0aa90eb49584fa7ef699f130c170617aadbcbab0
[deliverable/binutils-gdb.git] / gdb / doc / gdb.texinfo
1 \input texinfo @c -*-texinfo-*-
2 @c Copyright (C) 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996,
3 @c 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009,
4 @c 2010, 2011 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
5 @c
6 @c %**start of header
7 @c makeinfo ignores cmds prev to setfilename, so its arg cannot make use
8 @c of @set vars. However, you can override filename with makeinfo -o.
9 @setfilename gdb.info
10 @c
11 @include gdb-cfg.texi
12 @c
13 @settitle Debugging with @value{GDBN}
14 @setchapternewpage odd
15 @c %**end of header
16
17 @iftex
18 @c @smallbook
19 @c @cropmarks
20 @end iftex
21
22 @finalout
23 @syncodeindex ky cp
24 @syncodeindex tp cp
25
26 @c readline appendices use @vindex, @findex and @ftable,
27 @c annotate.texi and gdbmi use @findex.
28 @syncodeindex vr cp
29 @syncodeindex fn cp
30
31 @c !!set GDB manual's edition---not the same as GDB version!
32 @c This is updated by GNU Press.
33 @set EDITION Tenth
34
35 @c !!set GDB edit command default editor
36 @set EDITOR /bin/ex
37
38 @c THIS MANUAL REQUIRES TEXINFO 4.0 OR LATER.
39
40 @c This is a dir.info fragment to support semi-automated addition of
41 @c manuals to an info tree.
42 @dircategory Software development
43 @direntry
44 * Gdb: (gdb). The GNU debugger.
45 @end direntry
46
47 @copying
48 Copyright @copyright{} 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996,
49 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
50 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
51
52 Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
53 under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.3 or
54 any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with the
55 Invariant Sections being ``Free Software'' and ``Free Software Needs
56 Free Documentation'', with the Front-Cover Texts being ``A GNU Manual,''
57 and with the Back-Cover Texts as in (a) below.
58
59 (a) The FSF's Back-Cover Text is: ``You are free to copy and modify
60 this GNU Manual. Buying copies from GNU Press supports the FSF in
61 developing GNU and promoting software freedom.''
62 @end copying
63
64 @ifnottex
65 This file documents the @sc{gnu} debugger @value{GDBN}.
66
67 This is the @value{EDITION} Edition, of @cite{Debugging with
68 @value{GDBN}: the @sc{gnu} Source-Level Debugger} for @value{GDBN}
69 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
70 @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
71 @end ifset
72 Version @value{GDBVN}.
73
74 @insertcopying
75 @end ifnottex
76
77 @titlepage
78 @title Debugging with @value{GDBN}
79 @subtitle The @sc{gnu} Source-Level Debugger
80 @sp 1
81 @subtitle @value{EDITION} Edition, for @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN}
82 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
83 @sp 1
84 @subtitle @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
85 @end ifset
86 @author Richard Stallman, Roland Pesch, Stan Shebs, et al.
87 @page
88 @tex
89 {\parskip=0pt
90 \hfill (Send bugs and comments on @value{GDBN} to @value{BUGURL}.)\par
91 \hfill {\it Debugging with @value{GDBN}}\par
92 \hfill \TeX{}info \texinfoversion\par
93 }
94 @end tex
95
96 @vskip 0pt plus 1filll
97 Published by the Free Software Foundation @*
98 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor,
99 Boston, MA 02110-1301, USA@*
100 ISBN 978-0-9831592-3-0 @*
101
102 @insertcopying
103 @end titlepage
104 @page
105
106 @ifnottex
107 @node Top, Summary, (dir), (dir)
108
109 @top Debugging with @value{GDBN}
110
111 This file describes @value{GDBN}, the @sc{gnu} symbolic debugger.
112
113 This is the @value{EDITION} Edition, for @value{GDBN}
114 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
115 @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
116 @end ifset
117 Version @value{GDBVN}.
118
119 Copyright (C) 1988-2010 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
120
121 This edition of the GDB manual is dedicated to the memory of Fred
122 Fish. Fred was a long-standing contributor to GDB and to Free
123 software in general. We will miss him.
124
125 @menu
126 * Summary:: Summary of @value{GDBN}
127 * Sample Session:: A sample @value{GDBN} session
128
129 * Invocation:: Getting in and out of @value{GDBN}
130 * Commands:: @value{GDBN} commands
131 * Running:: Running programs under @value{GDBN}
132 * Stopping:: Stopping and continuing
133 * Reverse Execution:: Running programs backward
134 * Process Record and Replay:: Recording inferior's execution and replaying it
135 * Stack:: Examining the stack
136 * Source:: Examining source files
137 * Data:: Examining data
138 * Optimized Code:: Debugging optimized code
139 * Macros:: Preprocessor Macros
140 * Tracepoints:: Debugging remote targets non-intrusively
141 * Overlays:: Debugging programs that use overlays
142
143 * Languages:: Using @value{GDBN} with different languages
144
145 * Symbols:: Examining the symbol table
146 * Altering:: Altering execution
147 * GDB Files:: @value{GDBN} files
148 * Targets:: Specifying a debugging target
149 * Remote Debugging:: Debugging remote programs
150 * Configurations:: Configuration-specific information
151 * Controlling GDB:: Controlling @value{GDBN}
152 * Extending GDB:: Extending @value{GDBN}
153 * Interpreters:: Command Interpreters
154 * TUI:: @value{GDBN} Text User Interface
155 * Emacs:: Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
156 * GDB/MI:: @value{GDBN}'s Machine Interface.
157 * Annotations:: @value{GDBN}'s annotation interface.
158 * JIT Interface:: Using the JIT debugging interface.
159
160 * GDB Bugs:: Reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
161
162 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
163 * Command Line Editing: (rluserman). Command Line Editing
164 * Using History Interactively: (history). Using History Interactively
165 @end ifset
166 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
167 * Command Line Editing:: Command Line Editing
168 * Using History Interactively:: Using History Interactively
169 @end ifclear
170 * In Memoriam:: In Memoriam
171 * Formatting Documentation:: How to format and print @value{GDBN} documentation
172 * Installing GDB:: Installing GDB
173 * Maintenance Commands:: Maintenance Commands
174 * Remote Protocol:: GDB Remote Serial Protocol
175 * Agent Expressions:: The GDB Agent Expression Mechanism
176 * Target Descriptions:: How targets can describe themselves to
177 @value{GDBN}
178 * Operating System Information:: Getting additional information from
179 the operating system
180 * Trace File Format:: GDB trace file format
181 * Index Section Format:: .gdb_index section format
182 * Copying:: GNU General Public License says
183 how you can copy and share GDB
184 * GNU Free Documentation License:: The license for this documentation
185 * Index:: Index
186 @end menu
187
188 @end ifnottex
189
190 @contents
191
192 @node Summary
193 @unnumbered Summary of @value{GDBN}
194
195 The purpose of a debugger such as @value{GDBN} is to allow you to see what is
196 going on ``inside'' another program while it executes---or what another
197 program was doing at the moment it crashed.
198
199 @value{GDBN} can do four main kinds of things (plus other things in support of
200 these) to help you catch bugs in the act:
201
202 @itemize @bullet
203 @item
204 Start your program, specifying anything that might affect its behavior.
205
206 @item
207 Make your program stop on specified conditions.
208
209 @item
210 Examine what has happened, when your program has stopped.
211
212 @item
213 Change things in your program, so you can experiment with correcting the
214 effects of one bug and go on to learn about another.
215 @end itemize
216
217 You can use @value{GDBN} to debug programs written in C and C@t{++}.
218 For more information, see @ref{Supported Languages,,Supported Languages}.
219 For more information, see @ref{C,,C and C++}.
220
221 Support for D is partial. For information on D, see
222 @ref{D,,D}.
223
224 @cindex Modula-2
225 Support for Modula-2 is partial. For information on Modula-2, see
226 @ref{Modula-2,,Modula-2}.
227
228 Support for OpenCL C is partial. For information on OpenCL C, see
229 @ref{OpenCL C,,OpenCL C}.
230
231 @cindex Pascal
232 Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or
233 nested functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
234 entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal
235 syntax.
236
237 @cindex Fortran
238 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, although
239 it may be necessary to refer to some variables with a trailing
240 underscore.
241
242 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Objective-C,
243 using either the Apple/NeXT or the GNU Objective-C runtime.
244
245 @menu
246 * Free Software:: Freely redistributable software
247 * Contributors:: Contributors to GDB
248 @end menu
249
250 @node Free Software
251 @unnumberedsec Free Software
252
253 @value{GDBN} is @dfn{free software}, protected by the @sc{gnu}
254 General Public License
255 (GPL). The GPL gives you the freedom to copy or adapt a licensed
256 program---but every person getting a copy also gets with it the
257 freedom to modify that copy (which means that they must get access to
258 the source code), and the freedom to distribute further copies.
259 Typical software companies use copyrights to limit your freedoms; the
260 Free Software Foundation uses the GPL to preserve these freedoms.
261
262 Fundamentally, the General Public License is a license which says that
263 you have these freedoms and that you cannot take these freedoms away
264 from anyone else.
265
266 @unnumberedsec Free Software Needs Free Documentation
267
268 The biggest deficiency in the free software community today is not in
269 the software---it is the lack of good free documentation that we can
270 include with the free software. Many of our most important
271 programs do not come with free reference manuals and free introductory
272 texts. Documentation is an essential part of any software package;
273 when an important free software package does not come with a free
274 manual and a free tutorial, that is a major gap. We have many such
275 gaps today.
276
277 Consider Perl, for instance. The tutorial manuals that people
278 normally use are non-free. How did this come about? Because the
279 authors of those manuals published them with restrictive terms---no
280 copying, no modification, source files not available---which exclude
281 them from the free software world.
282
283 That wasn't the first time this sort of thing happened, and it was far
284 from the last. Many times we have heard a GNU user eagerly describe a
285 manual that he is writing, his intended contribution to the community,
286 only to learn that he had ruined everything by signing a publication
287 contract to make it non-free.
288
289 Free documentation, like free software, is a matter of freedom, not
290 price. The problem with the non-free manual is not that publishers
291 charge a price for printed copies---that in itself is fine. (The Free
292 Software Foundation sells printed copies of manuals, too.) The
293 problem is the restrictions on the use of the manual. Free manuals
294 are available in source code form, and give you permission to copy and
295 modify. Non-free manuals do not allow this.
296
297 The criteria of freedom for a free manual are roughly the same as for
298 free software. Redistribution (including the normal kinds of
299 commercial redistribution) must be permitted, so that the manual can
300 accompany every copy of the program, both on-line and on paper.
301
302 Permission for modification of the technical content is crucial too.
303 When people modify the software, adding or changing features, if they
304 are conscientious they will change the manual too---so they can
305 provide accurate and clear documentation for the modified program. A
306 manual that leaves you no choice but to write a new manual to document
307 a changed version of the program is not really available to our
308 community.
309
310 Some kinds of limits on the way modification is handled are
311 acceptable. For example, requirements to preserve the original
312 author's copyright notice, the distribution terms, or the list of
313 authors, are ok. It is also no problem to require modified versions
314 to include notice that they were modified. Even entire sections that
315 may not be deleted or changed are acceptable, as long as they deal
316 with nontechnical topics (like this one). These kinds of restrictions
317 are acceptable because they don't obstruct the community's normal use
318 of the manual.
319
320 However, it must be possible to modify all the @emph{technical}
321 content of the manual, and then distribute the result in all the usual
322 media, through all the usual channels. Otherwise, the restrictions
323 obstruct the use of the manual, it is not free, and we need another
324 manual to replace it.
325
326 Please spread the word about this issue. Our community continues to
327 lose manuals to proprietary publishing. If we spread the word that
328 free software needs free reference manuals and free tutorials, perhaps
329 the next person who wants to contribute by writing documentation will
330 realize, before it is too late, that only free manuals contribute to
331 the free software community.
332
333 If you are writing documentation, please insist on publishing it under
334 the GNU Free Documentation License or another free documentation
335 license. Remember that this decision requires your approval---you
336 don't have to let the publisher decide. Some commercial publishers
337 will use a free license if you insist, but they will not propose the
338 option; it is up to you to raise the issue and say firmly that this is
339 what you want. If the publisher you are dealing with refuses, please
340 try other publishers. If you're not sure whether a proposed license
341 is free, write to @email{licensing@@gnu.org}.
342
343 You can encourage commercial publishers to sell more free, copylefted
344 manuals and tutorials by buying them, and particularly by buying
345 copies from the publishers that paid for their writing or for major
346 improvements. Meanwhile, try to avoid buying non-free documentation
347 at all. Check the distribution terms of a manual before you buy it,
348 and insist that whoever seeks your business must respect your freedom.
349 Check the history of the book, and try to reward the publishers that
350 have paid or pay the authors to work on it.
351
352 The Free Software Foundation maintains a list of free documentation
353 published by other publishers, at
354 @url{http://www.fsf.org/doc/other-free-books.html}.
355
356 @node Contributors
357 @unnumberedsec Contributors to @value{GDBN}
358
359 Richard Stallman was the original author of @value{GDBN}, and of many
360 other @sc{gnu} programs. Many others have contributed to its
361 development. This section attempts to credit major contributors. One
362 of the virtues of free software is that everyone is free to contribute
363 to it; with regret, we cannot actually acknowledge everyone here. The
364 file @file{ChangeLog} in the @value{GDBN} distribution approximates a
365 blow-by-blow account.
366
367 Changes much prior to version 2.0 are lost in the mists of time.
368
369 @quotation
370 @emph{Plea:} Additions to this section are particularly welcome. If you
371 or your friends (or enemies, to be evenhanded) have been unfairly
372 omitted from this list, we would like to add your names!
373 @end quotation
374
375 So that they may not regard their many labors as thankless, we
376 particularly thank those who shepherded @value{GDBN} through major
377 releases:
378 Andrew Cagney (releases 6.3, 6.2, 6.1, 6.0, 5.3, 5.2, 5.1 and 5.0);
379 Jim Blandy (release 4.18);
380 Jason Molenda (release 4.17);
381 Stan Shebs (release 4.14);
382 Fred Fish (releases 4.16, 4.15, 4.13, 4.12, 4.11, 4.10, and 4.9);
383 Stu Grossman and John Gilmore (releases 4.8, 4.7, 4.6, 4.5, and 4.4);
384 John Gilmore (releases 4.3, 4.2, 4.1, 4.0, and 3.9);
385 Jim Kingdon (releases 3.5, 3.4, and 3.3);
386 and Randy Smith (releases 3.2, 3.1, and 3.0).
387
388 Richard Stallman, assisted at various times by Peter TerMaat, Chris
389 Hanson, and Richard Mlynarik, handled releases through 2.8.
390
391 Michael Tiemann is the author of most of the @sc{gnu} C@t{++} support
392 in @value{GDBN}, with significant additional contributions from Per
393 Bothner and Daniel Berlin. James Clark wrote the @sc{gnu} C@t{++}
394 demangler. Early work on C@t{++} was by Peter TerMaat (who also did
395 much general update work leading to release 3.0).
396
397 @value{GDBN} uses the BFD subroutine library to examine multiple
398 object-file formats; BFD was a joint project of David V.
399 Henkel-Wallace, Rich Pixley, Steve Chamberlain, and John Gilmore.
400
401 David Johnson wrote the original COFF support; Pace Willison did
402 the original support for encapsulated COFF.
403
404 Brent Benson of Harris Computer Systems contributed DWARF 2 support.
405
406 Adam de Boor and Bradley Davis contributed the ISI Optimum V support.
407 Per Bothner, Noboyuki Hikichi, and Alessandro Forin contributed MIPS
408 support.
409 Jean-Daniel Fekete contributed Sun 386i support.
410 Chris Hanson improved the HP9000 support.
411 Noboyuki Hikichi and Tomoyuki Hasei contributed Sony/News OS 3 support.
412 David Johnson contributed Encore Umax support.
413 Jyrki Kuoppala contributed Altos 3068 support.
414 Jeff Law contributed HP PA and SOM support.
415 Keith Packard contributed NS32K support.
416 Doug Rabson contributed Acorn Risc Machine support.
417 Bob Rusk contributed Harris Nighthawk CX-UX support.
418 Chris Smith contributed Convex support (and Fortran debugging).
419 Jonathan Stone contributed Pyramid support.
420 Michael Tiemann contributed SPARC support.
421 Tim Tucker contributed support for the Gould NP1 and Gould Powernode.
422 Pace Willison contributed Intel 386 support.
423 Jay Vosburgh contributed Symmetry support.
424 Marko Mlinar contributed OpenRISC 1000 support.
425
426 Andreas Schwab contributed M68K @sc{gnu}/Linux support.
427
428 Rich Schaefer and Peter Schauer helped with support of SunOS shared
429 libraries.
430
431 Jay Fenlason and Roland McGrath ensured that @value{GDBN} and GAS agree
432 about several machine instruction sets.
433
434 Patrick Duval, Ted Goldstein, Vikram Koka and Glenn Engel helped develop
435 remote debugging. Intel Corporation, Wind River Systems, AMD, and ARM
436 contributed remote debugging modules for the i960, VxWorks, A29K UDI,
437 and RDI targets, respectively.
438
439 Brian Fox is the author of the readline libraries providing
440 command-line editing and command history.
441
442 Andrew Beers of SUNY Buffalo wrote the language-switching code, the
443 Modula-2 support, and contributed the Languages chapter of this manual.
444
445 Fred Fish wrote most of the support for Unix System Vr4.
446 He also enhanced the command-completion support to cover C@t{++} overloaded
447 symbols.
448
449 Hitachi America (now Renesas America), Ltd. sponsored the support for
450 H8/300, H8/500, and Super-H processors.
451
452 NEC sponsored the support for the v850, Vr4xxx, and Vr5xxx processors.
453
454 Mitsubishi (now Renesas) sponsored the support for D10V, D30V, and M32R/D
455 processors.
456
457 Toshiba sponsored the support for the TX39 Mips processor.
458
459 Matsushita sponsored the support for the MN10200 and MN10300 processors.
460
461 Fujitsu sponsored the support for SPARClite and FR30 processors.
462
463 Kung Hsu, Jeff Law, and Rick Sladkey added support for hardware
464 watchpoints.
465
466 Michael Snyder added support for tracepoints.
467
468 Stu Grossman wrote gdbserver.
469
470 Jim Kingdon, Peter Schauer, Ian Taylor, and Stu Grossman made
471 nearly innumerable bug fixes and cleanups throughout @value{GDBN}.
472
473 The following people at the Hewlett-Packard Company contributed
474 support for the PA-RISC 2.0 architecture, HP-UX 10.20, 10.30, and 11.0
475 (narrow mode), HP's implementation of kernel threads, HP's aC@t{++}
476 compiler, and the Text User Interface (nee Terminal User Interface):
477 Ben Krepp, Richard Title, John Bishop, Susan Macchia, Kathy Mann,
478 Satish Pai, India Paul, Steve Rehrauer, and Elena Zannoni. Kim Haase
479 provided HP-specific information in this manual.
480
481 DJ Delorie ported @value{GDBN} to MS-DOS, for the DJGPP project.
482 Robert Hoehne made significant contributions to the DJGPP port.
483
484 Cygnus Solutions has sponsored @value{GDBN} maintenance and much of its
485 development since 1991. Cygnus engineers who have worked on @value{GDBN}
486 fulltime include Mark Alexander, Jim Blandy, Per Bothner, Kevin
487 Buettner, Edith Epstein, Chris Faylor, Fred Fish, Martin Hunt, Jim
488 Ingham, John Gilmore, Stu Grossman, Kung Hsu, Jim Kingdon, John Metzler,
489 Fernando Nasser, Geoffrey Noer, Dawn Perchik, Rich Pixley, Zdenek
490 Radouch, Keith Seitz, Stan Shebs, David Taylor, and Elena Zannoni. In
491 addition, Dave Brolley, Ian Carmichael, Steve Chamberlain, Nick Clifton,
492 JT Conklin, Stan Cox, DJ Delorie, Ulrich Drepper, Frank Eigler, Doug
493 Evans, Sean Fagan, David Henkel-Wallace, Richard Henderson, Jeff
494 Holcomb, Jeff Law, Jim Lemke, Tom Lord, Bob Manson, Michael Meissner,
495 Jason Merrill, Catherine Moore, Drew Moseley, Ken Raeburn, Gavin
496 Romig-Koch, Rob Savoye, Jamie Smith, Mike Stump, Ian Taylor, Angela
497 Thomas, Michael Tiemann, Tom Tromey, Ron Unrau, Jim Wilson, and David
498 Zuhn have made contributions both large and small.
499
500 Andrew Cagney, Fernando Nasser, and Elena Zannoni, while working for
501 Cygnus Solutions, implemented the original @sc{gdb/mi} interface.
502
503 Jim Blandy added support for preprocessor macros, while working for Red
504 Hat.
505
506 Andrew Cagney designed @value{GDBN}'s architecture vector. Many
507 people including Andrew Cagney, Stephane Carrez, Randolph Chung, Nick
508 Duffek, Richard Henderson, Mark Kettenis, Grace Sainsbury, Kei
509 Sakamoto, Yoshinori Sato, Michael Snyder, Andreas Schwab, Jason
510 Thorpe, Corinna Vinschen, Ulrich Weigand, and Elena Zannoni, helped
511 with the migration of old architectures to this new framework.
512
513 Andrew Cagney completely re-designed and re-implemented @value{GDBN}'s
514 unwinder framework, this consisting of a fresh new design featuring
515 frame IDs, independent frame sniffers, and the sentinel frame. Mark
516 Kettenis implemented the @sc{dwarf 2} unwinder, Jeff Johnston the
517 libunwind unwinder, and Andrew Cagney the dummy, sentinel, tramp, and
518 trad unwinders. The architecture-specific changes, each involving a
519 complete rewrite of the architecture's frame code, were carried out by
520 Jim Blandy, Joel Brobecker, Kevin Buettner, Andrew Cagney, Stephane
521 Carrez, Randolph Chung, Orjan Friberg, Richard Henderson, Daniel
522 Jacobowitz, Jeff Johnston, Mark Kettenis, Theodore A. Roth, Kei
523 Sakamoto, Yoshinori Sato, Michael Snyder, Corinna Vinschen, and Ulrich
524 Weigand.
525
526 Christian Zankel, Ross Morley, Bob Wilson, and Maxim Grigoriev from
527 Tensilica, Inc.@: contributed support for Xtensa processors. Others
528 who have worked on the Xtensa port of @value{GDBN} in the past include
529 Steve Tjiang, John Newlin, and Scott Foehner.
530
531 Michael Eager and staff of Xilinx, Inc., contributed support for the
532 Xilinx MicroBlaze architecture.
533
534 @node Sample Session
535 @chapter A Sample @value{GDBN} Session
536
537 You can use this manual at your leisure to read all about @value{GDBN}.
538 However, a handful of commands are enough to get started using the
539 debugger. This chapter illustrates those commands.
540
541 @iftex
542 In this sample session, we emphasize user input like this: @b{input},
543 to make it easier to pick out from the surrounding output.
544 @end iftex
545
546 @c FIXME: this example may not be appropriate for some configs, where
547 @c FIXME...primary interest is in remote use.
548
549 One of the preliminary versions of @sc{gnu} @code{m4} (a generic macro
550 processor) exhibits the following bug: sometimes, when we change its
551 quote strings from the default, the commands used to capture one macro
552 definition within another stop working. In the following short @code{m4}
553 session, we define a macro @code{foo} which expands to @code{0000}; we
554 then use the @code{m4} built-in @code{defn} to define @code{bar} as the
555 same thing. However, when we change the open quote string to
556 @code{<QUOTE>} and the close quote string to @code{<UNQUOTE>}, the same
557 procedure fails to define a new synonym @code{baz}:
558
559 @smallexample
560 $ @b{cd gnu/m4}
561 $ @b{./m4}
562 @b{define(foo,0000)}
563
564 @b{foo}
565 0000
566 @b{define(bar,defn(`foo'))}
567
568 @b{bar}
569 0000
570 @b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
571
572 @b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
573 @b{baz}
574 @b{Ctrl-d}
575 m4: End of input: 0: fatal error: EOF in string
576 @end smallexample
577
578 @noindent
579 Let us use @value{GDBN} to try to see what is going on.
580
581 @smallexample
582 $ @b{@value{GDBP} m4}
583 @c FIXME: this falsifies the exact text played out, to permit smallbook
584 @c FIXME... format to come out better.
585 @value{GDBN} is free software and you are welcome to distribute copies
586 of it under certain conditions; type "show copying" to see
587 the conditions.
588 There is absolutely no warranty for @value{GDBN}; type "show warranty"
589 for details.
590
591 @value{GDBN} @value{GDBVN}, Copyright 1999 Free Software Foundation, Inc...
592 (@value{GDBP})
593 @end smallexample
594
595 @noindent
596 @value{GDBN} reads only enough symbol data to know where to find the
597 rest when needed; as a result, the first prompt comes up very quickly.
598 We now tell @value{GDBN} to use a narrower display width than usual, so
599 that examples fit in this manual.
600
601 @smallexample
602 (@value{GDBP}) @b{set width 70}
603 @end smallexample
604
605 @noindent
606 We need to see how the @code{m4} built-in @code{changequote} works.
607 Having looked at the source, we know the relevant subroutine is
608 @code{m4_changequote}, so we set a breakpoint there with the @value{GDBN}
609 @code{break} command.
610
611 @smallexample
612 (@value{GDBP}) @b{break m4_changequote}
613 Breakpoint 1 at 0x62f4: file builtin.c, line 879.
614 @end smallexample
615
616 @noindent
617 Using the @code{run} command, we start @code{m4} running under @value{GDBN}
618 control; as long as control does not reach the @code{m4_changequote}
619 subroutine, the program runs as usual:
620
621 @smallexample
622 (@value{GDBP}) @b{run}
623 Starting program: /work/Editorial/gdb/gnu/m4/m4
624 @b{define(foo,0000)}
625
626 @b{foo}
627 0000
628 @end smallexample
629
630 @noindent
631 To trigger the breakpoint, we call @code{changequote}. @value{GDBN}
632 suspends execution of @code{m4}, displaying information about the
633 context where it stops.
634
635 @smallexample
636 @b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
637
638 Breakpoint 1, m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
639 at builtin.c:879
640 879 if (bad_argc(TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[0]),argc,1,3))
641 @end smallexample
642
643 @noindent
644 Now we use the command @code{n} (@code{next}) to advance execution to
645 the next line of the current function.
646
647 @smallexample
648 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
649 882 set_quotes((argc >= 2) ? TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[1])\
650 : nil,
651 @end smallexample
652
653 @noindent
654 @code{set_quotes} looks like a promising subroutine. We can go into it
655 by using the command @code{s} (@code{step}) instead of @code{next}.
656 @code{step} goes to the next line to be executed in @emph{any}
657 subroutine, so it steps into @code{set_quotes}.
658
659 @smallexample
660 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
661 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
662 at input.c:530
663 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
664 @end smallexample
665
666 @noindent
667 The display that shows the subroutine where @code{m4} is now
668 suspended (and its arguments) is called a stack frame display. It
669 shows a summary of the stack. We can use the @code{backtrace}
670 command (which can also be spelled @code{bt}), to see where we are
671 in the stack as a whole: the @code{backtrace} command displays a
672 stack frame for each active subroutine.
673
674 @smallexample
675 (@value{GDBP}) @b{bt}
676 #0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
677 at input.c:530
678 #1 0x6344 in m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
679 at builtin.c:882
680 #2 0x8174 in expand_macro (sym=0x33320) at macro.c:242
681 #3 0x7a88 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=209696, td=0xf7fffa30)
682 at macro.c:71
683 #4 0x79dc in expand_input () at macro.c:40
684 #5 0x2930 in main (argc=0, argv=0xf7fffb20) at m4.c:195
685 @end smallexample
686
687 @noindent
688 We step through a few more lines to see what happens. The first two
689 times, we can use @samp{s}; the next two times we use @code{n} to avoid
690 falling into the @code{xstrdup} subroutine.
691
692 @smallexample
693 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
694 0x3b5c 532 if (rquote != def_rquote)
695 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
696 0x3b80 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? \
697 def_lquote : xstrdup(lq);
698 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
699 536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
700 : xstrdup(rq);
701 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
702 538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
703 @end smallexample
704
705 @noindent
706 The last line displayed looks a little odd; we can examine the variables
707 @code{lquote} and @code{rquote} to see if they are in fact the new left
708 and right quotes we specified. We use the command @code{p}
709 (@code{print}) to see their values.
710
711 @smallexample
712 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p lquote}
713 $1 = 0x35d40 "<QUOTE>"
714 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p rquote}
715 $2 = 0x35d50 "<UNQUOTE>"
716 @end smallexample
717
718 @noindent
719 @code{lquote} and @code{rquote} are indeed the new left and right quotes.
720 To look at some context, we can display ten lines of source
721 surrounding the current line with the @code{l} (@code{list}) command.
722
723 @smallexample
724 (@value{GDBP}) @b{l}
725 533 xfree(rquote);
726 534
727 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? def_lquote\
728 : xstrdup (lq);
729 536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
730 : xstrdup (rq);
731 537
732 538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
733 539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
734 540 @}
735 541
736 542 void
737 @end smallexample
738
739 @noindent
740 Let us step past the two lines that set @code{len_lquote} and
741 @code{len_rquote}, and then examine the values of those variables.
742
743 @smallexample
744 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
745 539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
746 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
747 540 @}
748 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote}
749 $3 = 9
750 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote}
751 $4 = 7
752 @end smallexample
753
754 @noindent
755 That certainly looks wrong, assuming @code{len_lquote} and
756 @code{len_rquote} are meant to be the lengths of @code{lquote} and
757 @code{rquote} respectively. We can set them to better values using
758 the @code{p} command, since it can print the value of
759 any expression---and that expression can include subroutine calls and
760 assignments.
761
762 @smallexample
763 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote=strlen(lquote)}
764 $5 = 7
765 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote=strlen(rquote)}
766 $6 = 9
767 @end smallexample
768
769 @noindent
770 Is that enough to fix the problem of using the new quotes with the
771 @code{m4} built-in @code{defn}? We can allow @code{m4} to continue
772 executing with the @code{c} (@code{continue}) command, and then try the
773 example that caused trouble initially:
774
775 @smallexample
776 (@value{GDBP}) @b{c}
777 Continuing.
778
779 @b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
780
781 baz
782 0000
783 @end smallexample
784
785 @noindent
786 Success! The new quotes now work just as well as the default ones. The
787 problem seems to have been just the two typos defining the wrong
788 lengths. We allow @code{m4} exit by giving it an EOF as input:
789
790 @smallexample
791 @b{Ctrl-d}
792 Program exited normally.
793 @end smallexample
794
795 @noindent
796 The message @samp{Program exited normally.} is from @value{GDBN}; it
797 indicates @code{m4} has finished executing. We can end our @value{GDBN}
798 session with the @value{GDBN} @code{quit} command.
799
800 @smallexample
801 (@value{GDBP}) @b{quit}
802 @end smallexample
803
804 @node Invocation
805 @chapter Getting In and Out of @value{GDBN}
806
807 This chapter discusses how to start @value{GDBN}, and how to get out of it.
808 The essentials are:
809 @itemize @bullet
810 @item
811 type @samp{@value{GDBP}} to start @value{GDBN}.
812 @item
813 type @kbd{quit} or @kbd{Ctrl-d} to exit.
814 @end itemize
815
816 @menu
817 * Invoking GDB:: How to start @value{GDBN}
818 * Quitting GDB:: How to quit @value{GDBN}
819 * Shell Commands:: How to use shell commands inside @value{GDBN}
820 * Logging Output:: How to log @value{GDBN}'s output to a file
821 @end menu
822
823 @node Invoking GDB
824 @section Invoking @value{GDBN}
825
826 Invoke @value{GDBN} by running the program @code{@value{GDBP}}. Once started,
827 @value{GDBN} reads commands from the terminal until you tell it to exit.
828
829 You can also run @code{@value{GDBP}} with a variety of arguments and options,
830 to specify more of your debugging environment at the outset.
831
832 The command-line options described here are designed
833 to cover a variety of situations; in some environments, some of these
834 options may effectively be unavailable.
835
836 The most usual way to start @value{GDBN} is with one argument,
837 specifying an executable program:
838
839 @smallexample
840 @value{GDBP} @var{program}
841 @end smallexample
842
843 @noindent
844 You can also start with both an executable program and a core file
845 specified:
846
847 @smallexample
848 @value{GDBP} @var{program} @var{core}
849 @end smallexample
850
851 You can, instead, specify a process ID as a second argument, if you want
852 to debug a running process:
853
854 @smallexample
855 @value{GDBP} @var{program} 1234
856 @end smallexample
857
858 @noindent
859 would attach @value{GDBN} to process @code{1234} (unless you also have a file
860 named @file{1234}; @value{GDBN} does check for a core file first).
861
862 Taking advantage of the second command-line argument requires a fairly
863 complete operating system; when you use @value{GDBN} as a remote
864 debugger attached to a bare board, there may not be any notion of
865 ``process'', and there is often no way to get a core dump. @value{GDBN}
866 will warn you if it is unable to attach or to read core dumps.
867
868 You can optionally have @code{@value{GDBP}} pass any arguments after the
869 executable file to the inferior using @code{--args}. This option stops
870 option processing.
871 @smallexample
872 @value{GDBP} --args gcc -O2 -c foo.c
873 @end smallexample
874 This will cause @code{@value{GDBP}} to debug @code{gcc}, and to set
875 @code{gcc}'s command-line arguments (@pxref{Arguments}) to @samp{-O2 -c foo.c}.
876
877 You can run @code{@value{GDBP}} without printing the front material, which describes
878 @value{GDBN}'s non-warranty, by specifying @code{-silent}:
879
880 @smallexample
881 @value{GDBP} -silent
882 @end smallexample
883
884 @noindent
885 You can further control how @value{GDBN} starts up by using command-line
886 options. @value{GDBN} itself can remind you of the options available.
887
888 @noindent
889 Type
890
891 @smallexample
892 @value{GDBP} -help
893 @end smallexample
894
895 @noindent
896 to display all available options and briefly describe their use
897 (@samp{@value{GDBP} -h} is a shorter equivalent).
898
899 All options and command line arguments you give are processed
900 in sequential order. The order makes a difference when the
901 @samp{-x} option is used.
902
903
904 @menu
905 * File Options:: Choosing files
906 * Mode Options:: Choosing modes
907 * Startup:: What @value{GDBN} does during startup
908 @end menu
909
910 @node File Options
911 @subsection Choosing Files
912
913 When @value{GDBN} starts, it reads any arguments other than options as
914 specifying an executable file and core file (or process ID). This is
915 the same as if the arguments were specified by the @samp{-se} and
916 @samp{-c} (or @samp{-p}) options respectively. (@value{GDBN} reads the
917 first argument that does not have an associated option flag as
918 equivalent to the @samp{-se} option followed by that argument; and the
919 second argument that does not have an associated option flag, if any, as
920 equivalent to the @samp{-c}/@samp{-p} option followed by that argument.)
921 If the second argument begins with a decimal digit, @value{GDBN} will
922 first attempt to attach to it as a process, and if that fails, attempt
923 to open it as a corefile. If you have a corefile whose name begins with
924 a digit, you can prevent @value{GDBN} from treating it as a pid by
925 prefixing it with @file{./}, e.g.@: @file{./12345}.
926
927 If @value{GDBN} has not been configured to included core file support,
928 such as for most embedded targets, then it will complain about a second
929 argument and ignore it.
930
931 Many options have both long and short forms; both are shown in the
932 following list. @value{GDBN} also recognizes the long forms if you truncate
933 them, so long as enough of the option is present to be unambiguous.
934 (If you prefer, you can flag option arguments with @samp{--} rather
935 than @samp{-}, though we illustrate the more usual convention.)
936
937 @c NOTE: the @cindex entries here use double dashes ON PURPOSE. This
938 @c way, both those who look for -foo and --foo in the index, will find
939 @c it.
940
941 @table @code
942 @item -symbols @var{file}
943 @itemx -s @var{file}
944 @cindex @code{--symbols}
945 @cindex @code{-s}
946 Read symbol table from file @var{file}.
947
948 @item -exec @var{file}
949 @itemx -e @var{file}
950 @cindex @code{--exec}
951 @cindex @code{-e}
952 Use file @var{file} as the executable file to execute when appropriate,
953 and for examining pure data in conjunction with a core dump.
954
955 @item -se @var{file}
956 @cindex @code{--se}
957 Read symbol table from file @var{file} and use it as the executable
958 file.
959
960 @item -core @var{file}
961 @itemx -c @var{file}
962 @cindex @code{--core}
963 @cindex @code{-c}
964 Use file @var{file} as a core dump to examine.
965
966 @item -pid @var{number}
967 @itemx -p @var{number}
968 @cindex @code{--pid}
969 @cindex @code{-p}
970 Connect to process ID @var{number}, as with the @code{attach} command.
971
972 @item -command @var{file}
973 @itemx -x @var{file}
974 @cindex @code{--command}
975 @cindex @code{-x}
976 Execute commands from file @var{file}. The contents of this file is
977 evaluated exactly as the @code{source} command would.
978 @xref{Command Files,, Command files}.
979
980 @item -eval-command @var{command}
981 @itemx -ex @var{command}
982 @cindex @code{--eval-command}
983 @cindex @code{-ex}
984 Execute a single @value{GDBN} command.
985
986 This option may be used multiple times to call multiple commands. It may
987 also be interleaved with @samp{-command} as required.
988
989 @smallexample
990 @value{GDBP} -ex 'target sim' -ex 'load' \
991 -x setbreakpoints -ex 'run' a.out
992 @end smallexample
993
994 @item -directory @var{directory}
995 @itemx -d @var{directory}
996 @cindex @code{--directory}
997 @cindex @code{-d}
998 Add @var{directory} to the path to search for source and script files.
999
1000 @item -r
1001 @itemx -readnow
1002 @cindex @code{--readnow}
1003 @cindex @code{-r}
1004 Read each symbol file's entire symbol table immediately, rather than
1005 the default, which is to read it incrementally as it is needed.
1006 This makes startup slower, but makes future operations faster.
1007
1008 @end table
1009
1010 @node Mode Options
1011 @subsection Choosing Modes
1012
1013 You can run @value{GDBN} in various alternative modes---for example, in
1014 batch mode or quiet mode.
1015
1016 @table @code
1017 @item -nx
1018 @itemx -n
1019 @cindex @code{--nx}
1020 @cindex @code{-n}
1021 Do not execute commands found in any initialization files. Normally,
1022 @value{GDBN} executes the commands in these files after all the command
1023 options and arguments have been processed. @xref{Command Files,,Command
1024 Files}.
1025
1026 @item -quiet
1027 @itemx -silent
1028 @itemx -q
1029 @cindex @code{--quiet}
1030 @cindex @code{--silent}
1031 @cindex @code{-q}
1032 ``Quiet''. Do not print the introductory and copyright messages. These
1033 messages are also suppressed in batch mode.
1034
1035 @item -batch
1036 @cindex @code{--batch}
1037 Run in batch mode. Exit with status @code{0} after processing all the
1038 command files specified with @samp{-x} (and all commands from
1039 initialization files, if not inhibited with @samp{-n}). Exit with
1040 nonzero status if an error occurs in executing the @value{GDBN} commands
1041 in the command files. Batch mode also disables pagination, sets unlimited
1042 terminal width and height @pxref{Screen Size}, and acts as if @kbd{set confirm
1043 off} were in effect (@pxref{Messages/Warnings}).
1044
1045 Batch mode may be useful for running @value{GDBN} as a filter, for
1046 example to download and run a program on another computer; in order to
1047 make this more useful, the message
1048
1049 @smallexample
1050 Program exited normally.
1051 @end smallexample
1052
1053 @noindent
1054 (which is ordinarily issued whenever a program running under
1055 @value{GDBN} control terminates) is not issued when running in batch
1056 mode.
1057
1058 @item -batch-silent
1059 @cindex @code{--batch-silent}
1060 Run in batch mode exactly like @samp{-batch}, but totally silently. All
1061 @value{GDBN} output to @code{stdout} is prevented (@code{stderr} is
1062 unaffected). This is much quieter than @samp{-silent} and would be useless
1063 for an interactive session.
1064
1065 This is particularly useful when using targets that give @samp{Loading section}
1066 messages, for example.
1067
1068 Note that targets that give their output via @value{GDBN}, as opposed to
1069 writing directly to @code{stdout}, will also be made silent.
1070
1071 @item -return-child-result
1072 @cindex @code{--return-child-result}
1073 The return code from @value{GDBN} will be the return code from the child
1074 process (the process being debugged), with the following exceptions:
1075
1076 @itemize @bullet
1077 @item
1078 @value{GDBN} exits abnormally. E.g., due to an incorrect argument or an
1079 internal error. In this case the exit code is the same as it would have been
1080 without @samp{-return-child-result}.
1081 @item
1082 The user quits with an explicit value. E.g., @samp{quit 1}.
1083 @item
1084 The child process never runs, or is not allowed to terminate, in which case
1085 the exit code will be -1.
1086 @end itemize
1087
1088 This option is useful in conjunction with @samp{-batch} or @samp{-batch-silent},
1089 when @value{GDBN} is being used as a remote program loader or simulator
1090 interface.
1091
1092 @item -nowindows
1093 @itemx -nw
1094 @cindex @code{--nowindows}
1095 @cindex @code{-nw}
1096 ``No windows''. If @value{GDBN} comes with a graphical user interface
1097 (GUI) built in, then this option tells @value{GDBN} to only use the command-line
1098 interface. If no GUI is available, this option has no effect.
1099
1100 @item -windows
1101 @itemx -w
1102 @cindex @code{--windows}
1103 @cindex @code{-w}
1104 If @value{GDBN} includes a GUI, then this option requires it to be
1105 used if possible.
1106
1107 @item -cd @var{directory}
1108 @cindex @code{--cd}
1109 Run @value{GDBN} using @var{directory} as its working directory,
1110 instead of the current directory.
1111
1112 @item -data-directory @var{directory}
1113 @cindex @code{--data-directory}
1114 Run @value{GDBN} using @var{directory} as its data directory.
1115 The data directory is where @value{GDBN} searches for its
1116 auxiliary files. @xref{Data Files}.
1117
1118 @item -fullname
1119 @itemx -f
1120 @cindex @code{--fullname}
1121 @cindex @code{-f}
1122 @sc{gnu} Emacs sets this option when it runs @value{GDBN} as a
1123 subprocess. It tells @value{GDBN} to output the full file name and line
1124 number in a standard, recognizable fashion each time a stack frame is
1125 displayed (which includes each time your program stops). This
1126 recognizable format looks like two @samp{\032} characters, followed by
1127 the file name, line number and character position separated by colons,
1128 and a newline. The Emacs-to-@value{GDBN} interface program uses the two
1129 @samp{\032} characters as a signal to display the source code for the
1130 frame.
1131
1132 @item -epoch
1133 @cindex @code{--epoch}
1134 The Epoch Emacs-@value{GDBN} interface sets this option when it runs
1135 @value{GDBN} as a subprocess. It tells @value{GDBN} to modify its print
1136 routines so as to allow Epoch to display values of expressions in a
1137 separate window.
1138
1139 @item -annotate @var{level}
1140 @cindex @code{--annotate}
1141 This option sets the @dfn{annotation level} inside @value{GDBN}. Its
1142 effect is identical to using @samp{set annotate @var{level}}
1143 (@pxref{Annotations}). The annotation @var{level} controls how much
1144 information @value{GDBN} prints together with its prompt, values of
1145 expressions, source lines, and other types of output. Level 0 is the
1146 normal, level 1 is for use when @value{GDBN} is run as a subprocess of
1147 @sc{gnu} Emacs, level 3 is the maximum annotation suitable for programs
1148 that control @value{GDBN}, and level 2 has been deprecated.
1149
1150 The annotation mechanism has largely been superseded by @sc{gdb/mi}
1151 (@pxref{GDB/MI}).
1152
1153 @item --args
1154 @cindex @code{--args}
1155 Change interpretation of command line so that arguments following the
1156 executable file are passed as command line arguments to the inferior.
1157 This option stops option processing.
1158
1159 @item -baud @var{bps}
1160 @itemx -b @var{bps}
1161 @cindex @code{--baud}
1162 @cindex @code{-b}
1163 Set the line speed (baud rate or bits per second) of any serial
1164 interface used by @value{GDBN} for remote debugging.
1165
1166 @item -l @var{timeout}
1167 @cindex @code{-l}
1168 Set the timeout (in seconds) of any communication used by @value{GDBN}
1169 for remote debugging.
1170
1171 @item -tty @var{device}
1172 @itemx -t @var{device}
1173 @cindex @code{--tty}
1174 @cindex @code{-t}
1175 Run using @var{device} for your program's standard input and output.
1176 @c FIXME: kingdon thinks there is more to -tty. Investigate.
1177
1178 @c resolve the situation of these eventually
1179 @item -tui
1180 @cindex @code{--tui}
1181 Activate the @dfn{Text User Interface} when starting. The Text User
1182 Interface manages several text windows on the terminal, showing
1183 source, assembly, registers and @value{GDBN} command outputs
1184 (@pxref{TUI, ,@value{GDBN} Text User Interface}). Alternatively, the
1185 Text User Interface can be enabled by invoking the program
1186 @samp{@value{GDBTUI}}. Do not use this option if you run @value{GDBN} from
1187 Emacs (@pxref{Emacs, ,Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}).
1188
1189 @c @item -xdb
1190 @c @cindex @code{--xdb}
1191 @c Run in XDB compatibility mode, allowing the use of certain XDB commands.
1192 @c For information, see the file @file{xdb_trans.html}, which is usually
1193 @c installed in the directory @code{/opt/langtools/wdb/doc} on HP-UX
1194 @c systems.
1195
1196 @item -interpreter @var{interp}
1197 @cindex @code{--interpreter}
1198 Use the interpreter @var{interp} for interface with the controlling
1199 program or device. This option is meant to be set by programs which
1200 communicate with @value{GDBN} using it as a back end.
1201 @xref{Interpreters, , Command Interpreters}.
1202
1203 @samp{--interpreter=mi} (or @samp{--interpreter=mi2}) causes
1204 @value{GDBN} to use the @dfn{@sc{gdb/mi} interface} (@pxref{GDB/MI, ,
1205 The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface}) included since @value{GDBN} version 6.0. The
1206 previous @sc{gdb/mi} interface, included in @value{GDBN} version 5.3 and
1207 selected with @samp{--interpreter=mi1}, is deprecated. Earlier
1208 @sc{gdb/mi} interfaces are no longer supported.
1209
1210 @item -write
1211 @cindex @code{--write}
1212 Open the executable and core files for both reading and writing. This
1213 is equivalent to the @samp{set write on} command inside @value{GDBN}
1214 (@pxref{Patching}).
1215
1216 @item -statistics
1217 @cindex @code{--statistics}
1218 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print statistics about time and
1219 memory usage after it completes each command and returns to the prompt.
1220
1221 @item -version
1222 @cindex @code{--version}
1223 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print its version number and
1224 no-warranty blurb, and exit.
1225
1226 @end table
1227
1228 @node Startup
1229 @subsection What @value{GDBN} Does During Startup
1230 @cindex @value{GDBN} startup
1231
1232 Here's the description of what @value{GDBN} does during session startup:
1233
1234 @enumerate
1235 @item
1236 Sets up the command interpreter as specified by the command line
1237 (@pxref{Mode Options, interpreter}).
1238
1239 @item
1240 @cindex init file
1241 Reads the system-wide @dfn{init file} (if @option{--with-system-gdbinit} was
1242 used when building @value{GDBN}; @pxref{System-wide configuration,
1243 ,System-wide configuration and settings}) and executes all the commands in
1244 that file.
1245
1246 @item
1247 Reads the init file (if any) in your home directory@footnote{On
1248 DOS/Windows systems, the home directory is the one pointed to by the
1249 @code{HOME} environment variable.} and executes all the commands in
1250 that file.
1251
1252 @item
1253 Processes command line options and operands.
1254
1255 @item
1256 Reads and executes the commands from init file (if any) in the current
1257 working directory. This is only done if the current directory is
1258 different from your home directory. Thus, you can have more than one
1259 init file, one generic in your home directory, and another, specific
1260 to the program you are debugging, in the directory where you invoke
1261 @value{GDBN}.
1262
1263 @item
1264 If the command line specified a program to debug, or a process to
1265 attach to, or a core file, @value{GDBN} loads any auto-loaded
1266 scripts provided for the program or for its loaded shared libraries.
1267 @xref{Auto-loading}.
1268
1269 If you wish to disable the auto-loading during startup,
1270 you must do something like the following:
1271
1272 @smallexample
1273 $ gdb -ex "set auto-load-scripts off" -ex "file myprogram"
1274 @end smallexample
1275
1276 The following does not work because the auto-loading is turned off too late:
1277
1278 @smallexample
1279 $ gdb -ex "set auto-load-scripts off" myprogram
1280 @end smallexample
1281
1282 @item
1283 Reads command files specified by the @samp{-x} option. @xref{Command
1284 Files}, for more details about @value{GDBN} command files.
1285
1286 @item
1287 Reads the command history recorded in the @dfn{history file}.
1288 @xref{Command History}, for more details about the command history and the
1289 files where @value{GDBN} records it.
1290 @end enumerate
1291
1292 Init files use the same syntax as @dfn{command files} (@pxref{Command
1293 Files}) and are processed by @value{GDBN} in the same way. The init
1294 file in your home directory can set options (such as @samp{set
1295 complaints}) that affect subsequent processing of command line options
1296 and operands. Init files are not executed if you use the @samp{-nx}
1297 option (@pxref{Mode Options, ,Choosing Modes}).
1298
1299 To display the list of init files loaded by gdb at startup, you
1300 can use @kbd{gdb --help}.
1301
1302 @cindex init file name
1303 @cindex @file{.gdbinit}
1304 @cindex @file{gdb.ini}
1305 The @value{GDBN} init files are normally called @file{.gdbinit}.
1306 The DJGPP port of @value{GDBN} uses the name @file{gdb.ini}, due to
1307 the limitations of file names imposed by DOS filesystems. The Windows
1308 ports of @value{GDBN} use the standard name, but if they find a
1309 @file{gdb.ini} file, they warn you about that and suggest to rename
1310 the file to the standard name.
1311
1312
1313 @node Quitting GDB
1314 @section Quitting @value{GDBN}
1315 @cindex exiting @value{GDBN}
1316 @cindex leaving @value{GDBN}
1317
1318 @table @code
1319 @kindex quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1320 @kindex q @r{(@code{quit})}
1321 @item quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1322 @itemx q
1323 To exit @value{GDBN}, use the @code{quit} command (abbreviated
1324 @code{q}), or type an end-of-file character (usually @kbd{Ctrl-d}). If you
1325 do not supply @var{expression}, @value{GDBN} will terminate normally;
1326 otherwise it will terminate using the result of @var{expression} as the
1327 error code.
1328 @end table
1329
1330 @cindex interrupt
1331 An interrupt (often @kbd{Ctrl-c}) does not exit from @value{GDBN}, but rather
1332 terminates the action of any @value{GDBN} command that is in progress and
1333 returns to @value{GDBN} command level. It is safe to type the interrupt
1334 character at any time because @value{GDBN} does not allow it to take effect
1335 until a time when it is safe.
1336
1337 If you have been using @value{GDBN} to control an attached process or
1338 device, you can release it with the @code{detach} command
1339 (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an Already-running Process}).
1340
1341 @node Shell Commands
1342 @section Shell Commands
1343
1344 If you need to execute occasional shell commands during your
1345 debugging session, there is no need to leave or suspend @value{GDBN}; you can
1346 just use the @code{shell} command.
1347
1348 @table @code
1349 @kindex shell
1350 @cindex shell escape
1351 @item shell @var{command string}
1352 Invoke a standard shell to execute @var{command string}.
1353 If it exists, the environment variable @code{SHELL} determines which
1354 shell to run. Otherwise @value{GDBN} uses the default shell
1355 (@file{/bin/sh} on Unix systems, @file{COMMAND.COM} on MS-DOS, etc.).
1356 @end table
1357
1358 The utility @code{make} is often needed in development environments.
1359 You do not have to use the @code{shell} command for this purpose in
1360 @value{GDBN}:
1361
1362 @table @code
1363 @kindex make
1364 @cindex calling make
1365 @item make @var{make-args}
1366 Execute the @code{make} program with the specified
1367 arguments. This is equivalent to @samp{shell make @var{make-args}}.
1368 @end table
1369
1370 @node Logging Output
1371 @section Logging Output
1372 @cindex logging @value{GDBN} output
1373 @cindex save @value{GDBN} output to a file
1374
1375 You may want to save the output of @value{GDBN} commands to a file.
1376 There are several commands to control @value{GDBN}'s logging.
1377
1378 @table @code
1379 @kindex set logging
1380 @item set logging on
1381 Enable logging.
1382 @item set logging off
1383 Disable logging.
1384 @cindex logging file name
1385 @item set logging file @var{file}
1386 Change the name of the current logfile. The default logfile is @file{gdb.txt}.
1387 @item set logging overwrite [on|off]
1388 By default, @value{GDBN} will append to the logfile. Set @code{overwrite} if
1389 you want @code{set logging on} to overwrite the logfile instead.
1390 @item set logging redirect [on|off]
1391 By default, @value{GDBN} output will go to both the terminal and the logfile.
1392 Set @code{redirect} if you want output to go only to the log file.
1393 @kindex show logging
1394 @item show logging
1395 Show the current values of the logging settings.
1396 @end table
1397
1398 @node Commands
1399 @chapter @value{GDBN} Commands
1400
1401 You can abbreviate a @value{GDBN} command to the first few letters of the command
1402 name, if that abbreviation is unambiguous; and you can repeat certain
1403 @value{GDBN} commands by typing just @key{RET}. You can also use the @key{TAB}
1404 key to get @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest of a word in a command (or to
1405 show you the alternatives available, if there is more than one possibility).
1406
1407 @menu
1408 * Command Syntax:: How to give commands to @value{GDBN}
1409 * Completion:: Command completion
1410 * Help:: How to ask @value{GDBN} for help
1411 @end menu
1412
1413 @node Command Syntax
1414 @section Command Syntax
1415
1416 A @value{GDBN} command is a single line of input. There is no limit on
1417 how long it can be. It starts with a command name, which is followed by
1418 arguments whose meaning depends on the command name. For example, the
1419 command @code{step} accepts an argument which is the number of times to
1420 step, as in @samp{step 5}. You can also use the @code{step} command
1421 with no arguments. Some commands do not allow any arguments.
1422
1423 @cindex abbreviation
1424 @value{GDBN} command names may always be truncated if that abbreviation is
1425 unambiguous. Other possible command abbreviations are listed in the
1426 documentation for individual commands. In some cases, even ambiguous
1427 abbreviations are allowed; for example, @code{s} is specially defined as
1428 equivalent to @code{step} even though there are other commands whose
1429 names start with @code{s}. You can test abbreviations by using them as
1430 arguments to the @code{help} command.
1431
1432 @cindex repeating commands
1433 @kindex RET @r{(repeat last command)}
1434 A blank line as input to @value{GDBN} (typing just @key{RET}) means to
1435 repeat the previous command. Certain commands (for example, @code{run})
1436 will not repeat this way; these are commands whose unintentional
1437 repetition might cause trouble and which you are unlikely to want to
1438 repeat. User-defined commands can disable this feature; see
1439 @ref{Define, dont-repeat}.
1440
1441 The @code{list} and @code{x} commands, when you repeat them with
1442 @key{RET}, construct new arguments rather than repeating
1443 exactly as typed. This permits easy scanning of source or memory.
1444
1445 @value{GDBN} can also use @key{RET} in another way: to partition lengthy
1446 output, in a way similar to the common utility @code{more}
1447 (@pxref{Screen Size,,Screen Size}). Since it is easy to press one
1448 @key{RET} too many in this situation, @value{GDBN} disables command
1449 repetition after any command that generates this sort of display.
1450
1451 @kindex # @r{(a comment)}
1452 @cindex comment
1453 Any text from a @kbd{#} to the end of the line is a comment; it does
1454 nothing. This is useful mainly in command files (@pxref{Command
1455 Files,,Command Files}).
1456
1457 @cindex repeating command sequences
1458 @kindex Ctrl-o @r{(operate-and-get-next)}
1459 The @kbd{Ctrl-o} binding is useful for repeating a complex sequence of
1460 commands. This command accepts the current line, like @key{RET}, and
1461 then fetches the next line relative to the current line from the history
1462 for editing.
1463
1464 @node Completion
1465 @section Command Completion
1466
1467 @cindex completion
1468 @cindex word completion
1469 @value{GDBN} can fill in the rest of a word in a command for you, if there is
1470 only one possibility; it can also show you what the valid possibilities
1471 are for the next word in a command, at any time. This works for @value{GDBN}
1472 commands, @value{GDBN} subcommands, and the names of symbols in your program.
1473
1474 Press the @key{TAB} key whenever you want @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest
1475 of a word. If there is only one possibility, @value{GDBN} fills in the
1476 word, and waits for you to finish the command (or press @key{RET} to
1477 enter it). For example, if you type
1478
1479 @c FIXME "@key" does not distinguish its argument sufficiently to permit
1480 @c complete accuracy in these examples; space introduced for clarity.
1481 @c If texinfo enhancements make it unnecessary, it would be nice to
1482 @c replace " @key" by "@key" in the following...
1483 @smallexample
1484 (@value{GDBP}) info bre @key{TAB}
1485 @end smallexample
1486
1487 @noindent
1488 @value{GDBN} fills in the rest of the word @samp{breakpoints}, since that is
1489 the only @code{info} subcommand beginning with @samp{bre}:
1490
1491 @smallexample
1492 (@value{GDBP}) info breakpoints
1493 @end smallexample
1494
1495 @noindent
1496 You can either press @key{RET} at this point, to run the @code{info
1497 breakpoints} command, or backspace and enter something else, if
1498 @samp{breakpoints} does not look like the command you expected. (If you
1499 were sure you wanted @code{info breakpoints} in the first place, you
1500 might as well just type @key{RET} immediately after @samp{info bre},
1501 to exploit command abbreviations rather than command completion).
1502
1503 If there is more than one possibility for the next word when you press
1504 @key{TAB}, @value{GDBN} sounds a bell. You can either supply more
1505 characters and try again, or just press @key{TAB} a second time;
1506 @value{GDBN} displays all the possible completions for that word. For
1507 example, you might want to set a breakpoint on a subroutine whose name
1508 begins with @samp{make_}, but when you type @kbd{b make_@key{TAB}} @value{GDBN}
1509 just sounds the bell. Typing @key{TAB} again displays all the
1510 function names in your program that begin with those characters, for
1511 example:
1512
1513 @smallexample
1514 (@value{GDBP}) b make_ @key{TAB}
1515 @exdent @value{GDBN} sounds bell; press @key{TAB} again, to see:
1516 make_a_section_from_file make_environ
1517 make_abs_section make_function_type
1518 make_blockvector make_pointer_type
1519 make_cleanup make_reference_type
1520 make_command make_symbol_completion_list
1521 (@value{GDBP}) b make_
1522 @end smallexample
1523
1524 @noindent
1525 After displaying the available possibilities, @value{GDBN} copies your
1526 partial input (@samp{b make_} in the example) so you can finish the
1527 command.
1528
1529 If you just want to see the list of alternatives in the first place, you
1530 can press @kbd{M-?} rather than pressing @key{TAB} twice. @kbd{M-?}
1531 means @kbd{@key{META} ?}. You can type this either by holding down a
1532 key designated as the @key{META} shift on your keyboard (if there is
1533 one) while typing @kbd{?}, or as @key{ESC} followed by @kbd{?}.
1534
1535 @cindex quotes in commands
1536 @cindex completion of quoted strings
1537 Sometimes the string you need, while logically a ``word'', may contain
1538 parentheses or other characters that @value{GDBN} normally excludes from
1539 its notion of a word. To permit word completion to work in this
1540 situation, you may enclose words in @code{'} (single quote marks) in
1541 @value{GDBN} commands.
1542
1543 The most likely situation where you might need this is in typing the
1544 name of a C@t{++} function. This is because C@t{++} allows function
1545 overloading (multiple definitions of the same function, distinguished
1546 by argument type). For example, when you want to set a breakpoint you
1547 may need to distinguish whether you mean the version of @code{name}
1548 that takes an @code{int} parameter, @code{name(int)}, or the version
1549 that takes a @code{float} parameter, @code{name(float)}. To use the
1550 word-completion facilities in this situation, type a single quote
1551 @code{'} at the beginning of the function name. This alerts
1552 @value{GDBN} that it may need to consider more information than usual
1553 when you press @key{TAB} or @kbd{M-?} to request word completion:
1554
1555 @smallexample
1556 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble( @kbd{M-?}
1557 bubble(double,double) bubble(int,int)
1558 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble(
1559 @end smallexample
1560
1561 In some cases, @value{GDBN} can tell that completing a name requires using
1562 quotes. When this happens, @value{GDBN} inserts the quote for you (while
1563 completing as much as it can) if you do not type the quote in the first
1564 place:
1565
1566 @smallexample
1567 (@value{GDBP}) b bub @key{TAB}
1568 @exdent @value{GDBN} alters your input line to the following, and rings a bell:
1569 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble(
1570 @end smallexample
1571
1572 @noindent
1573 In general, @value{GDBN} can tell that a quote is needed (and inserts it) if
1574 you have not yet started typing the argument list when you ask for
1575 completion on an overloaded symbol.
1576
1577 For more information about overloaded functions, see @ref{C Plus Plus
1578 Expressions, ,C@t{++} Expressions}. You can use the command @code{set
1579 overload-resolution off} to disable overload resolution;
1580 see @ref{Debugging C Plus Plus, ,@value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}}.
1581
1582 @cindex completion of structure field names
1583 @cindex structure field name completion
1584 @cindex completion of union field names
1585 @cindex union field name completion
1586 When completing in an expression which looks up a field in a
1587 structure, @value{GDBN} also tries@footnote{The completer can be
1588 confused by certain kinds of invalid expressions. Also, it only
1589 examines the static type of the expression, not the dynamic type.} to
1590 limit completions to the field names available in the type of the
1591 left-hand-side:
1592
1593 @smallexample
1594 (@value{GDBP}) p gdb_stdout.@kbd{M-?}
1595 magic to_fputs to_rewind
1596 to_data to_isatty to_write
1597 to_delete to_put to_write_async_safe
1598 to_flush to_read
1599 @end smallexample
1600
1601 @noindent
1602 This is because the @code{gdb_stdout} is a variable of the type
1603 @code{struct ui_file} that is defined in @value{GDBN} sources as
1604 follows:
1605
1606 @smallexample
1607 struct ui_file
1608 @{
1609 int *magic;
1610 ui_file_flush_ftype *to_flush;
1611 ui_file_write_ftype *to_write;
1612 ui_file_write_async_safe_ftype *to_write_async_safe;
1613 ui_file_fputs_ftype *to_fputs;
1614 ui_file_read_ftype *to_read;
1615 ui_file_delete_ftype *to_delete;
1616 ui_file_isatty_ftype *to_isatty;
1617 ui_file_rewind_ftype *to_rewind;
1618 ui_file_put_ftype *to_put;
1619 void *to_data;
1620 @}
1621 @end smallexample
1622
1623
1624 @node Help
1625 @section Getting Help
1626 @cindex online documentation
1627 @kindex help
1628
1629 You can always ask @value{GDBN} itself for information on its commands,
1630 using the command @code{help}.
1631
1632 @table @code
1633 @kindex h @r{(@code{help})}
1634 @item help
1635 @itemx h
1636 You can use @code{help} (abbreviated @code{h}) with no arguments to
1637 display a short list of named classes of commands:
1638
1639 @smallexample
1640 (@value{GDBP}) help
1641 List of classes of commands:
1642
1643 aliases -- Aliases of other commands
1644 breakpoints -- Making program stop at certain points
1645 data -- Examining data
1646 files -- Specifying and examining files
1647 internals -- Maintenance commands
1648 obscure -- Obscure features
1649 running -- Running the program
1650 stack -- Examining the stack
1651 status -- Status inquiries
1652 support -- Support facilities
1653 tracepoints -- Tracing of program execution without
1654 stopping the program
1655 user-defined -- User-defined commands
1656
1657 Type "help" followed by a class name for a list of
1658 commands in that class.
1659 Type "help" followed by command name for full
1660 documentation.
1661 Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1662 (@value{GDBP})
1663 @end smallexample
1664 @c the above line break eliminates huge line overfull...
1665
1666 @item help @var{class}
1667 Using one of the general help classes as an argument, you can get a
1668 list of the individual commands in that class. For example, here is the
1669 help display for the class @code{status}:
1670
1671 @smallexample
1672 (@value{GDBP}) help status
1673 Status inquiries.
1674
1675 List of commands:
1676
1677 @c Line break in "show" line falsifies real output, but needed
1678 @c to fit in smallbook page size.
1679 info -- Generic command for showing things
1680 about the program being debugged
1681 show -- Generic command for showing things
1682 about the debugger
1683
1684 Type "help" followed by command name for full
1685 documentation.
1686 Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1687 (@value{GDBP})
1688 @end smallexample
1689
1690 @item help @var{command}
1691 With a command name as @code{help} argument, @value{GDBN} displays a
1692 short paragraph on how to use that command.
1693
1694 @kindex apropos
1695 @item apropos @var{args}
1696 The @code{apropos} command searches through all of the @value{GDBN}
1697 commands, and their documentation, for the regular expression specified in
1698 @var{args}. It prints out all matches found. For example:
1699
1700 @smallexample
1701 apropos reload
1702 @end smallexample
1703
1704 @noindent
1705 results in:
1706
1707 @smallexample
1708 @c @group
1709 set symbol-reloading -- Set dynamic symbol table reloading
1710 multiple times in one run
1711 show symbol-reloading -- Show dynamic symbol table reloading
1712 multiple times in one run
1713 @c @end group
1714 @end smallexample
1715
1716 @kindex complete
1717 @item complete @var{args}
1718 The @code{complete @var{args}} command lists all the possible completions
1719 for the beginning of a command. Use @var{args} to specify the beginning of the
1720 command you want completed. For example:
1721
1722 @smallexample
1723 complete i
1724 @end smallexample
1725
1726 @noindent results in:
1727
1728 @smallexample
1729 @group
1730 if
1731 ignore
1732 info
1733 inspect
1734 @end group
1735 @end smallexample
1736
1737 @noindent This is intended for use by @sc{gnu} Emacs.
1738 @end table
1739
1740 In addition to @code{help}, you can use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{info}
1741 and @code{show} to inquire about the state of your program, or the state
1742 of @value{GDBN} itself. Each command supports many topics of inquiry; this
1743 manual introduces each of them in the appropriate context. The listings
1744 under @code{info} and under @code{show} in the Index point to
1745 all the sub-commands. @xref{Index}.
1746
1747 @c @group
1748 @table @code
1749 @kindex info
1750 @kindex i @r{(@code{info})}
1751 @item info
1752 This command (abbreviated @code{i}) is for describing the state of your
1753 program. For example, you can show the arguments passed to a function
1754 with @code{info args}, list the registers currently in use with @code{info
1755 registers}, or list the breakpoints you have set with @code{info breakpoints}.
1756 You can get a complete list of the @code{info} sub-commands with
1757 @w{@code{help info}}.
1758
1759 @kindex set
1760 @item set
1761 You can assign the result of an expression to an environment variable with
1762 @code{set}. For example, you can set the @value{GDBN} prompt to a $-sign with
1763 @code{set prompt $}.
1764
1765 @kindex show
1766 @item show
1767 In contrast to @code{info}, @code{show} is for describing the state of
1768 @value{GDBN} itself.
1769 You can change most of the things you can @code{show}, by using the
1770 related command @code{set}; for example, you can control what number
1771 system is used for displays with @code{set radix}, or simply inquire
1772 which is currently in use with @code{show radix}.
1773
1774 @kindex info set
1775 To display all the settable parameters and their current
1776 values, you can use @code{show} with no arguments; you may also use
1777 @code{info set}. Both commands produce the same display.
1778 @c FIXME: "info set" violates the rule that "info" is for state of
1779 @c FIXME...program. Ck w/ GNU: "info set" to be called something else,
1780 @c FIXME...or change desc of rule---eg "state of prog and debugging session"?
1781 @end table
1782 @c @end group
1783
1784 Here are three miscellaneous @code{show} subcommands, all of which are
1785 exceptional in lacking corresponding @code{set} commands:
1786
1787 @table @code
1788 @kindex show version
1789 @cindex @value{GDBN} version number
1790 @item show version
1791 Show what version of @value{GDBN} is running. You should include this
1792 information in @value{GDBN} bug-reports. If multiple versions of
1793 @value{GDBN} are in use at your site, you may need to determine which
1794 version of @value{GDBN} you are running; as @value{GDBN} evolves, new
1795 commands are introduced, and old ones may wither away. Also, many
1796 system vendors ship variant versions of @value{GDBN}, and there are
1797 variant versions of @value{GDBN} in @sc{gnu}/Linux distributions as well.
1798 The version number is the same as the one announced when you start
1799 @value{GDBN}.
1800
1801 @kindex show copying
1802 @kindex info copying
1803 @cindex display @value{GDBN} copyright
1804 @item show copying
1805 @itemx info copying
1806 Display information about permission for copying @value{GDBN}.
1807
1808 @kindex show warranty
1809 @kindex info warranty
1810 @item show warranty
1811 @itemx info warranty
1812 Display the @sc{gnu} ``NO WARRANTY'' statement, or a warranty,
1813 if your version of @value{GDBN} comes with one.
1814
1815 @end table
1816
1817 @node Running
1818 @chapter Running Programs Under @value{GDBN}
1819
1820 When you run a program under @value{GDBN}, you must first generate
1821 debugging information when you compile it.
1822
1823 You may start @value{GDBN} with its arguments, if any, in an environment
1824 of your choice. If you are doing native debugging, you may redirect
1825 your program's input and output, debug an already running process, or
1826 kill a child process.
1827
1828 @menu
1829 * Compilation:: Compiling for debugging
1830 * Starting:: Starting your program
1831 * Arguments:: Your program's arguments
1832 * Environment:: Your program's environment
1833
1834 * Working Directory:: Your program's working directory
1835 * Input/Output:: Your program's input and output
1836 * Attach:: Debugging an already-running process
1837 * Kill Process:: Killing the child process
1838
1839 * Inferiors and Programs:: Debugging multiple inferiors and programs
1840 * Threads:: Debugging programs with multiple threads
1841 * Forks:: Debugging forks
1842 * Checkpoint/Restart:: Setting a @emph{bookmark} to return to later
1843 @end menu
1844
1845 @node Compilation
1846 @section Compiling for Debugging
1847
1848 In order to debug a program effectively, you need to generate
1849 debugging information when you compile it. This debugging information
1850 is stored in the object file; it describes the data type of each
1851 variable or function and the correspondence between source line numbers
1852 and addresses in the executable code.
1853
1854 To request debugging information, specify the @samp{-g} option when you run
1855 the compiler.
1856
1857 Programs that are to be shipped to your customers are compiled with
1858 optimizations, using the @samp{-O} compiler option. However, some
1859 compilers are unable to handle the @samp{-g} and @samp{-O} options
1860 together. Using those compilers, you cannot generate optimized
1861 executables containing debugging information.
1862
1863 @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C/C@t{++} compiler, supports @samp{-g} with or
1864 without @samp{-O}, making it possible to debug optimized code. We
1865 recommend that you @emph{always} use @samp{-g} whenever you compile a
1866 program. You may think your program is correct, but there is no sense
1867 in pushing your luck. For more information, see @ref{Optimized Code}.
1868
1869 Older versions of the @sc{gnu} C compiler permitted a variant option
1870 @w{@samp{-gg}} for debugging information. @value{GDBN} no longer supports this
1871 format; if your @sc{gnu} C compiler has this option, do not use it.
1872
1873 @value{GDBN} knows about preprocessor macros and can show you their
1874 expansion (@pxref{Macros}). Most compilers do not include information
1875 about preprocessor macros in the debugging information if you specify
1876 the @option{-g} flag alone, because this information is rather large.
1877 Version 3.1 and later of @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C compiler,
1878 provides macro information if you specify the options
1879 @option{-gdwarf-2} and @option{-g3}; the former option requests
1880 debugging information in the Dwarf 2 format, and the latter requests
1881 ``extra information''. In the future, we hope to find more compact
1882 ways to represent macro information, so that it can be included with
1883 @option{-g} alone.
1884
1885 @need 2000
1886 @node Starting
1887 @section Starting your Program
1888 @cindex starting
1889 @cindex running
1890
1891 @table @code
1892 @kindex run
1893 @kindex r @r{(@code{run})}
1894 @item run
1895 @itemx r
1896 Use the @code{run} command to start your program under @value{GDBN}.
1897 You must first specify the program name (except on VxWorks) with an
1898 argument to @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Invocation, ,Getting In and Out of
1899 @value{GDBN}}), or by using the @code{file} or @code{exec-file} command
1900 (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
1901
1902 @end table
1903
1904 If you are running your program in an execution environment that
1905 supports processes, @code{run} creates an inferior process and makes
1906 that process run your program. In some environments without processes,
1907 @code{run} jumps to the start of your program. Other targets,
1908 like @samp{remote}, are always running. If you get an error
1909 message like this one:
1910
1911 @smallexample
1912 The "remote" target does not support "run".
1913 Try "help target" or "continue".
1914 @end smallexample
1915
1916 @noindent
1917 then use @code{continue} to run your program. You may need @code{load}
1918 first (@pxref{load}).
1919
1920 The execution of a program is affected by certain information it
1921 receives from its superior. @value{GDBN} provides ways to specify this
1922 information, which you must do @emph{before} starting your program. (You
1923 can change it after starting your program, but such changes only affect
1924 your program the next time you start it.) This information may be
1925 divided into four categories:
1926
1927 @table @asis
1928 @item The @emph{arguments.}
1929 Specify the arguments to give your program as the arguments of the
1930 @code{run} command. If a shell is available on your target, the shell
1931 is used to pass the arguments, so that you may use normal conventions
1932 (such as wildcard expansion or variable substitution) in describing
1933 the arguments.
1934 In Unix systems, you can control which shell is used with the
1935 @code{SHELL} environment variable.
1936 @xref{Arguments, ,Your Program's Arguments}.
1937
1938 @item The @emph{environment.}
1939 Your program normally inherits its environment from @value{GDBN}, but you can
1940 use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{set environment} and @code{unset
1941 environment} to change parts of the environment that affect
1942 your program. @xref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}.
1943
1944 @item The @emph{working directory.}
1945 Your program inherits its working directory from @value{GDBN}. You can set
1946 the @value{GDBN} working directory with the @code{cd} command in @value{GDBN}.
1947 @xref{Working Directory, ,Your Program's Working Directory}.
1948
1949 @item The @emph{standard input and output.}
1950 Your program normally uses the same device for standard input and
1951 standard output as @value{GDBN} is using. You can redirect input and output
1952 in the @code{run} command line, or you can use the @code{tty} command to
1953 set a different device for your program.
1954 @xref{Input/Output, ,Your Program's Input and Output}.
1955
1956 @cindex pipes
1957 @emph{Warning:} While input and output redirection work, you cannot use
1958 pipes to pass the output of the program you are debugging to another
1959 program; if you attempt this, @value{GDBN} is likely to wind up debugging the
1960 wrong program.
1961 @end table
1962
1963 When you issue the @code{run} command, your program begins to execute
1964 immediately. @xref{Stopping, ,Stopping and Continuing}, for discussion
1965 of how to arrange for your program to stop. Once your program has
1966 stopped, you may call functions in your program, using the @code{print}
1967 or @code{call} commands. @xref{Data, ,Examining Data}.
1968
1969 If the modification time of your symbol file has changed since the last
1970 time @value{GDBN} read its symbols, @value{GDBN} discards its symbol
1971 table, and reads it again. When it does this, @value{GDBN} tries to retain
1972 your current breakpoints.
1973
1974 @table @code
1975 @kindex start
1976 @item start
1977 @cindex run to main procedure
1978 The name of the main procedure can vary from language to language.
1979 With C or C@t{++}, the main procedure name is always @code{main}, but
1980 other languages such as Ada do not require a specific name for their
1981 main procedure. The debugger provides a convenient way to start the
1982 execution of the program and to stop at the beginning of the main
1983 procedure, depending on the language used.
1984
1985 The @samp{start} command does the equivalent of setting a temporary
1986 breakpoint at the beginning of the main procedure and then invoking
1987 the @samp{run} command.
1988
1989 @cindex elaboration phase
1990 Some programs contain an @dfn{elaboration} phase where some startup code is
1991 executed before the main procedure is called. This depends on the
1992 languages used to write your program. In C@t{++}, for instance,
1993 constructors for static and global objects are executed before
1994 @code{main} is called. It is therefore possible that the debugger stops
1995 before reaching the main procedure. However, the temporary breakpoint
1996 will remain to halt execution.
1997
1998 Specify the arguments to give to your program as arguments to the
1999 @samp{start} command. These arguments will be given verbatim to the
2000 underlying @samp{run} command. Note that the same arguments will be
2001 reused if no argument is provided during subsequent calls to
2002 @samp{start} or @samp{run}.
2003
2004 It is sometimes necessary to debug the program during elaboration. In
2005 these cases, using the @code{start} command would stop the execution of
2006 your program too late, as the program would have already completed the
2007 elaboration phase. Under these circumstances, insert breakpoints in your
2008 elaboration code before running your program.
2009
2010 @kindex set exec-wrapper
2011 @item set exec-wrapper @var{wrapper}
2012 @itemx show exec-wrapper
2013 @itemx unset exec-wrapper
2014 When @samp{exec-wrapper} is set, the specified wrapper is used to
2015 launch programs for debugging. @value{GDBN} starts your program
2016 with a shell command of the form @kbd{exec @var{wrapper}
2017 @var{program}}. Quoting is added to @var{program} and its
2018 arguments, but not to @var{wrapper}, so you should add quotes if
2019 appropriate for your shell. The wrapper runs until it executes
2020 your program, and then @value{GDBN} takes control.
2021
2022 You can use any program that eventually calls @code{execve} with
2023 its arguments as a wrapper. Several standard Unix utilities do
2024 this, e.g.@: @code{env} and @code{nohup}. Any Unix shell script ending
2025 with @code{exec "$@@"} will also work.
2026
2027 For example, you can use @code{env} to pass an environment variable to
2028 the debugged program, without setting the variable in your shell's
2029 environment:
2030
2031 @smallexample
2032 (@value{GDBP}) set exec-wrapper env 'LD_PRELOAD=libtest.so'
2033 (@value{GDBP}) run
2034 @end smallexample
2035
2036 This command is available when debugging locally on most targets, excluding
2037 @sc{djgpp}, Cygwin, MS Windows, and QNX Neutrino.
2038
2039 @kindex set disable-randomization
2040 @item set disable-randomization
2041 @itemx set disable-randomization on
2042 This option (enabled by default in @value{GDBN}) will turn off the native
2043 randomization of the virtual address space of the started program. This option
2044 is useful for multiple debugging sessions to make the execution better
2045 reproducible and memory addresses reusable across debugging sessions.
2046
2047 This feature is implemented only on certain targets, including @sc{gnu}/Linux.
2048 On @sc{gnu}/Linux you can get the same behavior using
2049
2050 @smallexample
2051 (@value{GDBP}) set exec-wrapper setarch `uname -m` -R
2052 @end smallexample
2053
2054 @item set disable-randomization off
2055 Leave the behavior of the started executable unchanged. Some bugs rear their
2056 ugly heads only when the program is loaded at certain addresses. If your bug
2057 disappears when you run the program under @value{GDBN}, that might be because
2058 @value{GDBN} by default disables the address randomization on platforms, such
2059 as @sc{gnu}/Linux, which do that for stand-alone programs. Use @kbd{set
2060 disable-randomization off} to try to reproduce such elusive bugs.
2061
2062 On targets where it is available, virtual address space randomization
2063 protects the programs against certain kinds of security attacks. In these
2064 cases the attacker needs to know the exact location of a concrete executable
2065 code. Randomizing its location makes it impossible to inject jumps misusing
2066 a code at its expected addresses.
2067
2068 Prelinking shared libraries provides a startup performance advantage but it
2069 makes addresses in these libraries predictable for privileged processes by
2070 having just unprivileged access at the target system. Reading the shared
2071 library binary gives enough information for assembling the malicious code
2072 misusing it. Still even a prelinked shared library can get loaded at a new
2073 random address just requiring the regular relocation process during the
2074 startup. Shared libraries not already prelinked are always loaded at
2075 a randomly chosen address.
2076
2077 Position independent executables (PIE) contain position independent code
2078 similar to the shared libraries and therefore such executables get loaded at
2079 a randomly chosen address upon startup. PIE executables always load even
2080 already prelinked shared libraries at a random address. You can build such
2081 executable using @command{gcc -fPIE -pie}.
2082
2083 Heap (malloc storage), stack and custom mmap areas are always placed randomly
2084 (as long as the randomization is enabled).
2085
2086 @item show disable-randomization
2087 Show the current setting of the explicit disable of the native randomization of
2088 the virtual address space of the started program.
2089
2090 @end table
2091
2092 @node Arguments
2093 @section Your Program's Arguments
2094
2095 @cindex arguments (to your program)
2096 The arguments to your program can be specified by the arguments of the
2097 @code{run} command.
2098 They are passed to a shell, which expands wildcard characters and
2099 performs redirection of I/O, and thence to your program. Your
2100 @code{SHELL} environment variable (if it exists) specifies what shell
2101 @value{GDBN} uses. If you do not define @code{SHELL}, @value{GDBN} uses
2102 the default shell (@file{/bin/sh} on Unix).
2103
2104 On non-Unix systems, the program is usually invoked directly by
2105 @value{GDBN}, which emulates I/O redirection via the appropriate system
2106 calls, and the wildcard characters are expanded by the startup code of
2107 the program, not by the shell.
2108
2109 @code{run} with no arguments uses the same arguments used by the previous
2110 @code{run}, or those set by the @code{set args} command.
2111
2112 @table @code
2113 @kindex set args
2114 @item set args
2115 Specify the arguments to be used the next time your program is run. If
2116 @code{set args} has no arguments, @code{run} executes your program
2117 with no arguments. Once you have run your program with arguments,
2118 using @code{set args} before the next @code{run} is the only way to run
2119 it again without arguments.
2120
2121 @kindex show args
2122 @item show args
2123 Show the arguments to give your program when it is started.
2124 @end table
2125
2126 @node Environment
2127 @section Your Program's Environment
2128
2129 @cindex environment (of your program)
2130 The @dfn{environment} consists of a set of environment variables and
2131 their values. Environment variables conventionally record such things as
2132 your user name, your home directory, your terminal type, and your search
2133 path for programs to run. Usually you set up environment variables with
2134 the shell and they are inherited by all the other programs you run. When
2135 debugging, it can be useful to try running your program with a modified
2136 environment without having to start @value{GDBN} over again.
2137
2138 @table @code
2139 @kindex path
2140 @item path @var{directory}
2141 Add @var{directory} to the front of the @code{PATH} environment variable
2142 (the search path for executables) that will be passed to your program.
2143 The value of @code{PATH} used by @value{GDBN} does not change.
2144 You may specify several directory names, separated by whitespace or by a
2145 system-dependent separator character (@samp{:} on Unix, @samp{;} on
2146 MS-DOS and MS-Windows). If @var{directory} is already in the path, it
2147 is moved to the front, so it is searched sooner.
2148
2149 You can use the string @samp{$cwd} to refer to whatever is the current
2150 working directory at the time @value{GDBN} searches the path. If you
2151 use @samp{.} instead, it refers to the directory where you executed the
2152 @code{path} command. @value{GDBN} replaces @samp{.} in the
2153 @var{directory} argument (with the current path) before adding
2154 @var{directory} to the search path.
2155 @c 'path' is explicitly nonrepeatable, but RMS points out it is silly to
2156 @c document that, since repeating it would be a no-op.
2157
2158 @kindex show paths
2159 @item show paths
2160 Display the list of search paths for executables (the @code{PATH}
2161 environment variable).
2162
2163 @kindex show environment
2164 @item show environment @r{[}@var{varname}@r{]}
2165 Print the value of environment variable @var{varname} to be given to
2166 your program when it starts. If you do not supply @var{varname},
2167 print the names and values of all environment variables to be given to
2168 your program. You can abbreviate @code{environment} as @code{env}.
2169
2170 @kindex set environment
2171 @item set environment @var{varname} @r{[}=@var{value}@r{]}
2172 Set environment variable @var{varname} to @var{value}. The value
2173 changes for your program only, not for @value{GDBN} itself. @var{value} may
2174 be any string; the values of environment variables are just strings, and
2175 any interpretation is supplied by your program itself. The @var{value}
2176 parameter is optional; if it is eliminated, the variable is set to a
2177 null value.
2178 @c "any string" here does not include leading, trailing
2179 @c blanks. Gnu asks: does anyone care?
2180
2181 For example, this command:
2182
2183 @smallexample
2184 set env USER = foo
2185 @end smallexample
2186
2187 @noindent
2188 tells the debugged program, when subsequently run, that its user is named
2189 @samp{foo}. (The spaces around @samp{=} are used for clarity here; they
2190 are not actually required.)
2191
2192 @kindex unset environment
2193 @item unset environment @var{varname}
2194 Remove variable @var{varname} from the environment to be passed to your
2195 program. This is different from @samp{set env @var{varname} =};
2196 @code{unset environment} removes the variable from the environment,
2197 rather than assigning it an empty value.
2198 @end table
2199
2200 @emph{Warning:} On Unix systems, @value{GDBN} runs your program using
2201 the shell indicated
2202 by your @code{SHELL} environment variable if it exists (or
2203 @code{/bin/sh} if not). If your @code{SHELL} variable names a shell
2204 that runs an initialization file---such as @file{.cshrc} for C-shell, or
2205 @file{.bashrc} for BASH---any variables you set in that file affect
2206 your program. You may wish to move setting of environment variables to
2207 files that are only run when you sign on, such as @file{.login} or
2208 @file{.profile}.
2209
2210 @node Working Directory
2211 @section Your Program's Working Directory
2212
2213 @cindex working directory (of your program)
2214 Each time you start your program with @code{run}, it inherits its
2215 working directory from the current working directory of @value{GDBN}.
2216 The @value{GDBN} working directory is initially whatever it inherited
2217 from its parent process (typically the shell), but you can specify a new
2218 working directory in @value{GDBN} with the @code{cd} command.
2219
2220 The @value{GDBN} working directory also serves as a default for the commands
2221 that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate on. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
2222 Specify Files}.
2223
2224 @table @code
2225 @kindex cd
2226 @cindex change working directory
2227 @item cd @var{directory}
2228 Set the @value{GDBN} working directory to @var{directory}.
2229
2230 @kindex pwd
2231 @item pwd
2232 Print the @value{GDBN} working directory.
2233 @end table
2234
2235 It is generally impossible to find the current working directory of
2236 the process being debugged (since a program can change its directory
2237 during its run). If you work on a system where @value{GDBN} is
2238 configured with the @file{/proc} support, you can use the @code{info
2239 proc} command (@pxref{SVR4 Process Information}) to find out the
2240 current working directory of the debuggee.
2241
2242 @node Input/Output
2243 @section Your Program's Input and Output
2244
2245 @cindex redirection
2246 @cindex i/o
2247 @cindex terminal
2248 By default, the program you run under @value{GDBN} does input and output to
2249 the same terminal that @value{GDBN} uses. @value{GDBN} switches the terminal
2250 to its own terminal modes to interact with you, but it records the terminal
2251 modes your program was using and switches back to them when you continue
2252 running your program.
2253
2254 @table @code
2255 @kindex info terminal
2256 @item info terminal
2257 Displays information recorded by @value{GDBN} about the terminal modes your
2258 program is using.
2259 @end table
2260
2261 You can redirect your program's input and/or output using shell
2262 redirection with the @code{run} command. For example,
2263
2264 @smallexample
2265 run > outfile
2266 @end smallexample
2267
2268 @noindent
2269 starts your program, diverting its output to the file @file{outfile}.
2270
2271 @kindex tty
2272 @cindex controlling terminal
2273 Another way to specify where your program should do input and output is
2274 with the @code{tty} command. This command accepts a file name as
2275 argument, and causes this file to be the default for future @code{run}
2276 commands. It also resets the controlling terminal for the child
2277 process, for future @code{run} commands. For example,
2278
2279 @smallexample
2280 tty /dev/ttyb
2281 @end smallexample
2282
2283 @noindent
2284 directs that processes started with subsequent @code{run} commands
2285 default to do input and output on the terminal @file{/dev/ttyb} and have
2286 that as their controlling terminal.
2287
2288 An explicit redirection in @code{run} overrides the @code{tty} command's
2289 effect on the input/output device, but not its effect on the controlling
2290 terminal.
2291
2292 When you use the @code{tty} command or redirect input in the @code{run}
2293 command, only the input @emph{for your program} is affected. The input
2294 for @value{GDBN} still comes from your terminal. @code{tty} is an alias
2295 for @code{set inferior-tty}.
2296
2297 @cindex inferior tty
2298 @cindex set inferior controlling terminal
2299 You can use the @code{show inferior-tty} command to tell @value{GDBN} to
2300 display the name of the terminal that will be used for future runs of your
2301 program.
2302
2303 @table @code
2304 @item set inferior-tty /dev/ttyb
2305 @kindex set inferior-tty
2306 Set the tty for the program being debugged to /dev/ttyb.
2307
2308 @item show inferior-tty
2309 @kindex show inferior-tty
2310 Show the current tty for the program being debugged.
2311 @end table
2312
2313 @node Attach
2314 @section Debugging an Already-running Process
2315 @kindex attach
2316 @cindex attach
2317
2318 @table @code
2319 @item attach @var{process-id}
2320 This command attaches to a running process---one that was started
2321 outside @value{GDBN}. (@code{info files} shows your active
2322 targets.) The command takes as argument a process ID. The usual way to
2323 find out the @var{process-id} of a Unix process is with the @code{ps} utility,
2324 or with the @samp{jobs -l} shell command.
2325
2326 @code{attach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} a second time after
2327 executing the command.
2328 @end table
2329
2330 To use @code{attach}, your program must be running in an environment
2331 which supports processes; for example, @code{attach} does not work for
2332 programs on bare-board targets that lack an operating system. You must
2333 also have permission to send the process a signal.
2334
2335 When you use @code{attach}, the debugger finds the program running in
2336 the process first by looking in the current working directory, then (if
2337 the program is not found) by using the source file search path
2338 (@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying Source Directories}). You can also use
2339 the @code{file} command to load the program. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
2340 Specify Files}.
2341
2342 The first thing @value{GDBN} does after arranging to debug the specified
2343 process is to stop it. You can examine and modify an attached process
2344 with all the @value{GDBN} commands that are ordinarily available when
2345 you start processes with @code{run}. You can insert breakpoints; you
2346 can step and continue; you can modify storage. If you would rather the
2347 process continue running, you may use the @code{continue} command after
2348 attaching @value{GDBN} to the process.
2349
2350 @table @code
2351 @kindex detach
2352 @item detach
2353 When you have finished debugging the attached process, you can use the
2354 @code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control. Detaching
2355 the process continues its execution. After the @code{detach} command,
2356 that process and @value{GDBN} become completely independent once more, and you
2357 are ready to @code{attach} another process or start one with @code{run}.
2358 @code{detach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
2359 executing the command.
2360 @end table
2361
2362 If you exit @value{GDBN} while you have an attached process, you detach
2363 that process. If you use the @code{run} command, you kill that process.
2364 By default, @value{GDBN} asks for confirmation if you try to do either of these
2365 things; you can control whether or not you need to confirm by using the
2366 @code{set confirm} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
2367 Messages}).
2368
2369 @node Kill Process
2370 @section Killing the Child Process
2371
2372 @table @code
2373 @kindex kill
2374 @item kill
2375 Kill the child process in which your program is running under @value{GDBN}.
2376 @end table
2377
2378 This command is useful if you wish to debug a core dump instead of a
2379 running process. @value{GDBN} ignores any core dump file while your program
2380 is running.
2381
2382 On some operating systems, a program cannot be executed outside @value{GDBN}
2383 while you have breakpoints set on it inside @value{GDBN}. You can use the
2384 @code{kill} command in this situation to permit running your program
2385 outside the debugger.
2386
2387 The @code{kill} command is also useful if you wish to recompile and
2388 relink your program, since on many systems it is impossible to modify an
2389 executable file while it is running in a process. In this case, when you
2390 next type @code{run}, @value{GDBN} notices that the file has changed, and
2391 reads the symbol table again (while trying to preserve your current
2392 breakpoint settings).
2393
2394 @node Inferiors and Programs
2395 @section Debugging Multiple Inferiors and Programs
2396
2397 @value{GDBN} lets you run and debug multiple programs in a single
2398 session. In addition, @value{GDBN} on some systems may let you run
2399 several programs simultaneously (otherwise you have to exit from one
2400 before starting another). In the most general case, you can have
2401 multiple threads of execution in each of multiple processes, launched
2402 from multiple executables.
2403
2404 @cindex inferior
2405 @value{GDBN} represents the state of each program execution with an
2406 object called an @dfn{inferior}. An inferior typically corresponds to
2407 a process, but is more general and applies also to targets that do not
2408 have processes. Inferiors may be created before a process runs, and
2409 may be retained after a process exits. Inferiors have unique
2410 identifiers that are different from process ids. Usually each
2411 inferior will also have its own distinct address space, although some
2412 embedded targets may have several inferiors running in different parts
2413 of a single address space. Each inferior may in turn have multiple
2414 threads running in it.
2415
2416 To find out what inferiors exist at any moment, use @w{@code{info
2417 inferiors}}:
2418
2419 @table @code
2420 @kindex info inferiors
2421 @item info inferiors
2422 Print a list of all inferiors currently being managed by @value{GDBN}.
2423
2424 @value{GDBN} displays for each inferior (in this order):
2425
2426 @enumerate
2427 @item
2428 the inferior number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2429
2430 @item
2431 the target system's inferior identifier
2432
2433 @item
2434 the name of the executable the inferior is running.
2435
2436 @end enumerate
2437
2438 @noindent
2439 An asterisk @samp{*} preceding the @value{GDBN} inferior number
2440 indicates the current inferior.
2441
2442 For example,
2443 @end table
2444 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2445
2446 @smallexample
2447 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2448 Num Description Executable
2449 2 process 2307 hello
2450 * 1 process 3401 goodbye
2451 @end smallexample
2452
2453 To switch focus between inferiors, use the @code{inferior} command:
2454
2455 @table @code
2456 @kindex inferior @var{infno}
2457 @item inferior @var{infno}
2458 Make inferior number @var{infno} the current inferior. The argument
2459 @var{infno} is the inferior number assigned by @value{GDBN}, as shown
2460 in the first field of the @samp{info inferiors} display.
2461 @end table
2462
2463
2464 You can get multiple executables into a debugging session via the
2465 @code{add-inferior} and @w{@code{clone-inferior}} commands. On some
2466 systems @value{GDBN} can add inferiors to the debug session
2467 automatically by following calls to @code{fork} and @code{exec}. To
2468 remove inferiors from the debugging session use the
2469 @w{@code{remove-inferiors}} command.
2470
2471 @table @code
2472 @kindex add-inferior
2473 @item add-inferior [ -copies @var{n} ] [ -exec @var{executable} ]
2474 Adds @var{n} inferiors to be run using @var{executable} as the
2475 executable. @var{n} defaults to 1. If no executable is specified,
2476 the inferiors begins empty, with no program. You can still assign or
2477 change the program assigned to the inferior at any time by using the
2478 @code{file} command with the executable name as its argument.
2479
2480 @kindex clone-inferior
2481 @item clone-inferior [ -copies @var{n} ] [ @var{infno} ]
2482 Adds @var{n} inferiors ready to execute the same program as inferior
2483 @var{infno}. @var{n} defaults to 1. @var{infno} defaults to the
2484 number of the current inferior. This is a convenient command when you
2485 want to run another instance of the inferior you are debugging.
2486
2487 @smallexample
2488 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2489 Num Description Executable
2490 * 1 process 29964 helloworld
2491 (@value{GDBP}) clone-inferior
2492 Added inferior 2.
2493 1 inferiors added.
2494 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2495 Num Description Executable
2496 2 <null> helloworld
2497 * 1 process 29964 helloworld
2498 @end smallexample
2499
2500 You can now simply switch focus to inferior 2 and run it.
2501
2502 @kindex remove-inferiors
2503 @item remove-inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2504 Removes the inferior or inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}. It is not
2505 possible to remove an inferior that is running with this command. For
2506 those, use the @code{kill} or @code{detach} command first.
2507
2508 @end table
2509
2510 To quit debugging one of the running inferiors that is not the current
2511 inferior, you can either detach from it by using the @w{@code{detach
2512 inferior}} command (allowing it to run independently), or kill it
2513 using the @w{@code{kill inferiors}} command:
2514
2515 @table @code
2516 @kindex detach inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2517 @item detach inferior @var{infno}@dots{}
2518 Detach from the inferior or inferiors identified by @value{GDBN}
2519 inferior number(s) @var{infno}@dots{}. Note that the inferior's entry
2520 still stays on the list of inferiors shown by @code{info inferiors},
2521 but its Description will show @samp{<null>}.
2522
2523 @kindex kill inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2524 @item kill inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2525 Kill the inferior or inferiors identified by @value{GDBN} inferior
2526 number(s) @var{infno}@dots{}. Note that the inferior's entry still
2527 stays on the list of inferiors shown by @code{info inferiors}, but its
2528 Description will show @samp{<null>}.
2529 @end table
2530
2531 After the successful completion of a command such as @code{detach},
2532 @code{detach inferiors}, @code{kill} or @code{kill inferiors}, or after
2533 a normal process exit, the inferior is still valid and listed with
2534 @code{info inferiors}, ready to be restarted.
2535
2536
2537 To be notified when inferiors are started or exit under @value{GDBN}'s
2538 control use @w{@code{set print inferior-events}}:
2539
2540 @table @code
2541 @kindex set print inferior-events
2542 @cindex print messages on inferior start and exit
2543 @item set print inferior-events
2544 @itemx set print inferior-events on
2545 @itemx set print inferior-events off
2546 The @code{set print inferior-events} command allows you to enable or
2547 disable printing of messages when @value{GDBN} notices that new
2548 inferiors have started or that inferiors have exited or have been
2549 detached. By default, these messages will not be printed.
2550
2551 @kindex show print inferior-events
2552 @item show print inferior-events
2553 Show whether messages will be printed when @value{GDBN} detects that
2554 inferiors have started, exited or have been detached.
2555 @end table
2556
2557 Many commands will work the same with multiple programs as with a
2558 single program: e.g., @code{print myglobal} will simply display the
2559 value of @code{myglobal} in the current inferior.
2560
2561
2562 Occasionaly, when debugging @value{GDBN} itself, it may be useful to
2563 get more info about the relationship of inferiors, programs, address
2564 spaces in a debug session. You can do that with the @w{@code{maint
2565 info program-spaces}} command.
2566
2567 @table @code
2568 @kindex maint info program-spaces
2569 @item maint info program-spaces
2570 Print a list of all program spaces currently being managed by
2571 @value{GDBN}.
2572
2573 @value{GDBN} displays for each program space (in this order):
2574
2575 @enumerate
2576 @item
2577 the program space number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2578
2579 @item
2580 the name of the executable loaded into the program space, with e.g.,
2581 the @code{file} command.
2582
2583 @end enumerate
2584
2585 @noindent
2586 An asterisk @samp{*} preceding the @value{GDBN} program space number
2587 indicates the current program space.
2588
2589 In addition, below each program space line, @value{GDBN} prints extra
2590 information that isn't suitable to display in tabular form. For
2591 example, the list of inferiors bound to the program space.
2592
2593 @smallexample
2594 (@value{GDBP}) maint info program-spaces
2595 Id Executable
2596 2 goodbye
2597 Bound inferiors: ID 1 (process 21561)
2598 * 1 hello
2599 @end smallexample
2600
2601 Here we can see that no inferior is running the program @code{hello},
2602 while @code{process 21561} is running the program @code{goodbye}. On
2603 some targets, it is possible that multiple inferiors are bound to the
2604 same program space. The most common example is that of debugging both
2605 the parent and child processes of a @code{vfork} call. For example,
2606
2607 @smallexample
2608 (@value{GDBP}) maint info program-spaces
2609 Id Executable
2610 * 1 vfork-test
2611 Bound inferiors: ID 2 (process 18050), ID 1 (process 18045)
2612 @end smallexample
2613
2614 Here, both inferior 2 and inferior 1 are running in the same program
2615 space as a result of inferior 1 having executed a @code{vfork} call.
2616 @end table
2617
2618 @node Threads
2619 @section Debugging Programs with Multiple Threads
2620
2621 @cindex threads of execution
2622 @cindex multiple threads
2623 @cindex switching threads
2624 In some operating systems, such as HP-UX and Solaris, a single program
2625 may have more than one @dfn{thread} of execution. The precise semantics
2626 of threads differ from one operating system to another, but in general
2627 the threads of a single program are akin to multiple processes---except
2628 that they share one address space (that is, they can all examine and
2629 modify the same variables). On the other hand, each thread has its own
2630 registers and execution stack, and perhaps private memory.
2631
2632 @value{GDBN} provides these facilities for debugging multi-thread
2633 programs:
2634
2635 @itemize @bullet
2636 @item automatic notification of new threads
2637 @item @samp{thread @var{threadno}}, a command to switch among threads
2638 @item @samp{info threads}, a command to inquire about existing threads
2639 @item @samp{thread apply [@var{threadno}] [@var{all}] @var{args}},
2640 a command to apply a command to a list of threads
2641 @item thread-specific breakpoints
2642 @item @samp{set print thread-events}, which controls printing of
2643 messages on thread start and exit.
2644 @item @samp{set libthread-db-search-path @var{path}}, which lets
2645 the user specify which @code{libthread_db} to use if the default choice
2646 isn't compatible with the program.
2647 @end itemize
2648
2649 @quotation
2650 @emph{Warning:} These facilities are not yet available on every
2651 @value{GDBN} configuration where the operating system supports threads.
2652 If your @value{GDBN} does not support threads, these commands have no
2653 effect. For example, a system without thread support shows no output
2654 from @samp{info threads}, and always rejects the @code{thread} command,
2655 like this:
2656
2657 @smallexample
2658 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2659 (@value{GDBP}) thread 1
2660 Thread ID 1 not known. Use the "info threads" command to
2661 see the IDs of currently known threads.
2662 @end smallexample
2663 @c FIXME to implementors: how hard would it be to say "sorry, this GDB
2664 @c doesn't support threads"?
2665 @end quotation
2666
2667 @cindex focus of debugging
2668 @cindex current thread
2669 The @value{GDBN} thread debugging facility allows you to observe all
2670 threads while your program runs---but whenever @value{GDBN} takes
2671 control, one thread in particular is always the focus of debugging.
2672 This thread is called the @dfn{current thread}. Debugging commands show
2673 program information from the perspective of the current thread.
2674
2675 @cindex @code{New} @var{systag} message
2676 @cindex thread identifier (system)
2677 @c FIXME-implementors!! It would be more helpful if the [New...] message
2678 @c included GDB's numeric thread handle, so you could just go to that
2679 @c thread without first checking `info threads'.
2680 Whenever @value{GDBN} detects a new thread in your program, it displays
2681 the target system's identification for the thread with a message in the
2682 form @samp{[New @var{systag}]}. @var{systag} is a thread identifier
2683 whose form varies depending on the particular system. For example, on
2684 @sc{gnu}/Linux, you might see
2685
2686 @smallexample
2687 [New Thread 0x41e02940 (LWP 25582)]
2688 @end smallexample
2689
2690 @noindent
2691 when @value{GDBN} notices a new thread. In contrast, on an SGI system,
2692 the @var{systag} is simply something like @samp{process 368}, with no
2693 further qualifier.
2694
2695 @c FIXME!! (1) Does the [New...] message appear even for the very first
2696 @c thread of a program, or does it only appear for the
2697 @c second---i.e.@: when it becomes obvious we have a multithread
2698 @c program?
2699 @c (2) *Is* there necessarily a first thread always? Or do some
2700 @c multithread systems permit starting a program with multiple
2701 @c threads ab initio?
2702
2703 @cindex thread number
2704 @cindex thread identifier (GDB)
2705 For debugging purposes, @value{GDBN} associates its own thread
2706 number---always a single integer---with each thread in your program.
2707
2708 @table @code
2709 @kindex info threads
2710 @item info threads @r{[}@var{id}@dots{}@r{]}
2711 Display a summary of all threads currently in your program. Optional
2712 argument @var{id}@dots{} is one or more thread ids separated by spaces, and
2713 means to print information only about the specified thread or threads.
2714 @value{GDBN} displays for each thread (in this order):
2715
2716 @enumerate
2717 @item
2718 the thread number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2719
2720 @item
2721 the target system's thread identifier (@var{systag})
2722
2723 @item
2724 the thread's name, if one is known. A thread can either be named by
2725 the user (see @code{thread name}, below), or, in some cases, by the
2726 program itself.
2727
2728 @item
2729 the current stack frame summary for that thread
2730 @end enumerate
2731
2732 @noindent
2733 An asterisk @samp{*} to the left of the @value{GDBN} thread number
2734 indicates the current thread.
2735
2736 For example,
2737 @end table
2738 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2739
2740 @smallexample
2741 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2742 Id Target Id Frame
2743 3 process 35 thread 27 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2744 2 process 35 thread 23 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2745 * 1 process 35 thread 13 main (argc=1, argv=0x7ffffff8)
2746 at threadtest.c:68
2747 @end smallexample
2748
2749 On Solaris, you can display more information about user threads with a
2750 Solaris-specific command:
2751
2752 @table @code
2753 @item maint info sol-threads
2754 @kindex maint info sol-threads
2755 @cindex thread info (Solaris)
2756 Display info on Solaris user threads.
2757 @end table
2758
2759 @table @code
2760 @kindex thread @var{threadno}
2761 @item thread @var{threadno}
2762 Make thread number @var{threadno} the current thread. The command
2763 argument @var{threadno} is the internal @value{GDBN} thread number, as
2764 shown in the first field of the @samp{info threads} display.
2765 @value{GDBN} responds by displaying the system identifier of the thread
2766 you selected, and its current stack frame summary:
2767
2768 @smallexample
2769 (@value{GDBP}) thread 2
2770 [Switching to thread 2 (Thread 0xb7fdab70 (LWP 12747))]
2771 #0 some_function (ignore=0x0) at example.c:8
2772 8 printf ("hello\n");
2773 @end smallexample
2774
2775 @noindent
2776 As with the @samp{[New @dots{}]} message, the form of the text after
2777 @samp{Switching to} depends on your system's conventions for identifying
2778 threads.
2779
2780 @vindex $_thread@r{, convenience variable}
2781 The debugger convenience variable @samp{$_thread} contains the number
2782 of the current thread. You may find this useful in writing breakpoint
2783 conditional expressions, command scripts, and so forth. See
2784 @xref{Convenience Vars,, Convenience Variables}, for general
2785 information on convenience variables.
2786
2787 @kindex thread apply
2788 @cindex apply command to several threads
2789 @item thread apply [@var{threadno} | all] @var{command}
2790 The @code{thread apply} command allows you to apply the named
2791 @var{command} to one or more threads. Specify the numbers of the
2792 threads that you want affected with the command argument
2793 @var{threadno}. It can be a single thread number, one of the numbers
2794 shown in the first field of the @samp{info threads} display; or it
2795 could be a range of thread numbers, as in @code{2-4}. To apply a
2796 command to all threads, type @kbd{thread apply all @var{command}}.
2797
2798 @kindex thread name
2799 @cindex name a thread
2800 @item thread name [@var{name}]
2801 This command assigns a name to the current thread. If no argument is
2802 given, any existing user-specified name is removed. The thread name
2803 appears in the @samp{info threads} display.
2804
2805 On some systems, such as @sc{gnu}/Linux, @value{GDBN} is able to
2806 determine the name of the thread as given by the OS. On these
2807 systems, a name specified with @samp{thread name} will override the
2808 system-give name, and removing the user-specified name will cause
2809 @value{GDBN} to once again display the system-specified name.
2810
2811 @kindex thread find
2812 @cindex search for a thread
2813 @item thread find [@var{regexp}]
2814 Search for and display thread ids whose name or @var{systag}
2815 matches the supplied regular expression.
2816
2817 As well as being the complement to the @samp{thread name} command,
2818 this command also allows you to identify a thread by its target
2819 @var{systag}. For instance, on @sc{gnu}/Linux, the target @var{systag}
2820 is the LWP id.
2821
2822 @smallexample
2823 (@value{GDBN}) thread find 26688
2824 Thread 4 has target id 'Thread 0x41e02940 (LWP 26688)'
2825 (@value{GDBN}) info thread 4
2826 Id Target Id Frame
2827 4 Thread 0x41e02940 (LWP 26688) 0x00000031ca6cd372 in select ()
2828 @end smallexample
2829
2830 @kindex set print thread-events
2831 @cindex print messages on thread start and exit
2832 @item set print thread-events
2833 @itemx set print thread-events on
2834 @itemx set print thread-events off
2835 The @code{set print thread-events} command allows you to enable or
2836 disable printing of messages when @value{GDBN} notices that new threads have
2837 started or that threads have exited. By default, these messages will
2838 be printed if detection of these events is supported by the target.
2839 Note that these messages cannot be disabled on all targets.
2840
2841 @kindex show print thread-events
2842 @item show print thread-events
2843 Show whether messages will be printed when @value{GDBN} detects that threads
2844 have started and exited.
2845 @end table
2846
2847 @xref{Thread Stops,,Stopping and Starting Multi-thread Programs}, for
2848 more information about how @value{GDBN} behaves when you stop and start
2849 programs with multiple threads.
2850
2851 @xref{Set Watchpoints,,Setting Watchpoints}, for information about
2852 watchpoints in programs with multiple threads.
2853
2854 @table @code
2855 @kindex set libthread-db-search-path
2856 @cindex search path for @code{libthread_db}
2857 @item set libthread-db-search-path @r{[}@var{path}@r{]}
2858 If this variable is set, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
2859 directories @value{GDBN} will use to search for @code{libthread_db}.
2860 If you omit @var{path}, @samp{libthread-db-search-path} will be reset to
2861 its default value (@code{$sdir:$pdir} on @sc{gnu}/Linux and Solaris systems).
2862 Internally, the default value comes from the @code{LIBTHREAD_DB_SEARCH_PATH}
2863 macro.
2864
2865 On @sc{gnu}/Linux and Solaris systems, @value{GDBN} uses a ``helper''
2866 @code{libthread_db} library to obtain information about threads in the
2867 inferior process. @value{GDBN} will use @samp{libthread-db-search-path}
2868 to find @code{libthread_db}.
2869
2870 A special entry @samp{$sdir} for @samp{libthread-db-search-path}
2871 refers to the default system directories that are
2872 normally searched for loading shared libraries.
2873
2874 A special entry @samp{$pdir} for @samp{libthread-db-search-path}
2875 refers to the directory from which @code{libpthread}
2876 was loaded in the inferior process.
2877
2878 For any @code{libthread_db} library @value{GDBN} finds in above directories,
2879 @value{GDBN} attempts to initialize it with the current inferior process.
2880 If this initialization fails (which could happen because of a version
2881 mismatch between @code{libthread_db} and @code{libpthread}), @value{GDBN}
2882 will unload @code{libthread_db}, and continue with the next directory.
2883 If none of @code{libthread_db} libraries initialize successfully,
2884 @value{GDBN} will issue a warning and thread debugging will be disabled.
2885
2886 Setting @code{libthread-db-search-path} is currently implemented
2887 only on some platforms.
2888
2889 @kindex show libthread-db-search-path
2890 @item show libthread-db-search-path
2891 Display current libthread_db search path.
2892
2893 @kindex set debug libthread-db
2894 @kindex show debug libthread-db
2895 @cindex debugging @code{libthread_db}
2896 @item set debug libthread-db
2897 @itemx show debug libthread-db
2898 Turns on or off display of @code{libthread_db}-related events.
2899 Use @code{1} to enable, @code{0} to disable.
2900 @end table
2901
2902 @node Forks
2903 @section Debugging Forks
2904
2905 @cindex fork, debugging programs which call
2906 @cindex multiple processes
2907 @cindex processes, multiple
2908 On most systems, @value{GDBN} has no special support for debugging
2909 programs which create additional processes using the @code{fork}
2910 function. When a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug the
2911 parent process and the child process will run unimpeded. If you have
2912 set a breakpoint in any code which the child then executes, the child
2913 will get a @code{SIGTRAP} signal which (unless it catches the signal)
2914 will cause it to terminate.
2915
2916 However, if you want to debug the child process there is a workaround
2917 which isn't too painful. Put a call to @code{sleep} in the code which
2918 the child process executes after the fork. It may be useful to sleep
2919 only if a certain environment variable is set, or a certain file exists,
2920 so that the delay need not occur when you don't want to run @value{GDBN}
2921 on the child. While the child is sleeping, use the @code{ps} program to
2922 get its process ID. Then tell @value{GDBN} (a new invocation of
2923 @value{GDBN} if you are also debugging the parent process) to attach to
2924 the child process (@pxref{Attach}). From that point on you can debug
2925 the child process just like any other process which you attached to.
2926
2927 On some systems, @value{GDBN} provides support for debugging programs that
2928 create additional processes using the @code{fork} or @code{vfork} functions.
2929 Currently, the only platforms with this feature are HP-UX (11.x and later
2930 only?) and @sc{gnu}/Linux (kernel version 2.5.60 and later).
2931
2932 By default, when a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug
2933 the parent process and the child process will run unimpeded.
2934
2935 If you want to follow the child process instead of the parent process,
2936 use the command @w{@code{set follow-fork-mode}}.
2937
2938 @table @code
2939 @kindex set follow-fork-mode
2940 @item set follow-fork-mode @var{mode}
2941 Set the debugger response to a program call of @code{fork} or
2942 @code{vfork}. A call to @code{fork} or @code{vfork} creates a new
2943 process. The @var{mode} argument can be:
2944
2945 @table @code
2946 @item parent
2947 The original process is debugged after a fork. The child process runs
2948 unimpeded. This is the default.
2949
2950 @item child
2951 The new process is debugged after a fork. The parent process runs
2952 unimpeded.
2953
2954 @end table
2955
2956 @kindex show follow-fork-mode
2957 @item show follow-fork-mode
2958 Display the current debugger response to a @code{fork} or @code{vfork} call.
2959 @end table
2960
2961 @cindex debugging multiple processes
2962 On Linux, if you want to debug both the parent and child processes, use the
2963 command @w{@code{set detach-on-fork}}.
2964
2965 @table @code
2966 @kindex set detach-on-fork
2967 @item set detach-on-fork @var{mode}
2968 Tells gdb whether to detach one of the processes after a fork, or
2969 retain debugger control over them both.
2970
2971 @table @code
2972 @item on
2973 The child process (or parent process, depending on the value of
2974 @code{follow-fork-mode}) will be detached and allowed to run
2975 independently. This is the default.
2976
2977 @item off
2978 Both processes will be held under the control of @value{GDBN}.
2979 One process (child or parent, depending on the value of
2980 @code{follow-fork-mode}) is debugged as usual, while the other
2981 is held suspended.
2982
2983 @end table
2984
2985 @kindex show detach-on-fork
2986 @item show detach-on-fork
2987 Show whether detach-on-fork mode is on/off.
2988 @end table
2989
2990 If you choose to set @samp{detach-on-fork} mode off, then @value{GDBN}
2991 will retain control of all forked processes (including nested forks).
2992 You can list the forked processes under the control of @value{GDBN} by
2993 using the @w{@code{info inferiors}} command, and switch from one fork
2994 to another by using the @code{inferior} command (@pxref{Inferiors and
2995 Programs, ,Debugging Multiple Inferiors and Programs}).
2996
2997 To quit debugging one of the forked processes, you can either detach
2998 from it by using the @w{@code{detach inferiors}} command (allowing it
2999 to run independently), or kill it using the @w{@code{kill inferiors}}
3000 command. @xref{Inferiors and Programs, ,Debugging Multiple Inferiors
3001 and Programs}.
3002
3003 If you ask to debug a child process and a @code{vfork} is followed by an
3004 @code{exec}, @value{GDBN} executes the new target up to the first
3005 breakpoint in the new target. If you have a breakpoint set on
3006 @code{main} in your original program, the breakpoint will also be set on
3007 the child process's @code{main}.
3008
3009 On some systems, when a child process is spawned by @code{vfork}, you
3010 cannot debug the child or parent until an @code{exec} call completes.
3011
3012 If you issue a @code{run} command to @value{GDBN} after an @code{exec}
3013 call executes, the new target restarts. To restart the parent
3014 process, use the @code{file} command with the parent executable name
3015 as its argument. By default, after an @code{exec} call executes,
3016 @value{GDBN} discards the symbols of the previous executable image.
3017 You can change this behaviour with the @w{@code{set follow-exec-mode}}
3018 command.
3019
3020 @table @code
3021 @kindex set follow-exec-mode
3022 @item set follow-exec-mode @var{mode}
3023
3024 Set debugger response to a program call of @code{exec}. An
3025 @code{exec} call replaces the program image of a process.
3026
3027 @code{follow-exec-mode} can be:
3028
3029 @table @code
3030 @item new
3031 @value{GDBN} creates a new inferior and rebinds the process to this
3032 new inferior. The program the process was running before the
3033 @code{exec} call can be restarted afterwards by restarting the
3034 original inferior.
3035
3036 For example:
3037
3038 @smallexample
3039 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3040 (gdb) info inferior
3041 Id Description Executable
3042 * 1 <null> prog1
3043 (@value{GDBP}) run
3044 process 12020 is executing new program: prog2
3045 Program exited normally.
3046 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3047 Id Description Executable
3048 * 2 <null> prog2
3049 1 <null> prog1
3050 @end smallexample
3051
3052 @item same
3053 @value{GDBN} keeps the process bound to the same inferior. The new
3054 executable image replaces the previous executable loaded in the
3055 inferior. Restarting the inferior after the @code{exec} call, with
3056 e.g., the @code{run} command, restarts the executable the process was
3057 running after the @code{exec} call. This is the default mode.
3058
3059 For example:
3060
3061 @smallexample
3062 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3063 Id Description Executable
3064 * 1 <null> prog1
3065 (@value{GDBP}) run
3066 process 12020 is executing new program: prog2
3067 Program exited normally.
3068 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3069 Id Description Executable
3070 * 1 <null> prog2
3071 @end smallexample
3072
3073 @end table
3074 @end table
3075
3076 You can use the @code{catch} command to make @value{GDBN} stop whenever
3077 a @code{fork}, @code{vfork}, or @code{exec} call is made. @xref{Set
3078 Catchpoints, ,Setting Catchpoints}.
3079
3080 @node Checkpoint/Restart
3081 @section Setting a @emph{Bookmark} to Return to Later
3082
3083 @cindex checkpoint
3084 @cindex restart
3085 @cindex bookmark
3086 @cindex snapshot of a process
3087 @cindex rewind program state
3088
3089 On certain operating systems@footnote{Currently, only
3090 @sc{gnu}/Linux.}, @value{GDBN} is able to save a @dfn{snapshot} of a
3091 program's state, called a @dfn{checkpoint}, and come back to it
3092 later.
3093
3094 Returning to a checkpoint effectively undoes everything that has
3095 happened in the program since the @code{checkpoint} was saved. This
3096 includes changes in memory, registers, and even (within some limits)
3097 system state. Effectively, it is like going back in time to the
3098 moment when the checkpoint was saved.
3099
3100 Thus, if you're stepping thru a program and you think you're
3101 getting close to the point where things go wrong, you can save
3102 a checkpoint. Then, if you accidentally go too far and miss
3103 the critical statement, instead of having to restart your program
3104 from the beginning, you can just go back to the checkpoint and
3105 start again from there.
3106
3107 This can be especially useful if it takes a lot of time or
3108 steps to reach the point where you think the bug occurs.
3109
3110 To use the @code{checkpoint}/@code{restart} method of debugging:
3111
3112 @table @code
3113 @kindex checkpoint
3114 @item checkpoint
3115 Save a snapshot of the debugged program's current execution state.
3116 The @code{checkpoint} command takes no arguments, but each checkpoint
3117 is assigned a small integer id, similar to a breakpoint id.
3118
3119 @kindex info checkpoints
3120 @item info checkpoints
3121 List the checkpoints that have been saved in the current debugging
3122 session. For each checkpoint, the following information will be
3123 listed:
3124
3125 @table @code
3126 @item Checkpoint ID
3127 @item Process ID
3128 @item Code Address
3129 @item Source line, or label
3130 @end table
3131
3132 @kindex restart @var{checkpoint-id}
3133 @item restart @var{checkpoint-id}
3134 Restore the program state that was saved as checkpoint number
3135 @var{checkpoint-id}. All program variables, registers, stack frames
3136 etc.@: will be returned to the values that they had when the checkpoint
3137 was saved. In essence, gdb will ``wind back the clock'' to the point
3138 in time when the checkpoint was saved.
3139
3140 Note that breakpoints, @value{GDBN} variables, command history etc.
3141 are not affected by restoring a checkpoint. In general, a checkpoint
3142 only restores things that reside in the program being debugged, not in
3143 the debugger.
3144
3145 @kindex delete checkpoint @var{checkpoint-id}
3146 @item delete checkpoint @var{checkpoint-id}
3147 Delete the previously-saved checkpoint identified by @var{checkpoint-id}.
3148
3149 @end table
3150
3151 Returning to a previously saved checkpoint will restore the user state
3152 of the program being debugged, plus a significant subset of the system
3153 (OS) state, including file pointers. It won't ``un-write'' data from
3154 a file, but it will rewind the file pointer to the previous location,
3155 so that the previously written data can be overwritten. For files
3156 opened in read mode, the pointer will also be restored so that the
3157 previously read data can be read again.
3158
3159 Of course, characters that have been sent to a printer (or other
3160 external device) cannot be ``snatched back'', and characters received
3161 from eg.@: a serial device can be removed from internal program buffers,
3162 but they cannot be ``pushed back'' into the serial pipeline, ready to
3163 be received again. Similarly, the actual contents of files that have
3164 been changed cannot be restored (at this time).
3165
3166 However, within those constraints, you actually can ``rewind'' your
3167 program to a previously saved point in time, and begin debugging it
3168 again --- and you can change the course of events so as to debug a
3169 different execution path this time.
3170
3171 @cindex checkpoints and process id
3172 Finally, there is one bit of internal program state that will be
3173 different when you return to a checkpoint --- the program's process
3174 id. Each checkpoint will have a unique process id (or @var{pid}),
3175 and each will be different from the program's original @var{pid}.
3176 If your program has saved a local copy of its process id, this could
3177 potentially pose a problem.
3178
3179 @subsection A Non-obvious Benefit of Using Checkpoints
3180
3181 On some systems such as @sc{gnu}/Linux, address space randomization
3182 is performed on new processes for security reasons. This makes it
3183 difficult or impossible to set a breakpoint, or watchpoint, on an
3184 absolute address if you have to restart the program, since the
3185 absolute location of a symbol will change from one execution to the
3186 next.
3187
3188 A checkpoint, however, is an @emph{identical} copy of a process.
3189 Therefore if you create a checkpoint at (eg.@:) the start of main,
3190 and simply return to that checkpoint instead of restarting the
3191 process, you can avoid the effects of address randomization and
3192 your symbols will all stay in the same place.
3193
3194 @node Stopping
3195 @chapter Stopping and Continuing
3196
3197 The principal purposes of using a debugger are so that you can stop your
3198 program before it terminates; or so that, if your program runs into
3199 trouble, you can investigate and find out why.
3200
3201 Inside @value{GDBN}, your program may stop for any of several reasons,
3202 such as a signal, a breakpoint, or reaching a new line after a
3203 @value{GDBN} command such as @code{step}. You may then examine and
3204 change variables, set new breakpoints or remove old ones, and then
3205 continue execution. Usually, the messages shown by @value{GDBN} provide
3206 ample explanation of the status of your program---but you can also
3207 explicitly request this information at any time.
3208
3209 @table @code
3210 @kindex info program
3211 @item info program
3212 Display information about the status of your program: whether it is
3213 running or not, what process it is, and why it stopped.
