In
6731order to actually set the program's variable @code{width}, use
1041a570 6732
70b88761 6733@example
18fae2a8 6734(@value{GDBP}) set var width=47
70b88761
RP
6735@end example
6736
18fae2a8 6737@value{GDBN} allows more implicit conversions in assignments than C; you can
1041a570 6738freely store an integer value into a pointer variable or vice versa,
ed447b95 6739and you can convert any structure to any other structure that is the
1041a570 6740same length or shorter.
e251e767 6741@comment FIXME: how do structs align/pad in these conversions?
70b88761
RP
6742@comment /pesch@cygnus.com 18dec1990
6743
6744To store values into arbitrary places in memory, use the @samp{@{@dots{}@}}
6745construct to generate a value of specified type at a specified address
1041a570 6746(@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). For example, @code{@{int@}0x83040} refers
70b88761
RP
6747to memory location @code{0x83040} as an integer (which implies a certain size
6748and representation in memory), and
6749
6750@example
6751set @{int@}0x83040 = 4
6752@end example
6753
6754@noindent
6755stores the value 4 into that memory location.
6756
4eb4cf57 6757@node Jumping
93928b60 6758@section Continuing at a different address
70b88761 6759
29a2b744 6760Ordinarily, when you continue your program, you do so at the place where
70b88761
RP
6761it stopped, with the @code{continue} command. You can instead continue at
6762an address of your own choosing, with the following commands:
6763
6764@table @code
70b88761 6765@kindex jump
af215b1a 6766@item jump @var{linespec}
9a27b06e 6767Resume execution at line @var{linespec}. Execution stops again
29a2b744 6768immediately if there is a breakpoint there. @xref{List, ,Printing
93928b60 6769source lines}, for a description of the different forms of
29a2b744 6770@var{linespec}.
70b88761
RP
6771
6772The @code{jump} command does not change the current stack frame, or
6773the stack pointer, or the contents of any memory location or any
6774register other than the program counter. If line @var{linespec} is in
6775a different function from the one currently executing, the results may
6776be bizarre if the two functions expect different patterns of arguments or
6777of local variables. For this reason, the @code{jump} command requests
6778confirmation if the specified line is not in the function currently
6779executing. However, even bizarre results are predictable if you are
29a2b744 6780well acquainted with the machine-language code of your program.
70b88761
RP
6781
6782@item jump *@var{address}
6783Resume execution at the instruction at address @var{address}.
6784@end table
6785
6786You can get much the same effect as the @code{jump} command by storing a
6787new value into the register @code{$pc}. The difference is that this
af215b1a 6788does not start your program running; it only changes the address of where it
9a27b06e 6789@emph{will} run when you continue. For example,
70b88761
RP
6790
6791@example
6792set $pc = 0x485
6793@end example
6794
6795@noindent
9a27b06e 6796makes the next @code{continue} command or stepping command execute at
1041a570 6797address @code{0x485}, rather than at the address where your program stopped.
93928b60 6798@xref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and stepping}.
70b88761 6799
af215b1a
VM
6800The most common occasion to use the @code{jump} command is to back up--
6801perhaps with more breakpoints set--over a portion of a program that has
70b88761
RP
6802already executed, in order to examine its execution in more detail.
6803
18fae2a8 6804@ifclear BARETARGET
70b88761 6805@c @group
ed447b95
RP
6806@node Signaling
6807@section Giving your program a signal
70b88761
RP
6808
6809@table @code
70b88761 6810@kindex signal
af215b1a 6811@item signal @var{signal}
6b51acad 6812Resume execution where your program stopped, but immediately give it the
fd32a1dd
JK
6813signal @var{signal}. @var{signal} can be the name or the number of a
6814signal. For example, on many systems @code{signal 2} and @code{signal
6815SIGINT} are both ways of sending an interrupt signal.
70b88761 6816
fd32a1dd 6817Alternatively, if @var{signal} is zero, continue execution without
29a2b744 6818giving a signal. This is useful when your program stopped on account of
70b88761
RP
6819a signal and would ordinary see the signal when resumed with the
6820@code{continue} command; @samp{signal 0} causes it to resume without a
6821signal.
6822
6823@code{signal} does not repeat when you press @key{RET} a second time
6824after executing the command.
6825@end table
6826@c @end group
fd32a1dd
JK
6827
6828Invoking the @code{signal} command is not the same as invoking the
6829@code{kill} utility from the shell. Sending a signal with @code{kill}
6830causes @value{GDBN} to decide what to do with the signal depending on
6831the signal handling tables (@pxref{Signals}). The @code{signal} command
6832passes the signal directly to your program.
6833
18fae2a8 6834@end ifclear
70b88761 6835
4eb4cf57 6836@node Returning
93928b60 6837@section Returning from a function
70b88761
RP
6838
6839@table @code
70b88761
RP
6840@cindex returning from a function
6841@kindex return
af215b1a
VM
6842@item return
6843@itemx return @var{expression}
70b88761
RP
6844You can cancel execution of a function call with the @code{return}
6845command. If you give an
6846@var{expression} argument, its value is used as the function's return
e251e767 6847value.
70b88761
RP
6848@end table
6849
18fae2a8 6850When you use @code{return}, @value{GDBN} discards the selected stack frame
70b88761
RP
6851(and all frames within it). You can think of this as making the
6852discarded frame return prematurely. If you wish to specify a value to
6853be returned, give that value as the argument to @code{return}.
6854
29a2b744 6855This pops the selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a
93928b60 6856frame}), and any other frames inside of it, leaving its caller as the
29a2b744
RP
6857innermost remaining frame. That frame becomes selected. The
6858specified value is stored in the registers used for returning values
6859of functions.
70b88761
RP
6860
6861The @code{return} command does not resume execution; it leaves the
6862program stopped in the state that would exist if the function had just
1041a570 6863returned. In contrast, the @code{finish} command (@pxref{Continuing
93928b60 6864and Stepping, ,Continuing and stepping}) resumes execution until the
1041a570 6865selected stack frame returns naturally.
70b88761 6866
4eb4cf57 6867@node Calling
ed447b95 6868@section Calling program functions
70b88761
RP
6869
6870@cindex calling functions
6871@kindex call
6872@table @code
6873@item call @var{expr}
6874Evaluate the expression @var{expr} without displaying @code{void}
6875returned values.
6876@end table
6877
6878You can use this variant of the @code{print} command if you want to
6879execute a function from your program, but without cluttering the output
af215b1a
VM
6880with @code{void} returned values. If the result is not void, it
6881is printed and saved in the value history.
6882
6883A new user-controlled variable, @var{call_scratch_address}, specifies
6884the location of a scratch area to be used when @value{GDBN} calls a
6885function in the target. This is necessary because the usual method
6886of putting the scratch area on the stack does not work in systems that
6887have separate instruction and data spaces.
70b88761 6888
4eb4cf57 6889@node Patching
ed447b95 6890@section Patching programs
c338a2fd
RP
6891@cindex patching binaries
6892@cindex writing into executables
1d7c3357 6893@ifclear BARETARGET
c338a2fd 6894@cindex writing into corefiles
1d7c3357 6895@end ifclear
1041a570 6896
18fae2a8 6897By default, @value{GDBN} opens the file containing your program's executable
1d7c3357
RP
6898code
6899@ifclear BARETARGET
6900(or the corefile)
6901@end ifclear
6902read-only. This prevents accidental alterations
c338a2fd
RP
6903to machine code; but it also prevents you from intentionally patching
6904your program's binary.
6905
6906If you'd like to be able to patch the binary, you can specify that
6907explicitly with the @code{set write} command. For example, you might
6908want to turn on internal debugging flags, or even to make emergency
e251e767 6909repairs.
c338a2fd
RP
6910
6911@table @code
af215b1a 6912@kindex set write
c338a2fd
RP
6913@item set write on
6914@itemx set write off
9a27b06e 6915If you specify @samp{set write on}, @value{GDBN} opens executable
18fae2a8 6916@ifclear BARETARGET
0f153e74 6917and core
18fae2a8 6918@end ifclear
0f153e74 6919files for both reading and writing; if you specify @samp{set write
9a27b06e 6920off} (the default), @value{GDBN} opens them read-only.
c338a2fd 6921
1d7c3357
RP
6922If you have already loaded a file, you must load it again (using the
6923@code{exec-file}
6924@ifclear BARETARGET
6925or @code{core-file}
6926@end ifclear
6927command) after changing @code{set write}, for your new setting to take
6928effect.
c338a2fd
RP
6929
6930@item show write
7d7ff5f6 6931@kindex show write
0f153e74 6932Display whether executable files
18fae2a8 6933@ifclear BARETARGET
0f153e74 6934and core files
18fae2a8 6935@end ifclear
9a27b06e 6936are opened for writing as well as reading.
c338a2fd
RP
6937@end table
6938
18fae2a8 6939@node GDB Files
93918348 6940@chapter @value{GDBN} Files
70b88761 6941
18fae2a8 6942@value{GDBN} needs to know the file name of the program to be debugged, both in
4eb4cf57 6943order to read its symbol table and in order to start your program.
18fae2a8 6944@ifclear BARETARGET
93918348
RP
6945To debug a core dump of a previous run, you must also tell @value{GDBN}
6946the name of the core dump file.
18fae2a8 6947@end ifclear
1041a570 6948
70b88761 6949@menu
ed447b95
RP
6950* Files:: Commands to specify files
6951* Symbol Errors:: Errors reading symbol files
70b88761
RP
6952@end menu
6953
4eb4cf57 6954@node Files
93928b60 6955@section Commands to specify files
70b88761 6956@cindex symbol table
70b88761 6957
18fae2a8 6958@ifclear BARETARGET
0f153e74 6959@cindex core dump file
af215b1a
VM
6960You may want to specify executable and core dump file names.
6961The usual way to do this is at start-up time, using the arguments to
6962@value{GDBN}'s start-up commands (@pxref{Invocation, ,
6963Getting In and Out of @value{GDBN}}).
18fae2a8
RP
6964@end ifclear
6965@ifset BARETARGET
4eb4cf57 6966The usual way to specify an executable file name is with
18fae2a8
RP
6967the command argument given when you start @value{GDBN}, (@pxref{Invocation,
6968,Getting In and Out of @value{GDBN}}.
6969@end ifset
70b88761
RP
6970
6971Occasionally it is necessary to change to a different file during a
93918348
RP
6972@value{GDBN} session. Or you may run @value{GDBN} and forget to specify
6973a file you want to use. In these situations the @value{GDBN} commands
6974to specify new files are useful.
70b88761
RP
6975
6976@table @code
70b88761
RP
6977@cindex executable file
6978@kindex file
af215b1a 6979@item file @var{filename}
70b88761
RP
6980Use @var{filename} as the program to be debugged. It is read for its
6981symbols and for the contents of pure memory. It is also the program
6982executed when you use the @code{run} command. If you do not specify a
af215b1a
VM
6983directory and the file is not found in the @value{GDBN} working directory,
6984@value{GDBN} uses the environment variable @code{PATH} as a list of
6985directories to search, just as the shell does when looking for a program
6986to run. You can change the value of this variable, for both @value{GDBN}
6987and your program, using the @code{path} command.
70b88761 6988
9a27b06e
RP
6989On systems with memory-mapped files, an auxiliary file
6990@file{@var{filename}.syms} may hold symbol table information for
6991@var{filename}. If so, @value{GDBN} maps in the symbol table from
14d01801 6992@file{@var{filename}.syms}, starting up more quickly. See the
af215b1a 6993descriptions of the file options @samp{-mapped} and @samp{-readnow}
9a27b06e 6994(available on the command line, and with the commands @code{file},
af215b1a
VM
6995@code{symbol-file}, or @code{add-symbol-file}, described below),
6996for more information.
14d01801 6997
e0dacfd1 6998@item file
18fae2a8 6999@code{file} with no argument makes @value{GDBN} discard any information it
70b88761
RP
7000has on both executable file and the symbol table.
7001
70b88761 7002@kindex exec-file
af215b1a 7003@item exec-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
70b88761 7004Specify that the program to be run (but not the symbol table) is found
9a27b06e 7005in @var{filename}. @value{GDBN} searches the environment variable @code{PATH}
29a2b744 7006if necessary to locate your program. Omitting @var{filename} means to
e0dacfd1 7007discard information on the executable file.
70b88761 7008
70b88761 7009@kindex symbol-file
af215b1a 7010@item symbol-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
70b88761
RP
7011Read symbol table information from file @var{filename}. @code{PATH} is
7012searched when necessary. Use the @code{file} command to get both symbol
7013table and program to run from the same file.
7014
93918348 7015@code{symbol-file} with no argument clears out @value{GDBN} information on your
70b88761
RP
7016program's symbol table.
7017
af215b1a
VM
7018The @code{symbol-file} command causes @value{GDBN} to forget the contents
7019of its convenience variables, the value history, and all breakpoints and
70b88761
RP
7020auto-display expressions. This is because they may contain pointers to
7021the internal data recording symbols and data types, which are part of
18fae2a8 7022the old symbol table data being discarded inside @value{GDBN}.
70b88761 7023
9a27b06e 7024@code{symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
70b88761
RP
7025executing it once.
7026
9a27b06e
RP
7027When @value{GDBN} is configured for a particular environment, it
7028understands debugging information in whatever format is the standard
af215b1a 7029generated for that environment; you may use either a @sc{gnu} compiler, or
14d01801 7030other compilers that adhere to the local conventions. Best results are
af215b1a 7031usually obtained from @sc{gnu} compilers; for example, using @code{@value{GCC}}
14d01801
RP
7032you can generate debugging information for optimized code.
7033
70b88761 7034On some kinds of object files, the @code{symbol-file} command does not
14d01801 7035normally read the symbol table in full right away. Instead, it scans
70b88761
RP
7036the symbol table quickly to find which source files and which symbols
7037are present. The details are read later, one source file at a time,
1041a570 7038as they are needed.
70b88761 7039
18fae2a8 7040The purpose of this two-stage reading strategy is to make @value{GDBN} start up
1041a570
RP
7041faster. For the most part, it is invisible except for occasional
7042pauses while the symbol table details for a particular source file are
7043being read. (The @code{set verbose} command can turn these pauses
93928b60
RP
7044into messages if desired. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional warnings
7045and messages}.)