3214 @end table
3215
3216 @menu
3217 * Breakpoints:: Breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints
3218 * Continuing and Stepping:: Resuming execution
3219 * Signals:: Signals
3220 * Thread Stops:: Stopping and starting multi-thread programs
3221 @end menu
3222
3223 @node Breakpoints
3224 @section Breakpoints, Watchpoints, and Catchpoints
3225
3226 @cindex breakpoints
3227 A @dfn{breakpoint} makes your program stop whenever a certain point in
3228 the program is reached. For each breakpoint, you can add conditions to
3229 control in finer detail whether your program stops. You can set
3230 breakpoints with the @code{break} command and its variants (@pxref{Set
3231 Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}), to specify the place where your program
3232 should stop by line number, function name or exact address in the
3233 program.
3234
3235 On some systems, you can set breakpoints in shared libraries before
3236 the executable is run. There is a minor limitation on HP-UX systems:
3237 you must wait until the executable is run in order to set breakpoints
3238 in shared library routines that are not called directly by the program
3239 (for example, routines that are arguments in a @code{pthread_create}
3240 call).
3241
3242 @cindex watchpoints
3243 @cindex data breakpoints
3244 @cindex memory tracing
3245 @cindex breakpoint on memory address
3246 @cindex breakpoint on variable modification
3247 A @dfn{watchpoint} is a special breakpoint that stops your program
3248 when the value of an expression changes. The expression may be a value
3249 of a variable, or it could involve values of one or more variables
3250 combined by operators, such as @samp{a + b}. This is sometimes called
3251 @dfn{data breakpoints}. You must use a different command to set
3252 watchpoints (@pxref{Set Watchpoints, ,Setting Watchpoints}), but aside
3253 from that, you can manage a watchpoint like any other breakpoint: you
3254 enable, disable, and delete both breakpoints and watchpoints using the
3255 same commands.
3256
3257 You can arrange to have values from your program displayed automatically
3258 whenever @value{GDBN} stops at a breakpoint. @xref{Auto Display,,
3259 Automatic Display}.
3260
3261 @cindex catchpoints
3262 @cindex breakpoint on events
3263 A @dfn{catchpoint} is another special breakpoint that stops your program
3264 when a certain kind of event occurs, such as the throwing of a C@t{++}
3265 exception or the loading of a library. As with watchpoints, you use a
3266 different command to set a catchpoint (@pxref{Set Catchpoints, ,Setting
3267 Catchpoints}), but aside from that, you can manage a catchpoint like any
3268 other breakpoint. (To stop when your program receives a signal, use the
3269 @code{handle} command; see @ref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
3270
3271 @cindex breakpoint numbers
3272 @cindex numbers for breakpoints
3273 @value{GDBN} assigns a number to each breakpoint, watchpoint, or
3274 catchpoint when you create it; these numbers are successive integers
3275 starting with one. In many of the commands for controlling various
3276 features of breakpoints you use the breakpoint number to say which
3277 breakpoint you want to change. Each breakpoint may be @dfn{enabled} or
3278 @dfn{disabled}; if disabled, it has no effect on your program until you
3279 enable it again.
3280
3281 @cindex breakpoint ranges
3282 @cindex ranges of breakpoints
3283 Some @value{GDBN} commands accept a range of breakpoints on which to
3284 operate. A breakpoint range is either a single breakpoint number, like
3285 @samp{5}, or two such numbers, in increasing order, separated by a
3286 hyphen, like @samp{5-7}. When a breakpoint range is given to a command,
3287 all breakpoints in that range are operated on.
3288
3289 @menu
3290 * Set Breaks:: Setting breakpoints
3291 * Set Watchpoints:: Setting watchpoints
3292 * Set Catchpoints:: Setting catchpoints
3293 * Delete Breaks:: Deleting breakpoints
3294 * Disabling:: Disabling breakpoints
3295 * Conditions:: Break conditions
3296 * Break Commands:: Breakpoint command lists
3297 * Save Breakpoints:: How to save breakpoints in a file
3298 * Error in Breakpoints:: ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
3299 * Breakpoint-related Warnings:: ``Breakpoint address adjusted...''
3300 @end menu
3301
3302 @node Set Breaks
3303 @subsection Setting Breakpoints
3304
3305 @c FIXME LMB what does GDB do if no code on line of breakpt?
3306 @c consider in particular declaration with/without initialization.
3307 @c
3308 @c FIXME 2 is there stuff on this already? break at fun start, already init?
3309
3310 @kindex break
3311 @kindex b @r{(@code{break})}
3312 @vindex $bpnum@r{, convenience variable}
3313 @cindex latest breakpoint
3314 Breakpoints are set with the @code{break} command (abbreviated
3315 @code{b}). The debugger convenience variable @samp{$bpnum} records the
3316 number of the breakpoint you've set most recently; see @ref{Convenience
3317 Vars,, Convenience Variables}, for a discussion of what you can do with
3318 convenience variables.
3319
3320 @table @code
3321 @item break @var{location}
3322 Set a breakpoint at the given @var{location}, which can specify a
3323 function name, a line number, or an address of an instruction.
3324 (@xref{Specify Location}, for a list of all the possible ways to
3325 specify a @var{location}.) The breakpoint will stop your program just
3326 before it executes any of the code in the specified @var{location}.
3327
3328 When using source languages that permit overloading of symbols, such as
3329 C@t{++}, a function name may refer to more than one possible place to break.
3330 @xref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous Expressions}, for a discussion of
3331 that situation.
3332
3333 It is also possible to insert a breakpoint that will stop the program
3334 only if a specific thread (@pxref{Thread-Specific Breakpoints})
3335 or a specific task (@pxref{Ada Tasks}) hits that breakpoint.
3336
3337 @item break
3338 When called without any arguments, @code{break} sets a breakpoint at
3339 the next instruction to be executed in the selected stack frame
3340 (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the Stack}). In any selected frame but the
3341 innermost, this makes your program stop as soon as control
3342 returns to that frame. This is similar to the effect of a
3343 @code{finish} command in the frame inside the selected frame---except
3344 that @code{finish} does not leave an active breakpoint. If you use
3345 @code{break} without an argument in the innermost frame, @value{GDBN} stops
3346 the next time it reaches the current location; this may be useful
3347 inside loops.
3348
3349 @value{GDBN} normally ignores breakpoints when it resumes execution, until at
3350 least one instruction has been executed. If it did not do this, you
3351 would be unable to proceed past a breakpoint without first disabling the
3352 breakpoint. This rule applies whether or not the breakpoint already
3353 existed when your program stopped.
3354
3355 @item break @dots{} if @var{cond}
3356 Set a breakpoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
3357 @var{cond} each time the breakpoint is reached, and stop only if the
3358 value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
3359 @samp{@dots{}} stands for one of the possible arguments described
3360 above (or no argument) specifying where to break. @xref{Conditions,
3361 ,Break Conditions}, for more information on breakpoint conditions.
3362
3363 @kindex tbreak
3364 @item tbreak @var{args}
3365 Set a breakpoint enabled only for one stop. @var{args} are the
3366 same as for the @code{break} command, and the breakpoint is set in the same
3367 way, but the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the first time your
3368 program stops there. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}.
3369
3370 @kindex hbreak
3371 @cindex hardware breakpoints
3372 @item hbreak @var{args}
3373 Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint. @var{args} are the same as for the
3374 @code{break} command and the breakpoint is set in the same way, but the
3375 breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware may not
3376 have this support. The main purpose of this is EPROM/ROM code
3377 debugging, so you can set a breakpoint at an instruction without
3378 changing the instruction. This can be used with the new trap-generation
3379 provided by SPARClite DSU and most x86-based targets. These targets
3380 will generate traps when a program accesses some data or instruction
3381 address that is assigned to the debug registers. However the hardware
3382 breakpoint registers can take a limited number of breakpoints. For
3383 example, on the DSU, only two data breakpoints can be set at a time, and
3384 @value{GDBN} will reject this command if more than two are used. Delete
3385 or disable unused hardware breakpoints before setting new ones
3386 (@pxref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}).
3387 @xref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}.
3388 For remote targets, you can restrict the number of hardware
3389 breakpoints @value{GDBN} will use, see @ref{set remote
3390 hardware-breakpoint-limit}.
3391
3392 @kindex thbreak
3393 @item thbreak @var{args}
3394 Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint enabled only for one stop. @var{args}
3395 are the same as for the @code{hbreak} command and the breakpoint is set in
3396 the same way. However, like the @code{tbreak} command,
3397 the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the
3398 first time your program stops there. Also, like the @code{hbreak}
3399 command, the breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware
3400 may not have this support. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}.
3401 See also @ref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}.
3402
3403 @kindex rbreak
3404 @cindex regular expression
3405 @cindex breakpoints at functions matching a regexp
3406 @cindex set breakpoints in many functions
3407 @item rbreak @var{regex}
3408 Set breakpoints on all functions matching the regular expression
3409 @var{regex}. This command sets an unconditional breakpoint on all
3410 matches, printing a list of all breakpoints it set. Once these
3411 breakpoints are set, they are treated just like the breakpoints set with
3412 the @code{break} command. You can delete them, disable them, or make
3413 them conditional the same way as any other breakpoint.
3414
3415 The syntax of the regular expression is the standard one used with tools
3416 like @file{grep}. Note that this is different from the syntax used by
3417 shells, so for instance @code{foo*} matches all functions that include
3418 an @code{fo} followed by zero or more @code{o}s. There is an implicit
3419 @code{.*} leading and trailing the regular expression you supply, so to
3420 match only functions that begin with @code{foo}, use @code{^foo}.
3421
3422 @cindex non-member C@t{++} functions, set breakpoint in
3423 When debugging C@t{++} programs, @code{rbreak} is useful for setting
3424 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
3425 classes.
3426
3427 @cindex set breakpoints on all functions
3428 The @code{rbreak} command can be used to set breakpoints in
3429 @strong{all} the functions in a program, like this:
3430
3431 @smallexample
3432 (@value{GDBP}) rbreak .
3433 @end smallexample
3434
3435 @item rbreak @var{file}:@var{regex}
3436 If @code{rbreak} is called with a filename qualification, it limits
3437 the search for functions matching the given regular expression to the
3438 specified @var{file}. This can be used, for example, to set breakpoints on
3439 every function in a given file:
3440
3441 @smallexample
3442 (@value{GDBP}) rbreak file.c:.
3443 @end smallexample
3444
3445 The colon separating the filename qualifier from the regex may
3446 optionally be surrounded by spaces.
3447
3448 @kindex info breakpoints
3449 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info breakpoints}
3450 @item info breakpoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
3451 @itemx info break @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
3452 Print a table of all breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints set and
3453 not deleted. Optional argument @var{n} means print information only
3454 about the specified breakpoint(s) (or watchpoint(s) or catchpoint(s)).
3455 For each breakpoint, following columns are printed:
3456
3457 @table @emph
3458 @item Breakpoint Numbers
3459 @item Type
3460 Breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint.
3461 @item Disposition
3462 Whether the breakpoint is marked to be disabled or deleted when hit.
3463 @item Enabled or Disabled
3464 Enabled breakpoints are marked with @samp{y}. @samp{n} marks breakpoints
3465 that are not enabled.
3466 @item Address
3467 Where the breakpoint is in your program, as a memory address. For a
3468 pending breakpoint whose address is not yet known, this field will
3469 contain @samp{<PENDING>}. Such breakpoint won't fire until a shared
3470 library that has the symbol or line referred by breakpoint is loaded.
3471 See below for details. A breakpoint with several locations will
3472 have @samp{<MULTIPLE>} in this field---see below for details.
3473 @item What
3474 Where the breakpoint is in the source for your program, as a file and
3475 line number. For a pending breakpoint, the original string passed to
3476 the breakpoint command will be listed as it cannot be resolved until
3477 the appropriate shared library is loaded in the future.
3478 @end table
3479
3480 @noindent
3481 If a breakpoint is conditional, @code{info break} shows the condition on
3482 the line following the affected breakpoint; breakpoint commands, if any,
3483 are listed after that. A pending breakpoint is allowed to have a condition
3484 specified for it. The condition is not parsed for validity until a shared
3485 library is loaded that allows the pending breakpoint to resolve to a
3486 valid location.
3487
3488 @noindent
3489 @code{info break} with a breakpoint
3490 number @var{n} as argument lists only that breakpoint. The
3491 convenience variable @code{$_} and the default examining-address for
3492 the @code{x} command are set to the address of the last breakpoint
3493 listed (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}).
3494
3495 @noindent
3496 @code{info break} displays a count of the number of times the breakpoint
3497 has been hit. This is especially useful in conjunction with the
3498 @code{ignore} command. You can ignore a large number of breakpoint
3499 hits, look at the breakpoint info to see how many times the breakpoint
3500 was hit, and then run again, ignoring one less than that number. This
3501 will get you quickly to the last hit of that breakpoint.
3502 @end table
3503
3504 @value{GDBN} allows you to set any number of breakpoints at the same place in
3505 your program. There is nothing silly or meaningless about this. When
3506 the breakpoints are conditional, this is even useful
3507 (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
3508
3509 @cindex multiple locations, breakpoints
3510 @cindex breakpoints, multiple locations
3511 It is possible that a breakpoint corresponds to several locations
3512 in your program. Examples of this situation are:
3513
3514 @itemize @bullet
3515 @item
3516 For a C@t{++} constructor, the @value{NGCC} compiler generates several
3517 instances of the function body, used in different cases.
3518
3519 @item
3520 For a C@t{++} template function, a given line in the function can
3521 correspond to any number of instantiations.
3522
3523 @item
3524 For an inlined function, a given source line can correspond to
3525 several places where that function is inlined.
3526 @end itemize
3527
3528 In all those cases, @value{GDBN} will insert a breakpoint at all
3529 the relevant locations@footnote{
3530 As of this writing, multiple-location breakpoints work only if there's
3531 line number information for all the locations. This means that they
3532 will generally not work in system libraries, unless you have debug
3533 info with line numbers for them.}.
3534
3535 A breakpoint with multiple locations is displayed in the breakpoint
3536 table using several rows---one header row, followed by one row for
3537 each breakpoint location. The header row has @samp{<MULTIPLE>} in the
3538 address column. The rows for individual locations contain the actual
3539 addresses for locations, and show the functions to which those
3540 locations belong. The number column for a location is of the form
3541 @var{breakpoint-number}.@var{location-number}.
3542
3543 For example:
3544
3545 @smallexample
3546 Num Type Disp Enb Address What
3547 1 breakpoint keep y <MULTIPLE>
3548 stop only if i==1
3549 breakpoint already hit 1 time
3550 1.1 y 0x080486a2 in void foo<int>() at t.cc:8
3551 1.2 y 0x080486ca in void foo<double>() at t.cc:8
3552 @end smallexample
3553
3554 Each location can be individually enabled or disabled by passing
3555 @var{breakpoint-number}.@var{location-number} as argument to the
3556 @code{enable} and @code{disable} commands. Note that you cannot
3557 delete the individual locations from the list, you can only delete the
3558 entire list of locations that belong to their parent breakpoint (with
3559 the @kbd{delete @var{num}} command, where @var{num} is the number of
3560 the parent breakpoint, 1 in the above example). Disabling or enabling
3561 the parent breakpoint (@pxref{Disabling}) affects all of the locations
3562 that belong to that breakpoint.
3563
3564 @cindex pending breakpoints
3565 It's quite common to have a breakpoint inside a shared library.
3566 Shared libraries can be loaded and unloaded explicitly,
3567 and possibly repeatedly, as the program is executed. To support
3568 this use case, @value{GDBN} updates breakpoint locations whenever
3569 any shared library is loaded or unloaded. Typically, you would
3570 set a breakpoint in a shared library at the beginning of your
3571 debugging session, when the library is not loaded, and when the
3572 symbols from the library are not available. When you try to set
3573 breakpoint, @value{GDBN} will ask you if you want to set
3574 a so called @dfn{pending breakpoint}---breakpoint whose address
3575 is not yet resolved.
3576
3577 After the program is run, whenever a new shared library is loaded,
3578 @value{GDBN} reevaluates all the breakpoints. When a newly loaded
3579 shared library contains the symbol or line referred to by some
3580 pending breakpoint, that breakpoint is resolved and becomes an
3581 ordinary breakpoint. When a library is unloaded, all breakpoints
3582 that refer to its symbols or source lines become pending again.
3583
3584 This logic works for breakpoints with multiple locations, too. For
3585 example, if you have a breakpoint in a C@t{++} template function, and
3586 a newly loaded shared library has an instantiation of that template,
3587 a new location is added to the list of locations for the breakpoint.
3588
3589 Except for having unresolved address, pending breakpoints do not
3590 differ from regular breakpoints. You can set conditions or commands,
3591 enable and disable them and perform other breakpoint operations.
3592
3593 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling what
3594 happens when the @samp{break} command cannot resolve breakpoint
3595 address specification to an address:
3596
3597 @kindex set breakpoint pending
3598 @kindex show breakpoint pending
3599 @table @code
3600 @item set breakpoint pending auto
3601 This is the default behavior. When @value{GDBN} cannot find the breakpoint
3602 location, it queries you whether a pending breakpoint should be created.
3603
3604 @item set breakpoint pending on
3605 This indicates that an unrecognized breakpoint location should automatically
3606 result in a pending breakpoint being created.
3607
3608 @item set breakpoint pending off
3609 This indicates that pending breakpoints are not to be created. Any
3610 unrecognized breakpoint location results in an error. This setting does
3611 not affect any pending breakpoints previously created.
3612
3613 @item show breakpoint pending
3614 Show the current behavior setting for creating pending breakpoints.
3615 @end table
3616
3617 The settings above only affect the @code{break} command and its
3618 variants. Once breakpoint is set, it will be automatically updated
3619 as shared libraries are loaded and unloaded.
3620
3621 @cindex automatic hardware breakpoints
3622 For some targets, @value{GDBN} can automatically decide if hardware or
3623 software breakpoints should be used, depending on whether the
3624 breakpoint address is read-only or read-write. This applies to
3625 breakpoints set with the @code{break} command as well as to internal
3626 breakpoints set by commands like @code{next} and @code{finish}. For
3627 breakpoints set with @code{hbreak}, @value{GDBN} will always use hardware
3628 breakpoints.
3629
3630 You can control this automatic behaviour with the following commands::
3631
3632 @kindex set breakpoint auto-hw
3633 @kindex show breakpoint auto-hw
3634 @table @code
3635 @item set breakpoint auto-hw on
3636 This is the default behavior. When @value{GDBN} sets a breakpoint, it
3637 will try to use the target memory map to decide if software or hardware
3638 breakpoint must be used.
3639
3640 @item set breakpoint auto-hw off
3641 This indicates @value{GDBN} should not automatically select breakpoint
3642 type. If the target provides a memory map, @value{GDBN} will warn when
3643 trying to set software breakpoint at a read-only address.
3644 @end table
3645
3646 @value{GDBN} normally implements breakpoints by replacing the program code
3647 at the breakpoint address with a special instruction, which, when
3648 executed, given control to the debugger. By default, the program
3649 code is so modified only when the program is resumed. As soon as
3650 the program stops, @value{GDBN} restores the original instructions. This
3651 behaviour guards against leaving breakpoints inserted in the
3652 target should gdb abrubptly disconnect. However, with slow remote
3653 targets, inserting and removing breakpoint can reduce the performance.
3654 This behavior can be controlled with the following commands::
3655
3656 @kindex set breakpoint always-inserted
3657 @kindex show breakpoint always-inserted
3658 @table @code
3659 @item set breakpoint always-inserted off
3660 All breakpoints, including newly added by the user, are inserted in
3661 the target only when the target is resumed. All breakpoints are
3662 removed from the target when it stops.
3663
3664 @item set breakpoint always-inserted on
3665 Causes all breakpoints to be inserted in the target at all times. If
3666 the user adds a new breakpoint, or changes an existing breakpoint, the
3667 breakpoints in the target are updated immediately. A breakpoint is
3668 removed from the target only when breakpoint itself is removed.
3669
3670 @cindex non-stop mode, and @code{breakpoint always-inserted}
3671 @item set breakpoint always-inserted auto
3672 This is the default mode. If @value{GDBN} is controlling the inferior
3673 in non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}), gdb behaves as if
3674 @code{breakpoint always-inserted} mode is on. If @value{GDBN} is
3675 controlling the inferior in all-stop mode, @value{GDBN} behaves as if
3676 @code{breakpoint always-inserted} mode is off.
3677 @end table
3678
3679 @cindex negative breakpoint numbers
3680 @cindex internal @value{GDBN} breakpoints
3681 @value{GDBN} itself sometimes sets breakpoints in your program for
3682 special purposes, such as proper handling of @code{longjmp} (in C
3683 programs). These internal breakpoints are assigned negative numbers,
3684 starting with @code{-1}; @samp{info breakpoints} does not display them.
3685 You can see these breakpoints with the @value{GDBN} maintenance command
3686 @samp{maint info breakpoints} (@pxref{maint info breakpoints}).
3687
3688
3689 @node Set Watchpoints
3690 @subsection Setting Watchpoints
3691
3692 @cindex setting watchpoints
3693 You can use a watchpoint to stop execution whenever the value of an
3694 expression changes, without having to predict a particular place where
3695 this may happen. (This is sometimes called a @dfn{data breakpoint}.)
3696 The expression may be as simple as the value of a single variable, or
3697 as complex as many variables combined by operators. Examples include:
3698
3699 @itemize @bullet
3700 @item
3701 A reference to the value of a single variable.
3702
3703 @item
3704 An address cast to an appropriate data type. For example,
3705 @samp{*(int *)0x12345678} will watch a 4-byte region at the specified
3706 address (assuming an @code{int} occupies 4 bytes).
3707
3708 @item
3709 An arbitrarily complex expression, such as @samp{a*b + c/d}. The
3710 expression can use any operators valid in the program's native
3711 language (@pxref{Languages}).
3712 @end itemize
3713
3714 You can set a watchpoint on an expression even if the expression can
3715 not be evaluated yet. For instance, you can set a watchpoint on
3716 @samp{*global_ptr} before @samp{global_ptr} is initialized.
3717 @value{GDBN} will stop when your program sets @samp{global_ptr} and
3718 the expression produces a valid value. If the expression becomes
3719 valid in some other way than changing a variable (e.g.@: if the memory
3720 pointed to by @samp{*global_ptr} becomes readable as the result of a
3721 @code{malloc} call), @value{GDBN} may not stop until the next time
3722 the expression changes.
3723
3724 @cindex software watchpoints
3725 @cindex hardware watchpoints
3726 Depending on your system, watchpoints may be implemented in software or
3727 hardware. @value{GDBN} does software watchpointing by single-stepping your
3728 program and testing the variable's value each time, which is hundreds of
3729 times slower than normal execution. (But this may still be worth it, to
3730 catch errors where you have no clue what part of your program is the
3731 culprit.)
3732
3733 On some systems, such as HP-UX, PowerPC, @sc{gnu}/Linux and most other
3734 x86-based targets, @value{GDBN} includes support for hardware
3735 watchpoints, which do not slow down the running of your program.
3736
3737 @table @code
3738 @kindex watch
3739 @item watch @r{[}-l@r{|}-location@r{]} @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]} @r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}
3740 Set a watchpoint for an expression. @value{GDBN} will break when the
3741 expression @var{expr} is written into by the program and its value
3742 changes. The simplest (and the most popular) use of this command is
3743 to watch the value of a single variable:
3744
3745 @smallexample
3746 (@value{GDBP}) watch foo
3747 @end smallexample
3748
3749 If the command includes a @code{@r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]}}
3750 argument, @value{GDBN} breaks only when the thread identified by
3751 @var{threadnum} changes the value of @var{expr}. If any other threads
3752 change the value of @var{expr}, @value{GDBN} will not break. Note
3753 that watchpoints restricted to a single thread in this way only work
3754 with Hardware Watchpoints.
3755
3756 Ordinarily a watchpoint respects the scope of variables in @var{expr}
3757 (see below). The @code{-location} argument tells @value{GDBN} to
3758 instead watch the memory referred to by @var{expr}. In this case,
3759 @value{GDBN} will evaluate @var{expr}, take the address of the result,
3760 and watch the memory at that address. The type of the result is used
3761 to determine the size of the watched memory. If the expression's
3762 result does not have an address, then @value{GDBN} will print an
3763 error.
3764
3765 The @code{@r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}} argument allows creation
3766 of masked watchpoints, if the current architecture supports this
3767 feature (e.g., PowerPC Embedded architecture, see @ref{PowerPC
3768 Embedded}.) A @dfn{masked watchpoint} specifies a mask in addition
3769 to an address to watch. The mask specifies that some bits of an address
3770 (the bits which are reset in the mask) should be ignored when matching
3771 the address accessed by the inferior against the watchpoint address.
3772 Thus, a masked watchpoint watches many addresses simultaneously---those
3773 addresses whose unmasked bits are identical to the unmasked bits in the
3774 watchpoint address. The @code{mask} argument implies @code{-location}.
3775 Examples:
3776
3777 @smallexample
3778 (@value{GDBP}) watch foo mask 0xffff00ff
3779 (@value{GDBP}) watch *0xdeadbeef mask 0xffffff00
3780 @end smallexample
3781
3782 @kindex rwatch
3783 @item rwatch @r{[}-l@r{|}-location@r{]} @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]} @r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}
3784 Set a watchpoint that will break when the value of @var{expr} is read
3785 by the program.
3786
3787 @kindex awatch
3788 @item awatch @r{[}-l@r{|}-location@r{]} @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]} @r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}
3789 Set a watchpoint that will break when @var{expr} is either read from
3790 or written into by the program.
3791
3792 @kindex info watchpoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
3793 @item info watchpoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
3794 This command prints a list of watchpoints, using the same format as
3795 @code{info break} (@pxref{Set Breaks}).
3796 @end table
3797
3798 If you watch for a change in a numerically entered address you need to
3799 dereference it, as the address itself is just a constant number which will
3800 never change. @value{GDBN} refuses to create a watchpoint that watches
3801 a never-changing value:
3802
3803 @smallexample
3804 (@value{GDBP}) watch 0x600850
3805 Cannot watch constant value 0x600850.
3806 (@value{GDBP}) watch *(int *) 0x600850
3807 Watchpoint 1: *(int *) 6293584
3808 @end smallexample
3809
3810 @value{GDBN} sets a @dfn{hardware watchpoint} if possible. Hardware
3811 watchpoints execute very quickly, and the debugger reports a change in
3812 value at the exact instruction where the change occurs. If @value{GDBN}
3813 cannot set a hardware watchpoint, it sets a software watchpoint, which
3814 executes more slowly and reports the change in value at the next
3815 @emph{statement}, not the instruction, after the change occurs.
3816
3817 @cindex use only software watchpoints
3818 You can force @value{GDBN} to use only software watchpoints with the
3819 @kbd{set can-use-hw-watchpoints 0} command. With this variable set to
3820 zero, @value{GDBN} will never try to use hardware watchpoints, even if
3821 the underlying system supports them. (Note that hardware-assisted
3822 watchpoints that were set @emph{before} setting
3823 @code{can-use-hw-watchpoints} to zero will still use the hardware
3824 mechanism of watching expression values.)
3825
3826 @table @code
3827 @item set can-use-hw-watchpoints
3828 @kindex set can-use-hw-watchpoints
3829 Set whether or not to use hardware watchpoints.
3830
3831 @item show can-use-hw-watchpoints
3832 @kindex show can-use-hw-watchpoints
3833 Show the current mode of using hardware watchpoints.
3834 @end table
3835
3836 For remote targets, you can restrict the number of hardware
3837 watchpoints @value{GDBN} will use, see @ref{set remote
3838 hardware-breakpoint-limit}.
3839
3840 When you issue the @code{watch} command, @value{GDBN} reports
3841
3842 @smallexample
3843 Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: @var{expr}
3844 @end smallexample
3845
3846 @noindent
3847 if it was able to set a hardware watchpoint.
3848
3849 Currently, the @code{awatch} and @code{rwatch} commands can only set
3850 hardware watchpoints, because accesses to data that don't change the
3851 value of the watched expression cannot be detected without examining
3852 every instruction as it is being executed, and @value{GDBN} does not do
3853 that currently. If @value{GDBN} finds that it is unable to set a
3854 hardware breakpoint with the @code{awatch} or @code{rwatch} command, it
3855 will print a message like this:
3856
3857 @smallexample
3858 Expression cannot be implemented with read/access watchpoint.
3859 @end smallexample
3860
3861 Sometimes, @value{GDBN} cannot set a hardware watchpoint because the
3862 data type of the watched expression is wider than what a hardware
3863 watchpoint on the target machine can handle. For example, some systems
3864 can only watch regions that are up to 4 bytes wide; on such systems you
3865 cannot set hardware watchpoints for an expression that yields a
3866 double-precision floating-point number (which is typically 8 bytes
3867 wide). As a work-around, it might be possible to break the large region
3868 into a series of smaller ones and watch them with separate watchpoints.
3869
3870 If you set too many hardware watchpoints, @value{GDBN} might be unable
3871 to insert all of them when you resume the execution of your program.
3872 Since the precise number of active watchpoints is unknown until such
3873 time as the program is about to be resumed, @value{GDBN} might not be
3874 able to warn you about this when you set the watchpoints, and the
3875 warning will be printed only when the program is resumed:
3876
3877 @smallexample
3878 Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: Could not insert watchpoint
3879 @end smallexample
3880
3881 @noindent
3882 If this happens, delete or disable some of the watchpoints.
3883
3884 Watching complex expressions that reference many variables can also
3885 exhaust the resources available for hardware-assisted watchpoints.
3886 That's because @value{GDBN} needs to watch every variable in the
3887 expression with separately allocated resources.
3888
3889 If you call a function interactively using @code{print} or @code{call},
3890 any watchpoints you have set will be inactive until @value{GDBN} reaches another
3891 kind of breakpoint or the call completes.
3892
3893 @value{GDBN} automatically deletes watchpoints that watch local
3894 (automatic) variables, or expressions that involve such variables, when
3895 they go out of scope, that is, when the execution leaves the block in
3896 which these variables were defined. In particular, when the program
3897 being debugged terminates, @emph{all} local variables go out of scope,
3898 and so only watchpoints that watch global variables remain set. If you
3899 rerun the program, you will need to set all such watchpoints again. One
3900 way of doing that would be to set a code breakpoint at the entry to the
3901 @code{main} function and when it breaks, set all the watchpoints.
3902
3903 @cindex watchpoints and threads
3904 @cindex threads and watchpoints
3905 In multi-threaded programs, watchpoints will detect changes to the
3906 watched expression from every thread.
3907
3908 @quotation
3909 @emph{Warning:} In multi-threaded programs, software watchpoints
3910 have only limited usefulness. If @value{GDBN} creates a software
3911 watchpoint, it can only watch the value of an expression @emph{in a
3912 single thread}. If you are confident that the expression can only
3913 change due to the current thread's activity (and if you are also
3914 confident that no other thread can become current), then you can use
3915 software watchpoints as usual. However, @value{GDBN} may not notice
3916 when a non-current thread's activity changes the expression. (Hardware
3917 watchpoints, in contrast, watch an expression in all threads.)
3918 @end quotation
3919
3920 @xref{set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit}.
3921
3922 @node Set Catchpoints
3923 @subsection Setting Catchpoints
3924 @cindex catchpoints, setting
3925 @cindex exception handlers
3926 @cindex event handling
3927
3928 You can use @dfn{catchpoints} to cause the debugger to stop for certain
3929 kinds of program events, such as C@t{++} exceptions or the loading of a
3930 shared library. Use the @code{catch} command to set a catchpoint.
3931
3932 @table @code
3933 @kindex catch
3934 @item catch @var{event}
3935 Stop when @var{event} occurs. @var{event} can be any of the following:
3936 @table @code
3937 @item throw
3938 @cindex stop on C@t{++} exceptions
3939 The throwing of a C@t{++} exception.
3940
3941 @item catch
3942 The catching of a C@t{++} exception.
3943
3944 @item exception
3945 @cindex Ada exception catching
3946 @cindex catch Ada exceptions
3947 An Ada exception being raised. If an exception name is specified
3948 at the end of the command (eg @code{catch exception Program_Error}),
3949 the debugger will stop only when this specific exception is raised.
3950 Otherwise, the debugger stops execution when any Ada exception is raised.
3951
3952 When inserting an exception catchpoint on a user-defined exception whose
3953 name is identical to one of the exceptions defined by the language, the
3954 fully qualified name must be used as the exception name. Otherwise,
3955 @value{GDBN} will assume that it should stop on the pre-defined exception
3956 rather than the user-defined one. For instance, assuming an exception
3957 called @code{Constraint_Error} is defined in package @code{Pck}, then
3958 the command to use to catch such exceptions is @kbd{catch exception
3959 Pck.Constraint_Error}.
3960
3961 @item exception unhandled
3962 An exception that was raised but is not handled by the program.
3963
3964 @item assert
3965 A failed Ada assertion.
3966
3967 @item exec
3968 @cindex break on fork/exec
3969 A call to @code{exec}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
3970 and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
3971
3972 @item syscall
3973 @itemx syscall @r{[}@var{name} @r{|} @var{number}@r{]} @dots{}
3974 @cindex break on a system call.
3975 A call to or return from a system call, a.k.a.@: @dfn{syscall}. A
3976 syscall is a mechanism for application programs to request a service
3977 from the operating system (OS) or one of the OS system services.
3978 @value{GDBN} can catch some or all of the syscalls issued by the
3979 debuggee, and show the related information for each syscall. If no
3980 argument is specified, calls to and returns from all system calls
3981 will be caught.
3982
3983 @var{name} can be any system call name that is valid for the
3984 underlying OS. Just what syscalls are valid depends on the OS. On
3985 GNU and Unix systems, you can find the full list of valid syscall
3986 names on @file{/usr/include/asm/unistd.h}.
3987
3988 @c For MS-Windows, the syscall names and the corresponding numbers
3989 @c can be found, e.g., on this URL:
3990 @c http://www.metasploit.com/users/opcode/syscalls.html
3991 @c but we don't support Windows syscalls yet.
3992
3993 Normally, @value{GDBN} knows in advance which syscalls are valid for
3994 each OS, so you can use the @value{GDBN} command-line completion
3995 facilities (@pxref{Completion,, command completion}) to list the
3996 available choices.
3997
3998 You may also specify the system call numerically. A syscall's
3999 number is the value passed to the OS's syscall dispatcher to
4000 identify the requested service. When you specify the syscall by its
4001 name, @value{GDBN} uses its database of syscalls to convert the name
4002 into the corresponding numeric code, but using the number directly
4003 may be useful if @value{GDBN}'s database does not have the complete
4004 list of syscalls on your system (e.g., because @value{GDBN} lags
4005 behind the OS upgrades).
4006
4007 The example below illustrates how this command works if you don't provide
4008 arguments to it:
4009
4010 @smallexample
4011 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall
4012 Catchpoint 1 (syscall)
4013 (@value{GDBP}) r
4014 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
4015
4016 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'close'), \
4017 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4018 (@value{GDBP}) c
4019 Continuing.
4020
4021 Catchpoint 1 (returned from syscall 'close'), \
4022 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4023 (@value{GDBP})
4024 @end smallexample
4025
4026 Here is an example of catching a system call by name:
4027
4028 @smallexample
4029 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall chroot
4030 Catchpoint 1 (syscall 'chroot' [61])
4031 (@value{GDBP}) r
4032 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
4033
4034 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'chroot'), \
4035 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4036 (@value{GDBP}) c
4037 Continuing.
4038
4039 Catchpoint 1 (returned from syscall 'chroot'), \
4040 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4041 (@value{GDBP})
4042 @end smallexample
4043
4044 An example of specifying a system call numerically. In the case
4045 below, the syscall number has a corresponding entry in the XML
4046 file, so @value{GDBN} finds its name and prints it:
4047
4048 @smallexample
4049 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 252
4050 Catchpoint 1 (syscall(s) 'exit_group')
4051 (@value{GDBP}) r
4052 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
4053
4054 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'exit_group'), \
4055 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4056 (@value{GDBP}) c
4057 Continuing.
4058
4059 Program exited normally.
4060 (@value{GDBP})
4061 @end smallexample
4062
4063 However, there can be situations when there is no corresponding name
4064 in XML file for that syscall number. In this case, @value{GDBN} prints
4065 a warning message saying that it was not able to find the syscall name,
4066 but the catchpoint will be set anyway. See the example below:
4067
4068 @smallexample
4069 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 764
4070 warning: The number '764' does not represent a known syscall.
4071 Catchpoint 2 (syscall 764)
4072 (@value{GDBP})
4073 @end smallexample
4074
4075 If you configure @value{GDBN} using the @samp{--without-expat} option,
4076 it will not be able to display syscall names. Also, if your
4077 architecture does not have an XML file describing its system calls,
4078 you will not be able to see the syscall names. It is important to
4079 notice that these two features are used for accessing the syscall
4080 name database. In either case, you will see a warning like this:
4081
4082 @smallexample
4083 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall
4084 warning: Could not open "syscalls/i386-linux.xml"
4085 warning: Could not load the syscall XML file 'syscalls/i386-linux.xml'.
4086 GDB will not be able to display syscall names.
4087 Catchpoint 1 (syscall)
4088 (@value{GDBP})
4089 @end smallexample
4090
4091 Of course, the file name will change depending on your architecture and system.
4092
4093 Still using the example above, you can also try to catch a syscall by its
4094 number. In this case, you would see something like:
4095
4096 @smallexample
4097 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 252
4098 Catchpoint 1 (syscall(s) 252)
4099 @end smallexample
4100
4101 Again, in this case @value{GDBN} would not be able to display syscall's names.
4102
4103 @item fork
4104 A call to @code{fork}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
4105 and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
4106
4107 @item vfork
4108 A call to @code{vfork}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
4109 and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
4110
4111 @end table
4112
4113 @item tcatch @var{event}
4114 Set a catchpoint that is enabled only for one stop. The catchpoint is
4115 automatically deleted after the first time the event is caught.
4116
4117 @end table
4118
4119 Use the @code{info break} command to list the current catchpoints.
4120
4121 There are currently some limitations to C@t{++} exception handling
4122 (@code{catch throw} and @code{catch catch}) in @value{GDBN}:
4123
4124 @itemize @bullet
4125 @item
4126 If you call a function interactively, @value{GDBN} normally returns
4127 control to you when the function has finished executing. If the call
4128 raises an exception, however, the call may bypass the mechanism that
4129 returns control to you and cause your program either to abort or to
4130 simply continue running until it hits a breakpoint, catches a signal
4131 that @value{GDBN} is listening for, or exits. This is the case even if
4132 you set a catchpoint for the exception; catchpoints on exceptions are
4133 disabled within interactive calls.
4134
4135 @item
4136 You cannot raise an exception interactively.
4137
4138 @item
4139 You cannot install an exception handler interactively.
4140 @end itemize
4141
4142 @cindex raise exceptions
4143 Sometimes @code{catch} is not the best way to debug exception handling:
4144 if you need to know exactly where an exception is raised, it is better to
4145 stop @emph{before} the exception handler is called, since that way you
4146 can see the stack before any unwinding takes place. If you set a
4147 breakpoint in an exception handler instead, it may not be easy to find
4148 out where the exception was raised.
4149
4150 To stop just before an exception handler is called, you need some
4151 knowledge of the implementation. In the case of @sc{gnu} C@t{++}, exceptions are
4152 raised by calling a library function named @code{__raise_exception}
4153 which has the following ANSI C interface:
4154
4155 @smallexample
4156 /* @var{addr} is where the exception identifier is stored.
4157 @var{id} is the exception identifier. */
4158 void __raise_exception (void **addr, void *id);
4159 @end smallexample
4160
4161 @noindent
4162 To make the debugger catch all exceptions before any stack
4163 unwinding takes place, set a breakpoint on @code{__raise_exception}
4164 (@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints; Watchpoints; and Exceptions}).
4165
4166 With a conditional breakpoint (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions})
4167 that depends on the value of @var{id}, you can stop your program when
4168 a specific exception is raised. You can use multiple conditional
4169 breakpoints to stop your program when any of a number of exceptions are
4170 raised.
4171
4172
4173 @node Delete Breaks
4174 @subsection Deleting Breakpoints
4175
4176 @cindex clearing breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
4177 @cindex deleting breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
4178 It is often necessary to eliminate a breakpoint, watchpoint, or
4179 catchpoint once it has done its job and you no longer want your program
4180 to stop there. This is called @dfn{deleting} the breakpoint. A
4181 breakpoint that has been deleted no longer exists; it is forgotten.
4182
4183 With the @code{clear} command you can delete breakpoints according to
4184 where they are in your program. With the @code{delete} command you can
4185 delete individual breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints by specifying
4186 their breakpoint numbers.
4187
4188 It is not necessary to delete a breakpoint to proceed past it. @value{GDBN}
4189 automatically ignores breakpoints on the first instruction to be executed
4190 when you continue execution without changing the execution address.
4191
4192 @table @code
4193 @kindex clear
4194 @item clear
4195 Delete any breakpoints at the next instruction to be executed in the
4196 selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}). When
4197 the innermost frame is selected, this is a good way to delete a
4198 breakpoint where your program just stopped.
4199
4200 @item clear @var{location}
4201 Delete any breakpoints set at the specified @var{location}.
4202 @xref{Specify Location}, for the various forms of @var{location}; the
4203 most useful ones are listed below:
4204
4205 @table @code
4206 @item clear @var{function}
4207 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{function}
4208 Delete any breakpoints set at entry to the named @var{function}.
4209
4210 @item clear @var{linenum}
4211 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
4212 Delete any breakpoints set at or within the code of the specified
4213 @var{linenum} of the specified @var{filename}.
4214 @end table
4215
4216 @cindex delete breakpoints
4217 @kindex delete
4218 @kindex d @r{(@code{delete})}
4219 @item delete @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4220 Delete the breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints of the breakpoint
4221 ranges specified as arguments. If no argument is specified, delete all
4222 breakpoints (@value{GDBN} asks confirmation, unless you have @code{set
4223 confirm off}). You can abbreviate this command as @code{d}.
4224 @end table
4225
4226 @node Disabling
4227 @subsection Disabling Breakpoints
4228
4229 @cindex enable/disable a breakpoint
4230 Rather than deleting a breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint, you might
4231 prefer to @dfn{disable} it. This makes the breakpoint inoperative as if
4232 it had been deleted, but remembers the information on the breakpoint so
4233 that you can @dfn{enable} it again later.
4234
4235 You disable and enable breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints with
4236 the @code{enable} and @code{disable} commands, optionally specifying
4237 one or more breakpoint numbers as arguments. Use @code{info break} to
4238 print a list of all breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints if you
4239 do not know which numbers to use.
4240
4241 Disabling and enabling a breakpoint that has multiple locations
4242 affects all of its locations.
4243
4244 A breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint can have any of four different
4245 states of enablement:
4246
4247 @itemize @bullet
4248 @item
4249 Enabled. The breakpoint stops your program. A breakpoint set
4250 with the @code{break} command starts out in this state.
4251 @item
4252 Disabled. The breakpoint has no effect on your program.
4253 @item
4254 Enabled once. The breakpoint stops your program, but then becomes
4255 disabled.
4256 @item
4257 Enabled for deletion. The breakpoint stops your program, but
4258 immediately after it does so it is deleted permanently. A breakpoint
4259 set with the @code{tbreak} command starts out in this state.
4260 @end itemize
4261
4262 You can use the following commands to enable or disable breakpoints,
4263 watchpoints, and catchpoints:
4264
4265 @table @code
4266 @kindex disable
4267 @kindex dis @r{(@code{disable})}
4268 @item disable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4269 Disable the specified breakpoints---or all breakpoints, if none are
4270 listed. A disabled breakpoint has no effect but is not forgotten. All
4271 options such as ignore-counts, conditions and commands are remembered in
4272 case the breakpoint is enabled again later. You may abbreviate
4273 @code{disable} as @code{dis}.
4274
4275 @kindex enable
4276 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4277 Enable the specified breakpoints (or all defined breakpoints). They
4278 become effective once again in stopping your program.
4279
4280 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} once @var{range}@dots{}
4281 Enable the specified breakpoints temporarily. @value{GDBN} disables any
4282 of these breakpoints immediately after stopping your program.
4283
4284 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} delete @var{range}@dots{}
4285 Enable the specified breakpoints to work once, then die. @value{GDBN}
4286 deletes any of these breakpoints as soon as your program stops there.
4287 Breakpoints set by the @code{tbreak} command start out in this state.
4288 @end table
4289
4290 @c FIXME: I think the following ``Except for [...] @code{tbreak}'' is
4291 @c confusing: tbreak is also initially enabled.
4292 Except for a breakpoint set with @code{tbreak} (@pxref{Set Breaks,
4293 ,Setting Breakpoints}), breakpoints that you set are initially enabled;
4294 subsequently, they become disabled or enabled only when you use one of
4295 the commands above. (The command @code{until} can set and delete a
4296 breakpoint of its own, but it does not change the state of your other
4297 breakpoints; see @ref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and
4298 Stepping}.)
4299
4300 @node Conditions
4301 @subsection Break Conditions
4302 @cindex conditional breakpoints
4303 @cindex breakpoint conditions
4304
4305 @c FIXME what is scope of break condition expr? Context where wanted?
4306 @c in particular for a watchpoint?
4307 The simplest sort of breakpoint breaks every time your program reaches a
4308 specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for a
4309 breakpoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
4310 programming language (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). A breakpoint with
4311 a condition evaluates the expression each time your program reaches it,
4312 and your program stops only if the condition is @emph{true}.
4313
4314 This is the converse of using assertions for program validation; in that
4315 situation, you want to stop when the assertion is violated---that is,
4316 when the condition is false. In C, if you want to test an assertion expressed
4317 by the condition @var{assert}, you should set the condition
4318 @samp{! @var{assert}} on the appropriate breakpoint.
4319
4320 Conditions are also accepted for watchpoints; you may not need them,
4321 since a watchpoint is inspecting the value of an expression anyhow---but
4322 it might be simpler, say, to just set a watchpoint on a variable name,
4323 and specify a condition that tests whether the new value is an interesting
4324 one.
4325
4326 Break conditions can have side effects, and may even call functions in
4327 your program. This can be useful, for example, to activate functions
4328 that log program progress, or to use your own print functions to
4329 format special data structures. The effects are completely predictable
4330 unless there is another enabled breakpoint at the same address. (In
4331 that case, @value{GDBN} might see the other breakpoint first and stop your
4332 program without checking the condition of this one.) Note that
4333 breakpoint commands are usually more convenient and flexible than break
4334 conditions for the
4335 purpose of performing side effects when a breakpoint is reached
4336 (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint Command Lists}).
4337
4338 Break conditions can be specified when a breakpoint is set, by using
4339 @samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{break} command. @xref{Set
4340 Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}. They can also be changed at any time
4341 with the @code{condition} command.
4342
4343 You can also use the @code{if} keyword with the @code{watch} command.
4344 The @code{catch} command does not recognize the @code{if} keyword;
4345 @code{condition} is the only way to impose a further condition on a
4346 catchpoint.
4347
4348 @table @code
4349 @kindex condition
4350 @item condition @var{bnum} @var{expression}
4351 Specify @var{expression} as the break condition for breakpoint,
4352 watchpoint, or catchpoint number @var{bnum}. After you set a condition,
4353 breakpoint @var{bnum} stops your program only if the value of
4354 @var{expression} is true (nonzero, in C). When you use
4355 @code{condition}, @value{GDBN} checks @var{expression} immediately for
4356 syntactic correctness, and to determine whether symbols in it have
4357 referents in the context of your breakpoint. If @var{expression} uses
4358 symbols not referenced in the context of the breakpoint, @value{GDBN}
4359 prints an error message:
4360
4361 @smallexample
4362 No symbol "foo" in current context.
4363 @end smallexample
4364
4365 @noindent
4366 @value{GDBN} does
4367 not actually evaluate @var{expression} at the time the @code{condition}
4368 command (or a command that sets a breakpoint with a condition, like
4369 @code{break if @dots{}}) is given, however. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
4370
4371 @item condition @var{bnum}
4372 Remove the condition from breakpoint number @var{bnum}. It becomes
4373 an ordinary unconditional breakpoint.
4374 @end table
4375
4376 @cindex ignore count (of breakpoint)
4377 A special case of a breakpoint condition is to stop only when the
4378 breakpoint has been reached a certain number of times. This is so
4379 useful that there is a special way to do it, using the @dfn{ignore
4380 count} of the breakpoint. Every breakpoint has an ignore count, which
4381 is an integer. Most of the time, the ignore count is zero, and
4382 therefore has no effect. But if your program reaches a breakpoint whose
4383 ignore count is positive, then instead of stopping, it just decrements
4384 the ignore count by one and continues. As a result, if the ignore count
4385 value is @var{n}, the breakpoint does not stop the next @var{n} times
4386 your program reaches it.
4387
4388 @table @code
4389 @kindex ignore
4390 @item ignore @var{bnum} @var{count}
4391 Set the ignore count of breakpoint number @var{bnum} to @var{count}.
4392 The next @var{count} times the breakpoint is reached, your program's
4393 execution does not stop; other than to decrement the ignore count, @value{GDBN}
4394 takes no action.
4395
4396 To make the breakpoint stop the next time it is reached, specify
4397 a count of zero.
4398
4399 When you use @code{continue} to resume execution of your program from a
4400 breakpoint, you can specify an ignore count directly as an argument to
4401 @code{continue}, rather than using @code{ignore}. @xref{Continuing and
4402 Stepping,,Continuing and Stepping}.
4403
4404 If a breakpoint has a positive ignore count and a condition, the
4405 condition is not checked. Once the ignore count reaches zero,
4406 @value{GDBN} resumes checking the condition.
4407
4408 You could achieve the effect of the ignore count with a condition such
4409 as @w{@samp{$foo-- <= 0}} using a debugger convenience variable that
4410 is decremented each time. @xref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
4411 Variables}.
4412 @end table
4413
4414 Ignore counts apply to breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints.
4415
4416
4417 @node Break Commands
4418 @subsection Breakpoint Command Lists
4419
4420 @cindex breakpoint commands
4421 You can give any breakpoint (or watchpoint or catchpoint) a series of
4422 commands to execute when your program stops due to that breakpoint. For
4423 example, you might want to print the values of certain expressions, or
4424 enable other breakpoints.
4425
4426 @table @code
4427 @kindex commands
4428 @kindex end@r{ (breakpoint commands)}
4429 @item commands @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4430 @itemx @dots{} @var{command-list} @dots{}
4431 @itemx end
4432 Specify a list of commands for the given breakpoints. The commands
4433 themselves appear on the following lines. Type a line containing just
4434 @code{end} to terminate the commands.
4435
4436 To remove all commands from a breakpoint, type @code{commands} and
4437 follow it immediately with @code{end}; that is, give no commands.
4438
4439 With no argument, @code{commands} refers to the last breakpoint,
4440 watchpoint, or catchpoint set (not to the breakpoint most recently
4441 encountered). If the most recent breakpoints were set with a single
4442 command, then the @code{commands} will apply to all the breakpoints
4443 set by that command. This applies to breakpoints set by
4444 @code{rbreak}, and also applies when a single @code{break} command
4445 creates multiple breakpoints (@pxref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous
4446 Expressions}).
4447 @end table
4448
4449 Pressing @key{RET} as a means of repeating the last @value{GDBN} command is
4450 disabled within a @var{command-list}.
4451
4452 You can use breakpoint commands to start your program up again. Simply
4453 use the @code{continue} command, or @code{step}, or any other command
4454 that resumes execution.
4455
4456 Any other commands in the command list, after a command that resumes
4457 execution, are ignored. This is because any time you resume execution
4458 (even with a simple @code{next} or @code{step}), you may encounter
4459 another breakpoint---which could have its own command list, leading to
4460 ambiguities about which list to execute.
4461
4462 @kindex silent
4463 If the first command you specify in a command list is @code{silent}, the
4464 usual message about stopping at a breakpoint is not printed. This may
4465 be desirable for breakpoints that are to print a specific message and
4466 then continue. If none of the remaining commands print anything, you
4467 see no sign that the breakpoint was reached. @code{silent} is
4468 meaningful only at the beginning of a breakpoint command list.
4469
4470 The commands @code{echo}, @code{output}, and @code{printf} allow you to
4471 print precisely controlled output, and are often useful in silent
4472 breakpoints. @xref{Output, ,Commands for Controlled Output}.
4473
4474 For example, here is how you could use breakpoint commands to print the
4475 value of @code{x} at entry to @code{foo} whenever @code{x} is positive.
4476
4477 @smallexample
4478 break foo if x>0
4479 commands
4480 silent
4481 printf "x is %d\n",x
4482 cont
4483 end
4484 @end smallexample
4485
4486 One application for breakpoint commands is to compensate for one bug so
4487 you can test for another. Put a breakpoint just after the erroneous line
4488 of code, give it a condition to detect the case in which something
4489 erroneous has been done, and give it commands to assign correct values
4490 to any variables that need them. End with the @code{continue} command
4491 so that your program does not stop, and start with the @code{silent}
4492 command so that no output is produced. Here is an example:
4493
4494 @smallexample
4495 break 403
4496 commands
4497 silent
4498 set x = y + 4
4499 cont
4500 end
4501 @end smallexample
4502
4503 @node Save Breakpoints
4504 @subsection How to save breakpoints to a file
4505
4506 To save breakpoint definitions to a file use the @w{@code{save
4507 breakpoints}} command.
4508
4509 @table @code
4510 @kindex save breakpoints
4511 @cindex save breakpoints to a file for future sessions
4512 @item save breakpoints [@var{filename}]
4513 This command saves all current breakpoint definitions together with
4514 their commands and ignore counts, into a file @file{@var{filename}}
4515 suitable for use in a later debugging session. This includes all
4516 types of breakpoints (breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints,
4517 tracepoints). To read the saved breakpoint definitions, use the
4518 @code{source} command (@pxref{Command Files}). Note that watchpoints
4519 with expressions involving local variables may fail to be recreated
4520 because it may not be possible to access the context where the
4521 watchpoint is valid anymore. Because the saved breakpoint definitions
4522 are simply a sequence of @value{GDBN} commands that recreate the
4523 breakpoints, you can edit the file in your favorite editing program,
4524 and remove the breakpoint definitions you're not interested in, or
4525 that can no longer be recreated.
4526 @end table
4527
4528 @c @ifclear BARETARGET
4529 @node Error in Breakpoints
4530 @subsection ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
4531
4532 If you request too many active hardware-assisted breakpoints and
4533 watchpoints, you will see this error message:
4534
4535 @c FIXME: the precise wording of this message may change; the relevant
4536 @c source change is not committed yet (Sep 3, 1999).
4537 @smallexample
4538 Stopped; cannot insert breakpoints.
4539 You may have requested too many hardware breakpoints and watchpoints.
4540 @end smallexample
4541
4542 @noindent
4543 This message is printed when you attempt to resume the program, since
4544 only then @value{GDBN} knows exactly how many hardware breakpoints and
4545 watchpoints it needs to insert.
4546
4547 When this message is printed, you need to disable or remove some of the
4548 hardware-assisted breakpoints and watchpoints, and then continue.
4549
4550 @node Breakpoint-related Warnings
4551 @subsection ``Breakpoint address adjusted...''
4552 @cindex breakpoint address adjusted
4553
4554 Some processor architectures place constraints on the addresses at
4555 which breakpoints may be placed. For architectures thus constrained,
4556 @value{GDBN} will attempt to adjust the breakpoint's address to comply
4557 with the constraints dictated by the architecture.
4558
4559 One example of such an architecture is the Fujitsu FR-V. The FR-V is
4560 a VLIW architecture in which a number of RISC-like instructions may be
4561 bundled together for parallel execution. The FR-V architecture
4562 constrains the location of a breakpoint instruction within such a
4563 bundle to the instruction with the lowest address. @value{GDBN}
4564 honors this constraint by adjusting a breakpoint's address to the
4565 first in the bundle.
4566
4567 It is not uncommon for optimized code to have bundles which contain
4568 instructions from different source statements, thus it may happen that
4569 a breakpoint's address will be adjusted from one source statement to
4570 another. Since this adjustment may significantly alter @value{GDBN}'s
4571 breakpoint related behavior from what the user expects, a warning is
4572 printed when the breakpoint is first set and also when the breakpoint
4573 is hit.
4574
4575 A warning like the one below is printed when setting a breakpoint
4576 that's been subject to address adjustment:
4577
4578 @smallexample
4579 warning: Breakpoint address adjusted from 0x00010414 to 0x00010410.
4580 @end smallexample
4581
4582 Such warnings are printed both for user settable and @value{GDBN}'s
4583 internal breakpoints. If you see one of these warnings, you should
4584 verify that a breakpoint set at the adjusted address will have the
4585 desired affect. If not, the breakpoint in question may be removed and
4586 other breakpoints may be set which will have the desired behavior.
4587 E.g., it may be sufficient to place the breakpoint at a later
4588 instruction. A conditional breakpoint may also be useful in some
4589 cases to prevent the breakpoint from triggering too often.
4590
4591 @value{GDBN} will also issue a warning when stopping at one of these
4592 adjusted breakpoints:
4593
4594 @smallexample
4595 warning: Breakpoint 1 address previously adjusted from 0x00010414
4596 to 0x00010410.
4597 @end smallexample
4598
4599 When this warning is encountered, it may be too late to take remedial
4600 action except in cases where the breakpoint is hit earlier or more
4601 frequently than expected.
4602
4603 @node Continuing and Stepping
4604 @section Continuing and Stepping
4605
4606 @cindex stepping
4607 @cindex continuing
4608 @cindex resuming execution
4609 @dfn{Continuing} means resuming program execution until your program
4610 completes normally. In contrast, @dfn{stepping} means executing just
4611 one more ``step'' of your program, where ``step'' may mean either one
4612 line of source code, or one machine instruction (depending on what
4613 particular command you use). Either when continuing or when stepping,
4614 your program may stop even sooner, due to a breakpoint or a signal. (If
4615 it stops due to a signal, you may want to use @code{handle}, or use
4616 @samp{signal 0} to resume execution. @xref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
4617
4618 @table @code
4619 @kindex continue
4620 @kindex c @r{(@code{continue})}
4621 @kindex fg @r{(resume foreground execution)}
4622 @item continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4623 @itemx c @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4624 @itemx fg @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4625 Resume program execution, at the address where your program last stopped;
4626 any breakpoints set at that address are bypassed. The optional argument
4627 @var{ignore-count} allows you to specify a further number of times to
4628 ignore a breakpoint at this location; its effect is like that of
4629 @code{ignore} (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
4630
4631 The argument @var{ignore-count} is meaningful only when your program
4632 stopped due to a breakpoint. At other times, the argument to
4633 @code{continue} is ignored.
4634
4635 The synonyms @code{c} and @code{fg} (for @dfn{foreground}, as the
4636 debugged program is deemed to be the foreground program) are provided
4637 purely for convenience, and have exactly the same behavior as
4638 @code{continue}.
4639 @end table
4640
4641 To resume execution at a different place, you can use @code{return}
4642 (@pxref{Returning, ,Returning from a Function}) to go back to the
4643 calling function; or @code{jump} (@pxref{Jumping, ,Continuing at a
4644 Different Address}) to go to an arbitrary location in your program.
4645
4646 A typical technique for using stepping is to set a breakpoint
4647 (@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints; Watchpoints; and Catchpoints}) at the
4648 beginning of the function or the section of your program where a problem
4649 is believed to lie, run your program until it stops at that breakpoint,
4650 and then step through the suspect area, examining the variables that are
4651 interesting, until you see the problem happen.
4652
4653 @table @code
4654 @kindex step
4655 @kindex s @r{(@code{step})}
4656 @item step
4657 Continue running your program until control reaches a different source
4658 line, then stop it and return control to @value{GDBN}. This command is
4659 abbreviated @code{s}.
4660
4661 @quotation
4662 @c "without debugging information" is imprecise; actually "without line
4663 @c numbers in the debugging information". (gcc -g1 has debugging info but
4664 @c not line numbers). But it seems complex to try to make that
4665 @c distinction here.
4666 @emph{Warning:} If you use the @code{step} command while control is
4667 within a function that was compiled without debugging information,
4668 execution proceeds until control reaches a function that does have
4669 debugging information. Likewise, it will not step into a function which
4670 is compiled without debugging information. To step through functions
4671 without debugging information, use the @code{stepi} command, described
4672 below.
4673 @end quotation
4674
4675 The @code{step} command only stops at the first instruction of a source
4676 line. This prevents the multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
4677 @code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc. @code{step} continues
4678 to stop if a function that has debugging information is called within
4679 the line. In other words, @code{step} @emph{steps inside} any functions
4680 called within the line.
4681
4682 Also, the @code{step} command only enters a function if there is line
4683 number information for the function. Otherwise it acts like the
4684 @code{next} command. This avoids problems when using @code{cc -gl}
4685 on MIPS machines. Previously, @code{step} entered subroutines if there
4686 was any debugging information about the routine.
4687
4688 @item step @var{count}
4689 Continue running as in @code{step}, but do so @var{count} times. If a
4690 breakpoint is reached, or a signal not related to stepping occurs before
4691 @var{count} steps, stepping stops right away.
4692
4693 @kindex next
4694 @kindex n @r{(@code{next})}
4695 @item next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
4696 Continue to the next source line in the current (innermost) stack frame.
4697 This is similar to @code{step}, but function calls that appear within
4698 the line of code are executed without stopping. Execution stops when
4699 control reaches a different line of code at the original stack level
4700 that was executing when you gave the @code{next} command. This command
4701 is abbreviated @code{n}.
4702
4703 An argument @var{count} is a repeat count, as for @code{step}.
4704
4705
4706 @c FIX ME!! Do we delete this, or is there a way it fits in with
4707 @c the following paragraph? --- Vctoria
4708 @c
4709 @c @code{next} within a function that lacks debugging information acts like
4710 @c @code{step}, but any function calls appearing within the code of the
4711 @c function are executed without stopping.
4712
4713 The @code{next} command only stops at the first instruction of a
4714 source line. This prevents multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
4715 @code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc.
4716
4717 @kindex set step-mode
4718 @item set step-mode
4719 @cindex functions without line info, and stepping
4720 @cindex stepping into functions with no line info
4721 @itemx set step-mode on
4722 The @code{set step-mode on} command causes the @code{step} command to
4723 stop at the first instruction of a function which contains no debug line
4724 information rather than stepping over it.
4725
4726 This is useful in cases where you may be interested in inspecting the
4727 machine instructions of a function which has no symbolic info and do not
4728 want @value{GDBN} to automatically skip over this function.
4729
4730 @item set step-mode off
4731 Causes the @code{step} command to step over any functions which contains no
4732 debug information. This is the default.
4733
4734 @item show step-mode
4735 Show whether @value{GDBN} will stop in or step over functions without
4736 source line debug information.
4737
4738 @kindex finish
4739 @kindex fin @r{(@code{finish})}
4740 @item finish
4741 Continue running until just after function in the selected stack frame
4742 returns. Print the returned value (if any). This command can be
4743 abbreviated as @code{fin}.
4744
4745 Contrast this with the @code{return} command (@pxref{Returning,
4746 ,Returning from a Function}).
4747
4748 @kindex until
4749 @kindex u @r{(@code{until})}
4750 @cindex run until specified location
4751 @item until
4752 @itemx u
4753 Continue running until a source line past the current line, in the
4754 current stack frame, is reached. This command is used to avoid single
4755 stepping through a loop more than once. It is like the @code{next}
4756 command, except that when @code{until} encounters a jump, it
4757 automatically continues execution until the program counter is greater
4758 than the address of the jump.
4759
4760 This means that when you reach the end of a loop after single stepping
4761 though it, @code{until} makes your program continue execution until it
4762 exits the loop. In contrast, a @code{next} command at the end of a loop
4763 simply steps back to the beginning of the loop, which forces you to step
4764 through the next iteration.
4765
4766 @code{until} always stops your program if it attempts to exit the current
4767 stack frame.
4768
4769 @code{until} may produce somewhat counterintuitive results if the order
4770 of machine code does not match the order of the source lines. For
4771 example, in the following excerpt from a debugging session, the @code{f}
4772 (@code{frame}) command shows that execution is stopped at line
4773 @code{206}; yet when we use @code{until}, we get to line @code{195}:
4774
4775 @smallexample
4776 (@value{GDBP}) f
4777 #0 main (argc=4, argv=0xf7fffae8) at m4.c:206
4778 206 expand_input();
4779 (@value{GDBP}) until
4780 195 for ( ; argc > 0; NEXTARG) @{
4781 @end smallexample
4782
4783 This happened because, for execution efficiency, the compiler had
4784 generated code for the loop closure test at the end, rather than the
4785 start, of the loop---even though the test in a C @code{for}-loop is
4786 written before the body of the loop. The @code{until} command appeared
4787 to step back to the beginning of the loop when it advanced to this
4788 expression; however, it has not really gone to an earlier
4789 statement---not in terms of the actual machine code.
4790
4791 @code{until} with no argument works by means of single
4792 instruction stepping, and hence is slower than @code{until} with an
4793 argument.
4794
4795 @item until @var{location}
4796 @itemx u @var{location}
4797 Continue running your program until either the specified location is
4798 reached, or the current stack frame returns. @var{location} is any of
4799 the forms described in @ref{Specify Location}.
4800 This form of the command uses temporary breakpoints, and
4801 hence is quicker than @code{until} without an argument. The specified
4802 location is actually reached only if it is in the current frame. This
4803 implies that @code{until} can be used to skip over recursive function
4804 invocations. For instance in the code below, if the current location is
4805 line @code{96}, issuing @code{until 99} will execute the program up to
4806 line @code{99} in the same invocation of factorial, i.e., after the inner
4807 invocations have returned.
4808
4809 @smallexample
4810 94 int factorial (int value)
4811 95 @{
4812 96 if (value > 1) @{
4813 97 value *= factorial (value - 1);
4814 98 @}
4815 99 return (value);
4816 100 @}
4817 @end smallexample
4818
4819
4820 @kindex advance @var{location}
4821 @itemx advance @var{location}
4822 Continue running the program up to the given @var{location}. An argument is
4823 required, which should be of one of the forms described in
4824 @ref{Specify Location}.
4825 Execution will also stop upon exit from the current stack
4826 frame. This command is similar to @code{until}, but @code{advance} will
4827 not skip over recursive function calls, and the target location doesn't
4828 have to be in the same frame as the current one.
4829
4830
4831 @kindex stepi
4832 @kindex si @r{(@code{stepi})}
4833 @item stepi
4834 @itemx stepi @var{arg}
4835 @itemx si
4836 Execute one machine instruction, then stop and return to the debugger.
4837
4838 It is often useful to do @samp{display/i $pc} when stepping by machine
4839 instructions. This makes @value{GDBN} automatically display the next
4840 instruction to be executed, each time your program stops. @xref{Auto
4841 Display,, Automatic Display}.
4842
4843 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{step}.
4844
4845 @need 750
4846 @kindex nexti
4847 @kindex ni @r{(@code{nexti})}
4848 @item nexti
4849 @itemx nexti @var{arg}
4850 @itemx ni
4851 Execute one machine instruction, but if it is a function call,
4852 proceed until the function returns.
4853
4854 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{next}.
4855 @end table
4856
4857 @node Signals
4858 @section Signals
4859 @cindex signals
4860
4861 A signal is an asynchronous event that can happen in a program. The
4862 operating system defines the possible kinds of signals, and gives each
4863 kind a name and a number. For example, in Unix @code{SIGINT} is the
4864 signal a program gets when you type an interrupt character (often @kbd{Ctrl-c});
4865 @code{SIGSEGV} is the signal a program gets from referencing a place in
4866 memory far away from all the areas in use; @code{SIGALRM} occurs when
4867 the alarm clock timer goes off (which happens only if your program has
4868 requested an alarm).
4869
4870 @cindex fatal signals
4871 Some signals, including @code{SIGALRM}, are a normal part of the
4872 functioning of your program. Others, such as @code{SIGSEGV}, indicate
4873 errors; these signals are @dfn{fatal} (they kill your program immediately) if the
4874 program has not specified in advance some other way to handle the signal.
4875 @code{SIGINT} does not indicate an error in your program, but it is normally
4876 fatal so it can carry out the purpose of the interrupt: to kill the program.
4877
4878 @value{GDBN} has the ability to detect any occurrence of a signal in your
4879 program. You can tell @value{GDBN} in advance what to do for each kind of
4880 signal.
4881
4882 @cindex handling signals
4883 Normally, @value{GDBN} is set up to let the non-erroneous signals like
4884 @code{SIGALRM} be silently passed to your program
4885 (so as not to interfere with their role in the program's functioning)
4886 but to stop your program immediately whenever an error signal happens.
4887 You can change these settings with the @code{handle} command.
4888
4889 @table @code
4890 @kindex info signals
4891 @kindex info handle
4892 @item info signals
4893 @itemx info handle
4894 Print a table of all the kinds of signals and how @value{GDBN} has been told to
4895 handle each one. You can use this to see the signal numbers of all
4896 the defined types of signals.
4897
4898 @item info signals @var{sig}
4899 Similar, but print information only about the specified signal number.
4900
4901 @code{info handle} is an alias for @code{info signals}.
4902
4903 @kindex handle
4904 @item handle @var{signal} @r{[}@var{keywords}@dots{}@r{]}
4905 Change the way @value{GDBN} handles signal @var{signal}. @var{signal}
4906 can be the number of a signal or its name (with or without the
4907 @samp{SIG} at the beginning); a list of signal numbers of the form
4908 @samp{@var{low}-@var{high}}; or the word @samp{all}, meaning all the
4909 known signals. Optional arguments @var{keywords}, described below,
4910 say what change to make.
4911 @end table
4912
4913 @c @group
4914 The keywords allowed by the @code{handle} command can be abbreviated.
4915 Their full names are:
4916
4917 @table @code
4918 @item nostop
4919 @value{GDBN} should not stop your program when this signal happens. It may
4920 still print a message telling you that the signal has come in.
4921
4922 @item stop
4923 @value{GDBN} should stop your program when this signal happens. This implies
4924 the @code{print} keyword as well.
4925
4926 @item print
4927 @value{GDBN} should print a message when this signal happens.
4928
4929 @item noprint
4930 @value{GDBN} should not mention the occurrence of the signal at all. This
4931 implies the @code{nostop} keyword as well.
4932
4933 @item pass
4934 @itemx noignore
4935 @value{GDBN} should allow your program to see this signal; your program
4936 can handle the signal, or else it may terminate if the signal is fatal
4937 and not handled. @code{pass} and @code{noignore} are synonyms.
4938
4939 @item nopass
4940 @itemx ignore
4941 @value{GDBN} should not allow your program to see this signal.
4942 @code{nopass} and @code{ignore} are synonyms.
4943 @end table
4944 @c @end group
4945
4946 When a signal stops your program, the signal is not visible to the
4947 program until you
4948 continue. Your program sees the signal then, if @code{pass} is in
4949 effect for the signal in question @emph{at that time}. In other words,
4950 after @value{GDBN} reports a signal, you can use the @code{handle}
4951 command with @code{pass} or @code{nopass} to control whether your
4952 program sees that signal when you continue.
4953
4954 The default is set to @code{nostop}, @code{noprint}, @code{pass} for
4955 non-erroneous signals such as @code{SIGALRM}, @code{SIGWINCH} and
4956 @code{SIGCHLD}, and to @code{stop}, @code{print}, @code{pass} for the
4957 erroneous signals.
4958
4959 You can also use the @code{signal} command to prevent your program from
4960 seeing a signal, or cause it to see a signal it normally would not see,
4961 or to give it any signal at any time. For example, if your program stopped
4962 due to some sort of memory reference error, you might store correct
4963 values into the erroneous variables and continue, hoping to see more
4964 execution; but your program would probably terminate immediately as
4965 a result of the fatal signal once it saw the signal. To prevent this,
4966 you can continue with @samp{signal 0}. @xref{Signaling, ,Giving your
4967 Program a Signal}.
4968
4969 @cindex extra signal information
4970 @anchor{extra signal information}
4971
4972 On some targets, @value{GDBN} can inspect extra signal information
4973 associated with the intercepted signal, before it is actually
4974 delivered to the program being debugged. This information is exported
4975 by the convenience variable @code{$_siginfo}, and consists of data
4976 that is passed by the kernel to the signal handler at the time of the
4977 receipt of a signal. The data type of the information itself is
4978 target dependent. You can see the data type using the @code{ptype
4979 $_siginfo} command. On Unix systems, it typically corresponds to the
4980 standard @code{siginfo_t} type, as defined in the @file{signal.h}
4981 system header.
4982
4983 Here's an example, on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, printing the stray
4984 referenced address that raised a segmentation fault.
4985
4986 @smallexample
4987 @group
4988 (@value{GDBP}) continue
4989 Program received signal SIGSEGV, Segmentation fault.
4990 0x0000000000400766 in main ()
4991 69 *(int *)p = 0;
4992 (@value{GDBP}) ptype $_siginfo
4993 type = struct @{
4994 int si_signo;
4995 int si_errno;
4996 int si_code;
4997 union @{
4998 int _pad[28];
4999 struct @{...@} _kill;
5000 struct @{...@} _timer;
5001 struct @{...@} _rt;
5002 struct @{...@} _sigchld;
5003 struct @{...@} _sigfault;
5004 struct @{...@} _sigpoll;
5005 @} _sifields;
5006 @}
5007 (@value{GDBP}) ptype $_siginfo._sifields._sigfault
5008 type = struct @{
5009 void *si_addr;
5010 @}
5011 (@value{GDBP}) p $_siginfo._sifields._sigfault.si_addr
5012 $1 = (void *) 0x7ffff7ff7000
5013 @end group
5014 @end smallexample
5015
5016 Depending on target support, @code{$_siginfo} may also be writable.
5017
5018 @node Thread Stops
5019 @section Stopping and Starting Multi-thread Programs
5020
5021 @cindex stopped threads
5022 @cindex threads, stopped
5023
5024 @cindex continuing threads
5025 @cindex threads, continuing
5026
5027 @value{GDBN} supports debugging programs with multiple threads
5028 (@pxref{Threads,, Debugging Programs with Multiple Threads}). There
5029 are two modes of controlling execution of your program within the
5030 debugger. In the default mode, referred to as @dfn{all-stop mode},
5031 when any thread in your program stops (for example, at a breakpoint
5032 or while being stepped), all other threads in the program are also stopped by
5033 @value{GDBN}. On some targets, @value{GDBN} also supports
5034 @dfn{non-stop mode}, in which other threads can continue to run freely while
5035 you examine the stopped thread in the debugger.
5036
5037 @menu
5038 * All-Stop Mode:: All threads stop when GDB takes control
5039 * Non-Stop Mode:: Other threads continue to execute
5040 * Background Execution:: Running your program asynchronously
5041 * Thread-Specific Breakpoints:: Controlling breakpoints
5042 * Interrupted System Calls:: GDB may interfere with system calls
5043 * Observer Mode:: GDB does not alter program behavior
5044 @end menu
5045
5046 @node All-Stop Mode
5047 @subsection All-Stop Mode
5048
5049 @cindex all-stop mode
5050
5051 In all-stop mode, whenever your program stops under @value{GDBN} for any reason,
5052 @emph{all} threads of execution stop, not just the current thread. This
5053 allows you to examine the overall state of the program, including
5054 switching between threads, without worrying that things may change
5055 underfoot.
5056
5057 Conversely, whenever you restart the program, @emph{all} threads start
5058 executing. @emph{This is true even when single-stepping} with commands
5059 like @code{step} or @code{next}.
5060
5061 In particular, @value{GDBN} cannot single-step all threads in lockstep.
5062 Since thread scheduling is up to your debugging target's operating
5063 system (not controlled by @value{GDBN}), other threads may
5064 execute more than one statement while the current thread completes a
5065 single step. Moreover, in general other threads stop in the middle of a
5066 statement, rather than at a clean statement boundary, when the program
5067 stops.
5068
5069 You might even find your program stopped in another thread after
5070 continuing or even single-stepping. This happens whenever some other
5071 thread runs into a breakpoint, a signal, or an exception before the
5072 first thread completes whatever you requested.
5073
5074 @cindex automatic thread selection
5075 @cindex switching threads automatically
5076 @cindex threads, automatic switching
5077 Whenever @value{GDBN} stops your program, due to a breakpoint or a
5078 signal, it automatically selects the thread where that breakpoint or
5079 signal happened. @value{GDBN} alerts you to the context switch with a
5080 message such as @samp{[Switching to Thread @var{n}]} to identify the
5081 thread.
5082
5083 On some OSes, you can modify @value{GDBN}'s default behavior by
5084 locking the OS scheduler to allow only a single thread to run.
5085
5086 @table @code
5087 @item set scheduler-locking @var{mode}
5088 @cindex scheduler locking mode
5089 @cindex lock scheduler
5090 Set the scheduler locking mode. If it is @code{off}, then there is no
5091 locking and any thread may run at any time. If @code{on}, then only the
5092 current thread may run when the inferior is resumed. The @code{step}
5093 mode optimizes for single-stepping; it prevents other threads
5094 from preempting the current thread while you are stepping, so that
5095 the focus of debugging does not change unexpectedly.
5096 Other threads only rarely (or never) get a chance to run
5097 when you step. They are more likely to run when you @samp{next} over a
5098 function call, and they are completely free to run when you use commands
5099 like @samp{continue}, @samp{until}, or @samp{finish}. However, unless another
5100 thread hits a breakpoint during its timeslice, @value{GDBN} does not change
5101 the current thread away from the thread that you are debugging.
5102
5103 @item show scheduler-locking
5104 Display the current scheduler locking mode.
5105 @end table
5106
5107 @cindex resume threads of multiple processes simultaneously
5108 By default, when you issue one of the execution commands such as
5109 @code{continue}, @code{next} or @code{step}, @value{GDBN} allows only
5110 threads of the current inferior to run. For example, if @value{GDBN}
5111 is attached to two inferiors, each with two threads, the
5112 @code{continue} command resumes only the two threads of the current
5113 inferior. This is useful, for example, when you debug a program that
5114 forks and you want to hold the parent stopped (so that, for instance,
5115 it doesn't run to exit), while you debug the child. In other
5116 situations, you may not be interested in inspecting the current state
5117 of any of the processes @value{GDBN} is attached to, and you may want
5118 to resume them all until some breakpoint is hit. In the latter case,
5119 you can instruct @value{GDBN} to allow all threads of all the
5120 inferiors to run with the @w{@code{set schedule-multiple}} command.
5121
5122 @table @code
5123 @kindex set schedule-multiple
5124 @item set schedule-multiple
5125 Set the mode for allowing threads of multiple processes to be resumed
5126 when an execution command is issued. When @code{on}, all threads of
5127 all processes are allowed to run. When @code{off}, only the threads
5128 of the current process are resumed. The default is @code{off}. The
5129 @code{scheduler-locking} mode takes precedence when set to @code{on},
5130 or while you are stepping and set to @code{step}.
5131
5132 @item show schedule-multiple
5133 Display the current mode for resuming the execution of threads of
5134 multiple processes.
5135 @end table
5136
5137 @node Non-Stop Mode
5138 @subsection Non-Stop Mode
5139
5140 @cindex non-stop mode
5141
5142 @c This section is really only a place-holder, and needs to be expanded
5143 @c with more details.
5144
5145 For some multi-threaded targets, @value{GDBN} supports an optional
5146 mode of operation in which you can examine stopped program threads in
5147 the debugger while other threads continue to execute freely. This
5148 minimizes intrusion when debugging live systems, such as programs
5149 where some threads have real-time constraints or must continue to
5150 respond to external events. This is referred to as @dfn{non-stop} mode.
5151
5152 In non-stop mode, when a thread stops to report a debugging event,
5153 @emph{only} that thread is stopped; @value{GDBN} does not stop other
5154 threads as well, in contrast to the all-stop mode behavior. Additionally,
5155 execution commands such as @code{continue} and @code{step} apply by default
5156 only to the current thread in non-stop mode, rather than all threads as
5157 in all-stop mode. This allows you to control threads explicitly in
5158 ways that are not possible in all-stop mode --- for example, stepping
5159 one thread while allowing others to run freely, stepping
5160 one thread while holding all others stopped, or stepping several threads
5161 independently and simultaneously.
5162
5163 To enter non-stop mode, use this sequence of commands before you run
5164 or attach to your program:
5165
5166 @smallexample
5167 # Enable the async interface.
5168 set target-async 1
5169
5170 # If using the CLI, pagination breaks non-stop.
5171 set pagination off
5172
5173 # Finally, turn it on!
5174 set non-stop on
5175 @end smallexample
5176
5177 You can use these commands to manipulate the non-stop mode setting:
5178
5179 @table @code
5180 @kindex set non-stop
5181 @item set non-stop on
5182 Enable selection of non-stop mode.
5183 @item set non-stop off
5184 Disable selection of non-stop mode.
5185 @kindex show non-stop
5186 @item show non-stop
5187 Show the current non-stop enablement setting.
5188 @end table
5189
5190 Note these commands only reflect whether non-stop mode is enabled,
5191 not whether the currently-executing program is being run in non-stop mode.
5192 In particular, the @code{set non-stop} preference is only consulted when
5193 @value{GDBN} starts or connects to the target program, and it is generally
5194 not possible to switch modes once debugging has started. Furthermore,
5195 since not all targets support non-stop mode, even when you have enabled
5196 non-stop mode, @value{GDBN} may still fall back to all-stop operation by
5197 default.
5198
5199 In non-stop mode, all execution commands apply only to the current thread
5200 by default. That is, @code{continue} only continues one thread.
5201 To continue all threads, issue @code{continue -a} or @code{c -a}.
5202
5203 You can use @value{GDBN}'s background execution commands
5204 (@pxref{Background Execution}) to run some threads in the background
5205 while you continue to examine or step others from @value{GDBN}.
5206 The MI execution commands (@pxref{GDB/MI Program Execution}) are
5207 always executed asynchronously in non-stop mode.
5208
5209 Suspending execution is done with the @code{interrupt} command when
5210 running in the background, or @kbd{Ctrl-c} during foreground execution.
5211 In all-stop mode, this stops the whole process;
5212 but in non-stop mode the interrupt applies only to the current thread.
5213 To stop the whole program, use @code{interrupt -a}.
5214
5215 Other execution commands do not currently support the @code{-a} option.
5216
5217 In non-stop mode, when a thread stops, @value{GDBN} doesn't automatically make
5218 that thread current, as it does in all-stop mode. This is because the
5219 thread stop notifications are asynchronous with respect to @value{GDBN}'s
5220 command interpreter, and it would be confusing if @value{GDBN} unexpectedly
5221 changed to a different thread just as you entered a command to operate on the
5222 previously current thread.
5223
5224 @node Background Execution
5225 @subsection Background Execution
5226
5227 @cindex foreground execution
5228 @cindex background execution
5229 @cindex asynchronous execution
5230 @cindex execution, foreground, background and asynchronous
5231
5232 @value{GDBN}'s execution commands have two variants: the normal
5233 foreground (synchronous) behavior, and a background
5234 (asynchronous) behavior. In foreground execution, @value{GDBN} waits for
5235 the program to report that some thread has stopped before prompting for
5236 another command. In background execution, @value{GDBN} immediately gives
5237 a command prompt so that you can issue other commands while your program runs.
5238
5239 You need to explicitly enable asynchronous mode before you can use
5240 background execution commands. You can use these commands to
5241 manipulate the asynchronous mode setting:
5242
5243 @table @code
5244 @kindex set target-async
5245 @item set target-async on
5246 Enable asynchronous mode.
5247 @item set target-async off
5248 Disable asynchronous mode.
5249 @kindex show target-async
5250 @item show target-async
5251 Show the current target-async setting.
5252 @end table
5253
5254 If the target doesn't support async mode, @value{GDBN} issues an error
5255 message if you attempt to use the background execution commands.
5256
5257 To specify background execution, add a @code{&} to the command. For example,
5258 the background form of the @code{continue} command is @code{continue&}, or
5259 just @code{c&}. The execution commands that accept background execution
5260 are:
5261
5262 @table @code
5263 @kindex run&
5264 @item run
5265 @xref{Starting, , Starting your Program}.
5266
5267 @item attach
5268 @kindex attach&
5269 @xref{Attach, , Debugging an Already-running Process}.
5270
5271 @item step
5272 @kindex step&
5273 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, step}.
5274
5275 @item stepi
5276 @kindex stepi&
5277 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, stepi}.
5278
5279 @item next
5280 @kindex next&
5281 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, next}.
5282
5283 @item nexti
5284 @kindex nexti&
5285 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, nexti}.
5286
5287 @item continue
5288 @kindex continue&
5289 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, continue}.
5290
5291 @item finish
5292 @kindex finish&
5293 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, finish}.
5294
5295 @item until
5296 @kindex until&
5297 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, until}.
5298
5299 @end table
5300
5301 Background execution is especially useful in conjunction with non-stop
5302 mode for debugging programs with multiple threads; see @ref{Non-Stop Mode}.
5303 However, you can also use these commands in the normal all-stop mode with
5304 the restriction that you cannot issue another execution command until the
5305 previous one finishes. Examples of commands that are valid in all-stop
5306 mode while the program is running include @code{help} and @code{info break}.
5307
5308 You can interrupt your program while it is running in the background by
5309 using the @code{interrupt} command.
5310
5311 @table @code
5312 @kindex interrupt
5313 @item interrupt
5314 @itemx interrupt -a
5315
5316 Suspend execution of the running program. In all-stop mode,
5317 @code{interrupt} stops the whole process, but in non-stop mode, it stops
5318 only the current thread. To stop the whole program in non-stop mode,
5319 use @code{interrupt -a}.
5320 @end table
5321
5322 @node Thread-Specific Breakpoints
5323 @subsection Thread-Specific Breakpoints
5324
5325 When your program has multiple threads (@pxref{Threads,, Debugging
5326 Programs with Multiple Threads}), you can choose whether to set
5327 breakpoints on all threads, or on a particular thread.
5328
5329 @table @code
5330 @cindex breakpoints and threads
5331 @cindex thread breakpoints
5332 @kindex break @dots{} thread @var{threadno}
5333 @item break @var{linespec} thread @var{threadno}
5334 @itemx break @var{linespec} thread @var{threadno} if @dots{}
5335 @var{linespec} specifies source lines; there are several ways of
5336 writing them (@pxref{Specify Location}), but the effect is always to
5337 specify some source line.
5338
5339 Use the qualifier @samp{thread @var{threadno}} with a breakpoint command
5340 to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
5341 particular thread reaches this breakpoint. @var{threadno} is one of the
5342 numeric thread identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown in the first
5343 column of the @samp{info threads} display.
5344
5345 If you do not specify @samp{thread @var{threadno}} when you set a
5346 breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} threads of your
5347 program.
5348
5349 You can use the @code{thread} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
5350 well; in this case, place @samp{thread @var{threadno}} before or
5351 after the breakpoint condition, like this:
5352
5353 @smallexample
5354 (@value{GDBP}) break frik.c:13 thread 28 if bartab > lim
5355 @end smallexample
5356
5357 @end table
5358
5359 @node Interrupted System Calls
5360 @subsection Interrupted System Calls
5361
5362 @cindex thread breakpoints and system calls
5363 @cindex system calls and thread breakpoints
5364 @cindex premature return from system calls
5365 There is an unfortunate side effect when using @value{GDBN} to debug
5366 multi-threaded programs. If one thread stops for a
5367 breakpoint, or for some other reason, and another thread is blocked in a
5368 system call, then the system call may return prematurely. This is a
5369 consequence of the interaction between multiple threads and the signals
5370 that @value{GDBN} uses to implement breakpoints and other events that
5371 stop execution.
5372
5373 To handle this problem, your program should check the return value of
5374 each system call and react appropriately. This is good programming
5375 style anyways.
5376
5377 For example, do not write code like this:
5378
5379 @smallexample
5380 sleep (10);
5381 @end smallexample
5382
5383 The call to @code{sleep} will return early if a different thread stops
5384 at a breakpoint or for some other reason.
5385
5386 Instead, write this:
5387
5388 @smallexample
5389 int unslept = 10;
5390 while (unslept > 0)
5391 unslept = sleep (unslept);
5392 @end smallexample
5393
5394 A system call is allowed to return early, so the system is still
5395 conforming to its specification. But @value{GDBN} does cause your
5396 multi-threaded program to behave differently than it would without
5397 @value{GDBN}.
5398
5399 Also, @value{GDBN} uses internal breakpoints in the thread library to
5400 monitor certain events such as thread creation and thread destruction.
5401 When such an event happens, a system call in another thread may return
5402 prematurely, even though your program does not appear to stop.
5403
5404 @node Observer Mode
5405 @subsection Observer Mode
5406
5407 If you want to build on non-stop mode and observe program behavior
5408 without any chance of disruption by @value{GDBN}, you can set
5409 variables to disable all of the debugger's attempts to modify state,
5410 whether by writing memory, inserting breakpoints, etc. These operate
5411 at a low level, intercepting operations from all commands.
5412
5413 When all of these are set to @code{off}, then @value{GDBN} is said to
5414 be @dfn{observer mode}. As a convenience, the variable
5415 @code{observer} can be set to disable these, plus enable non-stop
5416 mode.
5417
5418 Note that @value{GDBN} will not prevent you from making nonsensical
5419 combinations of these settings. For instance, if you have enabled
5420 @code{may-insert-breakpoints} but disabled @code{may-write-memory},
5421 then breakpoints that work by writing trap instructions into the code
5422 stream will still not be able to be placed.
5423
5424 @table @code
5425
5426 @kindex observer
5427 @item set observer on
5428 @itemx set observer off
5429 When set to @code{on}, this disables all the permission variables
5430 below (except for @code{insert-fast-tracepoints}), plus enables
5431 non-stop debugging. Setting this to @code{off} switches back to
5432 normal debugging, though remaining in non-stop mode.
5433
5434 @item show observer
5435 Show whether observer mode is on or off.
5436
5437 @kindex may-write-registers
5438 @item set may-write-registers on
5439 @itemx set may-write-registers off
5440 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to alter the values of
5441 registers, such as with assignment expressions in @code{print}, or the
5442 @code{jump} command. It defaults to @code{on}.
5443
5444 @item show may-write-registers
5445 Show the current permission to write registers.
5446
5447 @kindex may-write-memory
5448 @item set may-write-memory on
5449 @itemx set may-write-memory off
5450 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to alter the contents
5451 of memory, such as with assignment expressions in @code{print}. It
5452 defaults to @code{on}.
5453
5454 @item show may-write-memory
5455 Show the current permission to write memory.
5456
5457 @kindex may-insert-breakpoints
5458 @item set may-insert-breakpoints on
5459 @itemx set may-insert-breakpoints off
5460 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert breakpoints.
5461 This affects all breakpoints, including internal breakpoints defined
5462 by @value{GDBN}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5463
5464 @item show may-insert-breakpoints
5465 Show the current permission to insert breakpoints.
5466
5467 @kindex may-insert-tracepoints
5468 @item set may-insert-tracepoints on
5469 @itemx set may-insert-tracepoints off
5470 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert (regular)
5471 tracepoints at the beginning of a tracing experiment. It affects only
5472 non-fast tracepoints, fast tracepoints being under the control of
5473 @code{may-insert-fast-tracepoints}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5474
5475 @item show may-insert-tracepoints
5476 Show the current permission to insert tracepoints.
5477
5478 @kindex may-insert-fast-tracepoints
5479 @item set may-insert-fast-tracepoints on
5480 @itemx set may-insert-fast-tracepoints off
5481 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert fast
5482 tracepoints at the beginning of a tracing experiment. It affects only
5483 fast tracepoints, regular (non-fast) tracepoints being under the
5484 control of @code{may-insert-tracepoints}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5485
5486 @item show may-insert-fast-tracepoints
5487 Show the current permission to insert fast tracepoints.
5488
5489 @kindex may-interrupt
5490 @item set may-interrupt on
5491 @itemx set may-interrupt off
5492 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to interrupt or stop
5493 program execution. When this variable is @code{off}, the
5494 @code{interrupt} command will have no effect, nor will
5495 @kbd{Ctrl-c}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5496
5497 @item show may-interrupt
5498 Show the current permission to interrupt or stop the program.
5499
5500 @end table
5501
5502 @node Reverse Execution
5503 @chapter Running programs backward
5504 @cindex reverse execution
5505 @cindex running programs backward
5506
5507 When you are debugging a program, it is not unusual to realize that
5508 you have gone too far, and some event of interest has already happened.
5509 If the target environment supports it, @value{GDBN} can allow you to
5510 ``rewind'' the program by running it backward.
5511
5512 A target environment that supports reverse execution should be able
5513 to ``undo'' the changes in machine state that have taken place as the
5514 program was executing normally. Variables, registers etc.@: should
5515 revert to their previous values. Obviously this requires a great
5516 deal of sophistication on the part of the target environment; not
5517 all target environments can support reverse execution.
5518
5519 When a program is executed in reverse, the instructions that
5520 have most recently been executed are ``un-executed'', in reverse
5521 order. The program counter runs backward, following the previous
5522 thread of execution in reverse. As each instruction is ``un-executed'',
5523 the values of memory and/or registers that were changed by that
5524 instruction are reverted to their previous states. After executing
5525 a piece of source code in reverse, all side effects of that code
5526 should be ``undone'', and all variables should be returned to their
5527 prior values@footnote{
5528 Note that some side effects are easier to undo than others. For instance,
5529 memory and registers are relatively easy, but device I/O is hard. Some
5530 targets may be able undo things like device I/O, and some may not.
5531
5532 The contract between @value{GDBN} and the reverse executing target
5533 requires only that the target do something reasonable when
5534 @value{GDBN} tells it to execute backwards, and then report the
5535 results back to @value{GDBN}. Whatever the target reports back to
5536 @value{GDBN}, @value{GDBN} will report back to the user. @value{GDBN}
5537 assumes that the memory and registers that the target reports are in a
5538 consistant state, but @value{GDBN} accepts whatever it is given.
5539 }.
5540
5541 If you are debugging in a target environment that supports
5542 reverse execution, @value{GDBN} provides the following commands.
5543
5544 @table @code
5545 @kindex reverse-continue
5546 @kindex rc @r{(@code{reverse-continue})}
5547 @item reverse-continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
5548 @itemx rc @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
5549 Beginning at the point where your program last stopped, start executing
5550 in reverse. Reverse execution will stop for breakpoints and synchronous
5551 exceptions (signals), just like normal execution. Behavior of
5552 asynchronous signals depends on the target environment.
5553
5554 @kindex reverse-step
5555 @kindex rs @r{(@code{step})}
5556 @item reverse-step @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5557 Run the program backward until control reaches the start of a
5558 different source line; then stop it, and return control to @value{GDBN}.
5559
5560 Like the @code{step} command, @code{reverse-step} will only stop
5561 at the beginning of a source line. It ``un-executes'' the previously
5562 executed source line. If the previous source line included calls to
5563 debuggable functions, @code{reverse-step} will step (backward) into
5564 the called function, stopping at the beginning of the @emph{last}
5565 statement in the called function (typically a return statement).
5566
5567 Also, as with the @code{step} command, if non-debuggable functions are
5568 called, @code{reverse-step} will run thru them backward without stopping.
5569
5570 @kindex reverse-stepi
5571 @kindex rsi @r{(@code{reverse-stepi})}
5572 @item reverse-stepi @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5573 Reverse-execute one machine instruction. Note that the instruction
5574 to be reverse-executed is @emph{not} the one pointed to by the program
5575 counter, but the instruction executed prior to that one. For instance,
5576 if the last instruction was a jump, @code{reverse-stepi} will take you
5577 back from the destination of the jump to the jump instruction itself.
5578
5579 @kindex reverse-next
5580 @kindex rn @r{(@code{reverse-next})}
5581 @item reverse-next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5582 Run backward to the beginning of the previous line executed in
5583 the current (innermost) stack frame. If the line contains function
5584 calls, they will be ``un-executed'' without stopping. Starting from
5585 the first line of a function, @code{reverse-next} will take you back
5586 to the caller of that function, @emph{before} the function was called,
5587 just as the normal @code{next} command would take you from the last
5588 line of a function back to its return to its caller
5589 @footnote{Unless the code is too heavily optimized.}.
5590
5591 @kindex reverse-nexti
5592 @kindex rni @r{(@code{reverse-nexti})}
5593 @item reverse-nexti @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5594 Like @code{nexti}, @code{reverse-nexti} executes a single instruction
5595 in reverse, except that called functions are ``un-executed'' atomically.
5596 That is, if the previously executed instruction was a return from
5597 another function, @code{reverse-nexti} will continue to execute
5598 in reverse until the call to that function (from the current stack
5599 frame) is reached.
5600
5601 @kindex reverse-finish
5602 @item reverse-finish
5603 Just as the @code{finish} command takes you to the point where the
5604 current function returns, @code{reverse-finish} takes you to the point
5605 where it was called. Instead of ending up at the end of the current
5606 function invocation, you end up at the beginning.
5607
5608 @kindex set exec-direction
5609 @item set exec-direction
5610 Set the direction of target execution.
5611 @itemx set exec-direction reverse
5612 @cindex execute forward or backward in time
5613 @value{GDBN} will perform all execution commands in reverse, until the
5614 exec-direction mode is changed to ``forward''. Affected commands include
5615 @code{step, stepi, next, nexti, continue, and finish}. The @code{return}
5616 command cannot be used in reverse mode.
5617 @item set exec-direction forward
5618 @value{GDBN} will perform all execution commands in the normal fashion.
5619 This is the default.
5620 @end table
5621
5622
5623 @node Process Record and Replay
5624 @chapter Recording Inferior's Execution and Replaying It
5625 @cindex process record and replay
5626 @cindex recording inferior's execution and replaying it
5627
5628 On some platforms, @value{GDBN} provides a special @dfn{process record
5629 and replay} target that can record a log of the process execution, and
5630 replay it later with both forward and reverse execution commands.
5631
5632 @cindex replay mode
5633 When this target is in use, if the execution log includes the record
5634 for the next instruction, @value{GDBN} will debug in @dfn{replay
5635 mode}. In the replay mode, the inferior does not really execute code
5636 instructions. Instead, all the events that normally happen during
5637 code execution are taken from the execution log. While code is not
5638 really executed in replay mode, the values of registers (including the
5639 program counter register) and the memory of the inferior are still
5640 changed as they normally would. Their contents are taken from the
5641 execution log.
5642
5643 @cindex record mode
5644 If the record for the next instruction is not in the execution log,
5645 @value{GDBN} will debug in @dfn{record mode}. In this mode, the
5646 inferior executes normally, and @value{GDBN} records the execution log
5647 for future replay.
5648
5649 The process record and replay target supports reverse execution
5650 (@pxref{Reverse Execution}), even if the platform on which the
5651 inferior runs does not. However, the reverse execution is limited in
5652 this case by the range of the instructions recorded in the execution
5653 log. In other words, reverse execution on platforms that don't
5654 support it directly can only be done in the replay mode.
5655
5656 When debugging in the reverse direction, @value{GDBN} will work in
5657 replay mode as long as the execution log includes the record for the
5658 previous instruction; otherwise, it will work in record mode, if the
5659 platform supports reverse execution, or stop if not.
5660
5661 For architecture environments that support process record and replay,
5662 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands:
5663
5664 @table @code
5665 @kindex target record
5666 @kindex record
5667 @kindex rec
5668 @item target record
5669 This command starts the process record and replay target. The process
5670 record and replay target can only debug a process that is already
5671 running. Therefore, you need first to start the process with the
5672 @kbd{run} or @kbd{start} commands, and then start the recording with
5673 the @kbd{target record} command.
5674
5675 Both @code{record} and @code{rec} are aliases of @code{target record}.
5676
5677 @cindex displaced stepping, and process record and replay
5678 Displaced stepping (@pxref{Maintenance Commands,, displaced stepping})
5679 will be automatically disabled when process record and replay target
5680 is started. That's because the process record and replay target
5681 doesn't support displaced stepping.
5682
5683 @cindex non-stop mode, and process record and replay
5684 @cindex asynchronous execution, and process record and replay
5685 If the inferior is in the non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}) or in
5686 the asynchronous execution mode (@pxref{Background Execution}), the
5687 process record and replay target cannot be started because it doesn't
5688 support these two modes.
5689
5690 @kindex record stop
5691 @kindex rec s
5692 @item record stop
5693 Stop the process record and replay target. When process record and
5694 replay target stops, the entire execution log will be deleted and the
5695 inferior will either be terminated, or will remain in its final state.
5696
5697 When you stop the process record and replay target in record mode (at
5698 the end of the execution log), the inferior will be stopped at the
5699 next instruction that would have been recorded. In other words, if
5700 you record for a while and then stop recording, the inferior process
5701 will be left in the same state as if the recording never happened.
5702
5703 On the other hand, if the process record and replay target is stopped
5704 while in replay mode (that is, not at the end of the execution log,
5705 but at some earlier point), the inferior process will become ``live''
5706 at that earlier state, and it will then be possible to continue the
5707 usual ``live'' debugging of the process from that state.
5708
5709 When the inferior process exits, or @value{GDBN} detaches from it,
5710 process record and replay target will automatically stop itself.
5711
5712 @kindex record save
5713 @item record save @var{filename}
5714 Save the execution log to a file @file{@var{filename}}.
5715 Default filename is @file{gdb_record.@var{process_id}}, where
5716 @var{process_id} is the process ID of the inferior.
5717
5718 @kindex record restore
5719 @item record restore @var{filename}
5720 Restore the execution log from a file @file{@var{filename}}.
5721 File must have been created with @code{record save}.
5722
5723 @kindex set record insn-number-max
5724 @item set record insn-number-max @var{limit}
5725 Set the limit of instructions to be recorded. Default value is 200000.
5726
5727 If @var{limit} is a positive number, then @value{GDBN} will start
5728 deleting instructions from the log once the number of the record
5729 instructions becomes greater than @var{limit}. For every new recorded
5730 instruction, @value{GDBN} will delete the earliest recorded
5731 instruction to keep the number of recorded instructions at the limit.
5732 (Since deleting recorded instructions loses information, @value{GDBN}
5733 lets you control what happens when the limit is reached, by means of
5734 the @code{stop-at-limit} option, described below.)
5735
5736 If @var{limit} is zero, @value{GDBN} will never delete recorded
5737 instructions from the execution log. The number of recorded
5738 instructions is unlimited in this case.
5739
5740 @kindex show record insn-number-max
5741 @item show record insn-number-max
5742 Show the limit of instructions to be recorded.
5743
5744 @kindex set record stop-at-limit
5745 @item set record stop-at-limit
5746 Control the behavior when the number of recorded instructions reaches
5747 the limit. If ON (the default), @value{GDBN} will stop when the limit
5748 is reached for the first time and ask you whether you want to stop the
5749 inferior or continue running it and recording the execution log. If
5750 you decide to continue recording, each new recorded instruction will
5751 cause the oldest one to be deleted.
5752
5753 If this option is OFF, @value{GDBN} will automatically delete the
5754 oldest record to make room for each new one, without asking.
5755
5756 @kindex show record stop-at-limit
5757 @item show record stop-at-limit
5758 Show the current setting of @code{stop-at-limit}.
5759
5760 @kindex set record memory-query
5761 @item set record memory-query
5762 Control the behavior when @value{GDBN} is unable to record memory
5763 changes caused by an instruction. If ON, @value{GDBN} will query
5764 whether to stop the inferior in that case.
5765
5766 If this option is OFF (the default), @value{GDBN} will automatically
5767 ignore the effect of such instructions on memory. Later, when
5768 @value{GDBN} replays this execution log, it will mark the log of this
5769 instruction as not accessible, and it will not affect the replay
5770 results.
5771
5772 @kindex show record memory-query
5773 @item show record memory-query
5774 Show the current setting of @code{memory-query}.
5775
5776 @kindex info record
5777 @item info record
5778 Show various statistics about the state of process record and its
5779 in-memory execution log buffer, including:
5780
5781 @itemize @bullet
5782 @item
5783 Whether in record mode or replay mode.
5784 @item
5785 Lowest recorded instruction number (counting from when the current execution log started recording instructions).
5786 @item
5787 Highest recorded instruction number.
5788 @item
5789 Current instruction about to be replayed (if in replay mode).
5790 @item
5791 Number of instructions contained in the execution log.
5792 @item
5793 Maximum number of instructions that may be contained in the execution log.
5794 @end itemize
5795
5796 @kindex record delete
5797 @kindex rec del
5798 @item record delete
5799 When record target runs in replay mode (``in the past''), delete the
5800 subsequent execution log and begin to record a new execution log starting
5801 from the current address. This means you will abandon the previously
5802 recorded ``future'' and begin recording a new ``future''.
5803 @end table
5804
5805
5806 @node Stack
5807 @chapter Examining the Stack
5808
5809 When your program has stopped, the first thing you need to know is where it
5810 stopped and how it got there.
5811
5812 @cindex call stack
5813 Each time your program performs a function call, information about the call
5814 is generated.
5815 That information includes the location of the call in your program,
5816 the arguments of the call,
5817 and the local variables of the function being called.
5818 The information is saved in a block of data called a @dfn{stack frame}.
5819 The stack frames are allocated in a region of memory called the @dfn{call
5820 stack}.
5821
5822 When your program stops, the @value{GDBN} commands for examining the
5823 stack allow you to see all of this information.
5824
5825 @cindex selected frame
5826 One of the stack frames is @dfn{selected} by @value{GDBN} and many
5827 @value{GDBN} commands refer implicitly to the selected frame. In
5828 particular, whenever you ask @value{GDBN} for the value of a variable in
5829 your program, the value is found in the selected frame. There are
5830 special @value{GDBN} commands to select whichever frame you are
5831 interested in. @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
5832
5833 When your program stops, @value{GDBN} automatically selects the
5834 currently executing frame and describes it briefly, similar to the
5835 @code{frame} command (@pxref{Frame Info, ,Information about a Frame}).
5836
5837 @menu
5838 * Frames:: Stack frames
5839 * Backtrace:: Backtraces
5840 * Selection:: Selecting a frame
5841 * Frame Info:: Information on a frame
5842
5843 @end menu
5844
5845 @node Frames
5846 @section Stack Frames
5847
5848 @cindex frame, definition
5849 @cindex stack frame
5850 The call stack is divided up into contiguous pieces called @dfn{stack
5851 frames}, or @dfn{frames} for short; each frame is the data associated
5852 with one call to one function. The frame contains the arguments given
5853 to the function, the function's local variables, and the address at
5854 which the function is executing.
5855
5856 @cindex initial frame
5857 @cindex outermost frame
5858 @cindex innermost frame
5859 When your program is started, the stack has only one frame, that of the
5860 function @code{main}. This is called the @dfn{initial} frame or the
5861 @dfn{outermost} frame. Each time a function is called, a new frame is
5862 made. Each time a function returns, the frame for that function invocation
5863 is eliminated. If a function is recursive, there can be many frames for
5864 the same function. The frame for the function in which execution is
5865 actually occurring is called the @dfn{innermost} frame. This is the most
5866 recently created of all the stack frames that still exist.
5867
5868 @cindex frame pointer
5869 Inside your program, stack frames are identified by their addresses. A
5870 stack frame consists of many bytes, each of which has its own address; each
5871 kind of computer has a convention for choosing one byte whose
5872 address serves as the address of the frame. Usually this address is kept
5873 in a register called the @dfn{frame pointer register}
5874 (@pxref{Registers, $fp}) while execution is going on in that frame.
5875
5876 @cindex frame number
5877 @value{GDBN} assigns numbers to all existing stack frames, starting with
5878 zero for the innermost frame, one for the frame that called it,
5879 and so on upward. These numbers do not really exist in your program;
5880 they are assigned by @value{GDBN} to give you a way of designating stack
5881 frames in @value{GDBN} commands.
5882
5883 @c The -fomit-frame-pointer below perennially causes hbox overflow
5884 @c underflow problems.
5885 @cindex frameless execution
5886 Some compilers provide a way to compile functions so that they operate
5887 without stack frames. (For example, the @value{NGCC} option
5888 @smallexample
5889 @samp{-fomit-frame-pointer}
5890 @end smallexample
5891 generates functions without a frame.)
5892 This is occasionally done with heavily used library functions to save
5893 the frame setup time. @value{GDBN} has limited facilities for dealing
5894 with these function invocations. If the innermost function invocation
5895 has no stack frame, @value{GDBN} nevertheless regards it as though
5896 it had a separate frame, which is numbered zero as usual, allowing
5897 correct tracing of the function call chain. However, @value{GDBN} has
5898 no provision for frameless functions elsewhere in the stack.
5899
5900 @table @code
5901 @kindex frame@r{, command}
5902 @cindex current stack frame
5903 @item frame @var{args}
5904 The @code{frame} command allows you to move from one stack frame to another,
5905 and to print the stack frame you select. @var{args} may be either the
5906 address of the frame or the stack frame number. Without an argument,
5907 @code{frame} prints the current stack frame.
5908
5909 @kindex select-frame
5910 @cindex selecting frame silently
5911 @item select-frame
5912 The @code{select-frame} command allows you to move from one stack frame
5913 to another without printing the frame. This is the silent version of
5914 @code{frame}.
5915 @end table
5916
5917 @node Backtrace
5918 @section Backtraces
5919
5920 @cindex traceback
5921 @cindex call stack traces
5922 A backtrace is a summary of how your program got where it is. It shows one
5923 line per frame, for many frames, starting with the currently executing
5924 frame (frame zero), followed by its caller (frame one), and on up the
5925 stack.
5926
5927 @table @code
5928 @kindex backtrace
5929 @kindex bt @r{(@code{backtrace})}
5930 @item backtrace
5931 @itemx bt
5932 Print a backtrace of the entire stack: one line per frame for all
5933 frames in the stack.
5934
5935 You can stop the backtrace at any time by typing the system interrupt
5936 character, normally @kbd{Ctrl-c}.
5937
5938 @item backtrace @var{n}
5939 @itemx bt @var{n}
5940 Similar, but print only the innermost @var{n} frames.
5941
5942 @item backtrace -@var{n}
5943 @itemx bt -@var{n}
5944 Similar, but print only the outermost @var{n} frames.
5945
5946 @item backtrace full
5947 @itemx bt full
5948 @itemx bt full @var{n}
5949 @itemx bt full -@var{n}
5950 Print the values of the local variables also. @var{n} specifies the
5951 number of frames to print, as described above.
5952 @end table
5953
5954 @kindex where
5955 @kindex info stack
5956 The names @code{where} and @code{info stack} (abbreviated @code{info s})
5957 are additional aliases for @code{backtrace}.
5958
5959 @cindex multiple threads, backtrace
5960 In a multi-threaded program, @value{GDBN} by default shows the
5961 backtrace only for the current thread. To display the backtrace for
5962 several or all of the threads, use the command @code{thread apply}
5963 (@pxref{Threads, thread apply}). For example, if you type @kbd{thread
5964 apply all backtrace}, @value{GDBN} will display the backtrace for all
5965 the threads; this is handy when you debug a core dump of a
5966 multi-threaded program.
5967
5968 Each line in the backtrace shows the frame number and the function name.
5969 The program counter value is also shown---unless you use @code{set
5970 print address off}. The backtrace also shows the source file name and
5971 line number, as well as the arguments to the function. The program
5972 counter value is omitted if it is at the beginning of the code for that
5973 line number.
5974
5975 Here is an example of a backtrace. It was made with the command
5976 @samp{bt 3}, so it shows the innermost three frames.
5977
5978 @smallexample
5979 @group
5980 #0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
5981 at builtin.c:993
5982 #1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=0x2b600, data=...) at macro.c:242
5983 #2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=177664, td=0xf7fffb08)
5984 at macro.c:71
5985 (More stack frames follow...)
5986 @end group
5987 @end smallexample
5988
5989 @noindent
5990 The display for frame zero does not begin with a program counter
5991 value, indicating that your program has stopped at the beginning of the
5992 code for line @code{993} of @code{builtin.c}.
5993
5994 @noindent
5995 The value of parameter @code{data} in frame 1 has been replaced by
5996 @code{@dots{}}. By default, @value{GDBN} prints the value of a parameter
5997 only if it is a scalar (integer, pointer, enumeration, etc). See command
5998 @kbd{set print frame-arguments} in @ref{Print Settings} for more details
5999 on how to configure the way function parameter values are printed.
6000
6001 @cindex optimized out, in backtrace
6002 @cindex function call arguments, optimized out
6003 If your program was compiled with optimizations, some compilers will
6004 optimize away arguments passed to functions if those arguments are
6005 never used after the call. Such optimizations generate code that
6006 passes arguments through registers, but doesn't store those arguments
6007 in the stack frame. @value{GDBN} has no way of displaying such
6008 arguments in stack frames other than the innermost one. Here's what
6009 such a backtrace might look like:
6010
6011 @smallexample
6012 @group
6013 #0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
6014 at builtin.c:993
6015 #1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=<optimized out>) at macro.c:242
6016 #2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=<optimized out>, td=0xf7fffb08)
6017 at macro.c:71
6018 (More stack frames follow...)
6019 @end group
6020 @end smallexample
6021
6022 @noindent
6023 The values of arguments that were not saved in their stack frames are
6024 shown as @samp{<optimized out>}.
6025
6026 If you need to display the values of such optimized-out arguments,
6027 either deduce that from other variables whose values depend on the one
6028 you are interested in, or recompile without optimizations.
6029
6030 @cindex backtrace beyond @code{main} function
6031 @cindex program entry point
6032 @cindex startup code, and backtrace
6033 Most programs have a standard user entry point---a place where system
6034 libraries and startup code transition into user code. For C this is
6035 @code{main}@footnote{
6036 Note that embedded programs (the so-called ``free-standing''
6037 environment) are not required to have a @code{main} function as the
6038 entry point. They could even have multiple entry points.}.
6039 When @value{GDBN} finds the entry function in a backtrace
6040 it will terminate the backtrace, to avoid tracing into highly
6041 system-specific (and generally uninteresting) code.
6042
6043 If you need to examine the startup code, or limit the number of levels
6044 in a backtrace, you can change this behavior:
6045
6046 @table @code
6047 @item set backtrace past-main
6048 @itemx set backtrace past-main on
6049 @kindex set backtrace
6050 Backtraces will continue past the user entry point.
6051
6052 @item set backtrace past-main off
6053 Backtraces will stop when they encounter the user entry point. This is the
6054 default.
6055
6056 @item show backtrace past-main
6057 @kindex show backtrace
6058 Display the current user entry point backtrace policy.
6059
6060 @item set backtrace past-entry
6061 @itemx set backtrace past-entry on
6062 Backtraces will continue past the internal entry point of an application.
6063 This entry point is encoded by the linker when the application is built,
6064 and is likely before the user entry point @code{main} (or equivalent) is called.
6065
6066 @item set backtrace past-entry off
6067 Backtraces will stop when they encounter the internal entry point of an
6068 application. This is the default.
6069
6070 @item show backtrace past-entry
6071 Display the current internal entry point backtrace policy.
6072
6073 @item set backtrace limit @var{n}
6074 @itemx set backtrace limit 0
6075 @cindex backtrace limit
6076 Limit the backtrace to @var{n} levels. A value of zero means
6077 unlimited.
6078
6079 @item show backtrace limit
6080 Display the current limit on backtrace levels.
6081 @end table
6082
6083 @node Selection
6084 @section Selecting a Frame
6085
6086 Most commands for examining the stack and other data in your program work on
6087 whichever stack frame is selected at the moment. Here are the commands for
6088 selecting a stack frame; all of them finish by printing a brief description
6089 of the stack frame just selected.
6090
6091 @table @code
6092 @kindex frame@r{, selecting}
6093 @kindex f @r{(@code{frame})}
6094 @item frame @var{n}
6095 @itemx f @var{n}
6096 Select frame number @var{n}. Recall that frame zero is the innermost
6097 (currently executing) frame, frame one is the frame that called the
6098 innermost one, and so on. The highest-numbered frame is the one for
6099 @code{main}.
6100
6101 @item frame @var{addr}
6102 @itemx f @var{addr}
6103 Select the frame at address @var{addr}. This is useful mainly if the
6104 chaining of stack frames has been damaged by a bug, making it
6105 impossible for @value{GDBN} to assign numbers properly to all frames. In
6106 addition, this can be useful when your program has multiple stacks and
6107 switches between them.
6108
6109 On the SPARC architecture, @code{frame} needs two addresses to
6110 select an arbitrary frame: a frame pointer and a stack pointer.
6111
6112 On the MIPS and Alpha architecture, it needs two addresses: a stack
6113 pointer and a program counter.
6114
6115 On the 29k architecture, it needs three addresses: a register stack
6116 pointer, a program counter, and a memory stack pointer.
6117
6118 @kindex up
6119 @item up @var{n}
6120 Move @var{n} frames up the stack. For positive numbers @var{n}, this
6121 advances toward the outermost frame, to higher frame numbers, to frames
6122 that have existed longer. @var{n} defaults to one.
6123
6124 @kindex down
6125 @kindex do @r{(@code{down})}
6126 @item down @var{n}
6127 Move @var{n} frames down the stack. For positive numbers @var{n}, this
6128 advances toward the innermost frame, to lower frame numbers, to frames
6129 that were created more recently. @var{n} defaults to one. You may
6130 abbreviate @code{down} as @code{do}.
6131 @end table
6132
6133 All of these commands end by printing two lines of output describing the
6134 frame. The first line shows the frame number, the function name, the
6135 arguments, and the source file and line number of execution in that
6136 frame. The second line shows the text of that source line.
6137
6138 @need 1000
6139 For example:
6140
6141 @smallexample
6142 @group
6143 (@value{GDBP}) up
6144 #1 0x22f0 in main (argc=1, argv=0xf7fffbf4, env=0xf7fffbfc)
6145 at env.c:10
6146 10 read_input_file (argv[i]);
6147 @end group
6148 @end smallexample
6149
6150 After such a printout, the @code{list} command with no arguments
6151 prints ten lines centered on the point of execution in the frame.
6152 You can also edit the program at the point of execution with your favorite
6153 editing program by typing @code{edit}.
6154 @xref{List, ,Printing Source Lines},
6155 for details.
6156
6157 @table @code
6158 @kindex down-silently
6159 @kindex up-silently
6160 @item up-silently @var{n}
6161 @itemx down-silently @var{n}
6162 These two commands are variants of @code{up} and @code{down},
6163 respectively; they differ in that they do their work silently, without
6164 causing display of the new frame. They are intended primarily for use
6165 in @value{GDBN} command scripts, where the output might be unnecessary and
6166 distracting.
6167 @end table
6168
6169 @node Frame Info
6170 @section Information About a Frame
6171
6172 There are several other commands to print information about the selected
6173 stack frame.
6174
6175 @table @code
6176 @item frame
6177 @itemx f
6178 When used without any argument, this command does not change which
6179 frame is selected, but prints a brief description of the currently
6180 selected stack frame. It can be abbreviated @code{f}. With an
6181 argument, this command is used to select a stack frame.
6182 @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
6183
6184 @kindex info frame
6185 @kindex info f @r{(@code{info frame})}
6186 @item info frame
6187 @itemx info f
6188 This command prints a verbose description of the selected stack frame,
6189 including:
6190
6191 @itemize @bullet
6192 @item
6193 the address of the frame
6194 @item
6195 the address of the next frame down (called by this frame)
6196 @item
6197 the address of the next frame up (caller of this frame)
6198 @item
6199 the language in which the source code corresponding to this frame is written
6200 @item
6201 the address of the frame's arguments
6202 @item
6203 the address of the frame's local variables
6204 @item
6205 the program counter saved in it (the address of execution in the caller frame)
6206 @item
6207 which registers were saved in the frame
6208 @end itemize
6209
6210 @noindent The verbose description is useful when
6211 something has gone wrong that has made the stack format fail to fit
6212 the usual conventions.
6213
6214 @item info frame @var{addr}
6215 @itemx info f @var{addr}
6216 Print a verbose description of the frame at address @var{addr}, without
6217 selecting that frame. The selected frame remains unchanged by this
6218 command. This requires the same kind of address (more than one for some
6219 architectures) that you specify in the @code{frame} command.
6220 @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
6221
6222 @kindex info args
6223 @item info args
6224 Print the arguments of the selected frame, each on a separate line.
6225
6226 @item info locals
6227 @kindex info locals
6228 Print the local variables of the selected frame, each on a separate
6229 line. These are all variables (declared either static or automatic)
6230 accessible at the point of execution of the selected frame.
6231
6232 @kindex info catch
6233 @cindex catch exceptions, list active handlers
6234 @cindex exception handlers, how to list
6235 @item info catch
6236 Print a list of all the exception handlers that are active in the
6237 current stack frame at the current point of execution. To see other
6238 exception handlers, visit the associated frame (using the @code{up},
6239 @code{down}, or @code{frame} commands); then type @code{info catch}.
6240 @xref{Set Catchpoints, , Setting Catchpoints}.
6241
6242 @end table
6243
6244
6245 @node Source
6246 @chapter Examining Source Files
6247
6248 @value{GDBN} can print parts of your program's source, since the debugging
6249 information recorded in the program tells @value{GDBN} what source files were
6250 used to build it. When your program stops, @value{GDBN} spontaneously prints
6251 the line where it stopped. Likewise, when you select a stack frame
6252 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}), @value{GDBN} prints the line where
6253 execution in that frame has stopped. You can print other portions of
6254 source files by explicit command.
6255
6256 If you use @value{GDBN} through its @sc{gnu} Emacs interface, you may
6257 prefer to use Emacs facilities to view source; see @ref{Emacs, ,Using
6258 @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}.
6259
6260 @menu
6261 * List:: Printing source lines
6262 * Specify Location:: How to specify code locations
6263 * Edit:: Editing source files
6264 * Search:: Searching source files
6265 * Source Path:: Specifying source directories
6266 * Machine Code:: Source and machine code
6267 @end menu
6268
6269 @node List
6270 @section Printing Source Lines
6271
6272 @kindex list
6273 @kindex l @r{(@code{list})}
6274 To print lines from a source file, use the @code{list} command
6275 (abbreviated @code{l}). By default, ten lines are printed.
6276 There are several ways to specify what part of the file you want to
6277 print; see @ref{Specify Location}, for the full list.
6278
6279 Here are the forms of the @code{list} command most commonly used:
6280
6281 @table @code
6282 @item list @var{linenum}
6283 Print lines centered around line number @var{linenum} in the
6284 current source file.
6285
6286 @item list @var{function}
6287 Print lines centered around the beginning of function
6288 @var{function}.
6289
6290 @item list
6291 Print more lines. If the last lines printed were printed with a
6292 @code{list} command, this prints lines following the last lines
6293 printed; however, if the last line printed was a solitary line printed
6294 as part of displaying a stack frame (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the
6295 Stack}), this prints lines centered around that line.
6296
6297 @item list -
6298 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
6299 @end table
6300
6301 @cindex @code{list}, how many lines to display
6302 By default, @value{GDBN} prints ten source lines with any of these forms of
6303 the @code{list} command. You can change this using @code{set listsize}:
6304
6305 @table @code
6306 @kindex set listsize
6307 @item set listsize @var{count}
6308 Make the @code{list} command display @var{count} source lines (unless
6309 the @code{list} argument explicitly specifies some other number).
6310
6311 @kindex show listsize
6312 @item show listsize
6313 Display the number of lines that @code{list} prints.
6314 @end table
6315
6316 Repeating a @code{list} command with @key{RET} discards the argument,
6317 so it is equivalent to typing just @code{list}. This is more useful
6318 than listing the same lines again. An exception is made for an
6319 argument of @samp{-}; that argument is preserved in repetition so that
6320 each repetition moves up in the source file.
6321
6322 In general, the @code{list} command expects you to supply zero, one or two
6323 @dfn{linespecs}. Linespecs specify source lines; there are several ways
6324 of writing them (@pxref{Specify Location}), but the effect is always
6325 to specify some source line.
6326
6327 Here is a complete description of the possible arguments for @code{list}:
6328
6329 @table @code
6330 @item list @var{linespec}
6331 Print lines centered around the line specified by @var{linespec}.
6332
6333 @item list @var{first},@var{last}
6334 Print lines from @var{first} to @var{last}. Both arguments are
6335 linespecs. When a @code{list} command has two linespecs, and the
6336 source file of the second linespec is omitted, this refers to
6337 the same source file as the first linespec.
6338
6339 @item list ,@var{last}
6340 Print lines ending with @var{last}.
6341
6342 @item list @var{first},
6343 Print lines starting with @var{first}.
6344
6345 @item list +
6346 Print lines just after the lines last printed.
6347
6348 @item list -
6349 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
6350
6351 @item list
6352 As described in the preceding table.
6353 @end table
6354
6355 @node Specify Location
6356 @section Specifying a Location
6357 @cindex specifying location
6358 @cindex linespec
6359
6360 Several @value{GDBN} commands accept arguments that specify a location
6361 of your program's code. Since @value{GDBN} is a source-level
6362 debugger, a location usually specifies some line in the source code;
6363 for that reason, locations are also known as @dfn{linespecs}.
6364
6365 Here are all the different ways of specifying a code location that
6366 @value{GDBN} understands:
6367
6368 @table @code
6369 @item @var{linenum}
6370 Specifies the line number @var{linenum} of the current source file.
6371
6372 @item -@var{offset}
6373 @itemx +@var{offset}
6374 Specifies the line @var{offset} lines before or after the @dfn{current
6375 line}. For the @code{list} command, the current line is the last one
6376 printed; for the breakpoint commands, this is the line at which
6377 execution stopped in the currently selected @dfn{stack frame}
6378 (@pxref{Frames, ,Frames}, for a description of stack frames.) When
6379 used as the second of the two linespecs in a @code{list} command,
6380 this specifies the line @var{offset} lines up or down from the first
6381 linespec.
6382
6383 @item @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
6384 Specifies the line @var{linenum} in the source file @var{filename}.
6385
6386 @item @var{function}
6387 Specifies the line that begins the body of the function @var{function}.
6388 For example, in C, this is the line with the open brace.
6389
6390 @item @var{function}:@var{label}
6391 Specifies the line where @var{label} appears in @var{function}.
6392
6393 @item @var{filename}:@var{function}
6394 Specifies the line that begins the body of the function @var{function}
6395 in the file @var{filename}. You only need the file name with a
6396 function name to avoid ambiguity when there are identically named
6397 functions in different source files.
6398
6399 @item @var{label}
6400 Specifies the line at which the label named @var{label} appears.
6401 @value{GDBN} searches for the label in the function corresponding to
6402 the currently selected stack frame. If there is no current selected
6403 stack frame (for instance, if the inferior is not running), then
6404 @value{GDBN} will not search for a label.
6405
6406 @item *@var{address}
6407 Specifies the program address @var{address}. For line-oriented
6408 commands, such as @code{list} and @code{edit}, this specifies a source
6409 line that contains @var{address}. For @code{break} and other
6410 breakpoint oriented commands, this can be used to set breakpoints in
6411 parts of your program which do not have debugging information or
6412 source files.
6413
6414 Here @var{address} may be any expression valid in the current working
6415 language (@pxref{Languages, working language}) that specifies a code
6416 address. In addition, as a convenience, @value{GDBN} extends the
6417 semantics of expressions used in locations to cover the situations
6418 that frequently happen during debugging. Here are the various forms
6419 of @var{address}:
6420
6421 @table @code
6422 @item @var{expression}
6423 Any expression valid in the current working language.
6424
6425 @item @var{funcaddr}
6426 An address of a function or procedure derived from its name. In C,
6427 C@t{++}, Java, Objective-C, Fortran, minimal, and assembly, this is
6428 simply the function's name @var{function} (and actually a special case
6429 of a valid expression). In Pascal and Modula-2, this is
6430 @code{&@var{function}}. In Ada, this is @code{@var{function}'Address}
6431 (although the Pascal form also works).
6432
6433 This form specifies the address of the function's first instruction,
6434 before the stack frame and arguments have been set up.
6435
6436 @item '@var{filename}'::@var{funcaddr}
6437 Like @var{funcaddr} above, but also specifies the name of the source
6438 file explicitly. This is useful if the name of the function does not
6439 specify the function unambiguously, e.g., if there are several
6440 functions with identical names in different source files.
6441 @end table
6442
6443 @end table
6444
6445
6446 @node Edit
6447 @section Editing Source Files
6448 @cindex editing source files
6449
6450 @kindex edit
6451 @kindex e @r{(@code{edit})}
6452 To edit the lines in a source file, use the @code{edit} command.
6453 The editing program of your choice
6454 is invoked with the current line set to
6455 the active line in the program.
6456 Alternatively, there are several ways to specify what part of the file you
6457 want to print if you want to see other parts of the program:
6458
6459 @table @code
6460 @item edit @var{location}
6461 Edit the source file specified by @code{location}. Editing starts at
6462 that @var{location}, e.g., at the specified source line of the
6463 specified file. @xref{Specify Location}, for all the possible forms
6464 of the @var{location} argument; here are the forms of the @code{edit}
6465 command most commonly used:
6466
6467 @table @code
6468 @item edit @var{number}
6469 Edit the current source file with @var{number} as the active line number.
6470
6471 @item edit @var{function}
6472 Edit the file containing @var{function} at the beginning of its definition.
6473 @end table
6474
6475 @end table
6476
6477 @subsection Choosing your Editor
6478 You can customize @value{GDBN} to use any editor you want
6479 @footnote{
6480 The only restriction is that your editor (say @code{ex}), recognizes the
6481 following command-line syntax:
6482 @smallexample
6483 ex +@var{number} file
6484 @end smallexample
6485 The optional numeric value +@var{number} specifies the number of the line in
6486 the file where to start editing.}.
6487 By default, it is @file{@value{EDITOR}}, but you can change this
6488 by setting the environment variable @code{EDITOR} before using
6489 @value{GDBN}. For example, to configure @value{GDBN} to use the
6490 @code{vi} editor, you could use these commands with the @code{sh} shell:
6491 @smallexample
6492 EDITOR=/usr/bin/vi
6493 export EDITOR
6494 gdb @dots{}
6495 @end smallexample
6496 or in the @code{csh} shell,
6497 @smallexample
6498 setenv EDITOR /usr/bin/vi
6499 gdb @dots{}
6500 @end smallexample
6501
6502 @node Search
6503 @section Searching Source Files
6504 @cindex searching source files
6505
6506 There are two commands for searching through the current source file for a
6507 regular expression.
6508
6509 @table @code
6510 @kindex search
6511 @kindex forward-search
6512 @item forward-search @var{regexp}
6513 @itemx search @var{regexp}
6514 The command @samp{forward-search @var{regexp}} checks each line,
6515 starting with the one following the last line listed, for a match for
6516 @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can use the
6517 synonym @samp{search @var{regexp}} or abbreviate the command name as
6518 @code{fo}.
6519
6520 @kindex reverse-search
6521 @item reverse-search @var{regexp}
6522 The command @samp{reverse-search @var{regexp}} checks each line, starting
6523 with the one before the last line listed and going backward, for a match
6524 for @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can abbreviate
6525 this command as @code{rev}.
6526 @end table
6527
6528 @node Source Path
6529 @section Specifying Source Directories
6530
6531 @cindex source path
6532 @cindex directories for source files
6533 Executable programs sometimes do not record the directories of the source
6534 files from which they were compiled, just the names. Even when they do,
6535 the directories could be moved between the compilation and your debugging
6536 session. @value{GDBN} has a list of directories to search for source files;
6537 this is called the @dfn{source path}. Each time @value{GDBN} wants a source file,
6538 it tries all the directories in the list, in the order they are present
6539 in the list, until it finds a file with the desired name.
6540
6541 For example, suppose an executable references the file
6542 @file{/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}, and our source path is
6543 @file{/mnt/cross}. The file is first looked up literally; if this
6544 fails, @file{/mnt/cross/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c} is tried; if this
6545 fails, @file{/mnt/cross/foo.c} is opened; if this fails, an error
6546 message is printed. @value{GDBN} does not look up the parts of the
6547 source file name, such as @file{/mnt/cross/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}.
6548 Likewise, the subdirectories of the source path are not searched: if
6549 the source path is @file{/mnt/cross}, and the binary refers to
6550 @file{foo.c}, @value{GDBN} would not find it under
6551 @file{/mnt/cross/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib}.
6552
6553 Plain file names, relative file names with leading directories, file
6554 names containing dots, etc.@: are all treated as described above; for
6555 instance, if the source path is @file{/mnt/cross}, and the source file
6556 is recorded as @file{../lib/foo.c}, @value{GDBN} would first try
6557 @file{../lib/foo.c}, then @file{/mnt/cross/../lib/foo.c}, and after
6558 that---@file{/mnt/cross/foo.c}.
6559
6560 Note that the executable search path is @emph{not} used to locate the
6561 source files.
6562
6563 Whenever you reset or rearrange the source path, @value{GDBN} clears out
6564 any information it has cached about where source files are found and where
6565 each line is in the file.
6566
6567 @kindex directory
6568 @kindex dir
6569 When you start @value{GDBN}, its source path includes only @samp{cdir}
6570 and @samp{cwd}, in that order.
6571 To add other directories, use the @code{directory} command.
6572
6573 The search path is used to find both program source files and @value{GDBN}
6574 script files (read using the @samp{-command} option and @samp{source} command).
6575
6576 In addition to the source path, @value{GDBN} provides a set of commands
6577 that manage a list of source path substitution rules. A @dfn{substitution
6578 rule} specifies how to rewrite source directories stored in the program's
6579 debug information in case the sources were moved to a different
6580 directory between compilation and debugging. A rule is made of
6581 two strings, the first specifying what needs to be rewritten in
6582 the path, and the second specifying how it should be rewritten.
6583 In @ref{set substitute-path}, we name these two parts @var{from} and
6584 @var{to} respectively. @value{GDBN} does a simple string replacement
6585 of @var{from} with @var{to} at the start of the directory part of the
6586 source file name, and uses that result instead of the original file
6587 name to look up the sources.
6588
6589 Using the previous example, suppose the @file{foo-1.0} tree has been
6590 moved from @file{/usr/src} to @file{/mnt/cross}, then you can tell
6591 @value{GDBN} to replace @file{/usr/src} in all source path names with
6592 @file{/mnt/cross}. The first lookup will then be
6593 @file{/mnt/cross/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c} in place of the original location
6594 of @file{/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}. To define a source path
6595 substitution rule, use the @code{set substitute-path} command
6596 (@pxref{set substitute-path}).
6597
6598 To avoid unexpected substitution results, a rule is applied only if the
6599 @var{from} part of the directory name ends at a directory separator.
6600 For instance, a rule substituting @file{/usr/source} into
6601 @file{/mnt/cross} will be applied to @file{/usr/source/foo-1.0} but
6602 not to @file{/usr/sourceware/foo-2.0}. And because the substitution
6603 is applied only at the beginning of the directory name, this rule will
6604 not be applied to @file{/root/usr/source/baz.c} either.
6605
6606 In many cases, you can achieve the same result using the @code{directory}
6607 command. However, @code{set substitute-path} can be more efficient in
6608 the case where the sources are organized in a complex tree with multiple
6609 subdirectories. With the @code{directory} command, you need to add each
6610 subdirectory of your project. If you moved the entire tree while
6611 preserving its internal organization, then @code{set substitute-path}
6612 allows you to direct the debugger to all the sources with one single
6613 command.
6614
6615 @code{set substitute-path} is also more than just a shortcut command.
6616 The source path is only used if the file at the original location no
6617 longer exists. On the other hand, @code{set substitute-path} modifies
6618 the debugger behavior to look at the rewritten location instead. So, if
6619 for any reason a source file that is not relevant to your executable is
6620 located at the original location, a substitution rule is the only
6621 method available to point @value{GDBN} at the new location.
6622
6623 @cindex @samp{--with-relocated-sources}
6624 @cindex default source path substitution
6625 You can configure a default source path substitution rule by
6626 configuring @value{GDBN} with the
6627 @samp{--with-relocated-sources=@var{dir}} option. The @var{dir}
6628 should be the name of a directory under @value{GDBN}'s configured
6629 prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or @samp{--exec-prefix}), and
6630 directory names in debug information under @var{dir} will be adjusted
6631 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
6632 location. This is useful if @value{GDBN}, libraries or executables
6633 with debug information and corresponding source code are being moved
6634 together.
6635
6636 @table @code
6637 @item directory @var{dirname} @dots{}
6638 @item dir @var{dirname} @dots{}
6639 Add directory @var{dirname} to the front of the source path. Several
6640 directory names may be given to this command, separated by @samp{:}
6641 (@samp{;} on MS-DOS and MS-Windows, where @samp{:} usually appears as
6642 part of absolute file names) or
6643 whitespace. You may specify a directory that is already in the source
6644 path; this moves it forward, so @value{GDBN} searches it sooner.
6645
6646 @kindex cdir
6647 @kindex cwd
6648 @vindex $cdir@r{, convenience variable}
6649 @vindex $cwd@r{, convenience variable}
6650 @cindex compilation directory
6651 @cindex current directory
6652 @cindex working directory
6653 @cindex directory, current
6654 @cindex directory, compilation
6655 You can use the string @samp{$cdir} to refer to the compilation
6656 directory (if one is recorded), and @samp{$cwd} to refer to the current
6657 working directory. @samp{$cwd} is not the same as @samp{.}---the former
6658 tracks the current working directory as it changes during your @value{GDBN}
6659 session, while the latter is immediately expanded to the current
6660 directory at the time you add an entry to the source path.
6661
6662 @item directory
6663 Reset the source path to its default value (@samp{$cdir:$cwd} on Unix systems). This requires confirmation.
6664
6665 @c RET-repeat for @code{directory} is explicitly disabled, but since
6666 @c repeating it would be a no-op we do not say that. (thanks to RMS)
6667
6668 @item set directories @var{path-list}
6669 @kindex set directories
6670 Set the source path to @var{path-list}.
6671 @samp{$cdir:$cwd} are added if missing.
6672
6673 @item show directories
6674 @kindex show directories
6675 Print the source path: show which directories it contains.
6676
6677 @anchor{set substitute-path}
6678 @item set substitute-path @var{from} @var{to}
6679 @kindex set substitute-path
6680 Define a source path substitution rule, and add it at the end of the
6681 current list of existing substitution rules. If a rule with the same
6682 @var{from} was already defined, then the old rule is also deleted.
6683
6684 For example, if the file @file{/foo/bar/baz.c} was moved to
6685 @file{/mnt/cross/baz.c}, then the command
6686
6687 @smallexample
6688 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src /mnt/cross
6689 @end smallexample
6690
6691 @noindent
6692 will tell @value{GDBN} to replace @samp{/usr/src} with
6693 @samp{/mnt/cross}, which will allow @value{GDBN} to find the file
6694 @file{baz.c} even though it was moved.
6695
6696 In the case when more than one substitution rule have been defined,
6697 the rules are evaluated one by one in the order where they have been
6698 defined. The first one matching, if any, is selected to perform
6699 the substitution.
6700
6701 For instance, if we had entered the following commands:
6702
6703 @smallexample
6704 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src/include /mnt/include
6705 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src /mnt/src
6706 @end smallexample
6707
6708 @noindent
6709 @value{GDBN} would then rewrite @file{/usr/src/include/defs.h} into
6710 @file{/mnt/include/defs.h} by using the first rule. However, it would
6711 use the second rule to rewrite @file{/usr/src/lib/foo.c} into
6712 @file{/mnt/src/lib/foo.c}.
6713
6714
6715 @item unset substitute-path [path]
6716 @kindex unset substitute-path
6717 If a path is specified, search the current list of substitution rules
6718 for a rule that would rewrite that path. Delete that rule if found.
6719 A warning is emitted by the debugger if no rule could be found.
6720
6721 If no path is specified, then all substitution rules are deleted.
6722
6723 @item show substitute-path [path]
6724 @kindex show substitute-path
6725 If a path is specified, then print the source path substitution rule
6726 which would rewrite that path, if any.
6727
6728 If no path is specified, then print all existing source path substitution
6729 rules.
6730
6731 @end table
6732
6733 If your source path is cluttered with directories that are no longer of
6734 interest, @value{GDBN} may sometimes cause confusion by finding the wrong
6735 versions of source. You can correct the situation as follows:
6736
6737 @enumerate
6738 @item
6739 Use @code{directory} with no argument to reset the source path to its default value.
6740
6741 @item
6742 Use @code{directory} with suitable arguments to reinstall the
6743 directories you want in the source path. You can add all the
6744 directories in one command.
6745 @end enumerate
6746
6747 @node Machine Code
6748 @section Source and Machine Code
6749 @cindex source line and its code address
6750
6751 You can use the command @code{info line} to map source lines to program
6752 addresses (and vice versa), and the command @code{disassemble} to display
6753 a range of addresses as machine instructions. You can use the command
6754 @code{set disassemble-next-line} to set whether to disassemble next
6755 source line when execution stops. When run under @sc{gnu} Emacs
6756 mode, the @code{info line} command causes the arrow to point to the
6757 line specified. Also, @code{info line} prints addresses in symbolic form as
6758 well as hex.
6759
6760 @table @code
6761 @kindex info line
6762 @item info line @var{linespec}
6763 Print the starting and ending addresses of the compiled code for
6764 source line @var{linespec}. You can specify source lines in any of
6765 the ways documented in @ref{Specify Location}.
6766 @end table
6767
6768 For example, we can use @code{info line} to discover the location of
6769 the object code for the first line of function
6770 @code{m4_changequote}:
6771
6772 @c FIXME: I think this example should also show the addresses in
6773 @c symbolic form, as they usually would be displayed.
6774 @smallexample
6775 (@value{GDBP}) info line m4_changequote
6776 Line 895 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x634c and ends at 0x6350.
6777 @end smallexample
6778
6779 @noindent
6780 @cindex code address and its source line
6781 We can also inquire (using @code{*@var{addr}} as the form for
6782 @var{linespec}) what source line covers a particular address:
6783 @smallexample
6784 (@value{GDBP}) info line *0x63ff
6785 Line 926 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x63e4 and ends at 0x6404.
6786 @end smallexample
6787
6788 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info line}
6789 @cindex @code{x} command, default address
6790 @kindex x@r{(examine), and} info line
6791 After @code{info line}, the default address for the @code{x} command
6792 is changed to the starting address of the line, so that @samp{x/i} is
6793 sufficient to begin examining the machine code (@pxref{Memory,
6794 ,Examining Memory}). Also, this address is saved as the value of the
6795 convenience variable @code{$_} (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
6796 Variables}).
6797
6798 @table @code
6799 @kindex disassemble
6800 @cindex assembly instructions
6801 @cindex instructions, assembly
6802 @cindex machine instructions
6803 @cindex listing machine instructions
6804 @item disassemble
6805 @itemx disassemble /m
6806 @itemx disassemble /r
6807 This specialized command dumps a range of memory as machine
6808 instructions. It can also print mixed source+disassembly by specifying
6809 the @code{/m} modifier and print the raw instructions in hex as well as
6810 in symbolic form by specifying the @code{/r}.
6811 The default memory range is the function surrounding the
6812 program counter of the selected frame. A single argument to this
6813 command is a program counter value; @value{GDBN} dumps the function
6814 surrounding this value. When two arguments are given, they should
6815 be separated by a comma, possibly surrounded by whitespace. The
6816 arguments specify a range of addresses to dump, in one of two forms:
6817
6818 @table @code
6819 @item @var{start},@var{end}
6820 the addresses from @var{start} (inclusive) to @var{end} (exclusive)
6821 @item @var{start},+@var{length}
6822 the addresses from @var{start} (inclusive) to
6823 @code{@var{start}+@var{length}} (exclusive).
6824 @end table
6825
6826 @noindent
6827 When 2 arguments are specified, the name of the function is also
6828 printed (since there could be several functions in the given range).
6829
6830 The argument(s) can be any expression yielding a numeric value, such as
6831 @samp{0x32c4}, @samp{&main+10} or @samp{$pc - 8}.
6832
6833 If the range of memory being disassembled contains current program counter,
6834 the instruction at that location is shown with a @code{=>} marker.
6835 @end table
6836
6837 The following example shows the disassembly of a range of addresses of
6838 HP PA-RISC 2.0 code:
6839
6840 @smallexample
6841 (@value{GDBP}) disas 0x32c4, 0x32e4
6842 Dump of assembler code from 0x32c4 to 0x32e4:
6843 0x32c4 <main+204>: addil 0,dp
6844 0x32c8 <main+208>: ldw 0x22c(sr0,r1),r26
6845 0x32cc <main+212>: ldil 0x3000,r31
6846 0x32d0 <main+216>: ble 0x3f8(sr4,r31)
6847 0x32d4 <main+220>: ldo 0(r31),rp
6848 0x32d8 <main+224>: addil -0x800,dp
6849 0x32dc <main+228>: ldo 0x588(r1),r26
6850 0x32e0 <main+232>: ldil 0x3000,r31
6851 End of assembler dump.
6852 @end smallexample
6853
6854 Here is an example showing mixed source+assembly for Intel x86, when the
6855 program is stopped just after function prologue:
6856
6857 @smallexample
6858 (@value{GDBP}) disas /m main
6859 Dump of assembler code for function main:
6860 5 @{
6861 0x08048330 <+0>: push %ebp
6862 0x08048331 <+1>: mov %esp,%ebp
6863 0x08048333 <+3>: sub $0x8,%esp
6864 0x08048336 <+6>: and $0xfffffff0,%esp
6865 0x08048339 <+9>: sub $0x10,%esp
6866
6867 6 printf ("Hello.\n");
6868 => 0x0804833c <+12>: movl $0x8048440,(%esp)
6869 0x08048343 <+19>: call 0x8048284 <puts@@plt>
6870
6871 7 return 0;
6872 8 @}
6873 0x08048348 <+24>: mov $0x0,%eax
6874 0x0804834d <+29>: leave
6875 0x0804834e <+30>: ret
6876
6877 End of assembler dump.
6878 @end smallexample
6879
6880 Here is another example showing raw instructions in hex for AMD x86-64,
6881
6882 @smallexample
6883 (gdb) disas /r 0x400281,+10
6884 Dump of assembler code from 0x400281 to 0x40028b:
6885 0x0000000000400281: 38 36 cmp %dh,(%rsi)
6886 0x0000000000400283: 2d 36 34 2e 73 sub $0x732e3436,%eax
6887 0x0000000000400288: 6f outsl %ds:(%rsi),(%dx)
6888 0x0000000000400289: 2e 32 00 xor %cs:(%rax),%al
6889 End of assembler dump.
6890 @end smallexample
6891
6892 Some architectures have more than one commonly-used set of instruction
6893 mnemonics or other syntax.
6894
6895 For programs that were dynamically linked and use shared libraries,
6896 instructions that call functions or branch to locations in the shared
6897 libraries might show a seemingly bogus location---it's actually a
6898 location of the relocation table. On some architectures, @value{GDBN}
6899 might be able to resolve these to actual function names.
6900
6901 @table @code
6902 @kindex set disassembly-flavor
6903 @cindex Intel disassembly flavor
6904 @cindex AT&T disassembly flavor
6905 @item set disassembly-flavor @var{instruction-set}
6906 Select the instruction set to use when disassembling the
6907 program via the @code{disassemble} or @code{x/i} commands.
6908
6909 Currently this command is only defined for the Intel x86 family. You
6910 can set @var{instruction-set} to either @code{intel} or @code{att}.
6911 The default is @code{att}, the AT&T flavor used by default by Unix
6912 assemblers for x86-based targets.
6913
6914 @kindex show disassembly-flavor
6915 @item show disassembly-flavor
6916 Show the current setting of the disassembly flavor.
6917 @end table
6918
6919 @table @code
6920 @kindex set disassemble-next-line
6921 @kindex show disassemble-next-line
6922 @item set disassemble-next-line
6923 @itemx show disassemble-next-line
6924 Control whether or not @value{GDBN} will disassemble the next source
6925 line or instruction when execution stops. If ON, @value{GDBN} will
6926 display disassembly of the next source line when execution of the
6927 program being debugged stops. This is @emph{in addition} to
6928 displaying the source line itself, which @value{GDBN} always does if
6929 possible. If the next source line cannot be displayed for some reason
6930 (e.g., if @value{GDBN} cannot find the source file, or there's no line
6931 info in the debug info), @value{GDBN} will display disassembly of the
6932 next @emph{instruction} instead of showing the next source line. If
6933 AUTO, @value{GDBN} will display disassembly of next instruction only
6934 if the source line cannot be displayed. This setting causes
6935 @value{GDBN} to display some feedback when you step through a function
6936 with no line info or whose source file is unavailable. The default is
6937 OFF, which means never display the disassembly of the next line or
6938 instruction.
6939 @end table
6940
6941
6942 @node Data
6943 @chapter Examining Data
6944
6945 @cindex printing data
6946 @cindex examining data
6947 @kindex print
6948 @kindex inspect
6949 @c "inspect" is not quite a synonym if you are using Epoch, which we do not
6950 @c document because it is nonstandard... Under Epoch it displays in a
6951 @c different window or something like that.
6952 The usual way to examine data in your program is with the @code{print}
6953 command (abbreviated @code{p}), or its synonym @code{inspect}. It
6954 evaluates and prints the value of an expression of the language your
6955 program is written in (@pxref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with
6956 Different Languages}). It may also print the expression using a
6957 Python-based pretty-printer (@pxref{Pretty Printing}).
6958
6959 @table @code
6960 @item print @var{expr}
6961 @itemx print /@var{f} @var{expr}
6962 @var{expr} is an expression (in the source language). By default the
6963 value of @var{expr} is printed in a format appropriate to its data type;
6964 you can choose a different format by specifying @samp{/@var{f}}, where
6965 @var{f} is a letter specifying the format; see @ref{Output Formats,,Output
6966 Formats}.
6967
6968 @item print
6969 @itemx print /@var{f}
6970 @cindex reprint the last value
6971 If you omit @var{expr}, @value{GDBN} displays the last value again (from the
6972 @dfn{value history}; @pxref{Value History, ,Value History}). This allows you to
6973 conveniently inspect the same value in an alternative format.
6974 @end table
6975
6976 A more low-level way of examining data is with the @code{x} command.
6977 It examines data in memory at a specified address and prints it in a
6978 specified format. @xref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}.
6979
6980 If you are interested in information about types, or about how the
6981 fields of a struct or a class are declared, use the @code{ptype @var{exp}}
6982 command rather than @code{print}. @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol
6983 Table}.
6984
6985 @menu
6986 * Expressions:: Expressions
6987 * Ambiguous Expressions:: Ambiguous Expressions
6988 * Variables:: Program variables
6989 * Arrays:: Artificial arrays
6990 * Output Formats:: Output formats
6991 * Memory:: Examining memory
6992 * Auto Display:: Automatic display
6993 * Print Settings:: Print settings
6994 * Pretty Printing:: Python pretty printing
6995 * Value History:: Value history
6996 * Convenience Vars:: Convenience variables
6997 * Registers:: Registers
6998 * Floating Point Hardware:: Floating point hardware
6999 * Vector Unit:: Vector Unit
7000 * OS Information:: Auxiliary data provided by operating system
7001 * Memory Region Attributes:: Memory region attributes
7002 * Dump/Restore Files:: Copy between memory and a file
7003 * Core File Generation:: Cause a program dump its core
7004 * Character Sets:: Debugging programs that use a different
7005 character set than GDB does
7006 * Caching Remote Data:: Data caching for remote targets
7007 * Searching Memory:: Searching memory for a sequence of bytes
7008 @end menu
7009
7010 @node Expressions
7011 @section Expressions
7012
7013 @cindex expressions
7014 @code{print} and many other @value{GDBN} commands accept an expression and
7015 compute its value. Any kind of constant, variable or operator defined
7016 by the programming language you are using is valid in an expression in
7017 @value{GDBN}. This includes conditional expressions, function calls,
7018 casts, and string constants. It also includes preprocessor macros, if
7019 you compiled your program to include this information; see
7020 @ref{Compilation}.
7021
7022 @cindex arrays in expressions
7023 @value{GDBN} supports array constants in expressions input by
7024 the user. The syntax is @{@var{element}, @var{element}@dots{}@}. For example,
7025 you can use the command @code{print @{1, 2, 3@}} to create an array
7026 of three integers. If you pass an array to a function or assign it
7027 to a program variable, @value{GDBN} copies the array to memory that
7028 is @code{malloc}ed in the target program.
7029
7030 Because C is so widespread, most of the expressions shown in examples in
7031 this manual are in C. @xref{Languages, , Using @value{GDBN} with Different
7032 Languages}, for information on how to use expressions in other
7033 languages.
7034
7035 In this section, we discuss operators that you can use in @value{GDBN}
7036 expressions regardless of your programming language.
7037
7038 @cindex casts, in expressions
7039 Casts are supported in all languages, not just in C, because it is so
7040 useful to cast a number into a pointer in order to examine a structure
7041 at that address in memory.
7042 @c FIXME: casts supported---Mod2 true?
7043
7044 @value{GDBN} supports these operators, in addition to those common
7045 to programming languages:
7046
7047 @table @code
7048 @item @@
7049 @samp{@@} is a binary operator for treating parts of memory as arrays.
7050 @xref{Arrays, ,Artificial Arrays}, for more information.
7051
7052 @item ::
7053 @samp{::} allows you to specify a variable in terms of the file or
7054 function where it is defined. @xref{Variables, ,Program Variables}.
7055
7056 @cindex @{@var{type}@}
7057 @cindex type casting memory
7058 @cindex memory, viewing as typed object
7059 @cindex casts, to view memory
7060 @item @{@var{type}@} @var{addr}
7061 Refers to an object of type @var{type} stored at address @var{addr} in
7062 memory. @var{addr} may be any expression whose value is an integer or
7063 pointer (but parentheses are required around binary operators, just as in
7064 a cast). This construct is allowed regardless of what kind of data is
7065 normally supposed to reside at @var{addr}.
7066 @end table
7067
7068 @node Ambiguous Expressions
7069 @section Ambiguous Expressions
7070 @cindex ambiguous expressions
7071
7072 Expressions can sometimes contain some ambiguous elements. For instance,
7073 some programming languages (notably Ada, C@t{++} and Objective-C) permit
7074 a single function name to be defined several times, for application in
7075 different contexts. This is called @dfn{overloading}. Another example
7076 involving Ada is generics. A @dfn{generic package} is similar to C@t{++}
7077 templates and is typically instantiated several times, resulting in
7078 the same function name being defined in different contexts.
7079
7080 In some cases and depending on the language, it is possible to adjust
7081 the expression to remove the ambiguity. For instance in C@t{++}, you
7082 can specify the signature of the function you want to break on, as in
7083 @kbd{break @var{function}(@var{types})}. In Ada, using the fully
7084 qualified name of your function often makes the expression unambiguous
7085 as well.
7086
7087 When an ambiguity that needs to be resolved is detected, the debugger
7088 has the capability to display a menu of numbered choices for each
7089 possibility, and then waits for the selection with the prompt @samp{>}.
7090 The first option is always @samp{[0] cancel}, and typing @kbd{0 @key{RET}}
7091 aborts the current command. If the command in which the expression was
7092 used allows more than one choice to be selected, the next option in the
7093 menu is @samp{[1] all}, and typing @kbd{1 @key{RET}} selects all possible
7094 choices.
7095
7096 For example, the following session excerpt shows an attempt to set a
7097 breakpoint at the overloaded symbol @code{String::after}.
7098 We choose three particular definitions of that function name:
7099
7100 @c FIXME! This is likely to change to show arg type lists, at least
7101 @smallexample
7102 @group
7103 (@value{GDBP}) b String::after
7104 [0] cancel
7105 [1] all
7106 [2] file:String.cc; line number:867
7107 [3] file:String.cc; line number:860
7108 [4] file:String.cc; line number:875
7109 [5] file:String.cc; line number:853
7110 [6] file:String.cc; line number:846
7111 [7] file:String.cc; line number:735
7112 > 2 4 6
7113 Breakpoint 1 at 0xb26c: file String.cc, line 867.
7114 Breakpoint 2 at 0xb344: file String.cc, line 875.
7115 Breakpoint 3 at 0xafcc: file String.cc, line 846.
7116 Multiple breakpoints were set.
7117 Use the "delete" command to delete unwanted
7118 breakpoints.
7119 (@value{GDBP})
7120 @end group
7121 @end smallexample
7122
7123 @table @code
7124 @kindex set multiple-symbols
7125 @item set multiple-symbols @var{mode}
7126 @cindex multiple-symbols menu
7127
7128 This option allows you to adjust the debugger behavior when an expression
7129 is ambiguous.
7130
7131 By default, @var{mode} is set to @code{all}. If the command with which
7132 the expression is used allows more than one choice, then @value{GDBN}
7133 automatically selects all possible choices. For instance, inserting
7134 a breakpoint on a function using an ambiguous name results in a breakpoint
7135 inserted on each possible match. However, if a unique choice must be made,
7136 then @value{GDBN} uses the menu to help you disambiguate the expression.
7137 For instance, printing the address of an overloaded function will result
7138 in the use of the menu.
7139
7140 When @var{mode} is set to @code{ask}, the debugger always uses the menu
7141 when an ambiguity is detected.
7142
7143 Finally, when @var{mode} is set to @code{cancel}, the debugger reports
7144 an error due to the ambiguity and the command is aborted.
7145
7146 @kindex show multiple-symbols
7147 @item show multiple-symbols
7148 Show the current value of the @code{multiple-symbols} setting.
7149 @end table
7150
7151 @node Variables
7152 @section Program Variables
7153
7154 The most common kind of expression to use is the name of a variable
7155 in your program.
7156
7157 Variables in expressions are understood in the selected stack frame
7158 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}); they must be either:
7159
7160 @itemize @bullet
7161 @item
7162 global (or file-static)
7163 @end itemize
7164
7165 @noindent or
7166
7167 @itemize @bullet
7168 @item
7169 visible according to the scope rules of the
7170 programming language from the point of execution in that frame
7171 @end itemize
7172
7173 @noindent This means that in the function
7174
7175 @smallexample
7176 foo (a)
7177 int a;
7178 @{
7179 bar (a);
7180 @{
7181 int b = test ();
7182 bar (b);
7183 @}
7184 @}
7185 @end smallexample
7186
7187 @noindent
7188 you can examine and use the variable @code{a} whenever your program is
7189 executing within the function @code{foo}, but you can only use or
7190 examine the variable @code{b} while your program is executing inside
7191 the block where @code{b} is declared.
7192
7193 @cindex variable name conflict
7194 There is an exception: you can refer to a variable or function whose
7195 scope is a single source file even if the current execution point is not
7196 in this file. But it is possible to have more than one such variable or
7197 function with the same name (in different source files). If that
7198 happens, referring to that name has unpredictable effects. If you wish,
7199 you can specify a static variable in a particular function or file,
7200 using the colon-colon (@code{::}) notation:
7201
7202 @cindex colon-colon, context for variables/functions
7203 @ifnotinfo
7204 @c info cannot cope with a :: index entry, but why deprive hard copy readers?
7205 @cindex @code{::}, context for variables/functions
7206 @end ifnotinfo
7207 @smallexample
7208 @var{file}::@var{variable}
7209 @var{function}::@var{variable}
7210 @end smallexample
7211
7212 @noindent
7213 Here @var{file} or @var{function} is the name of the context for the
7214 static @var{variable}. In the case of file names, you can use quotes to
7215 make sure @value{GDBN} parses the file name as a single word---for example,
7216 to print a global value of @code{x} defined in @file{f2.c}:
7217
7218 @smallexample
7219 (@value{GDBP}) p 'f2.c'::x
7220 @end smallexample
7221
7222 @cindex C@t{++} scope resolution
7223 This use of @samp{::} is very rarely in conflict with the very similar
7224 use of the same notation in C@t{++}. @value{GDBN} also supports use of the C@t{++}
7225 scope resolution operator in @value{GDBN} expressions.
7226 @c FIXME: Um, so what happens in one of those rare cases where it's in
7227 @c conflict?? --mew
7228
7229 @cindex wrong values
7230 @cindex variable values, wrong
7231 @cindex function entry/exit, wrong values of variables
7232 @cindex optimized code, wrong values of variables
7233 @quotation
7234 @emph{Warning:} Occasionally, a local variable may appear to have the
7235 wrong value at certain points in a function---just after entry to a new
7236 scope, and just before exit.
7237 @end quotation
7238 You may see this problem when you are stepping by machine instructions.
7239 This is because, on most machines, it takes more than one instruction to
7240 set up a stack frame (including local variable definitions); if you are
7241 stepping by machine instructions, variables may appear to have the wrong
7242 values until the stack frame is completely built. On exit, it usually
7243 also takes more than one machine instruction to destroy a stack frame;
7244 after you begin stepping through that group of instructions, local
7245 variable definitions may be gone.
7246
7247 This may also happen when the compiler does significant optimizations.
7248 To be sure of always seeing accurate values, turn off all optimization
7249 when compiling.
7250
7251 @cindex ``No symbol "foo" in current context''
7252 Another possible effect of compiler optimizations is to optimize
7253 unused variables out of existence, or assign variables to registers (as
7254 opposed to memory addresses). Depending on the support for such cases
7255 offered by the debug info format used by the compiler, @value{GDBN}
7256 might not be able to display values for such local variables. If that
7257 happens, @value{GDBN} will print a message like this:
7258
7259 @smallexample
7260 No symbol "foo" in current context.
7261 @end smallexample
7262
7263 To solve such problems, either recompile without optimizations, or use a
7264 different debug info format, if the compiler supports several such
7265 formats. For example, @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C/C@t{++} compiler,
7266 usually supports the @option{-gstabs+} option. @option{-gstabs+}
7267 produces debug info in a format that is superior to formats such as
7268 COFF. You may be able to use DWARF 2 (@option{-gdwarf-2}), which is also
7269 an effective form for debug info. @xref{Debugging Options,,Options
7270 for Debugging Your Program or GCC, gcc.info, Using the @sc{gnu}
7271 Compiler Collection (GCC)}.
7272 @xref{C, ,C and C@t{++}}, for more information about debug info formats
7273 that are best suited to C@t{++} programs.
7274
7275 If you ask to print an object whose contents are unknown to
7276 @value{GDBN}, e.g., because its data type is not completely specified
7277 by the debug information, @value{GDBN} will say @samp{<incomplete
7278 type>}. @xref{Symbols, incomplete type}, for more about this.
7279
7280 If you append @kbd{@@entry} string to a function parameter name you get its
7281 value at the time the function got called. If the value is not available an
7282 error message is printed. Entry values are available only with some compilers.
7283 Entry values are normally also printed at the function parameter list according
7284 to @ref{set print entry-values}.
7285
7286 @smallexample
7287 Breakpoint 1, d (i=30) at gdb.base/entry-value.c:29
7288 29 i++;
7289 (gdb) next
7290 30 e (i);
7291 (gdb) print i
7292 $1 = 31
7293 (gdb) print i@@entry
7294 $2 = 30
7295 @end smallexample
7296
7297 Strings are identified as arrays of @code{char} values without specified
7298 signedness. Arrays of either @code{signed char} or @code{unsigned char} get
7299 printed as arrays of 1 byte sized integers. @code{-fsigned-char} or
7300 @code{-funsigned-char} @value{NGCC} options have no effect as @value{GDBN}
7301 defines literal string type @code{"char"} as @code{char} without a sign.
7302 For program code
7303
7304 @smallexample
7305 char var0[] = "A";
7306 signed char var1[] = "A";
7307 @end smallexample
7308
7309 You get during debugging
7310 @smallexample
7311 (gdb) print var0
7312 $1 = "A"
7313 (gdb) print var1
7314 $2 = @{65 'A', 0 '\0'@}
7315 @end smallexample
7316
7317 @node Arrays
7318 @section Artificial Arrays
7319
7320 @cindex artificial array
7321 @cindex arrays
7322 @kindex @@@r{, referencing memory as an array}
7323 It is often useful to print out several successive objects of the
7324 same type in memory; a section of an array, or an array of
7325 dynamically determined size for which only a pointer exists in the
7326 program.
7327
7328 You can do this by referring to a contiguous span of memory as an
7329 @dfn{artificial array}, using the binary operator @samp{@@}. The left
7330 operand of @samp{@@} should be the first element of the desired array
7331 and be an individual object. The right operand should be the desired length
7332 of the array. The result is an array value whose elements are all of
7333 the type of the left argument. The first element is actually the left
7334 argument; the second element comes from bytes of memory immediately
7335 following those that hold the first element, and so on. Here is an
7336 example. If a program says
7337
7338 @smallexample
7339 int *array = (int *) malloc (len * sizeof (int));
7340 @end smallexample
7341
7342 @noindent
7343 you can print the contents of @code{array} with
7344
7345 @smallexample
7346 p *array@@len
7347 @end smallexample
7348
7349 The left operand of @samp{@@} must reside in memory. Array values made
7350 with @samp{@@} in this way behave just like other arrays in terms of
7351 subscripting, and are coerced to pointers when used in expressions.
7352 Artificial arrays most often appear in expressions via the value history
7353 (@pxref{Value History, ,Value History}), after printing one out.
7354
7355 Another way to create an artificial array is to use a cast.
7356 This re-interprets a value as if it were an array.
7357 The value need not be in memory:
7358 @smallexample
7359 (@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[2])0x12345678
7360 $1 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
7361 @end smallexample
7362
7363 As a convenience, if you leave the array length out (as in
7364 @samp{(@var{type}[])@var{value}}) @value{GDBN} calculates the size to fill
7365 the value (as @samp{sizeof(@var{value})/sizeof(@var{type})}:
7366 @smallexample
7367 (@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[])0x12345678
7368 $2 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
7369 @end smallexample
7370
7371 Sometimes the artificial array mechanism is not quite enough; in
7372 moderately complex data structures, the elements of interest may not
7373 actually be adjacent---for example, if you are interested in the values
7374 of pointers in an array. One useful work-around in this situation is
7375 to use a convenience variable (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
7376 Variables}) as a counter in an expression that prints the first
7377 interesting value, and then repeat that expression via @key{RET}. For
7378 instance, suppose you have an array @code{dtab} of pointers to
7379 structures, and you are interested in the values of a field @code{fv}
7380 in each structure. Here is an example of what you might type:
7381
7382 @smallexample
7383 set $i = 0
7384 p dtab[$i++]->fv
7385 @key{RET}
7386 @key{RET}
7387 @dots{}
7388 @end smallexample
7389
7390 @node Output Formats
7391 @section Output Formats
7392
7393 @cindex formatted output
7394 @cindex output formats
7395 By default, @value{GDBN} prints a value according to its data type. Sometimes
7396 this is not what you want. For example, you might want to print a number
7397 in hex, or a pointer in decimal. Or you might want to view data in memory
7398 at a certain address as a character string or as an instruction. To do
7399 these things, specify an @dfn{output format} when you print a value.
7400
7401 The simplest use of output formats is to say how to print a value
7402 already computed. This is done by starting the arguments of the
7403 @code{print} command with a slash and a format letter. The format
7404 letters supported are:
7405
7406 @table @code
7407 @item x
7408 Regard the bits of the value as an integer, and print the integer in
7409 hexadecimal.
7410
7411 @item d
7412 Print as integer in signed decimal.
7413
7414 @item u
7415 Print as integer in unsigned decimal.
7416
7417 @item o
7418 Print as integer in octal.
7419
7420 @item t
7421 Print as integer in binary. The letter @samp{t} stands for ``two''.
7422 @footnote{@samp{b} cannot be used because these format letters are also
7423 used with the @code{x} command, where @samp{b} stands for ``byte'';
7424 see @ref{Memory,,Examining Memory}.}
7425
7426 @item a
7427 @cindex unknown address, locating
7428 @cindex locate address
7429 Print as an address, both absolute in hexadecimal and as an offset from
7430 the nearest preceding symbol. You can use this format used to discover
7431 where (in what function) an unknown address is located:
7432
7433 @smallexample
7434 (@value{GDBP}) p/a 0x54320
7435 $3 = 0x54320 <_initialize_vx+396>
7436 @end smallexample
7437
7438 @noindent
7439 The command @code{info symbol 0x54320} yields similar results.
7440 @xref{Symbols, info symbol}.
7441
7442 @item c
7443 Regard as an integer and print it as a character constant. This
7444 prints both the numerical value and its character representation. The
7445 character representation is replaced with the octal escape @samp{\nnn}
7446 for characters outside the 7-bit @sc{ascii} range.
7447
7448 Without this format, @value{GDBN} displays @code{char},
7449 @w{@code{unsigned char}}, and @w{@code{signed char}} data as character
7450 constants. Single-byte members of vectors are displayed as integer
7451 data.
7452
7453 @item f
7454 Regard the bits of the value as a floating point number and print
7455 using typical floating point syntax.
7456
7457 @item s
7458 @cindex printing strings
7459 @cindex printing byte arrays
7460 Regard as a string, if possible. With this format, pointers to single-byte
7461 data are displayed as null-terminated strings and arrays of single-byte data
7462 are displayed as fixed-length strings. Other values are displayed in their
7463 natural types.
7464
7465 Without this format, @value{GDBN} displays pointers to and arrays of
7466 @code{char}, @w{@code{unsigned char}}, and @w{@code{signed char}} as
7467 strings. Single-byte members of a vector are displayed as an integer
7468 array.
7469
7470 @item r
7471 @cindex raw printing
7472 Print using the @samp{raw} formatting. By default, @value{GDBN} will
7473 use a Python-based pretty-printer, if one is available (@pxref{Pretty
7474 Printing}). This typically results in a higher-level display of the
7475 value's contents. The @samp{r} format bypasses any Python
7476 pretty-printer which might exist.
7477 @end table
7478
7479 For example, to print the program counter in hex (@pxref{Registers}), type
7480
7481 @smallexample
7482 p/x $pc
7483 @end smallexample
7484
7485 @noindent
7486 Note that no space is required before the slash; this is because command
7487 names in @value{GDBN} cannot contain a slash.
7488
7489 To reprint the last value in the value history with a different format,
7490 you can use the @code{print} command with just a format and no
7491 expression. For example, @samp{p/x} reprints the last value in hex.
7492
7493 @node Memory
7494 @section Examining Memory
7495
7496 You can use the command @code{x} (for ``examine'') to examine memory in
7497 any of several formats, independently of your program's data types.
7498
7499 @cindex examining memory
7500 @table @code
7501 @kindex x @r{(examine memory)}
7502 @item x/@var{nfu} @var{addr}
7503 @itemx x @var{addr}
7504 @itemx x
7505 Use the @code{x} command to examine memory.
7506 @end table
7507
7508 @var{n}, @var{f}, and @var{u} are all optional parameters that specify how
7509 much memory to display and how to format it; @var{addr} is an
7510 expression giving the address where you want to start displaying memory.
7511 If you use defaults for @var{nfu}, you need not type the slash @samp{/}.
7512 Several commands set convenient defaults for @var{addr}.
7513
7514 @table @r
7515 @item @var{n}, the repeat count
7516 The repeat count is a decimal integer; the default is 1. It specifies
7517 how much memory (counting by units @var{u}) to display.
7518 @c This really is **decimal**; unaffected by 'set radix' as of GDB
7519 @c 4.1.2.
7520
7521 @item @var{f}, the display format
7522 The display format is one of the formats used by @code{print}
7523 (@samp{x}, @samp{d}, @samp{u}, @samp{o}, @samp{t}, @samp{a}, @samp{c},
7524 @samp{f}, @samp{s}), and in addition @samp{i} (for machine instructions).
7525 The default is @samp{x} (hexadecimal) initially. The default changes
7526 each time you use either @code{x} or @code{print}.
7527
7528 @item @var{u}, the unit size
7529 The unit size is any of
7530
7531 @table @code
7532 @item b
7533 Bytes.
7534 @item h
7535 Halfwords (two bytes).
7536 @item w
7537 Words (four bytes). This is the initial default.
7538 @item g
7539 Giant words (eight bytes).
7540 @end table
7541
7542 Each time you specify a unit size with @code{x}, that size becomes the
7543 default unit the next time you use @code{x}. For the @samp{i} format,
7544 the unit size is ignored and is normally not written. For the @samp{s} format,
7545 the unit size defaults to @samp{b}, unless it is explicitly given.
7546 Use @kbd{x /hs} to display 16-bit char strings and @kbd{x /ws} to display
7547 32-bit strings. The next use of @kbd{x /s} will again display 8-bit strings.
7548 Note that the results depend on the programming language of the
7549 current compilation unit. If the language is C, the @samp{s}
7550 modifier will use the UTF-16 encoding while @samp{w} will use
7551 UTF-32. The encoding is set by the programming language and cannot
7552 be altered.
7553
7554 @item @var{addr}, starting display address
7555 @var{addr} is the address where you want @value{GDBN} to begin displaying
7556 memory. The expression need not have a pointer value (though it may);
7557 it is always interpreted as an integer address of a byte of memory.
7558 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information on expressions. The default for
7559 @var{addr} is usually just after the last address examined---but several
7560 other commands also set the default address: @code{info breakpoints} (to
7561 the address of the last breakpoint listed), @code{info line} (to the
7562 starting address of a line), and @code{print} (if you use it to display
7563 a value from memory).
7564 @end table
7565
7566 For example, @samp{x/3uh 0x54320} is a request to display three halfwords
7567 (@code{h}) of memory, formatted as unsigned decimal integers (@samp{u}),
7568 starting at address @code{0x54320}. @samp{x/4xw $sp} prints the four
7569 words (@samp{w}) of memory above the stack pointer (here, @samp{$sp};
7570 @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}) in hexadecimal (@samp{x}).
7571
7572 Since the letters indicating unit sizes are all distinct from the
7573 letters specifying output formats, you do not have to remember whether
7574 unit size or format comes first; either order works. The output
7575 specifications @samp{4xw} and @samp{4wx} mean exactly the same thing.
7576 (However, the count @var{n} must come first; @samp{wx4} does not work.)
7577
7578 Even though the unit size @var{u} is ignored for the formats @samp{s}
7579 and @samp{i}, you might still want to use a count @var{n}; for example,
7580 @samp{3i} specifies that you want to see three machine instructions,
7581 including any operands. For convenience, especially when used with
7582 the @code{display} command, the @samp{i} format also prints branch delay
7583 slot instructions, if any, beyond the count specified, which immediately
7584 follow the last instruction that is within the count. The command
7585 @code{disassemble} gives an alternative way of inspecting machine
7586 instructions; see @ref{Machine Code,,Source and Machine Code}.
7587
7588 All the defaults for the arguments to @code{x} are designed to make it
7589 easy to continue scanning memory with minimal specifications each time
7590 you use @code{x}. For example, after you have inspected three machine
7591 instructions with @samp{x/3i @var{addr}}, you can inspect the next seven
7592 with just @samp{x/7}. If you use @key{RET} to repeat the @code{x} command,
7593 the repeat count @var{n} is used again; the other arguments default as
7594 for successive uses of @code{x}.
7595
7596 When examining machine instructions, the instruction at current program
7597 counter is shown with a @code{=>} marker. For example:
7598
7599 @smallexample
7600 (@value{GDBP}) x/5i $pc-6
7601 0x804837f <main+11>: mov %esp,%ebp
7602 0x8048381 <main+13>: push %ecx
7603 0x8048382 <main+14>: sub $0x4,%esp
7604 => 0x8048385 <main+17>: movl $0x8048460,(%esp)
7605 0x804838c <main+24>: call 0x80482d4 <puts@@plt>
7606 @end smallexample
7607
7608 @cindex @code{$_}, @code{$__}, and value history
7609 The addresses and contents printed by the @code{x} command are not saved
7610 in the value history because there is often too much of them and they
7611 would get in the way. Instead, @value{GDBN} makes these values available for
7612 subsequent use in expressions as values of the convenience variables
7613 @code{$_} and @code{$__}. After an @code{x} command, the last address
7614 examined is available for use in expressions in the convenience variable
7615 @code{$_}. The contents of that address, as examined, are available in
7616 the convenience variable @code{$__}.
7617
7618 If the @code{x} command has a repeat count, the address and contents saved
7619 are from the last memory unit printed; this is not the same as the last
7620 address printed if several units were printed on the last line of output.
7621
7622 @cindex remote memory comparison
7623 @cindex verify remote memory image
7624 When you are debugging a program running on a remote target machine
7625 (@pxref{Remote Debugging}), you may wish to verify the program's image in the
7626 remote machine's memory against the executable file you downloaded to
7627 the target. The @code{compare-sections} command is provided for such
7628 situations.
7629
7630 @table @code
7631 @kindex compare-sections
7632 @item compare-sections @r{[}@var{section-name}@r{]}
7633 Compare the data of a loadable section @var{section-name} in the
7634 executable file of the program being debugged with the same section in
7635 the remote machine's memory, and report any mismatches. With no
7636 arguments, compares all loadable sections. This command's
7637 availability depends on the target's support for the @code{"qCRC"}
7638 remote request.
7639 @end table
7640
7641 @node Auto Display
7642 @section Automatic Display
7643 @cindex automatic display
7644 @cindex display of expressions
7645
7646 If you find that you want to print the value of an expression frequently
7647 (to see how it changes), you might want to add it to the @dfn{automatic
7648 display list} so that @value{GDBN} prints its value each time your program stops.
7649 Each expression added to the list is given a number to identify it;
7650 to remove an expression from the list, you specify that number.
7651 The automatic display looks like this:
7652
7653 @smallexample
7654 2: foo = 38
7655 3: bar[5] = (struct hack *) 0x3804
7656 @end smallexample
7657
7658 @noindent
7659 This display shows item numbers, expressions and their current values. As with
7660 displays you request manually using @code{x} or @code{print}, you can
7661 specify the output format you prefer; in fact, @code{display} decides
7662 whether to use @code{print} or @code{x} depending your format
7663 specification---it uses @code{x} if you specify either the @samp{i}
7664 or @samp{s} format, or a unit size; otherwise it uses @code{print}.
7665
7666 @table @code
7667 @kindex display
7668 @item display @var{expr}
7669 Add the expression @var{expr} to the list of expressions to display
7670 each time your program stops. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
7671
7672 @code{display} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
7673
7674 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{expr}
7675 For @var{fmt} specifying only a display format and not a size or
7676 count, add the expression @var{expr} to the auto-display list but
7677 arrange to display it each time in the specified format @var{fmt}.
7678 @xref{Output Formats,,Output Formats}.
7679
7680 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{addr}
7681 For @var{fmt} @samp{i} or @samp{s}, or including a unit-size or a
7682 number of units, add the expression @var{addr} as a memory address to
7683 be examined each time your program stops. Examining means in effect
7684 doing @samp{x/@var{fmt} @var{addr}}. @xref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}.
7685 @end table
7686
7687 For example, @samp{display/i $pc} can be helpful, to see the machine
7688 instruction about to be executed each time execution stops (@samp{$pc}
7689 is a common name for the program counter; @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
7690
7691 @table @code
7692 @kindex delete display
7693 @kindex undisplay
7694 @item undisplay @var{dnums}@dots{}
7695 @itemx delete display @var{dnums}@dots{}
7696 Remove items from the list of expressions to display. Specify the
7697 numbers of the displays that you want affected with the command
7698 argument @var{dnums}. It can be a single display number, one of the
7699 numbers shown in the first field of the @samp{info display} display;
7700 or it could be a range of display numbers, as in @code{2-4}.
7701
7702 @code{undisplay} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
7703 (Otherwise you would just get the error @samp{No display number @dots{}}.)
7704
7705 @kindex disable display
7706 @item disable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
7707 Disable the display of item numbers @var{dnums}. A disabled display
7708 item is not printed automatically, but is not forgotten. It may be
7709 enabled again later. Specify the numbers of the displays that you
7710 want affected with the command argument @var{dnums}. It can be a
7711 single display number, one of the numbers shown in the first field of
7712 the @samp{info display} display; or it could be a range of display
7713 numbers, as in @code{2-4}.
7714
7715 @kindex enable display
7716 @item enable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
7717 Enable display of item numbers @var{dnums}. It becomes effective once
7718 again in auto display of its expression, until you specify otherwise.
7719 Specify the numbers of the displays that you want affected with the
7720 command argument @var{dnums}. It can be a single display number, one
7721 of the numbers shown in the first field of the @samp{info display}
7722 display; or it could be a range of display numbers, as in @code{2-4}.
7723
7724 @item display
7725 Display the current values of the expressions on the list, just as is
7726 done when your program stops.
7727
7728 @kindex info display
7729 @item info display
7730 Print the list of expressions previously set up to display
7731 automatically, each one with its item number, but without showing the
7732 values. This includes disabled expressions, which are marked as such.
7733 It also includes expressions which would not be displayed right now
7734 because they refer to automatic variables not currently available.
7735 @end table
7736
7737 @cindex display disabled out of scope
7738 If a display expression refers to local variables, then it does not make
7739 sense outside the lexical context for which it was set up. Such an
7740 expression is disabled when execution enters a context where one of its
7741 variables is not defined. For example, if you give the command
7742 @code{display last_char} while inside a function with an argument
7743 @code{last_char}, @value{GDBN} displays this argument while your program
7744 continues to stop inside that function. When it stops elsewhere---where
7745 there is no variable @code{last_char}---the display is disabled
7746 automatically. The next time your program stops where @code{last_char}
7747 is meaningful, you can enable the display expression once again.
7748
7749 @node Print Settings
7750 @section Print Settings
7751
7752 @cindex format options
7753 @cindex print settings
7754 @value{GDBN} provides the following ways to control how arrays, structures,
7755 and symbols are printed.
7756
7757 @noindent
7758 These settings are useful for debugging programs in any language:
7759
7760 @table @code
7761 @kindex set print
7762 @item set print address
7763 @itemx set print address on
7764 @cindex print/don't print memory addresses
7765 @value{GDBN} prints memory addresses showing the location of stack
7766 traces, structure values, pointer values, breakpoints, and so forth,
7767 even when it also displays the contents of those addresses. The default
7768 is @code{on}. For example, this is what a stack frame display looks like with
7769 @code{set print address on}:
7770
7771 @smallexample
7772 @group
7773 (@value{GDBP}) f
7774 #0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<<", rq=0x34c88 ">>")
7775 at input.c:530
7776 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
7777 @end group
7778 @end smallexample
7779
7780 @item set print address off
7781 Do not print addresses when displaying their contents. For example,
7782 this is the same stack frame displayed with @code{set print address off}:
7783
7784 @smallexample
7785 @group
7786 (@value{GDBP}) set print addr off
7787 (@value{GDBP}) f
7788 #0 set_quotes (lq="<<", rq=">>") at input.c:530
7789 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
7790 @end group
7791 @end smallexample
7792
7793 You can use @samp{set print address off} to eliminate all machine
7794 dependent displays from the @value{GDBN} interface. For example, with
7795 @code{print address off}, you should get the same text for backtraces on
7796 all machines---whether or not they involve pointer arguments.
7797
7798 @kindex show print
7799 @item show print address
7800 Show whether or not addresses are to be printed.
7801 @end table
7802
7803 When @value{GDBN} prints a symbolic address, it normally prints the
7804 closest earlier symbol plus an offset. If that symbol does not uniquely
7805 identify the address (for example, it is a name whose scope is a single
7806 source file), you may need to clarify. One way to do this is with
7807 @code{info line}, for example @samp{info line *0x4537}. Alternately,
7808 you can set @value{GDBN} to print the source file and line number when
7809 it prints a symbolic address:
7810
7811 @table @code
7812 @item set print symbol-filename on
7813 @cindex source file and line of a symbol
7814 @cindex symbol, source file and line
7815 Tell @value{GDBN} to print the source file name and line number of a
7816 symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
7817
7818 @item set print symbol-filename off
7819 Do not print source file name and line number of a symbol. This is the
7820 default.
7821
7822 @item show print symbol-filename
7823 Show whether or not @value{GDBN} will print the source file name and
7824 line number of a symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
7825 @end table
7826
7827 Another situation where it is helpful to show symbol filenames and line
7828 numbers is when disassembling code; @value{GDBN} shows you the line
7829 number and source file that corresponds to each instruction.
7830
7831 Also, you may wish to see the symbolic form only if the address being
7832 printed is reasonably close to the closest earlier symbol:
7833
7834 @table @code
7835 @item set print max-symbolic-offset @var{max-offset}
7836 @cindex maximum value for offset of closest symbol
7837 Tell @value{GDBN} to only display the symbolic form of an address if the
7838 offset between the closest earlier symbol and the address is less than
7839 @var{max-offset}. The default is 0, which tells @value{GDBN}
7840 to always print the symbolic form of an address if any symbol precedes it.
7841
7842 @item show print max-symbolic-offset
7843 Ask how large the maximum offset is that @value{GDBN} prints in a
7844 symbolic address.
7845 @end table
7846
7847 @cindex wild pointer, interpreting
7848 @cindex pointer, finding referent
7849 If you have a pointer and you are not sure where it points, try
7850 @samp{set print symbol-filename on}. Then you can determine the name
7851 and source file location of the variable where it points, using
7852 @samp{p/a @var{pointer}}. This interprets the address in symbolic form.
7853 For example, here @value{GDBN} shows that a variable @code{ptt} points
7854 at another variable @code{t}, defined in @file{hi2.c}:
7855
7856 @smallexample
7857 (@value{GDBP}) set print symbol-filename on
7858 (@value{GDBP}) p/a ptt
7859 $4 = 0xe008 <t in hi2.c>
7860 @end smallexample
7861
7862 @quotation
7863 @emph{Warning:} For pointers that point to a local variable, @samp{p/a}
7864 does not show the symbol name and filename of the referent, even with
7865 the appropriate @code{set print} options turned on.
7866 @end quotation
7867
7868 Other settings control how different kinds of objects are printed:
7869
7870 @table @code
7871 @item set print array
7872 @itemx set print array on
7873 @cindex pretty print arrays
7874 Pretty print arrays. This format is more convenient to read,
7875 but uses more space. The default is off.
7876
7877 @item set print array off
7878 Return to compressed format for arrays.
7879
7880 @item show print array
7881 Show whether compressed or pretty format is selected for displaying
7882 arrays.
7883
7884 @cindex print array indexes
7885 @item set print array-indexes
7886 @itemx set print array-indexes on
7887 Print the index of each element when displaying arrays. May be more
7888 convenient to locate a given element in the array or quickly find the
7889 index of a given element in that printed array. The default is off.
7890
7891 @item set print array-indexes off
7892 Stop printing element indexes when displaying arrays.
7893
7894 @item show print array-indexes
7895 Show whether the index of each element is printed when displaying
7896 arrays.
7897
7898 @item set print elements @var{number-of-elements}
7899 @cindex number of array elements to print
7900 @cindex limit on number of printed array elements
7901 Set a limit on how many elements of an array @value{GDBN} will print.
7902 If @value{GDBN} is printing a large array, it stops printing after it has
7903 printed the number of elements set by the @code{set print elements} command.
7904 This limit also applies to the display of strings.
7905 When @value{GDBN} starts, this limit is set to 200.
7906 Setting @var{number-of-elements} to zero means that the printing is unlimited.
7907
7908 @item show print elements
7909 Display the number of elements of a large array that @value{GDBN} will print.
7910 If the number is 0, then the printing is unlimited.
7911
7912 @item set print frame-arguments @var{value}
7913 @kindex set print frame-arguments
7914 @cindex printing frame argument values
7915 @cindex print all frame argument values
7916 @cindex print frame argument values for scalars only
7917 @cindex do not print frame argument values
7918 This command allows to control how the values of arguments are printed
7919 when the debugger prints a frame (@pxref{Frames}). The possible
7920 values are:
7921
7922 @table @code
7923 @item all
7924 The values of all arguments are printed.
7925
7926 @item scalars
7927 Print the value of an argument only if it is a scalar. The value of more
7928 complex arguments such as arrays, structures, unions, etc, is replaced
7929 by @code{@dots{}}. This is the default. Here is an example where
7930 only scalar arguments are shown:
7931
7932 @smallexample
7933 #1 0x08048361 in call_me (i=3, s=@dots{}, ss=0xbf8d508c, u=@dots{}, e=green)
7934 at frame-args.c:23
7935 @end smallexample
7936
7937 @item none
7938 None of the argument values are printed. Instead, the value of each argument
7939 is replaced by @code{@dots{}}. In this case, the example above now becomes:
7940
7941 @smallexample
7942 #1 0x08048361 in call_me (i=@dots{}, s=@dots{}, ss=@dots{}, u=@dots{}, e=@dots{})
7943 at frame-args.c:23
7944 @end smallexample
7945 @end table
7946
7947 By default, only scalar arguments are printed. This command can be used
7948 to configure the debugger to print the value of all arguments, regardless
7949 of their type. However, it is often advantageous to not print the value
7950 of more complex parameters. For instance, it reduces the amount of
7951 information printed in each frame, making the backtrace more readable.
7952 Also, it improves performance when displaying Ada frames, because
7953 the computation of large arguments can sometimes be CPU-intensive,
7954 especially in large applications. Setting @code{print frame-arguments}
7955 to @code{scalars} (the default) or @code{none} avoids this computation,
7956 thus speeding up the display of each Ada frame.
7957
7958 @item show print frame-arguments
7959 Show how the value of arguments should be displayed when printing a frame.
7960
7961 @anchor{set print entry-values}
7962 @item set print entry-values @var{value}
7963 @kindex set print entry-values
7964 Set printing of frame argument values at function entry. In some cases
7965 @value{GDBN} can determine the value of function argument which was passed by
7966 the function caller, even if the value was modified inside the called function
7967 and therefore is different. With optimized code, the current value could be
7968 unavailable, but the entry value may still be known.
7969
7970 The default value is @code{default} (see below for its description). Older
7971 @value{GDBN} behaved as with the setting @code{no}. Compilers not supporting
7972 this feature will behave in the @code{default} setting the same way as with the
7973 @code{no} setting.
7974
7975 This functionality is currently supported only by DWARF 2 debugging format and
7976 the compiler has to produce @samp{DW_TAG_GNU_call_site} tags. With
7977 @value{NGCC}, you need to specify @option{-O -g} during compilation, to get
7978 this information.
7979
7980 The @var{value} parameter can be one of the following:
7981
7982 @table @code
7983 @item no
7984 Print only actual parameter values, never print values from function entry
7985 point.
7986 @smallexample
7987 #0 equal (val=5)
7988 #0 different (val=6)
7989 #0 lost (val=<optimized out>)
7990 #0 born (val=10)
7991 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>)
7992 @end smallexample
7993
7994 @item only
7995 Print only parameter values from function entry point. The actual parameter
7996 values are never printed.
7997 @smallexample
7998 #0 equal (val@@entry=5)
7999 #0 different (val@@entry=5)
8000 #0 lost (val@@entry=5)
8001 #0 born (val@@entry=<optimized out>)
8002 #0 invalid (val@@entry=<optimized out>)
8003 @end smallexample
8004
8005 @item preferred
8006 Print only parameter values from function entry point. If value from function
8007 entry point is not known while the actual value is known, print the actual
8008 value for such parameter.
8009 @smallexample
8010 #0 equal (val@@entry=5)
8011 #0 different (val@@entry=5)
8012 #0 lost (val@@entry=5)
8013 #0 born (val=10)
8014 #0 invalid (val@@entry=<optimized out>)
8015 @end smallexample
8016
8017 @item if-needed
8018 Print actual parameter values. If actual parameter value is not known while
8019 value from function entry point is known, print the entry point value for such
8020 parameter.
8021 @smallexample
8022 #0 equal (val=5)
8023 #0 different (val=6)
8024 #0 lost (val@@entry=5)
8025 #0 born (val=10)
8026 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>)
8027 @end smallexample
8028
8029 @item both
8030 Always print both the actual parameter value and its value from function entry
8031 point, even if values of one or both are not available due to compiler
8032 optimizations.
8033 @smallexample
8034 #0 equal (val=5, val@@entry=5)
8035 #0 different (val=6, val@@entry=5)
8036 #0 lost (val=<optimized out>, val@@entry=5)
8037 #0 born (val=10, val@@entry=<optimized out>)
8038 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>, val@@entry=<optimized out>)
8039 @end smallexample
8040
8041 @item compact
8042 Print the actual parameter value if it is known and also its value from
8043 function entry point if it is known. If neither is known, print for the actual
8044 value @code{<optimized out>}. If not in MI mode (@pxref{GDB/MI}) and if both
8045 values are known and identical, print the shortened
8046 @code{param=param@@entry=VALUE} notation.
8047 @smallexample
8048 #0 equal (val=val@@entry=5)
8049 #0 different (val=6, val@@entry=5)
8050 #0 lost (val@@entry=5)
8051 #0 born (val=10)
8052 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>)
8053 @end smallexample
8054
8055 @item default
8056 Always print the actual parameter value. Print also its value from function
8057 entry point, but only if it is known. If not in MI mode (@pxref{GDB/MI}) and
8058 if both values are known and identical, print the shortened
8059 @code{param=param@@entry=VALUE} notation.
8060 @smallexample
8061 #0 equal (val=val@@entry=5)
8062 #0 different (val=6, val@@entry=5)
8063 #0 lost (val=<optimized out>, val@@entry=5)
8064 #0 born (val=10)
8065 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>)
8066 @end smallexample
8067 @end table
8068
8069 For analysis messages on possible failures of frame argument values at function
8070 entry resolution see @ref{set debug entry-values}.
8071
8072 @item show print entry-values
8073 Show the method being used for printing of frame argument values at function
8074 entry.
8075
8076 @item set print repeats
8077 @cindex repeated array elements
8078 Set the threshold for suppressing display of repeated array
8079 elements. When the number of consecutive identical elements of an
8080 array exceeds the threshold, @value{GDBN} prints the string
8081 @code{"<repeats @var{n} times>"}, where @var{n} is the number of
8082 identical repetitions, instead of displaying the identical elements
8083 themselves. Setting the threshold to zero will cause all elements to
8084 be individually printed. The default threshold is 10.
8085
8086 @item show print repeats
8087 Display the current threshold for printing repeated identical
8088 elements.
8089
8090 @item set print null-stop
8091 @cindex @sc{null} elements in arrays
8092 Cause @value{GDBN} to stop printing the characters of an array when the first
8093 @sc{null} is encountered. This is useful when large arrays actually
8094 contain only short strings.
8095 The default is off.
8096
8097 @item show print null-stop
8098 Show whether @value{GDBN} stops printing an array on the first
8099 @sc{null} character.
8100
8101 @item set print pretty on
8102 @cindex print structures in indented form
8103 @cindex indentation in structure display
8104 Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in an indented format with one member
8105 per line, like this:
8106
8107 @smallexample
8108 @group
8109 $1 = @{
8110 next = 0x0,
8111 flags = @{
8112 sweet = 1,
8113 sour = 1
8114 @},
8115 meat = 0x54 "Pork"
8116 @}
8117 @end group
8118 @end smallexample
8119
8120 @item set print pretty off
8121 Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in a compact format, like this:
8122
8123 @smallexample
8124 @group
8125 $1 = @{next = 0x0, flags = @{sweet = 1, sour = 1@}, \
8126 meat = 0x54 "Pork"@}
8127 @end group
8128 @end smallexample
8129
8130 @noindent
8131 This is the default format.
8132
8133 @item show print pretty
8134 Show which format @value{GDBN} is using to print structures.
8135
8136 @item set print sevenbit-strings on
8137 @cindex eight-bit characters in strings
8138 @cindex octal escapes in strings
8139 Print using only seven-bit characters; if this option is set,
8140 @value{GDBN} displays any eight-bit characters (in strings or
8141 character values) using the notation @code{\}@var{nnn}. This setting is
8142 best if you are working in English (@sc{ascii}) and you use the
8143 high-order bit of characters as a marker or ``meta'' bit.
8144
8145 @item set print sevenbit-strings off
8146 Print full eight-bit characters. This allows the use of more
8147 international character sets, and is the default.
8148
8149 @item show print sevenbit-strings
8150 Show whether or not @value{GDBN} is printing only seven-bit characters.
8151
8152 @item set print union on
8153 @cindex unions in structures, printing
8154 Tell @value{GDBN} to print unions which are contained in structures
8155 and other unions. This is the default setting.
8156
8157 @item set print union off
8158 Tell @value{GDBN} not to print unions which are contained in
8159 structures and other unions. @value{GDBN} will print @code{"@{...@}"}
8160 instead.
8161
8162 @item show print union
8163 Ask @value{GDBN} whether or not it will print unions which are contained in
8164 structures and other unions.
8165
8166 For example, given the declarations
8167
8168 @smallexample
8169 typedef enum @{Tree, Bug@} Species;
8170 typedef enum @{Big_tree, Acorn, Seedling@} Tree_forms;
8171 typedef enum @{Caterpillar, Cocoon, Butterfly@}
8172 Bug_forms;
8173
8174 struct thing @{
8175 Species it;
8176 union @{
8177 Tree_forms tree;
8178 Bug_forms bug;
8179 @} form;
8180 @};
8181
8182 struct thing foo = @{Tree, @{Acorn@}@};
8183 @end smallexample
8184
8185 @noindent
8186 with @code{set print union on} in effect @samp{p foo} would print
8187
8188 @smallexample
8189 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{tree = Acorn, bug = Cocoon@}@}
8190 @end smallexample
8191
8192 @noindent
8193 and with @code{set print union off} in effect it would print
8194
8195 @smallexample
8196 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{...@}@}
8197 @end smallexample
8198
8199 @noindent
8200 @code{set print union} affects programs written in C-like languages
8201 and in Pascal.
8202 @end table
8203
8204 @need 1000
8205 @noindent
8206 These settings are of interest when debugging C@t{++} programs:
8207
8208 @table @code
8209 @cindex demangling C@t{++} names
8210 @item set print demangle
8211 @itemx set print demangle on
8212 Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than in the encoded
8213 (``mangled'') form passed to the assembler and linker for type-safe
8214 linkage. The default is on.
8215
8216 @item show print demangle
8217 Show whether C@t{++} names are printed in mangled or demangled form.
8218
8219 @item set print asm-demangle
8220 @itemx set print asm-demangle on
8221 Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than their mangled form, even
8222 in assembler code printouts such as instruction disassemblies.
8223 The default is off.
8224
8225 @item show print asm-demangle
8226 Show whether C@t{++} names in assembly listings are printed in mangled
8227 or demangled form.
8228
8229 @cindex C@t{++} symbol decoding style
8230 @cindex symbol decoding style, C@t{++}
8231 @kindex set demangle-style
8232 @item set demangle-style @var{style}
8233 Choose among several encoding schemes used by different compilers to
8234 represent C@t{++} names. The choices for @var{style} are currently:
8235
8236 @table @code
8237 @item auto
8238 Allow @value{GDBN} to choose a decoding style by inspecting your program.
8239
8240 @item gnu
8241 Decode based on the @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler (@code{g++}) encoding algorithm.
8242 This is the default.
8243
8244 @item hp
8245 Decode based on the HP ANSI C@t{++} (@code{aCC}) encoding algorithm.
8246
8247 @item lucid
8248 Decode based on the Lucid C@t{++} compiler (@code{lcc}) encoding algorithm.
8249
8250 @item arm
8251 Decode using the algorithm in the @cite{C@t{++} Annotated Reference Manual}.
8252 @strong{Warning:} this setting alone is not sufficient to allow
8253 debugging @code{cfront}-generated executables. @value{GDBN} would
8254 require further enhancement to permit that.
8255
8256 @end table
8257 If you omit @var{style}, you will see a list of possible formats.
8258
8259 @item show demangle-style
8260 Display the encoding style currently in use for decoding C@t{++} symbols.
8261
8262 @item set print object
8263 @itemx set print object on
8264 @cindex derived type of an object, printing
8265 @cindex display derived types
8266 When displaying a pointer to an object, identify the @emph{actual}
8267 (derived) type of the object rather than the @emph{declared} type, using
8268 the virtual function table.
8269
8270 @item set print object off
8271 Display only the declared type of objects, without reference to the
8272 virtual function table. This is the default setting.
8273
8274 @item show print object
8275 Show whether actual, or declared, object types are displayed.
8276
8277 @item set print static-members
8278 @itemx set print static-members on
8279 @cindex static members of C@t{++} objects
8280 Print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object. The default is on.
8281
8282 @item set print static-members off
8283 Do not print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object.
8284
8285 @item show print static-members
8286 Show whether C@t{++} static members are printed or not.
8287
8288 @item set print pascal_static-members
8289 @itemx set print pascal_static-members on
8290 @cindex static members of Pascal objects
8291 @cindex Pascal objects, static members display
8292 Print static members when displaying a Pascal object. The default is on.
8293
8294 @item set print pascal_static-members off
8295 Do not print static members when displaying a Pascal object.
8296
8297 @item show print pascal_static-members
8298 Show whether Pascal static members are printed or not.
8299
8300 @c These don't work with HP ANSI C++ yet.
8301 @item set print vtbl
8302 @itemx set print vtbl on
8303 @cindex pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables
8304 @cindex virtual functions (C@t{++}) display
8305 @cindex VTBL display
8306 Pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables. The default is off.
8307 (The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
8308 ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
8309
8310 @item set print vtbl off
8311 Do not pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables.
8312
8313 @item show print vtbl
8314 Show whether C@t{++} virtual function tables are pretty printed, or not.
8315 @end table
8316
8317 @node Pretty Printing
8318 @section Pretty Printing
8319
8320 @value{GDBN} provides a mechanism to allow pretty-printing of values using
8321 Python code. It greatly simplifies the display of complex objects. This
8322 mechanism works for both MI and the CLI.
8323
8324 @menu
8325 * Pretty-Printer Introduction:: Introduction to pretty-printers
8326 * Pretty-Printer Example:: An example pretty-printer
8327 * Pretty-Printer Commands:: Pretty-printer commands
8328 @end menu
8329
8330 @node Pretty-Printer Introduction
8331 @subsection Pretty-Printer Introduction
8332
8333 When @value{GDBN} prints a value, it first sees if there is a pretty-printer
8334 registered for the value. If there is then @value{GDBN} invokes the
8335 pretty-printer to print the value. Otherwise the value is printed normally.
8336
8337 Pretty-printers are normally named. This makes them easy to manage.
8338 The @samp{info pretty-printer} command will list all the installed
8339 pretty-printers with their names.
8340 If a pretty-printer can handle multiple data types, then its
8341 @dfn{subprinters} are the printers for the individual data types.
8342 Each such subprinter has its own name.
8343 The format of the name is @var{printer-name};@var{subprinter-name}.
8344
8345 Pretty-printers are installed by @dfn{registering} them with @value{GDBN}.
8346 Typically they are automatically loaded and registered when the corresponding
8347 debug information is loaded, thus making them available without having to
8348 do anything special.
8349
8350 There are three places where a pretty-printer can be registered.
8351
8352 @itemize @bullet
8353 @item
8354 Pretty-printers registered globally are available when debugging
8355 all inferiors.
8356
8357 @item
8358 Pretty-printers registered with a program space are available only
8359 when debugging that program.
8360 @xref{Progspaces In Python}, for more details on program spaces in Python.
8361
8362 @item
8363 Pretty-printers registered with an objfile are loaded and unloaded
8364 with the corresponding objfile (e.g., shared library).
8365 @xref{Objfiles In Python}, for more details on objfiles in Python.
8366 @end itemize
8367
8368 @xref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}, for further information on how
8369 pretty-printers are selected,
8370
8371 @xref{Writing a Pretty-Printer}, for implementing pretty printers
8372 for new types.
8373
8374 @node Pretty-Printer Example
8375 @subsection Pretty-Printer Example
8376
8377 Here is how a C@t{++} @code{std::string} looks without a pretty-printer:
8378
8379 @smallexample
8380 (@value{GDBP}) print s
8381 $1 = @{
8382 static npos = 4294967295,
8383 _M_dataplus = @{
8384 <std::allocator<char>> = @{
8385 <__gnu_cxx::new_allocator<char>> = @{
8386 <No data fields>@}, <No data fields>
8387 @},
8388 members of std::basic_string<char, std::char_traits<char>,
8389 std::allocator<char> >::_Alloc_hider:
8390 _M_p = 0x804a014 "abcd"
8391 @}
8392 @}
8393 @end smallexample
8394
8395 With a pretty-printer for @code{std::string} only the contents are printed:
8396
8397 @smallexample
8398 (@value{GDBP}) print s
8399 $2 = "abcd"
8400 @end smallexample
8401
8402 @node Pretty-Printer Commands
8403 @subsection Pretty-Printer Commands
8404 @cindex pretty-printer commands
8405
8406 @table @code
8407 @kindex info pretty-printer
8408 @item info pretty-printer [@var{object-regexp} [@var{name-regexp}]]
8409 Print the list of installed pretty-printers.
8410 This includes disabled pretty-printers, which are marked as such.
8411
8412 @var{object-regexp} is a regular expression matching the objects
8413 whose pretty-printers to list.
8414 Objects can be @code{global}, the program space's file
8415 (@pxref{Progspaces In Python}),
8416 and the object files within that program space (@pxref{Objfiles In Python}).
8417 @xref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}, for details on how @value{GDBN}
8418 looks up a printer from these three objects.
8419
8420 @var{name-regexp} is a regular expression matching the name of the printers
8421 to list.
8422
8423 @kindex disable pretty-printer
8424 @item disable pretty-printer [@var{object-regexp} [@var{name-regexp}]]
8425 Disable pretty-printers matching @var{object-regexp} and @var{name-regexp}.
8426 A disabled pretty-printer is not forgotten, it may be enabled again later.
8427
8428 @kindex enable pretty-printer
8429 @item enable pretty-printer [@var{object-regexp} [@var{name-regexp}]]
8430 Enable pretty-printers matching @var{object-regexp} and @var{name-regexp}.
8431 @end table
8432
8433 Example:
8434
8435 Suppose we have three pretty-printers installed: one from library1.so
8436 named @code{foo} that prints objects of type @code{foo}, and
8437 another from library2.so named @code{bar} that prints two types of objects,
8438 @code{bar1} and @code{bar2}.
8439
8440 @smallexample
8441 (gdb) info pretty-printer
8442 library1.so:
8443 foo
8444 library2.so:
8445 bar
8446 bar1
8447 bar2
8448 (gdb) info pretty-printer library2
8449 library2.so:
8450 bar
8451 bar1
8452 bar2
8453 (gdb) disable pretty-printer library1
8454 1 printer disabled
8455 2 of 3 printers enabled
8456 (gdb) info pretty-printer
8457 library1.so:
8458 foo [disabled]
8459 library2.so:
8460 bar
8461 bar1
8462 bar2
8463 (gdb) disable pretty-printer library2 bar:bar1
8464 1 printer disabled
8465 1 of 3 printers enabled
8466 (gdb) info pretty-printer library2
8467 library1.so:
8468 foo [disabled]
8469 library2.so:
8470 bar
8471 bar1 [disabled]
8472 bar2
8473 (gdb) disable pretty-printer library2 bar
8474 1 printer disabled
8475 0 of 3 printers enabled
8476 (gdb) info pretty-printer library2
8477 library1.so:
8478 foo [disabled]
8479 library2.so:
8480 bar [disabled]
8481 bar1 [disabled]
8482 bar2
8483 @end smallexample
8484
8485 Note that for @code{bar} the entire printer can be disabled,
8486 as can each individual subprinter.
8487
8488 @node Value History
8489 @section Value History
8490
8491 @cindex value history
8492 @cindex history of values printed by @value{GDBN}
8493 Values printed by the @code{print} command are saved in the @value{GDBN}
8494 @dfn{value history}. This allows you to refer to them in other expressions.
8495 Values are kept until the symbol table is re-read or discarded
8496 (for example with the @code{file} or @code{symbol-file} commands).
8497 When the symbol table changes, the value history is discarded,
8498 since the values may contain pointers back to the types defined in the
8499 symbol table.
8500
8501 @cindex @code{$}
8502 @cindex @code{$$}
8503 @cindex history number
8504 The values printed are given @dfn{history numbers} by which you can
8505 refer to them. These are successive integers starting with one.
8506 @code{print} shows you the history number assigned to a value by
8507 printing @samp{$@var{num} = } before the value; here @var{num} is the
8508 history number.
8509
8510 To refer to any previous value, use @samp{$} followed by the value's
8511 history number. The way @code{print} labels its output is designed to
8512 remind you of this. Just @code{$} refers to the most recent value in
8513 the history, and @code{$$} refers to the value before that.
8514 @code{$$@var{n}} refers to the @var{n}th value from the end; @code{$$2}
8515 is the value just prior to @code{$$}, @code{$$1} is equivalent to
8516 @code{$$}, and @code{$$0} is equivalent to @code{$}.
8517
8518 For example, suppose you have just printed a pointer to a structure and
8519 want to see the contents of the structure. It suffices to type
8520
8521 @smallexample
8522 p *$
8523 @end smallexample
8524
8525 If you have a chain of structures where the component @code{next} points
8526 to the next one, you can print the contents of the next one with this:
8527
8528 @smallexample
8529 p *$.next
8530 @end smallexample
8531
8532 @noindent
8533 You can print successive links in the chain by repeating this
8534 command---which you can do by just typing @key{RET}.
8535
8536 Note that the history records values, not expressions. If the value of
8537 @code{x} is 4 and you type these commands:
8538
8539 @smallexample
8540 print x
8541 set x=5
8542 @end smallexample
8543
8544 @noindent
8545 then the value recorded in the value history by the @code{print} command
8546 remains 4 even though the value of @code{x} has changed.
8547
8548 @table @code
8549 @kindex show values
8550 @item show values
8551 Print the last ten values in the value history, with their item numbers.
8552 This is like @samp{p@ $$9} repeated ten times, except that @code{show
8553 values} does not change the history.
8554
8555 @item show values @var{n}
8556 Print ten history values centered on history item number @var{n}.
8557
8558 @item show values +
8559 Print ten history values just after the values last printed. If no more
8560 values are available, @code{show values +} produces no display.
8561 @end table
8562
8563 Pressing @key{RET} to repeat @code{show values @var{n}} has exactly the
8564 same effect as @samp{show values +}.
8565
8566 @node Convenience Vars
8567 @section Convenience Variables
8568
8569 @cindex convenience variables
8570 @cindex user-defined variables
8571 @value{GDBN} provides @dfn{convenience variables} that you can use within
8572 @value{GDBN} to hold on to a value and refer to it later. These variables
8573 exist entirely within @value{GDBN}; they are not part of your program, and
8574 setting a convenience variable has no direct effect on further execution
8575 of your program. That is why you can use them freely.
8576
8577 Convenience variables are prefixed with @samp{$}. Any name preceded by
8578 @samp{$} can be used for a convenience variable, unless it is one of
8579 the predefined machine-specific register names (@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
8580 (Value history references, in contrast, are @emph{numbers} preceded
8581 by @samp{$}. @xref{Value History, ,Value History}.)
8582
8583 You can save a value in a convenience variable with an assignment
8584 expression, just as you would set a variable in your program.
8585 For example:
8586
8587 @smallexample
8588 set $foo = *object_ptr
8589 @end smallexample
8590
8591 @noindent
8592 would save in @code{$foo} the value contained in the object pointed to by
8593 @code{object_ptr}.
8594
8595 Using a convenience variable for the first time creates it, but its
8596 value is @code{void} until you assign a new value. You can alter the
8597 value with another assignment at any time.
8598
8599 Convenience variables have no fixed types. You can assign a convenience
8600 variable any type of value, including structures and arrays, even if
8601 that variable already has a value of a different type. The convenience
8602 variable, when used as an expression, has the type of its current value.
8603
8604 @table @code
8605 @kindex show convenience
8606 @cindex show all user variables
8607 @item show convenience
8608 Print a list of convenience variables used so far, and their values.
8609 Abbreviated @code{show conv}.
8610
8611 @kindex init-if-undefined
8612 @cindex convenience variables, initializing
8613 @item init-if-undefined $@var{variable} = @var{expression}
8614 Set a convenience variable if it has not already been set. This is useful
8615 for user-defined commands that keep some state. It is similar, in concept,
8616 to using local static variables with initializers in C (except that
8617 convenience variables are global). It can also be used to allow users to
8618 override default values used in a command script.
8619
8620 If the variable is already defined then the expression is not evaluated so
8621 any side-effects do not occur.
8622 @end table
8623
8624 One of the ways to use a convenience variable is as a counter to be
8625 incremented or a pointer to be advanced. For example, to print
8626 a field from successive elements of an array of structures:
8627
8628 @smallexample
8629 set $i = 0
8630 print bar[$i++]->contents
8631 @end smallexample
8632
8633 @noindent
8634 Repeat that command by typing @key{RET}.
8635
8636 Some convenience variables are created automatically by @value{GDBN} and given
8637 values likely to be useful.
8638
8639 @table @code
8640 @vindex $_@r{, convenience variable}
8641 @item $_
8642 The variable @code{$_} is automatically set by the @code{x} command to
8643 the last address examined (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}). Other
8644 commands which provide a default address for @code{x} to examine also
8645 set @code{$_} to that address; these commands include @code{info line}
8646 and @code{info breakpoint}. The type of @code{$_} is @code{void *}
8647 except when set by the @code{x} command, in which case it is a pointer
8648 to the type of @code{$__}.
8649
8650 @vindex $__@r{, convenience variable}
8651 @item $__
8652 The variable @code{$__} is automatically set by the @code{x} command
8653 to the value found in the last address examined. Its type is chosen
8654 to match the format in which the data was printed.
8655
8656 @item $_exitcode
8657 @vindex $_exitcode@r{, convenience variable}
8658 The variable @code{$_exitcode} is automatically set to the exit code when
8659 the program being debugged terminates.
8660
8661 @item $_sdata
8662 @vindex $_sdata@r{, inspect, convenience variable}
8663 The variable @code{$_sdata} contains extra collected static tracepoint
8664 data. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action Lists}. Note that
8665 @code{$_sdata} could be empty, if not inspecting a trace buffer, or
8666 if extra static tracepoint data has not been collected.
8667
8668 @item $_siginfo
8669 @vindex $_siginfo@r{, convenience variable}
8670 The variable @code{$_siginfo} contains extra signal information
8671 (@pxref{extra signal information}). Note that @code{$_siginfo}
8672 could be empty, if the application has not yet received any signals.
8673 For example, it will be empty before you execute the @code{run} command.
8674
8675 @item $_tlb
8676 @vindex $_tlb@r{, convenience variable}
8677 The variable @code{$_tlb} is automatically set when debugging
8678 applications running on MS-Windows in native mode or connected to
8679 gdbserver that supports the @code{qGetTIBAddr} request.
8680 @xref{General Query Packets}.
8681 This variable contains the address of the thread information block.
8682
8683 @end table
8684
8685 On HP-UX systems, if you refer to a function or variable name that
8686 begins with a dollar sign, @value{GDBN} searches for a user or system
8687 name first, before it searches for a convenience variable.
8688
8689 @cindex convenience functions
8690 @value{GDBN} also supplies some @dfn{convenience functions}. These
8691 have a syntax similar to convenience variables. A convenience
8692 function can be used in an expression just like an ordinary function;
8693 however, a convenience function is implemented internally to
8694 @value{GDBN}.
8695
8696 @table @code
8697 @item help function
8698 @kindex help function
8699 @cindex show all convenience functions
8700 Print a list of all convenience functions.
8701 @end table
8702
8703 @node Registers
8704 @section Registers
8705
8706 @cindex registers
8707 You can refer to machine register contents, in expressions, as variables
8708 with names starting with @samp{$}. The names of registers are different
8709 for each machine; use @code{info registers} to see the names used on
8710 your machine.
8711
8712 @table @code
8713 @kindex info registers
8714 @item info registers
8715 Print the names and values of all registers except floating-point
8716 and vector registers (in the selected stack frame).
8717
8718 @kindex info all-registers
8719 @cindex floating point registers
8720 @item info all-registers
8721 Print the names and values of all registers, including floating-point
8722 and vector registers (in the selected stack frame).
8723
8724 @item info registers @var{regname} @dots{}
8725 Print the @dfn{relativized} value of each specified register @var{regname}.
8726 As discussed in detail below, register values are normally relative to
8727 the selected stack frame. @var{regname} may be any register name valid on
8728 the machine you are using, with or without the initial @samp{$}.
8729 @end table
8730
8731 @cindex stack pointer register
8732 @cindex program counter register
8733 @cindex process status register
8734 @cindex frame pointer register
8735 @cindex standard registers
8736 @value{GDBN} has four ``standard'' register names that are available (in
8737 expressions) on most machines---whenever they do not conflict with an
8738 architecture's canonical mnemonics for registers. The register names
8739 @code{$pc} and @code{$sp} are used for the program counter register and
8740 the stack pointer. @code{$fp} is used for a register that contains a
8741 pointer to the current stack frame, and @code{$ps} is used for a
8742 register that contains the processor status. For example,
8743 you could print the program counter in hex with
8744
8745 @smallexample
8746 p/x $pc
8747 @end smallexample
8748
8749 @noindent
8750 or print the instruction to be executed next with
8751
8752 @smallexample
8753 x/i $pc
8754 @end smallexample
8755
8756 @noindent
8757 or add four to the stack pointer@footnote{This is a way of removing
8758 one word from the stack, on machines where stacks grow downward in
8759 memory (most machines, nowadays). This assumes that the innermost
8760 stack frame is selected; setting @code{$sp} is not allowed when other
8761 stack frames are selected. To pop entire frames off the stack,
8762 regardless of machine architecture, use @code{return};
8763 see @ref{Returning, ,Returning from a Function}.} with
8764
8765 @smallexample
8766 set $sp += 4
8767 @end smallexample
8768
8769 Whenever possible, these four standard register names are available on
8770 your machine even though the machine has different canonical mnemonics,
8771 so long as there is no conflict. The @code{info registers} command
8772 shows the canonical names. For example, on the SPARC, @code{info
8773 registers} displays the processor status register as @code{$psr} but you
8774 can also refer to it as @code{$ps}; and on x86-based machines @code{$ps}
8775 is an alias for the @sc{eflags} register.
8776
8777 @value{GDBN} always considers the contents of an ordinary register as an
8778 integer when the register is examined in this way. Some machines have
8779 special registers which can hold nothing but floating point; these
8780 registers are considered to have floating point values. There is no way
8781 to refer to the contents of an ordinary register as floating point value
8782 (although you can @emph{print} it as a floating point value with
8783 @samp{print/f $@var{regname}}).
8784
8785 Some registers have distinct ``raw'' and ``virtual'' data formats. This
8786 means that the data format in which the register contents are saved by
8787 the operating system is not the same one that your program normally
8788 sees. For example, the registers of the 68881 floating point
8789 coprocessor are always saved in ``extended'' (raw) format, but all C
8790 programs expect to work with ``double'' (virtual) format. In such
8791 cases, @value{GDBN} normally works with the virtual format only (the format
8792 that makes sense for your program), but the @code{info registers} command
8793 prints the data in both formats.
8794
8795 @cindex SSE registers (x86)
8796 @cindex MMX registers (x86)
8797 Some machines have special registers whose contents can be interpreted
8798 in several different ways. For example, modern x86-based machines
8799 have SSE and MMX registers that can hold several values packed
8800 together in several different formats. @value{GDBN} refers to such
8801 registers in @code{struct} notation:
8802
8803 @smallexample
8804 (@value{GDBP}) print $xmm1
8805 $1 = @{
8806 v4_float = @{0, 3.43859137e-038, 1.54142831e-044, 1.821688e-044@},
8807 v2_double = @{9.92129282474342e-303, 2.7585945287983262e-313@},
8808 v16_int8 = "\000\000\000\000\3706;\001\v\000\000\000\r\000\000",
8809 v8_int16 = @{0, 0, 14072, 315, 11, 0, 13, 0@},
8810 v4_int32 = @{0, 20657912, 11, 13@},
8811 v2_int64 = @{88725056443645952, 55834574859@},
8812 uint128 = 0x0000000d0000000b013b36f800000000
8813 @}
8814 @end smallexample
8815
8816 @noindent
8817 To set values of such registers, you need to tell @value{GDBN} which
8818 view of the register you wish to change, as if you were assigning
8819 value to a @code{struct} member:
8820
8821 @smallexample
8822 (@value{GDBP}) set $xmm1.uint128 = 0x000000000000000000000000FFFFFFFF
8823 @end smallexample
8824
8825 Normally, register values are relative to the selected stack frame
8826 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}). This means that you get the
8827 value that the register would contain if all stack frames farther in
8828 were exited and their saved registers restored. In order to see the
8829 true contents of hardware registers, you must select the innermost
8830 frame (with @samp{frame 0}).
8831
8832 However, @value{GDBN} must deduce where registers are saved, from the machine
8833 code generated by your compiler. If some registers are not saved, or if
8834 @value{GDBN} is unable to locate the saved registers, the selected stack
8835 frame makes no difference.
8836
8837 @node Floating Point Hardware
8838 @section Floating Point Hardware
8839 @cindex floating point
8840
8841 Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give
8842 you more information about the status of the floating point hardware.
8843
8844 @table @code
8845 @kindex info float
8846 @item info float
8847 Display hardware-dependent information about the floating
8848 point unit. The exact contents and layout vary depending on the
8849 floating point chip. Currently, @samp{info float} is supported on
8850 the ARM and x86 machines.
8851 @end table
8852
8853 @node Vector Unit
8854 @section Vector Unit
8855 @cindex vector unit
8856
8857 Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give you
8858 more information about the status of the vector unit.
8859
8860 @table @code
8861 @kindex info vector
8862 @item info vector
8863 Display information about the vector unit. The exact contents and
8864 layout vary depending on the hardware.
8865 @end table
8866
8867 @node OS Information
8868 @section Operating System Auxiliary Information
8869 @cindex OS information
8870
8871 @value{GDBN} provides interfaces to useful OS facilities that can help
8872 you debug your program.
8873
8874 @cindex @code{ptrace} system call
8875 @cindex @code{struct user} contents
8876 When @value{GDBN} runs on a @dfn{Posix system} (such as GNU or Unix
8877 machines), it interfaces with the inferior via the @code{ptrace}
8878 system call. The operating system creates a special sata structure,
8879 called @code{struct user}, for this interface. You can use the
8880 command @code{info udot} to display the contents of this data
8881 structure.
8882
8883 @table @code
8884 @item info udot
8885 @kindex info udot
8886 Display the contents of the @code{struct user} maintained by the OS
8887 kernel for the program being debugged. @value{GDBN} displays the
8888 contents of @code{struct user} as a list of hex numbers, similar to
8889 the @code{examine} command.
8890 @end table
8891
8892 @cindex auxiliary vector
8893 @cindex vector, auxiliary
8894 Some operating systems supply an @dfn{auxiliary vector} to programs at
8895 startup. This is akin to the arguments and environment that you
8896 specify for a program, but contains a system-dependent variety of
8897 binary values that tell system libraries important details about the
8898 hardware, operating system, and process. Each value's purpose is
8899 identified by an integer tag; the meanings are well-known but system-specific.
8900 Depending on the configuration and operating system facilities,
8901 @value{GDBN} may be able to show you this information. For remote
8902 targets, this functionality may further depend on the remote stub's
8903 support of the @samp{qXfer:auxv:read} packet, see
8904 @ref{qXfer auxiliary vector read}.
8905
8906 @table @code
8907 @kindex info auxv
8908 @item info auxv
8909 Display the auxiliary vector of the inferior, which can be either a
8910 live process or a core dump file. @value{GDBN} prints each tag value
8911 numerically, and also shows names and text descriptions for recognized
8912 tags. Some values in the vector are numbers, some bit masks, and some
8913 pointers to strings or other data. @value{GDBN} displays each value in the
8914 most appropriate form for a recognized tag, and in hexadecimal for
8915 an unrecognized tag.
8916 @end table
8917
8918 On some targets, @value{GDBN} can access operating-system-specific information
8919 and display it to user, without interpretation. For remote targets,
8920 this functionality depends on the remote stub's support of the
8921 @samp{qXfer:osdata:read} packet, see @ref{qXfer osdata read}.
8922
8923 @table @code
8924 @kindex info os
8925 @item info os
8926 List the types of OS information available for the target. If the
8927 target does not return a list of possible types, this command will
8928 report an error.
8929
8930 @kindex info os processes
8931 @item info os processes
8932 Display the list of processes on the target. For each process,
8933 @value{GDBN} prints the process identifier, the name of the user, and
8934 the command corresponding to the process.
8935 @end table
8936
8937 @node Memory Region Attributes
8938 @section Memory Region Attributes
8939 @cindex memory region attributes
8940
8941 @dfn{Memory region attributes} allow you to describe special handling
8942 required by regions of your target's memory. @value{GDBN} uses
8943 attributes to determine whether to allow certain types of memory
8944 accesses; whether to use specific width accesses; and whether to cache
8945 target memory. By default the description of memory regions is
8946 fetched from the target (if the current target supports this), but the
8947 user can override the fetched regions.
8948
8949 Defined memory regions can be individually enabled and disabled. When a
8950 memory region is disabled, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when
8951 accessing memory in that region. Similarly, if no memory regions have
8952 been defined, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when accessing
8953 all memory.
8954
8955 When a memory region is defined, it is given a number to identify it;
8956 to enable, disable, or remove a memory region, you specify that number.
8957
8958 @table @code
8959 @kindex mem
8960 @item mem @var{lower} @var{upper} @var{attributes}@dots{}
8961 Define a memory region bounded by @var{lower} and @var{upper} with
8962 attributes @var{attributes}@dots{}, and add it to the list of regions
8963 monitored by @value{GDBN}. Note that @var{upper} == 0 is a special
8964 case: it is treated as the target's maximum memory address.
8965 (0xffff on 16 bit targets, 0xffffffff on 32 bit targets, etc.)
8966
8967 @item mem auto
8968 Discard any user changes to the memory regions and use target-supplied
8969 regions, if available, or no regions if the target does not support.
8970
8971 @kindex delete mem
8972 @item delete mem @var{nums}@dots{}
8973 Remove memory regions @var{nums}@dots{} from the list of regions
8974 monitored by @value{GDBN}.
8975
8976 @kindex disable mem
8977 @item disable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
8978 Disable monitoring of memory regions @var{nums}@dots{}.
8979 A disabled memory region is not forgotten.
8980 It may be enabled again later.
8981
8982 @kindex enable mem
8983 @item enable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
8984 Enable monitoring of memory regions @var{nums}@dots{}.
8985
8986 @kindex info mem
8987 @item info mem
8988 Print a table of all defined memory regions, with the following columns
8989 for each region:
8990
8991 @table @emph
8992 @item Memory Region Number
8993 @item Enabled or Disabled.
8994 Enabled memory regions are marked with @samp{y}.
8995 Disabled memory regions are marked with @samp{n}.
8996
8997 @item Lo Address
8998 The address defining the inclusive lower bound of the memory region.
8999
9000 @item Hi Address
9001 The address defining the exclusive upper bound of the memory region.
9002
9003 @item Attributes
9004 The list of attributes set for this memory region.
9005 @end table
9006 @end table
9007
9008
9009 @subsection Attributes
9010
9011 @subsubsection Memory Access Mode
9012 The access mode attributes set whether @value{GDBN} may make read or
9013 write accesses to a memory region.
9014
9015 While these attributes prevent @value{GDBN} from performing invalid
9016 memory accesses, they do nothing to prevent the target system, I/O DMA,
9017 etc.@: from accessing memory.
9018
9019 @table @code
9020 @item ro
9021 Memory is read only.
9022 @item wo
9023 Memory is write only.
9024 @item rw
9025 Memory is read/write. This is the default.
9026 @end table
9027
9028 @subsubsection Memory Access Size
9029 The access size attribute tells @value{GDBN} to use specific sized
9030 accesses in the memory region. Often memory mapped device registers
9031 require specific sized accesses. If no access size attribute is
9032 specified, @value{GDBN} may use accesses of any size.
9033
9034 @table @code
9035 @item 8
9036 Use 8 bit memory accesses.
9037 @item 16
9038 Use 16 bit memory accesses.
9039 @item 32
9040 Use 32 bit memory accesses.
9041 @item 64
9042 Use 64 bit memory accesses.
9043 @end table
9044
9045 @c @subsubsection Hardware/Software Breakpoints
9046 @c The hardware/software breakpoint attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
9047 @c will use hardware or software breakpoints for the internal breakpoints
9048 @c used by the step, next, finish, until, etc. commands.
9049 @c
9050 @c @table @code
9051 @c @item hwbreak
9052 @c Always use hardware breakpoints
9053 @c @item swbreak (default)
9054 @c @end table
9055
9056 @subsubsection Data Cache
9057 The data cache attributes set whether @value{GDBN} will cache target
9058 memory. While this generally improves performance by reducing debug
9059 protocol overhead, it can lead to incorrect results because @value{GDBN}
9060 does not know about volatile variables or memory mapped device
9061 registers.
9062
9063 @table @code
9064 @item cache
9065 Enable @value{GDBN} to cache target memory.
9066 @item nocache
9067 Disable @value{GDBN} from caching target memory. This is the default.
9068 @end table
9069
9070 @subsection Memory Access Checking
9071 @value{GDBN} can be instructed to refuse accesses to memory that is
9072 not explicitly described. This can be useful if accessing such
9073 regions has undesired effects for a specific target, or to provide
9074 better error checking. The following commands control this behaviour.
9075
9076 @table @code
9077 @kindex set mem inaccessible-by-default
9078 @item set mem inaccessible-by-default [on|off]
9079 If @code{on} is specified, make @value{GDBN} treat memory not
9080 explicitly described by the memory ranges as non-existent and refuse accesses
9081 to such memory. The checks are only performed if there's at least one
9082 memory range defined. If @code{off} is specified, make @value{GDBN}
9083 treat the memory not explicitly described by the memory ranges as RAM.
9084 The default value is @code{on}.
9085 @kindex show mem inaccessible-by-default
9086 @item show mem inaccessible-by-default
9087 Show the current handling of accesses to unknown memory.
9088 @end table
9089
9090
9091 @c @subsubsection Memory Write Verification
9092 @c The memory write verification attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
9093 @c will re-reads data after each write to verify the write was successful.
9094 @c
9095 @c @table @code
9096 @c @item verify
9097 @c @item noverify (default)
9098 @c @end table
9099
9100 @node Dump/Restore Files
9101 @section Copy Between Memory and a File
9102 @cindex dump/restore files
9103 @cindex append data to a file
9104 @cindex dump data to a file
9105 @cindex restore data from a file
9106
9107 You can use the commands @code{dump}, @code{append}, and
9108 @code{restore} to copy data between target memory and a file. The
9109 @code{dump} and @code{append} commands write data to a file, and the
9110 @code{restore} command reads data from a file back into the inferior's
9111 memory. Files may be in binary, Motorola S-record, Intel hex, or
9112 Tektronix Hex format; however, @value{GDBN} can only append to binary
9113 files.
9114
9115 @table @code
9116
9117 @kindex dump
9118 @item dump @r{[}@var{format}@r{]} memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
9119 @itemx dump @r{[}@var{format}@r{]} value @var{filename} @var{expr}
9120 Dump the contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr},
9121 or the value of @var{expr}, to @var{filename} in the given format.
9122
9123 The @var{format} parameter may be any one of:
9124 @table @code
9125 @item binary
9126 Raw binary form.
9127 @item ihex
9128 Intel hex format.
9129 @item srec
9130 Motorola S-record format.
9131 @item tekhex
9132 Tektronix Hex format.
9133 @end table
9134
9135 @value{GDBN} uses the same definitions of these formats as the
9136 @sc{gnu} binary utilities, like @samp{objdump} and @samp{objcopy}. If
9137 @var{format} is omitted, @value{GDBN} dumps the data in raw binary
9138 form.
9139
9140 @kindex append
9141 @item append @r{[}binary@r{]} memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
9142 @itemx append @r{[}binary@r{]} value @var{filename} @var{expr}
9143 Append the contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr},
9144 or the value of @var{expr}, to the file @var{filename}, in raw binary form.
9145 (@value{GDBN} can only append data to files in raw binary form.)
9146
9147 @kindex restore
9148 @item restore @var{filename} @r{[}binary@r{]} @var{bias} @var{start} @var{end}
9149 Restore the contents of file @var{filename} into memory. The
9150 @code{restore} command can automatically recognize any known @sc{bfd}
9151 file format, except for raw binary. To restore a raw binary file you
9152 must specify the optional keyword @code{binary} after the filename.
9153
9154 If @var{bias} is non-zero, its value will be added to the addresses
9155 contained in the file. Binary files always start at address zero, so
9156 they will be restored at address @var{bias}. Other bfd files have
9157 a built-in location; they will be restored at offset @var{bias}
9158 from that location.
9159
9160 If @var{start} and/or @var{end} are non-zero, then only data between
9161 file offset @var{start} and file offset @var{end} will be restored.
9162 These offsets are relative to the addresses in the file, before
9163 the @var{bias} argument is applied.
9164
9165 @end table
9166
9167 @node Core File Generation
9168 @section How to Produce a Core File from Your Program
9169 @cindex dump core from inferior
9170
9171 A @dfn{core file} or @dfn{core dump} is a file that records the memory
9172 image of a running process and its process status (register values
9173 etc.). Its primary use is post-mortem debugging of a program that
9174 crashed while it ran outside a debugger. A program that crashes
9175 automatically produces a core file, unless this feature is disabled by
9176 the user. @xref{Files}, for information on invoking @value{GDBN} in
9177 the post-mortem debugging mode.
9178
9179 Occasionally, you may wish to produce a core file of the program you
9180 are debugging in order to preserve a snapshot of its state.
9181 @value{GDBN} has a special command for that.
9182
9183 @table @code
9184 @kindex gcore
9185 @kindex generate-core-file
9186 @item generate-core-file [@var{file}]
9187 @itemx gcore [@var{file}]
9188 Produce a core dump of the inferior process. The optional argument
9189 @var{file} specifies the file name where to put the core dump. If not
9190 specified, the file name defaults to @file{core.@var{pid}}, where
9191 @var{pid} is the inferior process ID.
9192
9193 Note that this command is implemented only for some systems (as of
9194 this writing, @sc{gnu}/Linux, FreeBSD, Solaris, Unixware, and S390).
9195 @end table
9196
9197 @node Character Sets
9198 @section Character Sets
9199 @cindex character sets
9200 @cindex charset
9201 @cindex translating between character sets
9202 @cindex host character set
9203 @cindex target character set
9204
9205 If the program you are debugging uses a different character set to
9206 represent characters and strings than the one @value{GDBN} uses itself,
9207 @value{GDBN} can automatically translate between the character sets for
9208 you. The character set @value{GDBN} uses we call the @dfn{host
9209 character set}; the one the inferior program uses we call the
9210 @dfn{target character set}.
9211
9212 For example, if you are running @value{GDBN} on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, which
9213 uses the ISO Latin 1 character set, but you are using @value{GDBN}'s
9214 remote protocol (@pxref{Remote Debugging}) to debug a program
9215 running on an IBM mainframe, which uses the @sc{ebcdic} character set,
9216 then the host character set is Latin-1, and the target character set is
9217 @sc{ebcdic}. If you give @value{GDBN} the command @code{set
9218 target-charset EBCDIC-US}, then @value{GDBN} translates between
9219 @sc{ebcdic} and Latin 1 as you print character or string values, or use
9220 character and string literals in expressions.
9221
9222 @value{GDBN} has no way to automatically recognize which character set
9223 the inferior program uses; you must tell it, using the @code{set
9224 target-charset} command, described below.
9225
9226 Here are the commands for controlling @value{GDBN}'s character set
9227 support:
9228
9229 @table @code
9230 @item set target-charset @var{charset}
9231 @kindex set target-charset
9232 Set the current target character set to @var{charset}. To display the
9233 list of supported target character sets, type
9234 @kbd{@w{set target-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}}.
9235
9236 @item set host-charset @var{charset}
9237 @kindex set host-charset
9238 Set the current host character set to @var{charset}.
9239
9240 By default, @value{GDBN} uses a host character set appropriate to the
9241 system it is running on; you can override that default using the
9242 @code{set host-charset} command. On some systems, @value{GDBN} cannot
9243 automatically determine the appropriate host character set. In this
9244 case, @value{GDBN} uses @samp{UTF-8}.
9245
9246 @value{GDBN} can only use certain character sets as its host character
9247 set. If you type @kbd{@w{set host-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}},
9248 @value{GDBN} will list the host character sets it supports.
9249
9250 @item set charset @var{charset}
9251 @kindex set charset
9252 Set the current host and target character sets to @var{charset}. As
9253 above, if you type @kbd{@w{set charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}},
9254 @value{GDBN} will list the names of the character sets that can be used
9255 for both host and target.
9256
9257 @item show charset
9258 @kindex show charset
9259 Show the names of the current host and target character sets.
9260
9261 @item show host-charset
9262 @kindex show host-charset
9263 Show the name of the current host character set.
9264
9265 @item show target-charset
9266 @kindex show target-charset
9267 Show the name of the current target character set.
9268
9269 @item set target-wide-charset @var{charset}
9270 @kindex set target-wide-charset
9271 Set the current target's wide character set to @var{charset}. This is
9272 the character set used by the target's @code{wchar_t} type. To
9273 display the list of supported wide character sets, type
9274 @kbd{@w{set target-wide-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}}.
9275
9276 @item show target-wide-charset
9277 @kindex show target-wide-charset
9278 Show the name of the current target's wide character set.
9279 @end table
9280
9281 Here is an example of @value{GDBN}'s character set support in action.
9282 Assume that the following source code has been placed in the file
9283 @file{charset-test.c}:
9284
9285 @smallexample
9286 #include <stdio.h>
9287
9288 char ascii_hello[]
9289 = @{72, 101, 108, 108, 111, 44, 32, 119,
9290 111, 114, 108, 100, 33, 10, 0@};
9291 char ibm1047_hello[]
9292 = @{200, 133, 147, 147, 150, 107, 64, 166,
9293 150, 153, 147, 132, 90, 37, 0@};
9294
9295 main ()
9296 @{
9297 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
9298 @}
9299 @end smallexample
9300
9301 In this program, @code{ascii_hello} and @code{ibm1047_hello} are arrays
9302 containing the string @samp{Hello, world!} followed by a newline,
9303 encoded in the @sc{ascii} and @sc{ibm1047} character sets.
9304
9305 We compile the program, and invoke the debugger on it:
9306
9307 @smallexample
9308 $ gcc -g charset-test.c -o charset-test
9309 $ gdb -nw charset-test
9310 GNU gdb 2001-12-19-cvs
9311 Copyright 2001 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
9312 @dots{}
9313 (@value{GDBP})
9314 @end smallexample
9315
9316 We can use the @code{show charset} command to see what character sets
9317 @value{GDBN} is currently using to interpret and display characters and
9318 strings:
9319
9320 @smallexample
9321 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
9322 The current host and target character set is `ISO-8859-1'.
9323 (@value{GDBP})
9324 @end smallexample
9325
9326 For the sake of printing this manual, let's use @sc{ascii} as our
9327 initial character set:
9328 @smallexample
9329 (@value{GDBP}) set charset ASCII
9330 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
9331 The current host and target character set is `ASCII'.
9332 (@value{GDBP})
9333 @end smallexample
9334
9335 Let's assume that @sc{ascii} is indeed the correct character set for our
9336 host system --- in other words, let's assume that if @value{GDBN} prints
9337 characters using the @sc{ascii} character set, our terminal will display
9338 them properly. Since our current target character set is also
9339 @sc{ascii}, the contents of @code{ascii_hello} print legibly:
9340
9341 @smallexample
9342 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello
9343 $1 = 0x401698 "Hello, world!\n"
9344 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello[0]
9345 $2 = 72 'H'
9346 (@value{GDBP})
9347 @end smallexample
9348
9349 @value{GDBN} uses the target character set for character and string
9350 literals you use in expressions:
9351
9352 @smallexample
9353 (@value{GDBP}) print '+'
9354 $3 = 43 '+'
9355 (@value{GDBP})
9356 @end smallexample
9357
9358 The @sc{ascii} character set uses the number 43 to encode the @samp{+}
9359 character.
9360
9361 @value{GDBN} relies on the user to tell it which character set the
9362 target program uses. If we print @code{ibm1047_hello} while our target
9363 character set is still @sc{ascii}, we get jibberish:
9364
9365 @smallexample
9366 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello
9367 $4 = 0x4016a8 "\310\205\223\223\226k@@\246\226\231\223\204Z%"
9368 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello[0]
9369 $5 = 200 '\310'
9370 (@value{GDBP})
9371 @end smallexample
9372
9373 If we invoke the @code{set target-charset} followed by @key{TAB}@key{TAB},
9374 @value{GDBN} tells us the character sets it supports:
9375
9376 @smallexample
9377 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset
9378 ASCII EBCDIC-US IBM1047 ISO-8859-1
9379 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset
9380 @end smallexample
9381
9382 We can select @sc{ibm1047} as our target character set, and examine the
9383 program's strings again. Now the @sc{ascii} string is wrong, but
9384 @value{GDBN} translates the contents of @code{ibm1047_hello} from the
9385 target character set, @sc{ibm1047}, to the host character set,
9386 @sc{ascii}, and they display correctly:
9387
9388 @smallexample
9389 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset IBM1047
9390 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
9391 The current host character set is `ASCII'.
9392 The current target character set is `IBM1047'.
9393 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello
9394 $6 = 0x401698 "\110\145%%?\054\040\167?\162%\144\041\012"
9395 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello[0]
9396 $7 = 72 '\110'
9397 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello
9398 $8 = 0x4016a8 "Hello, world!\n"
9399 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello[0]
9400 $9 = 200 'H'
9401 (@value{GDBP})
9402 @end smallexample
9403
9404 As above, @value{GDBN} uses the target character set for character and
9405 string literals you use in expressions:
9406
9407 @smallexample
9408 (@value{GDBP}) print '+'
9409 $10 = 78 '+'
9410 (@value{GDBP})
9411 @end smallexample
9412
9413 The @sc{ibm1047} character set uses the number 78 to encode the @samp{+}
9414 character.
9415
9416 @node Caching Remote Data
9417 @section Caching Data of Remote Targets
9418 @cindex caching data of remote targets
9419
9420 @value{GDBN} caches data exchanged between the debugger and a
9421 remote target (@pxref{Remote Debugging}). Such caching generally improves
9422 performance, because it reduces the overhead of the remote protocol by
9423 bundling memory reads and writes into large chunks. Unfortunately, simply
9424 caching everything would lead to incorrect results, since @value{GDBN}
9425 does not necessarily know anything about volatile values, memory-mapped I/O
9426 addresses, etc. Furthermore, in non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode})
9427 memory can be changed @emph{while} a gdb command is executing.
9428 Therefore, by default, @value{GDBN} only caches data
9429 known to be on the stack@footnote{In non-stop mode, it is moderately
9430 rare for a running thread to modify the stack of a stopped thread
9431 in a way that would interfere with a backtrace, and caching of
9432 stack reads provides a significant speed up of remote backtraces.}.
9433 Other regions of memory can be explicitly marked as
9434 cacheable; see @pxref{Memory Region Attributes}.
9435
9436 @table @code
9437 @kindex set remotecache
9438 @item set remotecache on
9439 @itemx set remotecache off
9440 This option no longer does anything; it exists for compatibility
9441 with old scripts.
9442
9443 @kindex show remotecache
9444 @item show remotecache
9445 Show the current state of the obsolete remotecache flag.
9446
9447 @kindex set stack-cache
9448 @item set stack-cache on
9449 @itemx set stack-cache off
9450 Enable or disable caching of stack accesses. When @code{ON}, use
9451 caching. By default, this option is @code{ON}.
9452
9453 @kindex show stack-cache
9454 @item show stack-cache
9455 Show the current state of data caching for memory accesses.
9456
9457 @kindex info dcache
9458 @item info dcache @r{[}line@r{]}
9459 Print the information about the data cache performance. The
9460 information displayed includes the dcache width and depth, and for
9461 each cache line, its number, address, and how many times it was
9462 referenced. This command is useful for debugging the data cache
9463 operation.
9464
9465 If a line number is specified, the contents of that line will be
9466 printed in hex.
9467
9468 @item set dcache size @var{size}
9469 @cindex dcache size
9470 @kindex set dcache size
9471 Set maximum number of entries in dcache (dcache depth above).
9472
9473 @item set dcache line-size @var{line-size}
9474 @cindex dcache line-size
9475 @kindex set dcache line-size
9476 Set number of bytes each dcache entry caches (dcache width above).
9477 Must be a power of 2.
9478
9479 @item show dcache size
9480 @kindex show dcache size
9481 Show maximum number of dcache entries. See also @ref{Caching Remote Data, info dcache}.
9482
9483 @item show dcache line-size
9484 @kindex show dcache line-size
9485 Show default size of dcache lines. See also @ref{Caching Remote Data, info dcache}.
9486
9487 @end table
9488
9489 @node Searching Memory
9490 @section Search Memory
9491 @cindex searching memory
9492
9493 Memory can be searched for a particular sequence of bytes with the
9494 @code{find} command.
9495
9496 @table @code
9497 @kindex find
9498 @item find @r{[}/@var{sn}@r{]} @var{start_addr}, +@var{len}, @var{val1} @r{[}, @var{val2}, @dots{}@r{]}
9499 @itemx find @r{[}/@var{sn}@r{]} @var{start_addr}, @var{end_addr}, @var{val1} @r{[}, @var{val2}, @dots{}@r{]}
9500 Search memory for the sequence of bytes specified by @var{val1}, @var{val2},
9501 etc. The search begins at address @var{start_addr} and continues for either
9502 @var{len} bytes or through to @var{end_addr} inclusive.
9503 @end table
9504
9505 @var{s} and @var{n} are optional parameters.
9506 They may be specified in either order, apart or together.
9507
9508 @table @r
9509 @item @var{s}, search query size
9510 The size of each search query value.
9511
9512 @table @code
9513 @item b
9514 bytes
9515 @item h
9516 halfwords (two bytes)
9517 @item w
9518 words (four bytes)
9519 @item g
9520 giant words (eight bytes)
9521 @end table
9522
9523 All values are interpreted in the current language.
9524 This means, for example, that if the current source language is C/C@t{++}
9525 then searching for the string ``hello'' includes the trailing '\0'.
9526
9527 If the value size is not specified, it is taken from the
9528 value's type in the current language.
9529 This is useful when one wants to specify the search
9530 pattern as a mixture of types.
9531 Note that this means, for example, that in the case of C-like languages
9532 a search for an untyped 0x42 will search for @samp{(int) 0x42}
9533 which is typically four bytes.
9534
9535 @item @var{n}, maximum number of finds
9536 The maximum number of matches to print. The default is to print all finds.
9537 @end table
9538
9539 You can use strings as search values. Quote them with double-quotes
9540 (@code{"}).
9541 The string value is copied into the search pattern byte by byte,
9542 regardless of the endianness of the target and the size specification.
9543
9544 The address of each match found is printed as well as a count of the
9545 number of matches found.
9546
9547 The address of the last value found is stored in convenience variable
9548 @samp{$_}.
9549 A count of the number of matches is stored in @samp{$numfound}.
9550
9551 For example, if stopped at the @code{printf} in this function:
9552
9553 @smallexample
9554 void
9555 hello ()
9556 @{
9557 static char hello[] = "hello-hello";
9558 static struct @{ char c; short s; int i; @}
9559 __attribute__ ((packed)) mixed
9560 = @{ 'c', 0x1234, 0x87654321 @};
9561 printf ("%s\n", hello);
9562 @}
9563 @end smallexample
9564
9565 @noindent
9566 you get during debugging:
9567
9568 @smallexample
9569 (gdb) find &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), "hello"
9570 0x804956d <hello.1620+6>
9571 1 pattern found
9572 (gdb) find &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), 'h', 'e', 'l', 'l', 'o'
9573 0x8049567 <hello.1620>
9574 0x804956d <hello.1620+6>
9575 2 patterns found
9576 (gdb) find /b1 &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), 'h', 0x65, 'l'
9577 0x8049567 <hello.1620>
9578 1 pattern found
9579 (gdb) find &mixed, +sizeof(mixed), (char) 'c', (short) 0x1234, (int) 0x87654321
9580 0x8049560 <mixed.1625>
9581 1 pattern found
9582 (gdb) print $numfound
9583 $1 = 1
9584 (gdb) print $_
9585 $2 = (void *) 0x8049560
9586 @end smallexample
9587
9588 @node Optimized Code
9589 @chapter Debugging Optimized Code
9590 @cindex optimized code, debugging
9591 @cindex debugging optimized code
9592
9593 Almost all compilers support optimization. With optimization
9594 disabled, the compiler generates assembly code that corresponds
9595 directly to your source code, in a simplistic way. As the compiler
9596 applies more powerful optimizations, the generated assembly code
9597 diverges from your original source code. With help from debugging
9598 information generated by the compiler, @value{GDBN} can map from
9599 the running program back to constructs from your original source.