70b88761 7046
8c69096b
RP
7047We have not implemented the two-stage strategy for COFF yet. When the
7048symbol table is stored in COFF format, @code{symbol-file} reads the
7049symbol table data in full right away.
70b88761 7050
14d01801
RP
7051@kindex readnow
7052@cindex reading symbols immediately
7053@cindex symbols, reading immediately
7054@kindex mapped
7055@cindex memory-mapped symbol file
38962738 7056@cindex saving symbol table
af215b1a
VM
7057@item symbol-file @var{filename} @r{[} -readnow @r{]} @r{[} -mapped @r{]}
7058@itemx file @var{filename} @r{[} -readnow @r{]} @r{[} -mapped @r{]}
18fae2a8 7059You can override the @value{GDBN} two-stage strategy for reading symbol
95d5ceb9 7060tables by using the @samp{-readnow} option with any of the commands that
18fae2a8 7061load symbol table information, if you want to be sure @value{GDBN} has the
14d01801
RP
7062entire symbol table available.
7063
18fae2a8 7064@ifclear BARETARGET
14d01801 7065If memory-mapped files are available on your system through the
95d5ceb9 7066@code{mmap} system call, you can use another option, @samp{-mapped}, to
18fae2a8 7067cause @value{GDBN} to write the symbols for your program into a reusable
9a27b06e 7068file. Future @value{GDBN} debugging sessions map in symbol information
93918348 7069from this auxiliary symbol file (if the program has not changed), rather
77b46d13
JG
7070than spending time reading the symbol table from the executable
7071program. Using the @samp{-mapped} option has the same effect as
18fae2a8 7072starting @value{GDBN} with the @samp{-mapped} command-line option.
14d01801 7073
95d5ceb9 7074You can use both options together, to make sure the auxiliary symbol
14d01801
RP
7075file has all the symbol information for your program.
7076
7077The auxiliary symbol file for a program called @var{myprog} is called
7078@samp{@var{myprog}.syms}. Once this file exists (so long as it is newer
9a27b06e 7079than the corresponding executable), @value{GDBN} always attempts to use
14d01801
RP
7080it when you debug @var{myprog}; no special options or commands are
7081needed.
93918348
RP
7082
7083The @file{.syms} file is specific to the host machine where you run
34ae25cd 7084@value{GDBN}. It holds an exact image of the internal @value{GDBN}
93918348
RP
7085symbol table. It cannot be shared across multiple host platforms.
7086
14d01801
RP
7087@c FIXME: for now no mention of directories, since this seems to be in
7088@c flux. 13mar1992 status is that in theory GDB would look either in
7089@c current dir or in same dir as myprog; but issues like competing
7090@c GDB's, or clutter in system dirs, mean that in practice right now
7091@c only current dir is used. FFish says maybe a special GDB hierarchy
7092@c (eg rooted in val of env var GDBSYMS) could exist for mappable symbol
7093@c files.
70b88761 7094
70b88761
RP
7095@kindex core
7096@kindex core-file
af215b1a 7097@item core-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
70b88761
RP
7098Specify the whereabouts of a core dump file to be used as the ``contents
7099of memory''. Traditionally, core files contain only some parts of the
18fae2a8 7100address space of the process that generated them; @value{GDBN} can access the
70b88761
RP
7101executable file itself for other parts.
7102
7103@code{core-file} with no argument specifies that no core file is
7104to be used.
7105
7106Note that the core file is ignored when your program is actually running
18fae2a8 7107under @value{GDBN}. So, if you have been running your program and you wish to
70b88761
RP
7108debug a core file instead, you must kill the subprocess in which the
7109program is running. To do this, use the @code{kill} command
93928b60 7110(@pxref{Kill Process, ,Killing the child process}).
18fae2a8 7111@end ifclear
70b88761 7112
af215b1a 7113@kindex load @var{filename}
70b88761 7114@item load @var{filename}
18fae2a8 7115@ifset GENERIC
70b88761 7116Depending on what remote debugging facilities are configured into
18fae2a8 7117@value{GDBN}, the @code{load} command may be available. Where it exists, it
70b88761
RP
7118is meant to make @var{filename} (an executable) available for debugging
7119on the remote system---by downloading, or dynamic linking, for example.
93918348 7120@code{load} also records the @var{filename} symbol table in @value{GDBN}, like
70b88761
RP
7121the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
7122
ed447b95
RP
7123If your @value{GDBN} does not have a @code{load} command, attempting to
7124execute it gets the error message ``@code{You can't do that when your
7125target is @dots{}}''
18fae2a8 7126@end ifset
70b88761 7127
99d1da6a 7128The file is loaded at whatever address is specified in the executable.
22b5dba5
RP
7129For some object file formats, you can specify the load address when you
7130link the program; for other formats, like a.out, the object file format
7131specifies a fixed address.
7132@c FIXME! This would be a good place for an xref to the GNU linker doc.
99d1da6a 7133
18fae2a8 7134@ifset VXWORKS
9a27b06e 7135On VxWorks, @code{load} links @var{filename} dynamically on the
18fae2a8
RP
7136current target system as well as adding its symbols in @value{GDBN}.
7137@end ifset
70b88761 7138
a64a6c2b 7139@ifset I960
70b88761 7140@cindex download to Nindy-960
9a27b06e
RP
7141With the Nindy interface to an Intel 960 board, @code{load}
7142downloads @var{filename} to the 960 as well as adding its symbols in
18fae2a8
RP
7143@value{GDBN}.
7144@end ifset
70b88761 7145
a64a6c2b 7146@ifset H8
1d7c3357
RP
7147@cindex download to H8/300 or H8/500
7148@cindex H8/300 or H8/500 download
a64a6c2b
RP
7149@cindex download to Hitachi SH
7150@cindex Hitachi SH download
72545cc6 7151When you select remote debugging to a Hitachi SH, H8/300, or H8/500 board
a64a6c2b 7152(@pxref{Hitachi Remote,,@value{GDBN} and Hitachi Microprocessors}),
1d7c3357
RP
7153the @code{load} command downloads your program to the Hitachi board and also
7154opens it as the current executable target for @value{GDBN} on your host
7155(like the @code{file} command).
18fae2a8 7156@end ifset
c7cb8acb 7157
9a27b06e 7158@code{load} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
70b88761 7159
18fae2a8 7160@ifclear BARETARGET
70b88761
RP
7161@kindex add-symbol-file
7162@cindex dynamic linking
af215b1a
VM
7163@item add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address}
7164@itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address} @r{[} -readnow @r{]} @r{[} -mapped @r{]}
70b88761 7165The @code{add-symbol-file} command reads additional symbol table information
b80282d5 7166from the file @var{filename}. You would use this command when @var{filename}
70b88761
RP
7167has been dynamically loaded (by some other means) into the program that
7168is running. @var{address} should be the memory address at which the
18fae2a8 7169file has been loaded; @value{GDBN} cannot figure this out for itself.
d55320a0 7170You can specify @var{address} as an expression.
70b88761
RP
7171
7172The symbol table of the file @var{filename} is added to the symbol table
7173originally read with the @code{symbol-file} command. You can use the
7174@code{add-symbol-file} command any number of times; the new symbol data thus
7175read keeps adding to the old. To discard all old symbol data instead,
e251e767 7176use the @code{symbol-file} command.
70b88761 7177
9a27b06e 7178@code{add-symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
70b88761 7179
95d5ceb9 7180You can use the @samp{-mapped} and @samp{-readnow} options just as with
18fae2a8 7181the @code{symbol-file} command, to change how @value{GDBN} manages the symbol
0f153e74 7182table information for @var{filename}.
af215b1a
VM
7183
7184@kindex add-shared-symbol-file
7185@item add-shared-symbol-file
7186The @code{add-shared-symbol-file} command can be used only under Harris' CXUX
7187operating system for the Motorola 88k. @value{GDBN} automatically looks for
7188shared libraries, however if @value{GDBN} does not find yours, you can run
7189@code{add-shared-symbol-file}. It takes no arguments.
18fae2a8 7190@end ifclear
95d5ceb9 7191
af215b1a
VM
7192@kindex section
7193@item section
7194The @code{section} command changes the base address of section SECTION of
7195the exec file to ADDR. This can be used if the exec file does not contain
7196section addresses, (such as in the a.out format), or when the addresses
7197specified in the file itself are wrong. Each section must be changed
7198separately. The ``info files'' command lists all the sections and their
7199addresses.
7200
70b88761
RP
7201@kindex info files
7202@kindex info target
af215b1a
VM
7203@item info files
7204@itemx info target
1041a570 7205@code{info files} and @code{info target} are synonymous; both print
1d7c3357
RP
7206the current target (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}),
7207including the
7208@ifclear BARETARGET
7209names of the executable and core dump files
7210@end ifclear
7211@ifset BARETARGET
7212name of the executable file
7213@end ifset
7214currently in use by @value{GDBN}, and the files from which symbols were
a4ae3702 7215loaded. The command @code{help target} lists all possible targets
1d7c3357 7216rather than current ones.
70b88761
RP
7217@end table
7218
7219All file-specifying commands allow both absolute and relative file names
b550c03a 7220as arguments. @value{GDBN} always converts the file name to an absolute file
70b88761
RP
7221name and remembers it that way.
7222
18fae2a8 7223@ifclear BARETARGET
70b88761 7224@cindex shared libraries
9a27b06e 7225@value{GDBN} supports SunOS, SVr4, Irix 5, and IBM RS/6000 shared libraries.
18fae2a8 7226@value{GDBN} automatically loads symbol definitions from shared libraries
77b46d13 7227when you use the @code{run} command, or when you examine a core file.
9a27b06e 7228(Before you issue the @code{run} command, @value{GDBN} does not understand
77b46d13
JG
7229references to a function in a shared library, however---unless you are
7230debugging a core file).
9a27b06e
RP
7231@c FIXME: some @value{GDBN} release may permit some refs to undef
7232@c FIXME...symbols---eg in a break cmd---assuming they are from a shared
7233@c FIXME...lib; check this from time to time when updating manual
70b88761
RP
7234
7235@table @code
70b88761
RP
7236@kindex info sharedlibrary
7237@kindex info share
af215b1a
VM
7238@item info share
7239@itemx info sharedlibrary
c338a2fd 7240Print the names of the shared libraries which are currently loaded.
70b88761 7241
c338a2fd
RP
7242@kindex sharedlibrary
7243@kindex share
af215b1a
VM
7244@item sharedlibrary @var{regex}
7245@itemx share @var{regex}
7246
f886dc0f
SS
7247Load shared object library symbols for files matching a
7248Unix regular expression.
7249As with files loaded automatically, it only loads shared libraries
6b51acad
RP
7250required by your program for a core file or after typing @code{run}. If
7251@var{regex} is omitted all shared libraries required by your program are
7252loaded.
c338a2fd 7253@end table
18fae2a8 7254@end ifclear
70b88761 7255
4eb4cf57 7256@node Symbol Errors
93928b60 7257@section Errors reading symbol files
1041a570 7258
9a27b06e 7259While reading a symbol file, @value{GDBN} occasionally encounters problems,
1041a570 7260such as symbol types it does not recognize, or known bugs in compiler
18fae2a8 7261output. By default, @value{GDBN} does not notify you of such problems, since
1041a570
RP
7262they are relatively common and primarily of interest to people
7263debugging compilers. If you are interested in seeing information
18fae2a8 7264about ill-constructed symbol tables, you can either ask @value{GDBN} to print
b80282d5 7265only one message about each such type of problem, no matter how many
18fae2a8 7266times the problem occurs; or you can ask @value{GDBN} to print more messages,
1041a570 7267to see how many times the problems occur, with the @code{set
93928b60
RP
7268complaints} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional warnings and
7269messages}).
70b88761 7270
d55320a0 7271The messages currently printed, and their meanings, include:
70b88761
RP
7272
7273@table @code
7274@item inner block not inside outer block in @var{symbol}
7275
7276The symbol information shows where symbol scopes begin and end
7277(such as at the start of a function or a block of statements). This
7278error indicates that an inner scope block is not fully contained
e251e767 7279in its outer scope blocks.
70b88761 7280
18fae2a8 7281@value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the inner block as if it had
70b88761
RP
7282the same scope as the outer block. In the error message, @var{symbol}
7283may be shown as ``@code{(don't know)}'' if the outer block is not a
7284function.
7285
7286@item block at @var{address} out of order
7287
e251e767 7288The symbol information for symbol scope blocks should occur in
70b88761 7289order of increasing addresses. This error indicates that it does not
e251e767 7290do so.
70b88761 7291
9a27b06e 7292@value{GDBN} does not circumvent this problem, and has trouble
ed447b95
RP
7293locating symbols in the source file whose symbols it is reading. (You
7294can often determine what source file is affected by specifying
93928b60
RP
7295@code{set verbose on}. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional warnings and
7296messages}.)
70b88761
RP
7297
7298@item bad block start address patched
7299
7300The symbol information for a symbol scope block has a start address
7301smaller than the address of the preceding source line. This is known
e251e767 7302to occur in the SunOS 4.1.1 (and earlier) C compiler.
70b88761 7303
18fae2a8 7304@value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the symbol scope block as
70b88761
RP
7305starting on the previous source line.
7306
70b88761
RP
7307@item bad string table offset in symbol @var{n}
7308
7309@cindex foo
7310Symbol number @var{n} contains a pointer into the string table which is
e251e767 7311larger than the size of the string table.
70b88761 7312
18fae2a8 7313@value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by considering the symbol to have the
70b88761
RP
7314name @code{foo}, which may cause other problems if many symbols end up
7315with this name.
7316
7317@item unknown symbol type @code{0x@var{nn}}
7318
18fae2a8 7319The symbol information contains new data types that @value{GDBN} does not yet
70b88761 7320know how to read. @code{0x@var{nn}} is the symbol type of the misunderstood
e251e767 7321information, in hexadecimal.
70b88761 7322
18fae2a8 7323@value{GDBN} circumvents the error by ignoring this symbol information. This
9a27b06e
RP
7324usually allows you to debug your program, though certain symbols
7325are not accessible. If you encounter such a problem and feel like
18fae2a8 7326debugging it, you can debug @code{@value{GDBP}} with itself, breakpoint on
70b88761
RP
7327@code{complain}, then go up to the function @code{read_dbx_symtab} and
7328examine @code{*bufp} to see the symbol.