9600
9601 @value{GDBN} is more accurate with optimization disabled. If you
9602 can recompile without optimization, it is easier to follow the
9603 progress of your program during debugging. But, there are many cases
9604 where you may need to debug an optimized version.
9605
9606 When you debug a program compiled with @samp{-g -O}, remember that the
9607 optimizer has rearranged your code; the debugger shows you what is
9608 really there. Do not be too surprised when the execution path does not
9609 exactly match your source file! An extreme example: if you define a
9610 variable, but never use it, @value{GDBN} never sees that
9611 variable---because the compiler optimizes it out of existence.
9612
9613 Some things do not work as well with @samp{-g -O} as with just
9614 @samp{-g}, particularly on machines with instruction scheduling. If in
9615 doubt, recompile with @samp{-g} alone, and if this fixes the problem,
9616 please report it to us as a bug (including a test case!).
9617 @xref{Variables}, for more information about debugging optimized code.
9618
9619 @menu
9620 * Inline Functions:: How @value{GDBN} presents inlining
9621 * Tail Call Frames:: @value{GDBN} analysis of jumps to functions
9622 @end menu
9623
9624 @node Inline Functions
9625 @section Inline Functions
9626 @cindex inline functions, debugging
9627
9628 @dfn{Inlining} is an optimization that inserts a copy of the function
9629 body directly at each call site, instead of jumping to a shared
9630 routine. @value{GDBN} displays inlined functions just like
9631 non-inlined functions. They appear in backtraces. You can view their
9632 arguments and local variables, step into them with @code{step}, skip
9633 them with @code{next}, and escape from them with @code{finish}.
9634 You can check whether a function was inlined by using the
9635 @code{info frame} command.
9636
9637 For @value{GDBN} to support inlined functions, the compiler must
9638 record information about inlining in the debug information ---
9639 @value{NGCC} using the @sc{dwarf 2} format does this, and several
9640 other compilers do also. @value{GDBN} only supports inlined functions
9641 when using @sc{dwarf 2}. Versions of @value{NGCC} before 4.1
9642 do not emit two required attributes (@samp{DW_AT_call_file} and
9643 @samp{DW_AT_call_line}); @value{GDBN} does not display inlined
9644 function calls with earlier versions of @value{NGCC}. It instead
9645 displays the arguments and local variables of inlined functions as
9646 local variables in the caller.
9647
9648 The body of an inlined function is directly included at its call site;
9649 unlike a non-inlined function, there are no instructions devoted to
9650 the call. @value{GDBN} still pretends that the call site and the
9651 start of the inlined function are different instructions. Stepping to
9652 the call site shows the call site, and then stepping again shows
9653 the first line of the inlined function, even though no additional
9654 instructions are executed.
9655
9656 This makes source-level debugging much clearer; you can see both the
9657 context of the call and then the effect of the call. Only stepping by
9658 a single instruction using @code{stepi} or @code{nexti} does not do
9659 this; single instruction steps always show the inlined body.
9660
9661 There are some ways that @value{GDBN} does not pretend that inlined
9662 function calls are the same as normal calls:
9663
9664 @itemize @bullet
9665 @item
9666 You cannot set breakpoints on inlined functions. @value{GDBN}
9667 either reports that there is no symbol with that name, or else sets the
9668 breakpoint only on non-inlined copies of the function. This limitation
9669 will be removed in a future version of @value{GDBN}; until then,
9670 set a breakpoint by line number on the first line of the inlined
9671 function instead.
9672
9673 @item
9674 Setting breakpoints at the call site of an inlined function may not
9675 work, because the call site does not contain any code. @value{GDBN}
9676 may incorrectly move the breakpoint to the next line of the enclosing
9677 function, after the call. This limitation will be removed in a future
9678 version of @value{GDBN}; until then, set a breakpoint on an earlier line
9679 or inside the inlined function instead.
9680
9681 @item
9682 @value{GDBN} cannot locate the return value of inlined calls after
9683 using the @code{finish} command. This is a limitation of compiler-generated
9684 debugging information; after @code{finish}, you can step to the next line
9685 and print a variable where your program stored the return value.
9686
9687 @end itemize
9688
9689 @node Tail Call Frames
9690 @section Tail Call Frames
9691 @cindex tail call frames, debugging
9692
9693 Function @code{B} can call function @code{C} in its very last statement. In
9694 unoptimized compilation the call of @code{C} is immediately followed by return
9695 instruction at the end of @code{B} code. Optimizing compiler may replace the
9696 call and return in function @code{B} into one jump to function @code{C}
9697 instead. Such use of a jump instruction is called @dfn{tail call}.
9698
9699 During execution of function @code{C}, there will be no indication in the
9700 function call stack frames that it was tail-called from @code{B}. If function
9701 @code{A} regularly calls function @code{B} which tail-calls function @code{C},
9702 then @value{GDBN} will see @code{A} as the caller of @code{C}. However, in
9703 some cases @value{GDBN} can determine that @code{C} was tail-called from
9704 @code{B}, and it will then create fictitious call frame for that, with the
9705 return address set up as if @code{B} called @code{C} normally.
9706
9707 This functionality is currently supported only by DWARF 2 debugging format and
9708 the compiler has to produce @samp{DW_TAG_GNU_call_site} tags. With
9709 @value{NGCC}, you need to specify @option{-O -g} during compilation, to get
9710 this information.
9711
9712 @kbd{info frame} command (@pxref{Frame Info}) will indicate the tail call frame
9713 kind by text @code{tail call frame} such as in this sample @value{GDBN} output:
9714
9715 @smallexample
9716 (gdb) x/i $pc - 2
9717 0x40066b <b(int, double)+11>: jmp 0x400640 <c(int, double)>
9718 (gdb) info frame
9719 Stack level 1, frame at 0x7fffffffda30:
9720 rip = 0x40066d in b (amd64-entry-value.cc:59); saved rip 0x4004c5
9721 tail call frame, caller of frame at 0x7fffffffda30
9722 source language c++.
9723 Arglist at unknown address.
9724 Locals at unknown address, Previous frame's sp is 0x7fffffffda30
9725 @end smallexample
9726
9727 The detection of all the possible code path executions can find them ambiguous.
9728 There is no execution history stored (possible @ref{Reverse Execution} is never
9729 used for this purpose) and the last known caller could have reached the known
9730 callee by multiple different jump sequences. In such case @value{GDBN} still
9731 tries to show at least all the unambiguous top tail callers and all the
9732 unambiguous bottom tail calees, if any.
9733
9734 @table @code
9735 @anchor{set debug entry-values}
9736 @item set debug entry-values
9737 @kindex set debug entry-values
9738 When set to on, enables printing of analysis messages for both frame argument
9739 values at function entry and tail calls. It will show all the possible valid
9740 tail calls code paths it has considered. It will also print the intersection
9741 of them with the final unambiguous (possibly partial or even empty) code path
9742 result.
9743
9744 @item show debug entry-values
9745 @kindex show debug entry-values
9746 Show the current state of analysis messages printing for both frame argument
9747 values at function entry and tail calls.
9748 @end table
9749
9750 The analysis messages for tail calls can for example show why the virtual tail
9751 call frame for function @code{c} has not been recognized (due to the indirect
9752 reference by variable @code{x}):
9753
9754 @smallexample
9755 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) c (void);
9756 void (*x) (void) = c;
9757 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (void) @{ x++; @}
9758 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) c (void) @{ a (); @}
9759 int main (void) @{ x (); return 0; @}
9760
9761 Breakpoint 1, DW_OP_GNU_entry_value resolving cannot find
9762 DW_TAG_GNU_call_site 0x40039a in main
9763 a () at t.c:3
9764 3 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (void) @{ x++; @}
9765 (gdb) bt
9766 #0 a () at t.c:3
9767 #1 0x000000000040039a in main () at t.c:5
9768 @end smallexample
9769
9770 Another possibility is an ambiguous virtual tail call frames resolution:
9771
9772 @smallexample
9773 int i;
9774 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) f (void) @{ i++; @}
9775 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) e (void) @{ f (); @}
9776 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) d (void) @{ f (); @}
9777 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) c (void) @{ d (); @}
9778 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) b (void)
9779 @{ if (i) c (); else e (); @}
9780 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (void) @{ b (); @}
9781 int main (void) @{ a (); return 0; @}
9782
9783 tailcall: initial: 0x4004d2(a) 0x4004ce(b) 0x4004b2(c) 0x4004a2(d)
9784 tailcall: compare: 0x4004d2(a) 0x4004cc(b) 0x400492(e)
9785 tailcall: reduced: 0x4004d2(a) |
9786 (gdb) bt
9787 #0 f () at t.c:2
9788 #1 0x00000000004004d2 in a () at t.c:8
9789 #2 0x0000000000400395 in main () at t.c:9
9790 @end smallexample
9791
9792 @set CALLSEQ1A @code{main@value{ARROW}a@value{ARROW}b@value{ARROW}c@value{ARROW}d@value{ARROW}f}
9793 @set CALLSEQ2A @code{main@value{ARROW}a@value{ARROW}b@value{ARROW}e@value{ARROW}f}
9794
9795 @c Convert CALLSEQ#A to CALLSEQ#B depending on HAVE_MAKEINFO_CLICK.
9796 @ifset HAVE_MAKEINFO_CLICK
9797 @set ARROW @click{}
9798 @set CALLSEQ1B @clicksequence{@value{CALLSEQ1A}}
9799 @set CALLSEQ2B @clicksequence{@value{CALLSEQ2A}}
9800 @end ifset
9801 @ifclear HAVE_MAKEINFO_CLICK
9802 @set ARROW ->
9803 @set CALLSEQ1B @value{CALLSEQ1A}
9804 @set CALLSEQ2B @value{CALLSEQ2A}
9805 @end ifclear
9806
9807 Frames #0 and #2 are real, #1 is a virtual tail call frame.
9808 The code can have possible execution paths @value{CALLSEQ1B} or
9809 @value{CALLSEQ2B}, @value{GDBN} cannot find which one from the inferior state.
9810
9811 @code{initial:} state shows some random possible calling sequence @value{GDBN}
9812 has found. It then finds another possible calling sequcen - that one is
9813 prefixed by @code{compare:}. The non-ambiguous intersection of these two is
9814 printed as the @code{reduced:} calling sequence. That one could have many
9815 futher @code{compare:} and @code{reduced:} statements as long as there remain
9816 any non-ambiguous sequence entries.
9817
9818 For the frame of function @code{b} in both cases there are different possible
9819 @code{$pc} values (@code{0x4004cc} or @code{0x4004ce}), therefore this frame is
9820 also ambigous. The only non-ambiguous frame is the one for function @code{a},
9821 therefore this one is displayed to the user while the ambiguous frames are
9822 omitted.
9823
9824 There can be also reasons why printing of frame argument values at function
9825 entry may fail:
9826
9827 @smallexample
9828 int v;
9829 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) c (int i) @{ v++; @}
9830 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (int i);
9831 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) b (int i) @{ a (i); @}
9832 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (int i)
9833 @{ if (i) b (i - 1); else c (0); @}
9834 int main (void) @{ a (5); return 0; @}
9835
9836 (gdb) bt
9837 #0 c (i=i@@entry=0) at t.c:2
9838 #1 0x0000000000400428 in a (DW_OP_GNU_entry_value resolving has found
9839 function "a" at 0x400420 can call itself via tail calls
9840 i=<optimized out>) at t.c:6
9841 #2 0x000000000040036e in main () at t.c:7
9842 @end smallexample
9843
9844 @value{GDBN} cannot find out from the inferior state if and how many times did
9845 function @code{a} call itself (via function @code{b}) as these calls would be
9846 tail calls. Such tail calls would modify thue @code{i} variable, therefore
9847 @value{GDBN} cannot be sure the value it knows would be right - @value{GDBN}
9848 prints @code{<optimized out>} instead.
9849
9850 @node Macros
9851 @chapter C Preprocessor Macros
9852
9853 Some languages, such as C and C@t{++}, provide a way to define and invoke
9854 ``preprocessor macros'' which expand into strings of tokens.
9855 @value{GDBN} can evaluate expressions containing macro invocations, show
9856 the result of macro expansion, and show a macro's definition, including
9857 where it was defined.
9858
9859 You may need to compile your program specially to provide @value{GDBN}
9860 with information about preprocessor macros. Most compilers do not
9861 include macros in their debugging information, even when you compile
9862 with the @option{-g} flag. @xref{Compilation}.
9863
9864 A program may define a macro at one point, remove that definition later,
9865 and then provide a different definition after that. Thus, at different
9866 points in the program, a macro may have different definitions, or have
9867 no definition at all. If there is a current stack frame, @value{GDBN}
9868 uses the macros in scope at that frame's source code line. Otherwise,
9869 @value{GDBN} uses the macros in scope at the current listing location;
9870 see @ref{List}.
9871
9872 Whenever @value{GDBN} evaluates an expression, it always expands any
9873 macro invocations present in the expression. @value{GDBN} also provides
9874 the following commands for working with macros explicitly.
9875
9876 @table @code
9877
9878 @kindex macro expand
9879 @cindex macro expansion, showing the results of preprocessor
9880 @cindex preprocessor macro expansion, showing the results of
9881 @cindex expanding preprocessor macros
9882 @item macro expand @var{expression}
9883 @itemx macro exp @var{expression}
9884 Show the results of expanding all preprocessor macro invocations in
9885 @var{expression}. Since @value{GDBN} simply expands macros, but does
9886 not parse the result, @var{expression} need not be a valid expression;
9887 it can be any string of tokens.
9888
9889 @kindex macro exp1
9890 @item macro expand-once @var{expression}
9891 @itemx macro exp1 @var{expression}
9892 @cindex expand macro once
9893 @i{(This command is not yet implemented.)} Show the results of
9894 expanding those preprocessor macro invocations that appear explicitly in
9895 @var{expression}. Macro invocations appearing in that expansion are
9896 left unchanged. This command allows you to see the effect of a
9897 particular macro more clearly, without being confused by further
9898 expansions. Since @value{GDBN} simply expands macros, but does not
9899 parse the result, @var{expression} need not be a valid expression; it
9900 can be any string of tokens.
9901
9902 @kindex info macro
9903 @cindex macro definition, showing
9904 @cindex definition of a macro, showing
9905 @cindex macros, from debug info
9906 @item info macro @var{macro}
9907 Show the current definition of the named @var{macro}, and describe the
9908 source location or compiler command-line where that definition was established.
9909
9910 @kindex info macros
9911 @item info macros @var{linespec}
9912 Show all macro definitions that are in effect at the location specified
9913 by @var{linespec}, and describe the source location or compiler
9914 command-line where those definitions were established.
9915
9916 @kindex info definitions
9917 @item info definitions @var{macro}
9918 Show all definitions of the named @var{macro} that are defined in the current
9919 compilation unit, and describe the source location or compiler command-line
9920 where those definitions were established.
9921
9922 @kindex macro define
9923 @cindex user-defined macros
9924 @cindex defining macros interactively
9925 @cindex macros, user-defined
9926 @item macro define @var{macro} @var{replacement-list}
9927 @itemx macro define @var{macro}(@var{arglist}) @var{replacement-list}
9928 Introduce a definition for a preprocessor macro named @var{macro},
9929 invocations of which are replaced by the tokens given in
9930 @var{replacement-list}. The first form of this command defines an
9931 ``object-like'' macro, which takes no arguments; the second form
9932 defines a ``function-like'' macro, which takes the arguments given in
9933 @var{arglist}.
9934
9935 A definition introduced by this command is in scope in every
9936 expression evaluated in @value{GDBN}, until it is removed with the
9937 @code{macro undef} command, described below. The definition overrides
9938 all definitions for @var{macro} present in the program being debugged,
9939 as well as any previous user-supplied definition.
9940
9941 @kindex macro undef
9942 @item macro undef @var{macro}
9943 Remove any user-supplied definition for the macro named @var{macro}.
9944 This command only affects definitions provided with the @code{macro
9945 define} command, described above; it cannot remove definitions present
9946 in the program being debugged.
9947
9948 @kindex macro list
9949 @item macro list
9950 List all the macros defined using the @code{macro define} command.
9951 @end table
9952
9953 @cindex macros, example of debugging with
9954 Here is a transcript showing the above commands in action. First, we
9955 show our source files:
9956
9957 @smallexample
9958 $ cat sample.c
9959 #include <stdio.h>
9960 #include "sample.h"
9961
9962 #define M 42
9963 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
9964
9965 main ()
9966 @{
9967 #define N 28
9968 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
9969 #undef N
9970 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
9971 #define N 1729
9972 printf ("Goodbye, world!\n");
9973 @}
9974 $ cat sample.h
9975 #define Q <
9976 $
9977 @end smallexample
9978
9979 Now, we compile the program using the @sc{gnu} C compiler, @value{NGCC}.
9980 We pass the @option{-gdwarf-2} and @option{-g3} flags to ensure the
9981 compiler includes information about preprocessor macros in the debugging
9982 information.
9983
9984 @smallexample
9985 $ gcc -gdwarf-2 -g3 sample.c -o sample
9986 $
9987 @end smallexample
9988
9989 Now, we start @value{GDBN} on our sample program:
9990
9991 @smallexample
9992 $ gdb -nw sample
9993 GNU gdb 2002-05-06-cvs
9994 Copyright 2002 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
9995 GDB is free software, @dots{}
9996 (@value{GDBP})
9997 @end smallexample
9998
9999 We can expand macros and examine their definitions, even when the
10000 program is not running. @value{GDBN} uses the current listing position
10001 to decide which macro definitions are in scope:
10002
10003 @smallexample
10004 (@value{GDBP}) list main
10005 3
10006 4 #define M 42
10007 5 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
10008 6
10009 7 main ()
10010 8 @{
10011 9 #define N 28
10012 10 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
10013 11 #undef N
10014 12 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
10015 (@value{GDBP}) info macro ADD
10016 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:5
10017 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
10018 (@value{GDBP}) info macro Q
10019 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.h:1
10020 included at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:2
10021 #define Q <
10022 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand ADD(1)
10023 expands to: (42 + 1)
10024 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand-once ADD(1)
10025 expands to: once (M + 1)
10026 (@value{GDBP})
10027 @end smallexample
10028
10029 In the example above, note that @code{macro expand-once} expands only
10030 the macro invocation explicit in the original text --- the invocation of
10031 @code{ADD} --- but does not expand the invocation of the macro @code{M},
10032 which was introduced by @code{ADD}.
10033
10034 Once the program is running, @value{GDBN} uses the macro definitions in
10035 force at the source line of the current stack frame:
10036
10037 @smallexample
10038 (@value{GDBP}) break main
10039 Breakpoint 1 at 0x8048370: file sample.c, line 10.
10040 (@value{GDBP}) run
10041 Starting program: /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample
10042
10043 Breakpoint 1, main () at sample.c:10
10044 10 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
10045 (@value{GDBP})
10046 @end smallexample
10047
10048 At line 10, the definition of the macro @code{N} at line 9 is in force:
10049
10050 @smallexample
10051 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
10052 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:9
10053 #define N 28
10054 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand N Q M
10055 expands to: 28 < 42
10056 (@value{GDBP}) print N Q M
10057 $1 = 1
10058 (@value{GDBP})
10059 @end smallexample
10060
10061 As we step over directives that remove @code{N}'s definition, and then
10062 give it a new definition, @value{GDBN} finds the definition (or lack
10063 thereof) in force at each point:
10064
10065 @smallexample
10066 (@value{GDBP}) next
10067 Hello, world!
10068 12 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
10069 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
10070 The symbol `N' has no definition as a C/C++ preprocessor macro
10071 at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:12
10072 (@value{GDBP}) next
10073 We're so creative.
10074 14 printf ("Goodbye, world!\n");
10075 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
10076 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:13
10077 #define N 1729
10078 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand N Q M
10079 expands to: 1729 < 42
10080 (@value{GDBP}) print N Q M
10081 $2 = 0
10082 (@value{GDBP})
10083 @end smallexample
10084
10085 In addition to source files, macros can be defined on the compilation command
10086 line using the @option{-D@var{name}=@var{value}} syntax. For macros defined in
10087 such a way, @value{GDBN} displays the location of their definition as line zero
10088 of the source file submitted to the compiler.
10089
10090 @smallexample
10091 (@value{GDBP}) info macro __STDC__
10092 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:0
10093 -D__STDC__=1
10094 (@value{GDBP})
10095 @end smallexample
10096
10097
10098 @node Tracepoints
10099 @chapter Tracepoints
10100 @c This chapter is based on the documentation written by Michael
10101 @c Snyder, David Taylor, Jim Blandy, and Elena Zannoni.
10102
10103 @cindex tracepoints
10104 In some applications, it is not feasible for the debugger to interrupt
10105 the program's execution long enough for the developer to learn
10106 anything helpful about its behavior. If the program's correctness
10107 depends on its real-time behavior, delays introduced by a debugger
10108 might cause the program to change its behavior drastically, or perhaps
10109 fail, even when the code itself is correct. It is useful to be able
10110 to observe the program's behavior without interrupting it.
10111
10112 Using @value{GDBN}'s @code{trace} and @code{collect} commands, you can
10113 specify locations in the program, called @dfn{tracepoints}, and
10114 arbitrary expressions to evaluate when those tracepoints are reached.
10115 Later, using the @code{tfind} command, you can examine the values
10116 those expressions had when the program hit the tracepoints. The
10117 expressions may also denote objects in memory---structures or arrays,
10118 for example---whose values @value{GDBN} should record; while visiting
10119 a particular tracepoint, you may inspect those objects as if they were
10120 in memory at that moment. However, because @value{GDBN} records these
10121 values without interacting with you, it can do so quickly and
10122 unobtrusively, hopefully not disturbing the program's behavior.
10123
10124 The tracepoint facility is currently available only for remote
10125 targets. @xref{Targets}. In addition, your remote target must know
10126 how to collect trace data. This functionality is implemented in the
10127 remote stub; however, none of the stubs distributed with @value{GDBN}
10128 support tracepoints as of this writing. The format of the remote
10129 packets used to implement tracepoints are described in @ref{Tracepoint
10130 Packets}.
10131
10132 It is also possible to get trace data from a file, in a manner reminiscent
10133 of corefiles; you specify the filename, and use @code{tfind} to search
10134 through the file. @xref{Trace Files}, for more details.
10135
10136 This chapter describes the tracepoint commands and features.
10137
10138 @menu
10139 * Set Tracepoints::
10140 * Analyze Collected Data::
10141 * Tracepoint Variables::
10142 * Trace Files::
10143 @end menu
10144
10145 @node Set Tracepoints
10146 @section Commands to Set Tracepoints
10147
10148 Before running such a @dfn{trace experiment}, an arbitrary number of
10149 tracepoints can be set. A tracepoint is actually a special type of
10150 breakpoint (@pxref{Set Breaks}), so you can manipulate it using
10151 standard breakpoint commands. For instance, as with breakpoints,
10152 tracepoint numbers are successive integers starting from one, and many
10153 of the commands associated with tracepoints take the tracepoint number
10154 as their argument, to identify which tracepoint to work on.
10155
10156 For each tracepoint, you can specify, in advance, some arbitrary set
10157 of data that you want the target to collect in the trace buffer when
10158 it hits that tracepoint. The collected data can include registers,
10159 local variables, or global data. Later, you can use @value{GDBN}
10160 commands to examine the values these data had at the time the
10161 tracepoint was hit.
10162
10163 Tracepoints do not support every breakpoint feature. Ignore counts on
10164 tracepoints have no effect, and tracepoints cannot run @value{GDBN}
10165 commands when they are hit. Tracepoints may not be thread-specific
10166 either.
10167
10168 @cindex fast tracepoints
10169 Some targets may support @dfn{fast tracepoints}, which are inserted in
10170 a different way (such as with a jump instead of a trap), that is
10171 faster but possibly restricted in where they may be installed.
10172
10173 @cindex static tracepoints
10174 @cindex markers, static tracepoints
10175 @cindex probing markers, static tracepoints
10176 Regular and fast tracepoints are dynamic tracing facilities, meaning
10177 that they can be used to insert tracepoints at (almost) any location
10178 in the target. Some targets may also support controlling @dfn{static
10179 tracepoints} from @value{GDBN}. With static tracing, a set of
10180 instrumentation points, also known as @dfn{markers}, are embedded in
10181 the target program, and can be activated or deactivated by name or
10182 address. These are usually placed at locations which facilitate
10183 investigating what the target is actually doing. @value{GDBN}'s
10184 support for static tracing includes being able to list instrumentation
10185 points, and attach them with @value{GDBN} defined high level
10186 tracepoints that expose the whole range of convenience of
10187 @value{GDBN}'s tracepoints support. Namely, support for collecting
10188 registers values and values of global or local (to the instrumentation
10189 point) variables; tracepoint conditions and trace state variables.
10190 The act of installing a @value{GDBN} static tracepoint on an
10191 instrumentation point, or marker, is referred to as @dfn{probing} a
10192 static tracepoint marker.
10193
10194 @code{gdbserver} supports tracepoints on some target systems.
10195 @xref{Server,,Tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}}.
10196
10197 This section describes commands to set tracepoints and associated
10198 conditions and actions.
10199
10200 @menu
10201 * Create and Delete Tracepoints::
10202 * Enable and Disable Tracepoints::
10203 * Tracepoint Passcounts::
10204 * Tracepoint Conditions::
10205 * Trace State Variables::
10206 * Tracepoint Actions::
10207 * Listing Tracepoints::
10208 * Listing Static Tracepoint Markers::
10209 * Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments::
10210 * Tracepoint Restrictions::
10211 @end menu
10212
10213 @node Create and Delete Tracepoints
10214 @subsection Create and Delete Tracepoints
10215
10216 @table @code
10217 @cindex set tracepoint
10218 @kindex trace
10219 @item trace @var{location}
10220 The @code{trace} command is very similar to the @code{break} command.
10221 Its argument @var{location} can be a source line, a function name, or
10222 an address in the target program. @xref{Specify Location}. The
10223 @code{trace} command defines a tracepoint, which is a point in the
10224 target program where the debugger will briefly stop, collect some
10225 data, and then allow the program to continue. Setting a tracepoint or
10226 changing its actions doesn't take effect until the next @code{tstart}
10227 command, and once a trace experiment is running, further changes will
10228 not have any effect until the next trace experiment starts.
10229
10230 Here are some examples of using the @code{trace} command:
10231
10232 @smallexample
10233 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo.c:121} // a source file and line number
10234
10235 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace +2} // 2 lines forward
10236
10237 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace my_function} // first source line of function
10238
10239 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *my_function} // EXACT start address of function
10240
10241 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *0x2117c4} // an address
10242 @end smallexample
10243
10244 @noindent
10245 You can abbreviate @code{trace} as @code{tr}.
10246
10247 @item trace @var{location} if @var{cond}
10248 Set a tracepoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
10249 @var{cond} each time the tracepoint is reached, and collect data only
10250 if the value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
10251 @xref{Tracepoint Conditions, ,Tracepoint Conditions}, for more
10252 information on tracepoint conditions.
10253
10254 @item ftrace @var{location} [ if @var{cond} ]
10255 @cindex set fast tracepoint
10256 @cindex fast tracepoints, setting
10257 @kindex ftrace
10258 The @code{ftrace} command sets a fast tracepoint. For targets that
10259 support them, fast tracepoints will use a more efficient but possibly
10260 less general technique to trigger data collection, such as a jump
10261 instruction instead of a trap, or some sort of hardware support. It
10262 may not be possible to create a fast tracepoint at the desired
10263 location, in which case the command will exit with an explanatory
10264 message.
10265
10266 @value{GDBN} handles arguments to @code{ftrace} exactly as for
10267 @code{trace}.
10268
10269 @item strace @var{location} [ if @var{cond} ]
10270 @cindex set static tracepoint
10271 @cindex static tracepoints, setting
10272 @cindex probe static tracepoint marker
10273 @kindex strace
10274 The @code{strace} command sets a static tracepoint. For targets that
10275 support it, setting a static tracepoint probes a static
10276 instrumentation point, or marker, found at @var{location}. It may not
10277 be possible to set a static tracepoint at the desired location, in
10278 which case the command will exit with an explanatory message.
10279
10280 @value{GDBN} handles arguments to @code{strace} exactly as for
10281 @code{trace}, with the addition that the user can also specify
10282 @code{-m @var{marker}} as @var{location}. This probes the marker
10283 identified by the @var{marker} string identifier. This identifier
10284 depends on the static tracepoint backend library your program is
10285 using. You can find all the marker identifiers in the @samp{ID} field
10286 of the @code{info static-tracepoint-markers} command output.
10287 @xref{Listing Static Tracepoint Markers,,Listing Static Tracepoint
10288 Markers}. For example, in the following small program using the UST
10289 tracing engine:
10290
10291 @smallexample
10292 main ()
10293 @{
10294 trace_mark(ust, bar33, "str %s", "FOOBAZ");
10295 @}
10296 @end smallexample
10297
10298 @noindent
10299 the marker id is composed of joining the first two arguments to the
10300 @code{trace_mark} call with a slash, which translates to:
10301
10302 @smallexample
10303 (@value{GDBP}) info static-tracepoint-markers
10304 Cnt Enb ID Address What
10305 1 n ust/bar33 0x0000000000400ddc in main at stexample.c:22
10306 Data: "str %s"
10307 [etc...]
10308 @end smallexample
10309
10310 @noindent
10311 so you may probe the marker above with:
10312
10313 @smallexample
10314 (@value{GDBP}) strace -m ust/bar33
10315 @end smallexample
10316
10317 Static tracepoints accept an extra collect action --- @code{collect
10318 $_sdata}. This collects arbitrary user data passed in the probe point
10319 call to the tracing library. In the UST example above, you'll see
10320 that the third argument to @code{trace_mark} is a printf-like format
10321 string. The user data is then the result of running that formating
10322 string against the following arguments. Note that @code{info
10323 static-tracepoint-markers} command output lists that format string in
10324 the @samp{Data:} field.
10325
10326 You can inspect this data when analyzing the trace buffer, by printing
10327 the $_sdata variable like any other variable available to
10328 @value{GDBN}. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action Lists}.
10329
10330 @vindex $tpnum
10331 @cindex last tracepoint number
10332 @cindex recent tracepoint number
10333 @cindex tracepoint number
10334 The convenience variable @code{$tpnum} records the tracepoint number
10335 of the most recently set tracepoint.
10336
10337 @kindex delete tracepoint
10338 @cindex tracepoint deletion
10339 @item delete tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
10340 Permanently delete one or more tracepoints. With no argument, the
10341 default is to delete all tracepoints. Note that the regular
10342 @code{delete} command can remove tracepoints also.
10343
10344 Examples:
10345
10346 @smallexample
10347 (@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace 1 2 3} // remove three tracepoints
10348
10349 (@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace} // remove all tracepoints
10350 @end smallexample
10351
10352 @noindent
10353 You can abbreviate this command as @code{del tr}.
10354 @end table
10355
10356 @node Enable and Disable Tracepoints
10357 @subsection Enable and Disable Tracepoints
10358
10359 These commands are deprecated; they are equivalent to plain @code{disable} and @code{enable}.
10360
10361 @table @code
10362 @kindex disable tracepoint
10363 @item disable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
10364 Disable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints if no argument
10365 @var{num} is given. A disabled tracepoint will have no effect during
10366 a trace experiment, but it is not forgotten. You can re-enable
10367 a disabled tracepoint using the @code{enable tracepoint} command.
10368 If the command is issued during a trace experiment and the debug target
10369 has support for disabling tracepoints during a trace experiment, then the
10370 change will be effective immediately. Otherwise, it will be applied to the
10371 next trace experiment.
10372
10373 @kindex enable tracepoint
10374 @item enable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
10375 Enable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints. If this command is
10376 issued during a trace experiment and the debug target supports enabling
10377 tracepoints during a trace experiment, then the enabled tracepoints will
10378 become effective immediately. Otherwise, they will become effective the
10379 next time a trace experiment is run.
10380 @end table
10381
10382 @node Tracepoint Passcounts
10383 @subsection Tracepoint Passcounts
10384
10385 @table @code
10386 @kindex passcount
10387 @cindex tracepoint pass count
10388 @item passcount @r{[}@var{n} @r{[}@var{num}@r{]]}
10389 Set the @dfn{passcount} of a tracepoint. The passcount is a way to
10390 automatically stop a trace experiment. If a tracepoint's passcount is
10391 @var{n}, then the trace experiment will be automatically stopped on
10392 the @var{n}'th time that tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number
10393 @var{num} is not specified, the @code{passcount} command sets the
10394 passcount of the most recently defined tracepoint. If no passcount is
10395 given, the trace experiment will run until stopped explicitly by the
10396 user.
10397
10398 Examples:
10399
10400 @smallexample
10401 (@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 5 2} // Stop on the 5th execution of
10402 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// tracepoint 2}
10403
10404 (@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 12} // Stop on the 12th execution of the
10405 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// most recently defined tracepoint.}
10406 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
10407 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 3}
10408 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace bar}
10409 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 2}
10410 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace baz}
10411 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 1} // Stop tracing when foo has been
10412 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// executed 3 times OR when bar has}
10413 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// been executed 2 times}
10414 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// OR when baz has been executed 1 time.}
10415 @end smallexample
10416 @end table
10417
10418 @node Tracepoint Conditions
10419 @subsection Tracepoint Conditions
10420 @cindex conditional tracepoints
10421 @cindex tracepoint conditions
10422
10423 The simplest sort of tracepoint collects data every time your program
10424 reaches a specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for
10425 a tracepoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
10426 programming language (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). A
10427 tracepoint with a condition evaluates the expression each time your
10428 program reaches it, and data collection happens only if the condition
10429 is true.
10430
10431 Tracepoint conditions can be specified when a tracepoint is set, by
10432 using @samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{trace} command.
10433 @xref{Create and Delete Tracepoints, ,Setting Tracepoints}. They can
10434 also be set or changed at any time with the @code{condition} command,
10435 just as with breakpoints.
10436
10437 Unlike breakpoint conditions, @value{GDBN} does not actually evaluate
10438 the conditional expression itself. Instead, @value{GDBN} encodes the
10439 expression into an agent expression (@pxref{Agent Expressions})
10440 suitable for execution on the target, independently of @value{GDBN}.
10441 Global variables become raw memory locations, locals become stack
10442 accesses, and so forth.
10443
10444 For instance, suppose you have a function that is usually called
10445 frequently, but should not be called after an error has occurred. You
10446 could use the following tracepoint command to collect data about calls
10447 of that function that happen while the error code is propagating
10448 through the program; an unconditional tracepoint could end up
10449 collecting thousands of useless trace frames that you would have to
10450 search through.
10451
10452 @smallexample
10453 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{trace normal_operation if errcode > 0}
10454 @end smallexample
10455
10456 @node Trace State Variables
10457 @subsection Trace State Variables
10458 @cindex trace state variables
10459
10460 A @dfn{trace state variable} is a special type of variable that is
10461 created and managed by target-side code. The syntax is the same as
10462 that for GDB's convenience variables (a string prefixed with ``$''),
10463 but they are stored on the target. They must be created explicitly,
10464 using a @code{tvariable} command. They are always 64-bit signed
10465 integers.
10466
10467 Trace state variables are remembered by @value{GDBN}, and downloaded
10468 to the target along with tracepoint information when the trace
10469 experiment starts. There are no intrinsic limits on the number of
10470 trace state variables, beyond memory limitations of the target.
10471
10472 @cindex convenience variables, and trace state variables
10473 Although trace state variables are managed by the target, you can use
10474 them in print commands and expressions as if they were convenience
10475 variables; @value{GDBN} will get the current value from the target
10476 while the trace experiment is running. Trace state variables share
10477 the same namespace as other ``$'' variables, which means that you
10478 cannot have trace state variables with names like @code{$23} or
10479 @code{$pc}, nor can you have a trace state variable and a convenience
10480 variable with the same name.
10481
10482 @table @code
10483
10484 @item tvariable $@var{name} [ = @var{expression} ]
10485 @kindex tvariable
10486 The @code{tvariable} command creates a new trace state variable named
10487 @code{$@var{name}}, and optionally gives it an initial value of
10488 @var{expression}. @var{expression} is evaluated when this command is
10489 entered; the result will be converted to an integer if possible,
10490 otherwise @value{GDBN} will report an error. A subsequent
10491 @code{tvariable} command specifying the same name does not create a
10492 variable, but instead assigns the supplied initial value to the
10493 existing variable of that name, overwriting any previous initial
10494 value. The default initial value is 0.
10495
10496 @item info tvariables
10497 @kindex info tvariables
10498 List all the trace state variables along with their initial values.
10499 Their current values may also be displayed, if the trace experiment is
10500 currently running.
10501
10502 @item delete tvariable @r{[} $@var{name} @dots{} @r{]}
10503 @kindex delete tvariable
10504 Delete the given trace state variables, or all of them if no arguments
10505 are specified.
10506
10507 @end table
10508
10509 @node Tracepoint Actions
10510 @subsection Tracepoint Action Lists
10511
10512 @table @code
10513 @kindex actions
10514 @cindex tracepoint actions
10515 @item actions @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
10516 This command will prompt for a list of actions to be taken when the
10517 tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number @var{num} is not
10518 specified, this command sets the actions for the one that was most
10519 recently defined (so that you can define a tracepoint and then say
10520 @code{actions} without bothering about its number). You specify the
10521 actions themselves on the following lines, one action at a time, and
10522 terminate the actions list with a line containing just @code{end}. So
10523 far, the only defined actions are @code{collect}, @code{teval}, and
10524 @code{while-stepping}.
10525
10526 @code{actions} is actually equivalent to @code{commands} (@pxref{Break
10527 Commands, ,Breakpoint Command Lists}), except that only the defined
10528 actions are allowed; any other @value{GDBN} command is rejected.
10529
10530 @cindex remove actions from a tracepoint
10531 To remove all actions from a tracepoint, type @samp{actions @var{num}}
10532 and follow it immediately with @samp{end}.
10533
10534 @smallexample
10535 (@value{GDBP}) @b{collect @var{data}} // collect some data
10536
10537 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while-stepping 5} // single-step 5 times, collect data
10538
10539 (@value{GDBP}) @b{end} // signals the end of actions.
10540 @end smallexample
10541
10542 In the following example, the action list begins with @code{collect}
10543 commands indicating the things to be collected when the tracepoint is
10544 hit. Then, in order to single-step and collect additional data
10545 following the tracepoint, a @code{while-stepping} command is used,
10546 followed by the list of things to be collected after each step in a
10547 sequence of single steps. The @code{while-stepping} command is
10548 terminated by its own separate @code{end} command. Lastly, the action
10549 list is terminated by an @code{end} command.
10550
10551 @smallexample
10552 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
10553 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
10554 Enter actions for tracepoint 1, one per line:
10555 > collect bar,baz
10556 > collect $regs
10557 > while-stepping 12
10558 > collect $pc, arr[i]
10559 > end
10560 end
10561 @end smallexample
10562
10563 @kindex collect @r{(tracepoints)}
10564 @item collect @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
10565 Collect values of the given expressions when the tracepoint is hit.
10566 This command accepts a comma-separated list of any valid expressions.
10567 In addition to global, static, or local variables, the following
10568 special arguments are supported:
10569
10570 @table @code
10571 @item $regs
10572 Collect all registers.
10573
10574 @item $args
10575 Collect all function arguments.
10576
10577 @item $locals
10578 Collect all local variables.
10579
10580 @item $_ret
10581 Collect the return address. This is helpful if you want to see more
10582 of a backtrace.
10583
10584 @item $_sdata
10585 @vindex $_sdata@r{, collect}
10586 Collect static tracepoint marker specific data. Only available for
10587 static tracepoints. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action
10588 Lists}. On the UST static tracepoints library backend, an
10589 instrumentation point resembles a @code{printf} function call. The
10590 tracing library is able to collect user specified data formatted to a
10591 character string using the format provided by the programmer that
10592 instrumented the program. Other backends have similar mechanisms.
10593 Here's an example of a UST marker call:
10594
10595 @smallexample
10596 const char master_name[] = "$your_name";
10597 trace_mark(channel1, marker1, "hello %s", master_name)
10598 @end smallexample
10599
10600 In this case, collecting @code{$_sdata} collects the string
10601 @samp{hello $yourname}. When analyzing the trace buffer, you can
10602 inspect @samp{$_sdata} like any other variable available to
10603 @value{GDBN}.
10604 @end table
10605
10606 You can give several consecutive @code{collect} commands, each one
10607 with a single argument, or one @code{collect} command with several
10608 arguments separated by commas; the effect is the same.
10609
10610 The command @code{info scope} (@pxref{Symbols, info scope}) is
10611 particularly useful for figuring out what data to collect.
10612
10613 @kindex teval @r{(tracepoints)}
10614 @item teval @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
10615 Evaluate the given expressions when the tracepoint is hit. This
10616 command accepts a comma-separated list of expressions. The results
10617 are discarded, so this is mainly useful for assigning values to trace
10618 state variables (@pxref{Trace State Variables}) without adding those
10619 values to the trace buffer, as would be the case if the @code{collect}
10620 action were used.
10621
10622 @kindex while-stepping @r{(tracepoints)}
10623 @item while-stepping @var{n}
10624 Perform @var{n} single-step instruction traces after the tracepoint,
10625 collecting new data after each step. The @code{while-stepping}
10626 command is followed by the list of what to collect while stepping
10627 (followed by its own @code{end} command):
10628
10629 @smallexample
10630 > while-stepping 12
10631 > collect $regs, myglobal
10632 > end
10633 >
10634 @end smallexample
10635
10636 @noindent
10637 Note that @code{$pc} is not automatically collected by
10638 @code{while-stepping}; you need to explicitly collect that register if
10639 you need it. You may abbreviate @code{while-stepping} as @code{ws} or
10640 @code{stepping}.
10641
10642 @item set default-collect @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
10643 @kindex set default-collect
10644 @cindex default collection action
10645 This variable is a list of expressions to collect at each tracepoint
10646 hit. It is effectively an additional @code{collect} action prepended
10647 to every tracepoint action list. The expressions are parsed
10648 individually for each tracepoint, so for instance a variable named
10649 @code{xyz} may be interpreted as a global for one tracepoint, and a
10650 local for another, as appropriate to the tracepoint's location.
10651
10652 @item show default-collect
10653 @kindex show default-collect
10654 Show the list of expressions that are collected by default at each
10655 tracepoint hit.
10656
10657 @end table
10658
10659 @node Listing Tracepoints
10660 @subsection Listing Tracepoints
10661
10662 @table @code
10663 @kindex info tracepoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
10664 @kindex info tp @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
10665 @cindex information about tracepoints
10666 @item info tracepoints @r{[}@var{num}@dots{}@r{]}
10667 Display information about the tracepoint @var{num}. If you don't
10668 specify a tracepoint number, displays information about all the
10669 tracepoints defined so far. The format is similar to that used for
10670 @code{info breakpoints}; in fact, @code{info tracepoints} is the same
10671 command, simply restricting itself to tracepoints.
10672
10673 A tracepoint's listing may include additional information specific to
10674 tracing:
10675
10676 @itemize @bullet
10677 @item
10678 its passcount as given by the @code{passcount @var{n}} command
10679 @end itemize
10680
10681 @smallexample
10682 (@value{GDBP}) @b{info trace}
10683 Num Type Disp Enb Address What
10684 1 tracepoint keep y 0x0804ab57 in foo() at main.cxx:7
10685 while-stepping 20
10686 collect globfoo, $regs
10687 end
10688 collect globfoo2
10689 end
10690 pass count 1200
10691 (@value{GDBP})
10692 @end smallexample
10693
10694 @noindent
10695 This command can be abbreviated @code{info tp}.
10696 @end table
10697
10698 @node Listing Static Tracepoint Markers
10699 @subsection Listing Static Tracepoint Markers
10700
10701 @table @code
10702 @kindex info static-tracepoint-markers
10703 @cindex information about static tracepoint markers
10704 @item info static-tracepoint-markers
10705 Display information about all static tracepoint markers defined in the
10706 program.
10707
10708 For each marker, the following columns are printed:
10709
10710 @table @emph
10711 @item Count
10712 An incrementing counter, output to help readability. This is not a
10713 stable identifier.
10714 @item ID
10715 The marker ID, as reported by the target.
10716 @item Enabled or Disabled
10717 Probed markers are tagged with @samp{y}. @samp{n} identifies marks
10718 that are not enabled.
10719 @item Address
10720 Where the marker is in your program, as a memory address.
10721 @item What
10722 Where the marker is in the source for your program, as a file and line
10723 number. If the debug information included in the program does not
10724 allow @value{GDBN} to locate the source of the marker, this column
10725 will be left blank.
10726 @end table
10727
10728 @noindent
10729 In addition, the following information may be printed for each marker:
10730
10731 @table @emph
10732 @item Data
10733 User data passed to the tracing library by the marker call. In the
10734 UST backend, this is the format string passed as argument to the
10735 marker call.
10736 @item Static tracepoints probing the marker
10737 The list of static tracepoints attached to the marker.
10738 @end table
10739
10740 @smallexample
10741 (@value{GDBP}) info static-tracepoint-markers
10742 Cnt ID Enb Address What
10743 1 ust/bar2 y 0x0000000000400e1a in main at stexample.c:25
10744 Data: number1 %d number2 %d
10745 Probed by static tracepoints: #2
10746 2 ust/bar33 n 0x0000000000400c87 in main at stexample.c:24
10747 Data: str %s
10748 (@value{GDBP})
10749 @end smallexample
10750 @end table
10751
10752 @node Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments
10753 @subsection Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments
10754
10755 @table @code
10756 @kindex tstart
10757 @cindex start a new trace experiment
10758 @cindex collected data discarded
10759 @item tstart
10760 This command takes no arguments. It starts the trace experiment, and
10761 begins collecting data. This has the side effect of discarding all
10762 the data collected in the trace buffer during the previous trace
10763 experiment.
10764
10765 @kindex tstop
10766 @cindex stop a running trace experiment
10767 @item tstop
10768 This command takes no arguments. It ends the trace experiment, and
10769 stops collecting data.
10770
10771 @strong{Note}: a trace experiment and data collection may stop
10772 automatically if any tracepoint's passcount is reached
10773 (@pxref{Tracepoint Passcounts}), or if the trace buffer becomes full.
10774
10775 @kindex tstatus
10776 @cindex status of trace data collection
10777 @cindex trace experiment, status of
10778 @item tstatus
10779 This command displays the status of the current trace data
10780 collection.
10781 @end table
10782
10783 Here is an example of the commands we described so far:
10784
10785 @smallexample
10786 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace gdb_c_test}
10787 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
10788 Enter actions for tracepoint #1, one per line.
10789 > collect $regs,$locals,$args
10790 > while-stepping 11
10791 > collect $regs
10792 > end
10793 > end
10794 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
10795 [time passes @dots{}]
10796 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstop}
10797 @end smallexample
10798
10799 @anchor{disconnected tracing}
10800 @cindex disconnected tracing
10801 You can choose to continue running the trace experiment even if
10802 @value{GDBN} disconnects from the target, voluntarily or
10803 involuntarily. For commands such as @code{detach}, the debugger will
10804 ask what you want to do with the trace. But for unexpected
10805 terminations (@value{GDBN} crash, network outage), it would be
10806 unfortunate to lose hard-won trace data, so the variable
10807 @code{disconnected-tracing} lets you decide whether the trace should
10808 continue running without @value{GDBN}.
10809
10810 @table @code
10811 @item set disconnected-tracing on
10812 @itemx set disconnected-tracing off
10813 @kindex set disconnected-tracing
10814 Choose whether a tracing run should continue to run if @value{GDBN}
10815 has disconnected from the target. Note that @code{detach} or
10816 @code{quit} will ask you directly what to do about a running trace no
10817 matter what this variable's setting, so the variable is mainly useful
10818 for handling unexpected situations, such as loss of the network.
10819
10820 @item show disconnected-tracing
10821 @kindex show disconnected-tracing
10822 Show the current choice for disconnected tracing.
10823
10824 @end table
10825
10826 When you reconnect to the target, the trace experiment may or may not
10827 still be running; it might have filled the trace buffer in the
10828 meantime, or stopped for one of the other reasons. If it is running,
10829 it will continue after reconnection.
10830
10831 Upon reconnection, the target will upload information about the
10832 tracepoints in effect. @value{GDBN} will then compare that
10833 information to the set of tracepoints currently defined, and attempt
10834 to match them up, allowing for the possibility that the numbers may
10835 have changed due to creation and deletion in the meantime. If one of
10836 the target's tracepoints does not match any in @value{GDBN}, the
10837 debugger will create a new tracepoint, so that you have a number with
10838 which to specify that tracepoint. This matching-up process is
10839 necessarily heuristic, and it may result in useless tracepoints being
10840 created; you may simply delete them if they are of no use.
10841
10842 @cindex circular trace buffer
10843 If your target agent supports a @dfn{circular trace buffer}, then you
10844 can run a trace experiment indefinitely without filling the trace
10845 buffer; when space runs out, the agent deletes already-collected trace
10846 frames, oldest first, until there is enough room to continue
10847 collecting. This is especially useful if your tracepoints are being
10848 hit too often, and your trace gets terminated prematurely because the
10849 buffer is full. To ask for a circular trace buffer, simply set
10850 @samp{circular-trace-buffer} to on. You can set this at any time,
10851 including during tracing; if the agent can do it, it will change
10852 buffer handling on the fly, otherwise it will not take effect until
10853 the next run.
10854
10855 @table @code
10856 @item set circular-trace-buffer on
10857 @itemx set circular-trace-buffer off
10858 @kindex set circular-trace-buffer
10859 Choose whether a tracing run should use a linear or circular buffer
10860 for trace data. A linear buffer will not lose any trace data, but may
10861 fill up prematurely, while a circular buffer will discard old trace
10862 data, but it will have always room for the latest tracepoint hits.
10863
10864 @item show circular-trace-buffer
10865 @kindex show circular-trace-buffer
10866 Show the current choice for the trace buffer. Note that this may not
10867 match the agent's current buffer handling, nor is it guaranteed to
10868 match the setting that might have been in effect during a past run,
10869 for instance if you are looking at frames from a trace file.
10870
10871 @end table
10872
10873 @node Tracepoint Restrictions
10874 @subsection Tracepoint Restrictions
10875
10876 @cindex tracepoint restrictions
10877 There are a number of restrictions on the use of tracepoints. As
10878 described above, tracepoint data gathering occurs on the target
10879 without interaction from @value{GDBN}. Thus the full capabilities of
10880 the debugger are not available during data gathering, and then at data
10881 examination time, you will be limited by only having what was
10882 collected. The following items describe some common problems, but it
10883 is not exhaustive, and you may run into additional difficulties not
10884 mentioned here.
10885
10886 @itemize @bullet
10887
10888 @item
10889 Tracepoint expressions are intended to gather objects (lvalues). Thus
10890 the full flexibility of GDB's expression evaluator is not available.
10891 You cannot call functions, cast objects to aggregate types, access
10892 convenience variables or modify values (except by assignment to trace
10893 state variables). Some language features may implicitly call
10894 functions (for instance Objective-C fields with accessors), and therefore
10895 cannot be collected either.
10896
10897 @item
10898 Collection of local variables, either individually or in bulk with
10899 @code{$locals} or @code{$args}, during @code{while-stepping} may
10900 behave erratically. The stepping action may enter a new scope (for
10901 instance by stepping into a function), or the location of the variable
10902 may change (for instance it is loaded into a register). The
10903 tracepoint data recorded uses the location information for the
10904 variables that is correct for the tracepoint location. When the
10905 tracepoint is created, it is not possible, in general, to determine
10906 where the steps of a @code{while-stepping} sequence will advance the
10907 program---particularly if a conditional branch is stepped.
10908
10909 @item
10910 Collection of an incompletely-initialized or partially-destroyed object
10911 may result in something that @value{GDBN} cannot display, or displays
10912 in a misleading way.
10913
10914 @item
10915 When @value{GDBN} displays a pointer to character it automatically
10916 dereferences the pointer to also display characters of the string
10917 being pointed to. However, collecting the pointer during tracing does
10918 not automatically collect the string. You need to explicitly
10919 dereference the pointer and provide size information if you want to
10920 collect not only the pointer, but the memory pointed to. For example,
10921 @code{*ptr@@50} can be used to collect the 50 element array pointed to
10922 by @code{ptr}.
10923
10924 @item
10925 It is not possible to collect a complete stack backtrace at a
10926 tracepoint. Instead, you may collect the registers and a few hundred
10927 bytes from the stack pointer with something like @code{*(unsigned char *)$esp@@300}
10928 (adjust to use the name of the actual stack pointer register on your
10929 target architecture, and the amount of stack you wish to capture).
10930 Then the @code{backtrace} command will show a partial backtrace when
10931 using a trace frame. The number of stack frames that can be examined
10932 depends on the sizes of the frames in the collected stack. Note that
10933 if you ask for a block so large that it goes past the bottom of the
10934 stack, the target agent may report an error trying to read from an
10935 invalid address.
10936
10937 @item
10938 If you do not collect registers at a tracepoint, @value{GDBN} can
10939 infer that the value of @code{$pc} must be the same as the address of
10940 the tracepoint and use that when you are looking at a trace frame
10941 for that tracepoint. However, this cannot work if the tracepoint has
10942 multiple locations (for instance if it was set in a function that was
10943 inlined), or if it has a @code{while-stepping} loop. In those cases
10944 @value{GDBN} will warn you that it can't infer @code{$pc}, and default
10945 it to zero.
10946
10947 @end itemize
10948
10949 @node Analyze Collected Data
10950 @section Using the Collected Data
10951
10952 After the tracepoint experiment ends, you use @value{GDBN} commands
10953 for examining the trace data. The basic idea is that each tracepoint
10954 collects a trace @dfn{snapshot} every time it is hit and another
10955 snapshot every time it single-steps. All these snapshots are
10956 consecutively numbered from zero and go into a buffer, and you can
10957 examine them later. The way you examine them is to @dfn{focus} on a
10958 specific trace snapshot. When the remote stub is focused on a trace
10959 snapshot, it will respond to all @value{GDBN} requests for memory and
10960 registers by reading from the buffer which belongs to that snapshot,
10961 rather than from @emph{real} memory or registers of the program being
10962 debugged. This means that @strong{all} @value{GDBN} commands
10963 (@code{print}, @code{info registers}, @code{backtrace}, etc.) will
10964 behave as if we were currently debugging the program state as it was
10965 when the tracepoint occurred. Any requests for data that are not in
10966 the buffer will fail.
10967
10968 @menu
10969 * tfind:: How to select a trace snapshot
10970 * tdump:: How to display all data for a snapshot
10971 * save tracepoints:: How to save tracepoints for a future run
10972 @end menu
10973
10974 @node tfind
10975 @subsection @code{tfind @var{n}}
10976
10977 @kindex tfind
10978 @cindex select trace snapshot
10979 @cindex find trace snapshot
10980 The basic command for selecting a trace snapshot from the buffer is
10981 @code{tfind @var{n}}, which finds trace snapshot number @var{n},
10982 counting from zero. If no argument @var{n} is given, the next
10983 snapshot is selected.
10984
10985 Here are the various forms of using the @code{tfind} command.
10986
10987 @table @code
10988 @item tfind start
10989 Find the first snapshot in the buffer. This is a synonym for
10990 @code{tfind 0} (since 0 is the number of the first snapshot).
10991
10992 @item tfind none
10993 Stop debugging trace snapshots, resume @emph{live} debugging.
10994
10995 @item tfind end
10996 Same as @samp{tfind none}.
10997
10998 @item tfind
10999 No argument means find the next trace snapshot.
11000
11001 @item tfind -
11002 Find the previous trace snapshot before the current one. This permits
11003 retracing earlier steps.
11004
11005 @item tfind tracepoint @var{num}
11006 Find the next snapshot associated with tracepoint @var{num}. Search
11007 proceeds forward from the last examined trace snapshot. If no
11008 argument @var{num} is given, it means find the next snapshot collected
11009 for the same tracepoint as the current snapshot.
11010
11011 @item tfind pc @var{addr}
11012 Find the next snapshot associated with the value @var{addr} of the
11013 program counter. Search proceeds forward from the last examined trace
11014 snapshot. If no argument @var{addr} is given, it means find the next
11015 snapshot with the same value of PC as the current snapshot.
11016
11017 @item tfind outside @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
11018 Find the next snapshot whose PC is outside the given range of
11019 addresses (exclusive).
11020
11021 @item tfind range @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
11022 Find the next snapshot whose PC is between @var{addr1} and
11023 @var{addr2} (inclusive).
11024
11025 @item tfind line @r{[}@var{file}:@r{]}@var{n}
11026 Find the next snapshot associated with the source line @var{n}. If
11027 the optional argument @var{file} is given, refer to line @var{n} in
11028 that source file. Search proceeds forward from the last examined
11029 trace snapshot. If no argument @var{n} is given, it means find the
11030 next line other than the one currently being examined; thus saying
11031 @code{tfind line} repeatedly can appear to have the same effect as
11032 stepping from line to line in a @emph{live} debugging session.
11033 @end table
11034
11035 The default arguments for the @code{tfind} commands are specifically
11036 designed to make it easy to scan through the trace buffer. For
11037 instance, @code{tfind} with no argument selects the next trace
11038 snapshot, and @code{tfind -} with no argument selects the previous
11039 trace snapshot. So, by giving one @code{tfind} command, and then
11040 simply hitting @key{RET} repeatedly you can examine all the trace
11041 snapshots in order. Or, by saying @code{tfind -} and then hitting
11042 @key{RET} repeatedly you can examine the snapshots in reverse order.
11043 The @code{tfind line} command with no argument selects the snapshot
11044 for the next source line executed. The @code{tfind pc} command with
11045 no argument selects the next snapshot with the same program counter
11046 (PC) as the current frame. The @code{tfind tracepoint} command with
11047 no argument selects the next trace snapshot collected by the same
11048 tracepoint as the current one.
11049
11050 In addition to letting you scan through the trace buffer manually,
11051 these commands make it easy to construct @value{GDBN} scripts that
11052 scan through the trace buffer and print out whatever collected data
11053 you are interested in. Thus, if we want to examine the PC, FP, and SP
11054 registers from each trace frame in the buffer, we can say this:
11055
11056 @smallexample
11057 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
11058 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
11059 > printf "Frame %d, PC = %08X, SP = %08X, FP = %08X\n", \
11060 $trace_frame, $pc, $sp, $fp
11061 > tfind
11062 > end
11063
11064 Frame 0, PC = 0020DC64, SP = 0030BF3C, FP = 0030BF44
11065 Frame 1, PC = 0020DC6C, SP = 0030BF38, FP = 0030BF44
11066 Frame 2, PC = 0020DC70, SP = 0030BF34, FP = 0030BF44
11067 Frame 3, PC = 0020DC74, SP = 0030BF30, FP = 0030BF44
11068 Frame 4, PC = 0020DC78, SP = 0030BF2C, FP = 0030BF44
11069 Frame 5, PC = 0020DC7C, SP = 0030BF28, FP = 0030BF44
11070 Frame 6, PC = 0020DC80, SP = 0030BF24, FP = 0030BF44
11071 Frame 7, PC = 0020DC84, SP = 0030BF20, FP = 0030BF44
11072 Frame 8, PC = 0020DC88, SP = 0030BF1C, FP = 0030BF44
11073 Frame 9, PC = 0020DC8E, SP = 0030BF18, FP = 0030BF44
11074 Frame 10, PC = 00203F6C, SP = 0030BE3C, FP = 0030BF14
11075 @end smallexample
11076
11077 Or, if we want to examine the variable @code{X} at each source line in
11078 the buffer:
11079
11080 @smallexample
11081 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
11082 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
11083 > printf "Frame %d, X == %d\n", $trace_frame, X
11084 > tfind line
11085 > end
11086
11087 Frame 0, X = 1
11088 Frame 7, X = 2
11089 Frame 13, X = 255
11090 @end smallexample
11091
11092 @node tdump
11093 @subsection @code{tdump}
11094 @kindex tdump
11095 @cindex dump all data collected at tracepoint
11096 @cindex tracepoint data, display
11097
11098 This command takes no arguments. It prints all the data collected at
11099 the current trace snapshot.
11100
11101 @smallexample
11102 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace 444}
11103 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
11104 Enter actions for tracepoint #2, one per line:
11105 > collect $regs, $locals, $args, gdb_long_test
11106 > end
11107
11108 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
11109
11110 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind line 444}
11111 #0 gdb_test (p1=0x11, p2=0x22, p3=0x33, p4=0x44, p5=0x55, p6=0x66)
11112 at gdb_test.c:444
11113 444 printp( "%s: arguments = 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X\n", )
11114
11115 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tdump}
11116 Data collected at tracepoint 2, trace frame 1:
11117 d0 0xc4aa0085 -995491707
11118 d1 0x18 24
11119 d2 0x80 128
11120 d3 0x33 51
11121 d4 0x71aea3d 119204413
11122 d5 0x22 34
11123 d6 0xe0 224
11124 d7 0x380035 3670069
11125 a0 0x19e24a 1696330
11126 a1 0x3000668 50333288
11127 a2 0x100 256
11128 a3 0x322000 3284992
11129 a4 0x3000698 50333336
11130 a5 0x1ad3cc 1758156
11131 fp 0x30bf3c 0x30bf3c
11132 sp 0x30bf34 0x30bf34
11133 ps 0x0 0
11134 pc 0x20b2c8 0x20b2c8
11135 fpcontrol 0x0 0
11136 fpstatus 0x0 0
11137 fpiaddr 0x0 0
11138 p = 0x20e5b4 "gdb-test"
11139 p1 = (void *) 0x11
11140 p2 = (void *) 0x22
11141 p3 = (void *) 0x33
11142 p4 = (void *) 0x44
11143 p5 = (void *) 0x55
11144 p6 = (void *) 0x66
11145 gdb_long_test = 17 '\021'
11146
11147 (@value{GDBP})
11148 @end smallexample
11149
11150 @code{tdump} works by scanning the tracepoint's current collection
11151 actions and printing the value of each expression listed. So
11152 @code{tdump} can fail, if after a run, you change the tracepoint's
11153 actions to mention variables that were not collected during the run.
11154
11155 Also, for tracepoints with @code{while-stepping} loops, @code{tdump}
11156 uses the collected value of @code{$pc} to distinguish between trace
11157 frames that were collected at the tracepoint hit, and frames that were
11158 collected while stepping. This allows it to correctly choose whether
11159 to display the basic list of collections, or the collections from the
11160 body of the while-stepping loop. However, if @code{$pc} was not collected,
11161 then @code{tdump} will always attempt to dump using the basic collection
11162 list, and may fail if a while-stepping frame does not include all the
11163 same data that is collected at the tracepoint hit.
11164 @c This is getting pretty arcane, example would be good.
11165
11166 @node save tracepoints
11167 @subsection @code{save tracepoints @var{filename}}
11168 @kindex save tracepoints
11169 @kindex save-tracepoints
11170 @cindex save tracepoints for future sessions
11171
11172 This command saves all current tracepoint definitions together with
11173 their actions and passcounts, into a file @file{@var{filename}}
11174 suitable for use in a later debugging session. To read the saved
11175 tracepoint definitions, use the @code{source} command (@pxref{Command
11176 Files}). The @w{@code{save-tracepoints}} command is a deprecated
11177 alias for @w{@code{save tracepoints}}
11178
11179 @node Tracepoint Variables
11180 @section Convenience Variables for Tracepoints
11181 @cindex tracepoint variables
11182 @cindex convenience variables for tracepoints
11183
11184 @table @code
11185 @vindex $trace_frame
11186 @item (int) $trace_frame
11187 The current trace snapshot (a.k.a.@: @dfn{frame}) number, or -1 if no
11188 snapshot is selected.
11189
11190 @vindex $tracepoint
11191 @item (int) $tracepoint
11192 The tracepoint for the current trace snapshot.
11193
11194 @vindex $trace_line
11195 @item (int) $trace_line
11196 The line number for the current trace snapshot.
11197
11198 @vindex $trace_file
11199 @item (char []) $trace_file
11200 The source file for the current trace snapshot.
11201
11202 @vindex $trace_func
11203 @item (char []) $trace_func
11204 The name of the function containing @code{$tracepoint}.
11205 @end table
11206
11207 Note: @code{$trace_file} is not suitable for use in @code{printf},
11208 use @code{output} instead.
11209
11210 Here's a simple example of using these convenience variables for
11211 stepping through all the trace snapshots and printing some of their
11212 data. Note that these are not the same as trace state variables,
11213 which are managed by the target.
11214
11215 @smallexample
11216 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
11217
11218 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while $trace_frame != -1}
11219 > output $trace_file
11220 > printf ", line %d (tracepoint #%d)\n", $trace_line, $tracepoint
11221 > tfind
11222 > end
11223 @end smallexample
11224
11225 @node Trace Files
11226 @section Using Trace Files
11227 @cindex trace files
11228
11229 In some situations, the target running a trace experiment may no
11230 longer be available; perhaps it crashed, or the hardware was needed
11231 for a different activity. To handle these cases, you can arrange to
11232 dump the trace data into a file, and later use that file as a source
11233 of trace data, via the @code{target tfile} command.
11234
11235 @table @code
11236
11237 @kindex tsave
11238 @item tsave [ -r ] @var{filename}
11239 Save the trace data to @var{filename}. By default, this command
11240 assumes that @var{filename} refers to the host filesystem, so if
11241 necessary @value{GDBN} will copy raw trace data up from the target and
11242 then save it. If the target supports it, you can also supply the
11243 optional argument @code{-r} (``remote'') to direct the target to save
11244 the data directly into @var{filename} in its own filesystem, which may be
11245 more efficient if the trace buffer is very large. (Note, however, that
11246 @code{target tfile} can only read from files accessible to the host.)
11247
11248 @kindex target tfile
11249 @kindex tfile
11250 @item target tfile @var{filename}
11251 Use the file named @var{filename} as a source of trace data. Commands
11252 that examine data work as they do with a live target, but it is not
11253 possible to run any new trace experiments. @code{tstatus} will report
11254 the state of the trace run at the moment the data was saved, as well
11255 as the current trace frame you are examining. @var{filename} must be
11256 on a filesystem accessible to the host.
11257
11258 @end table
11259
11260 @node Overlays
11261 @chapter Debugging Programs That Use Overlays
11262 @cindex overlays
11263
11264 If your program is too large to fit completely in your target system's
11265 memory, you can sometimes use @dfn{overlays} to work around this
11266 problem. @value{GDBN} provides some support for debugging programs that
11267 use overlays.
11268
11269 @menu
11270 * How Overlays Work:: A general explanation of overlays.
11271 * Overlay Commands:: Managing overlays in @value{GDBN}.
11272 * Automatic Overlay Debugging:: @value{GDBN} can find out which overlays are
11273 mapped by asking the inferior.
11274 * Overlay Sample Program:: A sample program using overlays.
11275 @end menu
11276
11277 @node How Overlays Work
11278 @section How Overlays Work
11279 @cindex mapped overlays
11280 @cindex unmapped overlays
11281 @cindex load address, overlay's
11282 @cindex mapped address
11283 @cindex overlay area
11284
11285 Suppose you have a computer whose instruction address space is only 64
11286 kilobytes long, but which has much more memory which can be accessed by
11287 other means: special instructions, segment registers, or memory
11288 management hardware, for example. Suppose further that you want to
11289 adapt a program which is larger than 64 kilobytes to run on this system.
11290
11291 One solution is to identify modules of your program which are relatively
11292 independent, and need not call each other directly; call these modules
11293 @dfn{overlays}. Separate the overlays from the main program, and place
11294 their machine code in the larger memory. Place your main program in
11295 instruction memory, but leave at least enough space there to hold the
11296 largest overlay as well.
11297
11298 Now, to call a function located in an overlay, you must first copy that
11299 overlay's machine code from the large memory into the space set aside
11300 for it in the instruction memory, and then jump to its entry point
11301 there.
11302
11303 @c NB: In the below the mapped area's size is greater or equal to the
11304 @c size of all overlays. This is intentional to remind the developer
11305 @c that overlays don't necessarily need to be the same size.
11306
11307 @smallexample
11308 @group
11309 Data Instruction Larger
11310 Address Space Address Space Address Space
11311 +-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+
11312 | | | | | |
11313 +-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+<-- overlay 1
11314 | program | | main | .----| overlay 1 | load address
11315 | variables | | program | | +-----------+
11316 | and heap | | | | | |
11317 +-----------+ | | | +-----------+<-- overlay 2
11318 | | +-----------+ | | | load address
11319 +-----------+ | | | .-| overlay 2 |
11320 | | | | | |
11321 mapped --->+-----------+ | | +-----------+
11322 address | | | | | |
11323 | overlay | <-' | | |
11324 | area | <---' +-----------+<-- overlay 3
11325 | | <---. | | load address
11326 +-----------+ `--| overlay 3 |
11327 | | | |
11328 +-----------+ | |
11329 +-----------+
11330 | |
11331 +-----------+
11332
11333 @anchor{A code overlay}A code overlay
11334 @end group
11335 @end smallexample
11336
11337 The diagram (@pxref{A code overlay}) shows a system with separate data
11338 and instruction address spaces. To map an overlay, the program copies
11339 its code from the larger address space to the instruction address space.
11340 Since the overlays shown here all use the same mapped address, only one
11341 may be mapped at a time. For a system with a single address space for
11342 data and instructions, the diagram would be similar, except that the
11343 program variables and heap would share an address space with the main
11344 program and the overlay area.
11345
11346 An overlay loaded into instruction memory and ready for use is called a
11347 @dfn{mapped} overlay; its @dfn{mapped address} is its address in the
11348 instruction memory. An overlay not present (or only partially present)
11349 in instruction memory is called @dfn{unmapped}; its @dfn{load address}
11350 is its address in the larger memory. The mapped address is also called
11351 the @dfn{virtual memory address}, or @dfn{VMA}; the load address is also
11352 called the @dfn{load memory address}, or @dfn{LMA}.
11353
11354 Unfortunately, overlays are not a completely transparent way to adapt a
11355 program to limited instruction memory. They introduce a new set of
11356 global constraints you must keep in mind as you design your program:
11357
11358 @itemize @bullet
11359
11360 @item
11361 Before calling or returning to a function in an overlay, your program
11362 must make sure that overlay is actually mapped. Otherwise, the call or
11363 return will transfer control to the right address, but in the wrong
11364 overlay, and your program will probably crash.
11365
11366 @item
11367 If the process of mapping an overlay is expensive on your system, you
11368 will need to choose your overlays carefully to minimize their effect on
11369 your program's performance.
11370
11371 @item
11372 The executable file you load onto your system must contain each
11373 overlay's instructions, appearing at the overlay's load address, not its
11374 mapped address. However, each overlay's instructions must be relocated
11375 and its symbols defined as if the overlay were at its mapped address.
11376 You can use GNU linker scripts to specify different load and relocation
11377 addresses for pieces of your program; see @ref{Overlay Description,,,
11378 ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}.
11379
11380 @item
11381 The procedure for loading executable files onto your system must be able
11382 to load their contents into the larger address space as well as the
11383 instruction and data spaces.
11384
11385 @end itemize
11386
11387 The overlay system described above is rather simple, and could be
11388 improved in many ways:
11389
11390 @itemize @bullet
11391
11392 @item
11393 If your system has suitable bank switch registers or memory management
11394 hardware, you could use those facilities to make an overlay's load area
11395 contents simply appear at their mapped address in instruction space.
11396 This would probably be faster than copying the overlay to its mapped
11397 area in the usual way.
11398
11399 @item
11400 If your overlays are small enough, you could set aside more than one
11401 overlay area, and have more than one overlay mapped at a time.
11402
11403 @item
11404 You can use overlays to manage data, as well as instructions. In
11405 general, data overlays are even less transparent to your design than
11406 code overlays: whereas code overlays only require care when you call or
11407 return to functions, data overlays require care every time you access
11408 the data. Also, if you change the contents of a data overlay, you
11409 must copy its contents back out to its load address before you can copy a
11410 different data overlay into the same mapped area.
11411
11412 @end itemize
11413
11414
11415 @node Overlay Commands
11416 @section Overlay Commands
11417
11418 To use @value{GDBN}'s overlay support, each overlay in your program must
11419 correspond to a separate section of the executable file. The section's
11420 virtual memory address and load memory address must be the overlay's
11421 mapped and load addresses. Identifying overlays with sections allows
11422 @value{GDBN} to determine the appropriate address of a function or
11423 variable, depending on whether the overlay is mapped or not.
11424
11425 @value{GDBN}'s overlay commands all start with the word @code{overlay};
11426 you can abbreviate this as @code{ov} or @code{ovly}. The commands are:
11427
11428 @table @code
11429 @item overlay off
11430 @kindex overlay
11431 Disable @value{GDBN}'s overlay support. When overlay support is
11432 disabled, @value{GDBN} assumes that all functions and variables are
11433 always present at their mapped addresses. By default, @value{GDBN}'s
11434 overlay support is disabled.
11435
11436 @item overlay manual
11437 @cindex manual overlay debugging
11438 Enable @dfn{manual} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
11439 relies on you to tell it which overlays are mapped, and which are not,
11440 using the @code{overlay map-overlay} and @code{overlay unmap-overlay}
11441 commands described below.
11442
11443 @item overlay map-overlay @var{overlay}
11444 @itemx overlay map @var{overlay}
11445 @cindex map an overlay
11446 Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is now mapped; @var{overlay} must
11447 be the name of the object file section containing the overlay. When an
11448 overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the overlay's
11449 functions and variables at their mapped addresses. @value{GDBN} assumes
11450 that any other overlays whose mapped ranges overlap that of
11451 @var{overlay} are now unmapped.
11452
11453 @item overlay unmap-overlay @var{overlay}
11454 @itemx overlay unmap @var{overlay}
11455 @cindex unmap an overlay
11456 Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is no longer mapped; @var{overlay}
11457 must be the name of the object file section containing the overlay.
11458 When an overlay is unmapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the
11459 overlay's functions and variables at their load addresses.
11460
11461 @item overlay auto
11462 Enable @dfn{automatic} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
11463 consults a data structure the overlay manager maintains in the inferior
11464 to see which overlays are mapped. For details, see @ref{Automatic
11465 Overlay Debugging}.
11466
11467 @item overlay load-target
11468 @itemx overlay load
11469 @cindex reloading the overlay table
11470 Re-read the overlay table from the inferior. Normally, @value{GDBN}
11471 re-reads the table @value{GDBN} automatically each time the inferior
11472 stops, so this command should only be necessary if you have changed the
11473 overlay mapping yourself using @value{GDBN}. This command is only
11474 useful when using automatic overlay debugging.
11475
11476 @item overlay list-overlays
11477 @itemx overlay list
11478 @cindex listing mapped overlays
11479 Display a list of the overlays currently mapped, along with their mapped
11480 addresses, load addresses, and sizes.
11481
11482 @end table
11483
11484 Normally, when @value{GDBN} prints a code address, it includes the name
11485 of the function the address falls in:
11486
11487 @smallexample
11488 (@value{GDBP}) print main
11489 $3 = @{int ()@} 0x11a0 <main>
11490 @end smallexample
11491 @noindent
11492 When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} recognizes code in
11493 unmapped overlays, and prints the names of unmapped functions with
11494 asterisks around them. For example, if @code{foo} is a function in an
11495 unmapped overlay, @value{GDBN} prints it this way:
11496
11497 @smallexample
11498 (@value{GDBP}) overlay list
11499 No sections are mapped.
11500 (@value{GDBP}) print foo
11501 $5 = @{int (int)@} 0x100000 <*foo*>
11502 @end smallexample
11503 @noindent
11504 When @code{foo}'s overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} prints the function's
11505 name normally:
11506
11507 @smallexample
11508 (@value{GDBP}) overlay list
11509 Section .ov.foo.text, loaded at 0x100000 - 0x100034,
11510 mapped at 0x1016 - 0x104a
11511 (@value{GDBP}) print foo
11512 $6 = @{int (int)@} 0x1016 <foo>
11513 @end smallexample
11514
11515 When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} can find the correct
11516 address for functions and variables in an overlay, whether or not the
11517 overlay is mapped. This allows most @value{GDBN} commands, like
11518 @code{break} and @code{disassemble}, to work normally, even on unmapped
11519 code. However, @value{GDBN}'s breakpoint support has some limitations:
11520
11521 @itemize @bullet
11522 @item
11523 @cindex breakpoints in overlays
11524 @cindex overlays, setting breakpoints in
11525 You can set breakpoints in functions in unmapped overlays, as long as
11526 @value{GDBN} can write to the overlay at its load address.
11527 @item
11528 @value{GDBN} can not set hardware or simulator-based breakpoints in
11529 unmapped overlays. However, if you set a breakpoint at the end of your
11530 overlay manager (and tell @value{GDBN} which overlays are now mapped, if
11531 you are using manual overlay management), @value{GDBN} will re-set its
11532 breakpoints properly.
11533 @end itemize
11534
11535
11536 @node Automatic Overlay Debugging
11537 @section Automatic Overlay Debugging
11538 @cindex automatic overlay debugging
11539
11540 @value{GDBN} can automatically track which overlays are mapped and which
11541 are not, given some simple co-operation from the overlay manager in the
11542 inferior. If you enable automatic overlay debugging with the
11543 @code{overlay auto} command (@pxref{Overlay Commands}), @value{GDBN}
11544 looks in the inferior's memory for certain variables describing the
11545 current state of the overlays.
11546
11547 Here are the variables your overlay manager must define to support
11548 @value{GDBN}'s automatic overlay debugging:
11549
11550 @table @asis
11551
11552 @item @code{_ovly_table}:
11553 This variable must be an array of the following structures:
11554
11555 @smallexample
11556 struct
11557 @{
11558 /* The overlay's mapped address. */
11559 unsigned long vma;
11560
11561 /* The size of the overlay, in bytes. */
11562 unsigned long size;
11563
11564 /* The overlay's load address. */
11565 unsigned long lma;
11566
11567 /* Non-zero if the overlay is currently mapped;
11568 zero otherwise. */
11569 unsigned long mapped;
11570 @}
11571 @end smallexample
11572
11573 @item @code{_novlys}:
11574 This variable must be a four-byte signed integer, holding the total
11575 number of elements in @code{_ovly_table}.
11576
11577 @end table
11578
11579 To decide whether a particular overlay is mapped or not, @value{GDBN}
11580 looks for an entry in @w{@code{_ovly_table}} whose @code{vma} and
11581 @code{lma} members equal the VMA and LMA of the overlay's section in the
11582 executable file. When @value{GDBN} finds a matching entry, it consults
11583 the entry's @code{mapped} member to determine whether the overlay is
11584 currently mapped.
11585
11586 In addition, your overlay manager may define a function called
11587 @code{_ovly_debug_event}. If this function is defined, @value{GDBN}
11588 will silently set a breakpoint there. If the overlay manager then
11589 calls this function whenever it has changed the overlay table, this
11590 will enable @value{GDBN} to accurately keep track of which overlays
11591 are in program memory, and update any breakpoints that may be set
11592 in overlays. This will allow breakpoints to work even if the
11593 overlays are kept in ROM or other non-writable memory while they
11594 are not being executed.
11595
11596 @node Overlay Sample Program
11597 @section Overlay Sample Program
11598 @cindex overlay example program
11599
11600 When linking a program which uses overlays, you must place the overlays
11601 at their load addresses, while relocating them to run at their mapped
11602 addresses. To do this, you must write a linker script (@pxref{Overlay
11603 Description,,, ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}). Unfortunately,
11604 since linker scripts are specific to a particular host system, target
11605 architecture, and target memory layout, this manual cannot provide
11606 portable sample code demonstrating @value{GDBN}'s overlay support.
11607
11608 However, the @value{GDBN} source distribution does contain an overlaid
11609 program, with linker scripts for a few systems, as part of its test
11610 suite. The program consists of the following files from
11611 @file{gdb/testsuite/gdb.base}:
11612
11613 @table @file
11614 @item overlays.c
11615 The main program file.
11616 @item ovlymgr.c
11617 A simple overlay manager, used by @file{overlays.c}.
11618 @item foo.c
11619 @itemx bar.c
11620 @itemx baz.c
11621 @itemx grbx.c
11622 Overlay modules, loaded and used by @file{overlays.c}.
11623 @item d10v.ld
11624 @itemx m32r.ld
11625 Linker scripts for linking the test program on the @code{d10v-elf}
11626 and @code{m32r-elf} targets.
11627 @end table
11628
11629 You can build the test program using the @code{d10v-elf} GCC
11630 cross-compiler like this:
11631
11632 @smallexample
11633 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c overlays.c
11634 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c ovlymgr.c
11635 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c foo.c
11636 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c bar.c
11637 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c baz.c
11638 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c grbx.c
11639 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g overlays.o ovlymgr.o foo.o bar.o \
11640 baz.o grbx.o -Wl,-Td10v.ld -o overlays
11641 @end smallexample
11642
11643 The build process is identical for any other architecture, except that
11644 you must substitute the appropriate compiler and linker script for the
11645 target system for @code{d10v-elf-gcc} and @code{d10v.ld}.
11646
11647
11648 @node Languages
11649 @chapter Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages
11650 @cindex languages
11651
11652 Although programming languages generally have common aspects, they are
11653 rarely expressed in the same manner. For instance, in ANSI C,
11654 dereferencing a pointer @code{p} is accomplished by @code{*p}, but in
11655 Modula-2, it is accomplished by @code{p^}. Values can also be
11656 represented (and displayed) differently. Hex numbers in C appear as
11657 @samp{0x1ae}, while in Modula-2 they appear as @samp{1AEH}.
11658
11659 @cindex working language
11660 Language-specific information is built into @value{GDBN} for some languages,
11661 allowing you to express operations like the above in your program's
11662 native language, and allowing @value{GDBN} to output values in a manner
11663 consistent with the syntax of your program's native language. The
11664 language you use to build expressions is called the @dfn{working
11665 language}.
11666
11667 @menu
11668 * Setting:: Switching between source languages
11669 * Show:: Displaying the language
11670 * Checks:: Type and range checks
11671 * Supported Languages:: Supported languages
11672 * Unsupported Languages:: Unsupported languages
11673 @end menu
11674
11675 @node Setting
11676 @section Switching Between Source Languages
11677
11678 There are two ways to control the working language---either have @value{GDBN}
11679 set it automatically, or select it manually yourself. You can use the
11680 @code{set language} command for either purpose. On startup, @value{GDBN}
11681 defaults to setting the language automatically. The working language is
11682 used to determine how expressions you type are interpreted, how values
11683 are printed, etc.
11684
11685 In addition to the working language, every source file that
11686 @value{GDBN} knows about has its own working language. For some object
11687 file formats, the compiler might indicate which language a particular
11688 source file is in. However, most of the time @value{GDBN} infers the
11689 language from the name of the file. The language of a source file
11690 controls whether C@t{++} names are demangled---this way @code{backtrace} can
11691 show each frame appropriately for its own language. There is no way to
11692 set the language of a source file from within @value{GDBN}, but you can
11693 set the language associated with a filename extension. @xref{Show, ,
11694 Displaying the Language}.
11695
11696 This is most commonly a problem when you use a program, such
11697 as @code{cfront} or @code{f2c}, that generates C but is written in
11698 another language. In that case, make the
11699 program use @code{#line} directives in its C output; that way
11700 @value{GDBN} will know the correct language of the source code of the original
11701 program, and will display that source code, not the generated C code.
11702
11703 @menu
11704 * Filenames:: Filename extensions and languages.
11705 * Manually:: Setting the working language manually
11706 * Automatically:: Having @value{GDBN} infer the source language
11707 @end menu
11708
11709 @node Filenames
11710 @subsection List of Filename Extensions and Languages
11711
11712 If a source file name ends in one of the following extensions, then
11713 @value{GDBN} infers that its language is the one indicated.
11714
11715 @table @file
11716 @item .ada
11717 @itemx .ads
11718 @itemx .adb
11719 @itemx .a
11720 Ada source file.
11721
11722 @item .c
11723 C source file
11724
11725 @item .C
11726 @itemx .cc
11727 @itemx .cp
11728 @itemx .cpp
11729 @itemx .cxx
11730 @itemx .c++
11731 C@t{++} source file
11732
11733 @item .d
11734 D source file
11735
11736 @item .m
11737 Objective-C source file
11738
11739 @item .f
11740 @itemx .F
11741 Fortran source file
11742
11743 @item .mod
11744 Modula-2 source file
11745
11746 @item .s
11747 @itemx .S
11748 Assembler source file. This actually behaves almost like C, but
11749 @value{GDBN} does not skip over function prologues when stepping.
11750 @end table
11751
11752 In addition, you may set the language associated with a filename
11753 extension. @xref{Show, , Displaying the Language}.
11754
11755 @node Manually
11756 @subsection Setting the Working Language
11757
11758 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically,
11759 expressions are interpreted the same way in your debugging session and
11760 your program.
11761
11762 @kindex set language
11763 If you wish, you may set the language manually. To do this, issue the
11764 command @samp{set language @var{lang}}, where @var{lang} is the name of
11765 a language, such as
11766 @code{c} or @code{modula-2}.
11767 For a list of the supported languages, type @samp{set language}.
11768
11769 Setting the language manually prevents @value{GDBN} from updating the working
11770 language automatically. This can lead to confusion if you try
11771 to debug a program when the working language is not the same as the
11772 source language, when an expression is acceptable to both
11773 languages---but means different things. For instance, if the current
11774 source file were written in C, and @value{GDBN} was parsing Modula-2, a
11775 command such as:
11776
11777 @smallexample
11778 print a = b + c
11779 @end smallexample
11780
11781 @noindent
11782 might not have the effect you intended. In C, this means to add
11783 @code{b} and @code{c} and place the result in @code{a}. The result
11784 printed would be the value of @code{a}. In Modula-2, this means to compare
11785 @code{a} to the result of @code{b+c}, yielding a @code{BOOLEAN} value.
11786
11787 @node Automatically
11788 @subsection Having @value{GDBN} Infer the Source Language
11789
11790 To have @value{GDBN} set the working language automatically, use
11791 @samp{set language local} or @samp{set language auto}. @value{GDBN}
11792 then infers the working language. That is, when your program stops in a
11793 frame (usually by encountering a breakpoint), @value{GDBN} sets the
11794 working language to the language recorded for the function in that
11795 frame. If the language for a frame is unknown (that is, if the function
11796 or block corresponding to the frame was defined in a source file that
11797 does not have a recognized extension), the current working language is
11798 not changed, and @value{GDBN} issues a warning.
11799
11800 This may not seem necessary for most programs, which are written
11801 entirely in one source language. However, program modules and libraries
11802 written in one source language can be used by a main program written in
11803 a different source language. Using @samp{set language auto} in this
11804 case frees you from having to set the working language manually.
11805
11806 @node Show
11807 @section Displaying the Language
11808
11809 The following commands help you find out which language is the
11810 working language, and also what language source files were written in.
11811
11812 @table @code
11813 @item show language
11814 @kindex show language
11815 Display the current working language. This is the
11816 language you can use with commands such as @code{print} to
11817 build and compute expressions that may involve variables in your program.
11818
11819 @item info frame
11820 @kindex info frame@r{, show the source language}
11821 Display the source language for this frame. This language becomes the
11822 working language if you use an identifier from this frame.
11823 @xref{Frame Info, ,Information about a Frame}, to identify the other
11824 information listed here.
11825
11826 @item info source
11827 @kindex info source@r{, show the source language}
11828 Display the source language of this source file.
11829 @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}, to identify the other
11830 information listed here.
11831 @end table
11832
11833 In unusual circumstances, you may have source files with extensions
11834 not in the standard list. You can then set the extension associated
11835 with a language explicitly:
11836
11837 @table @code
11838 @item set extension-language @var{ext} @var{language}
11839 @kindex set extension-language
11840 Tell @value{GDBN} that source files with extension @var{ext} are to be
11841 assumed as written in the source language @var{language}.
11842
11843 @item info extensions
11844 @kindex info extensions
11845 List all the filename extensions and the associated languages.
11846 @end table
11847
11848 @node Checks
11849 @section Type and Range Checking
11850
11851 @quotation
11852 @emph{Warning:} In this release, the @value{GDBN} commands for type and range
11853 checking are included, but they do not yet have any effect. This
11854 section documents the intended facilities.
11855 @end quotation
11856 @c FIXME remove warning when type/range code added
11857
11858 Some languages are designed to guard you against making seemingly common
11859 errors through a series of compile- and run-time checks. These include
11860 checking the type of arguments to functions and operators, and making
11861 sure mathematical overflows are caught at run time. Checks such as
11862 these help to ensure a program's correctness once it has been compiled
11863 by eliminating type mismatches, and providing active checks for range
11864 errors when your program is running.
11865
11866 @value{GDBN} can check for conditions like the above if you wish.
11867 Although @value{GDBN} does not check the statements in your program,
11868 it can check expressions entered directly into @value{GDBN} for
11869 evaluation via the @code{print} command, for example. As with the
11870 working language, @value{GDBN} can also decide whether or not to check
11871 automatically based on your program's source language.
11872 @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for the default
11873 settings of supported languages.
11874
11875 @menu
11876 * Type Checking:: An overview of type checking
11877 * Range Checking:: An overview of range checking
11878 @end menu
11879
11880 @cindex type checking
11881 @cindex checks, type
11882 @node Type Checking
11883 @subsection An Overview of Type Checking
11884
11885 Some languages, such as Modula-2, are strongly typed, meaning that the
11886 arguments to operators and functions have to be of the correct type,
11887 otherwise an error occurs. These checks prevent type mismatch
11888 errors from ever causing any run-time problems. For example,
11889
11890 @smallexample
11891 1 + 2 @result{} 3
11892 @exdent but
11893 @error{} 1 + 2.3
11894 @end smallexample
11895
11896 The second example fails because the @code{CARDINAL} 1 is not
11897 type-compatible with the @code{REAL} 2.3.
11898
11899 For the expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell the
11900 @value{GDBN} type checker to skip checking;
11901 to treat any mismatches as errors and abandon the expression;
11902 or to only issue warnings when type mismatches occur,
11903 but evaluate the expression anyway. When you choose the last of
11904 these, @value{GDBN} evaluates expressions like the second example above, but
11905 also issues a warning.
11906
11907 Even if you turn type checking off, there may be other reasons
11908 related to type that prevent @value{GDBN} from evaluating an expression.
11909 For instance, @value{GDBN} does not know how to add an @code{int} and
11910 a @code{struct foo}. These particular type errors have nothing to do
11911 with the language in use, and usually arise from expressions, such as
11912 the one described above, which make little sense to evaluate anyway.
11913
11914 Each language defines to what degree it is strict about type. For
11915 instance, both Modula-2 and C require the arguments to arithmetical
11916 operators to be numbers. In C, enumerated types and pointers can be
11917 represented as numbers, so that they are valid arguments to mathematical
11918 operators. @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for further
11919 details on specific languages.
11920
11921 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling the type checker:
11922
11923 @kindex set check type
11924 @kindex show check type
11925 @table @code
11926 @item set check type auto
11927 Set type checking on or off based on the current working language.
11928 @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for the default settings for
11929 each language.
11930
11931 @item set check type on
11932 @itemx set check type off
11933 Set type checking on or off, overriding the default setting for the
11934 current working language. Issue a warning if the setting does not
11935 match the language default. If any type mismatches occur in
11936 evaluating an expression while type checking is on, @value{GDBN} prints a
11937 message and aborts evaluation of the expression.
11938
11939 @item set check type warn
11940 Cause the type checker to issue warnings, but to always attempt to
11941 evaluate the expression. Evaluating the expression may still
11942 be impossible for other reasons. For example, @value{GDBN} cannot add
11943 numbers and structures.
11944
11945 @item show type
11946 Show the current setting of the type checker, and whether or not @value{GDBN}
11947 is setting it automatically.
11948 @end table
11949
11950 @cindex range checking
11951 @cindex checks, range
11952 @node Range Checking
11953 @subsection An Overview of Range Checking
11954
11955 In some languages (such as Modula-2), it is an error to exceed the
11956 bounds of a type; this is enforced with run-time checks. Such range
11957 checking is meant to ensure program correctness by making sure
11958 computations do not overflow, or indices on an array element access do
11959 not exceed the bounds of the array.
11960
11961 For expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell
11962 @value{GDBN} to treat range errors in one of three ways: ignore them,
11963 always treat them as errors and abandon the expression, or issue
11964 warnings but evaluate the expression anyway.
11965
11966 A range error can result from numerical overflow, from exceeding an
11967 array index bound, or when you type a constant that is not a member
11968 of any type. Some languages, however, do not treat overflows as an
11969 error. In many implementations of C, mathematical overflow causes the
11970 result to ``wrap around'' to lower values---for example, if @var{m} is
11971 the largest integer value, and @var{s} is the smallest, then
11972
11973 @smallexample
11974 @var{m} + 1 @result{} @var{s}
11975 @end smallexample
11976
11977 This, too, is specific to individual languages, and in some cases
11978 specific to individual compilers or machines. @xref{Supported Languages, ,
11979 Supported Languages}, for further details on specific languages.
11980
11981 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling the range checker:
11982
11983 @kindex set check range
11984 @kindex show check range
11985 @table @code
11986 @item set check range auto
11987 Set range checking on or off based on the current working language.
11988 @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for the default settings for
11989 each language.
11990
11991 @item set check range on
11992 @itemx set check range off
11993 Set range checking on or off, overriding the default setting for the
11994 current working language. A warning is issued if the setting does not
11995 match the language default. If a range error occurs and range checking is on,
11996 then a message is printed and evaluation of the expression is aborted.
11997
11998 @item set check range warn
11999 Output messages when the @value{GDBN} range checker detects a range error,
12000 but attempt to evaluate the expression anyway. Evaluating the
12001 expression may still be impossible for other reasons, such as accessing
12002 memory that the process does not own (a typical example from many Unix
12003 systems).
12004
12005 @item show range
12006 Show the current setting of the range checker, and whether or not it is
12007 being set automatically by @value{GDBN}.
12008 @end table
12009
12010 @node Supported Languages
12011 @section Supported Languages
12012
12013 @value{GDBN} supports C, C@t{++}, D, Objective-C, Fortran, Java, OpenCL C, Pascal,
12014 assembly, Modula-2, and Ada.
12015 @c This is false ...
12016 Some @value{GDBN} features may be used in expressions regardless of the
12017 language you use: the @value{GDBN} @code{@@} and @code{::} operators,
12018 and the @samp{@{type@}addr} construct (@pxref{Expressions,
12019 ,Expressions}) can be used with the constructs of any supported
12020 language.
12021
12022 The following sections detail to what degree each source language is
12023 supported by @value{GDBN}. These sections are not meant to be language
12024 tutorials or references, but serve only as a reference guide to what the
12025 @value{GDBN} expression parser accepts, and what input and output
12026 formats should look like for different languages. There are many good
12027 books written on each of these languages; please look to these for a
12028 language reference or tutorial.
12029
12030 @menu
12031 * C:: C and C@t{++}
12032 * D:: D
12033 * Objective-C:: Objective-C
12034 * OpenCL C:: OpenCL C
12035 * Fortran:: Fortran
12036 * Pascal:: Pascal
12037 * Modula-2:: Modula-2
12038 * Ada:: Ada
12039 @end menu
12040
12041 @node C
12042 @subsection C and C@t{++}
12043
12044 @cindex C and C@t{++}
12045 @cindex expressions in C or C@t{++}
12046
12047 Since C and C@t{++} are so closely related, many features of @value{GDBN} apply
12048 to both languages. Whenever this is the case, we discuss those languages
12049 together.
12050
12051 @cindex C@t{++}
12052 @cindex @code{g++}, @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler
12053 @cindex @sc{gnu} C@t{++}
12054 The C@t{++} debugging facilities are jointly implemented by the C@t{++}
12055 compiler and @value{GDBN}. Therefore, to debug your C@t{++} code
12056 effectively, you must compile your C@t{++} programs with a supported
12057 C@t{++} compiler, such as @sc{gnu} @code{g++}, or the HP ANSI C@t{++}
12058 compiler (@code{aCC}).
12059
12060 For best results when using @sc{gnu} C@t{++}, use the DWARF 2 debugging
12061 format; if it doesn't work on your system, try the stabs+ debugging
12062 format. You can select those formats explicitly with the @code{g++}
12063 command-line options @option{-gdwarf-2} and @option{-gstabs+}.
12064 @xref{Debugging Options,,Options for Debugging Your Program or GCC,
12065 gcc.info, Using the @sc{gnu} Compiler Collection (GCC)}.
12066
12067 @menu
12068 * C Operators:: C and C@t{++} operators
12069 * C Constants:: C and C@t{++} constants
12070 * C Plus Plus Expressions:: C@t{++} expressions
12071 * C Defaults:: Default settings for C and C@t{++}
12072 * C Checks:: C and C@t{++} type and range checks
12073 * Debugging C:: @value{GDBN} and C
12074 * Debugging C Plus Plus:: @value{GDBN} features for C@t{++}
12075 * Decimal Floating Point:: Numbers in Decimal Floating Point format
12076 @end menu
12077
12078 @node C Operators
12079 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Operators
12080
12081 @cindex C and C@t{++} operators
12082
12083 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
12084 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
12085 often defined on groups of types.
12086
12087 For the purposes of C and C@t{++}, the following definitions hold:
12088
12089 @itemize @bullet
12090
12091 @item
12092 @emph{Integral types} include @code{int} with any of its storage-class
12093 specifiers; @code{char}; @code{enum}; and, for C@t{++}, @code{bool}.
12094
12095 @item
12096 @emph{Floating-point types} include @code{float}, @code{double}, and
12097 @code{long double} (if supported by the target platform).
12098
12099 @item
12100 @emph{Pointer types} include all types defined as @code{(@var{type} *)}.
12101
12102 @item
12103 @emph{Scalar types} include all of the above.
12104
12105 @end itemize
12106
12107 @noindent
12108 The following operators are supported. They are listed here
12109 in order of increasing precedence:
12110
12111 @table @code
12112 @item ,
12113 The comma or sequencing operator. Expressions in a comma-separated list
12114 are evaluated from left to right, with the result of the entire
12115 expression being the last expression evaluated.
12116
12117 @item =
12118 Assignment. The value of an assignment expression is the value
12119 assigned. Defined on scalar types.
12120
12121 @item @var{op}=
12122 Used in an expression of the form @w{@code{@var{a} @var{op}= @var{b}}},
12123 and translated to @w{@code{@var{a} = @var{a op b}}}.
12124 @w{@code{@var{op}=}} and @code{=} have the same precedence.
12125 @var{op} is any one of the operators @code{|}, @code{^}, @code{&},
12126 @code{<<}, @code{>>}, @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{%}.
12127
12128 @item ?:
12129 The ternary operator. @code{@var{a} ? @var{b} : @var{c}} can be thought
12130 of as: if @var{a} then @var{b} else @var{c}. @var{a} should be of an
12131 integral type.
12132
12133 @item ||
12134 Logical @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
12135
12136 @item &&
12137 Logical @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
12138
12139 @item |
12140 Bitwise @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
12141
12142 @item ^
12143 Bitwise exclusive-@sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
12144
12145 @item &
12146 Bitwise @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
12147
12148 @item ==@r{, }!=
12149 Equality and inequality. Defined on scalar types. The value of these
12150 expressions is 0 for false and non-zero for true.
12151
12152 @item <@r{, }>@r{, }<=@r{, }>=
12153 Less than, greater than, less than or equal, greater than or equal.
12154 Defined on scalar types. The value of these expressions is 0 for false
12155 and non-zero for true.
12156
12157 @item <<@r{, }>>
12158 left shift, and right shift. Defined on integral types.
12159
12160 @item @@
12161 The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
12162
12163 @item +@r{, }-
12164 Addition and subtraction. Defined on integral types, floating-point types and
12165 pointer types.
12166
12167 @item *@r{, }/@r{, }%
12168 Multiplication, division, and modulus. Multiplication and division are
12169 defined on integral and floating-point types. Modulus is defined on
12170 integral types.
12171
12172 @item ++@r{, }--
12173 Increment and decrement. When appearing before a variable, the
12174 operation is performed before the variable is used in an expression;
12175 when appearing after it, the variable's value is used before the
12176 operation takes place.
12177
12178 @item *
12179 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types. Same precedence as
12180 @code{++}.
12181
12182 @item &
12183 Address operator. Defined on variables. Same precedence as @code{++}.
12184
12185 For debugging C@t{++}, @value{GDBN} implements a use of @samp{&} beyond what is
12186 allowed in the C@t{++} language itself: you can use @samp{&(&@var{ref})}
12187 to examine the address
12188 where a C@t{++} reference variable (declared with @samp{&@var{ref}}) is
12189 stored.
12190
12191 @item -
12192 Negative. Defined on integral and floating-point types. Same
12193 precedence as @code{++}.
12194
12195 @item !
12196 Logical negation. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
12197 @code{++}.
12198
12199 @item ~
12200 Bitwise complement operator. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
12201 @code{++}.
12202
12203
12204 @item .@r{, }->
12205 Structure member, and pointer-to-structure member. For convenience,
12206 @value{GDBN} regards the two as equivalent, choosing whether to dereference a
12207 pointer based on the stored type information.
12208 Defined on @code{struct} and @code{union} data.
12209
12210 @item .*@r{, }->*
12211 Dereferences of pointers to members.
12212
12213 @item []
12214 Array indexing. @code{@var{a}[@var{i}]} is defined as
12215 @code{*(@var{a}+@var{i})}. Same precedence as @code{->}.
12216
12217 @item ()
12218 Function parameter list. Same precedence as @code{->}.
12219
12220 @item ::
12221 C@t{++} scope resolution operator. Defined on @code{struct}, @code{union},
12222 and @code{class} types.
12223
12224 @item ::
12225 Doubled colons also represent the @value{GDBN} scope operator
12226 (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). Same precedence as @code{::},
12227 above.
12228 @end table
12229
12230 If an operator is redefined in the user code, @value{GDBN} usually
12231 attempts to invoke the redefined version instead of using the operator's
12232 predefined meaning.
12233
12234 @node C Constants
12235 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Constants
12236
12237 @cindex C and C@t{++} constants
12238
12239 @value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of C and C@t{++} in the
12240 following ways:
12241
12242 @itemize @bullet
12243 @item
12244 Integer constants are a sequence of digits. Octal constants are
12245 specified by a leading @samp{0} (i.e.@: zero), and hexadecimal constants
12246 by a leading @samp{0x} or @samp{0X}. Constants may also end with a letter
12247 @samp{l}, specifying that the constant should be treated as a
12248 @code{long} value.
12249
12250 @item
12251 Floating point constants are a sequence of digits, followed by a decimal
12252 point, followed by a sequence of digits, and optionally followed by an
12253 exponent. An exponent is of the form:
12254 @samp{@w{e@r{[[}+@r{]|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}}, where @var{nnn} is another
12255 sequence of digits. The @samp{+} is optional for positive exponents.
12256 A floating-point constant may also end with a letter @samp{f} or
12257 @samp{F}, specifying that the constant should be treated as being of
12258 the @code{float} (as opposed to the default @code{double}) type; or with
12259 a letter @samp{l} or @samp{L}, which specifies a @code{long double}
12260 constant.
12261
12262 @item
12263 Enumerated constants consist of enumerated identifiers, or their
12264 integral equivalents.
12265
12266 @item
12267 Character constants are a single character surrounded by single quotes
12268 (@code{'}), or a number---the ordinal value of the corresponding character
12269 (usually its @sc{ascii} value). Within quotes, the single character may
12270 be represented by a letter or by @dfn{escape sequences}, which are of
12271 the form @samp{\@var{nnn}}, where @var{nnn} is the octal representation
12272 of the character's ordinal value; or of the form @samp{\@var{x}}, where
12273 @samp{@var{x}} is a predefined special character---for example,
12274 @samp{\n} for newline.
12275
12276 @item
12277 String constants are a sequence of character constants surrounded by
12278 double quotes (@code{"}). Any valid character constant (as described
12279 above) may appear. Double quotes within the string must be preceded by
12280 a backslash, so for instance @samp{"a\"b'c"} is a string of five
12281 characters.
12282
12283 @item
12284 Pointer constants are an integral value. You can also write pointers
12285 to constants using the C operator @samp{&}.
12286
12287 @item
12288 Array constants are comma-separated lists surrounded by braces @samp{@{}
12289 and @samp{@}}; for example, @samp{@{1,2,3@}} is a three-element array of
12290 integers, @samp{@{@{1,2@}, @{3,4@}, @{5,6@}@}} is a three-by-two array,
12291 and @samp{@{&"hi", &"there", &"fred"@}} is a three-element array of pointers.
12292 @end itemize
12293
12294 @node C Plus Plus Expressions
12295 @subsubsection C@t{++} Expressions
12296
12297 @cindex expressions in C@t{++}
12298 @value{GDBN} expression handling can interpret most C@t{++} expressions.
12299
12300 @cindex debugging C@t{++} programs
12301 @cindex C@t{++} compilers
12302 @cindex debug formats and C@t{++}
12303 @cindex @value{NGCC} and C@t{++}
12304 @quotation
12305 @emph{Warning:} @value{GDBN} can only debug C@t{++} code if you use the
12306 proper compiler and the proper debug format. Currently, @value{GDBN}
12307 works best when debugging C@t{++} code that is compiled with
12308 @value{NGCC} 2.95.3 or with @value{NGCC} 3.1 or newer, using the options
12309 @option{-gdwarf-2} or @option{-gstabs+}. DWARF 2 is preferred over
12310 stabs+. Most configurations of @value{NGCC} emit either DWARF 2 or
12311 stabs+ as their default debug format, so you usually don't need to
12312 specify a debug format explicitly. Other compilers and/or debug formats
12313 are likely to work badly or not at all when using @value{GDBN} to debug
12314 C@t{++} code.
12315 @end quotation
12316
12317 @enumerate
12318
12319 @cindex member functions
12320 @item
12321 Member function calls are allowed; you can use expressions like
12322
12323 @smallexample
12324 count = aml->GetOriginal(x, y)
12325 @end smallexample
12326
12327 @vindex this@r{, inside C@t{++} member functions}
12328 @cindex namespace in C@t{++}
12329 @item
12330 While a member function is active (in the selected stack frame), your
12331 expressions have the same namespace available as the member function;
12332 that is, @value{GDBN} allows implicit references to the class instance
12333 pointer @code{this} following the same rules as C@t{++}.
12334
12335 @cindex call overloaded functions
12336 @cindex overloaded functions, calling
12337 @cindex type conversions in C@t{++}
12338 @item
12339 You can call overloaded functions; @value{GDBN} resolves the function
12340 call to the right definition, with some restrictions. @value{GDBN} does not
12341 perform overload resolution involving user-defined type conversions,
12342 calls to constructors, or instantiations of templates that do not exist
12343 in the program. It also cannot handle ellipsis argument lists or
12344 default arguments.
12345
12346 It does perform integral conversions and promotions, floating-point
12347 promotions, arithmetic conversions, pointer conversions, conversions of
12348 class objects to base classes, and standard conversions such as those of
12349 functions or arrays to pointers; it requires an exact match on the
12350 number of function arguments.
12351
12352 Overload resolution is always performed, unless you have specified
12353 @code{set overload-resolution off}. @xref{Debugging C Plus Plus,
12354 ,@value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}}.
12355
12356 You must specify @code{set overload-resolution off} in order to use an
12357 explicit function signature to call an overloaded function, as in
12358 @smallexample
12359 p 'foo(char,int)'('x', 13)
12360 @end smallexample
12361
12362 The @value{GDBN} command-completion facility can simplify this;
12363 see @ref{Completion, ,Command Completion}.
12364
12365 @cindex reference declarations
12366 @item
12367 @value{GDBN} understands variables declared as C@t{++} references; you can use
12368 them in expressions just as you do in C@t{++} source---they are automatically
12369 dereferenced.
12370
12371 In the parameter list shown when @value{GDBN} displays a frame, the values of
12372 reference variables are not displayed (unlike other variables); this
12373 avoids clutter, since references are often used for large structures.
12374 The @emph{address} of a reference variable is always shown, unless
12375 you have specified @samp{set print address off}.
12376
12377 @item
12378 @value{GDBN} supports the C@t{++} name resolution operator @code{::}---your
12379 expressions can use it just as expressions in your program do. Since
12380 one scope may be defined in another, you can use @code{::} repeatedly if
12381 necessary, for example in an expression like
12382 @samp{@var{scope1}::@var{scope2}::@var{name}}. @value{GDBN} also allows
12383 resolving name scope by reference to source files, in both C and C@t{++}
12384 debugging (@pxref{Variables, ,Program Variables}).
12385 @end enumerate
12386
12387 In addition, when used with HP's C@t{++} compiler, @value{GDBN} supports
12388 calling virtual functions correctly, printing out virtual bases of
12389 objects, calling functions in a base subobject, casting objects, and
12390 invoking user-defined operators.
12391
12392 @node C Defaults
12393 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Defaults
12394
12395 @cindex C and C@t{++} defaults
12396
12397 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set type and range checking automatically, they
12398 both default to @code{off} whenever the working language changes to
12399 C or C@t{++}. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
12400 selects the working language.
12401
12402 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, it
12403 recognizes source files whose names end with @file{.c}, @file{.C}, or
12404 @file{.cc}, etc, and when @value{GDBN} enters code compiled from one of
12405 these files, it sets the working language to C or C@t{++}.
12406 @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN} Infer the Source Language},
12407 for further details.
12408
12409 @c Type checking is (a) primarily motivated by Modula-2, and (b)
12410 @c unimplemented. If (b) changes, it might make sense to let this node
12411 @c appear even if Mod-2 does not, but meanwhile ignore it. roland 16jul93.
12412
12413 @node C Checks
12414 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Type and Range Checks
12415
12416 @cindex C and C@t{++} checks
12417
12418 By default, when @value{GDBN} parses C or C@t{++} expressions, type checking
12419 is not used. However, if you turn type checking on, @value{GDBN}
12420 considers two variables type equivalent if:
12421
12422 @itemize @bullet
12423 @item
12424 The two variables are structured and have the same structure, union, or
12425 enumerated tag.
12426
12427 @item
12428 The two variables have the same type name, or types that have been
12429 declared equivalent through @code{typedef}.
12430
12431 @ignore
12432 @c leaving this out because neither J Gilmore nor R Pesch understand it.
12433 @c FIXME--beers?
12434 @item
12435 The two @code{struct}, @code{union}, or @code{enum} variables are
12436 declared in the same declaration. (Note: this may not be true for all C
12437 compilers.)
12438 @end ignore
12439 @end itemize
12440
12441 Range checking, if turned on, is done on mathematical operations. Array
12442 indices are not checked, since they are often used to index a pointer
12443 that is not itself an array.
12444
12445 @node Debugging C
12446 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} and C
12447
12448 The @code{set print union} and @code{show print union} commands apply to
12449 the @code{union} type. When set to @samp{on}, any @code{union} that is
12450 inside a @code{struct} or @code{class} is also printed. Otherwise, it
12451 appears as @samp{@{...@}}.
12452
12453 The @code{@@} operator aids in the debugging of dynamic arrays, formed
12454 with pointers and a memory allocation function. @xref{Expressions,
12455 ,Expressions}.
12456
12457 @node Debugging C Plus Plus
12458 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}
12459
12460 @cindex commands for C@t{++}
12461
12462 Some @value{GDBN} commands are particularly useful with C@t{++}, and some are
12463 designed specifically for use with C@t{++}. Here is a summary:
12464
12465 @table @code
12466 @cindex break in overloaded functions
12467 @item @r{breakpoint menus}
12468 When you want a breakpoint in a function whose name is overloaded,
12469 @value{GDBN} has the capability to display a menu of possible breakpoint
12470 locations to help you specify which function definition you want.
12471 @xref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous Expressions}.
12472
12473 @cindex overloading in C@t{++}
12474 @item rbreak @var{regex}
12475 Setting breakpoints using regular expressions is helpful for setting
12476 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
12477 classes.
12478 @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}.
12479
12480 @cindex C@t{++} exception handling
12481 @item catch throw
12482 @itemx catch catch
12483 Debug C@t{++} exception handling using these commands. @xref{Set
12484 Catchpoints, , Setting Catchpoints}.
12485
12486 @cindex inheritance
12487 @item ptype @var{typename}
12488 Print inheritance relationships as well as other information for type
12489 @var{typename}.
12490 @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}.
12491
12492 @cindex C@t{++} symbol display
12493 @item set print demangle
12494 @itemx show print demangle
12495 @itemx set print asm-demangle
12496 @itemx show print asm-demangle
12497 Control whether C@t{++} symbols display in their source form, both when
12498 displaying code as C@t{++} source and when displaying disassemblies.
12499 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
12500
12501 @item set print object
12502 @itemx show print object
12503 Choose whether to print derived (actual) or declared types of objects.
12504 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
12505
12506 @item set print vtbl
12507 @itemx show print vtbl
12508 Control the format for printing virtual function tables.
12509 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
12510 (The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
12511 ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
12512
12513 @kindex set overload-resolution
12514 @cindex overloaded functions, overload resolution
12515 @item set overload-resolution on
12516 Enable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. The default
12517 is on. For overloaded functions, @value{GDBN} evaluates the arguments
12518 and searches for a function whose signature matches the argument types,
12519 using the standard C@t{++} conversion rules (see @ref{C Plus Plus
12520 Expressions, ,C@t{++} Expressions}, for details).
12521 If it cannot find a match, it emits a message.
12522
12523 @item set overload-resolution off
12524 Disable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. For
12525 overloaded functions that are not class member functions, @value{GDBN}
12526 chooses the first function of the specified name that it finds in the
12527 symbol table, whether or not its arguments are of the correct type. For
12528 overloaded functions that are class member functions, @value{GDBN}
12529 searches for a function whose signature @emph{exactly} matches the
12530 argument types.
12531
12532 @kindex show overload-resolution
12533 @item show overload-resolution
12534 Show the current setting of overload resolution.
12535
12536 @item @r{Overloaded symbol names}
12537 You can specify a particular definition of an overloaded symbol, using
12538 the same notation that is used to declare such symbols in C@t{++}: type
12539 @code{@var{symbol}(@var{types})} rather than just @var{symbol}. You can
12540 also use the @value{GDBN} command-line word completion facilities to list the
12541 available choices, or to finish the type list for you.
12542 @xref{Completion,, Command Completion}, for details on how to do this.
12543 @end table
12544
12545 @node Decimal Floating Point
12546 @subsubsection Decimal Floating Point format
12547 @cindex decimal floating point format
12548
12549 @value{GDBN} can examine, set and perform computations with numbers in
12550 decimal floating point format, which in the C language correspond to the
12551 @code{_Decimal32}, @code{_Decimal64} and @code{_Decimal128} types as
12552 specified by the extension to support decimal floating-point arithmetic.
12553
12554 There are two encodings in use, depending on the architecture: BID (Binary
12555 Integer Decimal) for x86 and x86-64, and DPD (Densely Packed Decimal) for
12556 PowerPC. @value{GDBN} will use the appropriate encoding for the configured
12557 target.
12558
12559 Because of a limitation in @file{libdecnumber}, the library used by @value{GDBN}
12560 to manipulate decimal floating point numbers, it is not possible to convert
12561 (using a cast, for example) integers wider than 32-bit to decimal float.
12562
12563 In addition, in order to imitate @value{GDBN}'s behaviour with binary floating
12564 point computations, error checking in decimal float operations ignores
12565 underflow, overflow and divide by zero exceptions.
12566
12567 In the PowerPC architecture, @value{GDBN} provides a set of pseudo-registers
12568 to inspect @code{_Decimal128} values stored in floating point registers.
12569 See @ref{PowerPC,,PowerPC} for more details.
12570
12571 @node D
12572 @subsection D
12573
12574 @cindex D
12575 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in D and compiled with
12576 GDC, LDC or DMD compilers. Currently @value{GDBN} supports only one D
12577 specific feature --- dynamic arrays.
12578
12579 @node Objective-C
12580 @subsection Objective-C
12581
12582 @cindex Objective-C
12583 This section provides information about some commands and command
12584 options that are useful for debugging Objective-C code. See also
12585 @ref{Symbols, info classes}, and @ref{Symbols, info selectors}, for a
12586 few more commands specific to Objective-C support.
12587
12588 @menu
12589 * Method Names in Commands::
12590 * The Print Command with Objective-C::
12591 @end menu
12592
12593 @node Method Names in Commands
12594 @subsubsection Method Names in Commands
12595
12596 The following commands have been extended to accept Objective-C method
12597 names as line specifications:
12598
12599 @kindex clear@r{, and Objective-C}
12600 @kindex break@r{, and Objective-C}
12601 @kindex info line@r{, and Objective-C}
12602 @kindex jump@r{, and Objective-C}
12603 @kindex list@r{, and Objective-C}
12604 @itemize
12605 @item @code{clear}
12606 @item @code{break}
12607 @item @code{info line}
12608 @item @code{jump}
12609 @item @code{list}
12610 @end itemize
12611
12612 A fully qualified Objective-C method name is specified as
12613
12614 @smallexample
12615 -[@var{Class} @var{methodName}]
12616 @end smallexample
12617
12618 where the minus sign is used to indicate an instance method and a
12619 plus sign (not shown) is used to indicate a class method. The class
12620 name @var{Class} and method name @var{methodName} are enclosed in
12621 brackets, similar to the way messages are specified in Objective-C
12622 source code. For example, to set a breakpoint at the @code{create}
12623 instance method of class @code{Fruit} in the program currently being
12624 debugged, enter:
12625
12626 @smallexample
12627 break -[Fruit create]
12628 @end smallexample
12629
12630 To list ten program lines around the @code{initialize} class method,
12631 enter:
12632
12633 @smallexample
12634 list +[NSText initialize]
12635 @end smallexample
12636
12637 In the current version of @value{GDBN}, the plus or minus sign is
12638 required. In future versions of @value{GDBN}, the plus or minus
12639 sign will be optional, but you can use it to narrow the search. It
12640 is also possible to specify just a method name:
12641
12642 @smallexample
12643 break create
12644 @end smallexample
12645
12646 You must specify the complete method name, including any colons. If
12647 your program's source files contain more than one @code{create} method,
12648 you'll be presented with a numbered list of classes that implement that
12649 method. Indicate your choice by number, or type @samp{0} to exit if
12650 none apply.
12651
12652 As another example, to clear a breakpoint established at the
12653 @code{makeKeyAndOrderFront:} method of the @code{NSWindow} class, enter:
12654
12655 @smallexample
12656 clear -[NSWindow makeKeyAndOrderFront:]
12657 @end smallexample
12658
12659 @node The Print Command with Objective-C
12660 @subsubsection The Print Command With Objective-C
12661 @cindex Objective-C, print objects
12662 @kindex print-object
12663 @kindex po @r{(@code{print-object})}
12664
12665 The print command has also been extended to accept methods. For example:
12666
12667 @smallexample
12668 print -[@var{object} hash]
12669 @end smallexample
12670
12671 @cindex print an Objective-C object description
12672 @cindex @code{_NSPrintForDebugger}, and printing Objective-C objects
12673 @noindent
12674 will tell @value{GDBN} to send the @code{hash} message to @var{object}
12675 and print the result. Also, an additional command has been added,
12676 @code{print-object} or @code{po} for short, which is meant to print
12677 the description of an object. However, this command may only work
12678 with certain Objective-C libraries that have a particular hook
12679 function, @code{_NSPrintForDebugger}, defined.
12680
12681 @node OpenCL C
12682 @subsection OpenCL C
12683
12684 @cindex OpenCL C
12685 This section provides information about @value{GDBN}s OpenCL C support.
12686
12687 @menu
12688 * OpenCL C Datatypes::
12689 * OpenCL C Expressions::
12690 * OpenCL C Operators::
12691 @end menu
12692
12693 @node OpenCL C Datatypes
12694 @subsubsection OpenCL C Datatypes
12695
12696 @cindex OpenCL C Datatypes
12697 @value{GDBN} supports the builtin scalar and vector datatypes specified
12698 by OpenCL 1.1. In addition the half- and double-precision floating point
12699 data types of the @code{cl_khr_fp16} and @code{cl_khr_fp64} OpenCL
12700 extensions are also known to @value{GDBN}.
12701
12702 @node OpenCL C Expressions
12703 @subsubsection OpenCL C Expressions
12704
12705 @cindex OpenCL C Expressions
12706 @value{GDBN} supports accesses to vector components including the access as
12707 lvalue where possible. Since OpenCL C is based on C99 most C expressions
12708 supported by @value{GDBN} can be used as well.
12709
12710 @node OpenCL C Operators
12711 @subsubsection OpenCL C Operators
12712
12713 @cindex OpenCL C Operators
12714 @value{GDBN} supports the operators specified by OpenCL 1.1 for scalar and
12715 vector data types.
12716
12717 @node Fortran
12718 @subsection Fortran
12719 @cindex Fortran-specific support in @value{GDBN}
12720
12721 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, but it
12722 currently supports only the features of Fortran 77 language.
12723
12724 @cindex trailing underscore, in Fortran symbols
12725 Some Fortran compilers (@sc{gnu} Fortran 77 and Fortran 95 compilers
12726 among them) append an underscore to the names of variables and
12727 functions. When you debug programs compiled by those compilers, you
12728 will need to refer to variables and functions with a trailing
12729 underscore.
12730
12731 @menu
12732 * Fortran Operators:: Fortran operators and expressions
12733 * Fortran Defaults:: Default settings for Fortran
12734 * Special Fortran Commands:: Special @value{GDBN} commands for Fortran
12735 @end menu
12736
12737 @node Fortran Operators
12738 @subsubsection Fortran Operators and Expressions
12739
12740 @cindex Fortran operators and expressions
12741
12742 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
12743 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on characters or other non-
12744 arithmetic types. Operators are often defined on groups of types.
12745
12746 @table @code
12747 @item **
12748 The exponentiation operator. It raises the first operand to the power
12749 of the second one.
12750
12751 @item :
12752 The range operator. Normally used in the form of array(low:high) to
12753 represent a section of array.
12754
12755 @item %
12756 The access component operator. Normally used to access elements in derived
12757 types. Also suitable for unions. As unions aren't part of regular Fortran,
12758 this can only happen when accessing a register that uses a gdbarch-defined
12759 union type.
12760 @end table
12761
12762 @node Fortran Defaults
12763 @subsubsection Fortran Defaults
12764
12765 @cindex Fortran Defaults
12766
12767 Fortran symbols are usually case-insensitive, so @value{GDBN} by
12768 default uses case-insensitive matches for Fortran symbols. You can
12769 change that with the @samp{set case-insensitive} command, see
12770 @ref{Symbols}, for the details.
12771
12772 @node Special Fortran Commands
12773 @subsubsection Special Fortran Commands
12774
12775 @cindex Special Fortran commands
12776
12777 @value{GDBN} has some commands to support Fortran-specific features,
12778 such as displaying common blocks.
12779
12780 @table @code
12781 @cindex @code{COMMON} blocks, Fortran
12782 @kindex info common
12783 @item info common @r{[}@var{common-name}@r{]}
12784 This command prints the values contained in the Fortran @code{COMMON}
12785 block whose name is @var{common-name}. With no argument, the names of
12786 all @code{COMMON} blocks visible at the current program location are
12787 printed.
12788 @end table
12789
12790 @node Pascal
12791 @subsection Pascal
12792
12793 @cindex Pascal support in @value{GDBN}, limitations
12794 Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or
12795 nested functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
12796 entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal
12797 syntax.
12798
12799 The Pascal-specific command @code{set print pascal_static-members}
12800 controls whether static members of Pascal objects are displayed.
12801 @xref{Print Settings, pascal_static-members}.
12802
12803 @node Modula-2
12804 @subsection Modula-2
12805
12806 @cindex Modula-2, @value{GDBN} support
12807
12808 The extensions made to @value{GDBN} to support Modula-2 only support
12809 output from the @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler (which is currently being
12810 developed). Other Modula-2 compilers are not currently supported, and
12811 attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
12812 to give an error as @value{GDBN} reads in the executable's symbol
12813 table.
12814
12815 @cindex expressions in Modula-2
12816 @menu
12817 * M2 Operators:: Built-in operators
12818 * Built-In Func/Proc:: Built-in functions and procedures
12819 * M2 Constants:: Modula-2 constants
12820 * M2 Types:: Modula-2 types
12821 * M2 Defaults:: Default settings for Modula-2
12822 * Deviations:: Deviations from standard Modula-2
12823 * M2 Checks:: Modula-2 type and range checks
12824 * M2 Scope:: The scope operators @code{::} and @code{.}
12825 * GDB/M2:: @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
12826 @end menu
12827
12828 @node M2 Operators
12829 @subsubsection Operators
12830 @cindex Modula-2 operators
12831
12832 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
12833 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
12834 often defined on groups of types. For the purposes of Modula-2, the
12835 following definitions hold:
12836
12837 @itemize @bullet
12838
12839 @item
12840 @emph{Integral types} consist of @code{INTEGER}, @code{CARDINAL}, and
12841 their subranges.
12842
12843 @item
12844 @emph{Character types} consist of @code{CHAR} and its subranges.
12845
12846 @item
12847 @emph{Floating-point types} consist of @code{REAL}.
12848
12849 @item
12850 @emph{Pointer types} consist of anything declared as @code{POINTER TO
12851 @var{type}}.
12852
12853 @item
12854 @emph{Scalar types} consist of all of the above.
12855
12856 @item
12857 @emph{Set types} consist of @code{SET} and @code{BITSET} types.
12858
12859 @item
12860 @emph{Boolean types} consist of @code{BOOLEAN}.
12861 @end itemize
12862
12863 @noindent
12864 The following operators are supported, and appear in order of
12865 increasing precedence:
12866
12867 @table @code
12868 @item ,
12869 Function argument or array index separator.
12870
12871 @item :=
12872 Assignment. The value of @var{var} @code{:=} @var{value} is
12873 @var{value}.
12874
12875 @item <@r{, }>
12876 Less than, greater than on integral, floating-point, or enumerated
12877 types.
12878
12879 @item <=@r{, }>=
12880 Less than or equal to, greater than or equal to
12881 on integral, floating-point and enumerated types, or set inclusion on
12882 set types. Same precedence as @code{<}.
12883
12884 @item =@r{, }<>@r{, }#
12885 Equality and two ways of expressing inequality, valid on scalar types.
12886 Same precedence as @code{<}. In @value{GDBN} scripts, only @code{<>} is
12887 available for inequality, since @code{#} conflicts with the script
12888 comment character.
12889
12890 @item IN
12891 Set membership. Defined on set types and the types of their members.
12892 Same precedence as @code{<}.
12893
12894 @item OR
12895 Boolean disjunction. Defined on boolean types.
12896
12897 @item AND@r{, }&
12898 Boolean conjunction. Defined on boolean types.
12899
12900 @item @@
12901 The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
12902
12903 @item +@r{, }-
12904 Addition and subtraction on integral and floating-point types, or union
12905 and difference on set types.
12906
12907 @item *
12908 Multiplication on integral and floating-point types, or set intersection
12909 on set types.
12910
12911 @item /
12912 Division on floating-point types, or symmetric set difference on set
12913 types. Same precedence as @code{*}.
12914
12915 @item DIV@r{, }MOD
12916 Integer division and remainder. Defined on integral types. Same
12917 precedence as @code{*}.
12918
12919 @item -
12920 Negative. Defined on @code{INTEGER} and @code{REAL} data.
12921
12922 @item ^
12923 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types.
12924
12925 @item NOT
12926 Boolean negation. Defined on boolean types. Same precedence as
12927 @code{^}.
12928
12929 @item .
12930 @code{RECORD} field selector. Defined on @code{RECORD} data. Same
12931 precedence as @code{^}.
12932
12933 @item []
12934 Array indexing. Defined on @code{ARRAY} data. Same precedence as @code{^}.
12935
12936 @item ()
12937 Procedure argument list. Defined on @code{PROCEDURE} objects. Same precedence
12938 as @code{^}.
12939
12940 @item ::@r{, }.
12941 @value{GDBN} and Modula-2 scope operators.
12942 @end table
12943
12944 @quotation
12945 @emph{Warning:} Set expressions and their operations are not yet supported, so @value{GDBN}
12946 treats the use of the operator @code{IN}, or the use of operators
12947 @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{=}, , @code{<>}, @code{#},
12948 @code{<=}, and @code{>=} on sets as an error.
12949 @end quotation
12950
12951
12952 @node Built-In Func/Proc
12953 @subsubsection Built-in Functions and Procedures
12954 @cindex Modula-2 built-ins
12955
12956 Modula-2 also makes available several built-in procedures and functions.
12957 In describing these, the following metavariables are used:
12958
12959 @table @var
12960
12961 @item a
12962 represents an @code{ARRAY} variable.
12963
12964 @item c
12965 represents a @code{CHAR} constant or variable.
12966
12967 @item i
12968 represents a variable or constant of integral type.
12969
12970 @item m
12971 represents an identifier that belongs to a set. Generally used in the
12972 same function with the metavariable @var{s}. The type of @var{s} should
12973 be @code{SET OF @var{mtype}} (where @var{mtype} is the type of @var{m}).
12974
12975 @item n
12976 represents a variable or constant of integral or floating-point type.
12977
12978 @item r
12979 represents a variable or constant of floating-point type.
12980
12981 @item t
12982 represents a type.
12983
12984 @item v
12985 represents a variable.
12986
12987 @item x
12988 represents a variable or constant of one of many types. See the
12989 explanation of the function for details.
12990 @end table
12991
12992 All Modula-2 built-in procedures also return a result, described below.
12993
12994 @table @code
12995 @item ABS(@var{n})
12996 Returns the absolute value of @var{n}.
12997
12998 @item CAP(@var{c})
12999 If @var{c} is a lower case letter, it returns its upper case
13000 equivalent, otherwise it returns its argument.
13001
13002 @item CHR(@var{i})
13003 Returns the character whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
13004
13005 @item DEC(@var{v})
13006 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
13007
13008 @item DEC(@var{v},@var{i})
13009 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
13010 new value.
13011
13012 @item EXCL(@var{m},@var{s})
13013 Removes the element @var{m} from the set @var{s}. Returns the new
13014 set.
13015
13016 @item FLOAT(@var{i})
13017 Returns the floating point equivalent of the integer @var{i}.
13018
13019 @item HIGH(@var{a})
13020 Returns the index of the last member of @var{a}.
13021
13022 @item INC(@var{v})
13023 Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
13024
13025 @item INC(@var{v},@var{i})
13026 Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
13027 new value.
13028
13029 @item INCL(@var{m},@var{s})
13030 Adds the element @var{m} to the set @var{s} if it is not already
13031 there. Returns the new set.
13032
13033 @item MAX(@var{t})
13034 Returns the maximum value of the type @var{t}.
13035
13036 @item MIN(@var{t})
13037 Returns the minimum value of the type @var{t}.
13038
13039 @item ODD(@var{i})
13040 Returns boolean TRUE if @var{i} is an odd number.
13041
13042 @item ORD(@var{x})
13043 Returns the ordinal value of its argument. For example, the ordinal
13044 value of a character is its @sc{ascii} value (on machines supporting the
13045 @sc{ascii} character set). @var{x} must be of an ordered type, which include
13046 integral, character and enumerated types.
13047
13048 @item SIZE(@var{x})
13049 Returns the size of its argument. @var{x} can be a variable or a type.
13050
13051 @item TRUNC(@var{r})
13052 Returns the integral part of @var{r}.
13053
13054 @item TSIZE(@var{x})
13055 Returns the size of its argument. @var{x} can be a variable or a type.
13056
13057 @item VAL(@var{t},@var{i})
13058 Returns the member of the type @var{t} whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
13059 @end table
13060
13061 @quotation
13062 @emph{Warning:} Sets and their operations are not yet supported, so
13063 @value{GDBN} treats the use of procedures @code{INCL} and @code{EXCL} as
13064 an error.
13065 @end quotation
13066
13067 @cindex Modula-2 constants
13068 @node M2 Constants
13069 @subsubsection Constants
13070
13071 @value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of Modula-2 in the following
13072 ways:
13073
13074 @itemize @bullet
13075
13076 @item
13077 Integer constants are simply a sequence of digits. When used in an
13078 expression, a constant is interpreted to be type-compatible with the
13079 rest of the expression. Hexadecimal integers are specified by a
13080 trailing @samp{H}, and octal integers by a trailing @samp{B}.
13081
13082 @item
13083 Floating point constants appear as a sequence of digits, followed by a
13084 decimal point and another sequence of digits. An optional exponent can
13085 then be specified, in the form @samp{E@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}, where
13086 @samp{@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}} is the desired exponent. All of the
13087 digits of the floating point constant must be valid decimal (base 10)
13088 digits.
13089
13090 @item
13091 Character constants consist of a single character enclosed by a pair of
13092 like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}). They may
13093 also be expressed by their ordinal value (their @sc{ascii} value, usually)
13094 followed by a @samp{C}.
13095
13096 @item
13097 String constants consist of a sequence of characters enclosed by a
13098 pair of like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}).
13099 Escape sequences in the style of C are also allowed. @xref{C
13100 Constants, ,C and C@t{++} Constants}, for a brief explanation of escape
13101 sequences.
13102
13103 @item
13104 Enumerated constants consist of an enumerated identifier.
13105
13106 @item
13107 Boolean constants consist of the identifiers @code{TRUE} and
13108 @code{FALSE}.
13109
13110 @item
13111 Pointer constants consist of integral values only.
13112
13113 @item
13114 Set constants are not yet supported.
13115 @end itemize
13116
13117 @node M2 Types
13118 @subsubsection Modula-2 Types
13119 @cindex Modula-2 types
13120
13121 Currently @value{GDBN} can print the following data types in Modula-2
13122 syntax: array types, record types, set types, pointer types, procedure
13123 types, enumerated types, subrange types and base types. You can also
13124 print the contents of variables declared using these type.
13125 This section gives a number of simple source code examples together with
13126 sample @value{GDBN} sessions.
13127
13128 The first example contains the following section of code:
13129
13130 @smallexample
13131 VAR
13132 s: SET OF CHAR ;
13133 r: [20..40] ;
13134 @end smallexample
13135
13136 @noindent
13137 and you can request @value{GDBN} to interrogate the type and value of
13138 @code{r} and @code{s}.
13139
13140 @smallexample
13141 (@value{GDBP}) print s
13142 @{'A'..'C', 'Z'@}
13143 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
13144 SET OF CHAR
13145 (@value{GDBP}) print r
13146 21
13147 (@value{GDBP}) ptype r
13148 [20..40]
13149 @end smallexample
13150
13151 @noindent
13152 Likewise if your source code declares @code{s} as:
13153
13154 @smallexample
13155 VAR
13156 s: SET ['A'..'Z'] ;
13157 @end smallexample
13158
13159 @noindent
13160 then you may query the type of @code{s} by:
13161
13162 @smallexample
13163 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
13164 type = SET ['A'..'Z']
13165 @end smallexample
13166
13167 @noindent
13168 Note that at present you cannot interactively manipulate set
13169 expressions using the debugger.
13170
13171 The following example shows how you might declare an array in Modula-2
13172 and how you can interact with @value{GDBN} to print its type and contents:
13173
13174 @smallexample
13175 VAR
13176 s: ARRAY [-10..10] OF CHAR ;
13177 @end smallexample
13178
13179 @smallexample
13180 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
13181 ARRAY [-10..10] OF CHAR
13182 @end smallexample
13183
13184 Note that the array handling is not yet complete and although the type
13185 is printed correctly, expression handling still assumes that all
13186 arrays have a lower bound of zero and not @code{-10} as in the example
13187 above.
13188
13189 Here are some more type related Modula-2 examples:
13190
13191 @smallexample
13192 TYPE
13193 colour = (blue, red, yellow, green) ;
13194 t = [blue..yellow] ;
13195 VAR
13196 s: t ;
13197 BEGIN
13198 s := blue ;
13199 @end smallexample
13200
13201 @noindent
13202 The @value{GDBN} interaction shows how you can query the data type
13203 and value of a variable.
13204
13205 @smallexample
13206 (@value{GDBP}) print s
13207 $1 = blue
13208 (@value{GDBP}) ptype t
13209 type = [blue..yellow]
13210 @end smallexample
13211
13212 @noindent
13213 In this example a Modula-2 array is declared and its contents
13214 displayed. Observe that the contents are written in the same way as
13215 their @code{C} counterparts.
13216
13217 @smallexample
13218 VAR
13219 s: ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL ;
13220 BEGIN
13221 s[1] := 1 ;
13222 @end smallexample
13223
13224 @smallexample
13225 (@value{GDBP}) print s
13226 $1 = @{1, 0, 0, 0, 0@}
13227 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
13228 type = ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL
13229 @end smallexample
13230
13231 The Modula-2 language interface to @value{GDBN} also understands
13232 pointer types as shown in this example:
13233
13234 @smallexample
13235 VAR
13236 s: POINTER TO ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL ;
13237 BEGIN
13238 NEW(s) ;
13239 s^[1] := 1 ;
13240 @end smallexample
13241
13242 @noindent
13243 and you can request that @value{GDBN} describes the type of @code{s}.
13244
13245 @smallexample
13246 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
13247 type = POINTER TO ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL
13248 @end smallexample
13249
13250 @value{GDBN} handles compound types as we can see in this example.
13251 Here we combine array types, record types, pointer types and subrange
13252 types:
13253
13254 @smallexample
13255 TYPE
13256 foo = RECORD
13257 f1: CARDINAL ;
13258 f2: CHAR ;
13259 f3: myarray ;
13260 END ;
13261
13262 myarray = ARRAY myrange OF CARDINAL ;
13263 myrange = [-2..2] ;
13264 VAR
13265 s: POINTER TO ARRAY myrange OF foo ;
13266 @end smallexample
13267
13268 @noindent
13269 and you can ask @value{GDBN} to describe the type of @code{s} as shown
13270 below.
13271
13272 @smallexample
13273 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
13274 type = POINTER TO ARRAY [-2..2] OF foo = RECORD
13275 f1 : CARDINAL;
13276 f2 : CHAR;
13277 f3 : ARRAY [-2..2] OF CARDINAL;
13278 END
13279 @end smallexample
13280
13281 @node M2 Defaults
13282 @subsubsection Modula-2 Defaults
13283 @cindex Modula-2 defaults
13284
13285 If type and range checking are set automatically by @value{GDBN}, they
13286 both default to @code{on} whenever the working language changes to
13287 Modula-2. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
13288 selected the working language.
13289
13290 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, then entering
13291 code compiled from a file whose name ends with @file{.mod} sets the
13292 working language to Modula-2. @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN}
13293 Infer the Source Language}, for further details.
13294
13295 @node Deviations
13296 @subsubsection Deviations from Standard Modula-2
13297 @cindex Modula-2, deviations from
13298
13299 A few changes have been made to make Modula-2 programs easier to debug.
13300 This is done primarily via loosening its type strictness:
13301
13302 @itemize @bullet
13303 @item
13304 Unlike in standard Modula-2, pointer constants can be formed by
13305 integers. This allows you to modify pointer variables during
13306 debugging. (In standard Modula-2, the actual address contained in a
13307 pointer variable is hidden from you; it can only be modified
13308 through direct assignment to another pointer variable or expression that
13309 returned a pointer.)
13310
13311 @item
13312 C escape sequences can be used in strings and characters to represent
13313 non-printable characters. @value{GDBN} prints out strings with these
13314 escape sequences embedded. Single non-printable characters are
13315 printed using the @samp{CHR(@var{nnn})} format.
13316
13317 @item
13318 The assignment operator (@code{:=}) returns the value of its right-hand
13319 argument.
13320
13321 @item
13322 All built-in procedures both modify @emph{and} return their argument.
13323 @end itemize
13324
13325 @node M2 Checks
13326 @subsubsection Modula-2 Type and Range Checks
13327 @cindex Modula-2 checks
13328
13329 @quotation
13330 @emph{Warning:} in this release, @value{GDBN} does not yet perform type or
13331 range checking.
13332 @end quotation
13333 @c FIXME remove warning when type/range checks added
13334
13335 @value{GDBN} considers two Modula-2 variables type equivalent if:
13336
13337 @itemize @bullet
13338 @item
13339 They are of types that have been declared equivalent via a @code{TYPE
13340 @var{t1} = @var{t2}} statement
13341
13342 @item
13343 They have been declared on the same line. (Note: This is true of the
13344 @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler, but it may not be true of other compilers.)
13345 @end itemize
13346
13347 As long as type checking is enabled, any attempt to combine variables
13348 whose types are not equivalent is an error.
13349
13350 Range checking is done on all mathematical operations, assignment, array
13351 index bounds, and all built-in functions and procedures.
13352
13353 @node M2 Scope
13354 @subsubsection The Scope Operators @code{::} and @code{.}
13355 @cindex scope
13356 @cindex @code{.}, Modula-2 scope operator
13357 @cindex colon, doubled as scope operator
13358 @ifinfo
13359 @vindex colon-colon@r{, in Modula-2}
13360 @c Info cannot handle :: but TeX can.
13361 @end ifinfo
13362 @ifnotinfo
13363 @vindex ::@r{, in Modula-2}
13364 @end ifnotinfo
13365
13366 There are a few subtle differences between the Modula-2 scope operator
13367 (@code{.}) and the @value{GDBN} scope operator (@code{::}). The two have
13368 similar syntax:
13369
13370 @smallexample
13371
13372 @var{module} . @var{id}
13373 @var{scope} :: @var{id}
13374 @end smallexample
13375
13376 @noindent
13377 where @var{scope} is the name of a module or a procedure,
13378 @var{module} the name of a module, and @var{id} is any declared
13379 identifier within your program, except another module.
13380
13381 Using the @code{::} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the scope
13382 specified by @var{scope} for the identifier @var{id}. If it is not
13383 found in the specified scope, then @value{GDBN} searches all scopes
13384 enclosing the one specified by @var{scope}.
13385
13386 Using the @code{.} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the current scope for
13387 the identifier specified by @var{id} that was imported from the
13388 definition module specified by @var{module}. With this operator, it is
13389 an error if the identifier @var{id} was not imported from definition
13390 module @var{module}, or if @var{id} is not an identifier in
13391 @var{module}.
13392
13393 @node GDB/M2
13394 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
13395
13396 Some @value{GDBN} commands have little use when debugging Modula-2 programs.
13397 Five subcommands of @code{set print} and @code{show print} apply
13398 specifically to C and C@t{++}: @samp{vtbl}, @samp{demangle},
13399 @samp{asm-demangle}, @samp{object}, and @samp{union}. The first four
13400 apply to C@t{++}, and the last to the C @code{union} type, which has no direct
13401 analogue in Modula-2.
13402
13403 The @code{@@} operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}), while available
13404 with any language, is not useful with Modula-2. Its
13405 intent is to aid the debugging of @dfn{dynamic arrays}, which cannot be
13406 created in Modula-2 as they can in C or C@t{++}. However, because an
13407 address can be specified by an integral constant, the construct
13408 @samp{@{@var{type}@}@var{adrexp}} is still useful.
13409
13410 @cindex @code{#} in Modula-2
13411 In @value{GDBN} scripts, the Modula-2 inequality operator @code{#} is
13412 interpreted as the beginning of a comment. Use @code{<>} instead.
13413
13414 @node Ada
13415 @subsection Ada
13416 @cindex Ada
13417
13418 The extensions made to @value{GDBN} for Ada only support
13419 output from the @sc{gnu} Ada (GNAT) compiler.
13420 Other Ada compilers are not currently supported, and
13421 attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
13422 to be difficult.
13423
13424
13425 @cindex expressions in Ada
13426 @menu
13427 * Ada Mode Intro:: General remarks on the Ada syntax
13428 and semantics supported by Ada mode
13429 in @value{GDBN}.
13430 * Omissions from Ada:: Restrictions on the Ada expression syntax.
13431 * Additions to Ada:: Extensions of the Ada expression syntax.
13432 * Stopping Before Main Program:: Debugging the program during elaboration.
13433 * Ada Tasks:: Listing and setting breakpoints in tasks.
13434 * Ada Tasks and Core Files:: Tasking Support when Debugging Core Files
13435 * Ravenscar Profile:: Tasking Support when using the Ravenscar
13436 Profile
13437 * Ada Glitches:: Known peculiarities of Ada mode.
13438 @end menu
13439
13440 @node Ada Mode Intro
13441 @subsubsection Introduction
13442 @cindex Ada mode, general
13443
13444 The Ada mode of @value{GDBN} supports a fairly large subset of Ada expression
13445 syntax, with some extensions.
13446 The philosophy behind the design of this subset is
13447
13448 @itemize @bullet
13449 @item
13450 That @value{GDBN} should provide basic literals and access to operations for
13451 arithmetic, dereferencing, field selection, indexing, and subprogram calls,
13452 leaving more sophisticated computations to subprograms written into the
13453 program (which therefore may be called from @value{GDBN}).
13454
13455 @item
13456 That type safety and strict adherence to Ada language restrictions
13457 are not particularly important to the @value{GDBN} user.
13458
13459 @item
13460 That brevity is important to the @value{GDBN} user.
13461 @end itemize
13462
13463 Thus, for brevity, the debugger acts as if all names declared in
13464 user-written packages are directly visible, even if they are not visible
13465 according to Ada rules, thus making it unnecessary to fully qualify most
13466 names with their packages, regardless of context. Where this causes
13467 ambiguity, @value{GDBN} asks the user's intent.
13468
13469 The debugger will start in Ada mode if it detects an Ada main program.
13470 As for other languages, it will enter Ada mode when stopped in a program that
13471 was translated from an Ada source file.
13472
13473 While in Ada mode, you may use `@t{--}' for comments. This is useful
13474 mostly for documenting command files. The standard @value{GDBN} comment
13475 (@samp{#}) still works at the beginning of a line in Ada mode, but not in the
13476 middle (to allow based literals).
13477
13478 The debugger supports limited overloading. Given a subprogram call in which
13479 the function symbol has multiple definitions, it will use the number of
13480 actual parameters and some information about their types to attempt to narrow
13481 the set of definitions. It also makes very limited use of context, preferring
13482 procedures to functions in the context of the @code{call} command, and
13483 functions to procedures elsewhere.
13484
13485 @node Omissions from Ada
13486 @subsubsection Omissions from Ada
13487 @cindex Ada, omissions from
13488
13489 Here are the notable omissions from the subset:
13490
13491 @itemize @bullet
13492 @item
13493 Only a subset of the attributes are supported:
13494
13495 @itemize @minus
13496 @item
13497 @t{'First}, @t{'Last}, and @t{'Length}
13498 on array objects (not on types and subtypes).
13499
13500 @item
13501 @t{'Min} and @t{'Max}.
13502
13503 @item
13504 @t{'Pos} and @t{'Val}.
13505
13506 @item
13507 @t{'Tag}.
13508
13509 @item
13510 @t{'Range} on array objects (not subtypes), but only as the right
13511 operand of the membership (@code{in}) operator.
13512
13513 @item
13514 @t{'Access}, @t{'Unchecked_Access}, and
13515 @t{'Unrestricted_Access} (a GNAT extension).
13516
13517 @item
13518 @t{'Address}.
13519 @end itemize
13520
13521 @item
13522 The names in
13523 @code{Characters.Latin_1} are not available and
13524 concatenation is not implemented. Thus, escape characters in strings are
13525 not currently available.
13526
13527 @item
13528 Equality tests (@samp{=} and @samp{/=}) on arrays test for bitwise
13529 equality of representations. They will generally work correctly
13530 for strings and arrays whose elements have integer or enumeration types.
13531 They may not work correctly for arrays whose element
13532 types have user-defined equality, for arrays of real values
13533 (in particular, IEEE-conformant floating point, because of negative
13534 zeroes and NaNs), and for arrays whose elements contain unused bits with
13535 indeterminate values.
13536
13537 @item
13538 The other component-by-component array operations (@code{and}, @code{or},
13539 @code{xor}, @code{not}, and relational tests other than equality)
13540 are not implemented.
13541
13542 @item
13543 @cindex array aggregates (Ada)
13544 @cindex record aggregates (Ada)
13545 @cindex aggregates (Ada)
13546 There is limited support for array and record aggregates. They are
13547 permitted only on the right sides of assignments, as in these examples:
13548
13549 @smallexample
13550 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
13551 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (1, others => 0)
13552 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (0|4 => 1, 1..3 => 2, 5 => 6)
13553 (@value{GDBP}) set A_2D_Array := ((1, 2, 3), (4, 5, 6), (7, 8, 9))
13554 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Record := (1, "Peter", True);
13555 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Record := (Name => "Peter", Id => 1, Alive => True)
13556 @end smallexample
13557
13558 Changing a
13559 discriminant's value by assigning an aggregate has an
13560 undefined effect if that discriminant is used within the record.
13561 However, you can first modify discriminants by directly assigning to
13562 them (which normally would not be allowed in Ada), and then performing an
13563 aggregate assignment. For example, given a variable @code{A_Rec}
13564 declared to have a type such as:
13565
13566 @smallexample
13567 type Rec (Len : Small_Integer := 0) is record
13568 Id : Integer;
13569 Vals : IntArray (1 .. Len);
13570 end record;
13571 @end smallexample
13572
13573 you can assign a value with a different size of @code{Vals} with two
13574 assignments:
13575
13576 @smallexample
13577 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Rec.Len := 4
13578 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Rec := (Id => 42, Vals => (1, 2, 3, 4))
13579 @end smallexample
13580
13581 As this example also illustrates, @value{GDBN} is very loose about the usual
13582 rules concerning aggregates. You may leave out some of the
13583 components of an array or record aggregate (such as the @code{Len}
13584 component in the assignment to @code{A_Rec} above); they will retain their
13585 original values upon assignment. You may freely use dynamic values as
13586 indices in component associations. You may even use overlapping or
13587 redundant component associations, although which component values are
13588 assigned in such cases is not defined.
13589
13590 @item
13591 Calls to dispatching subprograms are not implemented.
13592
13593 @item
13594 The overloading algorithm is much more limited (i.e., less selective)
13595 than that of real Ada. It makes only limited use of the context in
13596 which a subexpression appears to resolve its meaning, and it is much
13597 looser in its rules for allowing type matches. As a result, some
13598 function calls will be ambiguous, and the user will be asked to choose
13599 the proper resolution.
13600
13601 @item
13602 The @code{new} operator is not implemented.
13603
13604 @item
13605 Entry calls are not implemented.
13606
13607 @item
13608 Aside from printing, arithmetic operations on the native VAX floating-point
13609 formats are not supported.
13610
13611 @item
13612 It is not possible to slice a packed array.
13613
13614 @item
13615 The names @code{True} and @code{False}, when not part of a qualified name,
13616 are interpreted as if implicitly prefixed by @code{Standard}, regardless of
13617 context.
13618 Should your program
13619 redefine these names in a package or procedure (at best a dubious practice),
13620 you will have to use fully qualified names to access their new definitions.
13621 @end itemize
13622
13623 @node Additions to Ada
13624 @subsubsection Additions to Ada
13625 @cindex Ada, deviations from
13626
13627 As it does for other languages, @value{GDBN} makes certain generic
13628 extensions to Ada (@pxref{Expressions}):
13629
13630 @itemize @bullet
13631 @item
13632 If the expression @var{E} is a variable residing in memory (typically
13633 a local variable or array element) and @var{N} is a positive integer,
13634 then @code{@var{E}@@@var{N}} displays the values of @var{E} and the
13635 @var{N}-1 adjacent variables following it in memory as an array. In
13636 Ada, this operator is generally not necessary, since its prime use is
13637 in displaying parts of an array, and slicing will usually do this in
13638 Ada. However, there are occasional uses when debugging programs in
13639 which certain debugging information has been optimized away.
13640
13641 @item
13642 @code{@var{B}::@var{var}} means ``the variable named @var{var} that
13643 appears in function or file @var{B}.'' When @var{B} is a file name,
13644 you must typically surround it in single quotes.
13645
13646 @item
13647 The expression @code{@{@var{type}@} @var{addr}} means ``the variable of type
13648 @var{type} that appears at address @var{addr}.''
13649
13650 @item
13651 A name starting with @samp{$} is a convenience variable
13652 (@pxref{Convenience Vars}) or a machine register (@pxref{Registers}).
13653 @end itemize
13654
13655 In addition, @value{GDBN} provides a few other shortcuts and outright
13656 additions specific to Ada:
13657
13658 @itemize @bullet
13659 @item
13660 The assignment statement is allowed as an expression, returning
13661 its right-hand operand as its value. Thus, you may enter
13662
13663 @smallexample
13664 (@value{GDBP}) set x := y + 3
13665 (@value{GDBP}) print A(tmp := y + 1)
13666 @end smallexample
13667
13668 @item
13669 The semicolon is allowed as an ``operator,'' returning as its value
13670 the value of its right-hand operand.
13671 This allows, for example,
13672 complex conditional breaks:
13673
13674 @smallexample
13675 (@value{GDBP}) break f
13676 (@value{GDBP}) condition 1 (report(i); k += 1; A(k) > 100)
13677 @end smallexample
13678
13679 @item
13680 Rather than use catenation and symbolic character names to introduce special
13681 characters into strings, one may instead use a special bracket notation,
13682 which is also used to print strings. A sequence of characters of the form
13683 @samp{["@var{XX}"]} within a string or character literal denotes the
13684 (single) character whose numeric encoding is @var{XX} in hexadecimal. The
13685 sequence of characters @samp{["""]} also denotes a single quotation mark
13686 in strings. For example,
13687 @smallexample
13688 "One line.["0a"]Next line.["0a"]"
13689 @end smallexample
13690 @noindent
13691 contains an ASCII newline character (@code{Ada.Characters.Latin_1.LF})
13692 after each period.
13693
13694 @item
13695 The subtype used as a prefix for the attributes @t{'Pos}, @t{'Min}, and
13696 @t{'Max} is optional (and is ignored in any case). For example, it is valid
13697 to write
13698
13699 @smallexample
13700 (@value{GDBP}) print 'max(x, y)
13701 @end smallexample
13702
13703 @item
13704 When printing arrays, @value{GDBN} uses positional notation when the
13705 array has a lower bound of 1, and uses a modified named notation otherwise.
13706 For example, a one-dimensional array of three integers with a lower bound
13707 of 3 might print as
13708
13709 @smallexample
13710 (3 => 10, 17, 1)
13711 @end smallexample
13712
13713 @noindent
13714 That is, in contrast to valid Ada, only the first component has a @code{=>}
13715 clause.
13716
13717 @item
13718 You may abbreviate attributes in expressions with any unique,
13719 multi-character subsequence of
13720 their names (an exact match gets preference).
13721 For example, you may use @t{a'len}, @t{a'gth}, or @t{a'lh}
13722 in place of @t{a'length}.
13723
13724 @item
13725 @cindex quoting Ada internal identifiers
13726 Since Ada is case-insensitive, the debugger normally maps identifiers you type
13727 to lower case. The GNAT compiler uses upper-case characters for
13728 some of its internal identifiers, which are normally of no interest to users.
13729 For the rare occasions when you actually have to look at them,
13730 enclose them in angle brackets to avoid the lower-case mapping.
13731 For example,
13732 @smallexample
13733 (@value{GDBP}) print <JMPBUF_SAVE>[0]
13734 @end smallexample
13735
13736 @item
13737 Printing an object of class-wide type or dereferencing an
13738 access-to-class-wide value will display all the components of the object's
13739 specific type (as indicated by its run-time tag). Likewise, component
13740 selection on such a value will operate on the specific type of the
13741 object.
13742
13743 @end itemize
13744
13745 @node Stopping Before Main Program
13746 @subsubsection Stopping at the Very Beginning
13747
13748 @cindex breakpointing Ada elaboration code
13749 It is sometimes necessary to debug the program during elaboration, and
13750 before reaching the main procedure.
13751 As defined in the Ada Reference
13752 Manual, the elaboration code is invoked from a procedure called
13753 @code{adainit}. To run your program up to the beginning of
13754 elaboration, simply use the following two commands:
13755 @code{tbreak adainit} and @code{run}.
13756
13757 @node Ada Tasks
13758 @subsubsection Extensions for Ada Tasks
13759 @cindex Ada, tasking
13760
13761 Support for Ada tasks is analogous to that for threads (@pxref{Threads}).
13762 @value{GDBN} provides the following task-related commands:
13763
13764 @table @code
13765 @kindex info tasks
13766 @item info tasks
13767 This command shows a list of current Ada tasks, as in the following example:
13768
13769
13770 @smallexample
13771 @iftex
13772 @leftskip=0.5cm
13773 @end iftex
13774 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
13775 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
13776 1 8088000 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
13777 2 80a4000 1 15 Accept Statement b
13778 3 809a800 1 15 Child Activation Wait a
13779 * 4 80ae800 3 15 Runnable c
13780
13781 @end smallexample
13782
13783 @noindent
13784 In this listing, the asterisk before the last task indicates it to be the
13785 task currently being inspected.
13786
13787 @table @asis
13788 @item ID
13789 Represents @value{GDBN}'s internal task number.
13790
13791 @item TID
13792 The Ada task ID.
13793
13794 @item P-ID
13795 The parent's task ID (@value{GDBN}'s internal task number).
13796
13797 @item Pri
13798 The base priority of the task.
13799
13800 @item State
13801 Current state of the task.
13802
13803 @table @code
13804 @item Unactivated
13805 The task has been created but has not been activated. It cannot be
13806 executing.
13807
13808 @item Runnable
13809 The task is not blocked for any reason known to Ada. (It may be waiting
13810 for a mutex, though.) It is conceptually "executing" in normal mode.
13811
13812 @item Terminated
13813 The task is terminated, in the sense of ARM 9.3 (5). Any dependents
13814 that were waiting on terminate alternatives have been awakened and have
13815 terminated themselves.
13816
13817 @item Child Activation Wait
13818 The task is waiting for created tasks to complete activation.
13819
13820 @item Accept Statement
13821 The task is waiting on an accept or selective wait statement.
13822
13823 @item Waiting on entry call
13824 The task is waiting on an entry call.
13825
13826 @item Async Select Wait
13827 The task is waiting to start the abortable part of an asynchronous
13828 select statement.
13829
13830 @item Delay Sleep
13831 The task is waiting on a select statement with only a delay
13832 alternative open.
13833
13834 @item Child Termination Wait
13835 The task is sleeping having completed a master within itself, and is
13836 waiting for the tasks dependent on that master to become terminated or
13837 waiting on a terminate Phase.
13838
13839 @item Wait Child in Term Alt
13840 The task is sleeping waiting for tasks on terminate alternatives to
13841 finish terminating.
13842
13843 @item Accepting RV with @var{taskno}
13844 The task is accepting a rendez-vous with the task @var{taskno}.
13845 @end table
13846
13847 @item Name
13848 Name of the task in the program.
13849
13850 @end table
13851
13852 @kindex info task @var{taskno}
13853 @item info task @var{taskno}
13854 This command shows detailled informations on the specified task, as in
13855 the following example:
13856 @smallexample
13857 @iftex
13858 @leftskip=0.5cm
13859 @end iftex
13860 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
13861 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
13862 1 8077880 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
13863 * 2 807c468 1 15 Runnable task_1
13864 (@value{GDBP}) info task 2
13865 Ada Task: 0x807c468
13866 Name: task_1
13867 Thread: 0x807f378
13868 Parent: 1 (main_task)
13869 Base Priority: 15
13870 State: Runnable
13871 @end smallexample
13872
13873 @item task
13874 @kindex task@r{ (Ada)}
13875 @cindex current Ada task ID
13876 This command prints the ID of the current task.
13877
13878 @smallexample
13879 @iftex
13880 @leftskip=0.5cm
13881 @end iftex
13882 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
13883 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
13884 1 8077870 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
13885 * 2 807c458 1 15 Runnable t
13886 (@value{GDBP}) task
13887 [Current task is 2]
13888 @end smallexample
13889
13890 @item task @var{taskno}
13891 @cindex Ada task switching
13892 This command is like the @code{thread @var{threadno}}
13893 command (@pxref{Threads}). It switches the context of debugging
13894 from the current task to the given task.
13895
13896 @smallexample
13897 @iftex
13898 @leftskip=0.5cm
13899 @end iftex
13900 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
13901 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
13902 1 8077870 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
13903 * 2 807c458 1 15 Runnable t
13904 (@value{GDBP}) task 1
13905 [Switching to task 1]
13906 #0 0x8067726 in pthread_cond_wait ()
13907 (@value{GDBP}) bt
13908 #0 0x8067726 in pthread_cond_wait ()
13909 #1 0x8056714 in system.os_interface.pthread_cond_wait ()
13910 #2 0x805cb63 in system.task_primitives.operations.sleep ()
13911 #3 0x806153e in system.tasking.stages.activate_tasks ()
13912 #4 0x804aacc in un () at un.adb:5
13913 @end smallexample
13914
13915 @item break @var{linespec} task @var{taskno}
13916 @itemx break @var{linespec} task @var{taskno} if @dots{}
13917 @cindex breakpoints and tasks, in Ada
13918 @cindex task breakpoints, in Ada
13919 @kindex break @dots{} task @var{taskno}@r{ (Ada)}
13920 These commands are like the @code{break @dots{} thread @dots{}}
13921 command (@pxref{Thread Stops}).
13922 @var{linespec} specifies source lines, as described
13923 in @ref{Specify Location}.
13924
13925 Use the qualifier @samp{task @var{taskno}} with a breakpoint command
13926 to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
13927 particular Ada task reaches this breakpoint. @var{taskno} is one of the
13928 numeric task identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown in the first
13929 column of the @samp{info tasks} display.
13930
13931 If you do not specify @samp{task @var{taskno}} when you set a
13932 breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} tasks of your
13933 program.
13934
13935 You can use the @code{task} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
13936 well; in this case, place @samp{task @var{taskno}} before the
13937 breakpoint condition (before the @code{if}).
13938
13939 For example,
13940
13941 @smallexample
13942 @iftex
13943 @leftskip=0.5cm
13944 @end iftex
13945 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
13946 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
13947 1 140022020 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
13948 2 140045060 1 15 Accept/Select Wait t2
13949 3 140044840 1 15 Runnable t1
13950 * 4 140056040 1 15 Runnable t3
13951 (@value{GDBP}) b 15 task 2
13952 Breakpoint 5 at 0x120044cb0: file test_task_debug.adb, line 15.
13953 (@value{GDBP}) cont
13954 Continuing.
13955 task # 1 running
13956 task # 2 running
13957
13958 Breakpoint 5, test_task_debug () at test_task_debug.adb:15
13959 15 flush;
13960 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
13961 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
13962 1 140022020 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
13963 * 2 140045060 1 15 Runnable t2
13964 3 140044840 1 15 Runnable t1
13965 4 140056040 1 15 Delay Sleep t3
13966 @end smallexample
13967 @end table
13968
13969 @node Ada Tasks and Core Files
13970 @subsubsection Tasking Support when Debugging Core Files
13971 @cindex Ada tasking and core file debugging
13972
13973 When inspecting a core file, as opposed to debugging a live program,
13974 tasking support may be limited or even unavailable, depending on
13975 the platform being used.
13976 For instance, on x86-linux, the list of tasks is available, but task
13977 switching is not supported. On Tru64, however, task switching will work
13978 as usual.
13979
13980 On certain platforms, including Tru64, the debugger needs to perform some
13981 memory writes in order to provide Ada tasking support. When inspecting
13982 a core file, this means that the core file must be opened with read-write
13983 privileges, using the command @samp{"set write on"} (@pxref{Patching}).
13984 Under these circumstances, you should make a backup copy of the core
13985 file before inspecting it with @value{GDBN}.
13986
13987 @node Ravenscar Profile
13988 @subsubsection Tasking Support when using the Ravenscar Profile
13989 @cindex Ravenscar Profile
13990
13991 The @dfn{Ravenscar Profile} is a subset of the Ada tasking features,
13992 specifically designed for systems with safety-critical real-time
13993 requirements.
13994
13995 @table @code
13996 @kindex set ravenscar task-switching on
13997 @cindex task switching with program using Ravenscar Profile
13998 @item set ravenscar task-switching on
13999 Allows task switching when debugging a program that uses the Ravenscar
14000 Profile. This is the default.
14001
14002 @kindex set ravenscar task-switching off
14003 @item set ravenscar task-switching off
14004 Turn off task switching when debugging a program that uses the Ravenscar
14005 Profile. This is mostly intended to disable the code that adds support
14006 for the Ravenscar Profile, in case a bug in either @value{GDBN} or in
14007 the Ravenscar runtime is preventing @value{GDBN} from working properly.
14008 To be effective, this command should be run before the program is started.
14009
14010 @kindex show ravenscar task-switching
14011 @item show ravenscar task-switching
14012 Show whether it is possible to switch from task to task in a program
14013 using the Ravenscar Profile.
14014
14015 @end table
14016
14017 @node Ada Glitches
14018 @subsubsection Known Peculiarities of Ada Mode
14019 @cindex Ada, problems
14020
14021 Besides the omissions listed previously (@pxref{Omissions from Ada}),
14022 we know of several problems with and limitations of Ada mode in
14023 @value{GDBN},
14024 some of which will be fixed with planned future releases of the debugger
14025 and the GNU Ada compiler.
14026
14027 @itemize @bullet
14028 @item
14029 Static constants that the compiler chooses not to materialize as objects in
14030 storage are invisible to the debugger.
14031
14032 @item
14033 Named parameter associations in function argument lists are ignored (the
14034 argument lists are treated as positional).
14035
14036 @item
14037 Many useful library packages are currently invisible to the debugger.
14038
14039 @item
14040 Fixed-point arithmetic, conversions, input, and output is carried out using
14041 floating-point arithmetic, and may give results that only approximate those on
14042 the host machine.
14043
14044 @item
14045 The GNAT compiler never generates the prefix @code{Standard} for any of
14046 the standard symbols defined by the Ada language. @value{GDBN} knows about
14047 this: it will strip the prefix from names when you use it, and will never
14048 look for a name you have so qualified among local symbols, nor match against
14049 symbols in other packages or subprograms. If you have
14050 defined entities anywhere in your program other than parameters and
14051 local variables whose simple names match names in @code{Standard},
14052 GNAT's lack of qualification here can cause confusion. When this happens,
14053 you can usually resolve the confusion
14054 by qualifying the problematic names with package
14055 @code{Standard} explicitly.
14056 @end itemize
14057
14058 Older versions of the compiler sometimes generate erroneous debugging
14059 information, resulting in the debugger incorrectly printing the value
14060 of affected entities. In some cases, the debugger is able to work
14061 around an issue automatically. In other cases, the debugger is able
14062 to work around the issue, but the work-around has to be specifically
14063 enabled.
14064
14065 @kindex set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS
14066 @kindex show ada trust-PAD-over-XVS
14067 @table @code
14068
14069 @item set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS on
14070 Configure GDB to strictly follow the GNAT encoding when computing the
14071 value of Ada entities, particularly when @code{PAD} and @code{PAD___XVS}
14072 types are involved (see @code{ada/exp_dbug.ads} in the GCC sources for
14073 a complete description of the encoding used by the GNAT compiler).
14074 This is the default.
14075
14076 @item set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS off
14077 This is related to the encoding using by the GNAT compiler. If @value{GDBN}
14078 sometimes prints the wrong value for certain entities, changing @code{ada
14079 trust-PAD-over-XVS} to @code{off} activates a work-around which may fix
14080 the issue. It is always safe to set @code{ada trust-PAD-over-XVS} to
14081 @code{off}, but this incurs a slight performance penalty, so it is
14082 recommended to leave this setting to @code{on} unless necessary.
14083
14084 @end table
14085
14086 @node Unsupported Languages
14087 @section Unsupported Languages
14088
14089 @cindex unsupported languages
14090 @cindex minimal language
14091 In addition to the other fully-supported programming languages,
14092 @value{GDBN} also provides a pseudo-language, called @code{minimal}.
14093 It does not represent a real programming language, but provides a set
14094 of capabilities close to what the C or assembly languages provide.
14095 This should allow most simple operations to be performed while debugging
14096 an application that uses a language currently not supported by @value{GDBN}.
14097
14098 If the language is set to @code{auto}, @value{GDBN} will automatically
14099 select this language if the current frame corresponds to an unsupported
14100 language.
14101
14102 @node Symbols
14103 @chapter Examining the Symbol Table
14104
14105 The commands described in this chapter allow you to inquire about the
14106 symbols (names of variables, functions and types) defined in your
14107 program. This information is inherent in the text of your program and
14108 does not change as your program executes. @value{GDBN} finds it in your
14109 program's symbol table, in the file indicated when you started @value{GDBN}
14110 (@pxref{File Options, ,Choosing Files}), or by one of the
14111 file-management commands (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
14112
14113 @cindex symbol names
14114 @cindex names of symbols
14115 @cindex quoting names
14116 Occasionally, you may need to refer to symbols that contain unusual
14117 characters, which @value{GDBN} ordinarily treats as word delimiters. The
14118 most frequent case is in referring to static variables in other
14119 source files (@pxref{Variables,,Program Variables}). File names
14120 are recorded in object files as debugging symbols, but @value{GDBN} would
14121 ordinarily parse a typical file name, like @file{foo.c}, as the three words
14122 @samp{foo} @samp{.} @samp{c}. To allow @value{GDBN} to recognize
14123 @samp{foo.c} as a single symbol, enclose it in single quotes; for example,
14124
14125 @smallexample
14126 p 'foo.c'::x
14127 @end smallexample
14128
14129 @noindent
14130 looks up the value of @code{x} in the scope of the file @file{foo.c}.
14131
14132 @table @code
14133 @cindex case-insensitive symbol names
14134 @cindex case sensitivity in symbol names
14135 @kindex set case-sensitive
14136 @item set case-sensitive on
14137 @itemx set case-sensitive off
14138 @itemx set case-sensitive auto
14139 Normally, when @value{GDBN} looks up symbols, it matches their names
14140 with case sensitivity determined by the current source language.
14141 Occasionally, you may wish to control that. The command @code{set
14142 case-sensitive} lets you do that by specifying @code{on} for
14143 case-sensitive matches or @code{off} for case-insensitive ones. If
14144 you specify @code{auto}, case sensitivity is reset to the default
14145 suitable for the source language. The default is case-sensitive
14146 matches for all languages except for Fortran, for which the default is
14147 case-insensitive matches.
14148
14149 @kindex show case-sensitive
14150 @item show case-sensitive
14151 This command shows the current setting of case sensitivity for symbols
14152 lookups.
14153
14154 @kindex info address
14155 @cindex address of a symbol
14156 @item info address @var{symbol}
14157 Describe where the data for @var{symbol} is stored. For a register
14158 variable, this says which register it is kept in. For a non-register
14159 local variable, this prints the stack-frame offset at which the variable
14160 is always stored.
14161
14162 Note the contrast with @samp{print &@var{symbol}}, which does not work
14163 at all for a register variable, and for a stack local variable prints
14164 the exact address of the current instantiation of the variable.
14165
14166 @kindex info symbol
14167 @cindex symbol from address
14168 @cindex closest symbol and offset for an address
14169 @item info symbol @var{addr}
14170 Print the name of a symbol which is stored at the address @var{addr}.
14171 If no symbol is stored exactly at @var{addr}, @value{GDBN} prints the
14172 nearest symbol and an offset from it:
14173
14174 @smallexample
14175 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x54320
14176 _initialize_vx + 396 in section .text
14177 @end smallexample
14178
14179 @noindent
14180 This is the opposite of the @code{info address} command. You can use
14181 it to find out the name of a variable or a function given its address.
14182
14183 For dynamically linked executables, the name of executable or shared
14184 library containing the symbol is also printed:
14185
14186 @smallexample
14187 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x400225
14188 _start + 5 in section .text of /tmp/a.out
14189 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x2aaaac2811cf
14190 __read_nocancel + 6 in section .text of /usr/lib64/libc.so.6
14191 @end smallexample
14192
14193 @kindex whatis
14194 @item whatis [@var{arg}]
14195 Print the data type of @var{arg}, which can be either an expression
14196 or a name of a data type. With no argument, print the data type of
14197 @code{$}, the last value in the value history.
14198
14199 If @var{arg} is an expression (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}), it
14200 is not actually evaluated, and any side-effecting operations (such as
14201 assignments or function calls) inside it do not take place.
14202
14203 If @var{arg} is a variable or an expression, @code{whatis} prints its
14204 literal type as it is used in the source code. If the type was
14205 defined using a @code{typedef}, @code{whatis} will @emph{not} print
14206 the data type underlying the @code{typedef}. If the type of the
14207 variable or the expression is a compound data type, such as
14208 @code{struct} or @code{class}, @code{whatis} never prints their
14209 fields or methods. It just prints the @code{struct}/@code{class}
14210 name (a.k.a.@: its @dfn{tag}). If you want to see the members of
14211 such a compound data type, use @code{ptype}.
14212
14213 If @var{arg} is a type name that was defined using @code{typedef},
14214 @code{whatis} @dfn{unrolls} only one level of that @code{typedef}.
14215 Unrolling means that @code{whatis} will show the underlying type used
14216 in the @code{typedef} declaration of @var{arg}. However, if that
14217 underlying type is also a @code{typedef}, @code{whatis} will not
14218 unroll it.
14219
14220 For C code, the type names may also have the form @samp{class
14221 @var{class-name}}, @samp{struct @var{struct-tag}}, @samp{union
14222 @var{union-tag}} or @samp{enum @var{enum-tag}}.
14223
14224 @kindex ptype
14225 @item ptype [@var{arg}]
14226 @code{ptype} accepts the same arguments as @code{whatis}, but prints a
14227 detailed description of the type, instead of just the name of the type.
14228 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
14229
14230 Contrary to @code{whatis}, @code{ptype} always unrolls any
14231 @code{typedef}s in its argument declaration, whether the argument is
14232 a variable, expression, or a data type. This means that @code{ptype}
14233 of a variable or an expression will not print literally its type as
14234 present in the source code---use @code{whatis} for that. @code{typedef}s at
14235 the pointer or reference targets are also unrolled. Only @code{typedef}s of
14236 fields, methods and inner @code{class typedef}s of @code{struct}s,
14237 @code{class}es and @code{union}s are not unrolled even with @code{ptype}.
14238
14239 For example, for this variable declaration:
14240
14241 @smallexample
14242 typedef double real_t;
14243 struct complex @{ real_t real; double imag; @};
14244 typedef struct complex complex_t;
14245 complex_t var;
14246 real_t *real_pointer_var;
14247 @end smallexample
14248
14249 @noindent
14250 the two commands give this output:
14251
14252 @smallexample
14253 @group
14254 (@value{GDBP}) whatis var
14255 type = complex_t
14256 (@value{GDBP}) ptype var
14257 type = struct complex @{
14258 real_t real;
14259 double imag;
14260 @}
14261 (@value{GDBP}) whatis complex_t
14262 type = struct complex
14263 (@value{GDBP}) whatis struct complex
14264 type = struct complex
14265 (@value{GDBP}) ptype struct complex
14266 type = struct complex @{
14267 real_t real;
14268 double imag;
14269 @}
14270 (@value{GDBP}) whatis real_pointer_var
14271 type = real_t *
14272 (@value{GDBP}) ptype real_pointer_var
14273 type = double *
14274 @end group
14275 @end smallexample
14276
14277 @noindent
14278 As with @code{whatis}, using @code{ptype} without an argument refers to
14279 the type of @code{$}, the last value in the value history.
14280
14281 @cindex incomplete type
14282 Sometimes, programs use opaque data types or incomplete specifications
14283 of complex data structure. If the debug information included in the
14284 program does not allow @value{GDBN} to display a full declaration of
14285 the data type, it will say @samp{<incomplete type>}. For example,
14286 given these declarations:
14287
14288 @smallexample
14289 struct foo;
14290 struct foo *fooptr;
14291 @end smallexample
14292
14293 @noindent
14294 but no definition for @code{struct foo} itself, @value{GDBN} will say:
14295
14296 @smallexample
14297 (@value{GDBP}) ptype foo
14298 $1 = <incomplete type>
14299 @end smallexample
14300
14301 @noindent
14302 ``Incomplete type'' is C terminology for data types that are not
14303 completely specified.
14304
14305 @kindex info types
14306 @item info types @var{regexp}
14307 @itemx info types
14308 Print a brief description of all types whose names match the regular
14309 expression @var{regexp} (or all types in your program, if you supply
14310 no argument). Each complete typename is matched as though it were a
14311 complete line; thus, @samp{i type value} gives information on all
14312 types in your program whose names include the string @code{value}, but
14313 @samp{i type ^value$} gives information only on types whose complete
14314 name is @code{value}.
14315
14316 This command differs from @code{ptype} in two ways: first, like
14317 @code{whatis}, it does not print a detailed description; second, it
14318 lists all source files where a type is defined.
14319
14320 @kindex info scope
14321 @cindex local variables
14322 @item info scope @var{location}
14323 List all the variables local to a particular scope. This command
14324 accepts a @var{location} argument---a function name, a source line, or
14325 an address preceded by a @samp{*}, and prints all the variables local
14326 to the scope defined by that location. (@xref{Specify Location}, for
14327 details about supported forms of @var{location}.) For example:
14328
14329 @smallexample
14330 (@value{GDBP}) @b{info scope command_line_handler}
14331 Scope for command_line_handler:
14332 Symbol rl is an argument at stack/frame offset 8, length 4.
14333 Symbol linebuffer is in static storage at address 0x150a18, length 4.
14334 Symbol linelength is in static storage at address 0x150a1c, length 4.
14335 Symbol p is a local variable in register $esi, length 4.
14336 Symbol p1 is a local variable in register $ebx, length 4.
14337 Symbol nline is a local variable in register $edx, length 4.
14338 Symbol repeat is a local variable at frame offset -8, length 4.
14339 @end smallexample
14340
14341 @noindent
14342 This command is especially useful for determining what data to collect
14343 during a @dfn{trace experiment}, see @ref{Tracepoint Actions,
14344 collect}.
14345
14346 @kindex info source
14347 @item info source
14348 Show information about the current source file---that is, the source file for
14349 the function containing the current point of execution:
14350 @itemize @bullet
14351 @item
14352 the name of the source file, and the directory containing it,
14353 @item
14354 the directory it was compiled in,
14355 @item
14356 its length, in lines,
14357 @item
14358 which programming language it is written in,
14359 @item
14360 whether the executable includes debugging information for that file, and
14361 if so, what format the information is in (e.g., STABS, Dwarf 2, etc.), and
14362 @item
14363 whether the debugging information includes information about
14364 preprocessor macros.
14365 @end itemize
14366
14367
14368 @kindex info sources
14369 @item info sources
14370 Print the names of all source files in your program for which there is
14371 debugging information, organized into two lists: files whose symbols
14372 have already been read, and files whose symbols will be read when needed.
14373
14374 @kindex info functions
14375 @item info functions
14376 Print the names and data types of all defined functions.
14377
14378 @item info functions @var{regexp}
14379 Print the names and data types of all defined functions
14380 whose names contain a match for regular expression @var{regexp}.
14381 Thus, @samp{info fun step} finds all functions whose names
14382 include @code{step}; @samp{info fun ^step} finds those whose names
14383 start with @code{step}. If a function name contains characters
14384 that conflict with the regular expression language (e.g.@:
14385 @samp{operator*()}), they may be quoted with a backslash.
14386
14387 @kindex info variables
14388 @item info variables
14389 Print the names and data types of all variables that are defined
14390 outside of functions (i.e.@: excluding local variables).
14391
14392 @item info variables @var{regexp}
14393 Print the names and data types of all variables (except for local
14394 variables) whose names contain a match for regular expression
14395 @var{regexp}.
14396
14397 @kindex info classes
14398 @cindex Objective-C, classes and selectors
14399 @item info classes
14400 @itemx info classes @var{regexp}
14401 Display all Objective-C classes in your program, or
14402 (with the @var{regexp} argument) all those matching a particular regular
14403 expression.
14404
14405 @kindex info selectors
14406 @item info selectors
14407 @itemx info selectors @var{regexp}
14408 Display all Objective-C selectors in your program, or
14409 (with the @var{regexp} argument) all those matching a particular regular
14410 expression.
14411
14412 @ignore
14413 This was never implemented.
14414 @kindex info methods
14415 @item info methods
14416 @itemx info methods @var{regexp}
14417 The @code{info methods} command permits the user to examine all defined
14418 methods within C@t{++} program, or (with the @var{regexp} argument) a
14419 specific set of methods found in the various C@t{++} classes. Many
14420 C@t{++} classes provide a large number of methods. Thus, the output
14421 from the @code{ptype} command can be overwhelming and hard to use. The
14422 @code{info-methods} command filters the methods, printing only those
14423 which match the regular-expression @var{regexp}.
14424 @end ignore
14425
14426 @cindex reloading symbols
14427 Some systems allow individual object files that make up your program to
14428 be replaced without stopping and restarting your program. For example,
14429 in VxWorks you can simply recompile a defective object file and keep on
14430 running. If you are running on one of these systems, you can allow
14431 @value{GDBN} to reload the symbols for automatically relinked modules:
14432
14433 @table @code
14434 @kindex set symbol-reloading
14435 @item set symbol-reloading on
14436 Replace symbol definitions for the corresponding source file when an
14437 object file with a particular name is seen again.
14438
14439 @item set symbol-reloading off
14440 Do not replace symbol definitions when encountering object files of the
14441 same name more than once. This is the default state; if you are not
14442 running on a system that permits automatic relinking of modules, you
14443 should leave @code{symbol-reloading} off, since otherwise @value{GDBN}
14444 may discard symbols when linking large programs, that may contain
14445 several modules (from different directories or libraries) with the same
14446 name.
14447
14448 @kindex show symbol-reloading
14449 @item show symbol-reloading
14450 Show the current @code{on} or @code{off} setting.
14451 @end table
14452
14453 @cindex opaque data types
14454 @kindex set opaque-type-resolution
14455 @item set opaque-type-resolution on
14456 Tell @value{GDBN} to resolve opaque types. An opaque type is a type
14457 declared as a pointer to a @code{struct}, @code{class}, or
14458 @code{union}---for example, @code{struct MyType *}---that is used in one
14459 source file although the full declaration of @code{struct MyType} is in
14460 another source file. The default is on.
14461
14462 A change in the setting of this subcommand will not take effect until
14463 the next time symbols for a file are loaded.
14464
14465 @item set opaque-type-resolution off
14466 Tell @value{GDBN} not to resolve opaque types. In this case, the type
14467 is printed as follows:
14468 @smallexample
14469 @{<no data fields>@}
14470 @end smallexample
14471
14472 @kindex show opaque-type-resolution
14473 @item show opaque-type-resolution
14474 Show whether opaque types are resolved or not.
14475
14476 @kindex maint print symbols
14477 @cindex symbol dump
14478 @kindex maint print psymbols
14479 @cindex partial symbol dump
14480 @item maint print symbols @var{filename}
14481 @itemx maint print psymbols @var{filename}
14482 @itemx maint print msymbols @var{filename}
14483 Write a dump of debugging symbol data into the file @var{filename}.
14484 These commands are used to debug the @value{GDBN} symbol-reading code. Only
14485 symbols with debugging data are included. If you use @samp{maint print
14486 symbols}, @value{GDBN} includes all the symbols for which it has already
14487 collected full details: that is, @var{filename} reflects symbols for
14488 only those files whose symbols @value{GDBN} has read. You can use the
14489 command @code{info sources} to find out which files these are. If you
14490 use @samp{maint print psymbols} instead, the dump shows information about
14491 symbols that @value{GDBN} only knows partially---that is, symbols defined in
14492 files that @value{GDBN} has skimmed, but not yet read completely. Finally,
14493 @samp{maint print msymbols} dumps just the minimal symbol information
14494 required for each object file from which @value{GDBN} has read some symbols.
14495 @xref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}, for a discussion of how
14496 @value{GDBN} reads symbols (in the description of @code{symbol-file}).
14497
14498 @kindex maint info symtabs
14499 @kindex maint info psymtabs
14500 @cindex listing @value{GDBN}'s internal symbol tables
14501 @cindex symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
14502 @cindex full symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
14503 @cindex partial symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
14504 @item maint info symtabs @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
14505 @itemx maint info psymtabs @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
14506
14507 List the @code{struct symtab} or @code{struct partial_symtab}
14508 structures whose names match @var{regexp}. If @var{regexp} is not
14509 given, list them all. The output includes expressions which you can
14510 copy into a @value{GDBN} debugging this one to examine a particular
14511 structure in more detail. For example:
14512
14513 @smallexample
14514 (@value{GDBP}) maint info psymtabs dwarf2read
14515 @{ objfile /home/gnu/build/gdb/gdb
14516 ((struct objfile *) 0x82e69d0)
14517 @{ psymtab /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c
14518 ((struct partial_symtab *) 0x8474b10)
14519 readin no
14520 fullname (null)
14521 text addresses 0x814d3c8 -- 0x8158074
14522 globals (* (struct partial_symbol **) 0x8507a08 @@ 9)
14523 statics (* (struct partial_symbol **) 0x40e95b78 @@ 2882)
14524 dependencies (none)
14525 @}
14526 @}
14527 (@value{GDBP}) maint info symtabs
14528 (@value{GDBP})
14529 @end smallexample
14530 @noindent
14531 We see that there is one partial symbol table whose filename contains
14532 the string @samp{dwarf2read}, belonging to the @samp{gdb} executable;
14533 and we see that @value{GDBN} has not read in any symtabs yet at all.
14534 If we set a breakpoint on a function, that will cause @value{GDBN} to
14535 read the symtab for the compilation unit containing that function:
14536
14537 @smallexample
14538 (@value{GDBP}) break dwarf2_psymtab_to_symtab
14539 Breakpoint 1 at 0x814e5da: file /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c,
14540 line 1574.
14541 (@value{GDBP}) maint info symtabs
14542 @{ objfile /home/gnu/build/gdb/gdb
14543 ((struct objfile *) 0x82e69d0)
14544 @{ symtab /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c
14545 ((struct symtab *) 0x86c1f38)
14546 dirname (null)
14547 fullname (null)
14548 blockvector ((struct blockvector *) 0x86c1bd0) (primary)
14549 linetable ((struct linetable *) 0x8370fa0)
14550 debugformat DWARF 2
14551 @}
14552 @}
14553 (@value{GDBP})
14554 @end smallexample
14555 @end table
14556
14557
14558 @node Altering
14559 @chapter Altering Execution
14560
14561 Once you think you have found an error in your program, you might want to
14562 find out for certain whether correcting the apparent error would lead to
14563 correct results in the rest of the run. You can find the answer by
14564 experiment, using the @value{GDBN} features for altering execution of the
14565 program.
14566
14567 For example, you can store new values into variables or memory
14568 locations, give your program a signal, restart it at a different
14569 address, or even return prematurely from a function.
14570
14571 @menu
14572 * Assignment:: Assignment to variables
14573 * Jumping:: Continuing at a different address
14574 * Signaling:: Giving your program a signal
14575 * Returning:: Returning from a function
14576 * Calling:: Calling your program's functions
14577 * Patching:: Patching your program
14578 @end menu
14579
14580 @node Assignment
14581 @section Assignment to Variables
14582
14583 @cindex assignment
14584 @cindex setting variables
14585 To alter the value of a variable, evaluate an assignment expression.
14586 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}. For example,
14587
14588 @smallexample
14589 print x=4
14590 @end smallexample
14591
14592 @noindent
14593 stores the value 4 into the variable @code{x}, and then prints the
14594 value of the assignment expression (which is 4).
14595 @xref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages}, for more
14596 information on operators in supported languages.
14597
14598 @kindex set variable
14599 @cindex variables, setting
14600 If you are not interested in seeing the value of the assignment, use the
14601 @code{set} command instead of the @code{print} command. @code{set} is
14602 really the same as @code{print} except that the expression's value is
14603 not printed and is not put in the value history (@pxref{Value History,
14604 ,Value History}). The expression is evaluated only for its effects.
14605
14606 If the beginning of the argument string of the @code{set} command
14607 appears identical to a @code{set} subcommand, use the @code{set
14608 variable} command instead of just @code{set}. This command is identical
14609 to @code{set} except for its lack of subcommands. For example, if your
14610 program has a variable @code{width}, you get an error if you try to set
14611 a new value with just @samp{set width=13}, because @value{GDBN} has the
14612 command @code{set width}:
14613
14614 @smallexample
14615 (@value{GDBP}) whatis width
14616 type = double
14617 (@value{GDBP}) p width
14618 $4 = 13
14619 (@value{GDBP}) set width=47
14620 Invalid syntax in expression.
14621 @end smallexample
14622
14623 @noindent
14624 The invalid expression, of course, is @samp{=47}. In
14625 order to actually set the program's variable @code{width}, use
14626
14627 @smallexample
14628 (@value{GDBP}) set var width=47
14629 @end smallexample
14630
14631 Because the @code{set} command has many subcommands that can conflict
14632 with the names of program variables, it is a good idea to use the
14633 @code{set variable} command instead of just @code{set}. For example, if
14634 your program has a variable @code{g}, you run into problems if you try
14635 to set a new value with just @samp{set g=4}, because @value{GDBN} has
14636 the command @code{set gnutarget}, abbreviated @code{set g}:
14637
14638 @smallexample
14639 @group
14640 (@value{GDBP}) whatis g
14641 type = double
14642 (@value{GDBP}) p g
14643 $1 = 1
14644 (@value{GDBP}) set g=4
14645 (@value{GDBP}) p g
14646 $2 = 1
14647 (@value{GDBP}) r
14648 The program being debugged has been started already.
14649 Start it from the beginning? (y or n) y
14650 Starting program: /home/smith/cc_progs/a.out
14651 "/home/smith/cc_progs/a.out": can't open to read symbols:
14652 Invalid bfd target.
14653 (@value{GDBP}) show g
14654 The current BFD target is "=4".
14655 @end group
14656 @end smallexample
14657
14658 @noindent
14659 The program variable @code{g} did not change, and you silently set the
14660 @code{gnutarget} to an invalid value. In order to set the variable
14661 @code{g}, use
14662
14663 @smallexample
14664 (@value{GDBP}) set var g=4
14665 @end smallexample
14666
14667 @value{GDBN} allows more implicit conversions in assignments than C; you can
14668 freely store an integer value into a pointer variable or vice versa,
14669 and you can convert any structure to any other structure that is the
14670 same length or shorter.
14671 @comment FIXME: how do structs align/pad in these conversions?
14672 @comment /doc@cygnus.com 18dec1990
14673
14674 To store values into arbitrary places in memory, use the @samp{@{@dots{}@}}
14675 construct to generate a value of specified type at a specified address
14676 (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). For example, @code{@{int@}0x83040} refers
14677 to memory location @code{0x83040} as an integer (which implies a certain size
14678 and representation in memory), and
14679
14680 @smallexample
14681 set @{int@}0x83040 = 4
14682 @end smallexample
14683
14684 @noindent
14685 stores the value 4 into that memory location.
14686
14687 @node Jumping
14688 @section Continuing at a Different Address
14689
14690 Ordinarily, when you continue your program, you do so at the place where
14691 it stopped, with the @code{continue} command. You can instead continue at
14692 an address of your own choosing, with the following commands:
14693
14694 @table @code
14695 @kindex jump
14696 @item jump @var{linespec}
14697 @itemx jump @var{location}
14698 Resume execution at line @var{linespec} or at address given by
14699 @var{location}. Execution stops again immediately if there is a
14700 breakpoint there. @xref{Specify Location}, for a description of the
14701 different forms of @var{linespec} and @var{location}. It is common
14702 practice to use the @code{tbreak} command in conjunction with
14703 @code{jump}. @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}.
14704
14705 The @code{jump} command does not change the current stack frame, or
14706 the stack pointer, or the contents of any memory location or any
14707 register other than the program counter. If line @var{linespec} is in
14708 a different function from the one currently executing, the results may
14709 be bizarre if the two functions expect different patterns of arguments or
14710 of local variables. For this reason, the @code{jump} command requests
14711 confirmation if the specified line is not in the function currently
14712 executing. However, even bizarre results are predictable if you are
14713 well acquainted with the machine-language code of your program.
14714 @end table
14715
14716 @c Doesn't work on HP-UX; have to set $pcoqh and $pcoqt.
14717 On many systems, you can get much the same effect as the @code{jump}
14718 command by storing a new value into the register @code{$pc}. The
14719 difference is that this does not start your program running; it only
14720 changes the address of where it @emph{will} run when you continue. For
14721 example,
14722
14723 @smallexample
14724 set $pc = 0x485
14725 @end smallexample
14726
14727 @noindent
14728 makes the next @code{continue} command or stepping command execute at
14729 address @code{0x485}, rather than at the address where your program stopped.
14730 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and Stepping}.
14731
14732 The most common occasion to use the @code{jump} command is to back
14733 up---perhaps with more breakpoints set---over a portion of a program
14734 that has already executed, in order to examine its execution in more
14735 detail.
14736
14737 @c @group
14738 @node Signaling
14739 @section Giving your Program a Signal
14740 @cindex deliver a signal to a program
14741
14742 @table @code
14743 @kindex signal
14744 @item signal @var{signal}
14745 Resume execution where your program stopped, but immediately give it the
14746 signal @var{signal}. @var{signal} can be the name or the number of a
14747 signal. For example, on many systems @code{signal 2} and @code{signal
14748 SIGINT} are both ways of sending an interrupt signal.
14749
14750 Alternatively, if @var{signal} is zero, continue execution without
14751 giving a signal. This is useful when your program stopped on account of
14752 a signal and would ordinary see the signal when resumed with the
14753 @code{continue} command; @samp{signal 0} causes it to resume without a
14754 signal.
14755
14756 @code{signal} does not repeat when you press @key{RET} a second time
14757 after executing the command.
14758 @end table
14759 @c @end group
14760
14761 Invoking the @code{signal} command is not the same as invoking the
14762 @code{kill} utility from the shell. Sending a signal with @code{kill}
14763 causes @value{GDBN} to decide what to do with the signal depending on
14764 the signal handling tables (@pxref{Signals}). The @code{signal} command
14765 passes the signal directly to your program.
14766
14767
14768 @node Returning
14769 @section Returning from a Function
14770
14771 @table @code
14772 @cindex returning from a function
14773 @kindex return
14774 @item return
14775 @itemx return @var{expression}
14776 You can cancel execution of a function call with the @code{return}
14777 command. If you give an
14778 @var{expression} argument, its value is used as the function's return
14779 value.
14780 @end table
14781
14782 When you use @code{return}, @value{GDBN} discards the selected stack frame
14783 (and all frames within it). You can think of this as making the
14784 discarded frame return prematurely. If you wish to specify a value to
14785 be returned, give that value as the argument to @code{return}.
14786
14787 This pops the selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a
14788 Frame}), and any other frames inside of it, leaving its caller as the
14789 innermost remaining frame. That frame becomes selected. The
14790 specified value is stored in the registers used for returning values
14791 of functions.
14792
14793 The @code{return} command does not resume execution; it leaves the
14794 program stopped in the state that would exist if the function had just
14795 returned. In contrast, the @code{finish} command (@pxref{Continuing
14796 and Stepping, ,Continuing and Stepping}) resumes execution until the
14797 selected stack frame returns naturally.
14798
14799 @value{GDBN} needs to know how the @var{expression} argument should be set for
14800 the inferior. The concrete registers assignment depends on the OS ABI and the
14801 type being returned by the selected stack frame. For example it is common for
14802 OS ABI to return floating point values in FPU registers while integer values in
14803 CPU registers. Still some ABIs return even floating point values in CPU
14804 registers. Larger integer widths (such as @code{long long int}) also have
14805 specific placement rules. @value{GDBN} already knows the OS ABI from its
14806 current target so it needs to find out also the type being returned to make the
14807 assignment into the right register(s).
14808
14809 Normally, the selected stack frame has debug info. @value{GDBN} will always
14810 use the debug info instead of the implicit type of @var{expression} when the
14811 debug info is available. For example, if you type @kbd{return -1}, and the
14812 function in the current stack frame is declared to return a @code{long long
14813 int}, @value{GDBN} transparently converts the implicit @code{int} value of -1
14814 into a @code{long long int}:
14815
14816 @smallexample
14817 Breakpoint 1, func () at gdb.base/return-nodebug.c:29
14818 29 return 31;
14819 (@value{GDBP}) return -1
14820 Make func return now? (y or n) y
14821 #0 0x004004f6 in main () at gdb.base/return-nodebug.c:43
14822 43 printf ("result=%lld\n", func ());
14823 (@value{GDBP})
14824 @end smallexample
14825
14826 However, if the selected stack frame does not have a debug info, e.g., if the
14827 function was compiled without debug info, @value{GDBN} has to find out the type
14828 to return from user. Specifying a different type by mistake may set the value
14829 in different inferior registers than the caller code expects. For example,
14830 typing @kbd{return -1} with its implicit type @code{int} would set only a part
14831 of a @code{long long int} result for a debug info less function (on 32-bit
14832 architectures). Therefore the user is required to specify the return type by
14833 an appropriate cast explicitly:
14834
14835 @smallexample
14836 Breakpoint 2, 0x0040050b in func ()
14837 (@value{GDBP}) return -1
14838 Return value type not available for selected stack frame.
14839 Please use an explicit cast of the value to return.
14840 (@value{GDBP}) return (long long int) -1
14841 Make selected stack frame return now? (y or n) y
14842 #0 0x00400526 in main ()
14843 (@value{GDBP})
14844 @end smallexample
14845
14846 @node Calling
14847 @section Calling Program Functions
14848
14849 @table @code
14850 @cindex calling functions
14851 @cindex inferior functions, calling
14852 @item print @var{expr}
14853 Evaluate the expression @var{expr} and display the resulting value.
14854 @var{expr} may include calls to functions in the program being
14855 debugged.
14856
14857 @kindex call
14858 @item call @var{expr}
14859 Evaluate the expression @var{expr} without displaying @code{void}
14860 returned values.
14861
14862 You can use this variant of the @code{print} command if you want to
14863 execute a function from your program that does not return anything
14864 (a.k.a.@: @dfn{a void function}), but without cluttering the output
14865 with @code{void} returned values that @value{GDBN} will otherwise
14866 print. If the result is not void, it is printed and saved in the
14867 value history.
14868 @end table
14869
14870 It is possible for the function you call via the @code{print} or
14871 @code{call} command to generate a signal (e.g., if there's a bug in
14872 the function, or if you passed it incorrect arguments). What happens
14873 in that case is controlled by the @code{set unwindonsignal} command.
14874
14875 Similarly, with a C@t{++} program it is possible for the function you
14876 call via the @code{print} or @code{call} command to generate an
14877 exception that is not handled due to the constraints of the dummy
14878 frame. In this case, any exception that is raised in the frame, but has
14879 an out-of-frame exception handler will not be found. GDB builds a
14880 dummy-frame for the inferior function call, and the unwinder cannot
14881 seek for exception handlers outside of this dummy-frame. What happens
14882 in that case is controlled by the
14883 @code{set unwind-on-terminating-exception} command.
14884
14885 @table @code
14886 @item set unwindonsignal
14887 @kindex set unwindonsignal
14888 @cindex unwind stack in called functions
14889 @cindex call dummy stack unwinding
14890 Set unwinding of the stack if a signal is received while in a function
14891 that @value{GDBN} called in the program being debugged. If set to on,
14892 @value{GDBN} unwinds the stack it created for the call and restores
14893 the context to what it was before the call. If set to off (the
14894 default), @value{GDBN} stops in the frame where the signal was
14895 received.
14896
14897 @item show unwindonsignal
14898 @kindex show unwindonsignal
14899 Show the current setting of stack unwinding in the functions called by
14900 @value{GDBN}.
14901
14902 @item set unwind-on-terminating-exception
14903 @kindex set unwind-on-terminating-exception
14904 @cindex unwind stack in called functions with unhandled exceptions
14905 @cindex call dummy stack unwinding on unhandled exception.
14906 Set unwinding of the stack if a C@t{++} exception is raised, but left
14907 unhandled while in a function that @value{GDBN} called in the program being
14908 debugged. If set to on (the default), @value{GDBN} unwinds the stack
14909 it created for the call and restores the context to what it was before
14910 the call. If set to off, @value{GDBN} the exception is delivered to
14911 the default C@t{++} exception handler and the inferior terminated.
14912
14913 @item show unwind-on-terminating-exception
14914 @kindex show unwind-on-terminating-exception
14915 Show the current setting of stack unwinding in the functions called by
14916 @value{GDBN}.
14917
14918 @end table
14919
14920 @cindex weak alias functions
14921 Sometimes, a function you wish to call is actually a @dfn{weak alias}
14922 for another function. In such case, @value{GDBN} might not pick up
14923 the type information, including the types of the function arguments,
14924 which causes @value{GDBN} to call the inferior function incorrectly.
14925 As a result, the called function will function erroneously and may
14926 even crash. A solution to that is to use the name of the aliased
14927 function instead.
14928
14929 @node Patching
14930 @section Patching Programs
14931
14932 @cindex patching binaries
14933 @cindex writing into executables
14934 @cindex writing into corefiles
14935
14936 By default, @value{GDBN} opens the file containing your program's
14937 executable code (or the corefile) read-only. This prevents accidental
14938 alterations to machine code; but it also prevents you from intentionally
14939 patching your program's binary.
14940
14941 If you'd like to be able to patch the binary, you can specify that
14942 explicitly with the @code{set write} command. For example, you might
14943 want to turn on internal debugging flags, or even to make emergency
14944 repairs.
14945
14946 @table @code
14947 @kindex set write
14948 @item set write on
14949 @itemx set write off
14950 If you specify @samp{set write on}, @value{GDBN} opens executable and
14951 core files for both reading and writing; if you specify @kbd{set write
14952 off} (the default), @value{GDBN} opens them read-only.
14953
14954 If you have already loaded a file, you must load it again (using the
14955 @code{exec-file} or @code{core-file} command) after changing @code{set
14956 write}, for your new setting to take effect.
14957
14958 @item show write
14959 @kindex show write
14960 Display whether executable files and core files are opened for writing
14961 as well as reading.
14962 @end table
14963
14964 @node GDB Files
14965 @chapter @value{GDBN} Files
14966
14967 @value{GDBN} needs to know the file name of the program to be debugged,
14968 both in order to read its symbol table and in order to start your
14969 program. To debug a core dump of a previous run, you must also tell
14970 @value{GDBN} the name of the core dump file.
14971
14972 @menu
14973 * Files:: Commands to specify files
14974 * Separate Debug Files:: Debugging information in separate files
14975 * Index Files:: Index files speed up GDB
14976 * Symbol Errors:: Errors reading symbol files
14977 * Data Files:: GDB data files
14978 @end menu
14979
14980 @node Files
14981 @section Commands to Specify Files
14982
14983 @cindex symbol table
14984 @cindex core dump file
14985
14986 You may want to specify executable and core dump file names. The usual
14987 way to do this is at start-up time, using the arguments to
14988 @value{GDBN}'s start-up commands (@pxref{Invocation, , Getting In and
14989 Out of @value{GDBN}}).
14990
14991 Occasionally it is necessary to change to a different file during a
14992 @value{GDBN} session. Or you may run @value{GDBN} and forget to
14993 specify a file you want to use. Or you are debugging a remote target
14994 via @code{gdbserver} (@pxref{Server, file, Using the @code{gdbserver}
14995 Program}). In these situations the @value{GDBN} commands to specify
14996 new files are useful.
14997
14998 @table @code
14999 @cindex executable file
15000 @kindex file
15001 @item file @var{filename}
15002 Use @var{filename} as the program to be debugged. It is read for its
15003 symbols and for the contents of pure memory. It is also the program
15004 executed when you use the @code{run} command. If you do not specify a
15005 directory and the file is not found in the @value{GDBN} working directory,
15006 @value{GDBN} uses the environment variable @code{PATH} as a list of
15007 directories to search, just as the shell does when looking for a program
15008 to run. You can change the value of this variable, for both @value{GDBN}
15009 and your program, using the @code{path} command.
15010
15011 @cindex unlinked object files
15012 @cindex patching object files
15013 You can load unlinked object @file{.o} files into @value{GDBN} using
15014 the @code{file} command. You will not be able to ``run'' an object
15015 file, but you can disassemble functions and inspect variables. Also,
15016 if the underlying BFD functionality supports it, you could use
15017 @kbd{gdb -write} to patch object files using this technique. Note
15018 that @value{GDBN} can neither interpret nor modify relocations in this
15019 case, so branches and some initialized variables will appear to go to
15020 the wrong place. But this feature is still handy from time to time.
15021
15022 @item file
15023 @code{file} with no argument makes @value{GDBN} discard any information it
15024 has on both executable file and the symbol table.
15025
15026 @kindex exec-file
15027 @item exec-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
15028 Specify that the program to be run (but not the symbol table) is found
15029 in @var{filename}. @value{GDBN} searches the environment variable @code{PATH}
15030 if necessary to locate your program. Omitting @var{filename} means to
15031 discard information on the executable file.
15032
15033 @kindex symbol-file
15034 @item symbol-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
15035 Read symbol table information from file @var{filename}. @code{PATH} is
15036 searched when necessary. Use the @code{file} command to get both symbol
15037 table and program to run from the same file.
15038
15039 @code{symbol-file} with no argument clears out @value{GDBN} information on your
15040 program's symbol table.
15041
15042 The @code{symbol-file} command causes @value{GDBN} to forget the contents of
15043 some breakpoints and auto-display expressions. This is because they may
15044 contain pointers to the internal data recording symbols and data types,
15045 which are part of the old symbol table data being discarded inside
15046 @value{GDBN}.
15047
15048 @code{symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
15049 executing it once.
15050
15051 When @value{GDBN} is configured for a particular environment, it
15052 understands debugging information in whatever format is the standard
15053 generated for that environment; you may use either a @sc{gnu} compiler, or
15054 other compilers that adhere to the local conventions.
15055 Best results are usually obtained from @sc{gnu} compilers; for example,
15056 using @code{@value{NGCC}} you can generate debugging information for
15057 optimized code.
15058
15059 For most kinds of object files, with the exception of old SVR3 systems
15060 using COFF, the @code{symbol-file} command does not normally read the
15061 symbol table in full right away. Instead, it scans the symbol table
15062 quickly to find which source files and which symbols are present. The
15063 details are read later, one source file at a time, as they are needed.
15064
15065 The purpose of this two-stage reading strategy is to make @value{GDBN}
15066 start up faster. For the most part, it is invisible except for
15067 occasional pauses while the symbol table details for a particular source
15068 file are being read. (The @code{set verbose} command can turn these
15069 pauses into messages if desired. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional
15070 Warnings and Messages}.)
15071
15072 We have not implemented the two-stage strategy for COFF yet. When the
15073 symbol table is stored in COFF format, @code{symbol-file} reads the
15074 symbol table data in full right away. Note that ``stabs-in-COFF''
15075 still does the two-stage strategy, since the debug info is actually
15076 in stabs format.
15077
15078 @kindex readnow
15079 @cindex reading symbols immediately
15080 @cindex symbols, reading immediately
15081 @item symbol-file @r{[} -readnow @r{]} @var{filename}
15082 @itemx file @r{[} -readnow @r{]} @var{filename}
15083 You can override the @value{GDBN} two-stage strategy for reading symbol
15084 tables by using the @samp{-readnow} option with any of the commands that
15085 load symbol table information, if you want to be sure @value{GDBN} has the
15086 entire symbol table available.
15087
15088 @c FIXME: for now no mention of directories, since this seems to be in
15089 @c flux. 13mar1992 status is that in theory GDB would look either in
15090 @c current dir or in same dir as myprog; but issues like competing
15091 @c GDB's, or clutter in system dirs, mean that in practice right now
15092 @c only current dir is used. FFish says maybe a special GDB hierarchy
15093 @c (eg rooted in val of env var GDBSYMS) could exist for mappable symbol
15094 @c files.
15095
15096 @kindex core-file
15097 @item core-file @r{[}@var{filename}@r{]}
15098 @itemx core
15099 Specify the whereabouts of a core dump file to be used as the ``contents
15100 of memory''. Traditionally, core files contain only some parts of the
15101 address space of the process that generated them; @value{GDBN} can access the
15102 executable file itself for other parts.
15103
15104 @code{core-file} with no argument specifies that no core file is
15105 to be used.
15106
15107 Note that the core file is ignored when your program is actually running
15108 under @value{GDBN}. So, if you have been running your program and you
15109 wish to debug a core file instead, you must kill the subprocess in which
15110 the program is running. To do this, use the @code{kill} command
15111 (@pxref{Kill Process, ,Killing the Child Process}).
15112
15113 @kindex add-symbol-file
15114 @cindex dynamic linking
15115 @item add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address}
15116 @itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address} @r{[} -readnow @r{]}
15117 @itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address} -s @var{section} @var{address} @dots{}
15118 The @code{add-symbol-file} command reads additional symbol table
15119 information from the file @var{filename}. You would use this command
15120 when @var{filename} has been dynamically loaded (by some other means)
15121 into the program that is running. @var{address} should be the memory
15122 address at which the file has been loaded; @value{GDBN} cannot figure
15123 this out for itself. You can additionally specify an arbitrary number
15124 of @samp{-s @var{section} @var{address}} pairs, to give an explicit
15125 section name and base address for that section. You can specify any
15126 @var{address} as an expression.
15127
15128 The symbol table of the file @var{filename} is added to the symbol table
15129 originally read with the @code{symbol-file} command. You can use the
15130 @code{add-symbol-file} command any number of times; the new symbol data
15131 thus read keeps adding to the old. To discard all old symbol data
15132 instead, use the @code{symbol-file} command without any arguments.
15133
15134 @cindex relocatable object files, reading symbols from
15135 @cindex object files, relocatable, reading symbols from
15136 @cindex reading symbols from relocatable object files
15137 @cindex symbols, reading from relocatable object files
15138 @cindex @file{.o} files, reading symbols from
15139 Although @var{filename} is typically a shared library file, an
15140 executable file, or some other object file which has been fully
15141 relocated for loading into a process, you can also load symbolic
15142 information from relocatable @file{.o} files, as long as:
15143
15144 @itemize @bullet
15145 @item
15146 the file's symbolic information refers only to linker symbols defined in
15147 that file, not to symbols defined by other object files,
15148 @item
15149 every section the file's symbolic information refers to has actually
15150 been loaded into the inferior, as it appears in the file, and
15151 @item
15152 you can determine the address at which every section was loaded, and
15153 provide these to the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
15154 @end itemize
15155
15156 @noindent
15157 Some embedded operating systems, like Sun Chorus and VxWorks, can load
15158 relocatable files into an already running program; such systems
15159 typically make the requirements above easy to meet. However, it's
15160 important to recognize that many native systems use complex link
15161 procedures (@code{.linkonce} section factoring and C@t{++} constructor table
15162 assembly, for example) that make the requirements difficult to meet. In
15163 general, one cannot assume that using @code{add-symbol-file} to read a
15164 relocatable object file's symbolic information will have the same effect
15165 as linking the relocatable object file into the program in the normal
15166 way.
15167
15168 @code{add-symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
15169
15170 @kindex add-symbol-file-from-memory
15171 @cindex @code{syscall DSO}
15172 @cindex load symbols from memory
15173 @item add-symbol-file-from-memory @var{address}
15174 Load symbols from the given @var{address} in a dynamically loaded
15175 object file whose image is mapped directly into the inferior's memory.
15176 For example, the Linux kernel maps a @code{syscall DSO} into each
15177 process's address space; this DSO provides kernel-specific code for
15178 some system calls. The argument can be any expression whose
15179 evaluation yields the address of the file's shared object file header.
15180 For this command to work, you must have used @code{symbol-file} or
15181 @code{exec-file} commands in advance.
15182
15183 @kindex add-shared-symbol-files
15184 @kindex assf
15185 @item add-shared-symbol-files @var{library-file}
15186 @itemx assf @var{library-file}
15187 The @code{add-shared-symbol-files} command can currently be used only
15188 in the Cygwin build of @value{GDBN} on MS-Windows OS, where it is an
15189 alias for the @code{dll-symbols} command (@pxref{Cygwin Native}).
15190 @value{GDBN} automatically looks for shared libraries, however if
15191 @value{GDBN} does not find yours, you can invoke
15192 @code{add-shared-symbol-files}. It takes one argument: the shared
15193 library's file name. @code{assf} is a shorthand alias for
15194 @code{add-shared-symbol-files}.
15195
15196 @kindex section
15197 @item section @var{section} @var{addr}
15198 The @code{section} command changes the base address of the named
15199 @var{section} of the exec file to @var{addr}. This can be used if the
15200 exec file does not contain section addresses, (such as in the
15201 @code{a.out} format), or when the addresses specified in the file
15202 itself are wrong. Each section must be changed separately. The
15203 @code{info files} command, described below, lists all the sections and
15204 their addresses.
15205
15206 @kindex info files
15207 @kindex info target
15208 @item info files
15209 @itemx info target
15210 @code{info files} and @code{info target} are synonymous; both print the
15211 current target (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}),
15212 including the names of the executable and core dump files currently in
15213 use by @value{GDBN}, and the files from which symbols were loaded. The
15214 command @code{help target} lists all possible targets rather than
15215 current ones.
15216
15217 @kindex maint info sections
15218 @item maint info sections
15219 Another command that can give you extra information about program sections
15220 is @code{maint info sections}. In addition to the section information
15221 displayed by @code{info files}, this command displays the flags and file
15222 offset of each section in the executable and core dump files. In addition,
15223 @code{maint info sections} provides the following command options (which
15224 may be arbitrarily combined):
15225
15226 @table @code
15227 @item ALLOBJ
15228 Display sections for all loaded object files, including shared libraries.
15229 @item @var{sections}
15230 Display info only for named @var{sections}.
15231 @item @var{section-flags}
15232 Display info only for sections for which @var{section-flags} are true.
15233 The section flags that @value{GDBN} currently knows about are:
15234 @table @code
15235 @item ALLOC
15236 Section will have space allocated in the process when loaded.
15237 Set for all sections except those containing debug information.
15238 @item LOAD
15239 Section will be loaded from the file into the child process memory.
15240 Set for pre-initialized code and data, clear for @code{.bss} sections.
15241 @item RELOC
15242 Section needs to be relocated before loading.
15243 @item READONLY
15244 Section cannot be modified by the child process.
15245 @item CODE
15246 Section contains executable code only.
15247 @item DATA
15248 Section contains data only (no executable code).
15249 @item ROM
15250 Section will reside in ROM.
15251 @item CONSTRUCTOR
15252 Section contains data for constructor/destructor lists.
15253 @item HAS_CONTENTS
15254 Section is not empty.
15255 @item NEVER_LOAD
15256 An instruction to the linker to not output the section.
15257 @item COFF_SHARED_LIBRARY
15258 A notification to the linker that the section contains
15259 COFF shared library information.
15260 @item IS_COMMON
15261 Section contains common symbols.
15262 @end table
15263 @end table
15264 @kindex set trust-readonly-sections
15265 @cindex read-only sections
15266 @item set trust-readonly-sections on
15267 Tell @value{GDBN} that readonly sections in your object file
15268 really are read-only (i.e.@: that their contents will not change).
15269 In that case, @value{GDBN} can fetch values from these sections
15270 out of the object file, rather than from the target program.
15271 For some targets (notably embedded ones), this can be a significant
15272 enhancement to debugging performance.
15273
15274 The default is off.
15275
15276 @item set trust-readonly-sections off
15277 Tell @value{GDBN} not to trust readonly sections. This means that
15278 the contents of the section might change while the program is running,
15279 and must therefore be fetched from the target when needed.
15280
15281 @item show trust-readonly-sections
15282 Show the current setting of trusting readonly sections.
15283 @end table
15284
15285 All file-specifying commands allow both absolute and relative file names
15286 as arguments. @value{GDBN} always converts the file name to an absolute file
15287 name and remembers it that way.
15288
15289 @cindex shared libraries
15290 @anchor{Shared Libraries}
15291 @value{GDBN} supports @sc{gnu}/Linux, MS-Windows, HP-UX, SunOS, SVr4, Irix,
15292 and IBM RS/6000 AIX shared libraries.
15293
15294 On MS-Windows @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support
15295 shared libraries. @xref{Expat}.
15296
15297 @value{GDBN} automatically loads symbol definitions from shared libraries
15298 when you use the @code{run} command, or when you examine a core file.
15299 (Before you issue the @code{run} command, @value{GDBN} does not understand
15300 references to a function in a shared library, however---unless you are
15301 debugging a core file).
15302
15303 On HP-UX, if the program loads a library explicitly, @value{GDBN}
15304 automatically loads the symbols at the time of the @code{shl_load} call.
15305
15306 @c FIXME: some @value{GDBN} release may permit some refs to undef
15307 @c FIXME...symbols---eg in a break cmd---assuming they are from a shared
15308 @c FIXME...lib; check this from time to time when updating manual
15309
15310 There are times, however, when you may wish to not automatically load
15311 symbol definitions from shared libraries, such as when they are
15312 particularly large or there are many of them.
15313
15314 To control the automatic loading of shared library symbols, use the
15315 commands:
15316
15317 @table @code
15318 @kindex set auto-solib-add
15319 @item set auto-solib-add @var{mode}
15320 If @var{mode} is @code{on}, symbols from all shared object libraries
15321 will be loaded automatically when the inferior begins execution, you
15322 attach to an independently started inferior, or when the dynamic linker
15323 informs @value{GDBN} that a new library has been loaded. If @var{mode}
15324 is @code{off}, symbols must be loaded manually, using the
15325 @code{sharedlibrary} command. The default value is @code{on}.
15326
15327 @cindex memory used for symbol tables
15328 If your program uses lots of shared libraries with debug info that
15329 takes large amounts of memory, you can decrease the @value{GDBN}
15330 memory footprint by preventing it from automatically loading the
15331 symbols from shared libraries. To that end, type @kbd{set
15332 auto-solib-add off} before running the inferior, then load each
15333 library whose debug symbols you do need with @kbd{sharedlibrary
15334 @var{regexp}}, where @var{regexp} is a regular expression that matches
15335 the libraries whose symbols you want to be loaded.
15336
15337 @kindex show auto-solib-add
15338 @item show auto-solib-add
15339 Display the current autoloading mode.
15340 @end table
15341
15342 @cindex load shared library
15343 To explicitly load shared library symbols, use the @code{sharedlibrary}
15344 command:
15345
15346 @table @code
15347 @kindex info sharedlibrary
15348 @kindex info share
15349 @item info share @var{regex}
15350 @itemx info sharedlibrary @var{regex}
15351 Print the names of the shared libraries which are currently loaded
15352 that match @var{regex}. If @var{regex} is omitted then print
15353 all shared libraries that are loaded.
15354
15355 @kindex sharedlibrary
15356 @kindex share
15357 @item sharedlibrary @var{regex}
15358 @itemx share @var{regex}
15359 Load shared object library symbols for files matching a
15360 Unix regular expression.
15361 As with files loaded automatically, it only loads shared libraries
15362 required by your program for a core file or after typing @code{run}. If
15363 @var{regex} is omitted all shared libraries required by your program are
15364 loaded.
15365
15366 @item nosharedlibrary
15367 @kindex nosharedlibrary
15368 @cindex unload symbols from shared libraries
15369 Unload all shared object library symbols. This discards all symbols
15370 that have been loaded from all shared libraries. Symbols from shared
15371 libraries that were loaded by explicit user requests are not
15372 discarded.
15373 @end table
15374
15375 Sometimes you may wish that @value{GDBN} stops and gives you control
15376 when any of shared library events happen. Use the @code{set
15377 stop-on-solib-events} command for this:
15378
15379 @table @code
15380 @item set stop-on-solib-events
15381 @kindex set stop-on-solib-events
15382 This command controls whether @value{GDBN} should give you control
15383 when the dynamic linker notifies it about some shared library event.
15384 The most common event of interest is loading or unloading of a new
15385 shared library.
15386
15387 @item show stop-on-solib-events
15388 @kindex show stop-on-solib-events
15389 Show whether @value{GDBN} stops and gives you control when shared
15390 library events happen.
15391 @end table
15392
15393 Shared libraries are also supported in many cross or remote debugging
15394 configurations. @value{GDBN} needs to have access to the target's libraries;
15395 this can be accomplished either by providing copies of the libraries
15396 on the host system, or by asking @value{GDBN} to automatically retrieve the
15397 libraries from the target. If copies of the target libraries are
15398 provided, they need to be the same as the target libraries, although the
15399 copies on the target can be stripped as long as the copies on the host are
15400 not.
15401
15402 @cindex where to look for shared libraries
15403 For remote debugging, you need to tell @value{GDBN} where the target
15404 libraries are, so that it can load the correct copies---otherwise, it
15405 may try to load the host's libraries. @value{GDBN} has two variables
15406 to specify the search directories for target libraries.
15407
15408 @table @code
15409 @cindex prefix for shared library file names
15410 @cindex system root, alternate
15411 @kindex set solib-absolute-prefix
15412 @kindex set sysroot
15413 @item set sysroot @var{path}
15414 Use @var{path} as the system root for the program being debugged. Any
15415 absolute shared library paths will be prefixed with @var{path}; many
15416 runtime loaders store the absolute paths to the shared library in the
15417 target program's memory. If you use @code{set sysroot} to find shared
15418 libraries, they need to be laid out in the same way that they are on
15419 the target, with e.g.@: a @file{/lib} and @file{/usr/lib} hierarchy
15420 under @var{path}.
15421
15422 If @var{path} starts with the sequence @file{remote:}, @value{GDBN} will
15423 retrieve the target libraries from the remote system. This is only
15424 supported when using a remote target that supports the @code{remote get}
15425 command (@pxref{File Transfer,,Sending files to a remote system}).
15426 The part of @var{path} following the initial @file{remote:}
15427 (if present) is used as system root prefix on the remote file system.
15428 @footnote{If you want to specify a local system root using a directory
15429 that happens to be named @file{remote:}, you need to use some equivalent
15430 variant of the name like @file{./remote:}.}
15431
15432 For targets with an MS-DOS based filesystem, such as MS-Windows and
15433 SymbianOS, @value{GDBN} tries prefixing a few variants of the target
15434 absolute file name with @var{path}. But first, on Unix hosts,
15435 @value{GDBN} converts all backslash directory separators into forward
15436 slashes, because the backslash is not a directory separator on Unix:
15437
15438 @smallexample
15439 c:\foo\bar.dll @result{} c:/foo/bar.dll
15440 @end smallexample
15441
15442 Then, @value{GDBN} attempts prefixing the target file name with
15443 @var{path}, and looks for the resulting file name in the host file
15444 system:
15445
15446 @smallexample
15447 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/c:/foo/bar.dll
15448 @end smallexample
15449
15450 If that does not find the shared library, @value{GDBN} tries removing
15451 the @samp{:} character from the drive spec, both for convenience, and,
15452 for the case of the host file system not supporting file names with
15453 colons:
15454
15455 @smallexample
15456 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/c/foo/bar.dll
15457 @end smallexample
15458
15459 This makes it possible to have a system root that mirrors a target
15460 with more than one drive. E.g., you may want to setup your local
15461 copies of the target system shared libraries like so (note @samp{c} vs
15462 @samp{z}):
15463
15464 @smallexample
15465 @file{/path/to/sysroot/c/sys/bin/foo.dll}
15466 @file{/path/to/sysroot/c/sys/bin/bar.dll}
15467 @file{/path/to/sysroot/z/sys/bin/bar.dll}
15468 @end smallexample
15469
15470 @noindent
15471 and point the system root at @file{/path/to/sysroot}, so that
15472 @value{GDBN} can find the correct copies of both
15473 @file{c:\sys\bin\foo.dll}, and @file{z:\sys\bin\bar.dll}.
15474
15475 If that still does not find the shared library, @value{GDBN} tries
15476 removing the whole drive spec from the target file name:
15477
15478 @smallexample
15479 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/foo/bar.dll
15480 @end smallexample
15481
15482 This last lookup makes it possible to not care about the drive name,
15483 if you don't want or need to.
15484
15485 The @code{set solib-absolute-prefix} command is an alias for @code{set
15486 sysroot}.
15487
15488 @cindex default system root
15489 @cindex @samp{--with-sysroot}
15490 You can set the default system root by using the configure-time
15491 @samp{--with-sysroot} option. If the system root is inside
15492 @value{GDBN}'s configured binary prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or
15493 @samp{--exec-prefix}), then the default system root will be updated
15494 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
15495 location.
15496
15497 @kindex show sysroot
15498 @item show sysroot
15499 Display the current shared library prefix.
15500
15501 @kindex set solib-search-path
15502 @item set solib-search-path @var{path}
15503 If this variable is set, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
15504 directories to search for shared libraries. @samp{solib-search-path}
15505 is used after @samp{sysroot} fails to locate the library, or if the
15506 path to the library is relative instead of absolute. If you want to
15507 use @samp{solib-search-path} instead of @samp{sysroot}, be sure to set
15508 @samp{sysroot} to a nonexistent directory to prevent @value{GDBN} from
15509 finding your host's libraries. @samp{sysroot} is preferred; setting
15510 it to a nonexistent directory may interfere with automatic loading
15511 of shared library symbols.
15512
15513 @kindex show solib-search-path
15514 @item show solib-search-path
15515 Display the current shared library search path.
15516
15517 @cindex DOS file-name semantics of file names.
15518 @kindex set target-file-system-kind (unix|dos-based|auto)
15519 @kindex show target-file-system-kind
15520 @item set target-file-system-kind @var{kind}
15521 Set assumed file system kind for target reported file names.
15522
15523 Shared library file names as reported by the target system may not
15524 make sense as is on the system @value{GDBN} is running on. For
15525 example, when remote debugging a target that has MS-DOS based file
15526 system semantics, from a Unix host, the target may be reporting to
15527 @value{GDBN} a list of loaded shared libraries with file names such as
15528 @file{c:\Windows\kernel32.dll}. On Unix hosts, there's no concept of
15529 drive letters, so the @samp{c:\} prefix is not normally understood as
15530 indicating an absolute file name, and neither is the backslash
15531 normally considered a directory separator character. In that case,
15532 the native file system would interpret this whole absolute file name
15533 as a relative file name with no directory components. This would make
15534 it impossible to point @value{GDBN} at a copy of the remote target's
15535 shared libraries on the host using @code{set sysroot}, and impractical
15536 with @code{set solib-search-path}. Setting
15537 @code{target-file-system-kind} to @code{dos-based} tells @value{GDBN}
15538 to interpret such file names similarly to how the target would, and to
15539 map them to file names valid on @value{GDBN}'s native file system
15540 semantics. The value of @var{kind} can be @code{"auto"}, in addition
15541 to one of the supported file system kinds. In that case, @value{GDBN}
15542 tries to determine the appropriate file system variant based on the
15543 current target's operating system (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the
15544 Current ABI}). The supported file system settings are:
15545
15546 @table @code
15547 @item unix
15548 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target file system is of Unix
15549 kind. Only file names starting the forward slash (@samp{/}) character
15550 are considered absolute, and the directory separator character is also
15551 the forward slash.
15552
15553 @item dos-based
15554 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target file system is DOS based.
15555 File names starting with either a forward slash, or a drive letter
15556 followed by a colon (e.g., @samp{c:}), are considered absolute, and
15557 both the slash (@samp{/}) and the backslash (@samp{\\}) characters are
15558 considered directory separators.
15559
15560 @item auto
15561 Instruct @value{GDBN} to use the file system kind associated with the
15562 target operating system (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the Current ABI}).
15563 This is the default.
15564 @end table
15565 @end table
15566
15567
15568 @node Separate Debug Files
15569 @section Debugging Information in Separate Files
15570 @cindex separate debugging information files
15571 @cindex debugging information in separate files
15572 @cindex @file{.debug} subdirectories
15573 @cindex debugging information directory, global
15574 @cindex global debugging information directory
15575 @cindex build ID, and separate debugging files
15576 @cindex @file{.build-id} directory
15577
15578 @value{GDBN} allows you to put a program's debugging information in a
15579 file separate from the executable itself, in a way that allows
15580 @value{GDBN} to find and load the debugging information automatically.
15581 Since debugging information can be very large---sometimes larger
15582 than the executable code itself---some systems distribute debugging
15583 information for their executables in separate files, which users can
15584 install only when they need to debug a problem.
15585
15586 @value{GDBN} supports two ways of specifying the separate debug info
15587 file:
15588
15589 @itemize @bullet
15590 @item
15591 The executable contains a @dfn{debug link} that specifies the name of
15592 the separate debug info file. The separate debug file's name is
15593 usually @file{@var{executable}.debug}, where @var{executable} is the
15594 name of the corresponding executable file without leading directories
15595 (e.g., @file{ls.debug} for @file{/usr/bin/ls}). In addition, the
15596 debug link specifies a 32-bit @dfn{Cyclic Redundancy Check} (CRC)
15597 checksum for the debug file, which @value{GDBN} uses to validate that
15598 the executable and the debug file came from the same build.
15599
15600 @item
15601 The executable contains a @dfn{build ID}, a unique bit string that is
15602 also present in the corresponding debug info file. (This is supported
15603 only on some operating systems, notably those which use the ELF format
15604 for binary files and the @sc{gnu} Binutils.) For more details about
15605 this feature, see the description of the @option{--build-id}
15606 command-line option in @ref{Options, , Command Line Options, ld.info,
15607 The GNU Linker}. The debug info file's name is not specified
15608 explicitly by the build ID, but can be computed from the build ID, see
15609 below.
15610 @end itemize
15611
15612 Depending on the way the debug info file is specified, @value{GDBN}
15613 uses two different methods of looking for the debug file:
15614
15615 @itemize @bullet
15616 @item
15617 For the ``debug link'' method, @value{GDBN} looks up the named file in
15618 the directory of the executable file, then in a subdirectory of that
15619 directory named @file{.debug}, and finally under the global debug
15620 directory, in a subdirectory whose name is identical to the leading
15621 directories of the executable's absolute file name.
15622
15623 @item
15624 For the ``build ID'' method, @value{GDBN} looks in the
15625 @file{.build-id} subdirectory of the global debug directory for a file
15626 named @file{@var{nn}/@var{nnnnnnnn}.debug}, where @var{nn} are the
15627 first 2 hex characters of the build ID bit string, and @var{nnnnnnnn}
15628 are the rest of the bit string. (Real build ID strings are 32 or more
15629 hex characters, not 10.)
15630 @end itemize
15631
15632 So, for example, suppose you ask @value{GDBN} to debug
15633 @file{/usr/bin/ls}, which has a debug link that specifies the
15634 file @file{ls.debug}, and a build ID whose value in hex is
15635 @code{abcdef1234}. If the global debug directory is
15636 @file{/usr/lib/debug}, then @value{GDBN} will look for the following
15637 debug information files, in the indicated order:
15638
15639 @itemize @minus
15640 @item
15641 @file{/usr/lib/debug/.build-id/ab/cdef1234.debug}
15642 @item
15643 @file{/usr/bin/ls.debug}
15644 @item
15645 @file{/usr/bin/.debug/ls.debug}
15646 @item
15647 @file{/usr/lib/debug/usr/bin/ls.debug}.
15648 @end itemize
15649
15650 You can set the global debugging info directory's name, and view the
15651 name @value{GDBN} is currently using.
15652
15653 @table @code
15654
15655 @kindex set debug-file-directory
15656 @item set debug-file-directory @var{directories}
15657 Set the directories which @value{GDBN} searches for separate debugging
15658 information files to @var{directory}. Multiple directory components can be set
15659 concatenating them by a directory separator.
15660
15661 @kindex show debug-file-directory
15662 @item show debug-file-directory
15663 Show the directories @value{GDBN} searches for separate debugging
15664 information files.
15665
15666 @end table
15667
15668 @cindex @code{.gnu_debuglink} sections
15669 @cindex debug link sections
15670 A debug link is a special section of the executable file named
15671 @code{.gnu_debuglink}. The section must contain:
15672
15673 @itemize
15674 @item
15675 A filename, with any leading directory components removed, followed by
15676 a zero byte,
15677 @item
15678 zero to three bytes of padding, as needed to reach the next four-byte
15679 boundary within the section, and
15680 @item
15681 a four-byte CRC checksum, stored in the same endianness used for the
15682 executable file itself. The checksum is computed on the debugging
15683 information file's full contents by the function given below, passing
15684 zero as the @var{crc} argument.
15685 @end itemize
15686
15687 Any executable file format can carry a debug link, as long as it can
15688 contain a section named @code{.gnu_debuglink} with the contents
15689 described above.
15690
15691 @cindex @code{.note.gnu.build-id} sections
15692 @cindex build ID sections
15693 The build ID is a special section in the executable file (and in other
15694 ELF binary files that @value{GDBN} may consider). This section is
15695 often named @code{.note.gnu.build-id}, but that name is not mandatory.
15696 It contains unique identification for the built files---the ID remains
15697 the same across multiple builds of the same build tree. The default
15698 algorithm SHA1 produces 160 bits (40 hexadecimal characters) of the
15699 content for the build ID string. The same section with an identical
15700 value is present in the original built binary with symbols, in its
15701 stripped variant, and in the separate debugging information file.
15702
15703 The debugging information file itself should be an ordinary
15704 executable, containing a full set of linker symbols, sections, and
15705 debugging information. The sections of the debugging information file
15706 should have the same names, addresses, and sizes as the original file,
15707 but they need not contain any data---much like a @code{.bss} section
15708 in an ordinary executable.
15709
15710 The @sc{gnu} binary utilities (Binutils) package includes the
15711 @samp{objcopy} utility that can produce
15712 the separated executable / debugging information file pairs using the
15713 following commands:
15714
15715 @smallexample
15716 @kbd{objcopy --only-keep-debug foo foo.debug}
15717 @kbd{strip -g foo}
15718 @end smallexample
15719
15720 @noindent
15721 These commands remove the debugging
15722 information from the executable file @file{foo} and place it in the file
15723 @file{foo.debug}. You can use the first, second or both methods to link the
15724 two files:
15725
15726 @itemize @bullet
15727 @item
15728 The debug link method needs the following additional command to also leave
15729 behind a debug link in @file{foo}:
15730
15731 @smallexample
15732 @kbd{objcopy --add-gnu-debuglink=foo.debug foo}
15733 @end smallexample
15734
15735 Ulrich Drepper's @file{elfutils} package, starting with version 0.53, contains
15736 a version of the @code{strip} command such that the command @kbd{strip foo -f
15737 foo.debug} has the same functionality as the two @code{objcopy} commands and
15738 the @code{ln -s} command above, together.
15739
15740 @item
15741 Build ID gets embedded into the main executable using @code{ld --build-id} or
15742 the @value{NGCC} counterpart @code{gcc -Wl,--build-id}. Build ID support plus
15743 compatibility fixes for debug files separation are present in @sc{gnu} binary
15744 utilities (Binutils) package since version 2.18.
15745 @end itemize
15746
15747 @noindent
15748
15749 @cindex CRC algorithm definition
15750 The CRC used in @code{.gnu_debuglink} is the CRC-32 defined in
15751 IEEE 802.3 using the polynomial:
15752
15753 @c TexInfo requires naked braces for multi-digit exponents for Tex
15754 @c output, but this causes HTML output to barf. HTML has to be set using
15755 @c raw commands. So we end up having to specify this equation in 2
15756 @c different ways!
15757 @ifhtml
15758 @display
15759 @html
15760 <em>x</em><sup>32</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>26</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>23</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>22</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>16</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>12</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>11</sup>
15761 + <em>x</em><sup>10</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>8</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>7</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>5</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>4</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>2</sup> + <em>x</em> + 1
15762 @end html
15763 @end display
15764 @end ifhtml
15765 @ifnothtml
15766 @display
15767 @math{x^{32} + x^{26} + x^{23} + x^{22} + x^{16} + x^{12} + x^{11}}
15768 @math{+ x^{10} + x^8 + x^7 + x^5 + x^4 + x^2 + x + 1}
15769 @end display
15770 @end ifnothtml
15771
15772 The function is computed byte at a time, taking the least
15773 significant bit of each byte first. The initial pattern
15774 @code{0xffffffff} is used, to ensure leading zeros affect the CRC and
15775 the final result is inverted to ensure trailing zeros also affect the
15776 CRC.
15777
15778 @emph{Note:} This is the same CRC polynomial as used in handling the
15779 @dfn{Remote Serial Protocol} @code{qCRC} packet (@pxref{Remote Protocol,
15780 , @value{GDBN} Remote Serial Protocol}). However in the
15781 case of the Remote Serial Protocol, the CRC is computed @emph{most}
15782 significant bit first, and the result is not inverted, so trailing
15783 zeros have no effect on the CRC value.
15784
15785 To complete the description, we show below the code of the function
15786 which produces the CRC used in @code{.gnu_debuglink}. Inverting the
15787 initially supplied @code{crc} argument means that an initial call to
15788 this function passing in zero will start computing the CRC using
15789 @code{0xffffffff}.
15790
15791 @kindex gnu_debuglink_crc32
15792 @smallexample
15793 unsigned long
15794 gnu_debuglink_crc32 (unsigned long crc,
15795 unsigned char *buf, size_t len)
15796 @{
15797 static const unsigned long crc32_table[256] =
15798 @{
15799 0x00000000, 0x77073096, 0xee0e612c, 0x990951ba, 0x076dc419,
15800 0x706af48f, 0xe963a535, 0x9e6495a3, 0x0edb8832, 0x79dcb8a4,
15801 0xe0d5e91e, 0x97d2d988, 0x09b64c2b, 0x7eb17cbd, 0xe7b82d07,
15802 0x90bf1d91, 0x1db71064, 0x6ab020f2, 0xf3b97148, 0x84be41de,
15803 0x1adad47d, 0x6ddde4eb, 0xf4d4b551, 0x83d385c7, 0x136c9856,
15804 0x646ba8c0, 0xfd62f97a, 0x8a65c9ec, 0x14015c4f, 0x63066cd9,
15805 0xfa0f3d63, 0x8d080df5, 0x3b6e20c8, 0x4c69105e, 0xd56041e4,
15806 0xa2677172, 0x3c03e4d1, 0x4b04d447, 0xd20d85fd, 0xa50ab56b,
15807 0x35b5a8fa, 0x42b2986c, 0xdbbbc9d6, 0xacbcf940, 0x32d86ce3,
15808 0x45df5c75, 0xdcd60dcf, 0xabd13d59, 0x26d930ac, 0x51de003a,
15809 0xc8d75180, 0xbfd06116, 0x21b4f4b5, 0x56b3c423, 0xcfba9599,
15810 0xb8bda50f, 0x2802b89e, 0x5f058808, 0xc60cd9b2, 0xb10be924,
15811 0x2f6f7c87, 0x58684c11, 0xc1611dab, 0xb6662d3d, 0x76dc4190,
15812 0x01db7106, 0x98d220bc, 0xefd5102a, 0x71b18589, 0x06b6b51f,
15813 0x9fbfe4a5, 0xe8b8d433, 0x7807c9a2, 0x0f00f934, 0x9609a88e,
15814 0xe10e9818, 0x7f6a0dbb, 0x086d3d2d, 0x91646c97, 0xe6635c01,
15815 0x6b6b51f4, 0x1c6c6162, 0x856530d8, 0xf262004e, 0x6c0695ed,
15816 0x1b01a57b, 0x8208f4c1, 0xf50fc457, 0x65b0d9c6, 0x12b7e950,
15817 0x8bbeb8ea, 0xfcb9887c, 0x62dd1ddf, 0x15da2d49, 0x8cd37cf3,
15818 0xfbd44c65, 0x4db26158, 0x3ab551ce, 0xa3bc0074, 0xd4bb30e2,
15819 0x4adfa541, 0x3dd895d7, 0xa4d1c46d, 0xd3d6f4fb, 0x4369e96a,
15820 0x346ed9fc, 0xad678846, 0xda60b8d0, 0x44042d73, 0x33031de5,
15821 0xaa0a4c5f, 0xdd0d7cc9, 0x5005713c, 0x270241aa, 0xbe0b1010,
15822 0xc90c2086, 0x5768b525, 0x206f85b3, 0xb966d409, 0xce61e49f,
15823 0x5edef90e, 0x29d9c998, 0xb0d09822, 0xc7d7a8b4, 0x59b33d17,
15824 0x2eb40d81, 0xb7bd5c3b, 0xc0ba6cad, 0xedb88320, 0x9abfb3b6,
15825 0x03b6e20c, 0x74b1d29a, 0xead54739, 0x9dd277af, 0x04db2615,
15826 0x73dc1683, 0xe3630b12, 0x94643b84, 0x0d6d6a3e, 0x7a6a5aa8,
15827 0xe40ecf0b, 0x9309ff9d, 0x0a00ae27, 0x7d079eb1, 0xf00f9344,
15828 0x8708a3d2, 0x1e01f268, 0x6906c2fe, 0xf762575d, 0x806567cb,
15829 0x196c3671, 0x6e6b06e7, 0xfed41b76, 0x89d32be0, 0x10da7a5a,
15830 0x67dd4acc, 0xf9b9df6f, 0x8ebeeff9, 0x17b7be43, 0x60b08ed5,
15831 0xd6d6a3e8, 0xa1d1937e, 0x38d8c2c4, 0x4fdff252, 0xd1bb67f1,
15832 0xa6bc5767, 0x3fb506dd, 0x48b2364b, 0xd80d2bda, 0xaf0a1b4c,
15833 0x36034af6, 0x41047a60, 0xdf60efc3, 0xa867df55, 0x316e8eef,
15834 0x4669be79, 0xcb61b38c, 0xbc66831a, 0x256fd2a0, 0x5268e236,
15835 0xcc0c7795, 0xbb0b4703, 0x220216b9, 0x5505262f, 0xc5ba3bbe,
15836 0xb2bd0b28, 0x2bb45a92, 0x5cb36a04, 0xc2d7ffa7, 0xb5d0cf31,
15837 0x2cd99e8b, 0x5bdeae1d, 0x9b64c2b0, 0xec63f226, 0x756aa39c,
15838 0x026d930a, 0x9c0906a9, 0xeb0e363f, 0x72076785, 0x05005713,
15839 0x95bf4a82, 0xe2b87a14, 0x7bb12bae, 0x0cb61b38, 0x92d28e9b,
15840 0xe5d5be0d, 0x7cdcefb7, 0x0bdbdf21, 0x86d3d2d4, 0xf1d4e242,
15841 0x68ddb3f8, 0x1fda836e, 0x81be16cd, 0xf6b9265b, 0x6fb077e1,
15842 0x18b74777, 0x88085ae6, 0xff0f6a70, 0x66063bca, 0x11010b5c,
15843 0x8f659eff, 0xf862ae69, 0x616bffd3, 0x166ccf45, 0xa00ae278,
15844 0xd70dd2ee, 0x4e048354, 0x3903b3c2, 0xa7672661, 0xd06016f7,
15845 0x4969474d, 0x3e6e77db, 0xaed16a4a, 0xd9d65adc, 0x40df0b66,
15846 0x37d83bf0, 0xa9bcae53, 0xdebb9ec5, 0x47b2cf7f, 0x30b5ffe9,
15847 0xbdbdf21c, 0xcabac28a, 0x53b39330, 0x24b4a3a6, 0xbad03605,
15848 0xcdd70693, 0x54de5729, 0x23d967bf, 0xb3667a2e, 0xc4614ab8,
15849 0x5d681b02, 0x2a6f2b94, 0xb40bbe37, 0xc30c8ea1, 0x5a05df1b,
15850 0x2d02ef8d
15851 @};
15852 unsigned char *end;
15853
15854 crc = ~crc & 0xffffffff;
15855 for (end = buf + len; buf < end; ++buf)
15856 crc = crc32_table[(crc ^ *buf) & 0xff] ^ (crc >> 8);
15857 return ~crc & 0xffffffff;
15858 @}
15859 @end smallexample
15860
15861 @noindent
15862 This computation does not apply to the ``build ID'' method.
15863
15864
15865 @node Index Files
15866 @section Index Files Speed Up @value{GDBN}
15867 @cindex index files
15868 @cindex @samp{.gdb_index} section
15869
15870 When @value{GDBN} finds a symbol file, it scans the symbols in the
15871 file in order to construct an internal symbol table. This lets most
15872 @value{GDBN} operations work quickly---at the cost of a delay early
15873 on. For large programs, this delay can be quite lengthy, so
15874 @value{GDBN} provides a way to build an index, which speeds up
15875 startup.
15876
15877 The index is stored as a section in the symbol file. @value{GDBN} can
15878 write the index to a file, then you can put it into the symbol file
15879 using @command{objcopy}.
15880
15881 To create an index file, use the @code{save gdb-index} command:
15882
15883 @table @code
15884 @item save gdb-index @var{directory}
15885 @kindex save gdb-index
15886 Create an index file for each symbol file currently known by
15887 @value{GDBN}. Each file is named after its corresponding symbol file,
15888 with @samp{.gdb-index} appended, and is written into the given
15889 @var{directory}.
15890 @end table
15891
15892 Once you have created an index file you can merge it into your symbol
15893 file, here named @file{symfile}, using @command{objcopy}:
15894
15895 @smallexample
15896 $ objcopy --add-section .gdb_index=symfile.gdb-index \
15897 --set-section-flags .gdb_index=readonly symfile symfile
15898 @end smallexample
15899
15900 There are currently some limitation on indices. They only work when
15901 for DWARF debugging information, not stabs. And, they do not
15902 currently work for programs using Ada.
15903
15904 @node Symbol Errors
15905 @section Errors Reading Symbol Files
15906
15907 While reading a symbol file, @value{GDBN} occasionally encounters problems,
15908 such as symbol types it does not recognize, or known bugs in compiler
15909 output. By default, @value{GDBN} does not notify you of such problems, since
15910 they are relatively common and primarily of interest to people
15911 debugging compilers. If you are interested in seeing information
15912 about ill-constructed symbol tables, you can either ask @value{GDBN} to print
15913 only one message about each such type of problem, no matter how many
15914 times the problem occurs; or you can ask @value{GDBN} to print more messages,
15915 to see how many times the problems occur, with the @code{set
15916 complaints} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
15917 Messages}).
15918
15919 The messages currently printed, and their meanings, include:
15920
15921 @table @code
15922 @item inner block not inside outer block in @var{symbol}
15923
15924 The symbol information shows where symbol scopes begin and end
15925 (such as at the start of a function or a block of statements). This
15926 error indicates that an inner scope block is not fully contained
15927 in its outer scope blocks.
15928
15929 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the inner block as if it had
15930 the same scope as the outer block. In the error message, @var{symbol}
15931 may be shown as ``@code{(don't know)}'' if the outer block is not a
15932 function.
15933
15934 @item block at @var{address} out of order
15935
15936 The symbol information for symbol scope blocks should occur in
15937 order of increasing addresses. This error indicates that it does not
15938 do so.
15939
15940 @value{GDBN} does not circumvent this problem, and has trouble
15941 locating symbols in the source file whose symbols it is reading. (You
15942 can often determine what source file is affected by specifying
15943 @code{set verbose on}. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
15944 Messages}.)
15945
15946 @item bad block start address patched
15947
15948 The symbol information for a symbol scope block has a start address
15949 smaller than the address of the preceding source line. This is known
15950 to occur in the SunOS 4.1.1 (and earlier) C compiler.
15951
15952 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the symbol scope block as
15953 starting on the previous source line.
15954
15955 @item bad string table offset in symbol @var{n}
15956
15957 @cindex foo
15958 Symbol number @var{n} contains a pointer into the string table which is
15959 larger than the size of the string table.
15960
15961 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by considering the symbol to have the
15962 name @code{foo}, which may cause other problems if many symbols end up
15963 with this name.
15964
15965 @item unknown symbol type @code{0x@var{nn}}
15966
15967 The symbol information contains new data types that @value{GDBN} does
15968 not yet know how to read. @code{0x@var{nn}} is the symbol type of the
15969 uncomprehended information, in hexadecimal.
15970
15971 @value{GDBN} circumvents the error by ignoring this symbol information.
15972 This usually allows you to debug your program, though certain symbols
15973 are not accessible. If you encounter such a problem and feel like
15974 debugging it, you can debug @code{@value{GDBP}} with itself, breakpoint
15975 on @code{complain}, then go up to the function @code{read_dbx_symtab}
15976 and examine @code{*bufp} to see the symbol.
15977
15978 @item stub type has NULL name
15979
15980 @value{GDBN} could not find the full definition for a struct or class.
15981
15982 @item const/volatile indicator missing (ok if using g++ v1.x), got@dots{}
15983 The symbol information for a C@t{++} member function is missing some
15984 information that recent versions of the compiler should have output for
15985 it.
15986
15987 @item info mismatch between compiler and debugger
15988
15989 @value{GDBN} could not parse a type specification output by the compiler.
15990
15991 @end table
15992
15993 @node Data Files
15994 @section GDB Data Files
15995
15996 @cindex prefix for data files
15997 @value{GDBN} will sometimes read an auxiliary data file. These files
15998 are kept in a directory known as the @dfn{data directory}.
15999
16000 You can set the data directory's name, and view the name @value{GDBN}
16001 is currently using.