7329
7330@item stub type has NULL name
1d7c3357
RP
7331@value{GDBN} could not find the full definition for
7332@ifclear CONLY
7333a struct or class.
7334@end ifclear
7335@ifset CONLY
7336a struct.
7337@end ifset
70b88761 7338
1d7c3357 7339@ifclear CONLY
440d9834 7340@item const/volatile indicator missing (ok if using g++ v1.x), got@dots{}
70b88761
RP
7341
7342The symbol information for a C++ member function is missing some
440d9834
RP
7343information that recent versions of the compiler should have output
7344for it.
1d7c3357 7345@end ifclear
70b88761 7346
440d9834 7347@item info mismatch between compiler and debugger
70b88761 7348
18fae2a8 7349@value{GDBN} could not parse a type specification output by the compiler.
70b88761
RP
7350@end table
7351
4eb4cf57 7352@node Targets
e251e767 7353@chapter Specifying a Debugging Target
70b88761
RP
7354@cindex debugging target
7355@kindex target
1041a570 7356
cedaf8bc 7357A @dfn{target} is the execution environment occupied by your program.
18fae2a8
RP
7358@ifclear BARETARGET
7359Often, @value{GDBN} runs in the same host environment as your program; in
1041a570
RP
7360that case, the debugging target is specified as a side effect when you
7361use the @code{file} or @code{core} commands. When you need more
18fae2a8 7362flexibility---for example, running @value{GDBN} on a physically separate
1041a570 7363host, or controlling a standalone system over a serial port or a
0f153e74 7364realtime system over a TCP/IP connection---you
18fae2a8
RP
7365@end ifclear
7366@ifset BARETARGET
0f153e74 7367You
18fae2a8 7368@end ifset
0f153e74 7369can use the @code{target} command to specify one of the target types
93928b60
RP
7370configured for @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Target Commands, ,Commands for managing
7371targets}).
70b88761
RP
7372
7373@menu
ed447b95
RP
7374* Active Targets:: Active targets
7375* Target Commands:: Commands for managing targets
7376* Remote:: Remote debugging
70b88761
RP
7377@end menu
7378
4eb4cf57 7379@node Active Targets
93928b60 7380@section Active targets
70b88761
RP
7381@cindex stacking targets
7382@cindex active targets
7383@cindex multiple targets
7384
18fae2a8 7385@ifclear BARETARGET
cedaf8bc 7386There are three classes of targets: processes, core files, and
18fae2a8 7387executable files. @value{GDBN} can work concurrently on up to three active
cedaf8bc
RP
7388targets, one in each class. This allows you to (for example) start a
7389process and inspect its activity without abandoning your work on a core
7390file.
70b88761 7391
ed447b95 7392For example, if you execute @samp{gdb a.out}, then the executable file
cedaf8bc
RP
7393@code{a.out} is the only active target. If you designate a core file as
7394well---presumably from a prior run that crashed and coredumped---then
9a27b06e 7395@value{GDBN} has two active targets and uses them in tandem, looking
cedaf8bc
RP
7396first in the corefile target, then in the executable file, to satisfy
7397requests for memory addresses. (Typically, these two classes of target
29a2b744 7398are complementary, since core files contain only a program's
cedaf8bc
RP
7399read-write memory---variables and so on---plus machine status, while
7400executable files contain only the program text and initialized data.)
18fae2a8 7401@end ifclear
cedaf8bc
RP
7402
7403When you type @code{run}, your executable file becomes an active process
18fae2a8 7404target as well. When a process target is active, all @value{GDBN} commands
0f153e74 7405requesting memory addresses refer to that target; addresses in an
18fae2a8 7406@ifclear BARETARGET
0f153e74 7407active core file or
18fae2a8 7408@end ifclear
0f153e74 7409executable file target are obscured while the process
cedaf8bc
RP
7410target is active.
7411
18fae2a8 7412@ifset BARETARGET
4eb4cf57 7413Use the @code{exec-file} command to select a
93928b60
RP
7414new executable target (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to specify
7415files}).
18fae2a8
RP
7416@end ifset
7417@ifclear BARETARGET
1041a570 7418Use the @code{core-file} and @code{exec-file} commands to select a
93928b60
RP
7419new core file or executable target (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to specify
7420files}). To specify as a target a process that is already running, use
1041a570 7421the @code{attach} command (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an
93928b60 7422already-running process}).
18fae2a8 7423@end ifclear
70b88761 7424
4eb4cf57 7425@node Target Commands
93928b60 7426@section Commands for managing targets
70b88761
RP
7427
7428@table @code
7429@item target @var{type} @var{parameters}
1d7c3357
RP
7430Connects the @value{GDBN} host environment to a target
7431@ifset BARETARGET
7432machine.
7433@end ifset
7434@ifclear BARETARGET
7435machine or process. A target is typically a protocol for talking to
7436debugging facilities. You use the argument @var{type} to specify the
7437type or protocol of the target machine.
70b88761
RP
7438
7439Further @var{parameters} are interpreted by the target protocol, but
7440typically include things like device names or host names to connect
e251e767 7441with, process numbers, and baud rates.
1d7c3357 7442@end ifclear
70b88761 7443
9a27b06e 7444The @code{target} command does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again
70b88761
RP
7445after executing the command.
7446
70b88761 7447@kindex help target
af215b1a 7448@item help target
70b88761
RP
7449Displays the names of all targets available. To display targets
7450currently selected, use either @code{info target} or @code{info files}
93928b60 7451(@pxref{Files, ,Commands to specify files}).
70b88761
RP
7452
7453@item help target @var{name}
7454Describe a particular target, including any parameters necessary to
7455select it.
af215b1a
VM
7456
7457@kindex set gnutarget
7458@item set gnutarget @var{args}
7459@value{GDBN}uses its own library BFD to read your files. @value{GDBN}
7460knows whether it is reading an @dfn{executable},
7461a @dfn{core}, or a @dfn{.o} file, however you can specify the file format
7462with the @code{set gnutarget} command. Unlike most @code{target} commands,
7463with @code{gnutarget} the @code{target} refers to a program, not a machine.
7464
7465@emph{Warning:} To specify a file format with @code{set gnutarget},
7466you must know the actual BFD name.
7467
7468@noindent @xref{Files, , Commands to specify files}.
7469
7470@kindex show gnutarget
7471@item show gnutarget
7472Use the @code{show gnutarget} command to display what file format
7473@code{gnutarget} is set to read. If you have not set @code{gnutarget},
7474@value{GDBN} will determine the file format for each file automatically
7475and @code{show gnutarget} displays @code{The current BDF target is "auto"}.
70b88761
RP
7476@end table
7477
c7cb8acb 7478Here are some common targets (available, or not, depending on the GDB
70b88761
RP
7479configuration):
7480
7481@table @code
70b88761 7482@kindex target exec
af215b1a 7483@item target exec @var{program}
fe715d06
RP
7484An executable file. @samp{target exec @var{program}} is the same as
7485@samp{exec-file @var{program}}.
70b88761 7486
1d7c3357 7487@ifclear BARETARGET
70b88761 7488@kindex target core
af215b1a 7489@item target core @var{filename}
70b88761
RP
7490A core dump file. @samp{target core @var{filename}} is the same as
7491@samp{core-file @var{filename}}.
1d7c3357 7492@end ifclear
70b88761 7493
18fae2a8 7494@ifset REMOTESTUB
70b88761 7495@kindex target remote
af215b1a 7496@item target remote @var{dev}
c7cb8acb 7497Remote serial target in GDB-specific protocol. The argument @var{dev}
70b88761 7498specifies what serial device to use for the connection (e.g.
af215b1a
VM
7499@file{/dev/ttya}). @xref{Remote, ,Remote debugging}. @code{target remote}
7500now supports the @code{load} command. This is only useful if you have
7501some other way of getting the stub to the target system, and you can put
7502it somewhere in memory where it won't get clobbered by the download.
18fae2a8 7503@end ifset
70b88761 7504
fe715d06 7505@ifset SIMS
fe715d06 7506@kindex target sim
af215b1a 7507@item target sim
fe715d06
RP
7508CPU simulator. @xref{Simulator,,Simulated CPU Target}.
7509@end ifset
7510
a64a6c2b 7511@ifset AMD29K
fe715d06 7512@kindex target udi
af215b1a 7513@item target udi @var{keyword}
fe715d06
RP
7514Remote AMD29K target, using the AMD UDI protocol. The @var{keyword}
7515argument specifies which 29K board or simulator to use. @xref{UDI29K
b1955f0b 7516Remote,,The UDI protocol for AMD29K}.
fe715d06 7517
70b88761 7518@kindex target amd-eb
af215b1a 7519@item target amd-eb @var{dev} @var{speed} @var{PROG}
70b88761
RP
7520@cindex AMD EB29K
7521Remote PC-resident AMD EB29K board, attached over serial lines.
7522@var{dev} is the serial device, as for @code{target remote};
7523@var{speed} allows you to specify the linespeed; and @var{PROG} is the
7524name of the program to be debugged, as it appears to DOS on the PC.
b1955f0b 7525@xref{EB29K Remote, ,The EBMON protocol for AMD29K}.
77fe5411 7526
18fae2a8 7527@end ifset
a64a6c2b 7528@ifset H8
c7cb8acb 7529@kindex target hms
af215b1a 7530@item target hms @var{dev}
72545cc6 7531A Hitachi SH, H8/300, or H8/500 board, attached via serial line to your host.
a64a6c2b 7532@ifclear H8EXCLUSIVE
a64a6c2b
RP
7533Use special commands @code{device} and @code{speed} to control the serial
7534line and the communications speed used.
7535@end ifclear
7536@xref{Hitachi Remote,,@value{GDBN} and Hitachi Microprocessors}.
c7cb8acb 7537
18fae2a8 7538@end ifset
a64a6c2b 7539@ifset I960
70b88761 7540@kindex target nindy
af215b1a 7541@item target nindy @var{devicename}
70b88761
RP
7542An Intel 960 board controlled by a Nindy Monitor. @var{devicename} is
7543the name of the serial device to use for the connection, e.g.
ed447b95 7544@file{/dev/ttya}. @xref{i960-Nindy Remote, ,@value{GDBN} with a remote i960 (Nindy)}.
70b88761 7545
18fae2a8 7546@end ifset
a64a6c2b 7547@ifset ST2000
77fe5411 7548@kindex target st2000
af215b1a 7549@item target st2000 @var{dev} @var{speed}
77fe5411
RP
7550A Tandem ST2000 phone switch, running Tandem's STDBUG protocol. @var{dev}
7551is the name of the device attached to the ST2000 serial line;
7552@var{speed} is the communication line speed. The arguments are not used
18fae2a8
RP
7553if @value{GDBN} is configured to connect to the ST2000 using TCP or Telnet.
7554@xref{ST2000 Remote,,@value{GDBN} with a Tandem ST2000}.
18fae2a8 7555@end ifset
af215b1a 7556
18fae2a8 7557@ifset VXWORKS
70b88761 7558@kindex target vxworks
af215b1a 7559@item target vxworks @var{machinename}
70b88761
RP
7560A VxWorks system, attached via TCP/IP. The argument @var{machinename}
7561is the target system's machine name or IP address.
18fae2a8
RP
7562@xref{VxWorks Remote, ,@value{GDBN} and VxWorks}.
7563@end ifset
af215b1a
VM
7564
7565@kindex target cpu32bug
7566@item target cpu32bug @var{dev}
7567CPU32BUG monitor, running on a CPU32 (M68K) board.
7568
7569@kindex target op50n
7570@item target op50n @var{dev}
7571OP50N monitor, running on an OKI HPPA board.
7572
7573@kindex target w89k
7574@item target w89k @var{dev}
7575W89K monitor, running on a Winbond HPPA board.
7576
7577@kindex target est
7578@item target est @var{dev}
7579EST-300 ICE monitor, running on a CPU32 (M68K) board.
7580
7581@kindex target rom68k
7582@item target rom68k @var{dev}
7583ROM 68K monitor, running on an IDP board.
7584
7585@kindex target array
7586@item target array @var{dev}
7587Array Tech LSI33K RAID controller board.
7588
7589@kindex target sparclite
7590@item target sparclite @var{dev}
7591Fujitsu sparclite boards, used only for the purpose of loading.
7592You must use an additional command to debug the program.
7593For example: target remote @var{dev} using @value{GDBN} standard
7594remote protocol.
70b88761
RP
7595@end table
7596
18fae2a8 7597@ifset GENERIC
af215b1a
VM
7598Different targets are available on different configurations of @value{GDBN};
7599your configuration may have more or fewer targets.
18fae2a8 7600@end ifset
70b88761 7601
af215b1a
VM
7602@section Choosing target byte order
7603@cindex choosing target byte order
7604@cindex target byte order
7605@kindex set endian big
7606@kindex set endian little
7607@kindex set endian auto
7608@kindex show endian
7609
7610You can now choose which byte order to use with a target system.
7611Use the @code{set endian big} and @code{set endian little} commands.
7612Use the @code{set endian auto} command to instruct
7613@value{GDBN} to use the byte order associated with the executable.
7614You can see the current setting for byte order with the @code{show endian}
7615command.
7616
7617@emph{Warning:} Currently, only embedded MIPS configurations support
7618dynamic selection of target byte order.
7619
4eb4cf57 7620@node Remote
93928b60 7621@section Remote debugging
70b88761
RP
7622@cindex remote debugging
7623
29a2b744 7624If you are trying to debug a program running on a machine that cannot run
af215b1a
VM
7625@value{GDBN} in the usual way, it is often useful to use remote debugging.
7626For example, you might use remote debugging on an operating system kernel,
7627or on a small system which does not have a general purpose operating system
e251e767 7628powerful enough to run a full-featured debugger.
70b88761 7629
af215b1a 7630Some configurations of @value{GDBN} have special serial or TCP/IP interfaces
70b88761 7631to make this work with particular debugging targets. In addition,
af215b1a
VM
7632@value{GDBN} comes with a generic serial protocol (specific to @value{GDBN},
7633but not specific to any particular target system) which you can use if you
9a27b06e 7634write the remote stubs---the code that runs on the remote system to
af215b1a 7635communicate with @value{GDBN}.