16002
16003 @table @code
16004 @kindex set data-directory
16005 @item set data-directory @var{directory}
16006 Set the directory which @value{GDBN} searches for auxiliary data files
16007 to @var{directory}.
16008
16009 @kindex show data-directory
16010 @item show data-directory
16011 Show the directory @value{GDBN} searches for auxiliary data files.
16012 @end table
16013
16014 @cindex default data directory
16015 @cindex @samp{--with-gdb-datadir}
16016 You can set the default data directory by using the configure-time
16017 @samp{--with-gdb-datadir} option. If the data directory is inside
16018 @value{GDBN}'s configured binary prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or
16019 @samp{--exec-prefix}), then the default data directory will be updated
16020 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
16021 location.
16022
16023 The data directory may also be specified with the
16024 @code{--data-directory} command line option.
16025 @xref{Mode Options}.
16026
16027 @node Targets
16028 @chapter Specifying a Debugging Target
16029
16030 @cindex debugging target
16031 A @dfn{target} is the execution environment occupied by your program.
16032
16033 Often, @value{GDBN} runs in the same host environment as your program;
16034 in that case, the debugging target is specified as a side effect when
16035 you use the @code{file} or @code{core} commands. When you need more
16036 flexibility---for example, running @value{GDBN} on a physically separate
16037 host, or controlling a standalone system over a serial port or a
16038 realtime system over a TCP/IP connection---you can use the @code{target}
16039 command to specify one of the target types configured for @value{GDBN}
16040 (@pxref{Target Commands, ,Commands for Managing Targets}).
16041
16042 @cindex target architecture
16043 It is possible to build @value{GDBN} for several different @dfn{target
16044 architectures}. When @value{GDBN} is built like that, you can choose
16045 one of the available architectures with the @kbd{set architecture}
16046 command.
16047
16048 @table @code
16049 @kindex set architecture
16050 @kindex show architecture
16051 @item set architecture @var{arch}
16052 This command sets the current target architecture to @var{arch}. The
16053 value of @var{arch} can be @code{"auto"}, in addition to one of the
16054 supported architectures.
16055
16056 @item show architecture
16057 Show the current target architecture.
16058
16059 @item set processor
16060 @itemx processor
16061 @kindex set processor
16062 @kindex show processor
16063 These are alias commands for, respectively, @code{set architecture}
16064 and @code{show architecture}.
16065 @end table
16066
16067 @menu
16068 * Active Targets:: Active targets
16069 * Target Commands:: Commands for managing targets
16070 * Byte Order:: Choosing target byte order
16071 @end menu
16072
16073 @node Active Targets
16074 @section Active Targets
16075
16076 @cindex stacking targets
16077 @cindex active targets
16078 @cindex multiple targets
16079
16080 There are multiple classes of targets such as: processes, executable files or
16081 recording sessions. Core files belong to the process class, making core file
16082 and process mutually exclusive. Otherwise, @value{GDBN} can work concurrently
16083 on multiple active targets, one in each class. This allows you to (for
16084 example) start a process and inspect its activity, while still having access to
16085 the executable file after the process finishes. Or if you start process
16086 recording (@pxref{Reverse Execution}) and @code{reverse-step} there, you are
16087 presented a virtual layer of the recording target, while the process target
16088 remains stopped at the chronologically last point of the process execution.
16089
16090 Use the @code{core-file} and @code{exec-file} commands to select a new core
16091 file or executable target (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}). To
16092 specify as a target a process that is already running, use the @code{attach}
16093 command (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an Already-running Process}).
16094
16095 @node Target Commands
16096 @section Commands for Managing Targets
16097
16098 @table @code
16099 @item target @var{type} @var{parameters}
16100 Connects the @value{GDBN} host environment to a target machine or
16101 process. A target is typically a protocol for talking to debugging
16102 facilities. You use the argument @var{type} to specify the type or
16103 protocol of the target machine.
16104
16105 Further @var{parameters} are interpreted by the target protocol, but
16106 typically include things like device names or host names to connect
16107 with, process numbers, and baud rates.
16108
16109 The @code{target} command does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again
16110 after executing the command.
16111
16112 @kindex help target
16113 @item help target
16114 Displays the names of all targets available. To display targets
16115 currently selected, use either @code{info target} or @code{info files}
16116 (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
16117
16118 @item help target @var{name}
16119 Describe a particular target, including any parameters necessary to
16120 select it.
16121
16122 @kindex set gnutarget
16123 @item set gnutarget @var{args}
16124 @value{GDBN} uses its own library BFD to read your files. @value{GDBN}
16125 knows whether it is reading an @dfn{executable},
16126 a @dfn{core}, or a @dfn{.o} file; however, you can specify the file format
16127 with the @code{set gnutarget} command. Unlike most @code{target} commands,
16128 with @code{gnutarget} the @code{target} refers to a program, not a machine.
16129
16130 @quotation
16131 @emph{Warning:} To specify a file format with @code{set gnutarget},
16132 you must know the actual BFD name.
16133 @end quotation
16134
16135 @noindent
16136 @xref{Files, , Commands to Specify Files}.
16137
16138 @kindex show gnutarget
16139 @item show gnutarget
16140 Use the @code{show gnutarget} command to display what file format
16141 @code{gnutarget} is set to read. If you have not set @code{gnutarget},
16142 @value{GDBN} will determine the file format for each file automatically,
16143 and @code{show gnutarget} displays @samp{The current BDF target is "auto"}.
16144 @end table
16145
16146 @cindex common targets
16147 Here are some common targets (available, or not, depending on the GDB
16148 configuration):
16149
16150 @table @code
16151 @kindex target
16152 @item target exec @var{program}
16153 @cindex executable file target
16154 An executable file. @samp{target exec @var{program}} is the same as
16155 @samp{exec-file @var{program}}.
16156
16157 @item target core @var{filename}
16158 @cindex core dump file target
16159 A core dump file. @samp{target core @var{filename}} is the same as
16160 @samp{core-file @var{filename}}.
16161
16162 @item target remote @var{medium}
16163 @cindex remote target
16164 A remote system connected to @value{GDBN} via a serial line or network
16165 connection. This command tells @value{GDBN} to use its own remote
16166 protocol over @var{medium} for debugging. @xref{Remote Debugging}.
16167
16168 For example, if you have a board connected to @file{/dev/ttya} on the
16169 machine running @value{GDBN}, you could say:
16170
16171 @smallexample
16172 target remote /dev/ttya
16173 @end smallexample
16174
16175 @code{target remote} supports the @code{load} command. This is only
16176 useful if you have some other way of getting the stub to the target
16177 system, and you can put it somewhere in memory where it won't get
16178 clobbered by the download.
16179
16180 @item target sim @r{[}@var{simargs}@r{]} @dots{}
16181 @cindex built-in simulator target
16182 Builtin CPU simulator. @value{GDBN} includes simulators for most architectures.
16183 In general,
16184 @smallexample
16185 target sim
16186 load
16187 run
16188 @end smallexample
16189 @noindent
16190 works; however, you cannot assume that a specific memory map, device
16191 drivers, or even basic I/O is available, although some simulators do
16192 provide these. For info about any processor-specific simulator details,
16193 see the appropriate section in @ref{Embedded Processors, ,Embedded
16194 Processors}.
16195
16196 @end table
16197
16198 Some configurations may include these targets as well:
16199
16200 @table @code
16201
16202 @item target nrom @var{dev}
16203 @cindex NetROM ROM emulator target
16204 NetROM ROM emulator. This target only supports downloading.
16205
16206 @end table
16207
16208 Different targets are available on different configurations of @value{GDBN};
16209 your configuration may have more or fewer targets.
16210
16211 Many remote targets require you to download the executable's code once
16212 you've successfully established a connection. You may wish to control
16213 various aspects of this process.
16214
16215 @table @code
16216
16217 @item set hash
16218 @kindex set hash@r{, for remote monitors}
16219 @cindex hash mark while downloading
16220 This command controls whether a hash mark @samp{#} is displayed while
16221 downloading a file to the remote monitor. If on, a hash mark is
16222 displayed after each S-record is successfully downloaded to the
16223 monitor.
16224
16225 @item show hash
16226 @kindex show hash@r{, for remote monitors}
16227 Show the current status of displaying the hash mark.
16228
16229 @item set debug monitor
16230 @kindex set debug monitor
16231 @cindex display remote monitor communications
16232 Enable or disable display of communications messages between
16233 @value{GDBN} and the remote monitor.
16234
16235 @item show debug monitor
16236 @kindex show debug monitor
16237 Show the current status of displaying communications between
16238 @value{GDBN} and the remote monitor.
16239 @end table
16240
16241 @table @code
16242
16243 @kindex load @var{filename}
16244 @item load @var{filename}
16245 @anchor{load}
16246 Depending on what remote debugging facilities are configured into
16247 @value{GDBN}, the @code{load} command may be available. Where it exists, it
16248 is meant to make @var{filename} (an executable) available for debugging
16249 on the remote system---by downloading, or dynamic linking, for example.
16250 @code{load} also records the @var{filename} symbol table in @value{GDBN}, like
16251 the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
16252
16253 If your @value{GDBN} does not have a @code{load} command, attempting to
16254 execute it gets the error message ``@code{You can't do that when your
16255 target is @dots{}}''
16256
16257 The file is loaded at whatever address is specified in the executable.
16258 For some object file formats, you can specify the load address when you
16259 link the program; for other formats, like a.out, the object file format
16260 specifies a fixed address.
16261 @c FIXME! This would be a good place for an xref to the GNU linker doc.
16262
16263 Depending on the remote side capabilities, @value{GDBN} may be able to
16264 load programs into flash memory.
16265
16266 @code{load} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
16267 @end table
16268
16269 @node Byte Order
16270 @section Choosing Target Byte Order
16271
16272 @cindex choosing target byte order
16273 @cindex target byte order
16274
16275 Some types of processors, such as the MIPS, PowerPC, and Renesas SH,
16276 offer the ability to run either big-endian or little-endian byte
16277 orders. Usually the executable or symbol will include a bit to
16278 designate the endian-ness, and you will not need to worry about
16279 which to use. However, you may still find it useful to adjust
16280 @value{GDBN}'s idea of processor endian-ness manually.
16281
16282 @table @code
16283 @kindex set endian
16284 @item set endian big
16285 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is big-endian.
16286
16287 @item set endian little
16288 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is little-endian.
16289
16290 @item set endian auto
16291 Instruct @value{GDBN} to use the byte order associated with the
16292 executable.
16293
16294 @item show endian
16295 Display @value{GDBN}'s current idea of the target byte order.
16296
16297 @end table
16298
16299 Note that these commands merely adjust interpretation of symbolic
16300 data on the host, and that they have absolutely no effect on the
16301 target system.
16302
16303
16304 @node Remote Debugging
16305 @chapter Debugging Remote Programs
16306 @cindex remote debugging
16307
16308 If you are trying to debug a program running on a machine that cannot run
16309 @value{GDBN} in the usual way, it is often useful to use remote debugging.
16310 For example, you might use remote debugging on an operating system kernel,
16311 or on a small system which does not have a general purpose operating system
16312 powerful enough to run a full-featured debugger.
16313
16314 Some configurations of @value{GDBN} have special serial or TCP/IP interfaces
16315 to make this work with particular debugging targets. In addition,
16316 @value{GDBN} comes with a generic serial protocol (specific to @value{GDBN},
16317 but not specific to any particular target system) which you can use if you
16318 write the remote stubs---the code that runs on the remote system to
16319 communicate with @value{GDBN}.
16320
16321 Other remote targets may be available in your
16322 configuration of @value{GDBN}; use @code{help target} to list them.
16323
16324 @menu
16325 * Connecting:: Connecting to a remote target
16326 * File Transfer:: Sending files to a remote system
16327 * Server:: Using the gdbserver program
16328 * Remote Configuration:: Remote configuration
16329 * Remote Stub:: Implementing a remote stub
16330 @end menu
16331
16332 @node Connecting
16333 @section Connecting to a Remote Target
16334
16335 On the @value{GDBN} host machine, you will need an unstripped copy of
16336 your program, since @value{GDBN} needs symbol and debugging information.
16337 Start up @value{GDBN} as usual, using the name of the local copy of your
16338 program as the first argument.
16339
16340 @cindex @code{target remote}
16341 @value{GDBN} can communicate with the target over a serial line, or
16342 over an @acronym{IP} network using @acronym{TCP} or @acronym{UDP}. In
16343 each case, @value{GDBN} uses the same protocol for debugging your
16344 program; only the medium carrying the debugging packets varies. The
16345 @code{target remote} command establishes a connection to the target.
16346 Its arguments indicate which medium to use:
16347
16348 @table @code
16349
16350 @item target remote @var{serial-device}
16351 @cindex serial line, @code{target remote}
16352 Use @var{serial-device} to communicate with the target. For example,
16353 to use a serial line connected to the device named @file{/dev/ttyb}:
16354
16355 @smallexample
16356 target remote /dev/ttyb
16357 @end smallexample
16358
16359 If you're using a serial line, you may want to give @value{GDBN} the
16360 @w{@samp{--baud}} option, or use the @code{set remotebaud} command
16361 (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remotebaud}) before the
16362 @code{target} command.
16363
16364 @item target remote @code{@var{host}:@var{port}}
16365 @itemx target remote @code{tcp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
16366 @cindex @acronym{TCP} port, @code{target remote}
16367 Debug using a @acronym{TCP} connection to @var{port} on @var{host}.
16368 The @var{host} may be either a host name or a numeric @acronym{IP}
16369 address; @var{port} must be a decimal number. The @var{host} could be
16370 the target machine itself, if it is directly connected to the net, or
16371 it might be a terminal server which in turn has a serial line to the
16372 target.
16373
16374 For example, to connect to port 2828 on a terminal server named
16375 @code{manyfarms}:
16376
16377 @smallexample
16378 target remote manyfarms:2828
16379 @end smallexample
16380
16381 If your remote target is actually running on the same machine as your
16382 debugger session (e.g.@: a simulator for your target running on the
16383 same host), you can omit the hostname. For example, to connect to
16384 port 1234 on your local machine:
16385
16386 @smallexample
16387 target remote :1234
16388 @end smallexample
16389 @noindent
16390
16391 Note that the colon is still required here.
16392
16393 @item target remote @code{udp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
16394 @cindex @acronym{UDP} port, @code{target remote}
16395 Debug using @acronym{UDP} packets to @var{port} on @var{host}. For example, to
16396 connect to @acronym{UDP} port 2828 on a terminal server named @code{manyfarms}:
16397
16398 @smallexample
16399 target remote udp:manyfarms:2828
16400 @end smallexample
16401
16402 When using a @acronym{UDP} connection for remote debugging, you should
16403 keep in mind that the `U' stands for ``Unreliable''. @acronym{UDP}
16404 can silently drop packets on busy or unreliable networks, which will
16405 cause havoc with your debugging session.
16406
16407 @item target remote | @var{command}
16408 @cindex pipe, @code{target remote} to
16409 Run @var{command} in the background and communicate with it using a
16410 pipe. The @var{command} is a shell command, to be parsed and expanded
16411 by the system's command shell, @code{/bin/sh}; it should expect remote
16412 protocol packets on its standard input, and send replies on its
16413 standard output. You could use this to run a stand-alone simulator
16414 that speaks the remote debugging protocol, to make net connections
16415 using programs like @code{ssh}, or for other similar tricks.
16416
16417 If @var{command} closes its standard output (perhaps by exiting),
16418 @value{GDBN} will try to send it a @code{SIGTERM} signal. (If the
16419 program has already exited, this will have no effect.)
16420
16421 @end table
16422
16423 Once the connection has been established, you can use all the usual
16424 commands to examine and change data. The remote program is already
16425 running; you can use @kbd{step} and @kbd{continue}, and you do not
16426 need to use @kbd{run}.
16427
16428 @cindex interrupting remote programs
16429 @cindex remote programs, interrupting
16430 Whenever @value{GDBN} is waiting for the remote program, if you type the
16431 interrupt character (often @kbd{Ctrl-c}), @value{GDBN} attempts to stop the
16432 program. This may or may not succeed, depending in part on the hardware
16433 and the serial drivers the remote system uses. If you type the
16434 interrupt character once again, @value{GDBN} displays this prompt:
16435
16436 @smallexample
16437 Interrupted while waiting for the program.
16438 Give up (and stop debugging it)? (y or n)
16439 @end smallexample
16440
16441 If you type @kbd{y}, @value{GDBN} abandons the remote debugging session.
16442 (If you decide you want to try again later, you can use @samp{target
16443 remote} again to connect once more.) If you type @kbd{n}, @value{GDBN}
16444 goes back to waiting.
16445
16446 @table @code
16447 @kindex detach (remote)
16448 @item detach
16449 When you have finished debugging the remote program, you can use the
16450 @code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control.
16451 Detaching from the target normally resumes its execution, but the results
16452 will depend on your particular remote stub. After the @code{detach}
16453 command, @value{GDBN} is free to connect to another target.
16454
16455 @kindex disconnect
16456 @item disconnect
16457 The @code{disconnect} command behaves like @code{detach}, except that
16458 the target is generally not resumed. It will wait for @value{GDBN}
16459 (this instance or another one) to connect and continue debugging. After
16460 the @code{disconnect} command, @value{GDBN} is again free to connect to
16461 another target.
16462
16463 @cindex send command to remote monitor
16464 @cindex extend @value{GDBN} for remote targets
16465 @cindex add new commands for external monitor
16466 @kindex monitor
16467 @item monitor @var{cmd}
16468 This command allows you to send arbitrary commands directly to the
16469 remote monitor. Since @value{GDBN} doesn't care about the commands it
16470 sends like this, this command is the way to extend @value{GDBN}---you
16471 can add new commands that only the external monitor will understand
16472 and implement.
16473 @end table
16474
16475 @node File Transfer
16476 @section Sending files to a remote system
16477 @cindex remote target, file transfer
16478 @cindex file transfer
16479 @cindex sending files to remote systems
16480
16481 Some remote targets offer the ability to transfer files over the same
16482 connection used to communicate with @value{GDBN}. This is convenient
16483 for targets accessible through other means, e.g.@: @sc{gnu}/Linux systems
16484 running @code{gdbserver} over a network interface. For other targets,
16485 e.g.@: embedded devices with only a single serial port, this may be
16486 the only way to upload or download files.
16487
16488 Not all remote targets support these commands.
16489
16490 @table @code
16491 @kindex remote put
16492 @item remote put @var{hostfile} @var{targetfile}
16493 Copy file @var{hostfile} from the host system (the machine running
16494 @value{GDBN}) to @var{targetfile} on the target system.
16495
16496 @kindex remote get
16497 @item remote get @var{targetfile} @var{hostfile}
16498 Copy file @var{targetfile} from the target system to @var{hostfile}
16499 on the host system.
16500
16501 @kindex remote delete
16502 @item remote delete @var{targetfile}
16503 Delete @var{targetfile} from the target system.
16504
16505 @end table
16506
16507 @node Server
16508 @section Using the @code{gdbserver} Program
16509
16510 @kindex gdbserver
16511 @cindex remote connection without stubs
16512 @code{gdbserver} is a control program for Unix-like systems, which
16513 allows you to connect your program with a remote @value{GDBN} via
16514 @code{target remote}---but without linking in the usual debugging stub.
16515
16516 @code{gdbserver} is not a complete replacement for the debugging stubs,
16517 because it requires essentially the same operating-system facilities
16518 that @value{GDBN} itself does. In fact, a system that can run
16519 @code{gdbserver} to connect to a remote @value{GDBN} could also run
16520 @value{GDBN} locally! @code{gdbserver} is sometimes useful nevertheless,
16521 because it is a much smaller program than @value{GDBN} itself. It is
16522 also easier to port than all of @value{GDBN}, so you may be able to get
16523 started more quickly on a new system by using @code{gdbserver}.
16524 Finally, if you develop code for real-time systems, you may find that
16525 the tradeoffs involved in real-time operation make it more convenient to
16526 do as much development work as possible on another system, for example
16527 by cross-compiling. You can use @code{gdbserver} to make a similar
16528 choice for debugging.
16529
16530 @value{GDBN} and @code{gdbserver} communicate via either a serial line
16531 or a TCP connection, using the standard @value{GDBN} remote serial
16532 protocol.
16533
16534 @quotation
16535 @emph{Warning:} @code{gdbserver} does not have any built-in security.
16536 Do not run @code{gdbserver} connected to any public network; a
16537 @value{GDBN} connection to @code{gdbserver} provides access to the
16538 target system with the same privileges as the user running
16539 @code{gdbserver}.
16540 @end quotation
16541
16542 @subsection Running @code{gdbserver}
16543 @cindex arguments, to @code{gdbserver}
16544 @cindex @code{gdbserver}, command-line arguments
16545
16546 Run @code{gdbserver} on the target system. You need a copy of the
16547 program you want to debug, including any libraries it requires.
16548 @code{gdbserver} does not need your program's symbol table, so you can
16549 strip the program if necessary to save space. @value{GDBN} on the host
16550 system does all the symbol handling.
16551
16552 To use the server, you must tell it how to communicate with @value{GDBN};
16553 the name of your program; and the arguments for your program. The usual
16554 syntax is:
16555
16556 @smallexample
16557 target> gdbserver @var{comm} @var{program} [ @var{args} @dots{} ]
16558 @end smallexample
16559
16560 @var{comm} is either a device name (to use a serial line) or a TCP
16561 hostname and portnumber. For example, to debug Emacs with the argument
16562 @samp{foo.txt} and communicate with @value{GDBN} over the serial port
16563 @file{/dev/com1}:
16564
16565 @smallexample
16566 target> gdbserver /dev/com1 emacs foo.txt
16567 @end smallexample
16568
16569 @code{gdbserver} waits passively for the host @value{GDBN} to communicate
16570 with it.
16571
16572 To use a TCP connection instead of a serial line:
16573
16574 @smallexample
16575 target> gdbserver host:2345 emacs foo.txt
16576 @end smallexample
16577
16578 The only difference from the previous example is the first argument,
16579 specifying that you are communicating with the host @value{GDBN} via
16580 TCP. The @samp{host:2345} argument means that @code{gdbserver} is to
16581 expect a TCP connection from machine @samp{host} to local TCP port 2345.
16582 (Currently, the @samp{host} part is ignored.) You can choose any number
16583 you want for the port number as long as it does not conflict with any
16584 TCP ports already in use on the target system (for example, @code{23} is
16585 reserved for @code{telnet}).@footnote{If you choose a port number that
16586 conflicts with another service, @code{gdbserver} prints an error message
16587 and exits.} You must use the same port number with the host @value{GDBN}
16588 @code{target remote} command.
16589
16590 @subsubsection Attaching to a Running Program
16591 @cindex attach to a program, @code{gdbserver}
16592 @cindex @option{--attach}, @code{gdbserver} option
16593
16594 On some targets, @code{gdbserver} can also attach to running programs.
16595 This is accomplished via the @code{--attach} argument. The syntax is:
16596
16597 @smallexample
16598 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
16599 @end smallexample
16600
16601 @var{pid} is the process ID of a currently running process. It isn't necessary
16602 to point @code{gdbserver} at a binary for the running process.
16603
16604 @pindex pidof
16605 You can debug processes by name instead of process ID if your target has the
16606 @code{pidof} utility:
16607
16608 @smallexample
16609 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} `pidof @var{program}`
16610 @end smallexample
16611
16612 In case more than one copy of @var{program} is running, or @var{program}
16613 has multiple threads, most versions of @code{pidof} support the
16614 @code{-s} option to only return the first process ID.
16615
16616 @subsubsection Multi-Process Mode for @code{gdbserver}
16617 @cindex @code{gdbserver}, multiple processes
16618 @cindex multiple processes with @code{gdbserver}
16619
16620 When you connect to @code{gdbserver} using @code{target remote},
16621 @code{gdbserver} debugs the specified program only once. When the
16622 program exits, or you detach from it, @value{GDBN} closes the connection
16623 and @code{gdbserver} exits.
16624
16625 If you connect using @kbd{target extended-remote}, @code{gdbserver}
16626 enters multi-process mode. When the debugged program exits, or you
16627 detach from it, @value{GDBN} stays connected to @code{gdbserver} even
16628 though no program is running. The @code{run} and @code{attach}
16629 commands instruct @code{gdbserver} to run or attach to a new program.
16630 The @code{run} command uses @code{set remote exec-file} (@pxref{set
16631 remote exec-file}) to select the program to run. Command line
16632 arguments are supported, except for wildcard expansion and I/O
16633 redirection (@pxref{Arguments}).
16634
16635 @cindex @option{--multi}, @code{gdbserver} option
16636 To start @code{gdbserver} without supplying an initial command to run
16637 or process ID to attach, use the @option{--multi} command line option.
16638 Then you can connect using @kbd{target extended-remote} and start
16639 the program you want to debug.
16640
16641 In multi-process mode @code{gdbserver} does not automatically exit unless you
16642 use the option @option{--once}. You can terminate it by using
16643 @code{monitor exit} (@pxref{Monitor Commands for gdbserver}). Note that the
16644 conditions under which @code{gdbserver} terminates depend on how @value{GDBN}
16645 connects to it (@kbd{target remote} or @kbd{target extended-remote}). The
16646 @option{--multi} option to @code{gdbserver} has no influence on that.
16647
16648 @subsubsection TCP port allocation lifecycle of @code{gdbserver}
16649
16650 This section applies only when @code{gdbserver} is run to listen on a TCP port.
16651
16652 @code{gdbserver} normally terminates after all of its debugged processes have
16653 terminated in @kbd{target remote} mode. On the other hand, for @kbd{target
16654 extended-remote}, @code{gdbserver} stays running even with no processes left.
16655 @value{GDBN} normally terminates the spawned debugged process on its exit,
16656 which normally also terminates @code{gdbserver} in the @kbd{target remote}
16657 mode. Therefore, when the connection drops unexpectedly, and @value{GDBN}
16658 cannot ask @code{gdbserver} to kill its debugged processes, @code{gdbserver}
16659 stays running even in the @kbd{target remote} mode.
16660
16661 When @code{gdbserver} stays running, @value{GDBN} can connect to it again later.
16662 Such reconnecting is useful for features like @ref{disconnected tracing}. For
16663 completeness, at most one @value{GDBN} can be connected at a time.
16664
16665 @cindex @option{--once}, @code{gdbserver} option
16666 By default, @code{gdbserver} keeps the listening TCP port open, so that
16667 additional connections are possible. However, if you start @code{gdbserver}
16668 with the @option{--once} option, it will stop listening for any further
16669 connection attempts after connecting to the first @value{GDBN} session. This
16670 means no further connections to @code{gdbserver} will be possible after the
16671 first one. It also means @code{gdbserver} will terminate after the first
16672 connection with remote @value{GDBN} has closed, even for unexpectedly closed
16673 connections and even in the @kbd{target extended-remote} mode. The
16674 @option{--once} option allows reusing the same port number for connecting to
16675 multiple instances of @code{gdbserver} running on the same host, since each
16676 instance closes its port after the first connection.
16677
16678 @subsubsection Other Command-Line Arguments for @code{gdbserver}
16679
16680 @cindex @option{--debug}, @code{gdbserver} option
16681 The @option{--debug} option tells @code{gdbserver} to display extra
16682 status information about the debugging process.
16683 @cindex @option{--remote-debug}, @code{gdbserver} option
16684 The @option{--remote-debug} option tells @code{gdbserver} to display
16685 remote protocol debug output. These options are intended for
16686 @code{gdbserver} development and for bug reports to the developers.
16687
16688 @cindex @option{--wrapper}, @code{gdbserver} option
16689 The @option{--wrapper} option specifies a wrapper to launch programs
16690 for debugging. The option should be followed by the name of the
16691 wrapper, then any command-line arguments to pass to the wrapper, then
16692 @kbd{--} indicating the end of the wrapper arguments.
16693
16694 @code{gdbserver} runs the specified wrapper program with a combined
16695 command line including the wrapper arguments, then the name of the
16696 program to debug, then any arguments to the program. The wrapper
16697 runs until it executes your program, and then @value{GDBN} gains control.
16698
16699 You can use any program that eventually calls @code{execve} with
16700 its arguments as a wrapper. Several standard Unix utilities do
16701 this, e.g.@: @code{env} and @code{nohup}. Any Unix shell script ending
16702 with @code{exec "$@@"} will also work.
16703
16704 For example, you can use @code{env} to pass an environment variable to
16705 the debugged program, without setting the variable in @code{gdbserver}'s
16706 environment:
16707
16708 @smallexample
16709 $ gdbserver --wrapper env LD_PRELOAD=libtest.so -- :2222 ./testprog
16710 @end smallexample
16711
16712 @subsection Connecting to @code{gdbserver}
16713
16714 Run @value{GDBN} on the host system.
16715
16716 First make sure you have the necessary symbol files. Load symbols for
16717 your application using the @code{file} command before you connect. Use
16718 @code{set sysroot} to locate target libraries (unless your @value{GDBN}
16719 was compiled with the correct sysroot using @code{--with-sysroot}).
16720
16721 The symbol file and target libraries must exactly match the executable
16722 and libraries on the target, with one exception: the files on the host
16723 system should not be stripped, even if the files on the target system
16724 are. Mismatched or missing files will lead to confusing results
16725 during debugging. On @sc{gnu}/Linux targets, mismatched or missing
16726 files may also prevent @code{gdbserver} from debugging multi-threaded
16727 programs.
16728
16729 Connect to your target (@pxref{Connecting,,Connecting to a Remote Target}).
16730 For TCP connections, you must start up @code{gdbserver} prior to using
16731 the @code{target remote} command. Otherwise you may get an error whose
16732 text depends on the host system, but which usually looks something like
16733 @samp{Connection refused}. Don't use the @code{load}
16734 command in @value{GDBN} when using @code{gdbserver}, since the program is
16735 already on the target.
16736
16737 @subsection Monitor Commands for @code{gdbserver}
16738 @cindex monitor commands, for @code{gdbserver}
16739 @anchor{Monitor Commands for gdbserver}
16740
16741 During a @value{GDBN} session using @code{gdbserver}, you can use the
16742 @code{monitor} command to send special requests to @code{gdbserver}.
16743 Here are the available commands.
16744
16745 @table @code
16746 @item monitor help
16747 List the available monitor commands.
16748
16749 @item monitor set debug 0
16750 @itemx monitor set debug 1
16751 Disable or enable general debugging messages.
16752
16753 @item monitor set remote-debug 0
16754 @itemx monitor set remote-debug 1
16755 Disable or enable specific debugging messages associated with the remote
16756 protocol (@pxref{Remote Protocol}).
16757
16758 @item monitor set libthread-db-search-path [PATH]
16759 @cindex gdbserver, search path for @code{libthread_db}
16760 When this command is issued, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
16761 directories to search for @code{libthread_db} (@pxref{Threads,,set
16762 libthread-db-search-path}). If you omit @var{path},
16763 @samp{libthread-db-search-path} will be reset to its default value.
16764
16765 The special entry @samp{$pdir} for @samp{libthread-db-search-path} is
16766 not supported in @code{gdbserver}.
16767
16768 @item monitor exit
16769 Tell gdbserver to exit immediately. This command should be followed by
16770 @code{disconnect} to close the debugging session. @code{gdbserver} will
16771 detach from any attached processes and kill any processes it created.
16772 Use @code{monitor exit} to terminate @code{gdbserver} at the end
16773 of a multi-process mode debug session.
16774
16775 @end table
16776
16777 @subsection Tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}
16778 @cindex tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}
16779
16780 On some targets, @code{gdbserver} supports tracepoints, fast
16781 tracepoints and static tracepoints.
16782
16783 For fast or static tracepoints to work, a special library called the
16784 @dfn{in-process agent} (IPA), must be loaded in the inferior process.
16785 This library is built and distributed as an integral part of
16786 @code{gdbserver}. In addition, support for static tracepoints
16787 requires building the in-process agent library with static tracepoints
16788 support. At present, the UST (LTTng Userspace Tracer,
16789 @url{http://lttng.org/ust}) tracing engine is supported. This support
16790 is automatically available if UST development headers are found in the
16791 standard include path when @code{gdbserver} is built, or if
16792 @code{gdbserver} was explicitly configured using @option{--with-ust}
16793 to point at such headers. You can explicitly disable the support
16794 using @option{--with-ust=no}.
16795
16796 There are several ways to load the in-process agent in your program:
16797
16798 @table @code
16799 @item Specifying it as dependency at link time
16800
16801 You can link your program dynamically with the in-process agent
16802 library. On most systems, this is accomplished by adding
16803 @code{-linproctrace} to the link command.
16804
16805 @item Using the system's preloading mechanisms
16806
16807 You can force loading the in-process agent at startup time by using
16808 your system's support for preloading shared libraries. Many Unixes
16809 support the concept of preloading user defined libraries. In most
16810 cases, you do that by specifying @code{LD_PRELOAD=libinproctrace.so}
16811 in the environment. See also the description of @code{gdbserver}'s
16812 @option{--wrapper} command line option.
16813
16814 @item Using @value{GDBN} to force loading the agent at run time
16815
16816 On some systems, you can force the inferior to load a shared library,
16817 by calling a dynamic loader function in the inferior that takes care
16818 of dynamically looking up and loading a shared library. On most Unix
16819 systems, the function is @code{dlopen}. You'll use the @code{call}
16820 command for that. For example:
16821
16822 @smallexample
16823 (@value{GDBP}) call dlopen ("libinproctrace.so", ...)
16824 @end smallexample
16825
16826 Note that on most Unix systems, for the @code{dlopen} function to be
16827 available, the program needs to be linked with @code{-ldl}.
16828 @end table
16829
16830 On systems that have a userspace dynamic loader, like most Unix
16831 systems, when you connect to @code{gdbserver} using @code{target
16832 remote}, you'll find that the program is stopped at the dynamic
16833 loader's entry point, and no shared library has been loaded in the
16834 program's address space yet, including the in-process agent. In that
16835 case, before being able to use any of the fast or static tracepoints
16836 features, you need to let the loader run and load the shared
16837 libraries. The simplest way to do that is to run the program to the
16838 main procedure. E.g., if debugging a C or C@t{++} program, start
16839 @code{gdbserver} like so:
16840
16841 @smallexample
16842 $ gdbserver :9999 myprogram
16843 @end smallexample
16844
16845 Start GDB and connect to @code{gdbserver} like so, and run to main:
16846
16847 @smallexample
16848 $ gdb myprogram
16849 (@value{GDBP}) target remote myhost:9999
16850 0x00007f215893ba60 in ?? () from /lib64/ld-linux-x86-64.so.2
16851 (@value{GDBP}) b main
16852 (@value{GDBP}) continue
16853 @end smallexample
16854
16855 The in-process tracing agent library should now be loaded into the
16856 process; you can confirm it with the @code{info sharedlibrary}
16857 command, which will list @file{libinproctrace.so} as loaded in the
16858 process. You are now ready to install fast tracepoints, list static
16859 tracepoint markers, probe static tracepoints markers, and start
16860 tracing.
16861
16862 @node Remote Configuration
16863 @section Remote Configuration
16864
16865 @kindex set remote
16866 @kindex show remote
16867 This section documents the configuration options available when
16868 debugging remote programs. For the options related to the File I/O
16869 extensions of the remote protocol, see @ref{system,
16870 system-call-allowed}.
16871
16872 @table @code
16873 @item set remoteaddresssize @var{bits}
16874 @cindex address size for remote targets
16875 @cindex bits in remote address
16876 Set the maximum size of address in a memory packet to the specified
16877 number of bits. @value{GDBN} will mask off the address bits above
16878 that number, when it passes addresses to the remote target. The
16879 default value is the number of bits in the target's address.
16880
16881 @item show remoteaddresssize
16882 Show the current value of remote address size in bits.
16883
16884 @item set remotebaud @var{n}
16885 @cindex baud rate for remote targets
16886 Set the baud rate for the remote serial I/O to @var{n} baud. The
16887 value is used to set the speed of the serial port used for debugging
16888 remote targets.
16889
16890 @item show remotebaud
16891 Show the current speed of the remote connection.
16892
16893 @item set remotebreak
16894 @cindex interrupt remote programs
16895 @cindex BREAK signal instead of Ctrl-C
16896 @anchor{set remotebreak}
16897 If set to on, @value{GDBN} sends a @code{BREAK} signal to the remote
16898 when you type @kbd{Ctrl-c} to interrupt the program running
16899 on the remote. If set to off, @value{GDBN} sends the @samp{Ctrl-C}
16900 character instead. The default is off, since most remote systems
16901 expect to see @samp{Ctrl-C} as the interrupt signal.
16902
16903 @item show remotebreak
16904 Show whether @value{GDBN} sends @code{BREAK} or @samp{Ctrl-C} to
16905 interrupt the remote program.
16906
16907 @item set remoteflow on
16908 @itemx set remoteflow off
16909 @kindex set remoteflow
16910 Enable or disable hardware flow control (@code{RTS}/@code{CTS})
16911 on the serial port used to communicate to the remote target.
16912
16913 @item show remoteflow
16914 @kindex show remoteflow
16915 Show the current setting of hardware flow control.
16916
16917 @item set remotelogbase @var{base}
16918 Set the base (a.k.a.@: radix) of logging serial protocol
16919 communications to @var{base}. Supported values of @var{base} are:
16920 @code{ascii}, @code{octal}, and @code{hex}. The default is
16921 @code{ascii}.
16922
16923 @item show remotelogbase
16924 Show the current setting of the radix for logging remote serial
16925 protocol.
16926
16927 @item set remotelogfile @var{file}
16928 @cindex record serial communications on file
16929 Record remote serial communications on the named @var{file}. The
16930 default is not to record at all.
16931
16932 @item show remotelogfile.
16933 Show the current setting of the file name on which to record the
16934 serial communications.
16935
16936 @item set remotetimeout @var{num}
16937 @cindex timeout for serial communications
16938 @cindex remote timeout
16939 Set the timeout limit to wait for the remote target to respond to
16940 @var{num} seconds. The default is 2 seconds.
16941
16942 @item show remotetimeout
16943 Show the current number of seconds to wait for the remote target
16944 responses.
16945
16946 @cindex limit hardware breakpoints and watchpoints
16947 @cindex remote target, limit break- and watchpoints
16948 @anchor{set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit}
16949 @anchor{set remote hardware-breakpoint-limit}
16950 @item set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit @var{limit}
16951 @itemx set remote hardware-breakpoint-limit @var{limit}
16952 Restrict @value{GDBN} to using @var{limit} remote hardware breakpoint or
16953 watchpoints. A limit of -1, the default, is treated as unlimited.
16954
16955 @cindex limit hardware watchpoints length
16956 @cindex remote target, limit watchpoints length
16957 @anchor{set remote hardware-watchpoint-length-limit}
16958 @item set remote hardware-watchpoint-length-limit @var{limit}
16959 Restrict @value{GDBN} to using @var{limit} bytes for the maximum length of
16960 a remote hardware watchpoint. A limit of -1, the default, is treated
16961 as unlimited.
16962
16963 @item show remote hardware-watchpoint-length-limit
16964 Show the current limit (in bytes) of the maximum length of
16965 a remote hardware watchpoint.
16966
16967 @item set remote exec-file @var{filename}
16968 @itemx show remote exec-file
16969 @anchor{set remote exec-file}
16970 @cindex executable file, for remote target
16971 Select the file used for @code{run} with @code{target
16972 extended-remote}. This should be set to a filename valid on the
16973 target system. If it is not set, the target will use a default
16974 filename (e.g.@: the last program run).
16975
16976 @item set remote interrupt-sequence
16977 @cindex interrupt remote programs
16978 @cindex select Ctrl-C, BREAK or BREAK-g
16979 Allow the user to select one of @samp{Ctrl-C}, a @code{BREAK} or
16980 @samp{BREAK-g} as the
16981 sequence to the remote target in order to interrupt the execution.
16982 @samp{Ctrl-C} is a default. Some system prefers @code{BREAK} which
16983 is high level of serial line for some certain time.
16984 Linux kernel prefers @samp{BREAK-g}, a.k.a Magic SysRq g.
16985 It is @code{BREAK} signal followed by character @code{g}.
16986
16987 @item show interrupt-sequence
16988 Show which of @samp{Ctrl-C}, @code{BREAK} or @code{BREAK-g}
16989 is sent by @value{GDBN} to interrupt the remote program.
16990 @code{BREAK-g} is BREAK signal followed by @code{g} and
16991 also known as Magic SysRq g.
16992
16993 @item set remote interrupt-on-connect
16994 @cindex send interrupt-sequence on start
16995 Specify whether interrupt-sequence is sent to remote target when
16996 @value{GDBN} connects to it. This is mostly needed when you debug
16997 Linux kernel. Linux kernel expects @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g}
16998 which is known as Magic SysRq g in order to connect @value{GDBN}.
16999
17000 @item show interrupt-on-connect
17001 Show whether interrupt-sequence is sent
17002 to remote target when @value{GDBN} connects to it.
17003
17004 @kindex set tcp
17005 @kindex show tcp
17006 @item set tcp auto-retry on
17007 @cindex auto-retry, for remote TCP target
17008 Enable auto-retry for remote TCP connections. This is useful if the remote
17009 debugging agent is launched in parallel with @value{GDBN}; there is a race
17010 condition because the agent may not become ready to accept the connection
17011 before @value{GDBN} attempts to connect. When auto-retry is
17012 enabled, if the initial attempt to connect fails, @value{GDBN} reattempts
17013 to establish the connection using the timeout specified by
17014 @code{set tcp connect-timeout}.
17015
17016 @item set tcp auto-retry off
17017 Do not auto-retry failed TCP connections.
17018
17019 @item show tcp auto-retry
17020 Show the current auto-retry setting.
17021
17022 @item set tcp connect-timeout @var{seconds}
17023 @cindex connection timeout, for remote TCP target
17024 @cindex timeout, for remote target connection
17025 Set the timeout for establishing a TCP connection to the remote target to
17026 @var{seconds}. The timeout affects both polling to retry failed connections
17027 (enabled by @code{set tcp auto-retry on}) and waiting for connections
17028 that are merely slow to complete, and represents an approximate cumulative
17029 value.
17030
17031 @item show tcp connect-timeout
17032 Show the current connection timeout setting.
17033 @end table
17034
17035 @cindex remote packets, enabling and disabling
17036 The @value{GDBN} remote protocol autodetects the packets supported by
17037 your debugging stub. If you need to override the autodetection, you
17038 can use these commands to enable or disable individual packets. Each
17039 packet can be set to @samp{on} (the remote target supports this
17040 packet), @samp{off} (the remote target does not support this packet),
17041 or @samp{auto} (detect remote target support for this packet). They
17042 all default to @samp{auto}. For more information about each packet,
17043 see @ref{Remote Protocol}.
17044
17045 During normal use, you should not have to use any of these commands.
17046 If you do, that may be a bug in your remote debugging stub, or a bug
17047 in @value{GDBN}. You may want to report the problem to the
17048 @value{GDBN} developers.
17049
17050 For each packet @var{name}, the command to enable or disable the
17051 packet is @code{set remote @var{name}-packet}. The available settings
17052 are:
17053
17054 @multitable @columnfractions 0.28 0.32 0.25
17055 @item Command Name
17056 @tab Remote Packet
17057 @tab Related Features
17058
17059 @item @code{fetch-register}
17060 @tab @code{p}
17061 @tab @code{info registers}
17062
17063 @item @code{set-register}
17064 @tab @code{P}
17065 @tab @code{set}
17066
17067 @item @code{binary-download}
17068 @tab @code{X}
17069 @tab @code{load}, @code{set}
17070
17071 @item @code{read-aux-vector}
17072 @tab @code{qXfer:auxv:read}
17073 @tab @code{info auxv}
17074
17075 @item @code{symbol-lookup}
17076 @tab @code{qSymbol}
17077 @tab Detecting multiple threads
17078
17079 @item @code{attach}
17080 @tab @code{vAttach}
17081 @tab @code{attach}
17082
17083 @item @code{verbose-resume}
17084 @tab @code{vCont}
17085 @tab Stepping or resuming multiple threads
17086
17087 @item @code{run}
17088 @tab @code{vRun}
17089 @tab @code{run}
17090
17091 @item @code{software-breakpoint}
17092 @tab @code{Z0}
17093 @tab @code{break}
17094
17095 @item @code{hardware-breakpoint}
17096 @tab @code{Z1}
17097 @tab @code{hbreak}
17098
17099 @item @code{write-watchpoint}
17100 @tab @code{Z2}
17101 @tab @code{watch}
17102
17103 @item @code{read-watchpoint}
17104 @tab @code{Z3}
17105 @tab @code{rwatch}
17106
17107 @item @code{access-watchpoint}
17108 @tab @code{Z4}
17109 @tab @code{awatch}
17110
17111 @item @code{target-features}
17112 @tab @code{qXfer:features:read}
17113 @tab @code{set architecture}
17114
17115 @item @code{library-info}
17116 @tab @code{qXfer:libraries:read}
17117 @tab @code{info sharedlibrary}
17118
17119 @item @code{memory-map}
17120 @tab @code{qXfer:memory-map:read}
17121 @tab @code{info mem}
17122
17123 @item @code{read-sdata-object}
17124 @tab @code{qXfer:sdata:read}
17125 @tab @code{print $_sdata}
17126
17127 @item @code{read-spu-object}
17128 @tab @code{qXfer:spu:read}
17129 @tab @code{info spu}
17130
17131 @item @code{write-spu-object}
17132 @tab @code{qXfer:spu:write}
17133 @tab @code{info spu}
17134
17135 @item @code{read-siginfo-object}
17136 @tab @code{qXfer:siginfo:read}
17137 @tab @code{print $_siginfo}
17138
17139 @item @code{write-siginfo-object}
17140 @tab @code{qXfer:siginfo:write}
17141 @tab @code{set $_siginfo}
17142
17143 @item @code{threads}
17144 @tab @code{qXfer:threads:read}
17145 @tab @code{info threads}
17146
17147 @item @code{get-thread-local-@*storage-address}
17148 @tab @code{qGetTLSAddr}
17149 @tab Displaying @code{__thread} variables
17150
17151 @item @code{get-thread-information-block-address}
17152 @tab @code{qGetTIBAddr}
17153 @tab Display MS-Windows Thread Information Block.
17154
17155 @item @code{search-memory}
17156 @tab @code{qSearch:memory}
17157 @tab @code{find}
17158
17159 @item @code{supported-packets}
17160 @tab @code{qSupported}
17161 @tab Remote communications parameters
17162
17163 @item @code{pass-signals}
17164 @tab @code{QPassSignals}
17165 @tab @code{handle @var{signal}}
17166
17167 @item @code{hostio-close-packet}
17168 @tab @code{vFile:close}
17169 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
17170
17171 @item @code{hostio-open-packet}
17172 @tab @code{vFile:open}
17173 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
17174
17175 @item @code{hostio-pread-packet}
17176 @tab @code{vFile:pread}
17177 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
17178
17179 @item @code{hostio-pwrite-packet}
17180 @tab @code{vFile:pwrite}
17181 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
17182
17183 @item @code{hostio-unlink-packet}
17184 @tab @code{vFile:unlink}
17185 @tab @code{remote delete}
17186
17187 @item @code{noack-packet}
17188 @tab @code{QStartNoAckMode}
17189 @tab Packet acknowledgment
17190
17191 @item @code{osdata}
17192 @tab @code{qXfer:osdata:read}
17193 @tab @code{info os}
17194
17195 @item @code{query-attached}
17196 @tab @code{qAttached}
17197 @tab Querying remote process attach state.
17198
17199 @item @code{traceframe-info}
17200 @tab @code{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
17201 @tab Traceframe info
17202
17203 @item @code{disable-randomization}
17204 @tab @code{QDisableRandomization}
17205 @tab @code{set disable-randomization}
17206 @end multitable
17207
17208 @node Remote Stub
17209 @section Implementing a Remote Stub
17210
17211 @cindex debugging stub, example
17212 @cindex remote stub, example
17213 @cindex stub example, remote debugging
17214 The stub files provided with @value{GDBN} implement the target side of the
17215 communication protocol, and the @value{GDBN} side is implemented in the
17216 @value{GDBN} source file @file{remote.c}. Normally, you can simply allow
17217 these subroutines to communicate, and ignore the details. (If you're
17218 implementing your own stub file, you can still ignore the details: start
17219 with one of the existing stub files. @file{sparc-stub.c} is the best
17220 organized, and therefore the easiest to read.)
17221
17222 @cindex remote serial debugging, overview
17223 To debug a program running on another machine (the debugging
17224 @dfn{target} machine), you must first arrange for all the usual
17225 prerequisites for the program to run by itself. For example, for a C
17226 program, you need:
17227
17228 @enumerate
17229 @item
17230 A startup routine to set up the C runtime environment; these usually
17231 have a name like @file{crt0}. The startup routine may be supplied by
17232 your hardware supplier, or you may have to write your own.
17233
17234 @item
17235 A C subroutine library to support your program's
17236 subroutine calls, notably managing input and output.
17237
17238 @item
17239 A way of getting your program to the other machine---for example, a
17240 download program. These are often supplied by the hardware
17241 manufacturer, but you may have to write your own from hardware
17242 documentation.
17243 @end enumerate
17244
17245 The next step is to arrange for your program to use a serial port to
17246 communicate with the machine where @value{GDBN} is running (the @dfn{host}
17247 machine). In general terms, the scheme looks like this:
17248
17249 @table @emph
17250 @item On the host,
17251 @value{GDBN} already understands how to use this protocol; when everything
17252 else is set up, you can simply use the @samp{target remote} command
17253 (@pxref{Targets,,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
17254
17255 @item On the target,
17256 you must link with your program a few special-purpose subroutines that
17257 implement the @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol. The file containing these
17258 subroutines is called a @dfn{debugging stub}.
17259
17260 On certain remote targets, you can use an auxiliary program
17261 @code{gdbserver} instead of linking a stub into your program.
17262 @xref{Server,,Using the @code{gdbserver} Program}, for details.
17263 @end table
17264
17265 The debugging stub is specific to the architecture of the remote
17266 machine; for example, use @file{sparc-stub.c} to debug programs on
17267 @sc{sparc} boards.
17268
17269 @cindex remote serial stub list
17270 These working remote stubs are distributed with @value{GDBN}:
17271
17272 @table @code
17273
17274 @item i386-stub.c
17275 @cindex @file{i386-stub.c}
17276 @cindex Intel
17277 @cindex i386
17278 For Intel 386 and compatible architectures.
17279
17280 @item m68k-stub.c
17281 @cindex @file{m68k-stub.c}
17282 @cindex Motorola 680x0
17283 @cindex m680x0
17284 For Motorola 680x0 architectures.
17285
17286 @item sh-stub.c
17287 @cindex @file{sh-stub.c}
17288 @cindex Renesas
17289 @cindex SH
17290 For Renesas SH architectures.
17291
17292 @item sparc-stub.c
17293 @cindex @file{sparc-stub.c}
17294 @cindex Sparc
17295 For @sc{sparc} architectures.
17296
17297 @item sparcl-stub.c
17298 @cindex @file{sparcl-stub.c}
17299 @cindex Fujitsu
17300 @cindex SparcLite
17301 For Fujitsu @sc{sparclite} architectures.
17302
17303 @end table
17304
17305 The @file{README} file in the @value{GDBN} distribution may list other
17306 recently added stubs.
17307
17308 @menu
17309 * Stub Contents:: What the stub can do for you
17310 * Bootstrapping:: What you must do for the stub
17311 * Debug Session:: Putting it all together
17312 @end menu
17313
17314 @node Stub Contents
17315 @subsection What the Stub Can Do for You
17316
17317 @cindex remote serial stub
17318 The debugging stub for your architecture supplies these three
17319 subroutines:
17320
17321 @table @code
17322 @item set_debug_traps
17323 @findex set_debug_traps
17324 @cindex remote serial stub, initialization
17325 This routine arranges for @code{handle_exception} to run when your
17326 program stops. You must call this subroutine explicitly near the
17327 beginning of your program.
17328
17329 @item handle_exception
17330 @findex handle_exception
17331 @cindex remote serial stub, main routine
17332 This is the central workhorse, but your program never calls it
17333 explicitly---the setup code arranges for @code{handle_exception} to
17334 run when a trap is triggered.
17335
17336 @code{handle_exception} takes control when your program stops during
17337 execution (for example, on a breakpoint), and mediates communications
17338 with @value{GDBN} on the host machine. This is where the communications
17339 protocol is implemented; @code{handle_exception} acts as the @value{GDBN}
17340 representative on the target machine. It begins by sending summary
17341 information on the state of your program, then continues to execute,
17342 retrieving and transmitting any information @value{GDBN} needs, until you
17343 execute a @value{GDBN} command that makes your program resume; at that point,
17344 @code{handle_exception} returns control to your own code on the target
17345 machine.
17346
17347 @item breakpoint
17348 @cindex @code{breakpoint} subroutine, remote
17349 Use this auxiliary subroutine to make your program contain a
17350 breakpoint. Depending on the particular situation, this may be the only
17351 way for @value{GDBN} to get control. For instance, if your target
17352 machine has some sort of interrupt button, you won't need to call this;
17353 pressing the interrupt button transfers control to
17354 @code{handle_exception}---in effect, to @value{GDBN}. On some machines,
17355 simply receiving characters on the serial port may also trigger a trap;
17356 again, in that situation, you don't need to call @code{breakpoint} from
17357 your own program---simply running @samp{target remote} from the host
17358 @value{GDBN} session gets control.
17359
17360 Call @code{breakpoint} if none of these is true, or if you simply want
17361 to make certain your program stops at a predetermined point for the
17362 start of your debugging session.
17363 @end table
17364
17365 @node Bootstrapping
17366 @subsection What You Must Do for the Stub
17367
17368 @cindex remote stub, support routines
17369 The debugging stubs that come with @value{GDBN} are set up for a particular
17370 chip architecture, but they have no information about the rest of your
17371 debugging target machine.
17372
17373 First of all you need to tell the stub how to communicate with the
17374 serial port.
17375
17376 @table @code
17377 @item int getDebugChar()
17378 @findex getDebugChar
17379 Write this subroutine to read a single character from the serial port.
17380 It may be identical to @code{getchar} for your target system; a
17381 different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
17382
17383 @item void putDebugChar(int)
17384 @findex putDebugChar
17385 Write this subroutine to write a single character to the serial port.
17386 It may be identical to @code{putchar} for your target system; a
17387 different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
17388 @end table
17389
17390 @cindex control C, and remote debugging
17391 @cindex interrupting remote targets
17392 If you want @value{GDBN} to be able to stop your program while it is
17393 running, you need to use an interrupt-driven serial driver, and arrange
17394 for it to stop when it receives a @code{^C} (@samp{\003}, the control-C
17395 character). That is the character which @value{GDBN} uses to tell the
17396 remote system to stop.
17397
17398 Getting the debugging target to return the proper status to @value{GDBN}
17399 probably requires changes to the standard stub; one quick and dirty way
17400 is to just execute a breakpoint instruction (the ``dirty'' part is that
17401 @value{GDBN} reports a @code{SIGTRAP} instead of a @code{SIGINT}).
17402
17403 Other routines you need to supply are:
17404
17405 @table @code
17406 @item void exceptionHandler (int @var{exception_number}, void *@var{exception_address})
17407 @findex exceptionHandler
17408 Write this function to install @var{exception_address} in the exception
17409 handling tables. You need to do this because the stub does not have any
17410 way of knowing what the exception handling tables on your target system
17411 are like (for example, the processor's table might be in @sc{rom},
17412 containing entries which point to a table in @sc{ram}).
17413 @var{exception_number} is the exception number which should be changed;
17414 its meaning is architecture-dependent (for example, different numbers
17415 might represent divide by zero, misaligned access, etc). When this
17416 exception occurs, control should be transferred directly to
17417 @var{exception_address}, and the processor state (stack, registers,
17418 and so on) should be just as it is when a processor exception occurs. So if
17419 you want to use a jump instruction to reach @var{exception_address}, it
17420 should be a simple jump, not a jump to subroutine.
17421
17422 For the 386, @var{exception_address} should be installed as an interrupt
17423 gate so that interrupts are masked while the handler runs. The gate
17424 should be at privilege level 0 (the most privileged level). The
17425 @sc{sparc} and 68k stubs are able to mask interrupts themselves without
17426 help from @code{exceptionHandler}.
17427
17428 @item void flush_i_cache()
17429 @findex flush_i_cache
17430 On @sc{sparc} and @sc{sparclite} only, write this subroutine to flush the
17431 instruction cache, if any, on your target machine. If there is no
17432 instruction cache, this subroutine may be a no-op.
17433
17434 On target machines that have instruction caches, @value{GDBN} requires this
17435 function to make certain that the state of your program is stable.
17436 @end table
17437
17438 @noindent
17439 You must also make sure this library routine is available:
17440
17441 @table @code
17442 @item void *memset(void *, int, int)
17443 @findex memset
17444 This is the standard library function @code{memset} that sets an area of
17445 memory to a known value. If you have one of the free versions of
17446 @code{libc.a}, @code{memset} can be found there; otherwise, you must
17447 either obtain it from your hardware manufacturer, or write your own.
17448 @end table
17449
17450 If you do not use the GNU C compiler, you may need other standard
17451 library subroutines as well; this varies from one stub to another,
17452 but in general the stubs are likely to use any of the common library
17453 subroutines which @code{@value{NGCC}} generates as inline code.
17454
17455
17456 @node Debug Session
17457 @subsection Putting it All Together
17458
17459 @cindex remote serial debugging summary
17460 In summary, when your program is ready to debug, you must follow these
17461 steps.
17462
17463 @enumerate
17464 @item
17465 Make sure you have defined the supporting low-level routines
17466 (@pxref{Bootstrapping,,What You Must Do for the Stub}):
17467 @display
17468 @code{getDebugChar}, @code{putDebugChar},
17469 @code{flush_i_cache}, @code{memset}, @code{exceptionHandler}.
17470 @end display
17471
17472 @item
17473 Insert these lines near the top of your program:
17474
17475 @smallexample
17476 set_debug_traps();
17477 breakpoint();
17478 @end smallexample
17479
17480 @item
17481 For the 680x0 stub only, you need to provide a variable called
17482 @code{exceptionHook}. Normally you just use:
17483
17484 @smallexample
17485 void (*exceptionHook)() = 0;
17486 @end smallexample
17487
17488 @noindent
17489 but if before calling @code{set_debug_traps}, you set it to point to a
17490 function in your program, that function is called when
17491 @code{@value{GDBN}} continues after stopping on a trap (for example, bus
17492 error). The function indicated by @code{exceptionHook} is called with
17493 one parameter: an @code{int} which is the exception number.
17494
17495 @item
17496 Compile and link together: your program, the @value{GDBN} debugging stub for
17497 your target architecture, and the supporting subroutines.
17498
17499 @item
17500 Make sure you have a serial connection between your target machine and
17501 the @value{GDBN} host, and identify the serial port on the host.
17502
17503 @item
17504 @c The "remote" target now provides a `load' command, so we should
17505 @c document that. FIXME.
17506 Download your program to your target machine (or get it there by
17507 whatever means the manufacturer provides), and start it.
17508
17509 @item
17510 Start @value{GDBN} on the host, and connect to the target
17511 (@pxref{Connecting,,Connecting to a Remote Target}).
17512
17513 @end enumerate
17514
17515 @node Configurations
17516 @chapter Configuration-Specific Information
17517
17518 While nearly all @value{GDBN} commands are available for all native and
17519 cross versions of the debugger, there are some exceptions. This chapter
17520 describes things that are only available in certain configurations.
17521
17522 There are three major categories of configurations: native
17523 configurations, where the host and target are the same, embedded
17524 operating system configurations, which are usually the same for several
17525 different processor architectures, and bare embedded processors, which
17526 are quite different from each other.
17527
17528 @menu
17529 * Native::
17530 * Embedded OS::
17531 * Embedded Processors::
17532 * Architectures::
17533 @end menu
17534
17535 @node Native
17536 @section Native
17537
17538 This section describes details specific to particular native
17539 configurations.
17540
17541 @menu
17542 * HP-UX:: HP-UX
17543 * BSD libkvm Interface:: Debugging BSD kernel memory images
17544 * SVR4 Process Information:: SVR4 process information
17545 * DJGPP Native:: Features specific to the DJGPP port
17546 * Cygwin Native:: Features specific to the Cygwin port
17547 * Hurd Native:: Features specific to @sc{gnu} Hurd
17548 * Neutrino:: Features specific to QNX Neutrino
17549 * Darwin:: Features specific to Darwin
17550 @end menu
17551
17552 @node HP-UX
17553 @subsection HP-UX
17554
17555 On HP-UX systems, if you refer to a function or variable name that
17556 begins with a dollar sign, @value{GDBN} searches for a user or system
17557 name first, before it searches for a convenience variable.
17558
17559
17560 @node BSD libkvm Interface
17561 @subsection BSD libkvm Interface
17562
17563 @cindex libkvm
17564 @cindex kernel memory image
17565 @cindex kernel crash dump
17566
17567 BSD-derived systems (FreeBSD/NetBSD/OpenBSD) have a kernel memory
17568 interface that provides a uniform interface for accessing kernel virtual
17569 memory images, including live systems and crash dumps. @value{GDBN}
17570 uses this interface to allow you to debug live kernels and kernel crash
17571 dumps on many native BSD configurations. This is implemented as a
17572 special @code{kvm} debugging target. For debugging a live system, load
17573 the currently running kernel into @value{GDBN} and connect to the
17574 @code{kvm} target:
17575
17576 @smallexample
17577 (@value{GDBP}) @b{target kvm}
17578 @end smallexample
17579
17580 For debugging crash dumps, provide the file name of the crash dump as an
17581 argument:
17582
17583 @smallexample
17584 (@value{GDBP}) @b{target kvm /var/crash/bsd.0}
17585 @end smallexample
17586
17587 Once connected to the @code{kvm} target, the following commands are
17588 available:
17589
17590 @table @code
17591 @kindex kvm
17592 @item kvm pcb
17593 Set current context from the @dfn{Process Control Block} (PCB) address.
17594
17595 @item kvm proc
17596 Set current context from proc address. This command isn't available on
17597 modern FreeBSD systems.
17598 @end table
17599
17600 @node SVR4 Process Information
17601 @subsection SVR4 Process Information
17602 @cindex /proc
17603 @cindex examine process image
17604 @cindex process info via @file{/proc}
17605
17606 Many versions of SVR4 and compatible systems provide a facility called
17607 @samp{/proc} that can be used to examine the image of a running
17608 process using file-system subroutines. If @value{GDBN} is configured
17609 for an operating system with this facility, the command @code{info
17610 proc} is available to report information about the process running
17611 your program, or about any process running on your system. @code{info
17612 proc} works only on SVR4 systems that include the @code{procfs} code.
17613 This includes, as of this writing, @sc{gnu}/Linux, OSF/1 (Digital
17614 Unix), Solaris, Irix, and Unixware, but not HP-UX, for example.
17615
17616 @table @code
17617 @kindex info proc
17618 @cindex process ID
17619 @item info proc
17620 @itemx info proc @var{process-id}
17621 Summarize available information about any running process. If a
17622 process ID is specified by @var{process-id}, display information about
17623 that process; otherwise display information about the program being
17624 debugged. The summary includes the debugged process ID, the command
17625 line used to invoke it, its current working directory, and its
17626 executable file's absolute file name.
17627
17628 On some systems, @var{process-id} can be of the form
17629 @samp{[@var{pid}]/@var{tid}} which specifies a certain thread ID
17630 within a process. If the optional @var{pid} part is missing, it means
17631 a thread from the process being debugged (the leading @samp{/} still
17632 needs to be present, or else @value{GDBN} will interpret the number as
17633 a process ID rather than a thread ID).
17634
17635 @item info proc mappings
17636 @cindex memory address space mappings
17637 Report the memory address space ranges accessible in the program, with
17638 information on whether the process has read, write, or execute access
17639 rights to each range. On @sc{gnu}/Linux systems, each memory range
17640 includes the object file which is mapped to that range, instead of the
17641 memory access rights to that range.
17642
17643 @item info proc stat
17644 @itemx info proc status
17645 @cindex process detailed status information
17646 These subcommands are specific to @sc{gnu}/Linux systems. They show
17647 the process-related information, including the user ID and group ID;
17648 how many threads are there in the process; its virtual memory usage;
17649 the signals that are pending, blocked, and ignored; its TTY; its
17650 consumption of system and user time; its stack size; its @samp{nice}
17651 value; etc. For more information, see the @samp{proc} man page
17652 (type @kbd{man 5 proc} from your shell prompt).
17653
17654 @item info proc all
17655 Show all the information about the process described under all of the
17656 above @code{info proc} subcommands.
17657
17658 @ignore
17659 @comment These sub-options of 'info proc' were not included when
17660 @comment procfs.c was re-written. Keep their descriptions around
17661 @comment against the day when someone finds the time to put them back in.
17662 @kindex info proc times
17663 @item info proc times
17664 Starting time, user CPU time, and system CPU time for your program and
17665 its children.
17666
17667 @kindex info proc id
17668 @item info proc id
17669 Report on the process IDs related to your program: its own process ID,
17670 the ID of its parent, the process group ID, and the session ID.
17671 @end ignore
17672
17673 @item set procfs-trace
17674 @kindex set procfs-trace
17675 @cindex @code{procfs} API calls
17676 This command enables and disables tracing of @code{procfs} API calls.
17677
17678 @item show procfs-trace
17679 @kindex show procfs-trace
17680 Show the current state of @code{procfs} API call tracing.
17681
17682 @item set procfs-file @var{file}
17683 @kindex set procfs-file
17684 Tell @value{GDBN} to write @code{procfs} API trace to the named
17685 @var{file}. @value{GDBN} appends the trace info to the previous
17686 contents of the file. The default is to display the trace on the
17687 standard output.
17688
17689 @item show procfs-file
17690 @kindex show procfs-file
17691 Show the file to which @code{procfs} API trace is written.
17692
17693 @item proc-trace-entry
17694 @itemx proc-trace-exit
17695 @itemx proc-untrace-entry
17696 @itemx proc-untrace-exit
17697 @kindex proc-trace-entry
17698 @kindex proc-trace-exit
17699 @kindex proc-untrace-entry
17700 @kindex proc-untrace-exit
17701 These commands enable and disable tracing of entries into and exits
17702 from the @code{syscall} interface.
17703
17704 @item info pidlist
17705 @kindex info pidlist
17706 @cindex process list, QNX Neutrino
17707 For QNX Neutrino only, this command displays the list of all the
17708 processes and all the threads within each process.
17709
17710 @item info meminfo
17711 @kindex info meminfo
17712 @cindex mapinfo list, QNX Neutrino
17713 For QNX Neutrino only, this command displays the list of all mapinfos.
17714 @end table
17715
17716 @node DJGPP Native
17717 @subsection Features for Debugging @sc{djgpp} Programs
17718 @cindex @sc{djgpp} debugging
17719 @cindex native @sc{djgpp} debugging
17720 @cindex MS-DOS-specific commands
17721
17722 @cindex DPMI
17723 @sc{djgpp} is a port of the @sc{gnu} development tools to MS-DOS and
17724 MS-Windows. @sc{djgpp} programs are 32-bit protected-mode programs
17725 that use the @dfn{DPMI} (DOS Protected-Mode Interface) API to run on
17726 top of real-mode DOS systems and their emulations.
17727
17728 @value{GDBN} supports native debugging of @sc{djgpp} programs, and
17729 defines a few commands specific to the @sc{djgpp} port. This
17730 subsection describes those commands.
17731
17732 @table @code
17733 @kindex info dos
17734 @item info dos
17735 This is a prefix of @sc{djgpp}-specific commands which print
17736 information about the target system and important OS structures.
17737
17738 @kindex sysinfo
17739 @cindex MS-DOS system info
17740 @cindex free memory information (MS-DOS)
17741 @item info dos sysinfo
17742 This command displays assorted information about the underlying
17743 platform: the CPU type and features, the OS version and flavor, the
17744 DPMI version, and the available conventional and DPMI memory.
17745
17746 @cindex GDT
17747 @cindex LDT
17748 @cindex IDT
17749 @cindex segment descriptor tables
17750 @cindex descriptor tables display
17751 @item info dos gdt
17752 @itemx info dos ldt
17753 @itemx info dos idt
17754 These 3 commands display entries from, respectively, Global, Local,
17755 and Interrupt Descriptor Tables (GDT, LDT, and IDT). The descriptor
17756 tables are data structures which store a descriptor for each segment
17757 that is currently in use. The segment's selector is an index into a
17758 descriptor table; the table entry for that index holds the
17759 descriptor's base address and limit, and its attributes and access
17760 rights.
17761
17762 A typical @sc{djgpp} program uses 3 segments: a code segment, a data
17763 segment (used for both data and the stack), and a DOS segment (which
17764 allows access to DOS/BIOS data structures and absolute addresses in
17765 conventional memory). However, the DPMI host will usually define
17766 additional segments in order to support the DPMI environment.
17767
17768 @cindex garbled pointers
17769 These commands allow to display entries from the descriptor tables.
17770 Without an argument, all entries from the specified table are
17771 displayed. An argument, which should be an integer expression, means
17772 display a single entry whose index is given by the argument. For
17773 example, here's a convenient way to display information about the
17774 debugged program's data segment:
17775
17776 @smallexample
17777 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos ldt $ds}
17778 @exdent @code{0x13f: base=0x11970000 limit=0x0009ffff 32-Bit Data (Read/Write, Exp-up)}
17779 @end smallexample
17780
17781 @noindent
17782 This comes in handy when you want to see whether a pointer is outside
17783 the data segment's limit (i.e.@: @dfn{garbled}).
17784
17785 @cindex page tables display (MS-DOS)
17786 @item info dos pde
17787 @itemx info dos pte
17788 These two commands display entries from, respectively, the Page
17789 Directory and the Page Tables. Page Directories and Page Tables are
17790 data structures which control how virtual memory addresses are mapped
17791 into physical addresses. A Page Table includes an entry for every
17792 page of memory that is mapped into the program's address space; there
17793 may be several Page Tables, each one holding up to 4096 entries. A
17794 Page Directory has up to 4096 entries, one each for every Page Table
17795 that is currently in use.
17796
17797 Without an argument, @kbd{info dos pde} displays the entire Page
17798 Directory, and @kbd{info dos pte} displays all the entries in all of
17799 the Page Tables. An argument, an integer expression, given to the
17800 @kbd{info dos pde} command means display only that entry from the Page
17801 Directory table. An argument given to the @kbd{info dos pte} command
17802 means display entries from a single Page Table, the one pointed to by
17803 the specified entry in the Page Directory.
17804
17805 @cindex direct memory access (DMA) on MS-DOS
17806 These commands are useful when your program uses @dfn{DMA} (Direct
17807 Memory Access), which needs physical addresses to program the DMA
17808 controller.
17809
17810 These commands are supported only with some DPMI servers.
17811
17812 @cindex physical address from linear address
17813 @item info dos address-pte @var{addr}
17814 This command displays the Page Table entry for a specified linear
17815 address. The argument @var{addr} is a linear address which should
17816 already have the appropriate segment's base address added to it,
17817 because this command accepts addresses which may belong to @emph{any}
17818 segment. For example, here's how to display the Page Table entry for
17819 the page where a variable @code{i} is stored:
17820
17821 @smallexample
17822 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte __djgpp_base_address + (char *)&i}
17823 @exdent @code{Page Table entry for address 0x11a00d30:}
17824 @exdent @code{Base=0x02698000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0xd30}
17825 @end smallexample
17826
17827 @noindent
17828 This says that @code{i} is stored at offset @code{0xd30} from the page
17829 whose physical base address is @code{0x02698000}, and shows all the
17830 attributes of that page.
17831
17832 Note that you must cast the addresses of variables to a @code{char *},
17833 since otherwise the value of @code{__djgpp_base_address}, the base
17834 address of all variables and functions in a @sc{djgpp} program, will
17835 be added using the rules of C pointer arithmetics: if @code{i} is
17836 declared an @code{int}, @value{GDBN} will add 4 times the value of
17837 @code{__djgpp_base_address} to the address of @code{i}.
17838
17839 Here's another example, it displays the Page Table entry for the
17840 transfer buffer:
17841
17842 @smallexample
17843 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte *((unsigned *)&_go32_info_block + 3)}
17844 @exdent @code{Page Table entry for address 0x29110:}
17845 @exdent @code{Base=0x00029000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0x110}
17846 @end smallexample
17847
17848 @noindent
17849 (The @code{+ 3} offset is because the transfer buffer's address is the
17850 3rd member of the @code{_go32_info_block} structure.) The output
17851 clearly shows that this DPMI server maps the addresses in conventional
17852 memory 1:1, i.e.@: the physical (@code{0x00029000} + @code{0x110}) and
17853 linear (@code{0x29110}) addresses are identical.
17854
17855 This command is supported only with some DPMI servers.
17856 @end table
17857
17858 @cindex DOS serial data link, remote debugging
17859 In addition to native debugging, the DJGPP port supports remote
17860 debugging via a serial data link. The following commands are specific
17861 to remote serial debugging in the DJGPP port of @value{GDBN}.
17862
17863 @table @code
17864 @kindex set com1base
17865 @kindex set com1irq
17866 @kindex set com2base
17867 @kindex set com2irq
17868 @kindex set com3base
17869 @kindex set com3irq
17870 @kindex set com4base
17871 @kindex set com4irq
17872 @item set com1base @var{addr}
17873 This command sets the base I/O port address of the @file{COM1} serial
17874 port.
17875
17876 @item set com1irq @var{irq}
17877 This command sets the @dfn{Interrupt Request} (@code{IRQ}) line to use
17878 for the @file{COM1} serial port.
17879
17880 There are similar commands @samp{set com2base}, @samp{set com3irq},
17881 etc.@: for setting the port address and the @code{IRQ} lines for the
17882 other 3 COM ports.
17883
17884 @kindex show com1base
17885 @kindex show com1irq
17886 @kindex show com2base
17887 @kindex show com2irq
17888 @kindex show com3base
17889 @kindex show com3irq
17890 @kindex show com4base
17891 @kindex show com4irq
17892 The related commands @samp{show com1base}, @samp{show com1irq} etc.@:
17893 display the current settings of the base address and the @code{IRQ}
17894 lines used by the COM ports.
17895
17896 @item info serial
17897 @kindex info serial
17898 @cindex DOS serial port status
17899 This command prints the status of the 4 DOS serial ports. For each
17900 port, it prints whether it's active or not, its I/O base address and
17901 IRQ number, whether it uses a 16550-style FIFO, its baudrate, and the
17902 counts of various errors encountered so far.
17903 @end table
17904
17905
17906 @node Cygwin Native
17907 @subsection Features for Debugging MS Windows PE Executables
17908 @cindex MS Windows debugging
17909 @cindex native Cygwin debugging
17910 @cindex Cygwin-specific commands
17911
17912 @value{GDBN} supports native debugging of MS Windows programs, including
17913 DLLs with and without symbolic debugging information.
17914
17915 @cindex Ctrl-BREAK, MS-Windows
17916 @cindex interrupt debuggee on MS-Windows
17917 MS-Windows programs that call @code{SetConsoleMode} to switch off the
17918 special meaning of the @samp{Ctrl-C} keystroke cannot be interrupted
17919 by typing @kbd{C-c}. For this reason, @value{GDBN} on MS-Windows
17920 supports @kbd{C-@key{BREAK}} as an alternative interrupt key
17921 sequence, which can be used to interrupt the debuggee even if it
17922 ignores @kbd{C-c}.
17923
17924 There are various additional Cygwin-specific commands, described in
17925 this section. Working with DLLs that have no debugging symbols is
17926 described in @ref{Non-debug DLL Symbols}.
17927
17928 @table @code
17929 @kindex info w32
17930 @item info w32
17931 This is a prefix of MS Windows-specific commands which print
17932 information about the target system and important OS structures.
17933
17934 @item info w32 selector
17935 This command displays information returned by
17936 the Win32 API @code{GetThreadSelectorEntry} function.
17937 It takes an optional argument that is evaluated to
17938 a long value to give the information about this given selector.
17939 Without argument, this command displays information
17940 about the six segment registers.
17941
17942 @item info w32 thread-information-block
17943 This command displays thread specific information stored in the
17944 Thread Information Block (readable on the X86 CPU family using @code{$fs}
17945 selector for 32-bit programs and @code{$gs} for 64-bit programs).
17946
17947 @kindex info dll
17948 @item info dll
17949 This is a Cygwin-specific alias of @code{info shared}.
17950
17951 @kindex dll-symbols
17952 @item dll-symbols
17953 This command loads symbols from a dll similarly to
17954 add-sym command but without the need to specify a base address.
17955
17956 @kindex set cygwin-exceptions
17957 @cindex debugging the Cygwin DLL
17958 @cindex Cygwin DLL, debugging
17959 @item set cygwin-exceptions @var{mode}
17960 If @var{mode} is @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will break on exceptions that
17961 happen inside the Cygwin DLL. If @var{mode} is @code{off},
17962 @value{GDBN} will delay recognition of exceptions, and may ignore some
17963 exceptions which seem to be caused by internal Cygwin DLL
17964 ``bookkeeping''. This option is meant primarily for debugging the
17965 Cygwin DLL itself; the default value is @code{off} to avoid annoying
17966 @value{GDBN} users with false @code{SIGSEGV} signals.
17967
17968 @kindex show cygwin-exceptions
17969 @item show cygwin-exceptions
17970 Displays whether @value{GDBN} will break on exceptions that happen
17971 inside the Cygwin DLL itself.
17972
17973 @kindex set new-console
17974 @item set new-console @var{mode}
17975 If @var{mode} is @code{on} the debuggee will
17976 be started in a new console on next start.
17977 If @var{mode} is @code{off}, the debuggee will
17978 be started in the same console as the debugger.
17979
17980 @kindex show new-console
17981 @item show new-console
17982 Displays whether a new console is used
17983 when the debuggee is started.
17984
17985 @kindex set new-group
17986 @item set new-group @var{mode}
17987 This boolean value controls whether the debuggee should
17988 start a new group or stay in the same group as the debugger.
17989 This affects the way the Windows OS handles
17990 @samp{Ctrl-C}.
17991
17992 @kindex show new-group
17993 @item show new-group
17994 Displays current value of new-group boolean.
17995
17996 @kindex set debugevents
17997 @item set debugevents
17998 This boolean value adds debug output concerning kernel events related
17999 to the debuggee seen by the debugger. This includes events that
18000 signal thread and process creation and exit, DLL loading and
18001 unloading, console interrupts, and debugging messages produced by the
18002 Windows @code{OutputDebugString} API call.
18003
18004 @kindex set debugexec
18005 @item set debugexec
18006 This boolean value adds debug output concerning execute events
18007 (such as resume thread) seen by the debugger.
18008
18009 @kindex set debugexceptions
18010 @item set debugexceptions
18011 This boolean value adds debug output concerning exceptions in the
18012 debuggee seen by the debugger.
18013
18014 @kindex set debugmemory
18015 @item set debugmemory
18016 This boolean value adds debug output concerning debuggee memory reads
18017 and writes by the debugger.
18018
18019 @kindex set shell
18020 @item set shell
18021 This boolean values specifies whether the debuggee is called
18022 via a shell or directly (default value is on).
18023
18024 @kindex show shell
18025 @item show shell
18026 Displays if the debuggee will be started with a shell.
18027
18028 @end table
18029
18030 @menu
18031 * Non-debug DLL Symbols:: Support for DLLs without debugging symbols
18032 @end menu
18033
18034 @node Non-debug DLL Symbols
18035 @subsubsection Support for DLLs without Debugging Symbols
18036 @cindex DLLs with no debugging symbols
18037 @cindex Minimal symbols and DLLs
18038
18039 Very often on windows, some of the DLLs that your program relies on do
18040 not include symbolic debugging information (for example,
18041 @file{kernel32.dll}). When @value{GDBN} doesn't recognize any debugging
18042 symbols in a DLL, it relies on the minimal amount of symbolic
18043 information contained in the DLL's export table. This section
18044 describes working with such symbols, known internally to @value{GDBN} as
18045 ``minimal symbols''.
18046
18047 Note that before the debugged program has started execution, no DLLs
18048 will have been loaded. The easiest way around this problem is simply to
18049 start the program --- either by setting a breakpoint or letting the
18050 program run once to completion. It is also possible to force
18051 @value{GDBN} to load a particular DLL before starting the executable ---
18052 see the shared library information in @ref{Files}, or the
18053 @code{dll-symbols} command in @ref{Cygwin Native}. Currently,
18054 explicitly loading symbols from a DLL with no debugging information will
18055 cause the symbol names to be duplicated in @value{GDBN}'s lookup table,
18056 which may adversely affect symbol lookup performance.
18057
18058 @subsubsection DLL Name Prefixes
18059
18060 In keeping with the naming conventions used by the Microsoft debugging
18061 tools, DLL export symbols are made available with a prefix based on the
18062 DLL name, for instance @code{KERNEL32!CreateFileA}. The plain name is
18063 also entered into the symbol table, so @code{CreateFileA} is often
18064 sufficient. In some cases there will be name clashes within a program
18065 (particularly if the executable itself includes full debugging symbols)
18066 necessitating the use of the fully qualified name when referring to the
18067 contents of the DLL. Use single-quotes around the name to avoid the
18068 exclamation mark (``!'') being interpreted as a language operator.
18069
18070 Note that the internal name of the DLL may be all upper-case, even
18071 though the file name of the DLL is lower-case, or vice-versa. Since
18072 symbols within @value{GDBN} are @emph{case-sensitive} this may cause
18073 some confusion. If in doubt, try the @code{info functions} and
18074 @code{info variables} commands or even @code{maint print msymbols}
18075 (@pxref{Symbols}). Here's an example:
18076
18077 @smallexample
18078 (@value{GDBP}) info function CreateFileA
18079 All functions matching regular expression "CreateFileA":
18080
18081 Non-debugging symbols:
18082 0x77e885f4 CreateFileA
18083 0x77e885f4 KERNEL32!CreateFileA
18084 @end smallexample
18085
18086 @smallexample
18087 (@value{GDBP}) info function !
18088 All functions matching regular expression "!":
18089
18090 Non-debugging symbols:
18091 0x6100114c cygwin1!__assert
18092 0x61004034 cygwin1!_dll_crt0@@0
18093 0x61004240 cygwin1!dll_crt0(per_process *)
18094 [etc...]
18095 @end smallexample
18096
18097 @subsubsection Working with Minimal Symbols
18098
18099 Symbols extracted from a DLL's export table do not contain very much
18100 type information. All that @value{GDBN} can do is guess whether a symbol
18101 refers to a function or variable depending on the linker section that
18102 contains the symbol. Also note that the actual contents of the memory
18103 contained in a DLL are not available unless the program is running. This
18104 means that you cannot examine the contents of a variable or disassemble
18105 a function within a DLL without a running program.
18106
18107 Variables are generally treated as pointers and dereferenced
18108 automatically. For this reason, it is often necessary to prefix a
18109 variable name with the address-of operator (``&'') and provide explicit
18110 type information in the command. Here's an example of the type of
18111 problem:
18112
18113 @smallexample
18114 (@value{GDBP}) print 'cygwin1!__argv'
18115 $1 = 268572168
18116 @end smallexample
18117
18118 @smallexample
18119 (@value{GDBP}) x 'cygwin1!__argv'
18120 0x10021610: "\230y\""
18121 @end smallexample
18122
18123 And two possible solutions:
18124
18125 @smallexample
18126 (@value{GDBP}) print ((char **)'cygwin1!__argv')[0]
18127 $2 = 0x22fd98 "/cygdrive/c/mydirectory/myprogram"
18128 @end smallexample
18129
18130 @smallexample
18131 (@value{GDBP}) x/2x &'cygwin1!__argv'
18132 0x610c0aa8 <cygwin1!__argv>: 0x10021608 0x00000000
18133 (@value{GDBP}) x/x 0x10021608
18134 0x10021608: 0x0022fd98
18135 (@value{GDBP}) x/s 0x0022fd98
18136 0x22fd98: "/cygdrive/c/mydirectory/myprogram"
18137 @end smallexample
18138
18139 Setting a break point within a DLL is possible even before the program
18140 starts execution. However, under these circumstances, @value{GDBN} can't
18141 examine the initial instructions of the function in order to skip the
18142 function's frame set-up code. You can work around this by using ``*&''
18143 to set the breakpoint at a raw memory address:
18144
18145 @smallexample
18146 (@value{GDBP}) break *&'python22!PyOS_Readline'
18147 Breakpoint 1 at 0x1e04eff0
18148 @end smallexample
18149
18150 The author of these extensions is not entirely convinced that setting a
18151 break point within a shared DLL like @file{kernel32.dll} is completely
18152 safe.
18153
18154 @node Hurd Native
18155 @subsection Commands Specific to @sc{gnu} Hurd Systems
18156 @cindex @sc{gnu} Hurd debugging
18157
18158 This subsection describes @value{GDBN} commands specific to the
18159 @sc{gnu} Hurd native debugging.
18160
18161 @table @code
18162 @item set signals
18163 @itemx set sigs
18164 @kindex set signals@r{, Hurd command}
18165 @kindex set sigs@r{, Hurd command}
18166 This command toggles the state of inferior signal interception by
18167 @value{GDBN}. Mach exceptions, such as breakpoint traps, are not
18168 affected by this command. @code{sigs} is a shorthand alias for
18169 @code{signals}.
18170
18171 @item show signals
18172 @itemx show sigs
18173 @kindex show signals@r{, Hurd command}
18174 @kindex show sigs@r{, Hurd command}
18175 Show the current state of intercepting inferior's signals.
18176
18177 @item set signal-thread
18178 @itemx set sigthread
18179 @kindex set signal-thread
18180 @kindex set sigthread
18181 This command tells @value{GDBN} which thread is the @code{libc} signal
18182 thread. That thread is run when a signal is delivered to a running
18183 process. @code{set sigthread} is the shorthand alias of @code{set
18184 signal-thread}.
18185
18186 @item show signal-thread
18187 @itemx show sigthread
18188 @kindex show signal-thread
18189 @kindex show sigthread
18190 These two commands show which thread will run when the inferior is
18191 delivered a signal.
18192
18193 @item set stopped
18194 @kindex set stopped@r{, Hurd command}
18195 This commands tells @value{GDBN} that the inferior process is stopped,
18196 as with the @code{SIGSTOP} signal. The stopped process can be
18197 continued by delivering a signal to it.
18198
18199 @item show stopped
18200 @kindex show stopped@r{, Hurd command}
18201 This command shows whether @value{GDBN} thinks the debuggee is
18202 stopped.
18203
18204 @item set exceptions
18205 @kindex set exceptions@r{, Hurd command}
18206 Use this command to turn off trapping of exceptions in the inferior.
18207 When exception trapping is off, neither breakpoints nor
18208 single-stepping will work. To restore the default, set exception
18209 trapping on.
18210
18211 @item show exceptions
18212 @kindex show exceptions@r{, Hurd command}
18213 Show the current state of trapping exceptions in the inferior.
18214
18215 @item set task pause
18216 @kindex set task@r{, Hurd commands}
18217 @cindex task attributes (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
18218 @cindex pause current task (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
18219 This command toggles task suspension when @value{GDBN} has control.
18220 Setting it to on takes effect immediately, and the task is suspended
18221 whenever @value{GDBN} gets control. Setting it to off will take
18222 effect the next time the inferior is continued. If this option is set
18223 to off, you can use @code{set thread default pause on} or @code{set
18224 thread pause on} (see below) to pause individual threads.
18225
18226 @item show task pause
18227 @kindex show task@r{, Hurd commands}
18228 Show the current state of task suspension.
18229
18230 @item set task detach-suspend-count
18231 @cindex task suspend count
18232 @cindex detach from task, @sc{gnu} Hurd
18233 This command sets the suspend count the task will be left with when
18234 @value{GDBN} detaches from it.
18235
18236 @item show task detach-suspend-count
18237 Show the suspend count the task will be left with when detaching.
18238
18239 @item set task exception-port
18240 @itemx set task excp
18241 @cindex task exception port, @sc{gnu} Hurd
18242 This command sets the task exception port to which @value{GDBN} will
18243 forward exceptions. The argument should be the value of the @dfn{send
18244 rights} of the task. @code{set task excp} is a shorthand alias.
18245
18246 @item set noninvasive
18247 @cindex noninvasive task options
18248 This command switches @value{GDBN} to a mode that is the least
18249 invasive as far as interfering with the inferior is concerned. This
18250 is the same as using @code{set task pause}, @code{set exceptions}, and
18251 @code{set signals} to values opposite to the defaults.
18252
18253 @item info send-rights
18254 @itemx info receive-rights
18255 @itemx info port-rights
18256 @itemx info port-sets
18257 @itemx info dead-names
18258 @itemx info ports
18259 @itemx info psets
18260 @cindex send rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
18261 @cindex receive rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
18262 @cindex port rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
18263 @cindex port sets, @sc{gnu} Hurd
18264 @cindex dead names, @sc{gnu} Hurd
18265 These commands display information about, respectively, send rights,
18266 receive rights, port rights, port sets, and dead names of a task.
18267 There are also shorthand aliases: @code{info ports} for @code{info
18268 port-rights} and @code{info psets} for @code{info port-sets}.
18269
18270 @item set thread pause
18271 @kindex set thread@r{, Hurd command}
18272 @cindex thread properties, @sc{gnu} Hurd
18273 @cindex pause current thread (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
18274 This command toggles current thread suspension when @value{GDBN} has
18275 control. Setting it to on takes effect immediately, and the current
18276 thread is suspended whenever @value{GDBN} gets control. Setting it to
18277 off will take effect the next time the inferior is continued.
18278 Normally, this command has no effect, since when @value{GDBN} has
18279 control, the whole task is suspended. However, if you used @code{set
18280 task pause off} (see above), this command comes in handy to suspend
18281 only the current thread.
18282
18283 @item show thread pause
18284 @kindex show thread@r{, Hurd command}
18285 This command shows the state of current thread suspension.
18286
18287 @item set thread run
18288 This command sets whether the current thread is allowed to run.
18289
18290 @item show thread run
18291 Show whether the current thread is allowed to run.
18292
18293 @item set thread detach-suspend-count
18294 @cindex thread suspend count, @sc{gnu} Hurd
18295 @cindex detach from thread, @sc{gnu} Hurd
18296 This command sets the suspend count @value{GDBN} will leave on a
18297 thread when detaching. This number is relative to the suspend count
18298 found by @value{GDBN} when it notices the thread; use @code{set thread
18299 takeover-suspend-count} to force it to an absolute value.
18300
18301 @item show thread detach-suspend-count
18302 Show the suspend count @value{GDBN} will leave on the thread when
18303 detaching.
18304
18305 @item set thread exception-port
18306 @itemx set thread excp
18307 Set the thread exception port to which to forward exceptions. This
18308 overrides the port set by @code{set task exception-port} (see above).
18309 @code{set thread excp} is the shorthand alias.
18310
18311 @item set thread takeover-suspend-count
18312 Normally, @value{GDBN}'s thread suspend counts are relative to the
18313 value @value{GDBN} finds when it notices each thread. This command
18314 changes the suspend counts to be absolute instead.
18315
18316 @item set thread default
18317 @itemx show thread default
18318 @cindex thread default settings, @sc{gnu} Hurd
18319 Each of the above @code{set thread} commands has a @code{set thread
18320 default} counterpart (e.g., @code{set thread default pause}, @code{set
18321 thread default exception-port}, etc.). The @code{thread default}
18322 variety of commands sets the default thread properties for all
18323 threads; you can then change the properties of individual threads with
18324 the non-default commands.
18325 @end table
18326
18327
18328 @node Neutrino
18329 @subsection QNX Neutrino
18330 @cindex QNX Neutrino
18331
18332 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands specific to the QNX
18333 Neutrino target:
18334
18335 @table @code
18336 @item set debug nto-debug
18337 @kindex set debug nto-debug
18338 When set to on, enables debugging messages specific to the QNX
18339 Neutrino support.
18340
18341 @item show debug nto-debug
18342 @kindex show debug nto-debug
18343 Show the current state of QNX Neutrino messages.
18344 @end table
18345
18346 @node Darwin
18347 @subsection Darwin
18348 @cindex Darwin
18349
18350 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands specific to the Darwin target:
18351
18352 @table @code
18353 @item set debug darwin @var{num}
18354 @kindex set debug darwin
18355 When set to a non zero value, enables debugging messages specific to
18356 the Darwin support. Higher values produce more verbose output.
18357
18358 @item show debug darwin
18359 @kindex show debug darwin
18360 Show the current state of Darwin messages.
18361
18362 @item set debug mach-o @var{num}
18363 @kindex set debug mach-o
18364 When set to a non zero value, enables debugging messages while
18365 @value{GDBN} is reading Darwin object files. (@dfn{Mach-O} is the
18366 file format used on Darwin for object and executable files.) Higher
18367 values produce more verbose output. This is a command to diagnose
18368 problems internal to @value{GDBN} and should not be needed in normal
18369 usage.
18370
18371 @item show debug mach-o
18372 @kindex show debug mach-o
18373 Show the current state of Mach-O file messages.
18374
18375 @item set mach-exceptions on
18376 @itemx set mach-exceptions off
18377 @kindex set mach-exceptions
18378 On Darwin, faults are first reported as a Mach exception and are then
18379 mapped to a Posix signal. Use this command to turn on trapping of
18380 Mach exceptions in the inferior. This might be sometimes useful to
18381 better understand the cause of a fault. The default is off.
18382
18383 @item show mach-exceptions
18384 @kindex show mach-exceptions
18385 Show the current state of exceptions trapping.
18386 @end table
18387
18388
18389 @node Embedded OS
18390 @section Embedded Operating Systems
18391
18392 This section describes configurations involving the debugging of
18393 embedded operating systems that are available for several different
18394 architectures.
18395
18396 @menu
18397 * VxWorks:: Using @value{GDBN} with VxWorks
18398 @end menu
18399
18400 @value{GDBN} includes the ability to debug programs running on
18401 various real-time operating systems.
18402
18403 @node VxWorks
18404 @subsection Using @value{GDBN} with VxWorks
18405
18406 @cindex VxWorks
18407
18408 @table @code
18409
18410 @kindex target vxworks
18411 @item target vxworks @var{machinename}
18412 A VxWorks system, attached via TCP/IP. The argument @var{machinename}
18413 is the target system's machine name or IP address.
18414
18415 @end table
18416
18417 On VxWorks, @code{load} links @var{filename} dynamically on the
18418 current target system as well as adding its symbols in @value{GDBN}.
18419
18420 @value{GDBN} enables developers to spawn and debug tasks running on networked
18421 VxWorks targets from a Unix host. Already-running tasks spawned from
18422 the VxWorks shell can also be debugged. @value{GDBN} uses code that runs on
18423 both the Unix host and on the VxWorks target. The program
18424 @code{@value{GDBP}} is installed and executed on the Unix host. (It may be
18425 installed with the name @code{vxgdb}, to distinguish it from a
18426 @value{GDBN} for debugging programs on the host itself.)
18427
18428 @table @code
18429 @item VxWorks-timeout @var{args}
18430 @kindex vxworks-timeout
18431 All VxWorks-based targets now support the option @code{vxworks-timeout}.
18432 This option is set by the user, and @var{args} represents the number of
18433 seconds @value{GDBN} waits for responses to rpc's. You might use this if
18434 your VxWorks target is a slow software simulator or is on the far side
18435 of a thin network line.
18436 @end table
18437
18438 The following information on connecting to VxWorks was current when
18439 this manual was produced; newer releases of VxWorks may use revised
18440 procedures.
18441
18442 @findex INCLUDE_RDB
18443 To use @value{GDBN} with VxWorks, you must rebuild your VxWorks kernel
18444 to include the remote debugging interface routines in the VxWorks
18445 library @file{rdb.a}. To do this, define @code{INCLUDE_RDB} in the
18446 VxWorks configuration file @file{configAll.h} and rebuild your VxWorks
18447 kernel. The resulting kernel contains @file{rdb.a}, and spawns the
18448 source debugging task @code{tRdbTask} when VxWorks is booted. For more
18449 information on configuring and remaking VxWorks, see the manufacturer's
18450 manual.
18451 @c VxWorks, see the @cite{VxWorks Programmer's Guide}.
18452
18453 Once you have included @file{rdb.a} in your VxWorks system image and set
18454 your Unix execution search path to find @value{GDBN}, you are ready to
18455 run @value{GDBN}. From your Unix host, run @code{@value{GDBP}} (or
18456 @code{vxgdb}, depending on your installation).
18457
18458 @value{GDBN} comes up showing the prompt:
18459
18460 @smallexample
18461 (vxgdb)
18462 @end smallexample
18463
18464 @menu
18465 * VxWorks Connection:: Connecting to VxWorks
18466 * VxWorks Download:: VxWorks download
18467 * VxWorks Attach:: Running tasks
18468 @end menu
18469
18470 @node VxWorks Connection
18471 @subsubsection Connecting to VxWorks
18472
18473 The @value{GDBN} command @code{target} lets you connect to a VxWorks target on the
18474 network. To connect to a target whose host name is ``@code{tt}'', type:
18475
18476 @smallexample
18477 (vxgdb) target vxworks tt
18478 @end smallexample
18479
18480 @need 750
18481 @value{GDBN} displays messages like these:
18482
18483 @smallexample
18484 Attaching remote machine across net...
18485 Connected to tt.
18486 @end smallexample
18487
18488 @need 1000
18489 @value{GDBN} then attempts to read the symbol tables of any object modules
18490 loaded into the VxWorks target since it was last booted. @value{GDBN} locates
18491 these files by searching the directories listed in the command search
18492 path (@pxref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}); if it fails
18493 to find an object file, it displays a message such as:
18494
18495 @smallexample
18496 prog.o: No such file or directory.
18497 @end smallexample
18498
18499 When this happens, add the appropriate directory to the search path with
18500 the @value{GDBN} command @code{path}, and execute the @code{target}
18501 command again.
18502
18503 @node VxWorks Download
18504 @subsubsection VxWorks Download
18505
18506 @cindex download to VxWorks
18507 If you have connected to the VxWorks target and you want to debug an
18508 object that has not yet been loaded, you can use the @value{GDBN}
18509 @code{load} command to download a file from Unix to VxWorks
18510 incrementally. The object file given as an argument to the @code{load}
18511 command is actually opened twice: first by the VxWorks target in order
18512 to download the code, then by @value{GDBN} in order to read the symbol
18513 table. This can lead to problems if the current working directories on
18514 the two systems differ. If both systems have NFS mounted the same
18515 filesystems, you can avoid these problems by using absolute paths.
18516 Otherwise, it is simplest to set the working directory on both systems
18517 to the directory in which the object file resides, and then to reference
18518 the file by its name, without any path. For instance, a program
18519 @file{prog.o} may reside in @file{@var{vxpath}/vw/demo/rdb} in VxWorks
18520 and in @file{@var{hostpath}/vw/demo/rdb} on the host. To load this
18521 program, type this on VxWorks:
18522
18523 @smallexample
18524 -> cd "@var{vxpath}/vw/demo/rdb"
18525 @end smallexample
18526
18527 @noindent
18528 Then, in @value{GDBN}, type:
18529
18530 @smallexample
18531 (vxgdb) cd @var{hostpath}/vw/demo/rdb
18532 (vxgdb) load prog.o
18533 @end smallexample
18534
18535 @value{GDBN} displays a response similar to this:
18536
18537 @smallexample
18538 Reading symbol data from wherever/vw/demo/rdb/prog.o... done.
18539 @end smallexample
18540
18541 You can also use the @code{load} command to reload an object module
18542 after editing and recompiling the corresponding source file. Note that
18543 this makes @value{GDBN} delete all currently-defined breakpoints,
18544 auto-displays, and convenience variables, and to clear the value
18545 history. (This is necessary in order to preserve the integrity of
18546 debugger's data structures that reference the target system's symbol
18547 table.)
18548
18549 @node VxWorks Attach
18550 @subsubsection Running Tasks
18551
18552 @cindex running VxWorks tasks
18553 You can also attach to an existing task using the @code{attach} command as
18554 follows:
18555
18556 @smallexample
18557 (vxgdb) attach @var{task}
18558 @end smallexample
18559
18560 @noindent
18561 where @var{task} is the VxWorks hexadecimal task ID. The task can be running
18562 or suspended when you attach to it. Running tasks are suspended at
18563 the time of attachment.
18564
18565 @node Embedded Processors
18566 @section Embedded Processors
18567
18568 This section goes into details specific to particular embedded
18569 configurations.
18570
18571 @cindex send command to simulator
18572 Whenever a specific embedded processor has a simulator, @value{GDBN}
18573 allows to send an arbitrary command to the simulator.
18574
18575 @table @code
18576 @item sim @var{command}
18577 @kindex sim@r{, a command}
18578 Send an arbitrary @var{command} string to the simulator. Consult the
18579 documentation for the specific simulator in use for information about
18580 acceptable commands.
18581 @end table
18582
18583
18584 @menu
18585 * ARM:: ARM RDI
18586 * M32R/D:: Renesas M32R/D
18587 * M68K:: Motorola M68K
18588 * MicroBlaze:: Xilinx MicroBlaze
18589 * MIPS Embedded:: MIPS Embedded
18590 * OpenRISC 1000:: OpenRisc 1000
18591 * PA:: HP PA Embedded
18592 * PowerPC Embedded:: PowerPC Embedded
18593 * Sparclet:: Tsqware Sparclet
18594 * Sparclite:: Fujitsu Sparclite
18595 * Z8000:: Zilog Z8000
18596 * AVR:: Atmel AVR
18597 * CRIS:: CRIS
18598 * Super-H:: Renesas Super-H
18599 @end menu
18600
18601 @node ARM
18602 @subsection ARM
18603 @cindex ARM RDI
18604
18605 @table @code
18606 @kindex target rdi
18607 @item target rdi @var{dev}
18608 ARM Angel monitor, via RDI library interface to ADP protocol. You may
18609 use this target to communicate with both boards running the Angel
18610 monitor, or with the EmbeddedICE JTAG debug device.
18611
18612 @kindex target rdp
18613 @item target rdp @var{dev}
18614 ARM Demon monitor.
18615
18616 @end table
18617
18618 @value{GDBN} provides the following ARM-specific commands:
18619
18620 @table @code
18621 @item set arm disassembler
18622 @kindex set arm
18623 This commands selects from a list of disassembly styles. The
18624 @code{"std"} style is the standard style.
18625
18626 @item show arm disassembler
18627 @kindex show arm
18628 Show the current disassembly style.
18629
18630 @item set arm apcs32
18631 @cindex ARM 32-bit mode
18632 This command toggles ARM operation mode between 32-bit and 26-bit.
18633
18634 @item show arm apcs32
18635 Display the current usage of the ARM 32-bit mode.
18636
18637 @item set arm fpu @var{fputype}
18638 This command sets the ARM floating-point unit (FPU) type. The
18639 argument @var{fputype} can be one of these:
18640
18641 @table @code
18642 @item auto
18643 Determine the FPU type by querying the OS ABI.
18644 @item softfpa
18645 Software FPU, with mixed-endian doubles on little-endian ARM
18646 processors.
18647 @item fpa
18648 GCC-compiled FPA co-processor.
18649 @item softvfp
18650 Software FPU with pure-endian doubles.
18651 @item vfp
18652 VFP co-processor.
18653 @end table
18654
18655 @item show arm fpu
18656 Show the current type of the FPU.
18657
18658 @item set arm abi
18659 This command forces @value{GDBN} to use the specified ABI.
18660
18661 @item show arm abi
18662 Show the currently used ABI.
18663
18664 @item set arm fallback-mode (arm|thumb|auto)
18665 @value{GDBN} uses the symbol table, when available, to determine
18666 whether instructions are ARM or Thumb. This command controls
18667 @value{GDBN}'s default behavior when the symbol table is not
18668 available. The default is @samp{auto}, which causes @value{GDBN} to
18669 use the current execution mode (from the @code{T} bit in the @code{CPSR}
18670 register).
18671
18672 @item show arm fallback-mode
18673 Show the current fallback instruction mode.
18674
18675 @item set arm force-mode (arm|thumb|auto)
18676 This command overrides use of the symbol table to determine whether
18677 instructions are ARM or Thumb. The default is @samp{auto}, which
18678 causes @value{GDBN} to use the symbol table and then the setting
18679 of @samp{set arm fallback-mode}.
18680
18681 @item show arm force-mode
18682 Show the current forced instruction mode.
18683
18684 @item set debug arm
18685 Toggle whether to display ARM-specific debugging messages from the ARM
18686 target support subsystem.
18687
18688 @item show debug arm
18689 Show whether ARM-specific debugging messages are enabled.
18690 @end table
18691
18692 The following commands are available when an ARM target is debugged
18693 using the RDI interface:
18694
18695 @table @code
18696 @item rdilogfile @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
18697 @kindex rdilogfile
18698 @cindex ADP (Angel Debugger Protocol) logging
18699 Set the filename for the ADP (Angel Debugger Protocol) packet log.
18700 With an argument, sets the log file to the specified @var{file}. With
18701 no argument, show the current log file name. The default log file is
18702 @file{rdi.log}.
18703
18704 @item rdilogenable @r{[}@var{arg}@r{]}
18705 @kindex rdilogenable
18706 Control logging of ADP packets. With an argument of 1 or @code{"yes"}
18707 enables logging, with an argument 0 or @code{"no"} disables it. With
18708 no arguments displays the current setting. When logging is enabled,
18709 ADP packets exchanged between @value{GDBN} and the RDI target device
18710 are logged to a file.
18711
18712 @item set rdiromatzero
18713 @kindex set rdiromatzero
18714 @cindex ROM at zero address, RDI
18715 Tell @value{GDBN} whether the target has ROM at address 0. If on,
18716 vector catching is disabled, so that zero address can be used. If off
18717 (the default), vector catching is enabled. For this command to take
18718 effect, it needs to be invoked prior to the @code{target rdi} command.
18719
18720 @item show rdiromatzero
18721 @kindex show rdiromatzero
18722 Show the current setting of ROM at zero address.
18723
18724 @item set rdiheartbeat
18725 @kindex set rdiheartbeat
18726 @cindex RDI heartbeat
18727 Enable or disable RDI heartbeat packets. It is not recommended to
18728 turn on this option, since it confuses ARM and EPI JTAG interface, as
18729 well as the Angel monitor.
18730
18731 @item show rdiheartbeat
18732 @kindex show rdiheartbeat
18733 Show the setting of RDI heartbeat packets.
18734 @end table
18735
18736 @table @code
18737 @item target sim @r{[}@var{simargs}@r{]} @dots{}
18738 The @value{GDBN} ARM simulator accepts the following optional arguments.
18739
18740 @table @code
18741 @item --swi-support=@var{type}
18742 Tell the simulator which SWI interfaces to support.
18743 @var{type} may be a comma separated list of the following values.
18744 The default value is @code{all}.
18745
18746 @table @code
18747 @item none
18748 @item demon
18749 @item angel
18750 @item redboot
18751 @item all
18752 @end table
18753 @end table
18754 @end table
18755
18756 @node M32R/D
18757 @subsection Renesas M32R/D and M32R/SDI
18758
18759 @table @code
18760 @kindex target m32r
18761 @item target m32r @var{dev}
18762 Renesas M32R/D ROM monitor.
18763
18764 @kindex target m32rsdi
18765 @item target m32rsdi @var{dev}
18766 Renesas M32R SDI server, connected via parallel port to the board.
18767 @end table
18768
18769 The following @value{GDBN} commands are specific to the M32R monitor:
18770
18771 @table @code
18772 @item set download-path @var{path}
18773 @kindex set download-path
18774 @cindex find downloadable @sc{srec} files (M32R)
18775 Set the default path for finding downloadable @sc{srec} files.
18776
18777 @item show download-path
18778 @kindex show download-path
18779 Show the default path for downloadable @sc{srec} files.
18780
18781 @item set board-address @var{addr}
18782 @kindex set board-address
18783 @cindex M32-EVA target board address
18784 Set the IP address for the M32R-EVA target board.
18785
18786 @item show board-address
18787 @kindex show board-address
18788 Show the current IP address of the target board.
18789
18790 @item set server-address @var{addr}
18791 @kindex set server-address
18792 @cindex download server address (M32R)
18793 Set the IP address for the download server, which is the @value{GDBN}'s
18794 host machine.
18795
18796 @item show server-address
18797 @kindex show server-address
18798 Display the IP address of the download server.
18799
18800 @item upload @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
18801 @kindex upload@r{, M32R}
18802 Upload the specified @sc{srec} @var{file} via the monitor's Ethernet
18803 upload capability. If no @var{file} argument is given, the current
18804 executable file is uploaded.
18805
18806 @item tload @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
18807 @kindex tload@r{, M32R}
18808 Test the @code{upload} command.
18809 @end table
18810
18811 The following commands are available for M32R/SDI:
18812
18813 @table @code
18814 @item sdireset
18815 @kindex sdireset
18816 @cindex reset SDI connection, M32R
18817 This command resets the SDI connection.
18818
18819 @item sdistatus
18820 @kindex sdistatus
18821 This command shows the SDI connection status.
18822
18823 @item debug_chaos
18824 @kindex debug_chaos
18825 @cindex M32R/Chaos debugging
18826 Instructs the remote that M32R/Chaos debugging is to be used.
18827
18828 @item use_debug_dma
18829 @kindex use_debug_dma
18830 Instructs the remote to use the DEBUG_DMA method of accessing memory.
18831
18832 @item use_mon_code
18833 @kindex use_mon_code
18834 Instructs the remote to use the MON_CODE method of accessing memory.
18835
18836 @item use_ib_break
18837 @kindex use_ib_break
18838 Instructs the remote to set breakpoints by IB break.
18839
18840 @item use_dbt_break
18841 @kindex use_dbt_break
18842 Instructs the remote to set breakpoints by DBT.
18843 @end table
18844
18845 @node M68K
18846 @subsection M68k
18847
18848 The Motorola m68k configuration includes ColdFire support, and a
18849 target command for the following ROM monitor.
18850
18851 @table @code
18852
18853 @kindex target dbug
18854 @item target dbug @var{dev}
18855 dBUG ROM monitor for Motorola ColdFire.
18856
18857 @end table
18858
18859 @node MicroBlaze
18860 @subsection MicroBlaze
18861 @cindex Xilinx MicroBlaze
18862 @cindex XMD, Xilinx Microprocessor Debugger
18863
18864 The MicroBlaze is a soft-core processor supported on various Xilinx
18865 FPGAs, such as Spartan or Virtex series. Boards with these processors
18866 usually have JTAG ports which connect to a host system running the Xilinx
18867 Embedded Development Kit (EDK) or Software Development Kit (SDK).
18868 This host system is used to download the configuration bitstream to
18869 the target FPGA. The Xilinx Microprocessor Debugger (XMD) program
18870 communicates with the target board using the JTAG interface and
18871 presents a @code{gdbserver} interface to the board. By default
18872 @code{xmd} uses port @code{1234}. (While it is possible to change
18873 this default port, it requires the use of undocumented @code{xmd}
18874 commands. Contact Xilinx support if you need to do this.)
18875
18876 Use these GDB commands to connect to the MicroBlaze target processor.
18877
18878 @table @code
18879 @item target remote :1234
18880 Use this command to connect to the target if you are running @value{GDBN}
18881 on the same system as @code{xmd}.
18882
18883 @item target remote @var{xmd-host}:1234
18884 Use this command to connect to the target if it is connected to @code{xmd}
18885 running on a different system named @var{xmd-host}.
18886
18887 @item load
18888 Use this command to download a program to the MicroBlaze target.
18889
18890 @item set debug microblaze @var{n}
18891 Enable MicroBlaze-specific debugging messages if non-zero.
18892
18893 @item show debug microblaze @var{n}
18894 Show MicroBlaze-specific debugging level.
18895 @end table
18896
18897 @node MIPS Embedded
18898 @subsection MIPS Embedded
18899
18900 @cindex MIPS boards
18901 @value{GDBN} can use the MIPS remote debugging protocol to talk to a
18902 MIPS board attached to a serial line. This is available when
18903 you configure @value{GDBN} with @samp{--target=mips-idt-ecoff}.
18904
18905 @need 1000
18906 Use these @value{GDBN} commands to specify the connection to your target board:
18907
18908 @table @code
18909 @item target mips @var{port}
18910 @kindex target mips @var{port}
18911 To run a program on the board, start up @code{@value{GDBP}} with the
18912 name of your program as the argument. To connect to the board, use the
18913 command @samp{target mips @var{port}}, where @var{port} is the name of
18914 the serial port connected to the board. If the program has not already
18915 been downloaded to the board, you may use the @code{load} command to
18916 download it. You can then use all the usual @value{GDBN} commands.
18917
18918 For example, this sequence connects to the target board through a serial
18919 port, and loads and runs a program called @var{prog} through the
18920 debugger:
18921
18922 @smallexample
18923 host$ @value{GDBP} @var{prog}
18924 @value{GDBN} is free software and @dots{}
18925 (@value{GDBP}) target mips /dev/ttyb
18926 (@value{GDBP}) load @var{prog}
18927 (@value{GDBP}) run
18928 @end smallexample
18929
18930 @item target mips @var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}
18931 On some @value{GDBN} host configurations, you can specify a TCP
18932 connection (for instance, to a serial line managed by a terminal
18933 concentrator) instead of a serial port, using the syntax
18934 @samp{@var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}}.
18935
18936 @item target pmon @var{port}
18937 @kindex target pmon @var{port}
18938 PMON ROM monitor.
18939
18940 @item target ddb @var{port}
18941 @kindex target ddb @var{port}
18942 NEC's DDB variant of PMON for Vr4300.
18943
18944 @item target lsi @var{port}
18945 @kindex target lsi @var{port}
18946 LSI variant of PMON.
18947
18948 @kindex target r3900
18949 @item target r3900 @var{dev}
18950 Densan DVE-R3900 ROM monitor for Toshiba R3900 Mips.
18951
18952 @kindex target array
18953 @item target array @var{dev}
18954 Array Tech LSI33K RAID controller board.
18955
18956 @end table
18957
18958
18959 @noindent
18960 @value{GDBN} also supports these special commands for MIPS targets:
18961
18962 @table @code
18963 @item set mipsfpu double
18964 @itemx set mipsfpu single
18965 @itemx set mipsfpu none
18966 @itemx set mipsfpu auto
18967 @itemx show mipsfpu
18968 @kindex set mipsfpu
18969 @kindex show mipsfpu
18970 @cindex MIPS remote floating point
18971 @cindex floating point, MIPS remote
18972 If your target board does not support the MIPS floating point
18973 coprocessor, you should use the command @samp{set mipsfpu none} (if you
18974 need this, you may wish to put the command in your @value{GDBN} init
18975 file). This tells @value{GDBN} how to find the return value of
18976 functions which return floating point values. It also allows
18977 @value{GDBN} to avoid saving the floating point registers when calling
18978 functions on the board. If you are using a floating point coprocessor
18979 with only single precision floating point support, as on the @sc{r4650}
18980 processor, use the command @samp{set mipsfpu single}. The default
18981 double precision floating point coprocessor may be selected using
18982 @samp{set mipsfpu double}.
18983
18984 In previous versions the only choices were double precision or no
18985 floating point, so @samp{set mipsfpu on} will select double precision
18986 and @samp{set mipsfpu off} will select no floating point.
18987
18988 As usual, you can inquire about the @code{mipsfpu} variable with
18989 @samp{show mipsfpu}.
18990
18991 @item set timeout @var{seconds}
18992 @itemx set retransmit-timeout @var{seconds}
18993 @itemx show timeout
18994 @itemx show retransmit-timeout
18995 @cindex @code{timeout}, MIPS protocol
18996 @cindex @code{retransmit-timeout}, MIPS protocol
18997 @kindex set timeout
18998 @kindex show timeout
18999 @kindex set retransmit-timeout
19000 @kindex show retransmit-timeout
19001 You can control the timeout used while waiting for a packet, in the MIPS
19002 remote protocol, with the @code{set timeout @var{seconds}} command. The
19003 default is 5 seconds. Similarly, you can control the timeout used while
19004 waiting for an acknowledgment of a packet with the @code{set
19005 retransmit-timeout @var{seconds}} command. The default is 3 seconds.
19006 You can inspect both values with @code{show timeout} and @code{show
19007 retransmit-timeout}. (These commands are @emph{only} available when
19008 @value{GDBN} is configured for @samp{--target=mips-idt-ecoff}.)
19009
19010 The timeout set by @code{set timeout} does not apply when @value{GDBN}
19011 is waiting for your program to stop. In that case, @value{GDBN} waits
19012 forever because it has no way of knowing how long the program is going
19013 to run before stopping.
19014
19015 @item set syn-garbage-limit @var{num}
19016 @kindex set syn-garbage-limit@r{, MIPS remote}
19017 @cindex synchronize with remote MIPS target
19018 Limit the maximum number of characters @value{GDBN} should ignore when
19019 it tries to synchronize with the remote target. The default is 10
19020 characters. Setting the limit to -1 means there's no limit.
19021
19022 @item show syn-garbage-limit
19023 @kindex show syn-garbage-limit@r{, MIPS remote}
19024 Show the current limit on the number of characters to ignore when
19025 trying to synchronize with the remote system.
19026
19027 @item set monitor-prompt @var{prompt}
19028 @kindex set monitor-prompt@r{, MIPS remote}
19029 @cindex remote monitor prompt
19030 Tell @value{GDBN} to expect the specified @var{prompt} string from the
19031 remote monitor. The default depends on the target:
19032 @table @asis
19033 @item pmon target
19034 @samp{PMON}
19035 @item ddb target
19036 @samp{NEC010}
19037 @item lsi target
19038 @samp{PMON>}
19039 @end table
19040
19041 @item show monitor-prompt
19042 @kindex show monitor-prompt@r{, MIPS remote}
19043 Show the current strings @value{GDBN} expects as the prompt from the
19044 remote monitor.
19045
19046 @item set monitor-warnings
19047 @kindex set monitor-warnings@r{, MIPS remote}
19048 Enable or disable monitor warnings about hardware breakpoints. This
19049 has effect only for the @code{lsi} target. When on, @value{GDBN} will
19050 display warning messages whose codes are returned by the @code{lsi}
19051 PMON monitor for breakpoint commands.
19052
19053 @item show monitor-warnings
19054 @kindex show monitor-warnings@r{, MIPS remote}
19055 Show the current setting of printing monitor warnings.
19056
19057 @item pmon @var{command}
19058 @kindex pmon@r{, MIPS remote}
19059 @cindex send PMON command
19060 This command allows sending an arbitrary @var{command} string to the
19061 monitor. The monitor must be in debug mode for this to work.
19062 @end table
19063
19064 @node OpenRISC 1000
19065 @subsection OpenRISC 1000
19066 @cindex OpenRISC 1000
19067
19068 @cindex or1k boards
19069 See OR1k Architecture document (@uref{www.opencores.org}) for more information
19070 about platform and commands.
19071
19072 @table @code
19073
19074 @kindex target jtag
19075 @item target jtag jtag://@var{host}:@var{port}
19076
19077 Connects to remote JTAG server.
19078 JTAG remote server can be either an or1ksim or JTAG server,
19079 connected via parallel port to the board.
19080
19081 Example: @code{target jtag jtag://localhost:9999}
19082
19083 @kindex or1ksim
19084 @item or1ksim @var{command}
19085 If connected to @code{or1ksim} OpenRISC 1000 Architectural
19086 Simulator, proprietary commands can be executed.
19087
19088 @kindex info or1k spr
19089 @item info or1k spr
19090 Displays spr groups.
19091
19092 @item info or1k spr @var{group}
19093 @itemx info or1k spr @var{groupno}
19094 Displays register names in selected group.
19095
19096 @item info or1k spr @var{group} @var{register}
19097 @itemx info or1k spr @var{register}
19098 @itemx info or1k spr @var{groupno} @var{registerno}
19099 @itemx info or1k spr @var{registerno}
19100 Shows information about specified spr register.
19101
19102 @kindex spr
19103 @item spr @var{group} @var{register} @var{value}
19104 @itemx spr @var{register @var{value}}
19105 @itemx spr @var{groupno} @var{registerno @var{value}}
19106 @itemx spr @var{registerno @var{value}}
19107 Writes @var{value} to specified spr register.
19108 @end table
19109
19110 Some implementations of OpenRISC 1000 Architecture also have hardware trace.
19111 It is very similar to @value{GDBN} trace, except it does not interfere with normal
19112 program execution and is thus much faster. Hardware breakpoints/watchpoint
19113 triggers can be set using:
19114 @table @code
19115 @item $LEA/$LDATA
19116 Load effective address/data
19117 @item $SEA/$SDATA
19118 Store effective address/data
19119 @item $AEA/$ADATA
19120 Access effective address ($SEA or $LEA) or data ($SDATA/$LDATA)
19121 @item $FETCH
19122 Fetch data
19123 @end table
19124
19125 When triggered, it can capture low level data, like: @code{PC}, @code{LSEA},
19126 @code{LDATA}, @code{SDATA}, @code{READSPR}, @code{WRITESPR}, @code{INSTR}.
19127
19128 @code{htrace} commands:
19129 @cindex OpenRISC 1000 htrace
19130 @table @code
19131 @kindex hwatch
19132 @item hwatch @var{conditional}
19133 Set hardware watchpoint on combination of Load/Store Effective Address(es)
19134 or Data. For example:
19135
19136 @code{hwatch ($LEA == my_var) && ($LDATA < 50) || ($SEA == my_var) && ($SDATA >= 50)}
19137
19138 @code{hwatch ($LEA == my_var) && ($LDATA < 50) || ($SEA == my_var) && ($SDATA >= 50)}
19139
19140 @kindex htrace
19141 @item htrace info
19142 Display information about current HW trace configuration.
19143
19144 @item htrace trigger @var{conditional}
19145 Set starting criteria for HW trace.
19146
19147 @item htrace qualifier @var{conditional}
19148 Set acquisition qualifier for HW trace.
19149
19150 @item htrace stop @var{conditional}
19151 Set HW trace stopping criteria.
19152
19153 @item htrace record [@var{data}]*
19154 Selects the data to be recorded, when qualifier is met and HW trace was
19155 triggered.
19156
19157 @item htrace enable
19158 @itemx htrace disable
19159 Enables/disables the HW trace.
19160
19161 @item htrace rewind [@var{filename}]
19162 Clears currently recorded trace data.
19163
19164 If filename is specified, new trace file is made and any newly collected data
19165 will be written there.
19166
19167 @item htrace print [@var{start} [@var{len}]]
19168 Prints trace buffer, using current record configuration.
19169
19170 @item htrace mode continuous
19171 Set continuous trace mode.
19172
19173 @item htrace mode suspend
19174 Set suspend trace mode.
19175
19176 @end table
19177
19178 @node PowerPC Embedded
19179 @subsection PowerPC Embedded
19180
19181 @cindex DVC register
19182 @value{GDBN} supports using the DVC (Data Value Compare) register to
19183 implement in hardware simple hardware watchpoint conditions of the form:
19184
19185 @smallexample
19186 (@value{GDBP}) watch @var{ADDRESS|VARIABLE} \
19187 if @var{ADDRESS|VARIABLE} == @var{CONSTANT EXPRESSION}
19188 @end smallexample
19189
19190 The DVC register will be automatically used when @value{GDBN} detects
19191 such pattern in a condition expression, and the created watchpoint uses one
19192 debug register (either the @code{exact-watchpoints} option is on and the
19193 variable is scalar, or the variable has a length of one byte). This feature
19194 is available in native @value{GDBN} running on a Linux kernel version 2.6.34
19195 or newer.
19196
19197 When running on PowerPC embedded processors, @value{GDBN} automatically uses
19198 ranged hardware watchpoints, unless the @code{exact-watchpoints} option is on,
19199 in which case watchpoints using only one debug register are created when
19200 watching variables of scalar types.
19201
19202 You can create an artificial array to watch an arbitrary memory
19203 region using one of the following commands (@pxref{Expressions}):
19204
19205 @smallexample
19206 (@value{GDBP}) watch *((char *) @var{address})@@@var{length}
19207 (@value{GDBP}) watch @{char[@var{length}]@} @var{address}
19208 @end smallexample
19209
19210 PowerPC embedded processors support masked watchpoints. See the discussion
19211 about the @code{mask} argument in @ref{Set Watchpoints}.
19212
19213 @cindex ranged breakpoint
19214 PowerPC embedded processors support hardware accelerated
19215 @dfn{ranged breakpoints}. A ranged breakpoint stops execution of
19216 the inferior whenever it executes an instruction at any address within
19217 the range it specifies. To set a ranged breakpoint in @value{GDBN},
19218 use the @code{break-range} command.
19219
19220 @value{GDBN} provides the following PowerPC-specific commands:
19221
19222 @table @code
19223 @kindex break-range
19224 @item break-range @var{start-location}, @var{end-location}
19225 Set a breakpoint for an address range.
19226 @var{start-location} and @var{end-location} can specify a function name,
19227 a line number, an offset of lines from the current line or from the start
19228 location, or an address of an instruction (see @ref{Specify Location},
19229 for a list of all the possible ways to specify a @var{location}.)
19230 The breakpoint will stop execution of the inferior whenever it
19231 executes an instruction at any address within the specified range,
19232 (including @var{start-location} and @var{end-location}.)
19233
19234 @kindex set powerpc
19235 @item set powerpc soft-float
19236 @itemx show powerpc soft-float
19237 Force @value{GDBN} to use (or not use) a software floating point calling
19238 convention. By default, @value{GDBN} selects the calling convention based
19239 on the selected architecture and the provided executable file.
19240
19241 @item set powerpc vector-abi
19242 @itemx show powerpc vector-abi
19243 Force @value{GDBN} to use the specified calling convention for vector
19244 arguments and return values. The valid options are @samp{auto};
19245 @samp{generic}, to avoid vector registers even if they are present;
19246 @samp{altivec}, to use AltiVec registers; and @samp{spe} to use SPE
19247 registers. By default, @value{GDBN} selects the calling convention
19248 based on the selected architecture and the provided executable file.
19249
19250 @item set powerpc exact-watchpoints
19251 @itemx show powerpc exact-watchpoints
19252 Allow @value{GDBN} to use only one debug register when watching a variable
19253 of scalar type, thus assuming that the variable is accessed through the
19254 address of its first byte.
19255
19256 @kindex target dink32
19257 @item target dink32 @var{dev}
19258 DINK32 ROM monitor.
19259
19260 @kindex target ppcbug
19261 @item target ppcbug @var{dev}
19262 @kindex target ppcbug1
19263 @item target ppcbug1 @var{dev}
19264 PPCBUG ROM monitor for PowerPC.
19265
19266 @kindex target sds
19267 @item target sds @var{dev}
19268 SDS monitor, running on a PowerPC board (such as Motorola's ADS).
19269 @end table
19270
19271 @cindex SDS protocol
19272 The following commands specific to the SDS protocol are supported
19273 by @value{GDBN}:
19274
19275 @table @code
19276 @item set sdstimeout @var{nsec}
19277 @kindex set sdstimeout
19278 Set the timeout for SDS protocol reads to be @var{nsec} seconds. The
19279 default is 2 seconds.
19280
19281 @item show sdstimeout
19282 @kindex show sdstimeout
19283 Show the current value of the SDS timeout.
19284
19285 @item sds @var{command}
19286 @kindex sds@r{, a command}
19287 Send the specified @var{command} string to the SDS monitor.
19288 @end table
19289
19290
19291 @node PA
19292 @subsection HP PA Embedded
19293
19294 @table @code
19295
19296 @kindex target op50n
19297 @item target op50n @var{dev}
19298 OP50N monitor, running on an OKI HPPA board.
19299
19300 @kindex target w89k
19301 @item target w89k @var{dev}
19302 W89K monitor, running on a Winbond HPPA board.
19303
19304 @end table
19305
19306 @node Sparclet
19307 @subsection Tsqware Sparclet
19308
19309 @cindex Sparclet
19310
19311 @value{GDBN} enables developers to debug tasks running on
19312 Sparclet targets from a Unix host.
19313 @value{GDBN} uses code that runs on
19314 both the Unix host and on the Sparclet target. The program
19315 @code{@value{GDBP}} is installed and executed on the Unix host.
19316
19317 @table @code
19318 @item remotetimeout @var{args}
19319 @kindex remotetimeout
19320 @value{GDBN} supports the option @code{remotetimeout}.
19321 This option is set by the user, and @var{args} represents the number of
19322 seconds @value{GDBN} waits for responses.
19323 @end table
19324
19325 @cindex compiling, on Sparclet
19326 When compiling for debugging, include the options @samp{-g} to get debug
19327 information and @samp{-Ttext} to relocate the program to where you wish to
19328 load it on the target. You may also want to add the options @samp{-n} or
19329 @samp{-N} in order to reduce the size of the sections. Example:
19330
19331 @smallexample
19332 sparclet-aout-gcc prog.c -Ttext 0x12010000 -g -o prog -N
19333 @end smallexample
19334
19335 You can use @code{objdump} to verify that the addresses are what you intended:
19336
19337 @smallexample
19338 sparclet-aout-objdump --headers --syms prog
19339 @end smallexample
19340
19341 @cindex running, on Sparclet
19342 Once you have set
19343 your Unix execution search path to find @value{GDBN}, you are ready to
19344 run @value{GDBN}. From your Unix host, run @code{@value{GDBP}}
19345 (or @code{sparclet-aout-gdb}, depending on your installation).
19346
19347 @value{GDBN} comes up showing the prompt:
19348
19349 @smallexample
19350 (gdbslet)
19351 @end smallexample
19352
19353 @menu
19354 * Sparclet File:: Setting the file to debug
19355 * Sparclet Connection:: Connecting to Sparclet
19356 * Sparclet Download:: Sparclet download
19357 * Sparclet Execution:: Running and debugging
19358 @end menu
19359
19360 @node Sparclet File
19361 @subsubsection Setting File to Debug
19362
19363 The @value{GDBN} command @code{file} lets you choose with program to debug.
19364
19365 @smallexample
19366 (gdbslet) file prog
19367 @end smallexample
19368
19369 @need 1000
19370 @value{GDBN} then attempts to read the symbol table of @file{prog}.
19371 @value{GDBN} locates
19372 the file by searching the directories listed in the command search
19373 path.
19374 If the file was compiled with debug information (option @samp{-g}), source
19375 files will be searched as well.
19376 @value{GDBN} locates
19377 the source files by searching the directories listed in the directory search
19378 path (@pxref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}).
19379 If it fails
19380 to find a file, it displays a message such as:
19381
19382 @smallexample
19383 prog: No such file or directory.
19384 @end smallexample
19385
19386 When this happens, add the appropriate directories to the search paths with
19387 the @value{GDBN} commands @code{path} and @code{dir}, and execute the
19388 @code{target} command again.
19389
19390 @node Sparclet Connection
19391 @subsubsection Connecting to Sparclet
19392
19393 The @value{GDBN} command @code{target} lets you connect to a Sparclet target.
19394 To connect to a target on serial port ``@code{ttya}'', type:
19395
19396 @smallexample
19397 (gdbslet) target sparclet /dev/ttya
19398 Remote target sparclet connected to /dev/ttya
19399 main () at ../prog.c:3
19400 @end smallexample
19401
19402 @need 750
19403 @value{GDBN} displays messages like these:
19404
19405 @smallexample
19406 Connected to ttya.
19407 @end smallexample
19408
19409 @node Sparclet Download
19410 @subsubsection Sparclet Download
19411
19412 @cindex download to Sparclet
19413 Once connected to the Sparclet target,
19414 you can use the @value{GDBN}
19415 @code{load} command to download the file from the host to the target.
19416 The file name and load offset should be given as arguments to the @code{load}
19417 command.
19418 Since the file format is aout, the program must be loaded to the starting
19419 address. You can use @code{objdump} to find out what this value is. The load
19420 offset is an offset which is added to the VMA (virtual memory address)
19421 of each of the file's sections.
19422 For instance, if the program
19423 @file{prog} was linked to text address 0x1201000, with data at 0x12010160
19424 and bss at 0x12010170, in @value{GDBN}, type:
19425
19426 @smallexample
19427 (gdbslet) load prog 0x12010000
19428 Loading section .text, size 0xdb0 vma 0x12010000
19429 @end smallexample
19430
19431 If the code is loaded at a different address then what the program was linked
19432 to, you may need to use the @code{section} and @code{add-symbol-file} commands
19433 to tell @value{GDBN} where to map the symbol table.
19434
19435 @node Sparclet Execution
19436 @subsubsection Running and Debugging
19437
19438 @cindex running and debugging Sparclet programs
19439 You can now begin debugging the task using @value{GDBN}'s execution control
19440 commands, @code{b}, @code{step}, @code{run}, etc. See the @value{GDBN}
19441 manual for the list of commands.
19442
19443 @smallexample
19444 (gdbslet) b main
19445 Breakpoint 1 at 0x12010000: file prog.c, line 3.
19446 (gdbslet) run
19447 Starting program: prog
19448 Breakpoint 1, main (argc=1, argv=0xeffff21c) at prog.c:3
19449 3 char *symarg = 0;
19450 (gdbslet) step
19451 4 char *execarg = "hello!";
19452 (gdbslet)
19453 @end smallexample
19454
19455 @node Sparclite
19456 @subsection Fujitsu Sparclite
19457
19458 @table @code
19459
19460 @kindex target sparclite
19461 @item target sparclite @var{dev}
19462 Fujitsu sparclite boards, used only for the purpose of loading.
19463 You must use an additional command to debug the program.
19464 For example: target remote @var{dev} using @value{GDBN} standard
19465 remote protocol.
19466
19467 @end table
19468
19469 @node Z8000
19470 @subsection Zilog Z8000
19471
19472 @cindex Z8000
19473 @cindex simulator, Z8000
19474 @cindex Zilog Z8000 simulator
19475
19476 When configured for debugging Zilog Z8000 targets, @value{GDBN} includes
19477 a Z8000 simulator.
19478
19479 For the Z8000 family, @samp{target sim} simulates either the Z8002 (the
19480 unsegmented variant of the Z8000 architecture) or the Z8001 (the
19481 segmented variant). The simulator recognizes which architecture is
19482 appropriate by inspecting the object code.
19483
19484 @table @code
19485 @item target sim @var{args}
19486 @kindex sim
19487 @kindex target sim@r{, with Z8000}
19488 Debug programs on a simulated CPU. If the simulator supports setup
19489 options, specify them via @var{args}.
19490 @end table
19491
19492 @noindent
19493 After specifying this target, you can debug programs for the simulated
19494 CPU in the same style as programs for your host computer; use the
19495 @code{file} command to load a new program image, the @code{run} command
19496 to run your program, and so on.
19497
19498 As well as making available all the usual machine registers
19499 (@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}), the Z8000 simulator provides three
19500 additional items of information as specially named registers:
19501
19502 @table @code
19503
19504 @item cycles
19505 Counts clock-ticks in the simulator.
19506
19507 @item insts
19508 Counts instructions run in the simulator.
19509
19510 @item time
19511 Execution time in 60ths of a second.
19512
19513 @end table
19514
19515 You can refer to these values in @value{GDBN} expressions with the usual
19516 conventions; for example, @w{@samp{b fputc if $cycles>5000}} sets a
19517 conditional breakpoint that suspends only after at least 5000
19518 simulated clock ticks.
19519
19520 @node AVR
19521 @subsection Atmel AVR
19522 @cindex AVR
19523
19524 When configured for debugging the Atmel AVR, @value{GDBN} supports the
19525 following AVR-specific commands:
19526
19527 @table @code
19528 @item info io_registers
19529 @kindex info io_registers@r{, AVR}
19530 @cindex I/O registers (Atmel AVR)
19531 This command displays information about the AVR I/O registers. For
19532 each register, @value{GDBN} prints its number and value.
19533 @end table
19534
19535 @node CRIS
19536 @subsection CRIS
19537 @cindex CRIS
19538
19539 When configured for debugging CRIS, @value{GDBN} provides the
19540 following CRIS-specific commands:
19541
19542 @table @code
19543 @item set cris-version @var{ver}
19544 @cindex CRIS version
19545 Set the current CRIS version to @var{ver}, either @samp{10} or @samp{32}.
19546 The CRIS version affects register names and sizes. This command is useful in
19547 case autodetection of the CRIS version fails.
19548
19549 @item show cris-version
19550 Show the current CRIS version.
19551
19552 @item set cris-dwarf2-cfi
19553 @cindex DWARF-2 CFI and CRIS
19554 Set the usage of DWARF-2 CFI for CRIS debugging. The default is @samp{on}.
19555 Change to @samp{off} when using @code{gcc-cris} whose version is below
19556 @code{R59}.
19557
19558 @item show cris-dwarf2-cfi
19559 Show the current state of using DWARF-2 CFI.
19560
19561 @item set cris-mode @var{mode}
19562 @cindex CRIS mode
19563 Set the current CRIS mode to @var{mode}. It should only be changed when
19564 debugging in guru mode, in which case it should be set to
19565 @samp{guru} (the default is @samp{normal}).
19566
19567 @item show cris-mode
19568 Show the current CRIS mode.
19569 @end table
19570
19571 @node Super-H
19572 @subsection Renesas Super-H
19573 @cindex Super-H
19574
19575 For the Renesas Super-H processor, @value{GDBN} provides these
19576 commands:
19577
19578 @table @code
19579 @item regs
19580 @kindex regs@r{, Super-H}
19581 Show the values of all Super-H registers.
19582
19583 @item set sh calling-convention @var{convention}
19584 @kindex set sh calling-convention
19585 Set the calling-convention used when calling functions from @value{GDBN}.
19586 Allowed values are @samp{gcc}, which is the default setting, and @samp{renesas}.
19587 With the @samp{gcc} setting, functions are called using the @value{NGCC} calling
19588 convention. If the DWARF-2 information of the called function specifies
19589 that the function follows the Renesas calling convention, the function
19590 is called using the Renesas calling convention. If the calling convention
19591 is set to @samp{renesas}, the Renesas calling convention is always used,
19592 regardless of the DWARF-2 information. This can be used to override the
19593 default of @samp{gcc} if debug information is missing, or the compiler
19594 does not emit the DWARF-2 calling convention entry for a function.
19595
19596 @item show sh calling-convention
19597 @kindex show sh calling-convention
19598 Show the current calling convention setting.
19599
19600 @end table
19601
19602
19603 @node Architectures
19604 @section Architectures
19605
19606 This section describes characteristics of architectures that affect
19607 all uses of @value{GDBN} with the architecture, both native and cross.
19608
19609 @menu
19610 * i386::
19611 * A29K::
19612 * Alpha::
19613 * MIPS::
19614 * HPPA:: HP PA architecture
19615 * SPU:: Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture
19616 * PowerPC::
19617 @end menu
19618
19619 @node i386
19620 @subsection x86 Architecture-specific Issues
19621
19622 @table @code
19623 @item set struct-convention @var{mode}
19624 @kindex set struct-convention
19625 @cindex struct return convention
19626 @cindex struct/union returned in registers
19627 Set the convention used by the inferior to return @code{struct}s and
19628 @code{union}s from functions to @var{mode}. Possible values of
19629 @var{mode} are @code{"pcc"}, @code{"reg"}, and @code{"default"} (the
19630 default). @code{"default"} or @code{"pcc"} means that @code{struct}s
19631 are returned on the stack, while @code{"reg"} means that a
19632 @code{struct} or a @code{union} whose size is 1, 2, 4, or 8 bytes will
19633 be returned in a register.
19634
19635 @item show struct-convention
19636 @kindex show struct-convention
19637 Show the current setting of the convention to return @code{struct}s
19638 from functions.
19639 @end table
19640
19641 @node A29K
19642 @subsection A29K
19643
19644 @table @code
19645
19646 @kindex set rstack_high_address
19647 @cindex AMD 29K register stack
19648 @cindex register stack, AMD29K
19649 @item set rstack_high_address @var{address}
19650 On AMD 29000 family processors, registers are saved in a separate
19651 @dfn{register stack}. There is no way for @value{GDBN} to determine the
19652 extent of this stack. Normally, @value{GDBN} just assumes that the
19653 stack is ``large enough''. This may result in @value{GDBN} referencing
19654 memory locations that do not exist. If necessary, you can get around
19655 this problem by specifying the ending address of the register stack with
19656 the @code{set rstack_high_address} command. The argument should be an
19657 address, which you probably want to precede with @samp{0x} to specify in
19658 hexadecimal.
19659
19660 @kindex show rstack_high_address
19661 @item show rstack_high_address
19662 Display the current limit of the register stack, on AMD 29000 family
19663 processors.
19664
19665 @end table
19666
19667 @node Alpha
19668 @subsection Alpha
19669
19670 See the following section.
19671
19672 @node MIPS
19673 @subsection MIPS
19674
19675 @cindex stack on Alpha
19676 @cindex stack on MIPS
19677 @cindex Alpha stack
19678 @cindex MIPS stack
19679 Alpha- and MIPS-based computers use an unusual stack frame, which
19680 sometimes requires @value{GDBN} to search backward in the object code to
19681 find the beginning of a function.
19682
19683 @cindex response time, MIPS debugging
19684 To improve response time (especially for embedded applications, where
19685 @value{GDBN} may be restricted to a slow serial line for this search)
19686 you may want to limit the size of this search, using one of these
19687 commands:
19688
19689 @table @code
19690 @cindex @code{heuristic-fence-post} (Alpha, MIPS)
19691 @item set heuristic-fence-post @var{limit}
19692 Restrict @value{GDBN} to examining at most @var{limit} bytes in its
19693 search for the beginning of a function. A value of @var{0} (the
19694 default) means there is no limit. However, except for @var{0}, the
19695 larger the limit the more bytes @code{heuristic-fence-post} must search
19696 and therefore the longer it takes to run. You should only need to use
19697 this command when debugging a stripped executable.
19698
19699 @item show heuristic-fence-post
19700 Display the current limit.
19701 @end table
19702
19703 @noindent
19704 These commands are available @emph{only} when @value{GDBN} is configured
19705 for debugging programs on Alpha or MIPS processors.
19706
19707 Several MIPS-specific commands are available when debugging MIPS
19708 programs:
19709
19710 @table @code
19711 @item set mips abi @var{arg}
19712 @kindex set mips abi
19713 @cindex set ABI for MIPS
19714 Tell @value{GDBN} which MIPS ABI is used by the inferior. Possible
19715 values of @var{arg} are:
19716
19717 @table @samp
19718 @item auto
19719 The default ABI associated with the current binary (this is the
19720 default).
19721 @item o32
19722 @item o64
19723 @item n32
19724 @item n64
19725 @item eabi32
19726 @item eabi64
19727 @item auto
19728 @end table
19729
19730 @item show mips abi
19731 @kindex show mips abi
19732 Show the MIPS ABI used by @value{GDBN} to debug the inferior.
19733
19734 @item set mipsfpu
19735 @itemx show mipsfpu
19736 @xref{MIPS Embedded, set mipsfpu}.
19737
19738 @item set mips mask-address @var{arg}
19739 @kindex set mips mask-address
19740 @cindex MIPS addresses, masking
19741 This command determines whether the most-significant 32 bits of 64-bit
19742 MIPS addresses are masked off. The argument @var{arg} can be
19743 @samp{on}, @samp{off}, or @samp{auto}. The latter is the default
19744 setting, which lets @value{GDBN} determine the correct value.
19745
19746 @item show mips mask-address
19747 @kindex show mips mask-address
19748 Show whether the upper 32 bits of MIPS addresses are masked off or
19749 not.
19750
19751 @item set remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
19752 @kindex set remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
19753 This command controls compatibility with 64-bit MIPS targets that
19754 transfer data in 32-bit quantities. If you have an old MIPS 64 target
19755 that transfers 32 bits for some registers, like @sc{sr} and @sc{fsr},
19756 and 64 bits for other registers, set this option to @samp{on}.
19757
19758 @item show remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
19759 @kindex show remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
19760 Show the current setting of compatibility with older MIPS 64 targets.
19761
19762 @item set debug mips
19763 @kindex set debug mips
19764 This command turns on and off debugging messages for the MIPS-specific
19765 target code in @value{GDBN}.
19766
19767 @item show debug mips
19768 @kindex show debug mips
19769 Show the current setting of MIPS debugging messages.
19770 @end table
19771
19772
19773 @node HPPA
19774 @subsection HPPA
19775 @cindex HPPA support
19776
19777 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the HP PA architecture, it provides the
19778 following special commands:
19779
19780 @table @code
19781 @item set debug hppa
19782 @kindex set debug hppa
19783 This command determines whether HPPA architecture-specific debugging
19784 messages are to be displayed.
19785
19786 @item show debug hppa
19787 Show whether HPPA debugging messages are displayed.
19788
19789 @item maint print unwind @var{address}
19790 @kindex maint print unwind@r{, HPPA}
19791 This command displays the contents of the unwind table entry at the
19792 given @var{address}.
19793
19794 @end table
19795
19796
19797 @node SPU
19798 @subsection Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture
19799 @cindex Cell Broadband Engine
19800 @cindex SPU
19801
19802 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture,
19803 it provides the following special commands:
19804
19805 @table @code
19806 @item info spu event
19807 @kindex info spu
19808 Display SPU event facility status. Shows current event mask
19809 and pending event status.
19810
19811 @item info spu signal
19812 Display SPU signal notification facility status. Shows pending
19813 signal-control word and signal notification mode of both signal
19814 notification channels.
19815
19816 @item info spu mailbox
19817 Display SPU mailbox facility status. Shows all pending entries,
19818 in order of processing, in each of the SPU Write Outbound,
19819 SPU Write Outbound Interrupt, and SPU Read Inbound mailboxes.
19820
19821 @item info spu dma
19822 Display MFC DMA status. Shows all pending commands in the MFC
19823 DMA queue. For each entry, opcode, tag, class IDs, effective
19824 and local store addresses and transfer size are shown.
19825
19826 @item info spu proxydma
19827 Display MFC Proxy-DMA status. Shows all pending commands in the MFC
19828 Proxy-DMA queue. For each entry, opcode, tag, class IDs, effective
19829 and local store addresses and transfer size are shown.
19830
19831 @end table
19832
19833 When @value{GDBN} is debugging a combined PowerPC/SPU application
19834 on the Cell Broadband Engine, it provides in addition the following
19835 special commands:
19836
19837 @table @code
19838 @item set spu stop-on-load @var{arg}
19839 @kindex set spu
19840 Set whether to stop for new SPE threads. When set to @code{on}, @value{GDBN}
19841 will give control to the user when a new SPE thread enters its @code{main}
19842 function. The default is @code{off}.
19843
19844 @item show spu stop-on-load
19845 @kindex show spu
19846 Show whether to stop for new SPE threads.
19847
19848 @item set spu auto-flush-cache @var{arg}
19849 Set whether to automatically flush the software-managed cache. When set to
19850 @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will automatically cause the SPE software-managed
19851 cache to be flushed whenever SPE execution stops. This provides a consistent
19852 view of PowerPC memory that is accessed via the cache. If an application
19853 does not use the software-managed cache, this option has no effect.
19854
19855 @item show spu auto-flush-cache
19856 Show whether to automatically flush the software-managed cache.
19857
19858 @end table
19859
19860 @node PowerPC
19861 @subsection PowerPC
19862 @cindex PowerPC architecture
19863
19864 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the PowerPC architecture, it provides a set of
19865 pseudo-registers to enable inspection of 128-bit wide Decimal Floating Point
19866 numbers stored in the floating point registers. These values must be stored
19867 in two consecutive registers, always starting at an even register like
19868 @code{f0} or @code{f2}.
19869
19870 The pseudo-registers go from @code{$dl0} through @code{$dl15}, and are formed
19871 by joining the even/odd register pairs @code{f0} and @code{f1} for @code{$dl0},
19872 @code{f2} and @code{f3} for @code{$dl1} and so on.
19873
19874 For POWER7 processors, @value{GDBN} provides a set of pseudo-registers, the 64-bit
19875 wide Extended Floating Point Registers (@samp{f32} through @samp{f63}).
19876
19877
19878 @node Controlling GDB
19879 @chapter Controlling @value{GDBN}
19880
19881 You can alter the way @value{GDBN} interacts with you by using the
19882 @code{set} command. For commands controlling how @value{GDBN} displays
19883 data, see @ref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}. Other settings are
19884 described here.
19885
19886 @menu
19887 * Prompt:: Prompt
19888 * Editing:: Command editing
19889 * Command History:: Command history
19890 * Screen Size:: Screen size
19891 * Numbers:: Numbers
19892 * ABI:: Configuring the current ABI
19893 * Messages/Warnings:: Optional warnings and messages
19894 * Debugging Output:: Optional messages about internal happenings
19895 * Other Misc Settings:: Other Miscellaneous Settings
19896 @end menu
19897
19898 @node Prompt
19899 @section Prompt
19900
19901 @cindex prompt
19902
19903 @value{GDBN} indicates its readiness to read a command by printing a string
19904 called the @dfn{prompt}. This string is normally @samp{(@value{GDBP})}. You
19905 can change the prompt string with the @code{set prompt} command. For
19906 instance, when debugging @value{GDBN} with @value{GDBN}, it is useful to change
19907 the prompt in one of the @value{GDBN} sessions so that you can always tell
19908 which one you are talking to.
19909
19910 @emph{Note:} @code{set prompt} does not add a space for you after the
19911 prompt you set. This allows you to set a prompt which ends in a space
19912 or a prompt that does not.
19913
19914 @table @code
19915 @kindex set prompt
19916 @item set prompt @var{newprompt}
19917 Directs @value{GDBN} to use @var{newprompt} as its prompt string henceforth.
19918
19919 @kindex show prompt
19920 @item show prompt
19921 Prints a line of the form: @samp{Gdb's prompt is: @var{your-prompt}}
19922 @end table
19923
19924 Versions of @value{GDBN} that ship with Python scripting enabled have
19925 prompt extensions. The commands for interacting with these extensions
19926 are:
19927
19928 @table @code
19929 @kindex set extended-prompt
19930 @item set extended-prompt @var{prompt}
19931 Set an extended prompt that allows for substitutions.
19932 @xref{gdb.prompt}, for a list of escape sequences that can be used for
19933 substitution. Any escape sequences specified as part of the prompt
19934 string are replaced with the corresponding strings each time the prompt
19935 is displayed.
19936
19937 For example:
19938
19939 @smallexample
19940 set extended-prompt Current working directory: \w (gdb)
19941 @end smallexample
19942
19943 Note that when an extended-prompt is set, it takes control of the
19944 @var{prompt_hook} hook. @xref{prompt_hook}, for further information.
19945
19946 @kindex show extended-prompt
19947 @item show extended-prompt
19948 Prints the extended prompt. Any escape sequences specified as part of
19949 the prompt string with @code{set extended-prompt}, are replaced with the
19950 corresponding strings each time the prompt is displayed.
19951 @end table
19952
19953 @node Editing
19954 @section Command Editing
19955 @cindex readline
19956 @cindex command line editing
19957
19958 @value{GDBN} reads its input commands via the @dfn{Readline} interface. This
19959 @sc{gnu} library provides consistent behavior for programs which provide a
19960 command line interface to the user. Advantages are @sc{gnu} Emacs-style
19961 or @dfn{vi}-style inline editing of commands, @code{csh}-like history
19962 substitution, and a storage and recall of command history across
19963 debugging sessions.
19964
19965 You may control the behavior of command line editing in @value{GDBN} with the
19966 command @code{set}.
19967
19968 @table @code
19969 @kindex set editing
19970 @cindex editing
19971 @item set editing
19972 @itemx set editing on
19973 Enable command line editing (enabled by default).
19974
19975 @item set editing off
19976 Disable command line editing.
19977
19978 @kindex show editing
19979 @item show editing
19980 Show whether command line editing is enabled.
19981 @end table
19982
19983 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
19984 @xref{Command Line Editing, , , rluserman, GNU Readline Library},
19985 @end ifset
19986 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
19987 @xref{Command Line Editing},
19988 @end ifclear
19989 for more details about the Readline
19990 interface. Users unfamiliar with @sc{gnu} Emacs or @code{vi} are
19991 encouraged to read that chapter.
19992
19993 @node Command History
19994 @section Command History
19995 @cindex command history
19996
19997 @value{GDBN} can keep track of the commands you type during your
19998 debugging sessions, so that you can be certain of precisely what
19999 happened. Use these commands to manage the @value{GDBN} command
20000 history facility.
20001
20002 @value{GDBN} uses the @sc{gnu} History library, a part of the Readline
20003 package, to provide the history facility.
20004 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
20005 @xref{Using History Interactively, , , history, GNU History Library},
20006 @end ifset
20007 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
20008 @xref{Using History Interactively},
20009 @end ifclear
20010 for the detailed description of the History library.
20011
20012 To issue a command to @value{GDBN} without affecting certain aspects of
20013 the state which is seen by users, prefix it with @samp{server }
20014 (@pxref{Server Prefix}). This
20015 means that this command will not affect the command history, nor will it
20016 affect @value{GDBN}'s notion of which command to repeat if @key{RET} is
20017 pressed on a line by itself.
20018
20019 @cindex @code{server}, command prefix
20020 The server prefix does not affect the recording of values into the value
20021 history; to print a value without recording it into the value history,
20022 use the @code{output} command instead of the @code{print} command.
20023
20024 Here is the description of @value{GDBN} commands related to command
20025 history.
20026
20027 @table @code
20028 @cindex history substitution
20029 @cindex history file
20030 @kindex set history filename
20031 @cindex @env{GDBHISTFILE}, environment variable
20032 @item set history filename @var{fname}
20033 Set the name of the @value{GDBN} command history file to @var{fname}.
20034 This is the file where @value{GDBN} reads an initial command history
20035 list, and where it writes the command history from this session when it
20036 exits. You can access this list through history expansion or through
20037 the history command editing characters listed below. This file defaults
20038 to the value of the environment variable @code{GDBHISTFILE}, or to
20039 @file{./.gdb_history} (@file{./_gdb_history} on MS-DOS) if this variable
20040 is not set.
20041
20042 @cindex save command history
20043 @kindex set history save
20044 @item set history save
20045 @itemx set history save on
20046 Record command history in a file, whose name may be specified with the
20047 @code{set history filename} command. By default, this option is disabled.
20048
20049 @item set history save off
20050 Stop recording command history in a file.
20051
20052 @cindex history size
20053 @kindex set history size
20054 @cindex @env{HISTSIZE}, environment variable
20055 @item set history size @var{size}
20056 Set the number of commands which @value{GDBN} keeps in its history list.
20057 This defaults to the value of the environment variable
20058 @code{HISTSIZE}, or to 256 if this variable is not set.
20059 @end table
20060
20061 History expansion assigns special meaning to the character @kbd{!}.
20062 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
20063 @xref{Event Designators, , , history, GNU History Library},
20064 @end ifset
20065 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
20066 @xref{Event Designators},
20067 @end ifclear
20068 for more details.
20069
20070 @cindex history expansion, turn on/off
20071 Since @kbd{!} is also the logical not operator in C, history expansion
20072 is off by default. If you decide to enable history expansion with the
20073 @code{set history expansion on} command, you may sometimes need to
20074 follow @kbd{!} (when it is used as logical not, in an expression) with
20075 a space or a tab to prevent it from being expanded. The readline
20076 history facilities do not attempt substitution on the strings
20077 @kbd{!=} and @kbd{!(}, even when history expansion is enabled.
20078
20079 The commands to control history expansion are:
20080
20081 @table @code
20082 @item set history expansion on
20083 @itemx set history expansion
20084 @kindex set history expansion
20085 Enable history expansion. History expansion is off by default.
20086
20087 @item set history expansion off
20088 Disable history expansion.
20089
20090 @c @group
20091 @kindex show history
20092 @item show history
20093 @itemx show history filename
20094 @itemx show history save
20095 @itemx show history size
20096 @itemx show history expansion
20097 These commands display the state of the @value{GDBN} history parameters.
20098 @code{show history} by itself displays all four states.
20099 @c @end group
20100 @end table
20101
20102 @table @code
20103 @kindex show commands
20104 @cindex show last commands
20105 @cindex display command history
20106 @item show commands
20107 Display the last ten commands in the command history.
20108
20109 @item show commands @var{n}
20110 Print ten commands centered on command number @var{n}.
20111
20112 @item show commands +
20113 Print ten commands just after the commands last printed.
20114 @end table
20115
20116 @node Screen Size
20117 @section Screen Size
20118 @cindex size of screen
20119 @cindex pauses in output
20120
20121 Certain commands to @value{GDBN} may produce large amounts of
20122 information output to the screen. To help you read all of it,
20123 @value{GDBN} pauses and asks you for input at the end of each page of
20124 output. Type @key{RET} when you want to continue the output, or @kbd{q}
20125 to discard the remaining output. Also, the screen width setting
20126 determines when to wrap lines of output. Depending on what is being
20127 printed, @value{GDBN} tries to break the line at a readable place,
20128 rather than simply letting it overflow onto the following line.
20129
20130 Normally @value{GDBN} knows the size of the screen from the terminal
20131 driver software. For example, on Unix @value{GDBN} uses the termcap data base
20132 together with the value of the @code{TERM} environment variable and the
20133 @code{stty rows} and @code{stty cols} settings. If this is not correct,
20134 you can override it with the @code{set height} and @code{set
20135 width} commands:
20136
20137 @table @code
20138 @kindex set height
20139 @kindex set width
20140 @kindex show width
20141 @kindex show height
20142 @item set height @var{lpp}
20143 @itemx show height
20144 @itemx set width @var{cpl}
20145 @itemx show width
20146 These @code{set} commands specify a screen height of @var{lpp} lines and
20147 a screen width of @var{cpl} characters. The associated @code{show}
20148 commands display the current settings.
20149
20150 If you specify a height of zero lines, @value{GDBN} does not pause during
20151 output no matter how long the output is. This is useful if output is to a
20152 file or to an editor buffer.
20153
20154 Likewise, you can specify @samp{set width 0} to prevent @value{GDBN}
20155 from wrapping its output.
20156
20157 @item set pagination on
20158 @itemx set pagination off
20159 @kindex set pagination
20160 Turn the output pagination on or off; the default is on. Turning
20161 pagination off is the alternative to @code{set height 0}. Note that
20162 running @value{GDBN} with the @option{--batch} option (@pxref{Mode
20163 Options, -batch}) also automatically disables pagination.
20164
20165 @item show pagination
20166 @kindex show pagination
20167 Show the current pagination mode.
20168 @end table
20169
20170 @node Numbers
20171 @section Numbers
20172 @cindex number representation
20173 @cindex entering numbers
20174
20175 You can always enter numbers in octal, decimal, or hexadecimal in
20176 @value{GDBN} by the usual conventions: octal numbers begin with
20177 @samp{0}, decimal numbers end with @samp{.}, and hexadecimal numbers
20178 begin with @samp{0x}. Numbers that neither begin with @samp{0} or
20179 @samp{0x}, nor end with a @samp{.} are, by default, entered in base
20180 10; likewise, the default display for numbers---when no particular
20181 format is specified---is base 10. You can change the default base for
20182 both input and output with the commands described below.
20183
20184 @table @code
20185 @kindex set input-radix
20186 @item set input-radix @var{base}
20187 Set the default base for numeric input. Supported choices
20188 for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. @var{base} must itself be
20189 specified either unambiguously or using the current input radix; for
20190 example, any of
20191
20192 @smallexample
20193 set input-radix 012
20194 set input-radix 10.
20195 set input-radix 0xa
20196 @end smallexample
20197
20198 @noindent
20199 sets the input base to decimal. On the other hand, @samp{set input-radix 10}
20200 leaves the input radix unchanged, no matter what it was, since
20201 @samp{10}, being without any leading or trailing signs of its base, is
20202 interpreted in the current radix. Thus, if the current radix is 16,
20203 @samp{10} is interpreted in hex, i.e.@: as 16 decimal, which doesn't
20204 change the radix.
20205
20206 @kindex set output-radix
20207 @item set output-radix @var{base}
20208 Set the default base for numeric display. Supported choices
20209 for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. @var{base} must itself be
20210 specified either unambiguously or using the current input radix.
20211
20212 @kindex show input-radix
20213 @item show input-radix
20214 Display the current default base for numeric input.
20215
20216 @kindex show output-radix
20217 @item show output-radix
20218 Display the current default base for numeric display.
20219
20220 @item set radix @r{[}@var{base}@r{]}
20221 @itemx show radix
20222 @kindex set radix
20223 @kindex show radix
20224 These commands set and show the default base for both input and output
20225 of numbers. @code{set radix} sets the radix of input and output to
20226 the same base; without an argument, it resets the radix back to its
20227 default value of 10.
20228
20229 @end table
20230
20231 @node ABI
20232 @section Configuring the Current ABI
20233
20234 @value{GDBN} can determine the @dfn{ABI} (Application Binary Interface) of your
20235 application automatically. However, sometimes you need to override its
20236 conclusions. Use these commands to manage @value{GDBN}'s view of the
20237 current ABI.
20238
20239 @cindex OS ABI
20240 @kindex set osabi
20241 @kindex show osabi
20242
20243 One @value{GDBN} configuration can debug binaries for multiple operating
20244 system targets, either via remote debugging or native emulation.
20245 @value{GDBN} will autodetect the @dfn{OS ABI} (Operating System ABI) in use,
20246 but you can override its conclusion using the @code{set osabi} command.
20247 One example where this is useful is in debugging of binaries which use
20248 an alternate C library (e.g.@: @sc{uClibc} for @sc{gnu}/Linux) which does
20249 not have the same identifying marks that the standard C library for your
20250 platform provides.
20251
20252 @table @code
20253 @item show osabi
20254 Show the OS ABI currently in use.
20255
20256 @item set osabi
20257 With no argument, show the list of registered available OS ABI's.
20258
20259 @item set osabi @var{abi}
20260 Set the current OS ABI to @var{abi}.
20261 @end table
20262
20263 @cindex float promotion
20264
20265 Generally, the way that an argument of type @code{float} is passed to a
20266 function depends on whether the function is prototyped. For a prototyped
20267 (i.e.@: ANSI/ISO style) function, @code{float} arguments are passed unchanged,
20268 according to the architecture's convention for @code{float}. For unprototyped
20269 (i.e.@: K&R style) functions, @code{float} arguments are first promoted to type
20270 @code{double} and then passed.
20271
20272 Unfortunately, some forms of debug information do not reliably indicate whether
20273 a function is prototyped. If @value{GDBN} calls a function that is not marked
20274 as prototyped, it consults @kbd{set coerce-float-to-double}.
20275
20276 @table @code
20277 @kindex set coerce-float-to-double
20278 @item set coerce-float-to-double
20279 @itemx set coerce-float-to-double on
20280 Arguments of type @code{float} will be promoted to @code{double} when passed
20281 to an unprototyped function. This is the default setting.
20282
20283 @item set coerce-float-to-double off
20284 Arguments of type @code{float} will be passed directly to unprototyped
20285 functions.
20286
20287 @kindex show coerce-float-to-double
20288 @item show coerce-float-to-double
20289 Show the current setting of promoting @code{float} to @code{double}.
20290 @end table
20291
20292 @kindex set cp-abi
20293 @kindex show cp-abi
20294 @value{GDBN} needs to know the ABI used for your program's C@t{++}
20295 objects. The correct C@t{++} ABI depends on which C@t{++} compiler was
20296 used to build your application. @value{GDBN} only fully supports
20297 programs with a single C@t{++} ABI; if your program contains code using
20298 multiple C@t{++} ABI's or if @value{GDBN} can not identify your
20299 program's ABI correctly, you can tell @value{GDBN} which ABI to use.
20300 Currently supported ABI's include ``gnu-v2'', for @code{g++} versions
20301 before 3.0, ``gnu-v3'', for @code{g++} versions 3.0 and later, and
20302 ``hpaCC'' for the HP ANSI C@t{++} compiler. Other C@t{++} compilers may
20303 use the ``gnu-v2'' or ``gnu-v3'' ABI's as well. The default setting is
20304 ``auto''.
20305
20306 @table @code
20307 @item show cp-abi
20308 Show the C@t{++} ABI currently in use.
20309
20310 @item set cp-abi
20311 With no argument, show the list of supported C@t{++} ABI's.
20312
20313 @item set cp-abi @var{abi}
20314 @itemx set cp-abi auto
20315 Set the current C@t{++} ABI to @var{abi}, or return to automatic detection.
20316 @end table
20317
20318 @node Messages/Warnings
20319 @section Optional Warnings and Messages
20320
20321 @cindex verbose operation
20322 @cindex optional warnings
20323 By default, @value{GDBN} is silent about its inner workings. If you are
20324 running on a slow machine, you may want to use the @code{set verbose}
20325 command. This makes @value{GDBN} tell you when it does a lengthy
20326 internal operation, so you will not think it has crashed.
20327
20328 Currently, the messages controlled by @code{set verbose} are those
20329 which announce that the symbol table for a source file is being read;
20330 see @code{symbol-file} in @ref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}.
20331
20332 @table @code
20333 @kindex set verbose
20334 @item set verbose on
20335 Enables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
20336
20337 @item set verbose off
20338 Disables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
20339
20340 @kindex show verbose
20341 @item show verbose
20342 Displays whether @code{set verbose} is on or off.
20343 @end table
20344
20345 By default, if @value{GDBN} encounters bugs in the symbol table of an
20346 object file, it is silent; but if you are debugging a compiler, you may
20347 find this information useful (@pxref{Symbol Errors, ,Errors Reading
20348 Symbol Files}).
20349
20350 @table @code
20351
20352 @kindex set complaints
20353 @item set complaints @var{limit}
20354 Permits @value{GDBN} to output @var{limit} complaints about each type of
20355 unusual symbols before becoming silent about the problem. Set
20356 @var{limit} to zero to suppress all complaints; set it to a large number
20357 to prevent complaints from being suppressed.
20358
20359 @kindex show complaints
20360 @item show complaints
20361 Displays how many symbol complaints @value{GDBN} is permitted to produce.
20362
20363 @end table
20364
20365 @anchor{confirmation requests}
20366 By default, @value{GDBN} is cautious, and asks what sometimes seems to be a
20367 lot of stupid questions to confirm certain commands. For example, if
20368 you try to run a program which is already running:
20369
20370 @smallexample
20371 (@value{GDBP}) run
20372 The program being debugged has been started already.
20373 Start it from the beginning? (y or n)
20374 @end smallexample
20375
20376 If you are willing to unflinchingly face the consequences of your own
20377 commands, you can disable this ``feature'':
20378
20379 @table @code
20380
20381 @kindex set confirm
20382 @cindex flinching
20383 @cindex confirmation
20384 @cindex stupid questions
20385 @item set confirm off
20386 Disables confirmation requests. Note that running @value{GDBN} with
20387 the @option{--batch} option (@pxref{Mode Options, -batch}) also
20388 automatically disables confirmation requests.
20389
20390 @item set confirm on
20391 Enables confirmation requests (the default).
20392
20393 @kindex show confirm
20394 @item show confirm
20395 Displays state of confirmation requests.
20396
20397 @end table
20398
20399 @cindex command tracing
20400 If you need to debug user-defined commands or sourced files you may find it
20401 useful to enable @dfn{command tracing}. In this mode each command will be
20402 printed as it is executed, prefixed with one or more @samp{+} symbols, the
20403 quantity denoting the call depth of each command.
20404
20405 @table @code
20406 @kindex set trace-commands
20407 @cindex command scripts, debugging
20408 @item set trace-commands on
20409 Enable command tracing.
20410 @item set trace-commands off
20411 Disable command tracing.
20412 @item show trace-commands
20413 Display the current state of command tracing.
20414 @end table
20415
20416 @node Debugging Output
20417 @section Optional Messages about Internal Happenings
20418 @cindex optional debugging messages
20419
20420 @value{GDBN} has commands that enable optional debugging messages from
20421 various @value{GDBN} subsystems; normally these commands are of
20422 interest to @value{GDBN} maintainers, or when reporting a bug. This
20423 section documents those commands.
20424
20425 @table @code
20426 @kindex set exec-done-display
20427 @item set exec-done-display
20428 Turns on or off the notification of asynchronous commands'
20429 completion. When on, @value{GDBN} will print a message when an
20430 asynchronous command finishes its execution. The default is off.
20431 @kindex show exec-done-display
20432 @item show exec-done-display
20433 Displays the current setting of asynchronous command completion
20434 notification.
20435 @kindex set debug
20436 @cindex gdbarch debugging info
20437 @cindex architecture debugging info
20438 @item set debug arch
20439 Turns on or off display of gdbarch debugging info. The default is off
20440 @kindex show debug
20441 @item show debug arch
20442 Displays the current state of displaying gdbarch debugging info.
20443 @item set debug aix-thread
20444 @cindex AIX threads
20445 Display debugging messages about inner workings of the AIX thread
20446 module.
20447 @item show debug aix-thread
20448 Show the current state of AIX thread debugging info display.
20449 @item set debug check-physname
20450 @cindex physname
20451 Check the results of the ``physname'' computation. When reading DWARF
20452 debugging information for C@t{++}, @value{GDBN} attempts to compute
20453 each entity's name. @value{GDBN} can do this computation in two
20454 different ways, depending on exactly what information is present.
20455 When enabled, this setting causes @value{GDBN} to compute the names
20456 both ways and display any discrepancies.
20457 @item show debug check-physname
20458 Show the current state of ``physname'' checking.
20459 @item set debug dwarf2-die
20460 @cindex DWARF2 DIEs
20461 Dump DWARF2 DIEs after they are read in.
20462 The value is the number of nesting levels to print.
20463 A value of zero turns off the display.
20464 @item show debug dwarf2-die
20465 Show the current state of DWARF2 DIE debugging.
20466 @item set debug displaced
20467 @cindex displaced stepping debugging info
20468 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} debugging info for the
20469 displaced stepping support. The default is off.
20470 @item show debug displaced
20471 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} debugging info
20472 related to displaced stepping.
20473 @item set debug event
20474 @cindex event debugging info
20475 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} event debugging info. The
20476 default is off.
20477 @item show debug event
20478 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} event debugging
20479 info.
20480 @item set debug expression
20481 @cindex expression debugging info
20482 Turns on or off display of debugging info about @value{GDBN}
20483 expression parsing. The default is off.
20484 @item show debug expression
20485 Displays the current state of displaying debugging info about
20486 @value{GDBN} expression parsing.
20487 @item set debug frame
20488 @cindex frame debugging info
20489 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} frame debugging info. The
20490 default is off.
20491 @item show debug frame
20492 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} frame debugging
20493 info.
20494 @item set debug gnu-nat
20495 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Hurd debug messages
20496 Turns on or off debugging messages from the @sc{gnu}/Hurd debug support.
20497 @item show debug gnu-nat
20498 Show the current state of @sc{gnu}/Hurd debugging messages.
20499 @item set debug infrun
20500 @cindex inferior debugging info
20501 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} debugging info for running the inferior.
20502 The default is off. @file{infrun.c} contains GDB's runtime state machine used
20503 for implementing operations such as single-stepping the inferior.
20504 @item show debug infrun
20505 Displays the current state of @value{GDBN} inferior debugging.
20506 @item set debug jit
20507 @cindex just-in-time compilation, debugging messages
20508 Turns on or off debugging messages from JIT debug support.
20509 @item show debug jit
20510 Displays the current state of @value{GDBN} JIT debugging.
20511 @item set debug lin-lwp
20512 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Linux LWP debug messages
20513 @cindex Linux lightweight processes
20514 Turns on or off debugging messages from the Linux LWP debug support.
20515 @item show debug lin-lwp
20516 Show the current state of Linux LWP debugging messages.
20517 @item set debug observer
20518 @cindex observer debugging info
20519 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} observer debugging. This
20520 includes info such as the notification of observable events.
20521 @item show debug observer
20522 Displays the current state of observer debugging.
20523 @item set debug overload
20524 @cindex C@t{++} overload debugging info
20525 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload debugging
20526 info. This includes info such as ranking of functions, etc. The default
20527 is off.
20528 @item show debug overload
20529 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload
20530 debugging info.
20531 @cindex expression parser, debugging info
20532 @cindex debug expression parser
20533 @item set debug parser
20534 Turns on or off the display of expression parser debugging output.
20535 Internally, this sets the @code{yydebug} variable in the expression
20536 parser. @xref{Tracing, , Tracing Your Parser, bison, Bison}, for
20537 details. The default is off.
20538 @item show debug parser
20539 Show the current state of expression parser debugging.
20540 @cindex packets, reporting on stdout
20541 @cindex serial connections, debugging
20542 @cindex debug remote protocol
20543 @cindex remote protocol debugging
20544 @cindex display remote packets
20545 @item set debug remote
20546 Turns on or off display of reports on all packets sent back and forth across
20547 the serial line to the remote machine. The info is printed on the
20548 @value{GDBN} standard output stream. The default is off.
20549 @item show debug remote
20550 Displays the state of display of remote packets.
20551 @item set debug serial
20552 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} serial debugging info. The
20553 default is off.
20554 @item show debug serial
20555 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} serial debugging
20556 info.
20557 @item set debug solib-frv
20558 @cindex FR-V shared-library debugging
20559 Turns on or off debugging messages for FR-V shared-library code.
20560 @item show debug solib-frv
20561 Display the current state of FR-V shared-library code debugging
20562 messages.
20563 @item set debug target
20564 @cindex target debugging info
20565 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} target debugging info. This info
20566 includes what is going on at the target level of GDB, as it happens. The
20567 default is 0. Set it to 1 to track events, and to 2 to also track the
20568 value of large memory transfers. Changes to this flag do not take effect
20569 until the next time you connect to a target or use the @code{run} command.
20570 @item show debug target
20571 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} target debugging
20572 info.
20573 @item set debug timestamp
20574 @cindex timestampping debugging info
20575 Turns on or off display of timestamps with @value{GDBN} debugging info.
20576 When enabled, seconds and microseconds are displayed before each debugging
20577 message.
20578 @item show debug timestamp
20579 Displays the current state of displaying timestamps with @value{GDBN}
20580 debugging info.
20581 @item set debugvarobj
20582 @cindex variable object debugging info
20583 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} variable object debugging
20584 info. The default is off.
20585 @item show debugvarobj
20586 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} variable object
20587 debugging info.
20588 @item set debug xml
20589 @cindex XML parser debugging
20590 Turns on or off debugging messages for built-in XML parsers.
20591 @item show debug xml
20592 Displays the current state of XML debugging messages.
20593 @end table
20594
20595 @node Other Misc Settings
20596 @section Other Miscellaneous Settings
20597 @cindex miscellaneous settings
20598
20599 @table @code
20600 @kindex set interactive-mode
20601 @item set interactive-mode
20602 If @code{on}, forces @value{GDBN} to assume that GDB was started
20603 in a terminal. In practice, this means that @value{GDBN} should wait
20604 for the user to answer queries generated by commands entered at
20605 the command prompt. If @code{off}, forces @value{GDBN} to operate
20606 in the opposite mode, and it uses the default answers to all queries.
20607 If @code{auto} (the default), @value{GDBN} tries to determine whether
20608 its standard input is a terminal, and works in interactive-mode if it
20609 is, non-interactively otherwise.
20610
20611 In the vast majority of cases, the debugger should be able to guess
20612 correctly which mode should be used. But this setting can be useful
20613 in certain specific cases, such as running a MinGW @value{GDBN}
20614 inside a cygwin window.
20615
20616 @kindex show interactive-mode
20617 @item show interactive-mode
20618 Displays whether the debugger is operating in interactive mode or not.
20619 @end table
20620
20621 @node Extending GDB
20622 @chapter Extending @value{GDBN}
20623 @cindex extending GDB
20624
20625 @value{GDBN} provides three mechanisms for extension. The first is based
20626 on composition of @value{GDBN} commands, the second is based on the
20627 Python scripting language, and the third is for defining new aliases of
20628 existing commands.
20629
20630 To facilitate the use of the first two extensions, @value{GDBN} is capable
20631 of evaluating the contents of a file. When doing so, @value{GDBN}
20632 can recognize which scripting language is being used by looking at
20633 the filename extension. Files with an unrecognized filename extension
20634 are always treated as a @value{GDBN} Command Files.
20635 @xref{Command Files,, Command files}.
20636
20637 You can control how @value{GDBN} evaluates these files with the following
20638 setting:
20639
20640 @table @code
20641 @kindex set script-extension
20642 @kindex show script-extension
20643 @item set script-extension off
20644 All scripts are always evaluated as @value{GDBN} Command Files.
20645
20646 @item set script-extension soft
20647 The debugger determines the scripting language based on filename
20648 extension. If this scripting language is supported, @value{GDBN}
20649 evaluates the script using that language. Otherwise, it evaluates
20650 the file as a @value{GDBN} Command File.
20651
20652 @item set script-extension strict
20653 The debugger determines the scripting language based on filename
20654 extension, and evaluates the script using that language. If the
20655 language is not supported, then the evaluation fails.
20656
20657 @item show script-extension
20658 Display the current value of the @code{script-extension} option.
20659
20660 @end table
20661
20662 @menu
20663 * Sequences:: Canned Sequences of Commands
20664 * Python:: Scripting @value{GDBN} using Python
20665 * Aliases:: Creating new spellings of existing commands
20666 @end menu
20667
20668 @node Sequences
20669 @section Canned Sequences of Commands
20670
20671 Aside from breakpoint commands (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint
20672 Command Lists}), @value{GDBN} provides two ways to store sequences of
20673 commands for execution as a unit: user-defined commands and command
20674 files.
20675
20676 @menu
20677 * Define:: How to define your own commands
20678 * Hooks:: Hooks for user-defined commands
20679 * Command Files:: How to write scripts of commands to be stored in a file
20680 * Output:: Commands for controlled output
20681 @end menu
20682
20683 @node Define
20684 @subsection User-defined Commands
20685
20686 @cindex user-defined command
20687 @cindex arguments, to user-defined commands
20688 A @dfn{user-defined command} is a sequence of @value{GDBN} commands to
20689 which you assign a new name as a command. This is done with the
20690 @code{define} command. User commands may accept up to 10 arguments
20691 separated by whitespace. Arguments are accessed within the user command
20692 via @code{$arg0@dots{}$arg9}. A trivial example:
20693
20694 @smallexample
20695 define adder
20696 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
20697 end
20698 @end smallexample
20699
20700 @noindent
20701 To execute the command use:
20702
20703 @smallexample
20704 adder 1 2 3
20705 @end smallexample
20706
20707 @noindent
20708 This defines the command @code{adder}, which prints the sum of
20709 its three arguments. Note the arguments are text substitutions, so they may
20710 reference variables, use complex expressions, or even perform inferior
20711 functions calls.
20712
20713 @cindex argument count in user-defined commands
20714 @cindex how many arguments (user-defined commands)
20715 In addition, @code{$argc} may be used to find out how many arguments have
20716 been passed. This expands to a number in the range 0@dots{}10.
20717
20718 @smallexample
20719 define adder
20720 if $argc == 2
20721 print $arg0 + $arg1
20722 end
20723 if $argc == 3
20724 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
20725 end
20726 end
20727 @end smallexample
20728
20729 @table @code
20730
20731 @kindex define
20732 @item define @var{commandname}
20733 Define a command named @var{commandname}. If there is already a command
20734 by that name, you are asked to confirm that you want to redefine it.
20735 @var{commandname} may be a bare command name consisting of letters,
20736 numbers, dashes, and underscores. It may also start with any predefined
20737 prefix command. For example, @samp{define target my-target} creates
20738 a user-defined @samp{target my-target} command.
20739
20740 The definition of the command is made up of other @value{GDBN} command lines,
20741 which are given following the @code{define} command. The end of these
20742 commands is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
20743
20744 @kindex document
20745 @kindex end@r{ (user-defined commands)}
20746 @item document @var{commandname}
20747 Document the user-defined command @var{commandname}, so that it can be
20748 accessed by @code{help}. The command @var{commandname} must already be
20749 defined. This command reads lines of documentation just as @code{define}
20750 reads the lines of the command definition, ending with @code{end}.
20751 After the @code{document} command is finished, @code{help} on command
20752 @var{commandname} displays the documentation you have written.
20753
20754 You may use the @code{document} command again to change the
20755 documentation of a command. Redefining the command with @code{define}
20756 does not change the documentation.
20757
20758 @kindex dont-repeat
20759 @cindex don't repeat command
20760 @item dont-repeat
20761 Used inside a user-defined command, this tells @value{GDBN} that this
20762 command should not be repeated when the user hits @key{RET}
20763 (@pxref{Command Syntax, repeat last command}).
20764
20765 @kindex help user-defined
20766 @item help user-defined
20767 List all user-defined commands, with the first line of the documentation
20768 (if any) for each.
20769
20770 @kindex show user
20771 @item show user
20772 @itemx show user @var{commandname}
20773 Display the @value{GDBN} commands used to define @var{commandname} (but
20774 not its documentation). If no @var{commandname} is given, display the
20775 definitions for all user-defined commands.
20776
20777 @cindex infinite recursion in user-defined commands
20778 @kindex show max-user-call-depth
20779 @kindex set max-user-call-depth
20780 @item show max-user-call-depth
20781 @itemx set max-user-call-depth
20782 The value of @code{max-user-call-depth} controls how many recursion
20783 levels are allowed in user-defined commands before @value{GDBN} suspects an
20784 infinite recursion and aborts the command.
20785 @end table
20786
20787 In addition to the above commands, user-defined commands frequently
20788 use control flow commands, described in @ref{Command Files}.
20789
20790 When user-defined commands are executed, the
20791 commands of the definition are not printed. An error in any command
20792 stops execution of the user-defined command.
20793
20794 If used interactively, commands that would ask for confirmation proceed
20795 without asking when used inside a user-defined command. Many @value{GDBN}
20796 commands that normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the
20797 messages when used in a user-defined command.
20798
20799 @node Hooks
20800 @subsection User-defined Command Hooks
20801 @cindex command hooks
20802 @cindex hooks, for commands
20803 @cindex hooks, pre-command
20804
20805 @kindex hook
20806 You may define @dfn{hooks}, which are a special kind of user-defined
20807 command. Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined
20808 command @samp{hook-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments)
20809 before that command.
20810
20811 @cindex hooks, post-command
20812 @kindex hookpost
20813 A hook may also be defined which is run after the command you executed.
20814 Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined command
20815 @samp{hookpost-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments) after
20816 that command. Post-execution hooks may exist simultaneously with
20817 pre-execution hooks, for the same command.
20818
20819 It is valid for a hook to call the command which it hooks. If this
20820 occurs, the hook is not re-executed, thereby avoiding infinite recursion.
20821
20822 @c It would be nice if hookpost could be passed a parameter indicating
20823 @c if the command it hooks executed properly or not. FIXME!
20824
20825 @kindex stop@r{, a pseudo-command}
20826 In addition, a pseudo-command, @samp{stop} exists. Defining
20827 (@samp{hook-stop}) makes the associated commands execute every time
20828 execution stops in your program: before breakpoint commands are run,
20829 displays are printed, or the stack frame is printed.
20830
20831 For example, to ignore @code{SIGALRM} signals while
20832 single-stepping, but treat them normally during normal execution,
20833 you could define:
20834
20835 @smallexample
20836 define hook-stop
20837 handle SIGALRM nopass
20838 end
20839
20840 define hook-run
20841 handle SIGALRM pass
20842 end
20843
20844 define hook-continue
20845 handle SIGALRM pass
20846 end
20847 @end smallexample
20848
20849 As a further example, to hook at the beginning and end of the @code{echo}
20850 command, and to add extra text to the beginning and end of the message,
20851 you could define:
20852
20853 @smallexample
20854 define hook-echo
20855 echo <<<---
20856 end
20857
20858 define hookpost-echo
20859 echo --->>>\n
20860 end
20861
20862 (@value{GDBP}) echo Hello World
20863 <<<---Hello World--->>>
20864 (@value{GDBP})
20865
20866 @end smallexample
20867
20868 You can define a hook for any single-word command in @value{GDBN}, but
20869 not for command aliases; you should define a hook for the basic command
20870 name, e.g.@: @code{backtrace} rather than @code{bt}.
20871 @c FIXME! So how does Joe User discover whether a command is an alias
20872 @c or not?
20873 You can hook a multi-word command by adding @code{hook-} or
20874 @code{hookpost-} to the last word of the command, e.g.@:
20875 @samp{define target hook-remote} to add a hook to @samp{target remote}.
20876
20877 If an error occurs during the execution of your hook, execution of
20878 @value{GDBN} commands stops and @value{GDBN} issues a prompt
20879 (before the command that you actually typed had a chance to run).
20880
20881 If you try to define a hook which does not match any known command, you
20882 get a warning from the @code{define} command.
20883
20884 @node Command Files
20885 @subsection Command Files
20886
20887 @cindex command files
20888 @cindex scripting commands
20889 A command file for @value{GDBN} is a text file made of lines that are
20890 @value{GDBN} commands. Comments (lines starting with @kbd{#}) may
20891 also be included. An empty line in a command file does nothing; it
20892 does not mean to repeat the last command, as it would from the
20893 terminal.
20894
20895 You can request the execution of a command file with the @code{source}
20896 command. Note that the @code{source} command is also used to evaluate
20897 scripts that are not Command Files. The exact behavior can be configured
20898 using the @code{script-extension} setting.
20899 @xref{Extending GDB,, Extending GDB}.
20900
20901 @table @code
20902 @kindex source
20903 @cindex execute commands from a file
20904 @item source [-s] [-v] @var{filename}
20905 Execute the command file @var{filename}.
20906 @end table
20907
20908 The lines in a command file are generally executed sequentially,
20909 unless the order of execution is changed by one of the
20910 @emph{flow-control commands} described below. The commands are not
20911 printed as they are executed. An error in any command terminates
20912 execution of the command file and control is returned to the console.
20913
20914 @value{GDBN} first searches for @var{filename} in the current directory.
20915 If the file is not found there, and @var{filename} does not specify a
20916 directory, then @value{GDBN} also looks for the file on the source search path
20917 (specified with the @samp{directory} command);
20918 except that @file{$cdir} is not searched because the compilation directory
20919 is not relevant to scripts.
20920
20921 If @code{-s} is specified, then @value{GDBN} searches for @var{filename}
20922 on the search path even if @var{filename} specifies a directory.
20923 The search is done by appending @var{filename} to each element of the
20924 search path. So, for example, if @var{filename} is @file{mylib/myscript}
20925 and the search path contains @file{/home/user} then @value{GDBN} will
20926 look for the script @file{/home/user/mylib/myscript}.
20927 The search is also done if @var{filename} is an absolute path.
20928 For example, if @var{filename} is @file{/tmp/myscript} and
20929 the search path contains @file{/home/user} then @value{GDBN} will
20930 look for the script @file{/home/user/tmp/myscript}.
20931 For DOS-like systems, if @var{filename} contains a drive specification,
20932 it is stripped before concatenation. For example, if @var{filename} is
20933 @file{d:myscript} and the search path contains @file{c:/tmp} then @value{GDBN}
20934 will look for the script @file{c:/tmp/myscript}.
20935
20936 If @code{-v}, for verbose mode, is given then @value{GDBN} displays
20937 each command as it is executed. The option must be given before
20938 @var{filename}, and is interpreted as part of the filename anywhere else.
20939
20940 Commands that would ask for confirmation if used interactively proceed
20941 without asking when used in a command file. Many @value{GDBN} commands that
20942 normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the messages
20943 when called from command files.
20944
20945 @value{GDBN} also accepts command input from standard input. In this
20946 mode, normal output goes to standard output and error output goes to
20947 standard error. Errors in a command file supplied on standard input do
20948 not terminate execution of the command file---execution continues with
20949 the next command.
20950
20951 @smallexample
20952 gdb < cmds > log 2>&1
20953 @end smallexample
20954
20955 (The syntax above will vary depending on the shell used.) This example
20956 will execute commands from the file @file{cmds}. All output and errors
20957 would be directed to @file{log}.
20958
20959 Since commands stored on command files tend to be more general than
20960 commands typed interactively, they frequently need to deal with
20961 complicated situations, such as different or unexpected values of
20962 variables and symbols, changes in how the program being debugged is
20963 built, etc. @value{GDBN} provides a set of flow-control commands to
20964 deal with these complexities. Using these commands, you can write
20965 complex scripts that loop over data structures, execute commands
20966 conditionally, etc.
20967
20968 @table @code
20969 @kindex if
20970 @kindex else
20971 @item if
20972 @itemx else
20973 This command allows to include in your script conditionally executed
20974 commands. The @code{if} command takes a single argument, which is an
20975 expression to evaluate. It is followed by a series of commands that
20976 are executed only if the expression is true (its value is nonzero).
20977 There can then optionally be an @code{else} line, followed by a series
20978 of commands that are only executed if the expression was false. The
20979 end of the list is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
20980
20981 @kindex while
20982 @item while
20983 This command allows to write loops. Its syntax is similar to
20984 @code{if}: the command takes a single argument, which is an expression
20985 to evaluate, and must be followed by the commands to execute, one per
20986 line, terminated by an @code{end}. These commands are called the
20987 @dfn{body} of the loop. The commands in the body of @code{while} are
20988 executed repeatedly as long as the expression evaluates to true.
20989
20990 @kindex loop_break
20991 @item loop_break
20992 This command exits the @code{while} loop in whose body it is included.
20993 Execution of the script continues after that @code{while}s @code{end}
20994 line.
20995
20996 @kindex loop_continue
20997 @item loop_continue
20998 This command skips the execution of the rest of the body of commands
20999 in the @code{while} loop in whose body it is included. Execution
21000 branches to the beginning of the @code{while} loop, where it evaluates
21001 the controlling expression.
21002
21003 @kindex end@r{ (if/else/while commands)}
21004 @item end
21005 Terminate the block of commands that are the body of @code{if},
21006 @code{else}, or @code{while} flow-control commands.
21007 @end table
21008
21009
21010 @node Output
21011 @subsection Commands for Controlled Output
21012
21013 During the execution of a command file or a user-defined command, normal
21014 @value{GDBN} output is suppressed; the only output that appears is what is
21015 explicitly printed by the commands in the definition. This section
21016 describes three commands useful for generating exactly the output you
21017 want.
21018
21019 @table @code
21020 @kindex echo
21021 @item echo @var{text}
21022 @c I do not consider backslash-space a standard C escape sequence
21023 @c because it is not in ANSI.
21024 Print @var{text}. Nonprinting characters can be included in
21025 @var{text} using C escape sequences, such as @samp{\n} to print a
21026 newline. @strong{No newline is printed unless you specify one.}
21027 In addition to the standard C escape sequences, a backslash followed
21028 by a space stands for a space. This is useful for displaying a
21029 string with spaces at the beginning or the end, since leading and
21030 trailing spaces are otherwise trimmed from all arguments.
21031 To print @samp{@w{ }and foo =@w{ }}, use the command
21032 @samp{echo \@w{ }and foo = \@w{ }}.
21033
21034 A backslash at the end of @var{text} can be used, as in C, to continue
21035 the command onto subsequent lines. For example,
21036
21037 @smallexample
21038 echo This is some text\n\
21039 which is continued\n\
21040 onto several lines.\n
21041 @end smallexample
21042
21043 produces the same output as
21044
21045 @smallexample
21046 echo This is some text\n
21047 echo which is continued\n
21048 echo onto several lines.\n
21049 @end smallexample
21050
21051 @kindex output
21052 @item output @var{expression}
21053 Print the value of @var{expression} and nothing but that value: no
21054 newlines, no @samp{$@var{nn} = }. The value is not entered in the
21055 value history either. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information
21056 on expressions.
21057
21058 @item output/@var{fmt} @var{expression}
21059 Print the value of @var{expression} in format @var{fmt}. You can use
21060 the same formats as for @code{print}. @xref{Output Formats,,Output
21061 Formats}, for more information.
21062
21063 @kindex printf
21064 @item printf @var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{}
21065 Print the values of one or more @var{expressions} under the control of
21066 the string @var{template}. To print several values, make
21067 @var{expressions} be a comma-separated list of individual expressions,
21068 which may be either numbers or pointers. Their values are printed as
21069 specified by @var{template}, exactly as a C program would do by
21070 executing the code below:
21071
21072 @smallexample
21073 printf (@var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{});
21074 @end smallexample
21075
21076 As in @code{C} @code{printf}, ordinary characters in @var{template}
21077 are printed verbatim, while @dfn{conversion specification} introduced
21078 by the @samp{%} character cause subsequent @var{expressions} to be
21079 evaluated, their values converted and formatted according to type and
21080 style information encoded in the conversion specifications, and then
21081 printed.
21082
21083 For example, you can print two values in hex like this:
21084
21085 @smallexample
21086 printf "foo, bar-foo = 0x%x, 0x%x\n", foo, bar-foo
21087 @end smallexample
21088
21089 @code{printf} supports all the standard @code{C} conversion
21090 specifications, including the flags and modifiers between the @samp{%}
21091 character and the conversion letter, with the following exceptions:
21092
21093 @itemize @bullet
21094 @item
21095 The argument-ordering modifiers, such as @samp{2$}, are not supported.
21096
21097 @item
21098 The modifier @samp{*} is not supported for specifying precision or
21099 width.
21100
21101 @item
21102 The @samp{'} flag (for separation of digits into groups according to
21103 @code{LC_NUMERIC'}) is not supported.
21104
21105 @item
21106 The type modifiers @samp{hh}, @samp{j}, @samp{t}, and @samp{z} are not
21107 supported.
21108
21109 @item
21110 The conversion letter @samp{n} (as in @samp{%n}) is not supported.
21111
21112 @item
21113 The conversion letters @samp{a} and @samp{A} are not supported.
21114 @end itemize
21115
21116 @noindent
21117 Note that the @samp{ll} type modifier is supported only if the
21118 underlying @code{C} implementation used to build @value{GDBN} supports
21119 the @code{long long int} type, and the @samp{L} type modifier is
21120 supported only if @code{long double} type is available.
21121
21122 As in @code{C}, @code{printf} supports simple backslash-escape
21123 sequences, such as @code{\n}, @samp{\t}, @samp{\\}, @samp{\"},
21124 @samp{\a}, and @samp{\f}, that consist of backslash followed by a
21125 single character. Octal and hexadecimal escape sequences are not
21126 supported.
21127
21128 Additionally, @code{printf} supports conversion specifications for DFP
21129 (@dfn{Decimal Floating Point}) types using the following length modifiers
21130 together with a floating point specifier.
21131 letters:
21132
21133 @itemize @bullet
21134 @item
21135 @samp{H} for printing @code{Decimal32} types.
21136
21137 @item
21138 @samp{D} for printing @code{Decimal64} types.
21139
21140 @item
21141 @samp{DD} for printing @code{Decimal128} types.
21142 @end itemize
21143
21144 If the underlying @code{C} implementation used to build @value{GDBN} has
21145 support for the three length modifiers for DFP types, other modifiers
21146 such as width and precision will also be available for @value{GDBN} to use.
21147
21148 In case there is no such @code{C} support, no additional modifiers will be
21149 available and the value will be printed in the standard way.
21150
21151 Here's an example of printing DFP types using the above conversion letters:
21152 @smallexample
21153 printf "D32: %Hf - D64: %Df - D128: %DDf\n",1.2345df,1.2E10dd,1.2E1dl
21154 @end smallexample
21155
21156 @kindex eval
21157 @item eval @var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{}
21158 Convert the values of one or more @var{expressions} under the control of
21159 the string @var{template} to a command line, and call it.
21160
21161 @end table
21162
21163 @node Python
21164 @section Scripting @value{GDBN} using Python
21165 @cindex python scripting
21166 @cindex scripting with python
21167
21168 You can script @value{GDBN} using the @uref{http://www.python.org/,
21169 Python programming language}. This feature is available only if
21170 @value{GDBN} was configured using @option{--with-python}.
21171
21172 @cindex python directory
21173 Python scripts used by @value{GDBN} should be installed in
21174 @file{@var{data-directory}/python}, where @var{data-directory} is
21175 the data directory as determined at @value{GDBN} startup (@pxref{Data Files}).
21176 This directory, known as the @dfn{python directory},
21177 is automatically added to the Python Search Path in order to allow
21178 the Python interpreter to locate all scripts installed at this location.
21179
21180 Additionally, @value{GDBN} commands and convenience functions which
21181 are written in Python and are located in the
21182 @file{@var{data-directory}/python/gdb/command} or
21183 @file{@var{data-directory}/python/gdb/function} directories are
21184 automatically imported when @value{GDBN} starts.
21185
21186 @menu
21187 * Python Commands:: Accessing Python from @value{GDBN}.
21188 * Python API:: Accessing @value{GDBN} from Python.
21189 * Auto-loading:: Automatically loading Python code.
21190 * Python modules:: Python modules provided by @value{GDBN}.
21191 @end menu
21192
21193 @node Python Commands
21194 @subsection Python Commands
21195 @cindex python commands
21196 @cindex commands to access python
21197
21198 @value{GDBN} provides one command for accessing the Python interpreter,
21199 and one related setting:
21200
21201 @table @code
21202 @kindex python
21203 @item python @r{[}@var{code}@r{]}
21204 The @code{python} command can be used to evaluate Python code.
21205
21206 If given an argument, the @code{python} command will evaluate the
21207 argument as a Python command. For example:
21208
21209 @smallexample
21210 (@value{GDBP}) python print 23
21211 23
21212 @end smallexample
21213
21214 If you do not provide an argument to @code{python}, it will act as a
21215 multi-line command, like @code{define}. In this case, the Python
21216 script is made up of subsequent command lines, given after the
21217 @code{python} command. This command list is terminated using a line
21218 containing @code{end}. For example:
21219
21220 @smallexample
21221 (@value{GDBP}) python
21222 Type python script
21223 End with a line saying just "end".
21224 >print 23
21225 >end
21226 23
21227 @end smallexample
21228
21229 @kindex maint set python print-stack
21230 @item maint set python print-stack
21231 This command is now deprecated. Instead use @code{set python
21232 print-stack}
21233
21234 @kindex set python print-stack
21235 @item set python print-stack
21236 By default, @value{GDBN} will not print a stack trace when an error
21237 occurs in a Python script. This can be controlled using @code{set
21238 python print-stack}: if @code{on}, then Python stack printing is
21239 enabled; if @code{off}, the default, then Python stack printing is
21240 disabled.
21241 @end table
21242
21243 It is also possible to execute a Python script from the @value{GDBN}
21244 interpreter:
21245
21246 @table @code
21247 @item source @file{script-name}
21248 The script name must end with @samp{.py} and @value{GDBN} must be configured
21249 to recognize the script language based on filename extension using
21250 the @code{script-extension} setting. @xref{Extending GDB, ,Extending GDB}.
21251
21252 @item python execfile ("script-name")
21253 This method is based on the @code{execfile} Python built-in function,
21254 and thus is always available.
21255 @end table
21256
21257 @node Python API
21258 @subsection Python API
21259 @cindex python api
21260 @cindex programming in python
21261
21262 @cindex python stdout
21263 @cindex python pagination
21264 At startup, @value{GDBN} overrides Python's @code{sys.stdout} and
21265 @code{sys.stderr} to print using @value{GDBN}'s output-paging streams.
21266 A Python program which outputs to one of these streams may have its
21267 output interrupted by the user (@pxref{Screen Size}). In this
21268 situation, a Python @code{KeyboardInterrupt} exception is thrown.
21269
21270 @menu
21271 * Basic Python:: Basic Python Functions.
21272 * Exception Handling:: How Python exceptions are translated.
21273 * Values From Inferior:: Python representation of values.
21274 * Types In Python:: Python representation of types.
21275 * Pretty Printing API:: Pretty-printing values.
21276 * Selecting Pretty-Printers:: How GDB chooses a pretty-printer.
21277 * Writing a Pretty-Printer:: Writing a Pretty-Printer.
21278 * Inferiors In Python:: Python representation of inferiors (processes)
21279 * Events In Python:: Listening for events from @value{GDBN}.
21280 * Threads In Python:: Accessing inferior threads from Python.
21281 * Commands In Python:: Implementing new commands in Python.
21282 * Parameters In Python:: Adding new @value{GDBN} parameters.
21283 * Functions In Python:: Writing new convenience functions.
21284 * Progspaces In Python:: Program spaces.
21285 * Objfiles In Python:: Object files.
21286 * Frames In Python:: Accessing inferior stack frames from Python.
21287 * Blocks In Python:: Accessing frame blocks from Python.
21288 * Symbols In Python:: Python representation of symbols.
21289 * Symbol Tables In Python:: Python representation of symbol tables.
21290 * Lazy Strings In Python:: Python representation of lazy strings.
21291 * Breakpoints In Python:: Manipulating breakpoints using Python.
21292 @end menu
21293
21294 @node Basic Python
21295 @subsubsection Basic Python
21296
21297 @cindex python functions
21298 @cindex python module
21299 @cindex gdb module
21300 @value{GDBN} introduces a new Python module, named @code{gdb}. All
21301 methods and classes added by @value{GDBN} are placed in this module.
21302 @value{GDBN} automatically @code{import}s the @code{gdb} module for
21303 use in all scripts evaluated by the @code{python} command.
21304
21305 @findex gdb.PYTHONDIR
21306 @defvar gdb.PYTHONDIR
21307 A string containing the python directory (@pxref{Python}).
21308 @end defvar
21309
21310 @findex gdb.execute
21311 @defun gdb.execute (command @r{[}, from_tty @r{[}, to_string@r{]]})
21312 Evaluate @var{command}, a string, as a @value{GDBN} CLI command.
21313 If a GDB exception happens while @var{command} runs, it is
21314 translated as described in @ref{Exception Handling,,Exception Handling}.
21315
21316 @var{from_tty} specifies whether @value{GDBN} ought to consider this
21317 command as having originated from the user invoking it interactively.
21318 It must be a boolean value. If omitted, it defaults to @code{False}.
21319
21320 By default, any output produced by @var{command} is sent to
21321 @value{GDBN}'s standard output. If the @var{to_string} parameter is
21322 @code{True}, then output will be collected by @code{gdb.execute} and
21323 returned as a string. The default is @code{False}, in which case the
21324 return value is @code{None}. If @var{to_string} is @code{True}, the
21325 @value{GDBN} virtual terminal will be temporarily set to unlimited width
21326 and height, and its pagination will be disabled; @pxref{Screen Size}.
21327 @end defun
21328
21329 @findex gdb.breakpoints
21330 @defun gdb.breakpoints ()
21331 Return a sequence holding all of @value{GDBN}'s breakpoints.
21332 @xref{Breakpoints In Python}, for more information.
21333 @end defun
21334
21335 @findex gdb.parameter
21336 @defun gdb.parameter (parameter)
21337 Return the value of a @value{GDBN} parameter. @var{parameter} is a
21338 string naming the parameter to look up; @var{parameter} may contain
21339 spaces if the parameter has a multi-part name. For example,
21340 @samp{print object} is a valid parameter name.
21341
21342 If the named parameter does not exist, this function throws a
21343 @code{gdb.error} (@pxref{Exception Handling}). Otherwise, the
21344 parameter's value is converted to a Python value of the appropriate
21345 type, and returned.
21346 @end defun
21347
21348 @findex gdb.history
21349 @defun gdb.history (number)
21350 Return a value from @value{GDBN}'s value history (@pxref{Value
21351 History}). @var{number} indicates which history element to return.
21352 If @var{number} is negative, then @value{GDBN} will take its absolute value
21353 and count backward from the last element (i.e., the most recent element) to
21354 find the value to return. If @var{number} is zero, then @value{GDBN} will
21355 return the most recent element. If the element specified by @var{number}
21356 doesn't exist in the value history, a @code{gdb.error} exception will be
21357 raised.
21358
21359 If no exception is raised, the return value is always an instance of
21360 @code{gdb.Value} (@pxref{Values From Inferior}).
21361 @end defun
21362
21363 @findex gdb.parse_and_eval
21364 @defun gdb.parse_and_eval (expression)
21365 Parse @var{expression} as an expression in the current language,
21366 evaluate it, and return the result as a @code{gdb.Value}.
21367 @var{expression} must be a string.
21368
21369 This function can be useful when implementing a new command
21370 (@pxref{Commands In Python}), as it provides a way to parse the
21371 command's argument as an expression. It is also useful simply to
21372 compute values, for example, it is the only way to get the value of a
21373 convenience variable (@pxref{Convenience Vars}) as a @code{gdb.Value}.
21374 @end defun
21375
21376 @findex gdb.post_event
21377 @defun gdb.post_event (event)
21378 Put @var{event}, a callable object taking no arguments, into
21379 @value{GDBN}'s internal event queue. This callable will be invoked at
21380 some later point, during @value{GDBN}'s event processing. Events
21381 posted using @code{post_event} will be run in the order in which they
21382 were posted; however, there is no way to know when they will be
21383 processed relative to other events inside @value{GDBN}.
21384
21385 @value{GDBN} is not thread-safe. If your Python program uses multiple
21386 threads, you must be careful to only call @value{GDBN}-specific
21387 functions in the main @value{GDBN} thread. @code{post_event} ensures
21388 this. For example:
21389
21390 @smallexample
21391 (@value{GDBP}) python
21392 >import threading
21393 >
21394 >class Writer():
21395 > def __init__(self, message):
21396 > self.message = message;
21397 > def __call__(self):
21398 > gdb.write(self.message)
21399 >
21400 >class MyThread1 (threading.Thread):
21401 > def run (self):
21402 > gdb.post_event(Writer("Hello "))
21403 >
21404 >class MyThread2 (threading.Thread):
21405 > def run (self):
21406 > gdb.post_event(Writer("World\n"))
21407 >
21408 >MyThread1().start()
21409 >MyThread2().start()
21410 >end
21411 (@value{GDBP}) Hello World
21412 @end smallexample
21413 @end defun
21414
21415 @findex gdb.write
21416 @defun gdb.write (string @r{[}, stream{]})
21417 Print a string to @value{GDBN}'s paginated output stream. The
21418 optional @var{stream} determines the stream to print to. The default
21419 stream is @value{GDBN}'s standard output stream. Possible stream
21420 values are:
21421
21422 @table @code
21423 @findex STDOUT
21424 @findex gdb.STDOUT
21425 @item gdb.STDOUT
21426 @value{GDBN}'s standard output stream.
21427
21428 @findex STDERR
21429 @findex gdb.STDERR
21430 @item gdb.STDERR
21431 @value{GDBN}'s standard error stream.
21432
21433 @findex STDLOG
21434 @findex gdb.STDLOG
21435 @item gdb.STDLOG
21436 @value{GDBN}'s log stream (@pxref{Logging Output}).
21437 @end table
21438
21439 Writing to @code{sys.stdout} or @code{sys.stderr} will automatically
21440 call this function and will automatically direct the output to the
21441 relevant stream.
21442 @end defun
21443
21444 @findex gdb.flush
21445 @defun gdb.flush ()
21446 Flush the buffer of a @value{GDBN} paginated stream so that the
21447 contents are displayed immediately. @value{GDBN} will flush the
21448 contents of a stream automatically when it encounters a newline in the
21449 buffer. The optional @var{stream} determines the stream to flush. The
21450 default stream is @value{GDBN}'s standard output stream. Possible
21451 stream values are:
21452
21453 @table @code
21454 @findex STDOUT
21455 @findex gdb.STDOUT
21456 @item gdb.STDOUT
21457 @value{GDBN}'s standard output stream.
21458
21459 @findex STDERR
21460 @findex gdb.STDERR
21461 @item gdb.STDERR
21462 @value{GDBN}'s standard error stream.
21463
21464 @findex STDLOG
21465 @findex gdb.STDLOG
21466 @item gdb.STDLOG
21467 @value{GDBN}'s log stream (@pxref{Logging Output}).
21468
21469 @end table
21470
21471 Flushing @code{sys.stdout} or @code{sys.stderr} will automatically
21472 call this function for the relevant stream.
21473 @end defun
21474
21475 @findex gdb.target_charset
21476 @defun gdb.target_charset ()
21477 Return the name of the current target character set (@pxref{Character
21478 Sets}). This differs from @code{gdb.parameter('target-charset')} in
21479 that @samp{auto} is never returned.
21480 @end defun
21481
21482 @findex gdb.target_wide_charset
21483 @defun gdb.target_wide_charset ()
21484 Return the name of the current target wide character set
21485 (@pxref{Character Sets}). This differs from
21486 @code{gdb.parameter('target-wide-charset')} in that @samp{auto} is
21487 never returned.
21488 @end defun
21489
21490 @findex gdb.solib_name
21491 @defun gdb.solib_name (address)
21492 Return the name of the shared library holding the given @var{address}
21493 as a string, or @code{None}.
21494 @end defun
21495
21496 @findex gdb.decode_line
21497 @defun gdb.decode_line @r{[}expression@r{]}
21498 Return locations of the line specified by @var{expression}, or of the
21499 current line if no argument was given. This function returns a Python
21500 tuple containing two elements. The first element contains a string
21501 holding any unparsed section of @var{expression} (or @code{None} if
21502 the expression has been fully parsed). The second element contains
21503 either @code{None} or another tuple that contains all the locations
21504 that match the expression represented as @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line}
21505 objects (@pxref{Symbol Tables In Python}). If @var{expression} is
21506 provided, it is decoded the way that @value{GDBN}'s inbuilt
21507 @code{break} or @code{edit} commands do (@pxref{Specify Location}).
21508 @end defun
21509
21510 @defun gdb.prompt_hook (current_prompt)
21511 @anchor{prompt_hook}
21512
21513 If @var{prompt_hook} is callable, @value{GDBN} will call the method
21514 assigned to this operation before a prompt is displayed by
21515 @value{GDBN}.
21516
21517 The parameter @code{current_prompt} contains the current @value{GDBN}
21518 prompt. This method must return a Python string, or @code{None}. If
21519 a string is returned, the @value{GDBN} prompt will be set to that
21520 string. If @code{None} is returned, @value{GDBN} will continue to use
21521 the current prompt.
21522
21523 Some prompts cannot be substituted in @value{GDBN}. Secondary prompts
21524 such as those used by readline for command input, and annotation
21525 related prompts are prohibited from being changed.
21526 @end defun
21527
21528 @node Exception Handling
21529 @subsubsection Exception Handling
21530 @cindex python exceptions
21531 @cindex exceptions, python
21532
21533 When executing the @code{python} command, Python exceptions
21534 uncaught within the Python code are translated to calls to
21535 @value{GDBN} error-reporting mechanism. If the command that called
21536 @code{python} does not handle the error, @value{GDBN} will
21537 terminate it and print an error message containing the Python
21538 exception name, the associated value, and the Python call stack
21539 backtrace at the point where the exception was raised. Example:
21540
21541 @smallexample
21542 (@value{GDBP}) python print foo
21543 Traceback (most recent call last):
21544 File "<string>", line 1, in <module>
21545 NameError: name 'foo' is not defined
21546 @end smallexample
21547
21548 @value{GDBN} errors that happen in @value{GDBN} commands invoked by
21549 Python code are converted to Python exceptions. The type of the
21550 Python exception depends on the error.
21551
21552 @ftable @code
21553 @item gdb.error
21554 This is the base class for most exceptions generated by @value{GDBN}.
21555 It is derived from @code{RuntimeError}, for compatibility with earlier
21556 versions of @value{GDBN}.
21557
21558 If an error occurring in @value{GDBN} does not fit into some more
21559 specific category, then the generated exception will have this type.
21560
21561 @item gdb.MemoryError
21562 This is a subclass of @code{gdb.error} which is thrown when an
21563 operation tried to access invalid memory in the inferior.
21564
21565 @item KeyboardInterrupt
21566 User interrupt (via @kbd{C-c} or by typing @kbd{q} at a pagination
21567 prompt) is translated to a Python @code{KeyboardInterrupt} exception.
21568 @end ftable
21569
21570 In all cases, your exception handler will see the @value{GDBN} error
21571 message as its value and the Python call stack backtrace at the Python
21572 statement closest to where the @value{GDBN} error occured as the
21573 traceback.
21574
21575 @findex gdb.GdbError
21576 When implementing @value{GDBN} commands in Python via @code{gdb.Command},
21577 it is useful to be able to throw an exception that doesn't cause a
21578 traceback to be printed. For example, the user may have invoked the
21579 command incorrectly. Use the @code{gdb.GdbError} exception
21580 to handle this case. Example:
21581
21582 @smallexample
21583 (gdb) python
21584 >class HelloWorld (gdb.Command):
21585 > """Greet the whole world."""
21586 > def __init__ (self):
21587 > super (HelloWorld, self).__init__ ("hello-world", gdb.COMMAND_OBSCURE)
21588 > def invoke (self, args, from_tty):
21589 > argv = gdb.string_to_argv (args)
21590 > if len (argv) != 0:
21591 > raise gdb.GdbError ("hello-world takes no arguments")
21592 > print "Hello, World!"
21593 >HelloWorld ()
21594 >end
21595 (gdb) hello-world 42
21596 hello-world takes no arguments
21597 @end smallexample
21598
21599 @node Values From Inferior
21600 @subsubsection Values From Inferior
21601 @cindex values from inferior, with Python
21602 @cindex python, working with values from inferior
21603
21604 @cindex @code{gdb.Value}
21605 @value{GDBN} provides values it obtains from the inferior program in
21606 an object of type @code{gdb.Value}. @value{GDBN} uses this object
21607 for its internal bookkeeping of the inferior's values, and for
21608 fetching values when necessary.
21609
21610 Inferior values that are simple scalars can be used directly in
21611 Python expressions that are valid for the value's data type. Here's
21612 an example for an integer or floating-point value @code{some_val}:
21613
21614 @smallexample
21615 bar = some_val + 2
21616 @end smallexample
21617
21618 @noindent
21619 As result of this, @code{bar} will also be a @code{gdb.Value} object
21620 whose values are of the same type as those of @code{some_val}.
21621
21622 Inferior values that are structures or instances of some class can
21623 be accessed using the Python @dfn{dictionary syntax}. For example, if
21624 @code{some_val} is a @code{gdb.Value} instance holding a structure, you
21625 can access its @code{foo} element with:
21626
21627 @smallexample
21628 bar = some_val['foo']
21629 @end smallexample
21630
21631 Again, @code{bar} will also be a @code{gdb.Value} object.
21632
21633 A @code{gdb.Value} that represents a function can be executed via
21634 inferior function call. Any arguments provided to the call must match
21635 the function's prototype, and must be provided in the order specified
21636 by that prototype.
21637
21638 For example, @code{some_val} is a @code{gdb.Value} instance
21639 representing a function that takes two integers as arguments. To
21640 execute this function, call it like so:
21641
21642 @smallexample
21643 result = some_val (10,20)
21644 @end smallexample
21645
21646 Any values returned from a function call will be stored as a
21647 @code{gdb.Value}.
21648
21649 The following attributes are provided:
21650
21651 @table @code
21652 @defvar Value.address
21653 If this object is addressable, this read-only attribute holds a
21654 @code{gdb.Value} object representing the address. Otherwise,
21655 this attribute holds @code{None}.
21656 @end defvar
21657
21658 @cindex optimized out value in Python
21659 @defvar Value.is_optimized_out
21660 This read-only boolean attribute is true if the compiler optimized out
21661 this value, thus it is not available for fetching from the inferior.
21662 @end defvar
21663
21664 @defvar Value.type
21665 The type of this @code{gdb.Value}. The value of this attribute is a
21666 @code{gdb.Type} object (@pxref{Types In Python}).
21667 @end defvar
21668
21669 @defvar Value.dynamic_type
21670 The dynamic type of this @code{gdb.Value}. This uses C@t{++} run-time
21671 type information (@acronym{RTTI}) to determine the dynamic type of the
21672 value. If this value is of class type, it will return the class in
21673 which the value is embedded, if any. If this value is of pointer or
21674 reference to a class type, it will compute the dynamic type of the
21675 referenced object, and return a pointer or reference to that type,
21676 respectively. In all other cases, it will return the value's static
21677 type.
21678
21679 Note that this feature will only work when debugging a C@t{++} program
21680 that includes @acronym{RTTI} for the object in question. Otherwise,
21681 it will just return the static type of the value as in @kbd{ptype foo}
21682 (@pxref{Symbols, ptype}).
21683 @end defvar
21684 @end table
21685
21686 The following methods are provided:
21687
21688 @table @code
21689 @defun Value.__init__ (@var{val})
21690 Many Python values can be converted directly to a @code{gdb.Value} via
21691 this object initializer. Specifically:
21692
21693 @table @asis
21694 @item Python boolean
21695 A Python boolean is converted to the boolean type from the current
21696 language.
21697
21698 @item Python integer
21699 A Python integer is converted to the C @code{long} type for the
21700 current architecture.
21701
21702 @item Python long
21703 A Python long is converted to the C @code{long long} type for the
21704 current architecture.
21705
21706 @item Python float
21707 A Python float is converted to the C @code{double} type for the
21708 current architecture.
21709
21710 @item Python string
21711 A Python string is converted to a target string, using the current
21712 target encoding.
21713
21714 @item @code{gdb.Value}
21715 If @code{val} is a @code{gdb.Value}, then a copy of the value is made.
21716
21717 @item @code{gdb.LazyString}
21718 If @code{val} is a @code{gdb.LazyString} (@pxref{Lazy Strings In
21719 Python}), then the lazy string's @code{value} method is called, and
21720 its result is used.
21721 @end table
21722 @end defun
21723
21724 @defun Value.cast (type)
21725 Return a new instance of @code{gdb.Value} that is the result of
21726 casting this instance to the type described by @var{type}, which must
21727 be a @code{gdb.Type} object. If the cast cannot be performed for some
21728 reason, this method throws an exception.
21729 @end defun
21730
21731 @defun Value.dereference ()
21732 For pointer data types, this method returns a new @code{gdb.Value} object
21733 whose contents is the object pointed to by the pointer. For example, if
21734 @code{foo} is a C pointer to an @code{int}, declared in your C program as
21735
21736 @smallexample
21737 int *foo;
21738 @end smallexample
21739
21740 @noindent
21741 then you can use the corresponding @code{gdb.Value} to access what
21742 @code{foo} points to like this:
21743
21744 @smallexample
21745 bar = foo.dereference ()
21746 @end smallexample
21747
21748 The result @code{bar} will be a @code{gdb.Value} object holding the
21749 value pointed to by @code{foo}.
21750 @end defun
21751
21752 @defun Value.dynamic_cast (type)
21753 Like @code{Value.cast}, but works as if the C@t{++} @code{dynamic_cast}
21754 operator were used. Consult a C@t{++} reference for details.
21755 @end defun
21756
21757 @defun Value.reinterpret_cast (type)
21758 Like @code{Value.cast}, but works as if the C@t{++} @code{reinterpret_cast}
21759 operator were used. Consult a C@t{++} reference for details.
21760 @end defun
21761
21762 @defun Value.string (@r{[}encoding@r{[}, errors@r{[}, length@r{]]]})
21763 If this @code{gdb.Value} represents a string, then this method
21764 converts the contents to a Python string. Otherwise, this method will
21765 throw an exception.
21766
21767 Strings are recognized in a language-specific way; whether a given
21768 @code{gdb.Value} represents a string is determined by the current
21769 language.
21770
21771 For C-like languages, a value is a string if it is a pointer to or an
21772 array of characters or ints. The string is assumed to be terminated
21773 by a zero of the appropriate width. However if the optional length
21774 argument is given, the string will be converted to that given length,
21775 ignoring any embedded zeros that the string may contain.
21776
21777 If the optional @var{encoding} argument is given, it must be a string
21778 naming the encoding of the string in the @code{gdb.Value}, such as
21779 @code{"ascii"}, @code{"iso-8859-6"} or @code{"utf-8"}. It accepts
21780 the same encodings as the corresponding argument to Python's
21781 @code{string.decode} method, and the Python codec machinery will be used
21782 to convert the string. If @var{encoding} is not given, or if
21783 @var{encoding} is the empty string, then either the @code{target-charset}
21784 (@pxref{Character Sets}) will be used, or a language-specific encoding
21785 will be used, if the current language is able to supply one.
21786
21787 The optional @var{errors} argument is the same as the corresponding
21788 argument to Python's @code{string.decode} method.
21789
21790 If the optional @var{length} argument is given, the string will be
21791 fetched and converted to the given length.
21792 @end defun
21793
21794 @defun Value.lazy_string (@r{[}encoding @r{[}, length@r{]]})
21795 If this @code{gdb.Value} represents a string, then this method
21796 converts the contents to a @code{gdb.LazyString} (@pxref{Lazy Strings
21797 In Python}). Otherwise, this method will throw an exception.
21798
21799 If the optional @var{encoding} argument is given, it must be a string
21800 naming the encoding of the @code{gdb.LazyString}. Some examples are:
21801 @samp{ascii}, @samp{iso-8859-6} or @samp{utf-8}. If the
21802 @var{encoding} argument is an encoding that @value{GDBN} does
21803 recognize, @value{GDBN} will raise an error.
21804
21805 When a lazy string is printed, the @value{GDBN} encoding machinery is
21806 used to convert the string during printing. If the optional
21807 @var{encoding} argument is not provided, or is an empty string,
21808 @value{GDBN} will automatically select the encoding most suitable for
21809 the string type. For further information on encoding in @value{GDBN}
21810 please see @ref{Character Sets}.
21811
21812 If the optional @var{length} argument is given, the string will be
21813 fetched and encoded to the length of characters specified. If
21814 the @var{length} argument is not provided, the string will be fetched
21815 and encoded until a null of appropriate width is found.
21816 @end defun
21817 @end table
21818
21819 @node Types In Python
21820 @subsubsection Types In Python
21821 @cindex types in Python
21822 @cindex Python, working with types
21823
21824 @tindex gdb.Type
21825 @value{GDBN} represents types from the inferior using the class
21826 @code{gdb.Type}.
21827
21828 The following type-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
21829 module:
21830
21831 @findex gdb.lookup_type
21832 @defun gdb.lookup_type (name @r{[}, block@r{]})
21833 This function looks up a type by name. @var{name} is the name of the
21834 type to look up. It must be a string.
21835
21836 If @var{block} is given, then @var{name} is looked up in that scope.
21837 Otherwise, it is searched for globally.
21838
21839 Ordinarily, this function will return an instance of @code{gdb.Type}.
21840 If the named type cannot be found, it will throw an exception.
21841 @end defun
21842
21843 If the type is a structure or class type, or an enum type, the fields
21844 of that type can be accessed using the Python @dfn{dictionary syntax}.
21845 For example, if @code{some_type} is a @code{gdb.Type} instance holding
21846 a structure type, you can access its @code{foo} field with:
21847
21848 @smallexample
21849 bar = some_type['foo']
21850 @end smallexample
21851
21852 @code{bar} will be a @code{gdb.Field} object; see below under the
21853 description of the @code{Type.fields} method for a description of the
21854 @code{gdb.Field} class.
21855
21856 An instance of @code{Type} has the following attributes:
21857
21858 @table @code
21859 @defvar Type.code
21860 The type code for this type. The type code will be one of the
21861 @code{TYPE_CODE_} constants defined below.
21862 @end defvar
21863
21864 @defvar Type.sizeof
21865 The size of this type, in target @code{char} units. Usually, a
21866 target's @code{char} type will be an 8-bit byte. However, on some
21867 unusual platforms, this type may have a different size.
21868 @end defvar
21869
21870 @defvar Type.tag
21871 The tag name for this type. The tag name is the name after
21872 @code{struct}, @code{union}, or @code{enum} in C and C@t{++}; not all
21873 languages have this concept. If this type has no tag name, then
21874 @code{None} is returned.
21875 @end defvar
21876 @end table
21877
21878 The following methods are provided:
21879
21880 @table @code
21881 @defun Type.fields ()
21882 For structure and union types, this method returns the fields. Range
21883 types have two fields, the minimum and maximum values. Enum types
21884 have one field per enum constant. Function and method types have one
21885 field per parameter. The base types of C@t{++} classes are also
21886 represented as fields. If the type has no fields, or does not fit
21887 into one of these categories, an empty sequence will be returned.
21888
21889 Each field is a @code{gdb.Field} object, with some pre-defined attributes:
21890 @table @code
21891 @item bitpos
21892 This attribute is not available for @code{static} fields (as in
21893 C@t{++} or Java). For non-@code{static} fields, the value is the bit
21894 position of the field. For @code{enum} fields, the value is the
21895 enumeration member's integer representation.
21896
21897 @item name
21898 The name of the field, or @code{None} for anonymous fields.
21899
21900 @item artificial
21901 This is @code{True} if the field is artificial, usually meaning that
21902 it was provided by the compiler and not the user. This attribute is
21903 always provided, and is @code{False} if the field is not artificial.
21904
21905 @item is_base_class
21906 This is @code{True} if the field represents a base class of a C@t{++}
21907 structure. This attribute is always provided, and is @code{False}
21908 if the field is not a base class of the type that is the argument of
21909 @code{fields}, or if that type was not a C@t{++} class.
21910
21911 @item bitsize
21912 If the field is packed, or is a bitfield, then this will have a
21913 non-zero value, which is the size of the field in bits. Otherwise,
21914 this will be zero; in this case the field's size is given by its type.
21915
21916 @item type
21917 The type of the field. This is usually an instance of @code{Type},
21918 but it can be @code{None} in some situations.
21919 @end table
21920 @end defun
21921
21922 @defun Type.array (@var{n1} @r{[}, @var{n2}@r{]})
21923 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents an array of this
21924 type. If one argument is given, it is the inclusive upper bound of
21925 the array; in this case the lower bound is zero. If two arguments are
21926 given, the first argument is the lower bound of the array, and the
21927 second argument is the upper bound of the array. An array's length
21928 must not be negative, but the bounds can be.
21929 @end defun
21930
21931 @defun Type.const ()
21932 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a
21933 @code{const}-qualified variant of this type.
21934 @end defun
21935
21936 @defun Type.volatile ()
21937 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a
21938 @code{volatile}-qualified variant of this type.
21939 @end defun
21940
21941 @defun Type.unqualified ()
21942 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents an unqualified
21943 variant of this type. That is, the result is neither @code{const} nor
21944 @code{volatile}.
21945 @end defun
21946
21947 @defun Type.range ()
21948 Return a Python @code{Tuple} object that contains two elements: the
21949 low bound of the argument type and the high bound of that type. If
21950 the type does not have a range, @value{GDBN} will raise a
21951 @code{gdb.error} exception (@pxref{Exception Handling}).
21952 @end defun
21953
21954 @defun Type.reference ()
21955 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a reference to this
21956 type.
21957 @end defun
21958
21959 @defun Type.pointer ()
21960 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a pointer to this
21961 type.
21962 @end defun
21963
21964 @defun Type.strip_typedefs ()
21965 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} that represents the real type,
21966 after removing all layers of typedefs.
21967 @end defun
21968
21969 @defun Type.target ()
21970 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents the target type
21971 of this type.
21972
21973 For a pointer type, the target type is the type of the pointed-to
21974 object. For an array type (meaning C-like arrays), the target type is
21975 the type of the elements of the array. For a function or method type,
21976 the target type is the type of the return value. For a complex type,
21977 the target type is the type of the elements. For a typedef, the
21978 target type is the aliased type.
21979
21980 If the type does not have a target, this method will throw an
21981 exception.
21982 @end defun
21983
21984 @defun Type.template_argument (n @r{[}, block@r{]})
21985 If this @code{gdb.Type} is an instantiation of a template, this will
21986 return a new @code{gdb.Type} which represents the type of the
21987 @var{n}th template argument.
21988
21989 If this @code{gdb.Type} is not a template type, this will throw an
21990 exception. Ordinarily, only C@t{++} code will have template types.
21991
21992 If @var{block} is given, then @var{name} is looked up in that scope.
21993 Otherwise, it is searched for globally.
21994 @end defun
21995 @end table
21996
21997
21998 Each type has a code, which indicates what category this type falls
21999 into. The available type categories are represented by constants
22000 defined in the @code{gdb} module:
22001
22002 @table @code
22003 @findex TYPE_CODE_PTR
22004 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_PTR
22005 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_PTR
22006 The type is a pointer.
22007
22008 @findex TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
22009 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
22010 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
22011 The type is an array.
22012
22013 @findex TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
22014 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
22015 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
22016 The type is a structure.
22017
22018 @findex TYPE_CODE_UNION
22019 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_UNION
22020 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_UNION
22021 The type is a union.
22022
22023 @findex TYPE_CODE_ENUM
22024 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ENUM
22025 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_ENUM
22026 The type is an enum.
22027
22028 @findex TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
22029 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
22030 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
22031 A bit flags type, used for things such as status registers.
22032
22033 @findex TYPE_CODE_FUNC
22034 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FUNC
22035 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_FUNC
22036 The type is a function.
22037
22038 @findex TYPE_CODE_INT
22039 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_INT
22040 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_INT
22041 The type is an integer type.
22042
22043 @findex TYPE_CODE_FLT
22044 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLT
22045 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLT
22046 A floating point type.
22047
22048 @findex TYPE_CODE_VOID
22049 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_VOID
22050 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_VOID
22051 The special type @code{void}.
22052
22053 @findex TYPE_CODE_SET
22054 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_SET
22055 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_SET
22056 A Pascal set type.
22057
22058 @findex TYPE_CODE_RANGE
22059 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_RANGE
22060 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_RANGE
22061 A range type, that is, an integer type with bounds.
22062
22063 @findex TYPE_CODE_STRING
22064 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRING
22065 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRING
22066 A string type. Note that this is only used for certain languages with
22067 language-defined string types; C strings are not represented this way.
22068
22069 @findex TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
22070 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
22071 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
22072 A string of bits.
22073
22074 @findex TYPE_CODE_ERROR
22075 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ERROR
22076 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_ERROR
22077 An unknown or erroneous type.
22078
22079 @findex TYPE_CODE_METHOD
22080 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHOD
22081 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHOD
22082 A method type, as found in C@t{++} or Java.
22083
22084 @findex TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
22085 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
22086 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
22087 A pointer-to-member-function.
22088
22089 @findex TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
22090 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
22091 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
22092 A pointer-to-member.
22093
22094 @findex TYPE_CODE_REF
22095 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_REF
22096 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_REF
22097 A reference type.
22098
22099 @findex TYPE_CODE_CHAR
22100 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_CHAR
22101 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_CHAR
22102 A character type.
22103
22104 @findex TYPE_CODE_BOOL
22105 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_BOOL
22106 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_BOOL
22107 A boolean type.
22108
22109 @findex TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
22110 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
22111 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
22112 A complex float type.
22113
22114 @findex TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
22115 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
22116 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
22117 A typedef to some other type.
22118
22119 @findex TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
22120 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
22121 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
22122 A C@t{++} namespace.
22123
22124 @findex TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
22125 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
22126 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
22127 A decimal floating point type.
22128
22129 @findex TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
22130 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
22131 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
22132 A function internal to @value{GDBN}. This is the type used to represent
22133 convenience functions.
22134 @end table
22135
22136 Further support for types is provided in the @code{gdb.types}
22137 Python module (@pxref{gdb.types}).
22138
22139 @node Pretty Printing API
22140 @subsubsection Pretty Printing API
22141
22142 An example output is provided (@pxref{Pretty Printing}).
22143
22144 A pretty-printer is just an object that holds a value and implements a
22145 specific interface, defined here.
22146
22147 @defun pretty_printer.children (self)
22148 @value{GDBN} will call this method on a pretty-printer to compute the
22149 children of the pretty-printer's value.
22150
22151 This method must return an object conforming to the Python iterator
22152 protocol. Each item returned by the iterator must be a tuple holding
22153 two elements. The first element is the ``name'' of the child; the
22154 second element is the child's value. The value can be any Python
22155 object which is convertible to a @value{GDBN} value.
22156
22157 This method is optional. If it does not exist, @value{GDBN} will act
22158 as though the value has no children.
22159 @end defun
22160
22161 @defun pretty_printer.display_hint (self)
22162 The CLI may call this method and use its result to change the
22163 formatting of a value. The result will also be supplied to an MI
22164 consumer as a @samp{displayhint} attribute of the variable being
22165 printed.
22166
22167 This method is optional. If it does exist, this method must return a
22168 string.
22169
22170 Some display hints are predefined by @value{GDBN}:
22171
22172 @table @samp
22173 @item array
22174 Indicate that the object being printed is ``array-like''. The CLI
22175 uses this to respect parameters such as @code{set print elements} and
22176 @code{set print array}.
22177
22178 @item map
22179 Indicate that the object being printed is ``map-like'', and that the
22180 children of this value can be assumed to alternate between keys and
22181 values.
22182
22183 @item string
22184 Indicate that the object being printed is ``string-like''. If the
22185 printer's @code{to_string} method returns a Python string of some
22186 kind, then @value{GDBN} will call its internal language-specific
22187 string-printing function to format the string. For the CLI this means
22188 adding quotation marks, possibly escaping some characters, respecting
22189 @code{set print elements}, and the like.
22190 @end table
22191 @end defun
22192
22193 @defun pretty_printer.to_string (self)
22194 @value{GDBN} will call this method to display the string
22195 representation of the value passed to the object's constructor.
22196
22197 When printing from the CLI, if the @code{to_string} method exists,
22198 then @value{GDBN} will prepend its result to the values returned by
22199 @code{children}. Exactly how this formatting is done is dependent on
22200 the display hint, and may change as more hints are added. Also,
22201 depending on the print settings (@pxref{Print Settings}), the CLI may
22202 print just the result of @code{to_string} in a stack trace, omitting
22203 the result of @code{children}.
22204
22205 If this method returns a string, it is printed verbatim.
22206
22207 Otherwise, if this method returns an instance of @code{gdb.Value},
22208 then @value{GDBN} prints this value. This may result in a call to
22209 another pretty-printer.
22210
22211 If instead the method returns a Python value which is convertible to a
22212 @code{gdb.Value}, then @value{GDBN} performs the conversion and prints
22213 the resulting value. Again, this may result in a call to another
22214 pretty-printer. Python scalars (integers, floats, and booleans) and
22215 strings are convertible to @code{gdb.Value}; other types are not.
22216
22217 Finally, if this method returns @code{None} then no further operations
22218 are peformed in this method and nothing is printed.
22219
22220 If the result is not one of these types, an exception is raised.
22221 @end defun
22222
22223 @value{GDBN} provides a function which can be used to look up the
22224 default pretty-printer for a @code{gdb.Value}:
22225
22226 @findex gdb.default_visualizer
22227 @defun gdb.default_visualizer (value)
22228 This function takes a @code{gdb.Value} object as an argument. If a
22229 pretty-printer for this value exists, then it is returned. If no such
22230 printer exists, then this returns @code{None}.
22231 @end defun
22232
22233 @node Selecting Pretty-Printers
22234 @subsubsection Selecting Pretty-Printers
22235
22236 The Python list @code{gdb.pretty_printers} contains an array of
22237 functions or callable objects that have been registered via addition
22238 as a pretty-printer. Printers in this list are called @code{global}
22239 printers, they're available when debugging all inferiors.
22240 Each @code{gdb.Progspace} contains a @code{pretty_printers} attribute.
22241 Each @code{gdb.Objfile} also contains a @code{pretty_printers}
22242 attribute.
22243
22244 Each function on these lists is passed a single @code{gdb.Value}
22245 argument and should return a pretty-printer object conforming to the
22246 interface definition above (@pxref{Pretty Printing API}). If a function
22247 cannot create a pretty-printer for the value, it should return
22248 @code{None}.
22249
22250 @value{GDBN} first checks the @code{pretty_printers} attribute of each
22251 @code{gdb.Objfile} in the current program space and iteratively calls
22252 each enabled lookup routine in the list for that @code{gdb.Objfile}
22253 until it receives a pretty-printer object.
22254 If no pretty-printer is found in the objfile lists, @value{GDBN} then
22255 searches the pretty-printer list of the current program space,
22256 calling each enabled function until an object is returned.
22257 After these lists have been exhausted, it tries the global
22258 @code{gdb.pretty_printers} list, again calling each enabled function until an
22259 object is returned.
22260
22261 The order in which the objfiles are searched is not specified. For a
22262 given list, functions are always invoked from the head of the list,
22263 and iterated over sequentially until the end of the list, or a printer
22264 object is returned.
22265
22266 For various reasons a pretty-printer may not work.
22267 For example, the underlying data structure may have changed and
22268 the pretty-printer is out of date.
22269
22270 The consequences of a broken pretty-printer are severe enough that
22271 @value{GDBN} provides support for enabling and disabling individual
22272 printers. For example, if @code{print frame-arguments} is on,
22273 a backtrace can become highly illegible if any argument is printed
22274 with a broken printer.
22275
22276 Pretty-printers are enabled and disabled by attaching an @code{enabled}
22277 attribute to the registered function or callable object. If this attribute
22278 is present and its value is @code{False}, the printer is disabled, otherwise
22279 the printer is enabled.
22280
22281 @node Writing a Pretty-Printer
22282 @subsubsection Writing a Pretty-Printer
22283 @cindex writing a pretty-printer
22284
22285 A pretty-printer consists of two parts: a lookup function to detect
22286 if the type is supported, and the printer itself.
22287
22288 Here is an example showing how a @code{std::string} printer might be
22289 written. @xref{Pretty Printing API}, for details on the API this class
22290 must provide.
22291
22292 @smallexample
22293 class StdStringPrinter(object):
22294 "Print a std::string"
22295
22296 def __init__(self, val):
22297 self.val = val
22298
22299 def to_string(self):
22300 return self.val['_M_dataplus']['_M_p']
22301
22302 def display_hint(self):
22303 return 'string'
22304 @end smallexample
22305
22306 And here is an example showing how a lookup function for the printer
22307 example above might be written.
22308
22309 @smallexample
22310 def str_lookup_function(val):
22311 lookup_tag = val.type.tag
22312 if lookup_tag == None:
22313 return None
22314 regex = re.compile("^std::basic_string<char,.*>$")
22315 if regex.match(lookup_tag):
22316 return StdStringPrinter(val)
22317 return None
22318 @end smallexample
22319
22320 The example lookup function extracts the value's type, and attempts to
22321 match it to a type that it can pretty-print. If it is a type the
22322 printer can pretty-print, it will return a printer object. If not, it
22323 returns @code{None}.
22324
22325 We recommend that you put your core pretty-printers into a Python
22326 package. If your pretty-printers are for use with a library, we
22327 further recommend embedding a version number into the package name.
22328 This practice will enable @value{GDBN} to load multiple versions of
22329 your pretty-printers at the same time, because they will have
22330 different names.
22331
22332 You should write auto-loaded code (@pxref{Auto-loading}) such that it
22333 can be evaluated multiple times without changing its meaning. An
22334 ideal auto-load file will consist solely of @code{import}s of your
22335 printer modules, followed by a call to a register pretty-printers with
22336 the current objfile.
22337
22338 Taken as a whole, this approach will scale nicely to multiple
22339 inferiors, each potentially using a different library version.
22340 Embedding a version number in the Python package name will ensure that
22341 @value{GDBN} is able to load both sets of printers simultaneously.
22342 Then, because the search for pretty-printers is done by objfile, and
22343 because your auto-loaded code took care to register your library's
22344 printers with a specific objfile, @value{GDBN} will find the correct
22345 printers for the specific version of the library used by each
22346 inferior.
22347
22348 To continue the @code{std::string} example (@pxref{Pretty Printing API}),
22349 this code might appear in @code{gdb.libstdcxx.v6}:
22350
22351 @smallexample
22352 def register_printers(objfile):
22353 objfile.pretty_printers.add(str_lookup_function)
22354 @end smallexample
22355
22356 @noindent
22357 And then the corresponding contents of the auto-load file would be:
22358
22359 @smallexample
22360 import gdb.libstdcxx.v6
22361 gdb.libstdcxx.v6.register_printers(gdb.current_objfile())
22362 @end smallexample
22363
22364 The previous example illustrates a basic pretty-printer.
22365 There are a few things that can be improved on.
22366 The printer doesn't have a name, making it hard to identify in a
22367 list of installed printers. The lookup function has a name, but
22368 lookup functions can have arbitrary, even identical, names.
22369
22370 Second, the printer only handles one type, whereas a library typically has
22371 several types. One could install a lookup function for each desired type
22372 in the library, but one could also have a single lookup function recognize
22373 several types. The latter is the conventional way this is handled.
22374 If a pretty-printer can handle multiple data types, then its
22375 @dfn{subprinters} are the printers for the individual data types.
22376
22377 The @code{gdb.printing} module provides a formal way of solving these
22378 problems (@pxref{gdb.printing}).
22379 Here is another example that handles multiple types.
22380
22381 These are the types we are going to pretty-print:
22382
22383 @smallexample
22384 struct foo @{ int a, b; @};
22385 struct bar @{ struct foo x, y; @};
22386 @end smallexample
22387
22388 Here are the printers:
22389
22390 @smallexample
22391 class fooPrinter:
22392 """Print a foo object."""
22393
22394 def __init__(self, val):
22395 self.val = val
22396
22397 def to_string(self):
22398 return ("a=<" + str(self.val["a"]) +
22399 "> b=<" + str(self.val["b"]) + ">")
22400
22401 class barPrinter:
22402 """Print a bar object."""
22403
22404 def __init__(self, val):
22405 self.val = val
22406
22407 def to_string(self):
22408 return ("x=<" + str(self.val["x"]) +
22409 "> y=<" + str(self.val["y"]) + ">")
22410 @end smallexample
22411
22412 This example doesn't need a lookup function, that is handled by the
22413 @code{gdb.printing} module. Instead a function is provided to build up
22414 the object that handles the lookup.
22415
22416 @smallexample
22417 import gdb.printing
22418
22419 def build_pretty_printer():
22420 pp = gdb.printing.RegexpCollectionPrettyPrinter(
22421 "my_library")
22422 pp.add_printer('foo', '^foo$', fooPrinter)
22423 pp.add_printer('bar', '^bar$', barPrinter)
22424 return pp
22425 @end smallexample
22426
22427 And here is the autoload support:
22428
22429 @smallexample
22430 import gdb.printing
22431 import my_library
22432 gdb.printing.register_pretty_printer(
22433 gdb.current_objfile(),
22434 my_library.build_pretty_printer())
22435 @end smallexample
22436
22437 Finally, when this printer is loaded into @value{GDBN}, here is the
22438 corresponding output of @samp{info pretty-printer}:
22439
22440 @smallexample
22441 (gdb) info pretty-printer
22442 my_library.so:
22443 my_library
22444 foo
22445 bar
22446 @end smallexample
22447
22448 @node Inferiors In Python
22449 @subsubsection Inferiors In Python
22450 @cindex inferiors in Python
22451
22452 @findex gdb.Inferior
22453 Programs which are being run under @value{GDBN} are called inferiors
22454 (@pxref{Inferiors and Programs}). Python scripts can access
22455 information about and manipulate inferiors controlled by @value{GDBN}
22456 via objects of the @code{gdb.Inferior} class.
22457
22458 The following inferior-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
22459 module:
22460
22461 @defun gdb.inferiors ()
22462 Return a tuple containing all inferior objects.
22463 @end defun
22464
22465 @defun gdb.selected_inferior ()
22466 Return an object representing the current inferior.
22467 @end defun
22468
22469 A @code{gdb.Inferior} object has the following attributes:
22470
22471 @table @code
22472 @defvar Inferior.num
22473 ID of inferior, as assigned by GDB.
22474 @end defvar
22475
22476 @defvar Inferior.pid
22477 Process ID of the inferior, as assigned by the underlying operating
22478 system.
22479 @end defvar
22480
22481 @defvar Inferior.was_attached
22482 Boolean signaling whether the inferior was created using `attach', or
22483 started by @value{GDBN} itself.
22484 @end defvar
22485 @end table
22486
22487 A @code{gdb.Inferior} object has the following methods:
22488
22489 @table @code
22490 @defun Inferior.is_valid ()
22491 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Inferior} object is valid,
22492 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Inferior} object will become invalid
22493 if the inferior no longer exists within @value{GDBN}. All other
22494 @code{gdb.Inferior} methods will throw an exception if it is invalid
22495 at the time the method is called.
22496 @end defun
22497
22498 @defun Inferior.threads ()
22499 This method returns a tuple holding all the threads which are valid
22500 when it is called. If there are no valid threads, the method will
22501 return an empty tuple.
22502 @end defun
22503
22504 @findex gdb.read_memory
22505 @defun Inferior.read_memory (address, length)
22506 Read @var{length} bytes of memory from the inferior, starting at
22507 @var{address}. Returns a buffer object, which behaves much like an array
22508 or a string. It can be modified and given to the @code{gdb.write_memory}
22509 function.
22510 @end defun
22511
22512 @findex gdb.write_memory
22513 @defun Inferior.write_memory (address, buffer @r{[}, length@r{]})
22514 Write the contents of @var{buffer} to the inferior, starting at
22515 @var{address}. The @var{buffer} parameter must be a Python object
22516 which supports the buffer protocol, i.e., a string, an array or the
22517 object returned from @code{gdb.read_memory}. If given, @var{length}
22518 determines the number of bytes from @var{buffer} to be written.
22519 @end defun
22520
22521 @findex gdb.search_memory
22522 @defun Inferior.search_memory (address, length, pattern)
22523 Search a region of the inferior memory starting at @var{address} with
22524 the given @var{length} using the search pattern supplied in
22525 @var{pattern}. The @var{pattern} parameter must be a Python object
22526 which supports the buffer protocol, i.e., a string, an array or the
22527 object returned from @code{gdb.read_memory}. Returns a Python @code{Long}
22528 containing the address where the pattern was found, or @code{None} if
22529 the pattern could not be found.
22530 @end defun
22531 @end table
22532
22533 @node Events In Python
22534 @subsubsection Events In Python
22535 @cindex inferior events in Python
22536
22537 @value{GDBN} provides a general event facility so that Python code can be
22538 notified of various state changes, particularly changes that occur in
22539 the inferior.
22540
22541 An @dfn{event} is just an object that describes some state change. The
22542 type of the object and its attributes will vary depending on the details
22543 of the change. All the existing events are described below.
22544
22545 In order to be notified of an event, you must register an event handler
22546 with an @dfn{event registry}. An event registry is an object in the
22547 @code{gdb.events} module which dispatches particular events. A registry
22548 provides methods to register and unregister event handlers:
22549
22550 @table @code
22551 @defun EventRegistry.connect (object)
22552 Add the given callable @var{object} to the registry. This object will be
22553 called when an event corresponding to this registry occurs.
22554 @end defun
22555
22556 @defun EventRegistry.disconnect (object)
22557 Remove the given @var{object} from the registry. Once removed, the object
22558 will no longer receive notifications of events.
22559 @end defun
22560 @end table
22561
22562 Here is an example:
22563
22564 @smallexample
22565 def exit_handler (event):
22566 print "event type: exit"
22567 print "exit code: %d" % (event.exit_code)
22568
22569 gdb.events.exited.connect (exit_handler)
22570 @end smallexample
22571
22572 In the above example we connect our handler @code{exit_handler} to the
22573 registry @code{events.exited}. Once connected, @code{exit_handler} gets
22574 called when the inferior exits. The argument @dfn{event} in this example is
22575 of type @code{gdb.ExitedEvent}. As you can see in the example the
22576 @code{ExitedEvent} object has an attribute which indicates the exit code of
22577 the inferior.
22578
22579 The following is a listing of the event registries that are available and
22580 details of the events they emit:
22581
22582 @table @code
22583
22584 @item events.cont
22585 Emits @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}.
22586
22587 Some events can be thread specific when @value{GDBN} is running in non-stop
22588 mode. When represented in Python, these events all extend
22589 @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}. Note, this event is not emitted directly; instead,
22590 events which are emitted by this or other modules might extend this event.
22591 Examples of these events are @code{gdb.BreakpointEvent} and
22592 @code{gdb.ContinueEvent}.
22593
22594 @table @code
22595 @defvar ThreadEvent.inferior_thread
22596 In non-stop mode this attribute will be set to the specific thread which was
22597 involved in the emitted event. Otherwise, it will be set to @code{None}.
22598 @end defvar
22599 @end table
22600
22601 Emits @code{gdb.ContinueEvent} which extends @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}.
22602
22603 This event indicates that the inferior has been continued after a stop. For
22604 inherited attribute refer to @code{gdb.ThreadEvent} above.
22605
22606 @item events.exited
22607 Emits @code{events.ExitedEvent} which indicates that the inferior has exited.
22608 @code{events.ExitedEvent} has two attributes:
22609 @table @code
22610 @defvar ExitedEvent.exit_code
22611 An integer representing the exit code, if available, which the inferior
22612 has returned. (The exit code could be unavailable if, for example,
22613 @value{GDBN} detaches from the inferior.) If the exit code is unavailable,
22614 the attribute does not exist.
22615 @end defvar
22616 @defvar ExitedEvent inferior
22617 A reference to the inferior which triggered the @code{exited} event.
22618 @end defvar
22619 @end table
22620
22621 @item events.stop
22622 Emits @code{gdb.StopEvent} which extends @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}.
22623
22624 Indicates that the inferior has stopped. All events emitted by this registry
22625 extend StopEvent. As a child of @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}, @code{gdb.StopEvent}
22626 will indicate the stopped thread when @value{GDBN} is running in non-stop
22627 mode. Refer to @code{gdb.ThreadEvent} above for more details.