70b88761 7636
70b88761 7637Other remote targets may be available in your
af215b1a 7638configuration of @value{GDBN}; use @code{help target} to list them.
70b88761 7639
18fae2a8
RP
7640@ifset GENERIC
7641@c Text on starting up GDB in various specific cases; it goes up front
7642@c in manuals configured for any of those particular situations, here
7643@c otherwise.
18fae2a8
RP
7644@menu
7645@ifset REMOTESTUB
7646* Remote Serial:: @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol
7647@end ifset
a64a6c2b 7648@ifset I960
18fae2a8
RP
7649* i960-Nindy Remote:: @value{GDBN} with a remote i960 (Nindy)
7650@end ifset
a64a6c2b 7651@ifset AMD29K
b1955f0b
RP
7652* UDI29K Remote:: The UDI protocol for AMD29K
7653* EB29K Remote:: The EBMON protocol for AMD29K
18fae2a8
RP
7654@end ifset
7655@ifset VXWORKS
7656* VxWorks Remote:: @value{GDBN} and VxWorks
7657@end ifset
a64a6c2b 7658@ifset ST2000
18fae2a8
RP
7659* ST2000 Remote:: @value{GDBN} with a Tandem ST2000
7660@end ifset
a64a6c2b
RP
7661@ifset H8
7662* Hitachi Remote:: @value{GDBN} and Hitachi Microprocessors
18fae2a8 7663@end ifset
34ae25cd
RP
7664@ifset MIPS
7665* MIPS Remote:: @value{GDBN} and MIPS boards
7666@end ifset
fe715d06
RP
7667@ifset SIMS
7668* Simulator:: Simulated CPU target
18fae2a8
RP
7669@end ifset
7670@end menu
70b88761 7671
4af6d502 7672@include remote.texi
18fae2a8
RP
7673@end ifset
7674
7675@node Controlling GDB
7676@chapter Controlling @value{GDBN}
70b88761 7677
93918348 7678You can alter the way @value{GDBN} interacts with you by using
18fae2a8 7679the @code{set} command. For commands controlling how @value{GDBN} displays
af215b1a
VM
7680data, @pxref{Print Settings, ,Print settings}; other settings are described
7681here.
70b88761
RP
7682
7683@menu
b80282d5 7684* Prompt:: Prompt
ed447b95
RP
7685* Editing:: Command editing
7686* History:: Command history
7687* Screen Size:: Screen size
b80282d5 7688* Numbers:: Numbers
ed447b95 7689* Messages/Warnings:: Optional warnings and messages
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RP
7690@end menu
7691
4eb4cf57 7692@node Prompt
70b88761 7693@section Prompt
af215b1a 7694
70b88761 7695@cindex prompt
1041a570 7696
18fae2a8
RP
7697@value{GDBN} indicates its readiness to read a command by printing a string
7698called the @dfn{prompt}. This string is normally @samp{(@value{GDBP})}. You
70b88761 7699can change the prompt string with the @code{set prompt} command. For
18fae2a8 7700instance, when debugging @value{GDBN} with @value{GDBN}, it is useful to change
af215b1a
VM
7701the prompt in one of the @value{GDBN} sessions so that you can always tell
7702which one you are talking to.
7703
7704@emph{Note:} @code{set prompt} no longer adds a space for you after the
7705prompt you set. This allows you to set a prompt which ends in a space
7706or a prompt that does not.
70b88761
RP
7707
7708@table @code
70b88761 7709@kindex set prompt
af215b1a 7710@item set prompt @var{newprompt}
18fae2a8 7711Directs @value{GDBN} to use @var{newprompt} as its prompt string henceforth.
af215b1a 7712
70b88761
RP
7713@kindex show prompt
7714@item show prompt
7715Prints a line of the form: @samp{Gdb's prompt is: @var{your-prompt}}
7716@end table
7717
4eb4cf57 7718@node Editing
93928b60 7719@section Command editing
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RP
7720@cindex readline
7721@cindex command line editing
1041a570 7722
18fae2a8 7723@value{GDBN} reads its input commands via the @dfn{readline} interface. This
af215b1a
VM
7724@sc{gnu} library provides consistent behavior for programs which provide a
7725command line interface to the user. Advantages are @sc{gnu} Emacs-style
7726or @dfn{vi}-style inline editing of commands, @code{csh}-like history
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RP
7727substitution, and a storage and recall of command history across
7728debugging sessions.
7729
18fae2a8 7730You may control the behavior of command line editing in @value{GDBN} with the
e251e767 7731command @code{set}.
70b88761
RP
7732
7733@table @code
7734@kindex set editing
7735@cindex editing
7736@item set editing
7737@itemx set editing on
7738Enable command line editing (enabled by default).
7739
7740@item set editing off
7741Disable command line editing.
7742
7743@kindex show editing
7744@item show editing
7745Show whether command line editing is enabled.
7746@end table
7747
4eb4cf57 7748@node History
ed447b95
RP
7749@section Command history
7750
7751@value{GDBN} can keep track of the commands you type during your
7752debugging sessions, so that you can be certain of precisely what
7753happened. Use these commands to manage the @value{GDBN} command
7754history facility.
1041a570 7755
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RP
7756@table @code
7757@cindex history substitution
7758@cindex history file
7759@kindex set history filename
9a27b06e 7760@kindex GDBHISTFILE
70b88761 7761@item set history filename @var{fname}
9a27b06e
RP
7762Set the name of the @value{GDBN} command history file to @var{fname}.
7763This is the file where @value{GDBN} reads an initial command history
7764list, and where it writes the command history from this session when it
7765exits. You can access this list through history expansion or through
7766the history command editing characters listed below. This file defaults
7767to the value of the environment variable @code{GDBHISTFILE}, or to
70b88761
RP
7768@file{./.gdb_history} if this variable is not set.
7769
7770@cindex history save
7771@kindex set history save
7772@item set history save
7773@itemx set history save on
7774Record command history in a file, whose name may be specified with the
7775@code{set history filename} command. By default, this option is disabled.
7776
7777@item set history save off
7778Stop recording command history in a file.
7779
7780@cindex history size
7781@kindex set history size
7782@item set history size @var{size}
9a27b06e 7783Set the number of commands which @value{GDBN} keeps in its history list.
70b88761
RP
7784This defaults to the value of the environment variable
7785@code{HISTSIZE}, or to 256 if this variable is not set.
7786@end table
7787
7788@cindex history expansion
7789History expansion assigns special meaning to the character @kbd{!}.
ed447b95 7790@ifset have-readline-appendices
1041a570 7791@xref{Event Designators}.
ed447b95
RP
7792@end ifset
7793
70b88761
RP
7794Since @kbd{!} is also the logical not operator in C, history expansion
7795is off by default. If you decide to enable history expansion with the
7796@code{set history expansion on} command, you may sometimes need to
7797follow @kbd{!} (when it is used as logical not, in an expression) with
7798a space or a tab to prevent it from being expanded. The readline
9a27b06e 7799history facilities do not attempt substitution on the strings
70b88761
RP
7800@kbd{!=} and @kbd{!(}, even when history expansion is enabled.
7801
7802The commands to control history expansion are:
7803
7804@table @code
70b88761
RP
7805@kindex set history expansion
7806@item set history expansion on
7807@itemx set history expansion
7808Enable history expansion. History expansion is off by default.
7809
7810@item set history expansion off
7811Disable history expansion.
7812
7813The readline code comes with more complete documentation of
af215b1a 7814editing and history expansion features. Users unfamiliar with @sc{gnu} Emacs
e251e767 7815or @code{vi} may wish to read it.
ed447b95 7816@ifset have-readline-appendices
70b88761 7817@xref{Command Line Editing}.
ed447b95 7818@end ifset
70b88761
RP
7819
7820@c @group
7821@kindex show history
7822@item show history
7823@itemx show history filename
7824@itemx show history save
7825@itemx show history size
7826@itemx show history expansion
18fae2a8 7827These commands display the state of the @value{GDBN} history parameters.
70b88761
RP
7828@code{show history} by itself displays all four states.
7829@c @end group
70b88761
RP
7830@end table
7831
7832@table @code
7833@kindex show commands
7834@item show commands
7835Display the last ten commands in the command history.
7836
7837@item show commands @var{n}
7838Print ten commands centered on command number @var{n}.
7839
7840@item show commands +
7841Print ten commands just after the commands last printed.
70b88761
RP
7842@end table
7843
4eb4cf57 7844@node Screen Size
93928b60 7845@section Screen size
70b88761
RP
7846@cindex size of screen
7847@cindex pauses in output
1041a570 7848
a1eff6c2
RP
7849Certain commands to @value{GDBN} may produce large amounts of
7850information output to the screen. To help you read all of it,
7851@value{GDBN} pauses and asks you for input at the end of each page of
7852output. Type @key{RET} when you want to continue the output, or @kbd{q}
34ae25cd
RP
7853to discard the remaining output. Also, the screen width setting
7854determines when to wrap lines of output. Depending on what is being
7855printed, @value{GDBN} tries to break the line at a readable place,
70b88761
RP
7856rather than simply letting it overflow onto the following line.
7857
18fae2a8 7858Normally @value{GDBN} knows the size of the screen from the termcap data base
70b88761
RP
7859together with the value of the @code{TERM} environment variable and the
7860@code{stty rows} and @code{stty cols} settings. If this is not correct,
7861you can override it with the @code{set height} and @code{set
7862width} commands:
7863
7864@table @code
70b88761
RP
7865@kindex set height
7866@kindex set width
7867@kindex show width
7868@kindex show height
af215b1a
VM
7869@item set height @var{lpp}
7870@itemx show height
7871@itemx set width @var{cpl}
7872@itemx show width
70b88761
RP
7873These @code{set} commands specify a screen height of @var{lpp} lines and
7874a screen width of @var{cpl} characters. The associated @code{show}
7875commands display the current settings.
7876
af215b1a
VM
7877If you specify a height of zero lines, @value{GDBN} does not pause during
7878output no matter how long the output is. This is useful if output is to a
7879file or to an editor buffer.
d55320a0
RP
7880
7881Likewise, you can specify @samp{set width 0} to prevent @value{GDBN}
7882from wrapping its output.
70b88761
RP
7883@end table
7884
4eb4cf57 7885@node Numbers
70b88761
RP
7886@section Numbers
7887@cindex number representation
7888@cindex entering numbers
1041a570 7889
18fae2a8 7890You can always enter numbers in octal, decimal, or hexadecimal in @value{GDBN} by
70b88761
RP
7891the usual conventions: octal numbers begin with @samp{0}, decimal
7892numbers end with @samp{.}, and hexadecimal numbers begin with @samp{0x}.
7893Numbers that begin with none of these are, by default, entered in base
789410; likewise, the default display for numbers---when no particular
7895format is specified---is base 10. You can change the default base for
7896both input and output with the @code{set radix} command.
7897
7898@table @code
af215b1a
VM
7899@kindex set input-radix
7900@item set input-radix @var{base}
7901Set the default base for numeric input. Supported choices
d55320a0 7902for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. @var{base} must itself be
70b88761
RP
7903specified either unambiguously or using the current default radix; for
7904example, any of
7905
af215b1a 7906@smallexample
70b88761
RP
7907set radix 012
7908set radix 10.
7909set radix 0xa
af215b1a 7910@end smallexample
70b88761
RP
7911
7912@noindent
9a27b06e
RP
7913sets the base to decimal. On the other hand, @samp{set radix 10}
7914leaves the radix unchanged no matter what it was.
70b88761 7915
af215b1a
VM
7916@kindex set output-radix
7917@item set output-radix @var{base}
7918Set the default base for numeric display. Supported choices
7919for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. @var{base} must itself be
7920specified either unambiguously or using the current default radix.
7921
7922@kindex show input-radix
7923@item show input-radix
7924Display the current default base for numeric input.
7925
7926@kindex show output-radix
7927@item show output-radix
7928Display the current default base for numeric display.
70b88761
RP
7929@end table
7930
4eb4cf57 7931@node Messages/Warnings
93928b60 7932@section Optional warnings and messages
1041a570 7933
18fae2a8 7934By default, @value{GDBN} is silent about its inner workings. If you are running
70b88761 7935on a slow machine, you may want to use the @code{set verbose} command.
af215b1a 7936This makes @value{GDBN} tell you when it does a lengthy internal operation, so
1041a570 7937you will not think it has crashed.
70b88761 7938
1041a570 7939Currently, the messages controlled by @code{set verbose} are those
d48da190 7940which announce that the symbol table for a source file is being read;
93928b60 7941see @code{symbol-file} in @ref{Files, ,Commands to specify files}.
70b88761
RP
7942
7943@table @code
7944@kindex set verbose
7945@item set verbose on
93918348 7946Enables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
70b88761
RP
7947
7948@item set verbose off
93918348 7949Disables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
70b88761
RP
7950
7951@kindex show verbose
7952@item show verbose
7953Displays whether @code{set verbose} is on or off.
7954@end table
7955
18fae2a8 7956By default, if @value{GDBN} encounters bugs in the symbol table of an object
b80282d5 7957file, it is silent; but if you are debugging a compiler, you may find
93928b60 7958this information useful (@pxref{Symbol Errors, ,Errors reading symbol files}).
70b88761
RP
7959
7960@table @code
7961@kindex set complaints
7962@item set complaints @var{limit}
18fae2a8 7963Permits @value{GDBN} to output @var{limit} complaints about each type of unusual
70b88761
RP
7964symbols before becoming silent about the problem. Set @var{limit} to
7965zero to suppress all complaints; set it to a large number to prevent
7966complaints from being suppressed.
7967
7968@kindex show complaints
7969@item show complaints
18fae2a8 7970Displays how many symbol complaints @value{GDBN} is permitted to produce.
70b88761
RP
7971@end table
7972
18fae2a8 7973By default, @value{GDBN} is cautious, and asks what sometimes seems to be a
70b88761
RP
7974lot of stupid questions to confirm certain commands. For example, if
7975you try to run a program which is already running:
1041a570 7976
70b88761 7977@example
18fae2a8 7978(@value{GDBP}) run
70b88761 7979The program being debugged has been started already.
e251e767 7980Start it from the beginning? (y or n)
70b88761
RP
7981@end example
7982
29a2b744 7983If you are willing to unflinchingly face the consequences of your own
70b88761
RP
7984commands, you can disable this ``feature'':
7985
7986@table @code
7987@kindex set confirm
7988@cindex flinching
7989@cindex confirmation
7990@cindex stupid questions
7991@item set confirm off
7992Disables confirmation requests.
7993
7994@item set confirm on
7995Enables confirmation requests (the default).
7996
70b88761 7997@kindex show confirm
af215b1a 7998@item show confirm
70b88761
RP
7999Displays state of confirmation requests.
8000@end table
8001
4eb4cf57 8002@node Sequences
70b88761
RP
8003@chapter Canned Sequences of Commands
8004
29a2b744 8005Aside from breakpoint commands (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint
93928b60 8006command lists}), @value{GDBN} provides two ways to store sequences of commands
1041a570 8007for execution as a unit: user-defined commands and command files.
70b88761
RP
8008
8009@menu
ed447b95
RP
8010* Define:: User-defined commands
8011* Hooks:: User-defined command hooks
8012* Command Files:: Command files
8013* Output:: Commands for controlled output
70b88761
RP
8014@end menu
8015
4eb4cf57 8016@node Define
ed447b95 8017@section User-defined commands
70b88761
RP
8018
8019@cindex user-defined command
af215b1a
VM
8020A @dfn{user-defined command} is a sequence of @value{GDBN} commands to which
8021you assign a new name as a command. This is done with the @code{define}
8022command. User commands may accept up to 10 arguments separated by whitespace.
8023Arguments are accessed within the user command via @var{$arg0@dots{}$arg9}.
8024A trivial example:
8025
8026@smallexample
8027define adder
8028 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
8029@end smallexample
8030
8031@noindent To execute the command use:
8032
8033@smallexample
8034adder 1 2 3
8035@end smallexample
8036
8037@noindent This defines the command @code{adder}, which prints the sum of
8038its three arguments. Note the arguments are text substitutions, so they may
8039reference variables, use complex expressions, or even perform inferior
8040functions calls.
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RP
8041
8042@table @code
70b88761 8043@kindex define
af215b1a 8044@item define @var{commandname}
70b88761
RP
8045Define a command named @var{commandname}. If there is already a command
8046by that name, you are asked to confirm that you want to redefine it.
8047
18fae2a8 8048The definition of the command is made up of other @value{GDBN} command lines,
70b88761
RP
8049which are given following the @code{define} command. The end of these
8050commands is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
8051
d0b2a91c
PB
8052@kindex if
8053@kindex else
af215b1a 8054@item if
d0b2a91c
PB
8055Takes a single argument, which is an expression to evaluate.
8056It is followed by a series of commands that are executed
8057only if the expression is true (nonzero).
8058There can then optionally be a line @code{else}, followed
8059by a series of commands that are only executed if the expression
8060was false. The end of the list is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
8061
d0b2a91c 8062@kindex while
af215b1a
VM
8063@item while
8064The syntax is similar to @code{if}: the command takes a single argument,
d0b2a91c
PB
8065which is an expression to evaluate, and must be followed by the commands to
8066execute, one per line, terminated by an @code{end}.
8067The commands are executed repeatedly as long as the expression
8068evaluates to true.
8069
70b88761 8070@kindex document
af215b1a
VM
8071@item document @var{commandname}
8072Document the user-defined command @var{commandname}, so that it can be
8073accessed by @code{help}. The command @var{commandname} must already be
8074defined. This command reads lines of documentation just as @code{define}
8075reads the lines of the command definition, ending with @code{end}.
8076After the @code{document} command is finished, @code{help} on command
8077@var{commandname} displays the documentation you have written.
70b88761
RP
8078
8079You may use the @code{document} command again to change the
8080documentation of a command. Redefining the command with @code{define}
8081does not change the documentation.
8082
70b88761 8083@kindex help user-defined
af215b1a 8084@item help user-defined
70b88761
RP
8085List all user-defined commands, with the first line of the documentation
8086(if any) for each.
8087
af215b1a 8088@kindex show user
4768ba62
JG
8089@item show user
8090@itemx show user @var{commandname}
18fae2a8 8091Display the @value{GDBN} commands used to define @var{commandname} (but not its
70b88761
RP
8092documentation). If no @var{commandname} is given, display the
8093definitions for all user-defined commands.
8094@end table
8095
d0b2a91c 8096When user-defined commands are executed, the
70b88761
RP
8097commands of the definition are not printed. An error in any command
8098stops execution of the user-defined command.
8099
af215b1a
VM
8100If used interactively, commands that would ask for confirmation proceed
8101without asking when used inside a user-defined command. Many @value{GDBN}
8102commands that normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the
8103messages when used in a user-defined command.
70b88761 8104
35a15d60 8105@node Hooks
93928b60 8106@section User-defined command hooks
35a15d60
JG
8107@cindex command files
8108
8109You may define @emph{hooks}, which are a special kind of user-defined
8110command. Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined
8111command @samp{hook-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments)
8112before that command.
8113
1d7c3357
RP
8114In addition, a pseudo-command, @samp{stop} exists. Defining
8115(@samp{hook-stop}) makes the associated commands execute every time
8116execution stops in your program: before breakpoint commands are run,
8117displays are printed, or the stack frame is printed.
35a15d60 8118
1d7c3357
RP
8119@ifclear BARETARGET
8120For example, to ignore @code{SIGALRM} signals while
8121single-stepping, but treat them normally during normal execution,
8122you could define:
35a15d60
JG
8123
8124@example
8125define hook-stop
8126handle SIGALRM nopass
8127end
8128
8129define hook-run
8130handle SIGALRM pass
8131end
8132
8133define hook-continue
8134handle SIGLARM pass
8135end
8136@end example
1d7c3357 8137@end ifclear
35a15d60 8138
1d7c3357
RP
8139You can define a hook for any single-word command in @value{GDBN}, but
8140not for command aliases; you should define a hook for the basic command
8141name, e.g. @code{backtrace} rather than @code{bt}.
8142@c FIXME! So how does Joe User discover whether a command is an alias
8143@c or not?
8144If an error occurs during the execution of your hook, execution of
8145@value{GDBN} commands stops and @value{GDBN} issues a prompt
8146(before the command that you actually typed had a chance to run).
35a15d60 8147
93918348 8148If you try to define a hook which does not match any known command, you
9a27b06e 8149get a warning from the @code{define} command.
35a15d60 8150
4eb4cf57 8151@node Command Files
93928b60 8152@section Command files
70b88761
RP
8153
8154@cindex command files
af215b1a
VM
8155A command file for @value{GDBN} is a file of lines that are @value{GDBN}
8156commands. Comments (lines starting with @kbd{#}) may also be included.
8157An empty line in a command file does nothing; it does not mean to repeat
8158the last command, as it would from the terminal.
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RP
8159
8160@cindex init file
18fae2a8
RP
8161@cindex @file{@value{GDBINIT}}
8162When you start @value{GDBN}, it automatically executes commands from its
64a01450
JK
8163@dfn{init files}. These are files named @file{@value{GDBINIT}}.
8164@value{GDBN} reads the init file (if any) in your home directory, then
8165processes command line options and operands, and then reads the init
8166file (if any) in the current working directory. This is so the init
8167file in your home directory can set options (such as @code{set
8d43be62 8168complaints}) which affect the processing of the command line options and
64a01450
JK
8169operands. The init files are not executed if you use the @samp{-nx}
8170option; @pxref{Mode Options, ,Choosing modes}.
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RP
8171
8172@ifset GENERIC
8173@cindex init file name
8174On some configurations of @value{GDBN}, the init file is known by a
8175different name (these are typically environments where a specialized
af215b1a
VM
8176form of @value{GDBN} may need to coexist with other forms,
8177hence a different name
51b65b74
RP
8178for the specialized version's init file). These are the environments
8179with special init file names:
8180
51b65b74 8181@kindex .vxgdbinit
af215b1a 8182@itemize @bullet
51b65b74
RP
8183@item
8184VxWorks (Wind River Systems real-time OS): @samp{.vxgdbinit}
8185
8186@kindex .os68gdbinit
8187@item
8188OS68K (Enea Data Systems real-time OS): @samp{.os68gdbinit}
8189
8190@kindex .esgdbinit
8191@item
8192ES-1800 (Ericsson Telecom AB M68000 emulator): @samp{.esgdbinit}
8193@end itemize
8194@end ifset
8195
8196You can also request the execution of a command file with the
8197@code{source} command:
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8198
8199@table @code
70b88761 8200@kindex source
af215b1a 8201@item source @var{filename}
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RP
8202Execute the command file @var{filename}.
8203@end table
8204
8205The lines in a command file are executed sequentially. They are not
8206printed as they are executed. An error in any command terminates execution
8207of the command file.
8208
8209Commands that would ask for confirmation if used interactively proceed
18fae2a8 8210without asking when used in a command file. Many @value{GDBN} commands that
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8211normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the messages
8212when called from command files.
8213
4eb4cf57 8214@node Output
93928b60 8215@section Commands for controlled output
70b88761
RP
8216
8217During the execution of a command file or a user-defined command, normal
18fae2a8 8218@value{GDBN} output is suppressed; the only output that appears is what is
70b88761
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8219explicitly printed by the commands in the definition. This section
8220describes three commands useful for generating exactly the output you
8221want.
8222
8223@table @code
70b88761 8224@kindex echo
af215b1a 8225@item echo @var{text}
29a2b744
RP
8226@c I do not consider backslash-space a standard C escape sequence
8227@c because it is not in ANSI.
1041a570
RP
8228Print @var{text}. Nonprinting characters can be included in
8229@var{text} using C escape sequences, such as @samp{\n} to print a
9a27b06e 8230newline. @strong{No newline is printed unless you specify one.}
1041a570 8231In addition to the standard C escape sequences, a backslash followed
ed447b95 8232by a space stands for a space. This is useful for displaying a
1041a570
RP
8233string with spaces at the beginning or the end, since leading and
8234trailing spaces are otherwise trimmed from all arguments.
8235To print @samp{@w{ }and foo =@w{ }}, use the command
8236@samp{echo \@w{ }and foo = \@w{ }}.
70b88761
RP
8237
8238A backslash at the end of @var{text} can be used, as in C, to continue
8239the command onto subsequent lines. For example,
8240
8241@example
8242echo This is some text\n\
8243which is continued\n\
8244onto several lines.\n
8245@end example
8246
8247produces the same output as
8248
8249@example
8250echo This is some text\n
8251echo which is continued\n
8252echo onto several lines.\n
8253@end example
8254
70b88761 8255@kindex output
af215b1a 8256@item output @var{expression}
70b88761
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8257Print the value of @var{expression} and nothing but that value: no
8258newlines, no @samp{$@var{nn} = }. The value is not entered in the
af215b1a
VM
8259value history either. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information
8260on expressions.
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8261
8262@item output/@var{fmt} @var{expression}
8263Print the value of @var{expression} in format @var{fmt}. You can use
ed447b95
RP
8264the same formats as for @code{print}. @xref{Output Formats,,Output
8265formats}, for more information.
70b88761 8266
70b88761 8267@kindex printf
af215b1a 8268@item printf @var{string}, @var{expressions}@dots{}
70b88761 8269Print the values of the @var{expressions} under the control of
d55320a0
RP
8270@var{string}. The @var{expressions} are separated by commas and may be
8271either numbers or pointers. Their values are printed as specified by
8272@var{string}, exactly as if your program were to execute the C
8273subroutine
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8274
8275@example
8276printf (@var{string}, @var{expressions}@dots{});
8277@end example
8278
8279For example, you can print two values in hex like this:
8280
0fd24984 8281@smallexample
70b88761 8282printf "foo, bar-foo = 0x%x, 0x%x\n", foo, bar-foo
0fd24984 8283@end smallexample
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8284
8285The only backslash-escape sequences that you can use in the format
8286string are the simple ones that consist of backslash followed by a
8287letter.
8288@end table
8289
18fae2a8 8290@ifclear DOSHOST
4eb4cf57 8291@node Emacs
af215b1a 8292@chapter Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
70b88761 8293
af215b1a
VM
8294@cindex Emacs
8295@cindex @sc{gnu} Emacs
8296A special interface allows you to use @sc{gnu} Emacs to view (and
70b88761 8297edit) the source files for the program you are debugging with
18fae2a8 8298@value{GDBN}.
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8299
8300To use this interface, use the command @kbd{M-x gdb} in Emacs. Give the
8301executable file you want to debug as an argument. This command starts
18fae2a8 8302@value{GDBN} as a subprocess of Emacs, with input and output through a newly
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8303created Emacs buffer.
8304
18fae2a8 8305Using @value{GDBN} under Emacs is just like using @value{GDBN} normally except for two
70b88761
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8306things:
8307
8308@itemize @bullet
8309@item
e251e767 8310All ``terminal'' input and output goes through the Emacs buffer.
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8311@end itemize
8312
18fae2a8 8313This applies both to @value{GDBN} commands and their output, and to the input
70b88761
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8314and output done by the program you are debugging.
8315
8316This is useful because it means that you can copy the text of previous
8317commands and input them again; you can even use parts of the output
8318in this way.
8319
3d3ab540
RP
8320All the facilities of Emacs' Shell mode are available for interacting
8321with your program. In particular, you can send signals the usual
8322way---for example, @kbd{C-c C-c} for an interrupt, @kbd{C-c C-z} for a
8323stop.
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8324
8325@itemize @bullet
8326@item
18fae2a8 8327@value{GDBN} displays source code through Emacs.
70b88761
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8328@end itemize
8329
18fae2a8
RP
8330Each time @value{GDBN} displays a stack frame, Emacs automatically finds the
8331source file for that frame and puts an arrow (@samp{=>}) at the
70b88761 8332left margin of the current line. Emacs uses a separate buffer for
fe715d06 8333source display, and splits the screen to show both your @value{GDBN} session
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8334and the source.
8335
18fae2a8 8336Explicit @value{GDBN} @code{list} or search commands still produce output as
9a27b06e 8337usual, but you probably have no reason to use them from Emacs.
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8338
8339@quotation
8340@emph{Warning:} If the directory where your program resides is not your
8341current directory, it can be easy to confuse Emacs about the location of
9a27b06e 8342the source files, in which case the auxiliary display buffer does not
18fae2a8
RP
8343appear to show your source. @value{GDBN} can find programs by searching your
8344environment's @code{PATH} variable, so the @value{GDBN} input and output
9a27b06e 8345session proceeds normally; but Emacs does not get enough information
18fae2a8
RP
8346back from @value{GDBN} to locate the source files in this situation. To
8347avoid this problem, either start @value{GDBN} mode from the directory where
b550c03a 8348your program resides, or specify an absolute file name when prompted for the
70b88761
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8349@kbd{M-x gdb} argument.
8350
18fae2a8 8351A similar confusion can result if you use the @value{GDBN} @code{file} command to
70b88761 8352switch to debugging a program in some other location, from an existing
18fae2a8 8353@value{GDBN} buffer in Emacs.
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RP
8354@end quotation
8355
8356By default, @kbd{M-x gdb} calls the program called @file{gdb}. If
18fae2a8 8357you need to call @value{GDBN} by a different name (for example, if you keep
70b88761
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8358several configurations around, with different names) you can set the
8359Emacs variable @code{gdb-command-name}; for example,
1041a570 8360
70b88761
RP
8361@example
8362(setq gdb-command-name "mygdb")
8363@end example
1041a570 8364
70b88761
RP
8365@noindent
8366(preceded by @kbd{ESC ESC}, or typed in the @code{*scratch*} buffer, or
9a27b06e 8367in your @file{.emacs} file) makes Emacs call the program named
70b88761
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8368``@code{mygdb}'' instead.
8369
18fae2a8 8370In the @value{GDBN} I/O buffer, you can use these special Emacs commands in
70b88761
RP
8371addition to the standard Shell mode commands:
8372
8373@table @kbd
8374@item C-h m
18fae2a8 8375Describe the features of Emacs' @value{GDBN} Mode.
70b88761
RP
8376
8377@item M-s
18fae2a8 8378Execute to another source line, like the @value{GDBN} @code{step} command; also
70b88761
RP
8379update the display window to show the current file and location.
8380
8381@item M-n
8382Execute to next source line in this function, skipping all function
18fae2a8 8383calls, like the @value{GDBN} @code{next} command. Then update the display window
70b88761
RP
8384to show the current file and location.
8385
8386@item M-i
18fae2a8 8387Execute one instruction, like the @value{GDBN} @code{stepi} command; update
70b88761
RP
8388display window accordingly.
8389
8390@item M-x gdb-nexti
18fae2a8 8391Execute to next instruction, using the @value{GDBN} @code{nexti} command; update
70b88761
RP
8392display window accordingly.
8393
8394@item C-c C-f
18fae2a8 8395Execute until exit from the selected stack frame, like the @value{GDBN}
70b88761
RP
8396@code{finish} command.
8397
8398@item M-c
18fae2a8 8399Continue execution of your program, like the @value{GDBN} @code{continue}
1041a570 8400command.
203eea5d
RP
8401
8402@emph{Warning:} In Emacs v19, this command is @kbd{C-c C-p}.
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8403
8404@item M-u
8405Go up the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument
af215b1a 8406(@pxref{Arguments, , Numeric Arguments, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}),
18fae2a8 8407like the @value{GDBN} @code{up} command.
203eea5d 8408
1041a570 8409@emph{Warning:} In Emacs v19, this command is @kbd{C-c C-u}.
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RP
8410
8411@item M-d
8412Go down the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument, like the
18fae2a8 8413@value{GDBN} @code{down} command.
203eea5d
RP
8414
8415@emph{Warning:} In Emacs v19, this command is @kbd{C-c C-d}.
70b88761
RP
8416
8417@item C-x &
8418Read the number where the cursor is positioned, and insert it at the end
18fae2a8 8419of the @value{GDBN} I/O buffer. For example, if you wish to disassemble code
70b88761
RP
8420around an address that was displayed earlier, type @kbd{disassemble};
8421then move the cursor to the address display, and pick up the
e251e767 8422argument for @code{disassemble} by typing @kbd{C-x &}.
70b88761 8423
ed447b95 8424You can customize this further by defining elements of the list
70b88761
RP
8425@code{gdb-print-command}; once it is defined, you can format or
8426otherwise process numbers picked up by @kbd{C-x &} before they are
9a27b06e
RP
8427inserted. A numeric argument to @kbd{C-x &} indicates that you
8428wish special formatting, and also acts as an index to pick an element of the
70b88761
RP
8429list. If the list element is a string, the number to be inserted is
8430formatted using the Emacs function @code{format}; otherwise the number
8431is passed as an argument to the corresponding list element.
70b88761
RP
8432@end table
8433
8434In any source file, the Emacs command @kbd{C-x SPC} (@code{gdb-break})
18fae2a8 8435tells @value{GDBN} to set a breakpoint on the source line point is on.
70b88761
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8436
8437If you accidentally delete the source-display buffer, an easy way to get
18fae2a8 8438it back is to type the command @code{f} in the @value{GDBN} buffer, to
9a27b06e 8439request a frame display; when you run under Emacs, this recreates
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8440the source buffer if necessary to show you the context of the current
8441frame.
8442
8443The source files displayed in Emacs are in ordinary Emacs buffers
8444which are visiting the source files in the usual way. You can edit
18fae2a8 8445the files with these buffers if you wish; but keep in mind that @value{GDBN}
70b88761 8446communicates with Emacs in terms of line numbers. If you add or
9a27b06e 8447delete lines from the text, the line numbers that @value{GDBN} knows cease
ed447b95 8448to correspond properly with the code.
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8449
8450@c The following dropped because Epoch is nonstandard. Reactivate
8451@c if/when v19 does something similar. ---pesch@cygnus.com 19dec1990
8452@ignore
af215b1a
VM
8453@kindex Emacs Epoch environment
8454@kindex Epoch
70b88761
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8455@kindex inspect
8456
af215b1a
VM
8457Version 18 of @sc{gnu} Emacs has a built-in window system
8458called the @code{epoch}
70b88761
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8459environment. Users of this environment can use a new command,
8460@code{inspect} which performs identically to @code{print} except that
8461each value is printed in its own window.
8462@end ignore
18fae2a8 8463@end ifclear
70b88761 8464
18fae2a8 8465@ifset LUCID
4eb4cf57 8466@node Energize
18fae2a8 8467@chapter Using @value{GDBN} with Energize
6ca72cc6
RP
8468
8469@cindex Energize
8470The Energize Programming System is an integrated development environment
8471that includes a point-and-click interface to many programming tools.
18fae2a8
RP
8472When you use @value{GDBN} in this environment, you can use the standard
8473Energize graphical interface to drive @value{GDBN}; you can also, if you
8474choose, type @value{GDBN} commands as usual in a debugging window. Even if
6ca72cc6 8475you use the graphical interface, the debugging window (which uses Emacs,
af215b1a
VM
8476and resembles the standard @sc{gnu} Emacs interface to
8477@value{GDBN}) displays the
6ca72cc6
RP
8478equivalent commands, so that the history of your debugging session is
8479properly reflected.
8480
18fae2a8 8481When Energize starts up a @value{GDBN} session, it uses one of the
6ca72cc6
RP
8482command-line options @samp{-energize} or @samp{-cadillac} (``cadillac''
8483is the name of the communications protocol used by the Energize system).
18fae2a8 8484This option makes @value{GDBN} run as one of the tools in the Energize Tool
6ca72cc6
RP
8485Set: it sends all output to the Energize kernel, and accept input from
8486it as well.
8487
8488See the user manual for the Energize Programming System for
8489information on how to use the Energize graphical interface and the other
18fae2a8 8490development tools that Energize integrates with @value{GDBN}.
6ca72cc6 8491
18fae2a8 8492@end ifset
4eb4cf57 8493
18fae2a8
RP
8494@node GDB Bugs
8495@chapter Reporting Bugs in @value{GDBN}
ed447b95
RP
8496@cindex bugs in @value{GDBN}
8497@cindex reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
70b88761 8498
18fae2a8 8499Your bug reports play an essential role in making @value{GDBN} reliable.
70b88761
RP
8500
8501Reporting a bug may help you by bringing a solution to your problem, or it
8502may not. But in any case the principal function of a bug report is to help
18fae2a8
RP
8503the entire community by making the next version of @value{GDBN} work better. Bug
8504reports are your contribution to the maintenance of @value{GDBN}.
70b88761
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8505
8506In order for a bug report to serve its purpose, you must include the
8507information that enables us to fix the bug.
8508
8509@menu
ed447b95
RP
8510* Bug Criteria:: Have you found a bug?
8511* Bug Reporting:: How to report bugs
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8512@end menu
8513
4eb4cf57 8514@node Bug Criteria
93928b60 8515@section Have you found a bug?
ed447b95 8516@cindex bug criteria
70b88761
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8517
8518If you are not sure whether you have found a bug, here are some guidelines:
8519
8520@itemize @bullet
0f153e74 8521@cindex fatal signal
1d7c3357
RP
8522@cindex debugger crash
8523@cindex crash of debugger
af215b1a 8524@item
70b88761 8525If the debugger gets a fatal signal, for any input whatever, that is a
18fae2a8 8526@value{GDBN} bug. Reliable debuggers never crash.
70b88761 8527
0f153e74 8528@cindex error on valid input
af215b1a 8529@item
18fae2a8 8530If @value{GDBN} produces an error message for valid input, that is a bug.
70b88761 8531
ed447b95 8532@cindex invalid input
af215b1a 8533@item
18fae2a8 8534If @value{GDBN} does not produce an error message for invalid input,
70b88761
RP
8535that is a bug. However, you should note that your idea of
8536``invalid input'' might be our idea of ``an extension'' or ``support
8537for traditional practice''.
8538
8539@item
8540If you are an experienced user of debugging tools, your suggestions
18fae2a8 8541for improvement of @value{GDBN} are welcome in any case.
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8542@end itemize
8543
4eb4cf57 8544@node Bug Reporting
93928b60 8545@section How to report bugs
0f153e74 8546@cindex bug reports
18fae2a8 8547@cindex @value{GDBN} bugs, reporting
70b88761 8548
af215b1a 8549A number of companies and individuals offer support for @sc{gnu} products.
18fae2a8 8550If you obtained @value{GDBN} from a support organization, we recommend you
e251e767 8551contact that organization first.
70b88761 8552
ed447b95 8553You can find contact information for many support companies and
af215b1a 8554individuals in the file @file{etc/SERVICE} in the @sc{gnu} Emacs
ed447b95 8555distribution.
70b88761 8556
18fae2a8 8557In any event, we also recommend that you send bug reports for @value{GDBN} to one
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8558of these addresses:
8559
8560@example
8561bug-gdb@@prep.ai.mit.edu
8562@{ucbvax|mit-eddie|uunet@}!prep.ai.mit.edu!bug-gdb
8563@end example
8564
8565@strong{Do not send bug reports to @samp{info-gdb}, or to
18fae2a8 8566@samp{help-gdb}, or to any newsgroups.} Most users of @value{GDBN} do not want to
af215b1a 8567receive bug reports. Those that do have arranged to receive @samp{bug-gdb}.
70b88761 8568
3d3ab540
RP
8569The mailing list @samp{bug-gdb} has a newsgroup @samp{gnu.gdb.bug} which
8570serves as a repeater. The mailing list and the newsgroup carry exactly
8571the same messages. Often people think of posting bug reports to the
8572newsgroup instead of mailing them. This appears to work, but it has one
8573problem which can be crucial: a newsgroup posting often lacks a mail
8574path back to the sender. Thus, if we need to ask for more information,
8575we may be unable to reach you. For this reason, it is better to send
8576bug reports to the mailing list.
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8577
8578As a last resort, send bug reports on paper to:
8579
8580@example
af215b1a 8581@sc{gnu} Debugger Bugs
3d3ab540 8582Free Software Foundation
70b88761
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8583545 Tech Square
8584Cambridge, MA 02139
8585@end example
8586
8587The fundamental principle of reporting bugs usefully is this:
8588@strong{report all the facts}. If you are not sure whether to state a
8589fact or leave it out, state it!
8590
8591Often people omit facts because they think they know what causes the
29a2b744 8592problem and assume that some details do not matter. Thus, you might
70b88761 8593assume that the name of the variable you use in an example does not matter.
29a2b744 8594Well, probably it does not, but one cannot be sure. Perhaps the bug is a
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8595stray memory reference which happens to fetch from the location where that
8596name is stored in memory; perhaps, if the name were different, the contents
8597of that location would fool the debugger into doing the right thing despite
8598the bug. Play it safe and give a specific, complete example. That is the
8599easiest thing for you to do, and the most helpful.
8600
8601Keep in mind that the purpose of a bug report is to enable us to fix
af215b1a
VM
8602the bug if it is new to us.
8603@c
8604@c FIX ME!!--What the heck does the following sentence mean,
8605@c in the context of the one above?
8606@c
8607@c It is not as important as what happens if the bug is already known.
8608@c
8609Therefore, always write your bug reports on
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8610the assumption that the bug has not been reported previously.
8611
8612Sometimes people give a few sketchy facts and ask, ``Does this ring a
8613bell?'' Those bug reports are useless, and we urge everyone to
8614@emph{refuse to respond to them} except to chide the sender to report
8615bugs properly.
8616
8617To enable us to fix the bug, you should include all these things:
8618
8619@itemize @bullet
8620@item
18fae2a8 8621The version of @value{GDBN}. @value{GDBN} announces it if you start with no
70b88761
RP
8622arguments; you can also print it at any time using @code{show version}.
8623
1041a570 8624Without this, we will not know whether there is any point in looking for
18fae2a8 8625the bug in the current version of @value{GDBN}.
70b88761
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8626
8627@item
ddf21240
JG
8628The type of machine you are using, and the operating system name and
8629version number.
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8630
8631@item
18fae2a8
RP
8632What compiler (and its version) was used to compile @value{GDBN}---e.g.
8633``@value{GCC}--2.0''.
70b88761 8634
ddf21240
JG
8635@item
8636What compiler (and its version) was used to compile the program you
18fae2a8 8637are debugging---e.g. ``@value{GCC}--2.0''.
ddf21240 8638
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RP
8639@item
8640The command arguments you gave the compiler to compile your example and
8641observe the bug. For example, did you use @samp{-O}? To guarantee
1041a570 8642you will not omit something important, list them all. A copy of the
ddf21240 8643Makefile (or the output from make) is sufficient.
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RP
8644
8645If we were to try to guess the arguments, we would probably guess wrong
8646and then we might not encounter the bug.
8647
8648@item
ddf21240
JG
8649A complete input script, and all necessary source files, that will
8650reproduce the bug.
70b88761
RP
8651
8652@item
8653A description of what behavior you observe that you believe is
8654incorrect. For example, ``It gets a fatal signal.''
8655
18fae2a8 8656Of course, if the bug is that @value{GDBN} gets a fatal signal, then we will
70b88761 8657certainly notice it. But if the bug is incorrect output, we might not
af215b1a
VM
8658notice unless it is glaringly wrong. You might as well not give us a
8659chance to make a mistake.
70b88761
RP
8660
8661Even if the problem you experience is a fatal signal, you should still
8662say so explicitly. Suppose something strange is going on, such as,
18fae2a8 8663your copy of @value{GDBN} is out of synch, or you have encountered a
70b88761
RP
8664bug in the C library on your system. (This has happened!) Your copy
8665might crash and ours would not. If you told us to expect a crash,
8666then when ours fails to crash, we would know that the bug was not
8667happening for us. If you had not told us to expect a crash, then we
8668would not be able to draw any conclusion from our observations.
8669
8670@item
18fae2a8
RP
8671If you wish to suggest changes to the @value{GDBN} source, send us context
8672diffs. If you even discuss something in the @value{GDBN} source, refer to
70b88761
RP
8673it by context, not by line number.
8674
1041a570 8675The line numbers in our development sources will not match those in your
70b88761 8676sources. Your line numbers would convey no useful information to us.
70b88761
RP
8677@end itemize
8678
8679Here are some things that are not necessary:
8680
8681@itemize @bullet
8682@item
8683A description of the envelope of the bug.
8684
8685Often people who encounter a bug spend a lot of time investigating
8686which changes to the input file will make the bug go away and which
8687changes will not affect it.
8688
8689This is often time consuming and not very useful, because the way we
8690will find the bug is by running a single example under the debugger
8691with breakpoints, not by pure deduction from a series of examples.
8692We recommend that you save your time for something else.
8693
8694Of course, if you can find a simpler example to report @emph{instead}
8695of the original one, that is a convenience for us. Errors in the
8696output will be easier to spot, running under the debugger will take
b1955f0b 8697less time, and so on.
70b88761 8698
29a2b744 8699However, simplification is not vital; if you do not want to do this,
70b88761
RP
8700report the bug anyway and send us the entire test case you used.
8701
8702@item
8703A patch for the bug.
8704
29a2b744 8705A patch for the bug does help us if it is a good one. But do not omit
70b88761
RP
8706the necessary information, such as the test case, on the assumption that
8707a patch is all we need. We might see problems with your patch and decide
8708to fix the problem another way, or we might not understand it at all.
8709
18fae2a8 8710Sometimes with a program as complicated as @value{GDBN} it is very hard to
70b88761 8711construct an example that will make the program follow a certain path
1041a570
RP
8712through the code. If you do not send us the example, we will not be able
8713to construct one, so we will not be able to verify that the bug is fixed.
70b88761 8714
29a2b744 8715And if we cannot understand what bug you are trying to fix, or why your
1041a570 8716patch should be an improvement, we will not install it. A test case will
70b88761
RP
8717help us to understand.
8718
8719@item
8720A guess about what the bug is or what it depends on.
8721
29a2b744 8722Such guesses are usually wrong. Even we cannot guess right about such
70b88761
RP
8723things without first using the debugger to find the facts.
8724@end itemize
8725
da24340c
RP
8726@c The readline documentation is distributed with the readline code
8727@c and consists of the two following files:
8728@c rluser.texinfo
8729@c inc-hist.texi
8730@c Use -I with makeinfo to point to the appropriate directory,
8731@c environment var TEXINPUTS with TeX.
cacf5942
RP
8732@include rluser.texinfo
8733@include inc-hist.texi
70b88761 8734
18fae2a8 8735@ifset NOVEL
af215b1a 8736@ifset RENAMED
4eb4cf57 8737@node Renamed Commands
70b88761
RP
8738@appendix Renamed Commands
8739
af215b1a 8740The following commands were renamed in @value{GDBN} 4, in order to make the
70b88761
RP
8741command set as a whole more consistent and easier to use and remember:
8742
e251e767
RP
8743@kindex add-syms
8744@kindex delete environment
8745@kindex info copying
8746@kindex info convenience
8747@kindex info directories
8748@kindex info editing
8749@kindex info history
8750@kindex info targets
8751@kindex info values
8752@kindex info version
8753@kindex info warranty
8754@kindex set addressprint
8755@kindex set arrayprint
8756@kindex set prettyprint
8757@kindex set screen-height
8758@kindex set screen-width
8759@kindex set unionprint
8760@kindex set vtblprint
8761@kindex set demangle
8762@kindex set asm-demangle
8763@kindex set sevenbit-strings
8764@kindex set array-max
8765@kindex set caution
8766@kindex set history write
8767@kindex show addressprint
8768@kindex show arrayprint
8769@kindex show prettyprint
8770@kindex show screen-height
8771@kindex show screen-width
8772@kindex show unionprint
8773@kindex show vtblprint
8774@kindex show demangle
8775@kindex show asm-demangle
8776@kindex show sevenbit-strings
8777@kindex show array-max
8778@kindex show caution
8779@kindex show history write
8780@kindex unset
70b88761 8781
92b73793 8782@c TEXI2ROFF-KILL
70b88761 8783@ifinfo
92b73793 8784@c END TEXI2ROFF-KILL
cf496415
RP
8785@example
8786OLD COMMAND NEW COMMAND
92b73793 8787@c TEXI2ROFF-KILL
cf496415 8788--------------- -------------------------------
92b73793 8789@c END TEXI2ROFF-KILL
cf496415
RP
8790add-syms add-symbol-file
8791delete environment unset environment
8792info convenience show convenience
8793info copying show copying
e251e767 8794info directories show directories
cf496415
RP
8795info editing show commands
8796info history show values
8797info targets help target
8798info values show values
8799info version show version
8800info warranty show warranty
8801set/show addressprint set/show print address
8802set/show array-max set/show print elements
8803set/show arrayprint set/show print array
8804set/show asm-demangle set/show print asm-demangle
8805set/show caution set/show confirm
8806set/show demangle set/show print demangle
8807set/show history write set/show history save
8808set/show prettyprint set/show print pretty
8809set/show screen-height set/show height
8810set/show screen-width set/show width
8811set/show sevenbit-strings set/show print sevenbit-strings
8812set/show unionprint set/show print union
8813set/show vtblprint set/show print vtbl
8814
8815unset [No longer an alias for delete]
8816@end example
92b73793 8817@c TEXI2ROFF-KILL
70b88761
RP
8818@end ifinfo
8819
8820@tex
8821\vskip \parskip\vskip \baselineskip
8822\halign{\tt #\hfil &\qquad#&\tt #\hfil\cr
8823{\bf Old Command} &&{\bf New Command}\cr
8824add-syms &&add-symbol-file\cr
8825delete environment &&unset environment\cr
8826info convenience &&show convenience\cr
8827info copying &&show copying\cr
8828info directories &&show directories \cr
8829info editing &&show commands\cr
8830info history &&show values\cr
8831info targets &&help target\cr
8832info values &&show values\cr
8833info version &&show version\cr
8834info warranty &&show warranty\cr
8835set{\rm / }show addressprint &&set{\rm / }show print address\cr
8836set{\rm / }show array-max &&set{\rm / }show print elements\cr
8837set{\rm / }show arrayprint &&set{\rm / }show print array\cr
8838set{\rm / }show asm-demangle &&set{\rm / }show print asm-demangle\cr
8839set{\rm / }show caution &&set{\rm / }show confirm\cr
8840set{\rm / }show demangle &&set{\rm / }show print demangle\cr
8841set{\rm / }show history write &&set{\rm / }show history save\cr
8842set{\rm / }show prettyprint &&set{\rm / }show print pretty\cr
8843set{\rm / }show screen-height &&set{\rm / }show height\cr
8844set{\rm / }show screen-width &&set{\rm / }show width\cr
8845set{\rm / }show sevenbit-strings &&set{\rm / }show print sevenbit-strings\cr
8846set{\rm / }show unionprint &&set{\rm / }show print union\cr
8847set{\rm / }show vtblprint &&set{\rm / }show print vtbl\cr
8848\cr
8849unset &&\rm(No longer an alias for delete)\cr
8850}
8851@end tex
92b73793 8852@c END TEXI2ROFF-KILL
18fae2a8 8853@end ifset
af215b1a 8854@end ifset
70b88761 8855
18fae2a8 8856@ifclear PRECONFIGURED
4eb4cf57 8857@node Formatting Documentation
fe715d06 8858@appendix Formatting Documentation
77b46d13 8859
af215b1a 8860@cindex @value{GDBN} reference card
77b46d13 8861@cindex reference card
af215b1a 8862The @value{GDBN} 4 release includes an already-formatted reference card, ready
d241c8c8 8863for printing with PostScript or Ghostscript, in the @file{gdb}
ed447b95
RP
8864subdirectory of the main source directory@footnote{In
8865@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/refcard.ps} of the version @value{GDBVN}
d241c8c8 8866release.}. If you can use PostScript or Ghostscript with your printer,
ed447b95 8867you can print the reference card immediately with @file{refcard.ps}.
77b46d13
JG
8868
8869The release also includes the source for the reference card. You
8870can format it, using @TeX{}, by typing:
8871
8872@example
8873make refcard.dvi
8874@end example
8875
af215b1a
VM
8876The @value{GDBN} reference card is designed to print in @dfn{landscape}
8877mode on US ``letter'' size paper;
8878that is, on a sheet 11 inches wide by 8.5 inches
77b46d13
JG
8879high. You will need to specify this form of printing as an option to
8880your @sc{dvi} output program.
8881
8882@cindex documentation
8883
af215b1a 8884All the documentation for @value{GDBN} comes as part of the machine-readable
77b46d13
JG
8885distribution. The documentation is written in Texinfo format, which is
8886a documentation system that uses a single source file to produce both
8887on-line information and a printed manual. You can use one of the Info
8888formatting commands to create the on-line version of the documentation
8889and @TeX{} (or @code{texi2roff}) to typeset the printed version.
8890
af215b1a 8891@value{GDBN} includes an already formatted copy of the on-line Info version of
77b46d13 8892this manual in the @file{gdb} subdirectory. The main Info file is
af215b1a 8893@file{gdb-@r{version-number}/gdb/gdb.info}, and it refers to
a89f94c2
RP
8894subordinate files matching @samp{gdb.info*} in the same directory. If
8895necessary, you can print out these files, or read them with any editor;
af215b1a
VM
8896but they are easier to read using the @code{info} subsystem in @sc{gnu} Emacs
8897or the standalone @code{info} program, available as part of the @sc{gnu}
a89f94c2 8898Texinfo distribution.
77b46d13
JG
8899
8900If you want to format these Info files yourself, you need one of the
8901Info formatting programs, such as @code{texinfo-format-buffer} or
8902@code{makeinfo}.
8903
af215b1a 8904If you have @code{makeinfo} installed, and are in the top level @value{GDBN}
18fae2a8 8905source directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, in the case of version @value{GDBVN}), you can
77b46d13
JG
8906make the Info file by typing:
8907
8908@example
8909cd gdb
8910make gdb.info
8911@end example
8912
fe715d06
RP
8913If you want to typeset and print copies of this manual, you need @TeX{},
8914a program to print its @sc{dvi} output files, and @file{texinfo.tex}, the
8915Texinfo definitions file.
77b46d13 8916
83bfcbae 8917@TeX{} is a typesetting program; it does not print files directly, but
77b46d13
JG
8918produces output files called @sc{dvi} files. To print a typeset
8919document, you need a program to print @sc{dvi} files. If your system
8920has @TeX{} installed, chances are it has such a program. The precise
8921command to use depends on your system; @kbd{lpr -d} is common; another
fe715d06
RP
8922(for PostScript devices) is @kbd{dvips}. The @sc{dvi} print command may
8923require a file name without any extension or a @samp{.dvi} extension.
77b46d13
JG
8924
8925@TeX{} also requires a macro definitions file called
8926@file{texinfo.tex}. This file tells @TeX{} how to typeset a document
af215b1a 8927written in Texinfo format. On its own, @TeX{} cannot either read or
77b46d13
JG
8928typeset a Texinfo file. @file{texinfo.tex} is distributed with GDB
8929and is located in the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}/texinfo}
8930directory.
8931
8932If you have @TeX{} and a @sc{dvi} printer program installed, you can
8933typeset and print this manual. First switch to the the @file{gdb}
8934subdirectory of the main source directory (for example, to
18fae2a8 8935@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb}) and then type:
77b46d13
JG
8936
8937@example
8938make gdb.dvi
8939@end example
8940
4eb4cf57 8941@node Installing GDB
af215b1a
VM
8942@appendix Installing @value{GDBN}
8943@cindex configuring @value{GDBN}
70b88761
RP
8944@cindex installation
8945
af215b1a
VM
8946@value{GDBN} comes with a @code{configure} script that automates the process
8947of preparing @value{GDBN} for installation; you can then use @code{make} to
ed447b95 8948build the @code{gdb} program.
f672bb7f
RP
8949@iftex
8950@c irrelevant in info file; it's as current as the code it lives with.
af215b1a 8951@footnote{If you have a more recent version of @value{GDBN} than @value{GDBVN},
ed447b95
RP
8952look at the @file{README} file in the sources; we may have improved the
8953installation procedures since publishing this manual.}
f672bb7f
RP
8954@end iftex
8955
af215b1a
VM
8956The @value{GDBN} distribution includes all the source code you need for
8957@value{GDBN} in a single directory, whose name is usually composed by
8958appending the version number to @samp{gdb}.
1041a570 8959
af215b1a 8960For example, the @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN} distribution is in the
ed447b95 8961@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory. That directory contains:
b80282d5 8962
3d3ab540 8963@table @code
18fae2a8 8964@item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure @r{(and supporting files)}
af215b1a 8965script for configuring @value{GDBN} and all its supporting libraries
b80282d5 8966
18fae2a8 8967@item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb
af215b1a 8968the source specific to @value{GDBN} itself
3d3ab540 8969
18fae2a8 8970@item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/bfd
77b46d13 8971source for the Binary File Descriptor library
3d3ab540 8972
18fae2a8 8973@item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/include
af215b1a 8974@sc{gnu} include files
3d3ab540 8975
18fae2a8 8976@item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/libiberty
3d3ab540
RP
8977source for the @samp{-liberty} free software library
8978
18fae2a8 8979@item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/opcodes
3214c51c
JG
8980source for the library of opcode tables and disassemblers
8981
18fae2a8 8982@item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/readline
af215b1a 8983source for the @sc{gnu} command-line interface
77b46d13 8984
18fae2a8 8985@item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/glob
af215b1a 8986source for the @sc{gnu} filename pattern-matching subroutine
77b46d13 8987
18fae2a8 8988@item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/mmalloc
af215b1a 8989source for the @sc{gnu} memory-mapped malloc package
3d3ab540 8990@end table
1041a570 8991
af215b1a 8992The simplest way to configure and build @value{GDBN} is to run @code{configure}
1041a570 8993from the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory, which in
18fae2a8 8994this example is the @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory.
1041a570
RP
8995
8996First switch to the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory
8997if you are not already in it; then run @code{configure}. Pass the
af215b1a 8998identifier for the platform on which @value{GDBN} will run as an
1041a570
RP
8999argument.
9000
9001For example:
9002
7463aadd 9003@example
18fae2a8 9004cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
3d3ab540 9005./configure @var{host}
7463aadd
RP
9006make
9007@end example
1041a570 9008
7463aadd 9009@noindent
1041a570 9010where @var{host} is an identifier such as @samp{sun4} or
af215b1a 9011@samp{decstation}, that identifies the platform where @value{GDBN} will run.
d55320a0
RP
9012(You can often leave off @var{host}; @code{configure} tries to guess the
9013correct value by examining your system.)
1041a570 9014
8c69096b 9015Running @samp{configure @var{host}} and then running @code{make} builds the
38962738
RP
9016@file{bfd}, @file{readline}, @file{mmalloc}, and @file{libiberty}
9017libraries, then @code{gdb} itself. The configured source files, and the
9018binaries, are left in the corresponding source directories.
3d3ab540 9019
af215b1a 9020@need 750
e251e767 9021@code{configure} is a Bourne-shell (@code{/bin/sh}) script; if your
29a2b744 9022system does not recognize this automatically when you run a different
1041a570
RP
9023shell, you may need to run @code{sh} on it explicitly:
9024
9025@example
9026sh configure @var{host}
9027@end example
e251e767 9028
f672bb7f
RP
9029If you run @code{configure} from a directory that contains source
9030directories for multiple libraries or programs, such as the
18fae2a8 9031@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} source directory for version @value{GDBVN}, @code{configure}
f672bb7f 9032creates configuration files for every directory level underneath (unless
98349959 9033you tell it not to, with the @samp{--norecursion} option).
f672bb7f
RP
9034
9035You can run the @code{configure} script from any of the
af215b1a 9036subordinate directories in the @value{GDBN} distribution if you only want to
d55320a0 9037configure that subdirectory, but be sure to specify a path to it.
1041a570 9038
18fae2a8 9039For example, with version @value{GDBVN}, type the following to configure only
1041a570
RP
9040the @code{bfd} subdirectory:
9041
e251e767 9042@example
203eea5d 9043@group
18fae2a8 9044cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}/bfd
e251e767 9045../configure @var{host}
203eea5d 9046@end group
e251e767
RP
9047@end example
9048
18fae2a8 9049You can install @code{@value{GDBP}} anywhere; it has no hardwired paths.
1041a570
RP
9050However, you should make sure that the shell on your path (named by
9051the @samp{SHELL} environment variable) is publicly readable. Remember
af215b1a
VM
9052that @value{GDBN} uses the shell to start your program---some systems refuse to
9053let @value{GDBN} debug child processes whose programs are not readable.
3d3ab540
RP
9054
9055@menu
af215b1a 9056* Separate Objdir:: Compiling @value{GDBN} in another directory
b80282d5
RP
9057* Config Names:: Specifying names for hosts and targets
9058* configure Options:: Summary of options for configure
3d3ab540
RP
9059@end menu
9060
4eb4cf57 9061@node Separate Objdir
af215b1a 9062@section Compiling @value{GDBN} in another directory
1041a570 9063
af215b1a 9064If you want to run @value{GDBN} versions for several host or target machines,
ed447b95 9065you need a different @code{gdb} compiled for each combination of
1041a570 9066host and target. @code{configure} is designed to make this easy by
f672bb7f
RP
9067allowing you to generate each configuration in a separate subdirectory,
9068rather than in the source directory. If your @code{make} program
af215b1a 9069handles the @samp{VPATH} feature (@sc{gnu} @code{make} does), running
ed447b95 9070@code{make} in each of these directories builds the @code{gdb}
f672bb7f 9071program specified there.
b80282d5 9072
c7cb8acb 9073To build @code{gdb} in a separate directory, run @code{configure}
f672bb7f 9074with the @samp{--srcdir} option to specify where to find the source.
93918348 9075(You also need to specify a path to find @code{configure}
77b46d13
JG
9076itself from your working directory. If the path to @code{configure}
9077would be the same as the argument to @samp{--srcdir}, you can leave out
9a27b06e 9078the @samp{--srcdir} option; it is assumed.)
1041a570 9079
af215b1a
VM
9080For example, with version @value{GDBVN}, you can build @value{GDBN} in a
9081separate directory for a Sun 4 like this:
70b88761
RP
9082
9083@example
3d3ab540 9084@group
18fae2a8 9085cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
f672bb7f
RP
9086mkdir ../gdb-sun4
9087cd ../gdb-sun4
18fae2a8 9088../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure sun4
70b88761 9089make
3d3ab540 9090@end group
70b88761
RP
9091@end example
9092
f672bb7f
RP
9093When @code{configure} builds a configuration using a remote source
9094directory, it creates a tree for the binaries with the same structure
9095(and using the same names) as the tree under the source directory. In
9096the example, you'd find the Sun 4 library @file{libiberty.a} in the
af215b1a 9097directory @file{gdb-sun4/libiberty}, and @value{GDBN} itself in
f672bb7f 9098@file{gdb-sun4/gdb}.
1041a570 9099
af215b1a
VM
9100One popular reason to build several @value{GDBN} configurations in separate
9101directories is to configure @value{GDBN} for cross-compiling (where
9102@value{GDBN} runs on one machine---the @dfn{host}---while debugging
9103programs that run on another machine---the @dfn{target}).
9104You specify a cross-debugging target by
f672bb7f 9105giving the @samp{--target=@var{target}} option to @code{configure}.
c7637ea6 9106
1041a570 9107When you run @code{make} to build a program or library, you must run
f672bb7f
RP
9108it in a configured directory---whatever directory you were in when you
9109called @code{configure} (or one of its subdirectories).
c7637ea6 9110
fe715d06 9111The @code{Makefile} that @code{configure} generates in each source
f672bb7f 9112directory also runs recursively. If you type @code{make} in a source
18fae2a8 9113directory such as @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} (or in a separate configured
b550c03a 9114directory configured with @samp{--srcdir=@var{dirname}/gdb-@value{GDBVN}}), you
ed447b95 9115will build all the required libraries, and then build GDB.
3d3ab540 9116
f672bb7f
RP
9117When you have multiple hosts or targets configured in separate
9118directories, you can run @code{make} on them in parallel (for example,
9119if they are NFS-mounted on each of the hosts); they will not interfere
9120with each other.
3d3ab540 9121
4eb4cf57 9122@node Config Names
93928b60 9123@section Specifying names for hosts and targets
b80282d5
RP
9124
9125The specifications used for hosts and targets in the @code{configure}
9126script are based on a three-part naming scheme, but some short predefined
9127aliases are also supported. The full naming scheme encodes three pieces
e251e767 9128of information in the following pattern:
1041a570 9129
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9130@example
9131@var{architecture}-@var{vendor}-@var{os}
9132@end example
9133
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9134For example, you can use the alias @code{sun4} as a @var{host} argument,
9135or as the value for @var{target} in a @code{--target=@var{target}}
9136option. The equivalent full name is @samp{sparc-sun-sunos4}.
b80282d5 9137
af215b1a 9138The @code{configure} script accompanying @value{GDBN} does not provide
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9139any query facility to list all supported host and target names or
9140aliases. @code{configure} calls the Bourne shell script
9141@code{config.sub} to map abbreviations to full names; you can read the
9142script, if you wish, or you can use it to test your guesses on
9143abbreviations---for example:
1041a570 9144
b1385986 9145@smallexample
b80282d5 9146% sh config.sub sun4
d55320a0 9147sparc-sun-sunos4.1.1
b80282d5 9148% sh config.sub sun3
d55320a0 9149m68k-sun-sunos4.1.1
b80282d5 9150% sh config.sub decstation
d55320a0 9151mips-dec-ultrix4.2
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9152% sh config.sub hp300bsd
9153m68k-hp-bsd
9154% sh config.sub i386v
6a8cb0e7 9155i386-unknown-sysv
e94b4a2b 9156% sh config.sub i786v
6a8cb0e7 9157Invalid configuration `i786v': machine `i786v' not recognized
b1385986 9158@end smallexample
1041a570 9159
c7637ea6 9160@noindent
af215b1a 9161@code{config.sub} is also distributed in the @value{GDBN} source
18fae2a8 9162directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, for version @value{GDBVN}).
b80282d5 9163
4eb4cf57 9164@node configure Options
93928b60 9165@section @code{configure} options
7463aadd 9166
d48da190 9167Here is a summary of the @code{configure} options and arguments that
18fae2a8 9168are most often useful for building @value{GDBN}. @code{configure} also has
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9169several other options not listed here. @inforef{What Configure
9170Does,,configure.info}, for a full explanation of @code{configure}.
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9171
9172@example
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9173configure @r{[}--help@r{]}
9174 @r{[}--prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
b550c03a 9175 @r{[}--srcdir=@var{dirname}@r{]}
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9176 @r{[}--norecursion@r{]} @r{[}--rm@r{]}
9177 @r{[}--target=@var{target}@r{]} @var{host}
7463aadd 9178@end example
1041a570 9179
3d3ab540 9180@noindent
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9181You may introduce options with a single @samp{-} rather than
9182@samp{--} if you prefer; but you may abbreviate option names if you use
9183@samp{--}.
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9184
9185@table @code
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9186@item --help
9187Display a quick summary of how to invoke @code{configure}.
9188
9189@item -prefix=@var{dir}
9190Configure the source to install programs and files under directory
9191@file{@var{dir}}.
9192
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9193@c avoid splitting the warning from the explanation:
9194@need 2000
b550c03a 9195@item --srcdir=@var{dirname}
af215b1a 9196@strong{Warning: using this option requires @sc{gnu} @code{make}, or another
6ca72cc6 9197@code{make} that implements the @code{VPATH} feature.}@*
f672bb7f 9198Use this option to make configurations in directories separate from the
af215b1a 9199@value{GDBN} source directories. Among other things, you can use this to
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9200build (or maintain) several configurations simultaneously, in separate
9201directories. @code{configure} writes configuration specific files in
9202the current directory, but arranges for them to use the source in the
b550c03a 9203directory @var{dirname}. @code{configure} creates directories under
f672bb7f 9204the working directory in parallel to the source directories below
b550c03a 9205@var{dirname}.
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9206
9207@item --norecursion
9208Configure only the directory level where @code{configure} is executed; do not
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9209propagate configuration to subdirectories.
9210
f672bb7f 9211@item --rm
d55320a0 9212@emph{Remove} files otherwise built during configuration.
7463aadd 9213
29a2b744 9214@c This does not work (yet if ever). FIXME.
f672bb7f 9215@c @item --parse=@var{lang} @dots{}
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9216@c Configure the @value{GDBN} expression parser to parse the listed languages.
9217@c @samp{all} configures @value{GDBN} for all supported languages. To get a
d7b569d5 9218@c list of all supported languages, omit the argument. Without this
af215b1a 9219@c option, @value{GDBN} is configured to parse all supported languages.
c2bbbb22 9220
f672bb7f 9221@item --target=@var{target}
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9222Configure @value{GDBN} for cross-debugging programs running on the specified
9223@var{target}. Without this option, @value{GDBN} is configured to debug
9224programs that run on the same machine (@var{host}) as @value{GDBN} itself.
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9225
9226There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available targets.
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9227
9228@item @var{host} @dots{}
af215b1a 9229Configure @value{GDBN} to run on the specified @var{host}.
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9230
9231There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available hosts.
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9232@end table
9233
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9234@noindent
9235@code{configure} accepts other options, for compatibility with
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9236configuring other @sc{gnu} tools recursively; but these are the only
9237options that affect @value{GDBN} or its supporting libraries.
18fae2a8 9238@end ifclear
3d3ab540 9239
4eb4cf57 9240@node Index
d2e08421 9241@unnumbered Index
e91b87a3 9242
9243@printindex cp
9244
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9245@tex
9246% I think something like @colophon should be in texinfo. In the
9247% meantime:
9248\long\def\colophon{\hbox to0pt{}\vfill
9249\centerline{The body of this manual is set in}
9250\centerline{\fontname\tenrm,}
9251\centerline{with headings in {\bf\fontname\tenbf}}
9252\centerline{and examples in {\tt\fontname\tentt}.}
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9253\centerline{{\it\fontname\tenit\/},}
9254\centerline{{\bf\fontname\tenbf}, and}
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9255\centerline{{\sl\fontname\tensl\/}}
9256\centerline{are used for emphasis.}\vfill}
9257\page\colophon
a6d0b6d3 9258% Blame: pesch@cygnus.com, 1991.
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9259@end tex
9260
e91b87a3 9261@contents
9262@bye
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