22628
22629 Emits @code{gdb.SignalEvent} which extends @code{gdb.StopEvent}.
22630
22631 This event indicates that the inferior or one of its threads has received as
22632 signal. @code{gdb.SignalEvent} has the following attributes:
22633
22634 @table @code
22635 @defvar SignalEvent.stop_signal
22636 A string representing the signal received by the inferior. A list of possible
22637 signal values can be obtained by running the command @code{info signals} in
22638 the @value{GDBN} command prompt.
22639 @end defvar
22640 @end table
22641
22642 Also emits @code{gdb.BreakpointEvent} which extends @code{gdb.StopEvent}.
22643
22644 @code{gdb.BreakpointEvent} event indicates that one or more breakpoints have
22645 been hit, and has the following attributes:
22646
22647 @table @code
22648 @defvar BreakpointEvent.breakpoints
22649 A sequence containing references to all the breakpoints (type
22650 @code{gdb.Breakpoint}) that were hit.
22651 @xref{Breakpoints In Python}, for details of the @code{gdb.Breakpoint} object.
22652 @end defvar
22653 @defvar BreakpointEvent.breakpoint
22654 A reference to the first breakpoint that was hit.
22655 This function is maintained for backward compatibility and is now deprecated
22656 in favor of the @code{gdb.BreakpointEvent.breakpoints} attribute.
22657 @end defvar
22658 @end table
22659
22660 @item events.new_objfile
22661 Emits @code{gdb.NewObjFileEvent} which indicates that a new object file has
22662 been loaded by @value{GDBN}. @code{gdb.NewObjFileEvent} has one attribute:
22663
22664 @table @code
22665 @defvar NewObjFileEvent.new_objfile
22666 A reference to the object file (@code{gdb.Objfile}) which has been loaded.
22667 @xref{Objfiles In Python}, for details of the @code{gdb.Objfile} object.
22668 @end defvar
22669 @end table
22670
22671 @end table
22672
22673 @node Threads In Python
22674 @subsubsection Threads In Python
22675 @cindex threads in python
22676
22677 @findex gdb.InferiorThread
22678 Python scripts can access information about, and manipulate inferior threads
22679 controlled by @value{GDBN}, via objects of the @code{gdb.InferiorThread} class.
22680
22681 The following thread-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
22682 module:
22683
22684 @findex gdb.selected_thread
22685 @defun gdb.selected_thread ()
22686 This function returns the thread object for the selected thread. If there
22687 is no selected thread, this will return @code{None}.
22688 @end defun
22689
22690 A @code{gdb.InferiorThread} object has the following attributes:
22691
22692 @table @code
22693 @defvar InferiorThread.name
22694 The name of the thread. If the user specified a name using
22695 @code{thread name}, then this returns that name. Otherwise, if an
22696 OS-supplied name is available, then it is returned. Otherwise, this
22697 returns @code{None}.
22698
22699 This attribute can be assigned to. The new value must be a string
22700 object, which sets the new name, or @code{None}, which removes any
22701 user-specified thread name.
22702 @end defvar
22703
22704 @defvar InferiorThread.num
22705 ID of the thread, as assigned by GDB.
22706 @end defvar
22707
22708 @defvar InferiorThread.ptid
22709 ID of the thread, as assigned by the operating system. This attribute is a
22710 tuple containing three integers. The first is the Process ID (PID); the second
22711 is the Lightweight Process ID (LWPID), and the third is the Thread ID (TID).
22712 Either the LWPID or TID may be 0, which indicates that the operating system
22713 does not use that identifier.
22714 @end defvar
22715 @end table
22716
22717 A @code{gdb.InferiorThread} object has the following methods:
22718
22719 @table @code
22720 @defun InferiorThread.is_valid ()
22721 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.InferiorThread} object is valid,
22722 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.InferiorThread} object will become
22723 invalid if the thread exits, or the inferior that the thread belongs
22724 is deleted. All other @code{gdb.InferiorThread} methods will throw an
22725 exception if it is invalid at the time the method is called.
22726 @end defun
22727
22728 @defun InferiorThread.switch ()
22729 This changes @value{GDBN}'s currently selected thread to the one represented
22730 by this object.
22731 @end defun
22732
22733 @defun InferiorThread.is_stopped ()
22734 Return a Boolean indicating whether the thread is stopped.
22735 @end defun
22736
22737 @defun InferiorThread.is_running ()
22738 Return a Boolean indicating whether the thread is running.
22739 @end defun
22740
22741 @defun InferiorThread.is_exited ()
22742 Return a Boolean indicating whether the thread is exited.
22743 @end defun
22744 @end table
22745
22746 @node Commands In Python
22747 @subsubsection Commands In Python
22748
22749 @cindex commands in python
22750 @cindex python commands
22751 You can implement new @value{GDBN} CLI commands in Python. A CLI
22752 command is implemented using an instance of the @code{gdb.Command}
22753 class, most commonly using a subclass.
22754
22755 @defun Command.__init__ (name, @var{command_class} @r{[}, var{completer_class} @r{[}, var{prefix}@r{]]})
22756 The object initializer for @code{Command} registers the new command
22757 with @value{GDBN}. This initializer is normally invoked from the
22758 subclass' own @code{__init__} method.
22759
22760 @var{name} is the name of the command. If @var{name} consists of
22761 multiple words, then the initial words are looked for as prefix
22762 commands. In this case, if one of the prefix commands does not exist,
22763 an exception is raised.
22764
22765 There is no support for multi-line commands.
22766
22767 @var{command_class} should be one of the @samp{COMMAND_} constants
22768 defined below. This argument tells @value{GDBN} how to categorize the
22769 new command in the help system.
22770
22771 @var{completer_class} is an optional argument. If given, it should be
22772 one of the @samp{COMPLETE_} constants defined below. This argument
22773 tells @value{GDBN} how to perform completion for this command. If not
22774 given, @value{GDBN} will attempt to complete using the object's
22775 @code{complete} method (see below); if no such method is found, an
22776 error will occur when completion is attempted.
22777
22778 @var{prefix} is an optional argument. If @code{True}, then the new
22779 command is a prefix command; sub-commands of this command may be
22780 registered.
22781
22782 The help text for the new command is taken from the Python
22783 documentation string for the command's class, if there is one. If no
22784 documentation string is provided, the default value ``This command is
22785 not documented.'' is used.
22786 @end defun
22787
22788 @cindex don't repeat Python command
22789 @defun Command.dont_repeat ()
22790 By default, a @value{GDBN} command is repeated when the user enters a
22791 blank line at the command prompt. A command can suppress this
22792 behavior by invoking the @code{dont_repeat} method. This is similar
22793 to the user command @code{dont-repeat}, see @ref{Define, dont-repeat}.
22794 @end defun
22795
22796 @defun Command.invoke (argument, from_tty)
22797 This method is called by @value{GDBN} when this command is invoked.
22798
22799 @var{argument} is a string. It is the argument to the command, after
22800 leading and trailing whitespace has been stripped.
22801
22802 @var{from_tty} is a boolean argument. When true, this means that the
22803 command was entered by the user at the terminal; when false it means
22804 that the command came from elsewhere.
22805
22806 If this method throws an exception, it is turned into a @value{GDBN}
22807 @code{error} call. Otherwise, the return value is ignored.
22808
22809 @findex gdb.string_to_argv
22810 To break @var{argument} up into an argv-like string use
22811 @code{gdb.string_to_argv}. This function behaves identically to
22812 @value{GDBN}'s internal argument lexer @code{buildargv}.
22813 It is recommended to use this for consistency.
22814 Arguments are separated by spaces and may be quoted.
22815 Example:
22816
22817 @smallexample
22818 print gdb.string_to_argv ("1 2\ \\\"3 '4 \"5' \"6 '7\"")
22819 ['1', '2 "3', '4 "5', "6 '7"]
22820 @end smallexample
22821
22822 @end defun
22823
22824 @cindex completion of Python commands
22825 @defun Command.complete (text, word)
22826 This method is called by @value{GDBN} when the user attempts
22827 completion on this command. All forms of completion are handled by
22828 this method, that is, the @key{TAB} and @key{M-?} key bindings
22829 (@pxref{Completion}), and the @code{complete} command (@pxref{Help,
22830 complete}).
22831
22832 The arguments @var{text} and @var{word} are both strings. @var{text}
22833 holds the complete command line up to the cursor's location.
22834 @var{word} holds the last word of the command line; this is computed
22835 using a word-breaking heuristic.
22836
22837 The @code{complete} method can return several values:
22838 @itemize @bullet
22839 @item
22840 If the return value is a sequence, the contents of the sequence are
22841 used as the completions. It is up to @code{complete} to ensure that the
22842 contents actually do complete the word. A zero-length sequence is
22843 allowed, it means that there were no completions available. Only
22844 string elements of the sequence are used; other elements in the
22845 sequence are ignored.
22846
22847 @item
22848 If the return value is one of the @samp{COMPLETE_} constants defined
22849 below, then the corresponding @value{GDBN}-internal completion
22850 function is invoked, and its result is used.
22851
22852 @item
22853 All other results are treated as though there were no available
22854 completions.
22855 @end itemize
22856 @end defun
22857
22858 When a new command is registered, it must be declared as a member of
22859 some general class of commands. This is used to classify top-level
22860 commands in the on-line help system; note that prefix commands are not
22861 listed under their own category but rather that of their top-level
22862 command. The available classifications are represented by constants
22863 defined in the @code{gdb} module:
22864
22865 @table @code
22866 @findex COMMAND_NONE
22867 @findex gdb.COMMAND_NONE
22868 @item gdb.COMMAND_NONE
22869 The command does not belong to any particular class. A command in
22870 this category will not be displayed in any of the help categories.
22871
22872 @findex COMMAND_RUNNING
22873 @findex gdb.COMMAND_RUNNING
22874 @item gdb.COMMAND_RUNNING
22875 The command is related to running the inferior. For example,
22876 @code{start}, @code{step}, and @code{continue} are in this category.
22877 Type @kbd{help running} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
22878 commands in this category.
22879
22880 @findex COMMAND_DATA
22881 @findex gdb.COMMAND_DATA
22882 @item gdb.COMMAND_DATA
22883 The command is related to data or variables. For example,
22884 @code{call}, @code{find}, and @code{print} are in this category. Type
22885 @kbd{help data} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands
22886 in this category.
22887
22888 @findex COMMAND_STACK
22889 @findex gdb.COMMAND_STACK
22890 @item gdb.COMMAND_STACK
22891 The command has to do with manipulation of the stack. For example,
22892 @code{backtrace}, @code{frame}, and @code{return} are in this
22893 category. Type @kbd{help stack} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a
22894 list of commands in this category.
22895
22896 @findex COMMAND_FILES
22897 @findex gdb.COMMAND_FILES
22898 @item gdb.COMMAND_FILES
22899 This class is used for file-related commands. For example,
22900 @code{file}, @code{list} and @code{section} are in this category.
22901 Type @kbd{help files} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
22902 commands in this category.
22903
22904 @findex COMMAND_SUPPORT
22905 @findex gdb.COMMAND_SUPPORT
22906 @item gdb.COMMAND_SUPPORT
22907 This should be used for ``support facilities'', generally meaning
22908 things that are useful to the user when interacting with @value{GDBN},
22909 but not related to the state of the inferior. For example,
22910 @code{help}, @code{make}, and @code{shell} are in this category. Type
22911 @kbd{help support} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
22912 commands in this category.
22913
22914 @findex COMMAND_STATUS
22915 @findex gdb.COMMAND_STATUS
22916 @item gdb.COMMAND_STATUS
22917 The command is an @samp{info}-related command, that is, related to the
22918 state of @value{GDBN} itself. For example, @code{info}, @code{macro},
22919 and @code{show} are in this category. Type @kbd{help status} at the
22920 @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in this category.
22921
22922 @findex COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
22923 @findex gdb.COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
22924 @item gdb.COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
22925 The command has to do with breakpoints. For example, @code{break},
22926 @code{clear}, and @code{delete} are in this category. Type @kbd{help
22927 breakpoints} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in
22928 this category.
22929
22930 @findex COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
22931 @findex gdb.COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
22932 @item gdb.COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
22933 The command has to do with tracepoints. For example, @code{trace},
22934 @code{actions}, and @code{tfind} are in this category. Type
22935 @kbd{help tracepoints} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
22936 commands in this category.
22937
22938 @findex COMMAND_OBSCURE
22939 @findex gdb.COMMAND_OBSCURE
22940 @item gdb.COMMAND_OBSCURE
22941 The command is only used in unusual circumstances, or is not of
22942 general interest to users. For example, @code{checkpoint},
22943 @code{fork}, and @code{stop} are in this category. Type @kbd{help
22944 obscure} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in this
22945 category.
22946
22947 @findex COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
22948 @findex gdb.COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
22949 @item gdb.COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
22950 The command is only useful to @value{GDBN} maintainers. The
22951 @code{maintenance} and @code{flushregs} commands are in this category.
22952 Type @kbd{help internals} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
22953 commands in this category.
22954 @end table
22955
22956 A new command can use a predefined completion function, either by
22957 specifying it via an argument at initialization, or by returning it
22958 from the @code{complete} method. These predefined completion
22959 constants are all defined in the @code{gdb} module:
22960
22961 @table @code
22962 @findex COMPLETE_NONE
22963 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_NONE
22964 @item gdb.COMPLETE_NONE
22965 This constant means that no completion should be done.
22966
22967 @findex COMPLETE_FILENAME
22968 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_FILENAME
22969 @item gdb.COMPLETE_FILENAME
22970 This constant means that filename completion should be performed.
22971
22972 @findex COMPLETE_LOCATION
22973 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_LOCATION
22974 @item gdb.COMPLETE_LOCATION
22975 This constant means that location completion should be done.
22976 @xref{Specify Location}.
22977
22978 @findex COMPLETE_COMMAND
22979 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_COMMAND
22980 @item gdb.COMPLETE_COMMAND
22981 This constant means that completion should examine @value{GDBN}
22982 command names.
22983
22984 @findex COMPLETE_SYMBOL
22985 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_SYMBOL
22986 @item gdb.COMPLETE_SYMBOL
22987 This constant means that completion should be done using symbol names
22988 as the source.
22989 @end table
22990
22991 The following code snippet shows how a trivial CLI command can be
22992 implemented in Python:
22993
22994 @smallexample
22995 class HelloWorld (gdb.Command):
22996 """Greet the whole world."""
22997
22998 def __init__ (self):
22999 super (HelloWorld, self).__init__ ("hello-world", gdb.COMMAND_OBSCURE)
23000
23001 def invoke (self, arg, from_tty):
23002 print "Hello, World!"
23003
23004 HelloWorld ()
23005 @end smallexample
23006
23007 The last line instantiates the class, and is necessary to trigger the
23008 registration of the command with @value{GDBN}. Depending on how the
23009 Python code is read into @value{GDBN}, you may need to import the
23010 @code{gdb} module explicitly.
23011
23012 @node Parameters In Python
23013 @subsubsection Parameters In Python
23014
23015 @cindex parameters in python
23016 @cindex python parameters
23017 @tindex gdb.Parameter
23018 @tindex Parameter
23019 You can implement new @value{GDBN} parameters using Python. A new
23020 parameter is implemented as an instance of the @code{gdb.Parameter}
23021 class.
23022
23023 Parameters are exposed to the user via the @code{set} and
23024 @code{show} commands. @xref{Help}.
23025
23026 There are many parameters that already exist and can be set in
23027 @value{GDBN}. Two examples are: @code{set follow fork} and
23028 @code{set charset}. Setting these parameters influences certain
23029 behavior in @value{GDBN}. Similarly, you can define parameters that
23030 can be used to influence behavior in custom Python scripts and commands.
23031
23032 @defun Parameter.__init__ (name, @var{command-class}, @var{parameter-class} @r{[}, @var{enum-sequence}@r{]})
23033 The object initializer for @code{Parameter} registers the new
23034 parameter with @value{GDBN}. This initializer is normally invoked
23035 from the subclass' own @code{__init__} method.
23036
23037 @var{name} is the name of the new parameter. If @var{name} consists
23038 of multiple words, then the initial words are looked for as prefix
23039 parameters. An example of this can be illustrated with the
23040 @code{set print} set of parameters. If @var{name} is
23041 @code{print foo}, then @code{print} will be searched as the prefix
23042 parameter. In this case the parameter can subsequently be accessed in
23043 @value{GDBN} as @code{set print foo}.
23044
23045 If @var{name} consists of multiple words, and no prefix parameter group
23046 can be found, an exception is raised.
23047
23048 @var{command-class} should be one of the @samp{COMMAND_} constants
23049 (@pxref{Commands In Python}). This argument tells @value{GDBN} how to
23050 categorize the new parameter in the help system.
23051
23052 @var{parameter-class} should be one of the @samp{PARAM_} constants
23053 defined below. This argument tells @value{GDBN} the type of the new
23054 parameter; this information is used for input validation and
23055 completion.
23056
23057 If @var{parameter-class} is @code{PARAM_ENUM}, then
23058 @var{enum-sequence} must be a sequence of strings. These strings
23059 represent the possible values for the parameter.
23060
23061 If @var{parameter-class} is not @code{PARAM_ENUM}, then the presence
23062 of a fourth argument will cause an exception to be thrown.
23063
23064 The help text for the new parameter is taken from the Python
23065 documentation string for the parameter's class, if there is one. If
23066 there is no documentation string, a default value is used.
23067 @end defun
23068
23069 @defvar Parameter.set_doc
23070 If this attribute exists, and is a string, then its value is used as
23071 the help text for this parameter's @code{set} command. The value is
23072 examined when @code{Parameter.__init__} is invoked; subsequent changes
23073 have no effect.
23074 @end defvar
23075
23076 @defvar Parameter.show_doc
23077 If this attribute exists, and is a string, then its value is used as
23078 the help text for this parameter's @code{show} command. The value is
23079 examined when @code{Parameter.__init__} is invoked; subsequent changes
23080 have no effect.
23081 @end defvar
23082
23083 @defvar Parameter.value
23084 The @code{value} attribute holds the underlying value of the
23085 parameter. It can be read and assigned to just as any other
23086 attribute. @value{GDBN} does validation when assignments are made.
23087 @end defvar
23088
23089 There are two methods that should be implemented in any
23090 @code{Parameter} class. These are:
23091
23092 @defun Parameter.get_set_string (self)
23093 @value{GDBN} will call this method when a @var{parameter}'s value has
23094 been changed via the @code{set} API (for example, @kbd{set foo off}).
23095 The @code{value} attribute has already been populated with the new
23096 value and may be used in output. This method must return a string.
23097 @end defun
23098
23099 @defun Parameter.get_show_string (self, svalue)
23100 @value{GDBN} will call this method when a @var{parameter}'s
23101 @code{show} API has been invoked (for example, @kbd{show foo}). The
23102 argument @code{svalue} receives the string representation of the
23103 current value. This method must return a string.
23104 @end defun
23105
23106 When a new parameter is defined, its type must be specified. The
23107 available types are represented by constants defined in the @code{gdb}
23108 module:
23109
23110 @table @code
23111 @findex PARAM_BOOLEAN
23112 @findex gdb.PARAM_BOOLEAN
23113 @item gdb.PARAM_BOOLEAN
23114 The value is a plain boolean. The Python boolean values, @code{True}
23115 and @code{False} are the only valid values.
23116
23117 @findex PARAM_AUTO_BOOLEAN
23118 @findex gdb.PARAM_AUTO_BOOLEAN
23119 @item gdb.PARAM_AUTO_BOOLEAN
23120 The value has three possible states: true, false, and @samp{auto}. In
23121 Python, true and false are represented using boolean constants, and
23122 @samp{auto} is represented using @code{None}.
23123
23124 @findex PARAM_UINTEGER
23125 @findex gdb.PARAM_UINTEGER
23126 @item gdb.PARAM_UINTEGER
23127 The value is an unsigned integer. The value of 0 should be
23128 interpreted to mean ``unlimited''.
23129
23130 @findex PARAM_INTEGER
23131 @findex gdb.PARAM_INTEGER
23132 @item gdb.PARAM_INTEGER
23133 The value is a signed integer. The value of 0 should be interpreted
23134 to mean ``unlimited''.
23135
23136 @findex PARAM_STRING
23137 @findex gdb.PARAM_STRING
23138 @item gdb.PARAM_STRING
23139 The value is a string. When the user modifies the string, any escape
23140 sequences, such as @samp{\t}, @samp{\f}, and octal escapes, are
23141 translated into corresponding characters and encoded into the current
23142 host charset.
23143
23144 @findex PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE
23145 @findex gdb.PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE
23146 @item gdb.PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE
23147 The value is a string. When the user modifies the string, escapes are
23148 passed through untranslated.
23149
23150 @findex PARAM_OPTIONAL_FILENAME
23151 @findex gdb.PARAM_OPTIONAL_FILENAME
23152 @item gdb.PARAM_OPTIONAL_FILENAME
23153 The value is a either a filename (a string), or @code{None}.
23154
23155 @findex PARAM_FILENAME
23156 @findex gdb.PARAM_FILENAME
23157 @item gdb.PARAM_FILENAME
23158 The value is a filename. This is just like
23159 @code{PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE}, but uses file names for completion.
23160
23161 @findex PARAM_ZINTEGER
23162 @findex gdb.PARAM_ZINTEGER
23163 @item gdb.PARAM_ZINTEGER
23164 The value is an integer. This is like @code{PARAM_INTEGER}, except 0
23165 is interpreted as itself.
23166
23167 @findex PARAM_ENUM
23168 @findex gdb.PARAM_ENUM
23169 @item gdb.PARAM_ENUM
23170 The value is a string, which must be one of a collection string
23171 constants provided when the parameter is created.
23172 @end table
23173
23174 @node Functions In Python
23175 @subsubsection Writing new convenience functions
23176
23177 @cindex writing convenience functions
23178 @cindex convenience functions in python
23179 @cindex python convenience functions
23180 @tindex gdb.Function
23181 @tindex Function
23182 You can implement new convenience functions (@pxref{Convenience Vars})
23183 in Python. A convenience function is an instance of a subclass of the
23184 class @code{gdb.Function}.
23185
23186 @defun Function.__init__ (name)
23187 The initializer for @code{Function} registers the new function with
23188 @value{GDBN}. The argument @var{name} is the name of the function,
23189 a string. The function will be visible to the user as a convenience
23190 variable of type @code{internal function}, whose name is the same as
23191 the given @var{name}.
23192
23193 The documentation for the new function is taken from the documentation
23194 string for the new class.
23195 @end defun
23196
23197 @defun Function.invoke (@var{*args})
23198 When a convenience function is evaluated, its arguments are converted
23199 to instances of @code{gdb.Value}, and then the function's
23200 @code{invoke} method is called. Note that @value{GDBN} does not
23201 predetermine the arity of convenience functions. Instead, all
23202 available arguments are passed to @code{invoke}, following the
23203 standard Python calling convention. In particular, a convenience
23204 function can have default values for parameters without ill effect.
23205
23206 The return value of this method is used as its value in the enclosing
23207 expression. If an ordinary Python value is returned, it is converted
23208 to a @code{gdb.Value} following the usual rules.
23209 @end defun
23210
23211 The following code snippet shows how a trivial convenience function can
23212 be implemented in Python:
23213
23214 @smallexample
23215 class Greet (gdb.Function):
23216 """Return string to greet someone.
23217 Takes a name as argument."""
23218
23219 def __init__ (self):
23220 super (Greet, self).__init__ ("greet")
23221
23222 def invoke (self, name):
23223 return "Hello, %s!" % name.string ()
23224
23225 Greet ()
23226 @end smallexample
23227
23228 The last line instantiates the class, and is necessary to trigger the
23229 registration of the function with @value{GDBN}. Depending on how the
23230 Python code is read into @value{GDBN}, you may need to import the
23231 @code{gdb} module explicitly.
23232
23233 @node Progspaces In Python
23234 @subsubsection Program Spaces In Python
23235
23236 @cindex progspaces in python
23237 @tindex gdb.Progspace
23238 @tindex Progspace
23239 A program space, or @dfn{progspace}, represents a symbolic view
23240 of an address space.
23241 It consists of all of the objfiles of the program.
23242 @xref{Objfiles In Python}.
23243 @xref{Inferiors and Programs, program spaces}, for more details
23244 about program spaces.
23245
23246 The following progspace-related functions are available in the
23247 @code{gdb} module:
23248
23249 @findex gdb.current_progspace
23250 @defun gdb.current_progspace ()
23251 This function returns the program space of the currently selected inferior.
23252 @xref{Inferiors and Programs}.
23253 @end defun
23254
23255 @findex gdb.progspaces
23256 @defun gdb.progspaces ()
23257 Return a sequence of all the progspaces currently known to @value{GDBN}.
23258 @end defun
23259
23260 Each progspace is represented by an instance of the @code{gdb.Progspace}
23261 class.
23262
23263 @defvar Progspace.filename
23264 The file name of the progspace as a string.
23265 @end defvar
23266
23267 @defvar Progspace.pretty_printers
23268 The @code{pretty_printers} attribute is a list of functions. It is
23269 used to look up pretty-printers. A @code{Value} is passed to each
23270 function in order; if the function returns @code{None}, then the
23271 search continues. Otherwise, the return value should be an object
23272 which is used to format the value. @xref{Pretty Printing API}, for more
23273 information.
23274 @end defvar
23275
23276 @node Objfiles In Python
23277 @subsubsection Objfiles In Python
23278
23279 @cindex objfiles in python
23280 @tindex gdb.Objfile
23281 @tindex Objfile
23282 @value{GDBN} loads symbols for an inferior from various
23283 symbol-containing files (@pxref{Files}). These include the primary
23284 executable file, any shared libraries used by the inferior, and any
23285 separate debug info files (@pxref{Separate Debug Files}).
23286 @value{GDBN} calls these symbol-containing files @dfn{objfiles}.
23287
23288 The following objfile-related functions are available in the
23289 @code{gdb} module:
23290
23291 @findex gdb.current_objfile
23292 @defun gdb.current_objfile ()
23293 When auto-loading a Python script (@pxref{Auto-loading}), @value{GDBN}
23294 sets the ``current objfile'' to the corresponding objfile. This
23295 function returns the current objfile. If there is no current objfile,
23296 this function returns @code{None}.
23297 @end defun
23298
23299 @findex gdb.objfiles
23300 @defun gdb.objfiles ()
23301 Return a sequence of all the objfiles current known to @value{GDBN}.
23302 @xref{Objfiles In Python}.
23303 @end defun
23304
23305 Each objfile is represented by an instance of the @code{gdb.Objfile}
23306 class.
23307
23308 @defvar Objfile.filename
23309 The file name of the objfile as a string.
23310 @end defvar
23311
23312 @defvar Objfile.pretty_printers
23313 The @code{pretty_printers} attribute is a list of functions. It is
23314 used to look up pretty-printers. A @code{Value} is passed to each
23315 function in order; if the function returns @code{None}, then the
23316 search continues. Otherwise, the return value should be an object
23317 which is used to format the value. @xref{Pretty Printing API}, for more
23318 information.
23319 @end defvar
23320
23321 A @code{gdb.Objfile} object has the following methods:
23322
23323 @defun Objfile.is_valid ()
23324 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Objfile} object is valid,
23325 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Objfile} object can become invalid
23326 if the object file it refers to is not loaded in @value{GDBN} any
23327 longer. All other @code{gdb.Objfile} methods will throw an exception
23328 if it is invalid at the time the method is called.
23329 @end defun
23330
23331 @node Frames In Python
23332 @subsubsection Accessing inferior stack frames from Python.
23333
23334 @cindex frames in python
23335 When the debugged program stops, @value{GDBN} is able to analyze its call
23336 stack (@pxref{Frames,,Stack frames}). The @code{gdb.Frame} class
23337 represents a frame in the stack. A @code{gdb.Frame} object is only valid
23338 while its corresponding frame exists in the inferior's stack. If you try
23339 to use an invalid frame object, @value{GDBN} will throw a @code{gdb.error}
23340 exception (@pxref{Exception Handling}).
23341
23342 Two @code{gdb.Frame} objects can be compared for equality with the @code{==}
23343 operator, like:
23344
23345 @smallexample
23346 (@value{GDBP}) python print gdb.newest_frame() == gdb.selected_frame ()
23347 True
23348 @end smallexample
23349
23350 The following frame-related functions are available in the @code{gdb} module:
23351
23352 @findex gdb.selected_frame
23353 @defun gdb.selected_frame ()
23354 Return the selected frame object. (@pxref{Selection,,Selecting a Frame}).
23355 @end defun
23356
23357 @findex gdb.newest_frame
23358 @defun gdb.newest_frame ()
23359 Return the newest frame object for the selected thread.
23360 @end defun
23361
23362 @defun gdb.frame_stop_reason_string (reason)
23363 Return a string explaining the reason why @value{GDBN} stopped unwinding
23364 frames, as expressed by the given @var{reason} code (an integer, see the
23365 @code{unwind_stop_reason} method further down in this section).
23366 @end defun
23367
23368 A @code{gdb.Frame} object has the following methods:
23369
23370 @table @code
23371 @defun Frame.is_valid ()
23372 Returns true if the @code{gdb.Frame} object is valid, false if not.
23373 A frame object can become invalid if the frame it refers to doesn't
23374 exist anymore in the inferior. All @code{gdb.Frame} methods will throw
23375 an exception if it is invalid at the time the method is called.
23376 @end defun
23377
23378 @defun Frame.name ()
23379 Returns the function name of the frame, or @code{None} if it can't be
23380 obtained.
23381 @end defun
23382
23383 @defun Frame.type ()
23384 Returns the type of the frame. The value can be one of:
23385 @table @code
23386 @item gdb.NORMAL_FRAME
23387 An ordinary stack frame.
23388
23389 @item gdb.DUMMY_FRAME
23390 A fake stack frame that was created by @value{GDBN} when performing an
23391 inferior function call.
23392
23393 @item gdb.INLINE_FRAME
23394 A frame representing an inlined function. The function was inlined
23395 into a @code{gdb.NORMAL_FRAME} that is older than this one.
23396
23397 @item gdb.TAILCALL_FRAME
23398 A frame representing a tail call. @xref{Tail Call Frames}.
23399
23400 @item gdb.SIGTRAMP_FRAME
23401 A signal trampoline frame. This is the frame created by the OS when
23402 it calls into a signal handler.
23403
23404 @item gdb.ARCH_FRAME
23405 A fake stack frame representing a cross-architecture call.
23406
23407 @item gdb.SENTINEL_FRAME
23408 This is like @code{gdb.NORMAL_FRAME}, but it is only used for the
23409 newest frame.
23410 @end table
23411 @end defun
23412
23413 @defun Frame.unwind_stop_reason ()
23414 Return an integer representing the reason why it's not possible to find
23415 more frames toward the outermost frame. Use
23416 @code{gdb.frame_stop_reason_string} to convert the value returned by this
23417 function to a string. The value can be one of:
23418
23419 @table @code
23420 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_NO_REASON
23421 No particular reason (older frames should be available).
23422
23423 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_NULL_ID
23424 The previous frame's analyzer returns an invalid result.
23425
23426 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_OUTERMOST
23427 This frame is the outermost.
23428
23429 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_UNAVAILABLE
23430 Cannot unwind further, because that would require knowing the
23431 values of registers or memory that have not been collected.
23432
23433 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_INNER_ID
23434 This frame ID looks like it ought to belong to a NEXT frame,
23435 but we got it for a PREV frame. Normally, this is a sign of
23436 unwinder failure. It could also indicate stack corruption.
23437
23438 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_SAME_ID
23439 This frame has the same ID as the previous one. That means
23440 that unwinding further would almost certainly give us another
23441 frame with exactly the same ID, so break the chain. Normally,
23442 this is a sign of unwinder failure. It could also indicate
23443 stack corruption.
23444
23445 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_NO_SAVED_PC
23446 The frame unwinder did not find any saved PC, but we needed
23447 one to unwind further.
23448 @end table
23449
23450 @end defun
23451
23452 @defun Frame.pc ()
23453 Returns the frame's resume address.
23454 @end defun
23455
23456 @defun Frame.block ()
23457 Return the frame's code block. @xref{Blocks In Python}.
23458 @end defun
23459
23460 @defun Frame.function ()
23461 Return the symbol for the function corresponding to this frame.
23462 @xref{Symbols In Python}.
23463 @end defun
23464
23465 @defun Frame.older ()
23466 Return the frame that called this frame.
23467 @end defun
23468
23469 @defun Frame.newer ()
23470 Return the frame called by this frame.
23471 @end defun
23472
23473 @defun Frame.find_sal ()
23474 Return the frame's symtab and line object.
23475 @xref{Symbol Tables In Python}.
23476 @end defun
23477
23478 @defun Frame.read_var (variable @r{[}, block@r{]})
23479 Return the value of @var{variable} in this frame. If the optional
23480 argument @var{block} is provided, search for the variable from that
23481 block; otherwise start at the frame's current block (which is
23482 determined by the frame's current program counter). @var{variable}
23483 must be a string or a @code{gdb.Symbol} object. @var{block} must be a
23484 @code{gdb.Block} object.
23485 @end defun
23486
23487 @defun Frame.select ()
23488 Set this frame to be the selected frame. @xref{Stack, ,Examining the
23489 Stack}.
23490 @end defun
23491 @end table
23492
23493 @node Blocks In Python
23494 @subsubsection Accessing frame blocks from Python.
23495
23496 @cindex blocks in python
23497 @tindex gdb.Block
23498
23499 Within each frame, @value{GDBN} maintains information on each block
23500 stored in that frame. These blocks are organized hierarchically, and
23501 are represented individually in Python as a @code{gdb.Block}.
23502 Please see @ref{Frames In Python}, for a more in-depth discussion on
23503 frames. Furthermore, see @ref{Stack, ,Examining the Stack}, for more
23504 detailed technical information on @value{GDBN}'s book-keeping of the
23505 stack.
23506
23507 The following block-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
23508 module:
23509
23510 @findex gdb.block_for_pc
23511 @defun gdb.block_for_pc (pc)
23512 Return the @code{gdb.Block} containing the given @var{pc} value. If the
23513 block cannot be found for the @var{pc} value specified, the function
23514 will return @code{None}.
23515 @end defun
23516
23517 A @code{gdb.Block} object has the following methods:
23518
23519 @table @code
23520 @defun Block.is_valid ()
23521 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Block} object is valid,
23522 @code{False} if not. A block object can become invalid if the block it
23523 refers to doesn't exist anymore in the inferior. All other
23524 @code{gdb.Block} methods will throw an exception if it is invalid at
23525 the time the method is called. This method is also made available to
23526 the Python iterator object that @code{gdb.Block} provides in an iteration
23527 context and via the Python @code{iter} built-in function.
23528 @end defun
23529 @end table
23530
23531 A @code{gdb.Block} object has the following attributes:
23532
23533 @table @code
23534 @defvar Block.start
23535 The start address of the block. This attribute is not writable.
23536 @end defvar
23537
23538 @defvar Block.end
23539 The end address of the block. This attribute is not writable.
23540 @end defvar
23541
23542 @defvar Block.function
23543 The name of the block represented as a @code{gdb.Symbol}. If the
23544 block is not named, then this attribute holds @code{None}. This
23545 attribute is not writable.
23546 @end defvar
23547
23548 @defvar Block.superblock
23549 The block containing this block. If this parent block does not exist,
23550 this attribute holds @code{None}. This attribute is not writable.
23551 @end defvar
23552 @end table
23553
23554 @node Symbols In Python
23555 @subsubsection Python representation of Symbols.
23556
23557 @cindex symbols in python
23558 @tindex gdb.Symbol
23559
23560 @value{GDBN} represents every variable, function and type as an
23561 entry in a symbol table. @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}.
23562 Similarly, Python represents these symbols in @value{GDBN} with the
23563 @code{gdb.Symbol} object.
23564
23565 The following symbol-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
23566 module:
23567
23568 @findex gdb.lookup_symbol
23569 @defun gdb.lookup_symbol (name @r{[}, block @r{[}, domain@r{]]})
23570 This function searches for a symbol by name. The search scope can be
23571 restricted to the parameters defined in the optional domain and block
23572 arguments.
23573
23574 @var{name} is the name of the symbol. It must be a string. The
23575 optional @var{block} argument restricts the search to symbols visible
23576 in that @var{block}. The @var{block} argument must be a
23577 @code{gdb.Block} object. If omitted, the block for the current frame
23578 is used. The optional @var{domain} argument restricts
23579 the search to the domain type. The @var{domain} argument must be a
23580 domain constant defined in the @code{gdb} module and described later
23581 in this chapter.
23582
23583 The result is a tuple of two elements.
23584 The first element is a @code{gdb.Symbol} object or @code{None} if the symbol
23585 is not found.
23586 If the symbol is found, the second element is @code{True} if the symbol
23587 is a field of a method's object (e.g., @code{this} in C@t{++}),
23588 otherwise it is @code{False}.
23589 If the symbol is not found, the second element is @code{False}.
23590 @end defun
23591
23592 @findex gdb.lookup_global_symbol
23593 @defun gdb.lookup_global_symbol (name @r{[}, domain@r{]})
23594 This function searches for a global symbol by name.
23595 The search scope can be restricted to by the domain argument.
23596
23597 @var{name} is the name of the symbol. It must be a string.
23598 The optional @var{domain} argument restricts the search to the domain type.
23599 The @var{domain} argument must be a domain constant defined in the @code{gdb}
23600 module and described later in this chapter.
23601
23602 The result is a @code{gdb.Symbol} object or @code{None} if the symbol
23603 is not found.
23604 @end defun
23605
23606 A @code{gdb.Symbol} object has the following attributes:
23607
23608 @table @code
23609 @defvar Symbol.type
23610 The type of the symbol or @code{None} if no type is recorded.
23611 This attribute is represented as a @code{gdb.Type} object.
23612 @xref{Types In Python}. This attribute is not writable.
23613 @end defvar
23614
23615 @defvar Symbol.symtab
23616 The symbol table in which the symbol appears. This attribute is
23617 represented as a @code{gdb.Symtab} object. @xref{Symbol Tables In
23618 Python}. This attribute is not writable.
23619 @end defvar
23620
23621 @defvar Symbol.name
23622 The name of the symbol as a string. This attribute is not writable.
23623 @end defvar
23624
23625 @defvar Symbol.linkage_name
23626 The name of the symbol, as used by the linker (i.e., may be mangled).
23627 This attribute is not writable.
23628 @end defvar
23629
23630 @defvar Symbol.print_name
23631 The name of the symbol in a form suitable for output. This is either
23632 @code{name} or @code{linkage_name}, depending on whether the user
23633 asked @value{GDBN} to display demangled or mangled names.
23634 @end defvar
23635
23636 @defvar Symbol.addr_class
23637 The address class of the symbol. This classifies how to find the value
23638 of a symbol. Each address class is a constant defined in the
23639 @code{gdb} module and described later in this chapter.
23640 @end defvar
23641
23642 @defvar Symbol.is_argument
23643 @code{True} if the symbol is an argument of a function.
23644 @end defvar
23645
23646 @defvar Symbol.is_constant
23647 @code{True} if the symbol is a constant.
23648 @end defvar
23649
23650 @defvar Symbol.is_function
23651 @code{True} if the symbol is a function or a method.
23652 @end defvar
23653
23654 @defvar Symbol.is_variable
23655 @code{True} if the symbol is a variable.
23656 @end defvar
23657 @end table
23658
23659 A @code{gdb.Symbol} object has the following methods:
23660
23661 @table @code
23662 @defun Symbol.is_valid ()
23663 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Symbol} object is valid,
23664 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Symbol} object can become invalid if
23665 the symbol it refers to does not exist in @value{GDBN} any longer.
23666 All other @code{gdb.Symbol} methods will throw an exception if it is
23667 invalid at the time the method is called.
23668 @end defun
23669 @end table
23670
23671 The available domain categories in @code{gdb.Symbol} are represented
23672 as constants in the @code{gdb} module:
23673
23674 @table @code
23675 @findex SYMBOL_UNDEF_DOMAIN
23676 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_UNDEF_DOMAIN
23677 @item gdb.SYMBOL_UNDEF_DOMAIN
23678 This is used when a domain has not been discovered or none of the
23679 following domains apply. This usually indicates an error either
23680 in the symbol information or in @value{GDBN}'s handling of symbols.
23681 @findex SYMBOL_VAR_DOMAIN
23682 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_VAR_DOMAIN
23683 @item gdb.SYMBOL_VAR_DOMAIN
23684 This domain contains variables, function names, typedef names and enum
23685 type values.
23686 @findex SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN
23687 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN
23688 @item gdb.SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN
23689 This domain holds struct, union and enum type names.
23690 @findex SYMBOL_LABEL_DOMAIN
23691 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LABEL_DOMAIN
23692 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LABEL_DOMAIN
23693 This domain contains names of labels (for gotos).
23694 @findex SYMBOL_VARIABLES_DOMAIN
23695 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_VARIABLES_DOMAIN
23696 @item gdb.SYMBOL_VARIABLES_DOMAIN
23697 This domain holds a subset of the @code{SYMBOLS_VAR_DOMAIN}; it
23698 contains everything minus functions and types.
23699 @findex SYMBOL_FUNCTIONS_DOMAIN
23700 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_FUNCTIONS_DOMAIN
23701 @item gdb.SYMBOL_FUNCTION_DOMAIN
23702 This domain contains all functions.
23703 @findex SYMBOL_TYPES_DOMAIN
23704 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_TYPES_DOMAIN
23705 @item gdb.SYMBOL_TYPES_DOMAIN
23706 This domain contains all types.
23707 @end table
23708
23709 The available address class categories in @code{gdb.Symbol} are represented
23710 as constants in the @code{gdb} module:
23711
23712 @table @code
23713 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_UNDEF
23714 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_UNDEF
23715 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_UNDEF
23716 If this is returned by address class, it indicates an error either in
23717 the symbol information or in @value{GDBN}'s handling of symbols.
23718 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_CONST
23719 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_CONST
23720 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_CONST
23721 Value is constant int.
23722 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_STATIC
23723 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_STATIC
23724 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_STATIC
23725 Value is at a fixed address.
23726 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_REGISTER
23727 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REGISTER
23728 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REGISTER
23729 Value is in a register.
23730 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_ARG
23731 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_ARG
23732 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_ARG
23733 Value is an argument. This value is at the offset stored within the
23734 symbol inside the frame's argument list.
23735 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_REF_ARG
23736 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REF_ARG
23737 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REF_ARG
23738 Value address is stored in the frame's argument list. Just like
23739 @code{LOC_ARG} except that the value's address is stored at the
23740 offset, not the value itself.
23741 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_REGPARM_ADDR
23742 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REGPARM_ADDR
23743 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REGPARM_ADDR
23744 Value is a specified register. Just like @code{LOC_REGISTER} except
23745 the register holds the address of the argument instead of the argument
23746 itself.
23747 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_LOCAL
23748 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_LOCAL
23749 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_LOCAL
23750 Value is a local variable.
23751 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_TYPEDEF
23752 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_TYPEDEF
23753 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_TYPEDEF
23754 Value not used. Symbols in the domain @code{SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN} all
23755 have this class.
23756 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_BLOCK
23757 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_BLOCK
23758 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_BLOCK
23759 Value is a block.
23760 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_CONST_BYTES
23761 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_CONST_BYTES
23762 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_CONST_BYTES
23763 Value is a byte-sequence.
23764 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_UNRESOLVED
23765 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_UNRESOLVED
23766 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_UNRESOLVED
23767 Value is at a fixed address, but the address of the variable has to be
23768 determined from the minimal symbol table whenever the variable is
23769 referenced.
23770 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_OPTIMIZED_OUT
23771 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_OPTIMIZED_OUT
23772 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_OPTIMIZED_OUT
23773 The value does not actually exist in the program.
23774 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_COMPUTED
23775 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_COMPUTED
23776 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_COMPUTED
23777 The value's address is a computed location.
23778 @end table
23779
23780 @node Symbol Tables In Python
23781 @subsubsection Symbol table representation in Python.
23782
23783 @cindex symbol tables in python
23784 @tindex gdb.Symtab
23785 @tindex gdb.Symtab_and_line
23786
23787 Access to symbol table data maintained by @value{GDBN} on the inferior
23788 is exposed to Python via two objects: @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} and
23789 @code{gdb.Symtab}. Symbol table and line data for a frame is returned
23790 from the @code{find_sal} method in @code{gdb.Frame} object.
23791 @xref{Frames In Python}.
23792
23793 For more information on @value{GDBN}'s symbol table management, see
23794 @ref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}, for more information.
23795
23796 A @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object has the following attributes:
23797
23798 @table @code
23799 @defvar Symtab_and_line.symtab
23800 The symbol table object (@code{gdb.Symtab}) for this frame.
23801 This attribute is not writable.
23802 @end defvar
23803
23804 @defvar Symtab_and_line.pc
23805 Indicates the current program counter address. This attribute is not
23806 writable.
23807 @end defvar
23808
23809 @defvar Symtab_and_line.line
23810 Indicates the current line number for this object. This
23811 attribute is not writable.
23812 @end defvar
23813 @end table
23814
23815 A @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object has the following methods:
23816
23817 @table @code
23818 @defun Symtab_and_line.is_valid ()
23819 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object is valid,
23820 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object can become
23821 invalid if the Symbol table and line object it refers to does not
23822 exist in @value{GDBN} any longer. All other
23823 @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} methods will throw an exception if it is
23824 invalid at the time the method is called.
23825 @end defun
23826 @end table
23827
23828 A @code{gdb.Symtab} object has the following attributes:
23829
23830 @table @code
23831 @defvar Symtab.filename
23832 The symbol table's source filename. This attribute is not writable.
23833 @end defvar
23834
23835 @defvar Symtab.objfile
23836 The symbol table's backing object file. @xref{Objfiles In Python}.
23837 This attribute is not writable.
23838 @end defvar
23839 @end table
23840
23841 A @code{gdb.Symtab} object has the following methods:
23842
23843 @table @code
23844 @defun Symtab.is_valid ()
23845 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Symtab} object is valid,
23846 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Symtab} object can become invalid if
23847 the symbol table it refers to does not exist in @value{GDBN} any
23848 longer. All other @code{gdb.Symtab} methods will throw an exception
23849 if it is invalid at the time the method is called.
23850 @end defun
23851
23852 @defun Symtab.fullname ()
23853 Return the symbol table's source absolute file name.
23854 @end defun
23855 @end table
23856
23857 @node Breakpoints In Python
23858 @subsubsection Manipulating breakpoints using Python
23859
23860 @cindex breakpoints in python
23861 @tindex gdb.Breakpoint
23862
23863 Python code can manipulate breakpoints via the @code{gdb.Breakpoint}
23864 class.
23865
23866 @defun Breakpoint.__init__ (spec @r{[}, type @r{[}, wp_class @r{[},internal@r{]]]})
23867 Create a new breakpoint. @var{spec} is a string naming the
23868 location of the breakpoint, or an expression that defines a
23869 watchpoint. The contents can be any location recognized by the
23870 @code{break} command, or in the case of a watchpoint, by the @code{watch}
23871 command. The optional @var{type} denotes the breakpoint to create
23872 from the types defined later in this chapter. This argument can be
23873 either: @code{gdb.BP_BREAKPOINT} or @code{gdb.BP_WATCHPOINT}. @var{type}
23874 defaults to @code{gdb.BP_BREAKPOINT}. The optional @var{internal} argument
23875 allows the breakpoint to become invisible to the user. The breakpoint
23876 will neither be reported when created, nor will it be listed in the
23877 output from @code{info breakpoints} (but will be listed with the
23878 @code{maint info breakpoints} command). The optional @var{wp_class}
23879 argument defines the class of watchpoint to create, if @var{type} is
23880 @code{gdb.BP_WATCHPOINT}. If a watchpoint class is not provided, it is
23881 assumed to be a @code{gdb.WP_WRITE} class.
23882 @end defun
23883
23884 @defun Breakpoint.stop (self)
23885 The @code{gdb.Breakpoint} class can be sub-classed and, in
23886 particular, you may choose to implement the @code{stop} method.
23887 If this method is defined as a sub-class of @code{gdb.Breakpoint},
23888 it will be called when the inferior reaches any location of a
23889 breakpoint which instantiates that sub-class. If the method returns
23890 @code{True}, the inferior will be stopped at the location of the
23891 breakpoint, otherwise the inferior will continue.
23892
23893 If there are multiple breakpoints at the same location with a
23894 @code{stop} method, each one will be called regardless of the
23895 return status of the previous. This ensures that all @code{stop}
23896 methods have a chance to execute at that location. In this scenario
23897 if one of the methods returns @code{True} but the others return
23898 @code{False}, the inferior will still be stopped.
23899
23900 You should not alter the execution state of the inferior (i.e.@:, step,
23901 next, etc.), alter the current frame context (i.e.@:, change the current
23902 active frame), or alter, add or delete any breakpoint. As a general
23903 rule, you should not alter any data within @value{GDBN} or the inferior
23904 at this time.
23905
23906 Example @code{stop} implementation:
23907
23908 @smallexample
23909 class MyBreakpoint (gdb.Breakpoint):
23910 def stop (self):
23911 inf_val = gdb.parse_and_eval("foo")
23912 if inf_val == 3:
23913 return True
23914 return False
23915 @end smallexample
23916 @end defun
23917
23918 The available watchpoint types represented by constants are defined in the
23919 @code{gdb} module:
23920
23921 @table @code
23922 @findex WP_READ
23923 @findex gdb.WP_READ
23924 @item gdb.WP_READ
23925 Read only watchpoint.
23926
23927 @findex WP_WRITE
23928 @findex gdb.WP_WRITE
23929 @item gdb.WP_WRITE
23930 Write only watchpoint.
23931
23932 @findex WP_ACCESS
23933 @findex gdb.WP_ACCESS
23934 @item gdb.WP_ACCESS
23935 Read/Write watchpoint.
23936 @end table
23937
23938 @defun Breakpoint.is_valid ()
23939 Return @code{True} if this @code{Breakpoint} object is valid,
23940 @code{False} otherwise. A @code{Breakpoint} object can become invalid
23941 if the user deletes the breakpoint. In this case, the object still
23942 exists, but the underlying breakpoint does not. In the cases of
23943 watchpoint scope, the watchpoint remains valid even if execution of the
23944 inferior leaves the scope of that watchpoint.
23945 @end defun
23946
23947 @defun Breakpoint.delete
23948 Permanently deletes the @value{GDBN} breakpoint. This also
23949 invalidates the Python @code{Breakpoint} object. Any further access
23950 to this object's attributes or methods will raise an error.
23951 @end defun
23952
23953 @defvar Breakpoint.enabled
23954 This attribute is @code{True} if the breakpoint is enabled, and
23955 @code{False} otherwise. This attribute is writable.
23956 @end defvar
23957
23958 @defvar Breakpoint.silent
23959 This attribute is @code{True} if the breakpoint is silent, and
23960 @code{False} otherwise. This attribute is writable.
23961
23962 Note that a breakpoint can also be silent if it has commands and the
23963 first command is @code{silent}. This is not reported by the
23964 @code{silent} attribute.
23965 @end defvar
23966
23967 @defvar Breakpoint.thread
23968 If the breakpoint is thread-specific, this attribute holds the thread
23969 id. If the breakpoint is not thread-specific, this attribute is
23970 @code{None}. This attribute is writable.
23971 @end defvar
23972
23973 @defvar Breakpoint.task
23974 If the breakpoint is Ada task-specific, this attribute holds the Ada task
23975 id. If the breakpoint is not task-specific (or the underlying
23976 language is not Ada), this attribute is @code{None}. This attribute
23977 is writable.
23978 @end defvar
23979
23980 @defvar Breakpoint.ignore_count
23981 This attribute holds the ignore count for the breakpoint, an integer.
23982 This attribute is writable.
23983 @end defvar
23984
23985 @defvar Breakpoint.number
23986 This attribute holds the breakpoint's number --- the identifier used by
23987 the user to manipulate the breakpoint. This attribute is not writable.
23988 @end defvar
23989
23990 @defvar Breakpoint.type
23991 This attribute holds the breakpoint's type --- the identifier used to
23992 determine the actual breakpoint type or use-case. This attribute is not
23993 writable.
23994 @end defvar
23995
23996 @defvar Breakpoint.visible
23997 This attribute tells whether the breakpoint is visible to the user
23998 when set, or when the @samp{info breakpoints} command is run. This
23999 attribute is not writable.
24000 @end defvar
24001
24002 The available types are represented by constants defined in the @code{gdb}
24003 module:
24004
24005 @table @code
24006 @findex BP_BREAKPOINT
24007 @findex gdb.BP_BREAKPOINT
24008 @item gdb.BP_BREAKPOINT
24009 Normal code breakpoint.
24010
24011 @findex BP_WATCHPOINT
24012 @findex gdb.BP_WATCHPOINT
24013 @item gdb.BP_WATCHPOINT
24014 Watchpoint breakpoint.
24015
24016 @findex BP_HARDWARE_WATCHPOINT
24017 @findex gdb.BP_HARDWARE_WATCHPOINT
24018 @item gdb.BP_HARDWARE_WATCHPOINT
24019 Hardware assisted watchpoint.
24020
24021 @findex BP_READ_WATCHPOINT
24022 @findex gdb.BP_READ_WATCHPOINT
24023 @item gdb.BP_READ_WATCHPOINT
24024 Hardware assisted read watchpoint.
24025
24026 @findex BP_ACCESS_WATCHPOINT
24027 @findex gdb.BP_ACCESS_WATCHPOINT
24028 @item gdb.BP_ACCESS_WATCHPOINT
24029 Hardware assisted access watchpoint.
24030 @end table
24031
24032 @defvar Breakpoint.hit_count
24033 This attribute holds the hit count for the breakpoint, an integer.
24034 This attribute is writable, but currently it can only be set to zero.
24035 @end defvar
24036
24037 @defvar Breakpoint.location
24038 This attribute holds the location of the breakpoint, as specified by
24039 the user. It is a string. If the breakpoint does not have a location
24040 (that is, it is a watchpoint) the attribute's value is @code{None}. This
24041 attribute is not writable.
24042 @end defvar
24043
24044 @defvar Breakpoint.expression
24045 This attribute holds a breakpoint expression, as specified by
24046 the user. It is a string. If the breakpoint does not have an
24047 expression (the breakpoint is not a watchpoint) the attribute's value
24048 is @code{None}. This attribute is not writable.
24049 @end defvar
24050
24051 @defvar Breakpoint.condition
24052 This attribute holds the condition of the breakpoint, as specified by
24053 the user. It is a string. If there is no condition, this attribute's
24054 value is @code{None}. This attribute is writable.
24055 @end defvar
24056
24057 @defvar Breakpoint.commands
24058 This attribute holds the commands attached to the breakpoint. If
24059 there are commands, this attribute's value is a string holding all the
24060 commands, separated by newlines. If there are no commands, this
24061 attribute is @code{None}. This attribute is not writable.
24062 @end defvar
24063
24064 @node Lazy Strings In Python
24065 @subsubsection Python representation of lazy strings.
24066
24067 @cindex lazy strings in python
24068 @tindex gdb.LazyString
24069
24070 A @dfn{lazy string} is a string whose contents is not retrieved or
24071 encoded until it is needed.
24072
24073 A @code{gdb.LazyString} is represented in @value{GDBN} as an
24074 @code{address} that points to a region of memory, an @code{encoding}
24075 that will be used to encode that region of memory, and a @code{length}
24076 to delimit the region of memory that represents the string. The
24077 difference between a @code{gdb.LazyString} and a string wrapped within
24078 a @code{gdb.Value} is that a @code{gdb.LazyString} will be treated
24079 differently by @value{GDBN} when printing. A @code{gdb.LazyString} is
24080 retrieved and encoded during printing, while a @code{gdb.Value}
24081 wrapping a string is immediately retrieved and encoded on creation.
24082
24083 A @code{gdb.LazyString} object has the following functions:
24084
24085 @defun LazyString.value ()
24086 Convert the @code{gdb.LazyString} to a @code{gdb.Value}. This value
24087 will point to the string in memory, but will lose all the delayed
24088 retrieval, encoding and handling that @value{GDBN} applies to a
24089 @code{gdb.LazyString}.
24090 @end defun
24091
24092 @defvar LazyString.address
24093 This attribute holds the address of the string. This attribute is not
24094 writable.
24095 @end defvar
24096
24097 @defvar LazyString.length
24098 This attribute holds the length of the string in characters. If the
24099 length is -1, then the string will be fetched and encoded up to the
24100 first null of appropriate width. This attribute is not writable.
24101 @end defvar
24102
24103 @defvar LazyString.encoding
24104 This attribute holds the encoding that will be applied to the string
24105 when the string is printed by @value{GDBN}. If the encoding is not
24106 set, or contains an empty string, then @value{GDBN} will select the
24107 most appropriate encoding when the string is printed. This attribute
24108 is not writable.
24109 @end defvar
24110
24111 @defvar LazyString.type
24112 This attribute holds the type that is represented by the lazy string's
24113 type. For a lazy string this will always be a pointer type. To
24114 resolve this to the lazy string's character type, use the type's
24115 @code{target} method. @xref{Types In Python}. This attribute is not
24116 writable.
24117 @end defvar
24118
24119 @node Auto-loading
24120 @subsection Auto-loading
24121 @cindex auto-loading, Python
24122
24123 When a new object file is read (for example, due to the @code{file}
24124 command, or because the inferior has loaded a shared library),
24125 @value{GDBN} will look for Python support scripts in several ways:
24126 @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py} and @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section.
24127
24128 @menu
24129 * objfile-gdb.py file:: The @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py} file
24130 * .debug_gdb_scripts section:: The @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
24131 * Which flavor to choose?::
24132 @end menu
24133
24134 The auto-loading feature is useful for supplying application-specific
24135 debugging commands and scripts.
24136
24137 Auto-loading can be enabled or disabled,
24138 and the list of auto-loaded scripts can be printed.
24139
24140 @table @code
24141 @kindex set auto-load-scripts
24142 @item set auto-load-scripts [yes|no]
24143 Enable or disable the auto-loading of Python scripts.
24144
24145 @kindex show auto-load-scripts
24146 @item show auto-load-scripts
24147 Show whether auto-loading of Python scripts is enabled or disabled.
24148
24149 @kindex info auto-load-scripts
24150 @cindex print list of auto-loaded scripts
24151 @item info auto-load-scripts [@var{regexp}]
24152 Print the list of all scripts that @value{GDBN} auto-loaded.
24153
24154 Also printed is the list of scripts that were mentioned in
24155 the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section and were not found
24156 (@pxref{.debug_gdb_scripts section}).
24157 This is useful because their names are not printed when @value{GDBN}
24158 tries to load them and fails. There may be many of them, and printing
24159 an error message for each one is problematic.
24160
24161 If @var{regexp} is supplied only scripts with matching names are printed.
24162
24163 Example:
24164
24165 @smallexample
24166 (gdb) info auto-load-scripts
24167 Loaded Script
24168 Yes py-section-script.py
24169 full name: /tmp/py-section-script.py
24170 Missing my-foo-pretty-printers.py
24171 @end smallexample
24172 @end table
24173
24174 When reading an auto-loaded file, @value{GDBN} sets the
24175 @dfn{current objfile}. This is available via the @code{gdb.current_objfile}
24176 function (@pxref{Objfiles In Python}). This can be useful for
24177 registering objfile-specific pretty-printers.
24178
24179 @node objfile-gdb.py file
24180 @subsubsection The @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py} file
24181 @cindex @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py}
24182
24183 When a new object file is read, @value{GDBN} looks for
24184 a file named @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py},
24185 where @var{objfile} is the object file's real name, formed by ensuring
24186 that the file name is absolute, following all symlinks, and resolving
24187 @code{.} and @code{..} components. If this file exists and is
24188 readable, @value{GDBN} will evaluate it as a Python script.
24189
24190 If this file does not exist, and if the parameter
24191 @code{debug-file-directory} is set (@pxref{Separate Debug Files}),
24192 then @value{GDBN} will look for @var{real-name} in all of the
24193 directories mentioned in the value of @code{debug-file-directory}.
24194
24195 Finally, if this file does not exist, then @value{GDBN} will look for
24196 a file named @file{@var{data-directory}/python/auto-load/@var{real-name}}, where
24197 @var{data-directory} is @value{GDBN}'s data directory (available via
24198 @code{show data-directory}, @pxref{Data Files}), and @var{real-name}
24199 is the object file's real name, as described above.
24200
24201 @value{GDBN} does not track which files it has already auto-loaded this way.
24202 @value{GDBN} will load the associated script every time the corresponding
24203 @var{objfile} is opened.
24204 So your @file{-gdb.py} file should be careful to avoid errors if it
24205 is evaluated more than once.
24206
24207 @node .debug_gdb_scripts section
24208 @subsubsection The @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
24209 @cindex @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
24210
24211 For systems using file formats like ELF and COFF,
24212 when @value{GDBN} loads a new object file
24213 it will look for a special section named @samp{.debug_gdb_scripts}.
24214 If this section exists, its contents is a list of names of scripts to load.
24215
24216 @value{GDBN} will look for each specified script file first in the
24217 current directory and then along the source search path
24218 (@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying Source Directories}),
24219 except that @file{$cdir} is not searched, since the compilation
24220 directory is not relevant to scripts.
24221
24222 Entries can be placed in section @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} with,
24223 for example, this GCC macro:
24224
24225 @example
24226 /* Note: The "MS" section flags are to remove duplicates. */
24227 #define DEFINE_GDB_SCRIPT(script_name) \
24228 asm("\
24229 .pushsection \".debug_gdb_scripts\", \"MS\",@@progbits,1\n\
24230 .byte 1\n\
24231 .asciz \"" script_name "\"\n\
24232 .popsection \n\
24233 ");
24234 @end example
24235
24236 @noindent
24237 Then one can reference the macro in a header or source file like this:
24238
24239 @example
24240 DEFINE_GDB_SCRIPT ("my-app-scripts.py")
24241 @end example
24242
24243 The script name may include directories if desired.
24244
24245 If the macro is put in a header, any application or library
24246 using this header will get a reference to the specified script.
24247
24248 @node Which flavor to choose?
24249 @subsubsection Which flavor to choose?
24250
24251 Given the multiple ways of auto-loading Python scripts, it might not always
24252 be clear which one to choose. This section provides some guidance.
24253
24254 Benefits of the @file{-gdb.py} way:
24255
24256 @itemize @bullet
24257 @item
24258 Can be used with file formats that don't support multiple sections.
24259
24260 @item
24261 Ease of finding scripts for public libraries.
24262
24263 Scripts specified in the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section are searched for
24264 in the source search path.
24265 For publicly installed libraries, e.g., @file{libstdc++}, there typically
24266 isn't a source directory in which to find the script.
24267
24268 @item
24269 Doesn't require source code additions.
24270 @end itemize
24271
24272 Benefits of the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} way:
24273
24274 @itemize @bullet
24275 @item
24276 Works with static linking.
24277
24278 Scripts for libraries done the @file{-gdb.py} way require an objfile to
24279 trigger their loading. When an application is statically linked the only
24280 objfile available is the executable, and it is cumbersome to attach all the
24281 scripts from all the input libraries to the executable's @file{-gdb.py} script.
24282
24283 @item
24284 Works with classes that are entirely inlined.
24285
24286 Some classes can be entirely inlined, and thus there may not be an associated
24287 shared library to attach a @file{-gdb.py} script to.
24288
24289 @item
24290 Scripts needn't be copied out of the source tree.
24291
24292 In some circumstances, apps can be built out of large collections of internal
24293 libraries, and the build infrastructure necessary to install the
24294 @file{-gdb.py} scripts in a place where @value{GDBN} can find them is
24295 cumbersome. It may be easier to specify the scripts in the
24296 @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section as relative paths, and add a path to the
24297 top of the source tree to the source search path.
24298 @end itemize
24299
24300 @node Python modules
24301 @subsection Python modules
24302 @cindex python modules
24303
24304 @value{GDBN} comes with several modules to assist writing Python code.
24305
24306 @menu
24307 * gdb.printing:: Building and registering pretty-printers.
24308 * gdb.types:: Utilities for working with types.
24309 * gdb.prompt:: Utilities for prompt value substitution.
24310 @end menu
24311
24312 @node gdb.printing
24313 @subsubsection gdb.printing
24314 @cindex gdb.printing
24315
24316 This module provides a collection of utilities for working with
24317 pretty-printers.
24318
24319 @table @code
24320 @item PrettyPrinter (@var{name}, @var{subprinters}=None)
24321 This class specifies the API that makes @samp{info pretty-printer},
24322 @samp{enable pretty-printer} and @samp{disable pretty-printer} work.
24323 Pretty-printers should generally inherit from this class.
24324
24325 @item SubPrettyPrinter (@var{name})
24326 For printers that handle multiple types, this class specifies the
24327 corresponding API for the subprinters.
24328
24329 @item RegexpCollectionPrettyPrinter (@var{name})
24330 Utility class for handling multiple printers, all recognized via
24331 regular expressions.
24332 @xref{Writing a Pretty-Printer}, for an example.
24333
24334 @item register_pretty_printer (@var{obj}, @var{printer}, @var{replace}=False)
24335 Register @var{printer} with the pretty-printer list of @var{obj}.
24336 If @var{replace} is @code{True} then any existing copy of the printer
24337 is replaced. Otherwise a @code{RuntimeError} exception is raised
24338 if a printer with the same name already exists.
24339 @end table
24340
24341 @node gdb.types
24342 @subsubsection gdb.types
24343 @cindex gdb.types
24344
24345 This module provides a collection of utilities for working with
24346 @code{gdb.Types} objects.
24347
24348 @table @code
24349 @item get_basic_type (@var{type})
24350 Return @var{type} with const and volatile qualifiers stripped,
24351 and with typedefs and C@t{++} references converted to the underlying type.
24352
24353 C@t{++} example:
24354
24355 @smallexample
24356 typedef const int const_int;
24357 const_int foo (3);
24358 const_int& foo_ref (foo);
24359 int main () @{ return 0; @}
24360 @end smallexample
24361
24362 Then in gdb:
24363
24364 @smallexample
24365 (gdb) start
24366 (gdb) python import gdb.types
24367 (gdb) python foo_ref = gdb.parse_and_eval("foo_ref")
24368 (gdb) python print gdb.types.get_basic_type(foo_ref.type)
24369 int
24370 @end smallexample
24371
24372 @item has_field (@var{type}, @var{field})
24373 Return @code{True} if @var{type}, assumed to be a type with fields
24374 (e.g., a structure or union), has field @var{field}.
24375
24376 @item make_enum_dict (@var{enum_type})
24377 Return a Python @code{dictionary} type produced from @var{enum_type}.
24378 @end table
24379
24380 @node gdb.prompt
24381 @subsubsection gdb.prompt
24382 @cindex gdb.prompt
24383
24384 This module provides a method for prompt value-substitution.
24385
24386 @table @code
24387 @item substitute_prompt (@var{string})
24388 Return @var{string} with escape sequences substituted by values. Some
24389 escape sequences take arguments. You can specify arguments inside
24390 ``@{@}'' immediately following the escape sequence.
24391
24392 The escape sequences you can pass to this function are:
24393
24394 @table @code
24395 @item \\
24396 Substitute a backslash.
24397 @item \e
24398 Substitute an ESC character.
24399 @item \f
24400 Substitute the selected frame; an argument names a frame parameter.
24401 @item \n
24402 Substitute a newline.
24403 @item \p
24404 Substitute a parameter's value; the argument names the parameter.
24405 @item \r
24406 Substitute a carriage return.
24407 @item \t
24408 Substitute the selected thread; an argument names a thread parameter.
24409 @item \v
24410 Substitute the version of GDB.
24411 @item \w
24412 Substitute the current working directory.
24413 @item \[
24414 Begin a sequence of non-printing characters. These sequences are
24415 typically used with the ESC character, and are not counted in the string
24416 length. Example: ``\[\e[0;34m\](gdb)\[\e[0m\]'' will return a
24417 blue-colored ``(gdb)'' prompt where the length is five.
24418 @item \]
24419 End a sequence of non-printing characters.
24420 @end table
24421
24422 For example:
24423
24424 @smallexample
24425 substitute_prompt (``frame: \f,
24426 print arguments: \p@{print frame-arguments@}'')
24427 @end smallexample
24428
24429 @exdent will return the string:
24430
24431 @smallexample
24432 "frame: main, print arguments: scalars"
24433 @end smallexample
24434 @end table
24435
24436 @node Aliases
24437 @section Creating new spellings of existing commands
24438 @cindex aliases for commands
24439
24440 It is often useful to define alternate spellings of existing commands.
24441 For example, if a new @value{GDBN} command defined in Python has
24442 a long name to type, it is handy to have an abbreviated version of it
24443 that involves less typing.
24444
24445 @value{GDBN} itself uses aliases. For example @samp{s} is an alias
24446 of the @samp{step} command even though it is otherwise an ambiguous
24447 abbreviation of other commands like @samp{set} and @samp{show}.
24448
24449 Aliases are also used to provide shortened or more common versions
24450 of multi-word commands. For example, @value{GDBN} provides the
24451 @samp{tty} alias of the @samp{set inferior-tty} command.
24452
24453 You can define a new alias with the @samp{alias} command.
24454
24455 @table @code
24456
24457 @kindex alias
24458 @item alias [-a] [--] @var{ALIAS} = @var{COMMAND}
24459
24460 @end table
24461
24462 @var{ALIAS} specifies the name of the new alias.
24463 Each word of @var{ALIAS} must consist of letters, numbers, dashes and
24464 underscores.
24465
24466 @var{COMMAND} specifies the name of an existing command
24467 that is being aliased.
24468
24469 The @samp{-a} option specifies that the new alias is an abbreviation
24470 of the command. Abbreviations are not shown in command
24471 lists displayed by the @samp{help} command.
24472
24473 The @samp{--} option specifies the end of options,
24474 and is useful when @var{ALIAS} begins with a dash.
24475
24476 Here is a simple example showing how to make an abbreviation
24477 of a command so that there is less to type.
24478 Suppose you were tired of typing @samp{disas}, the current
24479 shortest unambiguous abbreviation of the @samp{disassemble} command
24480 and you wanted an even shorter version named @samp{di}.
24481 The following will accomplish this.
24482
24483 @smallexample
24484 (gdb) alias -a di = disas
24485 @end smallexample
24486
24487 Note that aliases are different from user-defined commands.
24488 With a user-defined command, you also need to write documentation
24489 for it with the @samp{document} command.
24490 An alias automatically picks up the documentation of the existing command.
24491
24492 Here is an example where we make @samp{elms} an abbreviation of
24493 @samp{elements} in the @samp{set print elements} command.
24494 This is to show that you can make an abbreviation of any part
24495 of a command.
24496
24497 @smallexample
24498 (gdb) alias -a set print elms = set print elements
24499 (gdb) alias -a show print elms = show print elements
24500 (gdb) set p elms 20
24501 (gdb) show p elms
24502 Limit on string chars or array elements to print is 200.
24503 @end smallexample
24504
24505 Note that if you are defining an alias of a @samp{set} command,
24506 and you want to have an alias for the corresponding @samp{show}
24507 command, then you need to define the latter separately.
24508
24509 Unambiguously abbreviated commands are allowed in @var{COMMAND} and
24510 @var{ALIAS}, just as they are normally.
24511
24512 @smallexample
24513 (gdb) alias -a set pr elms = set p ele
24514 @end smallexample
24515
24516 Finally, here is an example showing the creation of a one word
24517 alias for a more complex command.
24518 This creates alias @samp{spe} of the command @samp{set print elements}.
24519
24520 @smallexample
24521 (gdb) alias spe = set print elements
24522 (gdb) spe 20
24523 @end smallexample
24524
24525 @node Interpreters
24526 @chapter Command Interpreters
24527 @cindex command interpreters
24528
24529 @value{GDBN} supports multiple command interpreters, and some command
24530 infrastructure to allow users or user interface writers to switch
24531 between interpreters or run commands in other interpreters.
24532
24533 @value{GDBN} currently supports two command interpreters, the console
24534 interpreter (sometimes called the command-line interpreter or @sc{cli})
24535 and the machine interface interpreter (or @sc{gdb/mi}). This manual
24536 describes both of these interfaces in great detail.
24537
24538 By default, @value{GDBN} will start with the console interpreter.
24539 However, the user may choose to start @value{GDBN} with another
24540 interpreter by specifying the @option{-i} or @option{--interpreter}
24541 startup options. Defined interpreters include:
24542
24543 @table @code
24544 @item console
24545 @cindex console interpreter
24546 The traditional console or command-line interpreter. This is the most often
24547 used interpreter with @value{GDBN}. With no interpreter specified at runtime,
24548 @value{GDBN} will use this interpreter.
24549
24550 @item mi
24551 @cindex mi interpreter
24552 The newest @sc{gdb/mi} interface (currently @code{mi2}). Used primarily
24553 by programs wishing to use @value{GDBN} as a backend for a debugger GUI
24554 or an IDE. For more information, see @ref{GDB/MI, ,The @sc{gdb/mi}
24555 Interface}.
24556
24557 @item mi2
24558 @cindex mi2 interpreter
24559 The current @sc{gdb/mi} interface.
24560
24561 @item mi1
24562 @cindex mi1 interpreter
24563 The @sc{gdb/mi} interface included in @value{GDBN} 5.1, 5.2, and 5.3.
24564
24565 @end table
24566
24567 @cindex invoke another interpreter
24568 The interpreter being used by @value{GDBN} may not be dynamically
24569 switched at runtime. Although possible, this could lead to a very
24570 precarious situation. Consider an IDE using @sc{gdb/mi}. If a user
24571 enters the command "interpreter-set console" in a console view,
24572 @value{GDBN} would switch to using the console interpreter, rendering
24573 the IDE inoperable!
24574
24575 @kindex interpreter-exec
24576 Although you may only choose a single interpreter at startup, you may execute
24577 commands in any interpreter from the current interpreter using the appropriate
24578 command. If you are running the console interpreter, simply use the
24579 @code{interpreter-exec} command:
24580
24581 @smallexample
24582 interpreter-exec mi "-data-list-register-names"
24583 @end smallexample
24584
24585 @sc{gdb/mi} has a similar command, although it is only available in versions of
24586 @value{GDBN} which support @sc{gdb/mi} version 2 (or greater).
24587
24588 @node TUI
24589 @chapter @value{GDBN} Text User Interface
24590 @cindex TUI
24591 @cindex Text User Interface
24592
24593 @menu
24594 * TUI Overview:: TUI overview
24595 * TUI Keys:: TUI key bindings
24596 * TUI Single Key Mode:: TUI single key mode
24597 * TUI Commands:: TUI-specific commands
24598 * TUI Configuration:: TUI configuration variables
24599 @end menu
24600
24601 The @value{GDBN} Text User Interface (TUI) is a terminal
24602 interface which uses the @code{curses} library to show the source
24603 file, the assembly output, the program registers and @value{GDBN}
24604 commands in separate text windows. The TUI mode is supported only
24605 on platforms where a suitable version of the @code{curses} library
24606 is available.
24607
24608 @pindex @value{GDBTUI}
24609 The TUI mode is enabled by default when you invoke @value{GDBN} as
24610 either @samp{@value{GDBTUI}} or @samp{@value{GDBP} -tui}.
24611 You can also switch in and out of TUI mode while @value{GDBN} runs by
24612 using various TUI commands and key bindings, such as @kbd{C-x C-a}.
24613 @xref{TUI Keys, ,TUI Key Bindings}.
24614
24615 @node TUI Overview
24616 @section TUI Overview
24617
24618 In TUI mode, @value{GDBN} can display several text windows:
24619
24620 @table @emph
24621 @item command
24622 This window is the @value{GDBN} command window with the @value{GDBN}
24623 prompt and the @value{GDBN} output. The @value{GDBN} input is still
24624 managed using readline.
24625
24626 @item source
24627 The source window shows the source file of the program. The current
24628 line and active breakpoints are displayed in this window.
24629
24630 @item assembly
24631 The assembly window shows the disassembly output of the program.
24632
24633 @item register
24634 This window shows the processor registers. Registers are highlighted
24635 when their values change.
24636 @end table
24637
24638 The source and assembly windows show the current program position
24639 by highlighting the current line and marking it with a @samp{>} marker.
24640 Breakpoints are indicated with two markers. The first marker
24641 indicates the breakpoint type:
24642
24643 @table @code
24644 @item B
24645 Breakpoint which was hit at least once.
24646
24647 @item b
24648 Breakpoint which was never hit.
24649
24650 @item H
24651 Hardware breakpoint which was hit at least once.
24652
24653 @item h
24654 Hardware breakpoint which was never hit.
24655 @end table
24656
24657 The second marker indicates whether the breakpoint is enabled or not:
24658
24659 @table @code
24660 @item +
24661 Breakpoint is enabled.
24662
24663 @item -
24664 Breakpoint is disabled.
24665 @end table
24666
24667 The source, assembly and register windows are updated when the current
24668 thread changes, when the frame changes, or when the program counter
24669 changes.
24670
24671 These windows are not all visible at the same time. The command
24672 window is always visible. The others can be arranged in several
24673 layouts:
24674
24675 @itemize @bullet
24676 @item
24677 source only,
24678
24679 @item
24680 assembly only,
24681
24682 @item
24683 source and assembly,
24684
24685 @item
24686 source and registers, or
24687
24688 @item
24689 assembly and registers.
24690 @end itemize
24691
24692 A status line above the command window shows the following information:
24693
24694 @table @emph
24695 @item target
24696 Indicates the current @value{GDBN} target.
24697 (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
24698
24699 @item process
24700 Gives the current process or thread number.
24701 When no process is being debugged, this field is set to @code{No process}.
24702
24703 @item function
24704 Gives the current function name for the selected frame.
24705 The name is demangled if demangling is turned on (@pxref{Print Settings}).
24706 When there is no symbol corresponding to the current program counter,
24707 the string @code{??} is displayed.
24708
24709 @item line
24710 Indicates the current line number for the selected frame.
24711 When the current line number is not known, the string @code{??} is displayed.
24712
24713 @item pc
24714 Indicates the current program counter address.
24715 @end table
24716
24717 @node TUI Keys
24718 @section TUI Key Bindings
24719 @cindex TUI key bindings
24720
24721 The TUI installs several key bindings in the readline keymaps
24722 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
24723 (@pxref{Command Line Editing, , , rluserman, GNU Readline Library}).
24724 @end ifset
24725 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
24726 (@pxref{Command Line Editing}).
24727 @end ifclear
24728 The following key bindings are installed for both TUI mode and the
24729 @value{GDBN} standard mode.
24730
24731 @table @kbd
24732 @kindex C-x C-a
24733 @item C-x C-a
24734 @kindex C-x a
24735 @itemx C-x a
24736 @kindex C-x A
24737 @itemx C-x A
24738 Enter or leave the TUI mode. When leaving the TUI mode,
24739 the curses window management stops and @value{GDBN} operates using
24740 its standard mode, writing on the terminal directly. When reentering
24741 the TUI mode, control is given back to the curses windows.
24742 The screen is then refreshed.
24743
24744 @kindex C-x 1
24745 @item C-x 1
24746 Use a TUI layout with only one window. The layout will
24747 either be @samp{source} or @samp{assembly}. When the TUI mode
24748 is not active, it will switch to the TUI mode.
24749
24750 Think of this key binding as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 1} binding.
24751
24752 @kindex C-x 2
24753 @item C-x 2
24754 Use a TUI layout with at least two windows. When the current
24755 layout already has two windows, the next layout with two windows is used.
24756 When a new layout is chosen, one window will always be common to the
24757 previous layout and the new one.
24758
24759 Think of it as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 2} binding.
24760
24761 @kindex C-x o
24762 @item C-x o
24763 Change the active window. The TUI associates several key bindings
24764 (like scrolling and arrow keys) with the active window. This command
24765 gives the focus to the next TUI window.
24766
24767 Think of it as the Emacs @kbd{C-x o} binding.
24768
24769 @kindex C-x s
24770 @item C-x s
24771 Switch in and out of the TUI SingleKey mode that binds single
24772 keys to @value{GDBN} commands (@pxref{TUI Single Key Mode}).
24773 @end table
24774
24775 The following key bindings only work in the TUI mode:
24776
24777 @table @asis
24778 @kindex PgUp
24779 @item @key{PgUp}
24780 Scroll the active window one page up.
24781
24782 @kindex PgDn
24783 @item @key{PgDn}
24784 Scroll the active window one page down.
24785
24786 @kindex Up
24787 @item @key{Up}
24788 Scroll the active window one line up.
24789
24790 @kindex Down
24791 @item @key{Down}
24792 Scroll the active window one line down.
24793
24794 @kindex Left
24795 @item @key{Left}
24796 Scroll the active window one column left.
24797
24798 @kindex Right
24799 @item @key{Right}
24800 Scroll the active window one column right.
24801
24802 @kindex C-L
24803 @item @kbd{C-L}
24804 Refresh the screen.
24805 @end table
24806
24807 Because the arrow keys scroll the active window in the TUI mode, they
24808 are not available for their normal use by readline unless the command
24809 window has the focus. When another window is active, you must use
24810 other readline key bindings such as @kbd{C-p}, @kbd{C-n}, @kbd{C-b}
24811 and @kbd{C-f} to control the command window.
24812
24813 @node TUI Single Key Mode
24814 @section TUI Single Key Mode
24815 @cindex TUI single key mode
24816
24817 The TUI also provides a @dfn{SingleKey} mode, which binds several
24818 frequently used @value{GDBN} commands to single keys. Type @kbd{C-x s} to
24819 switch into this mode, where the following key bindings are used:
24820
24821 @table @kbd
24822 @kindex c @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24823 @item c
24824 continue
24825
24826 @kindex d @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24827 @item d
24828 down
24829
24830 @kindex f @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24831 @item f
24832 finish
24833
24834 @kindex n @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24835 @item n
24836 next
24837
24838 @kindex q @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24839 @item q
24840 exit the SingleKey mode.
24841
24842 @kindex r @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24843 @item r
24844 run
24845
24846 @kindex s @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24847 @item s
24848 step
24849
24850 @kindex u @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24851 @item u
24852 up
24853
24854 @kindex v @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24855 @item v
24856 info locals
24857
24858 @kindex w @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24859 @item w
24860 where
24861 @end table
24862
24863 Other keys temporarily switch to the @value{GDBN} command prompt.
24864 The key that was pressed is inserted in the editing buffer so that
24865 it is possible to type most @value{GDBN} commands without interaction
24866 with the TUI SingleKey mode. Once the command is entered the TUI
24867 SingleKey mode is restored. The only way to permanently leave
24868 this mode is by typing @kbd{q} or @kbd{C-x s}.
24869
24870
24871 @node TUI Commands
24872 @section TUI-specific Commands
24873 @cindex TUI commands
24874
24875 The TUI has specific commands to control the text windows.
24876 These commands are always available, even when @value{GDBN} is not in
24877 the TUI mode. When @value{GDBN} is in the standard mode, most
24878 of these commands will automatically switch to the TUI mode.
24879
24880 Note that if @value{GDBN}'s @code{stdout} is not connected to a
24881 terminal, or @value{GDBN} has been started with the machine interface
24882 interpreter (@pxref{GDB/MI, ,The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface}), most of
24883 these commands will fail with an error, because it would not be
24884 possible or desirable to enable curses window management.
24885
24886 @table @code
24887 @item info win
24888 @kindex info win
24889 List and give the size of all displayed windows.
24890
24891 @item layout next
24892 @kindex layout
24893 Display the next layout.
24894
24895 @item layout prev
24896 Display the previous layout.
24897
24898 @item layout src
24899 Display the source window only.
24900
24901 @item layout asm
24902 Display the assembly window only.
24903
24904 @item layout split
24905 Display the source and assembly window.
24906
24907 @item layout regs
24908 Display the register window together with the source or assembly window.
24909
24910 @item focus next
24911 @kindex focus
24912 Make the next window active for scrolling.
24913
24914 @item focus prev
24915 Make the previous window active for scrolling.
24916
24917 @item focus src
24918 Make the source window active for scrolling.
24919
24920 @item focus asm
24921 Make the assembly window active for scrolling.
24922
24923 @item focus regs
24924 Make the register window active for scrolling.
24925
24926 @item focus cmd
24927 Make the command window active for scrolling.
24928
24929 @item refresh
24930 @kindex refresh
24931 Refresh the screen. This is similar to typing @kbd{C-L}.
24932
24933 @item tui reg float
24934 @kindex tui reg
24935 Show the floating point registers in the register window.
24936
24937 @item tui reg general
24938 Show the general registers in the register window.
24939
24940 @item tui reg next
24941 Show the next register group. The list of register groups as well as
24942 their order is target specific. The predefined register groups are the
24943 following: @code{general}, @code{float}, @code{system}, @code{vector},
24944 @code{all}, @code{save}, @code{restore}.
24945
24946 @item tui reg system
24947 Show the system registers in the register window.
24948
24949 @item update
24950 @kindex update
24951 Update the source window and the current execution point.
24952
24953 @item winheight @var{name} +@var{count}
24954 @itemx winheight @var{name} -@var{count}
24955 @kindex winheight
24956 Change the height of the window @var{name} by @var{count}
24957 lines. Positive counts increase the height, while negative counts
24958 decrease it.
24959
24960 @item tabset @var{nchars}
24961 @kindex tabset
24962 Set the width of tab stops to be @var{nchars} characters.
24963 @end table
24964
24965 @node TUI Configuration
24966 @section TUI Configuration Variables
24967 @cindex TUI configuration variables
24968
24969 Several configuration variables control the appearance of TUI windows.
24970
24971 @table @code
24972 @item set tui border-kind @var{kind}
24973 @kindex set tui border-kind
24974 Select the border appearance for the source, assembly and register windows.
24975 The possible values are the following:
24976 @table @code
24977 @item space
24978 Use a space character to draw the border.
24979
24980 @item ascii
24981 Use @sc{ascii} characters @samp{+}, @samp{-} and @samp{|} to draw the border.
24982
24983 @item acs
24984 Use the Alternate Character Set to draw the border. The border is
24985 drawn using character line graphics if the terminal supports them.
24986 @end table
24987
24988 @item set tui border-mode @var{mode}
24989 @kindex set tui border-mode
24990 @itemx set tui active-border-mode @var{mode}
24991 @kindex set tui active-border-mode
24992 Select the display attributes for the borders of the inactive windows
24993 or the active window. The @var{mode} can be one of the following:
24994 @table @code
24995 @item normal
24996 Use normal attributes to display the border.
24997
24998 @item standout
24999 Use standout mode.
25000
25001 @item reverse
25002 Use reverse video mode.
25003
25004 @item half
25005 Use half bright mode.
25006
25007 @item half-standout
25008 Use half bright and standout mode.
25009
25010 @item bold
25011 Use extra bright or bold mode.
25012
25013 @item bold-standout
25014 Use extra bright or bold and standout mode.
25015 @end table
25016 @end table
25017
25018 @node Emacs
25019 @chapter Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
25020
25021 @cindex Emacs
25022 @cindex @sc{gnu} Emacs
25023 A special interface allows you to use @sc{gnu} Emacs to view (and
25024 edit) the source files for the program you are debugging with
25025 @value{GDBN}.
25026
25027 To use this interface, use the command @kbd{M-x gdb} in Emacs. Give the
25028 executable file you want to debug as an argument. This command starts
25029 @value{GDBN} as a subprocess of Emacs, with input and output through a newly
25030 created Emacs buffer.
25031 @c (Do not use the @code{-tui} option to run @value{GDBN} from Emacs.)
25032
25033 Running @value{GDBN} under Emacs can be just like running @value{GDBN} normally except for two
25034 things:
25035
25036 @itemize @bullet
25037 @item
25038 All ``terminal'' input and output goes through an Emacs buffer, called
25039 the GUD buffer.
25040
25041 This applies both to @value{GDBN} commands and their output, and to the input
25042 and output done by the program you are debugging.
25043
25044 This is useful because it means that you can copy the text of previous
25045 commands and input them again; you can even use parts of the output
25046 in this way.
25047
25048 All the facilities of Emacs' Shell mode are available for interacting
25049 with your program. In particular, you can send signals the usual
25050 way---for example, @kbd{C-c C-c} for an interrupt, @kbd{C-c C-z} for a
25051 stop.
25052
25053 @item
25054 @value{GDBN} displays source code through Emacs.
25055
25056 Each time @value{GDBN} displays a stack frame, Emacs automatically finds the
25057 source file for that frame and puts an arrow (@samp{=>}) at the
25058 left margin of the current line. Emacs uses a separate buffer for
25059 source display, and splits the screen to show both your @value{GDBN} session
25060 and the source.
25061
25062 Explicit @value{GDBN} @code{list} or search commands still produce output as
25063 usual, but you probably have no reason to use them from Emacs.
25064 @end itemize
25065
25066 We call this @dfn{text command mode}. Emacs 22.1, and later, also uses
25067 a graphical mode, enabled by default, which provides further buffers
25068 that can control the execution and describe the state of your program.
25069 @xref{GDB Graphical Interface,,, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}.
25070
25071 If you specify an absolute file name when prompted for the @kbd{M-x
25072 gdb} argument, then Emacs sets your current working directory to where
25073 your program resides. If you only specify the file name, then Emacs
25074 sets your current working directory to the directory associated
25075 with the previous buffer. In this case, @value{GDBN} may find your
25076 program by searching your environment's @code{PATH} variable, but on
25077 some operating systems it might not find the source. So, although the
25078 @value{GDBN} input and output session proceeds normally, the auxiliary
25079 buffer does not display the current source and line of execution.
25080
25081 The initial working directory of @value{GDBN} is printed on the top
25082 line of the GUD buffer and this serves as a default for the commands
25083 that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate on. @xref{Files,
25084 ,Commands to Specify Files}.
25085
25086 By default, @kbd{M-x gdb} calls the program called @file{gdb}. If you
25087 need to call @value{GDBN} by a different name (for example, if you
25088 keep several configurations around, with different names) you can
25089 customize the Emacs variable @code{gud-gdb-command-name} to run the
25090 one you want.
25091
25092 In the GUD buffer, you can use these special Emacs commands in
25093 addition to the standard Shell mode commands:
25094
25095 @table @kbd
25096 @item C-h m
25097 Describe the features of Emacs' GUD Mode.
25098
25099 @item C-c C-s
25100 Execute to another source line, like the @value{GDBN} @code{step} command; also
25101 update the display window to show the current file and location.
25102
25103 @item C-c C-n
25104 Execute to next source line in this function, skipping all function
25105 calls, like the @value{GDBN} @code{next} command. Then update the display window
25106 to show the current file and location.
25107
25108 @item C-c C-i
25109 Execute one instruction, like the @value{GDBN} @code{stepi} command; update
25110 display window accordingly.
25111
25112 @item C-c C-f
25113 Execute until exit from the selected stack frame, like the @value{GDBN}
25114 @code{finish} command.
25115
25116 @item C-c C-r
25117 Continue execution of your program, like the @value{GDBN} @code{continue}
25118 command.
25119
25120 @item C-c <
25121 Go up the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument
25122 (@pxref{Arguments, , Numeric Arguments, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}),
25123 like the @value{GDBN} @code{up} command.
25124
25125 @item C-c >
25126 Go down the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument, like the
25127 @value{GDBN} @code{down} command.
25128 @end table
25129
25130 In any source file, the Emacs command @kbd{C-x @key{SPC}} (@code{gud-break})
25131 tells @value{GDBN} to set a breakpoint on the source line point is on.
25132
25133 In text command mode, if you type @kbd{M-x speedbar}, Emacs displays a
25134 separate frame which shows a backtrace when the GUD buffer is current.
25135 Move point to any frame in the stack and type @key{RET} to make it
25136 become the current frame and display the associated source in the
25137 source buffer. Alternatively, click @kbd{Mouse-2} to make the
25138 selected frame become the current one. In graphical mode, the
25139 speedbar displays watch expressions.
25140
25141 If you accidentally delete the source-display buffer, an easy way to get
25142 it back is to type the command @code{f} in the @value{GDBN} buffer, to
25143 request a frame display; when you run under Emacs, this recreates
25144 the source buffer if necessary to show you the context of the current
25145 frame.
25146
25147 The source files displayed in Emacs are in ordinary Emacs buffers
25148 which are visiting the source files in the usual way. You can edit
25149 the files with these buffers if you wish; but keep in mind that @value{GDBN}
25150 communicates with Emacs in terms of line numbers. If you add or
25151 delete lines from the text, the line numbers that @value{GDBN} knows cease
25152 to correspond properly with the code.
25153
25154 A more detailed description of Emacs' interaction with @value{GDBN} is
25155 given in the Emacs manual (@pxref{Debuggers,,, Emacs, The @sc{gnu}
25156 Emacs Manual}).
25157
25158 @c The following dropped because Epoch is nonstandard. Reactivate
25159 @c if/when v19 does something similar. ---doc@cygnus.com 19dec1990
25160 @ignore
25161 @kindex Emacs Epoch environment
25162 @kindex Epoch
25163 @kindex inspect
25164
25165 Version 18 of @sc{gnu} Emacs has a built-in window system
25166 called the @code{epoch}
25167 environment. Users of this environment can use a new command,
25168 @code{inspect} which performs identically to @code{print} except that
25169 each value is printed in its own window.
25170 @end ignore
25171
25172
25173 @node GDB/MI
25174 @chapter The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface
25175
25176 @unnumberedsec Function and Purpose
25177
25178 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, its purpose
25179 @sc{gdb/mi} is a line based machine oriented text interface to
25180 @value{GDBN} and is activated by specifying using the
25181 @option{--interpreter} command line option (@pxref{Mode Options}). It
25182 is specifically intended to support the development of systems which
25183 use the debugger as just one small component of a larger system.
25184
25185 This chapter is a specification of the @sc{gdb/mi} interface. It is written
25186 in the form of a reference manual.
25187
25188 Note that @sc{gdb/mi} is still under construction, so some of the
25189 features described below are incomplete and subject to change
25190 (@pxref{GDB/MI Development and Front Ends, , @sc{gdb/mi} Development and Front Ends}).
25191
25192 @unnumberedsec Notation and Terminology
25193
25194 @cindex notational conventions, for @sc{gdb/mi}
25195 This chapter uses the following notation:
25196
25197 @itemize @bullet
25198 @item
25199 @code{|} separates two alternatives.
25200
25201 @item
25202 @code{[ @var{something} ]} indicates that @var{something} is optional:
25203 it may or may not be given.
25204
25205 @item
25206 @code{( @var{group} )*} means that @var{group} inside the parentheses
25207 may repeat zero or more times.
25208
25209 @item
25210 @code{( @var{group} )+} means that @var{group} inside the parentheses
25211 may repeat one or more times.
25212
25213 @item
25214 @code{"@var{string}"} means a literal @var{string}.
25215 @end itemize
25216
25217 @ignore
25218 @heading Dependencies
25219 @end ignore
25220
25221 @menu
25222 * GDB/MI General Design::
25223 * GDB/MI Command Syntax::
25224 * GDB/MI Compatibility with CLI::
25225 * GDB/MI Development and Front Ends::
25226 * GDB/MI Output Records::
25227 * GDB/MI Simple Examples::
25228 * GDB/MI Command Description Format::
25229 * GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands::
25230 * GDB/MI Program Context::
25231 * GDB/MI Thread Commands::
25232 * GDB/MI Ada Tasking Commands::
25233 * GDB/MI Program Execution::
25234 * GDB/MI Stack Manipulation::
25235 * GDB/MI Variable Objects::
25236 * GDB/MI Data Manipulation::
25237 * GDB/MI Tracepoint Commands::
25238 * GDB/MI Symbol Query::
25239 * GDB/MI File Commands::
25240 @ignore
25241 * GDB/MI Kod Commands::
25242 * GDB/MI Memory Overlay Commands::
25243 * GDB/MI Signal Handling Commands::
25244 @end ignore
25245 * GDB/MI Target Manipulation::
25246 * GDB/MI File Transfer Commands::
25247 * GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands::
25248 @end menu
25249
25250 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25251 @node GDB/MI General Design
25252 @section @sc{gdb/mi} General Design
25253 @cindex GDB/MI General Design
25254
25255 Interaction of a @sc{GDB/MI} frontend with @value{GDBN} involves three
25256 parts---commands sent to @value{GDBN}, responses to those commands
25257 and notifications. Each command results in exactly one response,
25258 indicating either successful completion of the command, or an error.
25259 For the commands that do not resume the target, the response contains the
25260 requested information. For the commands that resume the target, the
25261 response only indicates whether the target was successfully resumed.
25262 Notifications is the mechanism for reporting changes in the state of the
25263 target, or in @value{GDBN} state, that cannot conveniently be associated with
25264 a command and reported as part of that command response.
25265
25266 The important examples of notifications are:
25267 @itemize @bullet
25268
25269 @item
25270 Exec notifications. These are used to report changes in
25271 target state---when a target is resumed, or stopped. It would not
25272 be feasible to include this information in response of resuming
25273 commands, because one resume commands can result in multiple events in
25274 different threads. Also, quite some time may pass before any event
25275 happens in the target, while a frontend needs to know whether the resuming
25276 command itself was successfully executed.
25277
25278 @item
25279 Console output, and status notifications. Console output
25280 notifications are used to report output of CLI commands, as well as
25281 diagnostics for other commands. Status notifications are used to
25282 report the progress of a long-running operation. Naturally, including
25283 this information in command response would mean no output is produced
25284 until the command is finished, which is undesirable.
25285
25286 @item
25287 General notifications. Commands may have various side effects on
25288 the @value{GDBN} or target state beyond their official purpose. For example,
25289 a command may change the selected thread. Although such changes can
25290 be included in command response, using notification allows for more
25291 orthogonal frontend design.
25292
25293 @end itemize
25294
25295 There's no guarantee that whenever an MI command reports an error,
25296 @value{GDBN} or the target are in any specific state, and especially,
25297 the state is not reverted to the state before the MI command was
25298 processed. Therefore, whenever an MI command results in an error,
25299 we recommend that the frontend refreshes all the information shown in
25300 the user interface.
25301
25302
25303 @menu
25304 * Context management::
25305 * Asynchronous and non-stop modes::
25306 * Thread groups::
25307 @end menu
25308
25309 @node Context management
25310 @subsection Context management
25311
25312 In most cases when @value{GDBN} accesses the target, this access is
25313 done in context of a specific thread and frame (@pxref{Frames}).
25314 Often, even when accessing global data, the target requires that a thread
25315 be specified. The CLI interface maintains the selected thread and frame,
25316 and supplies them to target on each command. This is convenient,
25317 because a command line user would not want to specify that information
25318 explicitly on each command, and because user interacts with
25319 @value{GDBN} via a single terminal, so no confusion is possible as
25320 to what thread and frame are the current ones.
25321
25322 In the case of MI, the concept of selected thread and frame is less
25323 useful. First, a frontend can easily remember this information
25324 itself. Second, a graphical frontend can have more than one window,
25325 each one used for debugging a different thread, and the frontend might
25326 want to access additional threads for internal purposes. This
25327 increases the risk that by relying on implicitly selected thread, the
25328 frontend may be operating on a wrong one. Therefore, each MI command
25329 should explicitly specify which thread and frame to operate on. To
25330 make it possible, each MI command accepts the @samp{--thread} and
25331 @samp{--frame} options, the value to each is @value{GDBN} identifier
25332 for thread and frame to operate on.
25333
25334 Usually, each top-level window in a frontend allows the user to select
25335 a thread and a frame, and remembers the user selection for further
25336 operations. However, in some cases @value{GDBN} may suggest that the
25337 current thread be changed. For example, when stopping on a breakpoint
25338 it is reasonable to switch to the thread where breakpoint is hit. For
25339 another example, if the user issues the CLI @samp{thread} command via
25340 the frontend, it is desirable to change the frontend's selected thread to the
25341 one specified by user. @value{GDBN} communicates the suggestion to
25342 change current thread using the @samp{=thread-selected} notification.
25343 No such notification is available for the selected frame at the moment.
25344
25345 Note that historically, MI shares the selected thread with CLI, so
25346 frontends used the @code{-thread-select} to execute commands in the
25347 right context. However, getting this to work right is cumbersome. The
25348 simplest way is for frontend to emit @code{-thread-select} command
25349 before every command. This doubles the number of commands that need
25350 to be sent. The alternative approach is to suppress @code{-thread-select}
25351 if the selected thread in @value{GDBN} is supposed to be identical to the
25352 thread the frontend wants to operate on. However, getting this
25353 optimization right can be tricky. In particular, if the frontend
25354 sends several commands to @value{GDBN}, and one of the commands changes the
25355 selected thread, then the behaviour of subsequent commands will
25356 change. So, a frontend should either wait for response from such
25357 problematic commands, or explicitly add @code{-thread-select} for
25358 all subsequent commands. No frontend is known to do this exactly
25359 right, so it is suggested to just always pass the @samp{--thread} and
25360 @samp{--frame} options.
25361
25362 @node Asynchronous and non-stop modes
25363 @subsection Asynchronous command execution and non-stop mode
25364
25365 On some targets, @value{GDBN} is capable of processing MI commands
25366 even while the target is running. This is called @dfn{asynchronous
25367 command execution} (@pxref{Background Execution}). The frontend may
25368 specify a preferrence for asynchronous execution using the
25369 @code{-gdb-set target-async 1} command, which should be emitted before
25370 either running the executable or attaching to the target. After the
25371 frontend has started the executable or attached to the target, it can
25372 find if asynchronous execution is enabled using the
25373 @code{-list-target-features} command.
25374
25375 Even if @value{GDBN} can accept a command while target is running,
25376 many commands that access the target do not work when the target is
25377 running. Therefore, asynchronous command execution is most useful
25378 when combined with non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}). Then,
25379 it is possible to examine the state of one thread, while other threads
25380 are running.
25381
25382 When a given thread is running, MI commands that try to access the
25383 target in the context of that thread may not work, or may work only on
25384 some targets. In particular, commands that try to operate on thread's
25385 stack will not work, on any target. Commands that read memory, or
25386 modify breakpoints, may work or not work, depending on the target. Note
25387 that even commands that operate on global state, such as @code{print},
25388 @code{set}, and breakpoint commands, still access the target in the
25389 context of a specific thread, so frontend should try to find a
25390 stopped thread and perform the operation on that thread (using the
25391 @samp{--thread} option).
25392
25393 Which commands will work in the context of a running thread is
25394 highly target dependent. However, the two commands
25395 @code{-exec-interrupt}, to stop a thread, and @code{-thread-info},
25396 to find the state of a thread, will always work.
25397
25398 @node Thread groups
25399 @subsection Thread groups
25400 @value{GDBN} may be used to debug several processes at the same time.
25401 On some platfroms, @value{GDBN} may support debugging of several
25402 hardware systems, each one having several cores with several different
25403 processes running on each core. This section describes the MI
25404 mechanism to support such debugging scenarios.
25405
25406 The key observation is that regardless of the structure of the
25407 target, MI can have a global list of threads, because most commands that
25408 accept the @samp{--thread} option do not need to know what process that
25409 thread belongs to. Therefore, it is not necessary to introduce
25410 neither additional @samp{--process} option, nor an notion of the
25411 current process in the MI interface. The only strictly new feature
25412 that is required is the ability to find how the threads are grouped
25413 into processes.
25414
25415 To allow the user to discover such grouping, and to support arbitrary
25416 hierarchy of machines/cores/processes, MI introduces the concept of a
25417 @dfn{thread group}. Thread group is a collection of threads and other
25418 thread groups. A thread group always has a string identifier, a type,
25419 and may have additional attributes specific to the type. A new
25420 command, @code{-list-thread-groups}, returns the list of top-level
25421 thread groups, which correspond to processes that @value{GDBN} is
25422 debugging at the moment. By passing an identifier of a thread group
25423 to the @code{-list-thread-groups} command, it is possible to obtain
25424 the members of specific thread group.
25425
25426 To allow the user to easily discover processes, and other objects, he
25427 wishes to debug, a concept of @dfn{available thread group} is
25428 introduced. Available thread group is an thread group that
25429 @value{GDBN} is not debugging, but that can be attached to, using the
25430 @code{-target-attach} command. The list of available top-level thread
25431 groups can be obtained using @samp{-list-thread-groups --available}.
25432 In general, the content of a thread group may be only retrieved only
25433 after attaching to that thread group.
25434
25435 Thread groups are related to inferiors (@pxref{Inferiors and
25436 Programs}). Each inferior corresponds to a thread group of a special
25437 type @samp{process}, and some additional operations are permitted on
25438 such thread groups.
25439
25440 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25441 @node GDB/MI Command Syntax
25442 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Command Syntax
25443
25444 @menu
25445 * GDB/MI Input Syntax::
25446 * GDB/MI Output Syntax::
25447 @end menu
25448
25449 @node GDB/MI Input Syntax
25450 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Input Syntax
25451
25452 @cindex input syntax for @sc{gdb/mi}
25453 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, input syntax
25454 @table @code
25455 @item @var{command} @expansion{}
25456 @code{@var{cli-command} | @var{mi-command}}
25457
25458 @item @var{cli-command} @expansion{}
25459 @code{[ @var{token} ] @var{cli-command} @var{nl}}, where
25460 @var{cli-command} is any existing @value{GDBN} CLI command.
25461
25462 @item @var{mi-command} @expansion{}
25463 @code{[ @var{token} ] "-" @var{operation} ( " " @var{option} )*
25464 @code{[} " --" @code{]} ( " " @var{parameter} )* @var{nl}}
25465
25466 @item @var{token} @expansion{}
25467 "any sequence of digits"
25468
25469 @item @var{option} @expansion{}
25470 @code{"-" @var{parameter} [ " " @var{parameter} ]}
25471
25472 @item @var{parameter} @expansion{}
25473 @code{@var{non-blank-sequence} | @var{c-string}}
25474
25475 @item @var{operation} @expansion{}
25476 @emph{any of the operations described in this chapter}
25477
25478 @item @var{non-blank-sequence} @expansion{}
25479 @emph{anything, provided it doesn't contain special characters such as
25480 "-", @var{nl}, """ and of course " "}
25481
25482 @item @var{c-string} @expansion{}
25483 @code{""" @var{seven-bit-iso-c-string-content} """}
25484
25485 @item @var{nl} @expansion{}
25486 @code{CR | CR-LF}
25487 @end table
25488
25489 @noindent
25490 Notes:
25491
25492 @itemize @bullet
25493 @item
25494 The CLI commands are still handled by the @sc{mi} interpreter; their
25495 output is described below.
25496
25497 @item
25498 The @code{@var{token}}, when present, is passed back when the command
25499 finishes.
25500
25501 @item
25502 Some @sc{mi} commands accept optional arguments as part of the parameter
25503 list. Each option is identified by a leading @samp{-} (dash) and may be
25504 followed by an optional argument parameter. Options occur first in the
25505 parameter list and can be delimited from normal parameters using
25506 @samp{--} (this is useful when some parameters begin with a dash).
25507 @end itemize
25508
25509 Pragmatics:
25510
25511 @itemize @bullet
25512 @item
25513 We want easy access to the existing CLI syntax (for debugging).
25514
25515 @item
25516 We want it to be easy to spot a @sc{mi} operation.
25517 @end itemize
25518
25519 @node GDB/MI Output Syntax
25520 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Output Syntax
25521
25522 @cindex output syntax of @sc{gdb/mi}
25523 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, output syntax
25524 The output from @sc{gdb/mi} consists of zero or more out-of-band records
25525 followed, optionally, by a single result record. This result record
25526 is for the most recent command. The sequence of output records is
25527 terminated by @samp{(gdb)}.
25528
25529 If an input command was prefixed with a @code{@var{token}} then the
25530 corresponding output for that command will also be prefixed by that same
25531 @var{token}.
25532
25533 @table @code
25534 @item @var{output} @expansion{}
25535 @code{( @var{out-of-band-record} )* [ @var{result-record} ] "(gdb)" @var{nl}}
25536
25537 @item @var{result-record} @expansion{}
25538 @code{ [ @var{token} ] "^" @var{result-class} ( "," @var{result} )* @var{nl}}
25539
25540 @item @var{out-of-band-record} @expansion{}
25541 @code{@var{async-record} | @var{stream-record}}
25542
25543 @item @var{async-record} @expansion{}
25544 @code{@var{exec-async-output} | @var{status-async-output} | @var{notify-async-output}}
25545
25546 @item @var{exec-async-output} @expansion{}
25547 @code{[ @var{token} ] "*" @var{async-output}}
25548
25549 @item @var{status-async-output} @expansion{}
25550 @code{[ @var{token} ] "+" @var{async-output}}
25551
25552 @item @var{notify-async-output} @expansion{}
25553 @code{[ @var{token} ] "=" @var{async-output}}
25554
25555 @item @var{async-output} @expansion{}
25556 @code{@var{async-class} ( "," @var{result} )* @var{nl}}
25557
25558 @item @var{result-class} @expansion{}
25559 @code{"done" | "running" | "connected" | "error" | "exit"}
25560
25561 @item @var{async-class} @expansion{}
25562 @code{"stopped" | @var{others}} (where @var{others} will be added
25563 depending on the needs---this is still in development).
25564
25565 @item @var{result} @expansion{}
25566 @code{ @var{variable} "=" @var{value}}
25567
25568 @item @var{variable} @expansion{}
25569 @code{ @var{string} }
25570
25571 @item @var{value} @expansion{}
25572 @code{ @var{const} | @var{tuple} | @var{list} }
25573
25574 @item @var{const} @expansion{}
25575 @code{@var{c-string}}
25576
25577 @item @var{tuple} @expansion{}
25578 @code{ "@{@}" | "@{" @var{result} ( "," @var{result} )* "@}" }
25579
25580 @item @var{list} @expansion{}
25581 @code{ "[]" | "[" @var{value} ( "," @var{value} )* "]" | "["
25582 @var{result} ( "," @var{result} )* "]" }
25583
25584 @item @var{stream-record} @expansion{}
25585 @code{@var{console-stream-output} | @var{target-stream-output} | @var{log-stream-output}}
25586
25587 @item @var{console-stream-output} @expansion{}
25588 @code{"~" @var{c-string}}
25589
25590 @item @var{target-stream-output} @expansion{}
25591 @code{"@@" @var{c-string}}
25592
25593 @item @var{log-stream-output} @expansion{}
25594 @code{"&" @var{c-string}}
25595
25596 @item @var{nl} @expansion{}
25597 @code{CR | CR-LF}
25598
25599 @item @var{token} @expansion{}
25600 @emph{any sequence of digits}.
25601 @end table
25602
25603 @noindent
25604 Notes:
25605
25606 @itemize @bullet
25607 @item
25608 All output sequences end in a single line containing a period.
25609
25610 @item
25611 The @code{@var{token}} is from the corresponding request. Note that
25612 for all async output, while the token is allowed by the grammar and
25613 may be output by future versions of @value{GDBN} for select async
25614 output messages, it is generally omitted. Frontends should treat
25615 all async output as reporting general changes in the state of the
25616 target and there should be no need to associate async output to any
25617 prior command.
25618
25619 @item
25620 @cindex status output in @sc{gdb/mi}
25621 @var{status-async-output} contains on-going status information about the
25622 progress of a slow operation. It can be discarded. All status output is
25623 prefixed by @samp{+}.
25624
25625 @item
25626 @cindex async output in @sc{gdb/mi}
25627 @var{exec-async-output} contains asynchronous state change on the target
25628 (stopped, started, disappeared). All async output is prefixed by
25629 @samp{*}.
25630
25631 @item
25632 @cindex notify output in @sc{gdb/mi}
25633 @var{notify-async-output} contains supplementary information that the
25634 client should handle (e.g., a new breakpoint information). All notify
25635 output is prefixed by @samp{=}.
25636
25637 @item
25638 @cindex console output in @sc{gdb/mi}
25639 @var{console-stream-output} is output that should be displayed as is in the
25640 console. It is the textual response to a CLI command. All the console
25641 output is prefixed by @samp{~}.
25642
25643 @item
25644 @cindex target output in @sc{gdb/mi}
25645 @var{target-stream-output} is the output produced by the target program.
25646 All the target output is prefixed by @samp{@@}.
25647
25648 @item
25649 @cindex log output in @sc{gdb/mi}
25650 @var{log-stream-output} is output text coming from @value{GDBN}'s internals, for
25651 instance messages that should be displayed as part of an error log. All
25652 the log output is prefixed by @samp{&}.
25653
25654 @item
25655 @cindex list output in @sc{gdb/mi}
25656 New @sc{gdb/mi} commands should only output @var{lists} containing
25657 @var{values}.
25658
25659
25660 @end itemize
25661
25662 @xref{GDB/MI Stream Records, , @sc{gdb/mi} Stream Records}, for more
25663 details about the various output records.
25664
25665 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25666 @node GDB/MI Compatibility with CLI
25667 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Compatibility with CLI
25668
25669 @cindex compatibility, @sc{gdb/mi} and CLI
25670 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, compatibility with CLI
25671
25672 For the developers convenience CLI commands can be entered directly,
25673 but there may be some unexpected behaviour. For example, commands
25674 that query the user will behave as if the user replied yes, breakpoint
25675 command lists are not executed and some CLI commands, such as
25676 @code{if}, @code{when} and @code{define}, prompt for further input with
25677 @samp{>}, which is not valid MI output.
25678
25679 This feature may be removed at some stage in the future and it is
25680 recommended that front ends use the @code{-interpreter-exec} command
25681 (@pxref{-interpreter-exec}).
25682
25683 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25684 @node GDB/MI Development and Front Ends
25685 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Development and Front Ends
25686 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi} development
25687
25688 The application which takes the MI output and presents the state of the
25689 program being debugged to the user is called a @dfn{front end}.
25690
25691 Although @sc{gdb/mi} is still incomplete, it is currently being used
25692 by a variety of front ends to @value{GDBN}. This makes it difficult
25693 to introduce new functionality without breaking existing usage. This
25694 section tries to minimize the problems by describing how the protocol
25695 might change.
25696
25697 Some changes in MI need not break a carefully designed front end, and
25698 for these the MI version will remain unchanged. The following is a
25699 list of changes that may occur within one level, so front ends should
25700 parse MI output in a way that can handle them:
25701
25702 @itemize @bullet
25703 @item
25704 New MI commands may be added.
25705
25706 @item
25707 New fields may be added to the output of any MI command.
25708
25709 @item
25710 The range of values for fields with specified values, e.g.,
25711 @code{in_scope} (@pxref{-var-update}) may be extended.
25712
25713 @c The format of field's content e.g type prefix, may change so parse it
25714 @c at your own risk. Yes, in general?
25715
25716 @c The order of fields may change? Shouldn't really matter but it might
25717 @c resolve inconsistencies.
25718 @end itemize
25719
25720 If the changes are likely to break front ends, the MI version level
25721 will be increased by one. This will allow the front end to parse the
25722 output according to the MI version. Apart from mi0, new versions of
25723 @value{GDBN} will not support old versions of MI and it will be the
25724 responsibility of the front end to work with the new one.
25725
25726 @c Starting with mi3, add a new command -mi-version that prints the MI
25727 @c version?
25728
25729 The best way to avoid unexpected changes in MI that might break your front
25730 end is to make your project known to @value{GDBN} developers and
25731 follow development on @email{gdb@@sourceware.org} and
25732 @email{gdb-patches@@sourceware.org}.
25733 @cindex mailing lists
25734
25735 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25736 @node GDB/MI Output Records
25737 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Output Records
25738
25739 @menu
25740 * GDB/MI Result Records::
25741 * GDB/MI Stream Records::
25742 * GDB/MI Async Records::
25743 * GDB/MI Frame Information::
25744 * GDB/MI Thread Information::
25745 * GDB/MI Ada Exception Information::
25746 @end menu
25747
25748 @node GDB/MI Result Records
25749 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Result Records
25750
25751 @cindex result records in @sc{gdb/mi}
25752 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, result records
25753 In addition to a number of out-of-band notifications, the response to a
25754 @sc{gdb/mi} command includes one of the following result indications:
25755
25756 @table @code
25757 @findex ^done
25758 @item "^done" [ "," @var{results} ]
25759 The synchronous operation was successful, @code{@var{results}} are the return
25760 values.
25761
25762 @item "^running"
25763 @findex ^running
25764 This result record is equivalent to @samp{^done}. Historically, it
25765 was output instead of @samp{^done} if the command has resumed the
25766 target. This behaviour is maintained for backward compatibility, but
25767 all frontends should treat @samp{^done} and @samp{^running}
25768 identically and rely on the @samp{*running} output record to determine
25769 which threads are resumed.
25770
25771 @item "^connected"
25772 @findex ^connected
25773 @value{GDBN} has connected to a remote target.
25774
25775 @item "^error" "," @var{c-string}
25776 @findex ^error
25777 The operation failed. The @code{@var{c-string}} contains the corresponding
25778 error message.
25779
25780 @item "^exit"
25781 @findex ^exit
25782 @value{GDBN} has terminated.
25783
25784 @end table
25785
25786 @node GDB/MI Stream Records
25787 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Stream Records
25788
25789 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, stream records
25790 @cindex stream records in @sc{gdb/mi}
25791 @value{GDBN} internally maintains a number of output streams: the console, the
25792 target, and the log. The output intended for each of these streams is
25793 funneled through the @sc{gdb/mi} interface using @dfn{stream records}.
25794
25795 Each stream record begins with a unique @dfn{prefix character} which
25796 identifies its stream (@pxref{GDB/MI Output Syntax, , @sc{gdb/mi} Output
25797 Syntax}). In addition to the prefix, each stream record contains a
25798 @code{@var{string-output}}. This is either raw text (with an implicit new
25799 line) or a quoted C string (which does not contain an implicit newline).
25800
25801 @table @code
25802 @item "~" @var{string-output}
25803 The console output stream contains text that should be displayed in the
25804 CLI console window. It contains the textual responses to CLI commands.
25805
25806 @item "@@" @var{string-output}
25807 The target output stream contains any textual output from the running
25808 target. This is only present when GDB's event loop is truly
25809 asynchronous, which is currently only the case for remote targets.
25810
25811 @item "&" @var{string-output}
25812 The log stream contains debugging messages being produced by @value{GDBN}'s
25813 internals.
25814 @end table
25815
25816 @node GDB/MI Async Records
25817 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Async Records
25818
25819 @cindex async records in @sc{gdb/mi}
25820 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, async records
25821 @dfn{Async} records are used to notify the @sc{gdb/mi} client of
25822 additional changes that have occurred. Those changes can either be a
25823 consequence of @sc{gdb/mi} commands (e.g., a breakpoint modified) or a result of
25824 target activity (e.g., target stopped).
25825
25826 The following is the list of possible async records:
25827
25828 @table @code
25829
25830 @item *running,thread-id="@var{thread}"
25831 The target is now running. The @var{thread} field tells which
25832 specific thread is now running, and can be @samp{all} if all threads
25833 are running. The frontend should assume that no interaction with a
25834 running thread is possible after this notification is produced.
25835 The frontend should not assume that this notification is output
25836 only once for any command. @value{GDBN} may emit this notification
25837 several times, either for different threads, because it cannot resume
25838 all threads together, or even for a single thread, if the thread must
25839 be stepped though some code before letting it run freely.
25840
25841 @item *stopped,reason="@var{reason}",thread-id="@var{id}",stopped-threads="@var{stopped}",core="@var{core}"
25842 The target has stopped. The @var{reason} field can have one of the
25843 following values:
25844
25845 @table @code
25846 @item breakpoint-hit
25847 A breakpoint was reached.
25848 @item watchpoint-trigger
25849 A watchpoint was triggered.
25850 @item read-watchpoint-trigger
25851 A read watchpoint was triggered.
25852 @item access-watchpoint-trigger
25853 An access watchpoint was triggered.
25854 @item function-finished
25855 An -exec-finish or similar CLI command was accomplished.
25856 @item location-reached
25857 An -exec-until or similar CLI command was accomplished.
25858 @item watchpoint-scope
25859 A watchpoint has gone out of scope.
25860 @item end-stepping-range
25861 An -exec-next, -exec-next-instruction, -exec-step, -exec-step-instruction or
25862 similar CLI command was accomplished.
25863 @item exited-signalled
25864 The inferior exited because of a signal.
25865 @item exited
25866 The inferior exited.
25867 @item exited-normally
25868 The inferior exited normally.
25869 @item signal-received
25870 A signal was received by the inferior.
25871 @end table
25872
25873 The @var{id} field identifies the thread that directly caused the stop
25874 -- for example by hitting a breakpoint. Depending on whether all-stop
25875 mode is in effect (@pxref{All-Stop Mode}), @value{GDBN} may either
25876 stop all threads, or only the thread that directly triggered the stop.
25877 If all threads are stopped, the @var{stopped} field will have the
25878 value of @code{"all"}. Otherwise, the value of the @var{stopped}
25879 field will be a list of thread identifiers. Presently, this list will
25880 always include a single thread, but frontend should be prepared to see
25881 several threads in the list. The @var{core} field reports the
25882 processor core on which the stop event has happened. This field may be absent
25883 if such information is not available.
25884
25885 @item =thread-group-added,id="@var{id}"
25886 @itemx =thread-group-removed,id="@var{id}"
25887 A thread group was either added or removed. The @var{id} field
25888 contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread group. When a thread
25889 group is added, it generally might not be associated with a running
25890 process. When a thread group is removed, its id becomes invalid and
25891 cannot be used in any way.
25892
25893 @item =thread-group-started,id="@var{id}",pid="@var{pid}"
25894 A thread group became associated with a running program,
25895 either because the program was just started or the thread group
25896 was attached to a program. The @var{id} field contains the
25897 @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread group. The @var{pid} field
25898 contains process identifier, specific to the operating system.
25899
25900 @item =thread-group-exited,id="@var{id}"[,exit-code="@var{code}"]
25901 A thread group is no longer associated with a running program,
25902 either because the program has exited, or because it was detached
25903 from. The @var{id} field contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the
25904 thread group. @var{code} is the exit code of the inferior; it exists
25905 only when the inferior exited with some code.
25906
25907 @item =thread-created,id="@var{id}",group-id="@var{gid}"
25908 @itemx =thread-exited,id="@var{id}",group-id="@var{gid}"
25909 A thread either was created, or has exited. The @var{id} field
25910 contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread. The @var{gid}
25911 field identifies the thread group this thread belongs to.
25912
25913 @item =thread-selected,id="@var{id}"
25914 Informs that the selected thread was changed as result of the last
25915 command. This notification is not emitted as result of @code{-thread-select}
25916 command but is emitted whenever an MI command that is not documented
25917 to change the selected thread actually changes it. In particular,
25918 invoking, directly or indirectly (via user-defined command), the CLI
25919 @code{thread} command, will generate this notification.
25920
25921 We suggest that in response to this notification, front ends
25922 highlight the selected thread and cause subsequent commands to apply to
25923 that thread.
25924
25925 @item =library-loaded,...
25926 Reports that a new library file was loaded by the program. This
25927 notification has 4 fields---@var{id}, @var{target-name},
25928 @var{host-name}, and @var{symbols-loaded}. The @var{id} field is an
25929 opaque identifier of the library. For remote debugging case,
25930 @var{target-name} and @var{host-name} fields give the name of the
25931 library file on the target, and on the host respectively. For native
25932 debugging, both those fields have the same value. The
25933 @var{symbols-loaded} field is emitted only for backward compatibility
25934 and should not be relied on to convey any useful information. The
25935 @var{thread-group} field, if present, specifies the id of the thread
25936 group in whose context the library was loaded. If the field is
25937 absent, it means the library was loaded in the context of all present
25938 thread groups.
25939
25940 @item =library-unloaded,...
25941 Reports that a library was unloaded by the program. This notification
25942 has 3 fields---@var{id}, @var{target-name} and @var{host-name} with
25943 the same meaning as for the @code{=library-loaded} notification.
25944 The @var{thread-group} field, if present, specifies the id of the
25945 thread group in whose context the library was unloaded. If the field is
25946 absent, it means the library was unloaded in the context of all present
25947 thread groups.
25948
25949 @item =breakpoint-created,bkpt=@{...@}
25950 @itemx =breakpoint-modified,bkpt=@{...@}
25951 @itemx =breakpoint-deleted,bkpt=@{...@}
25952 Reports that a breakpoint was created, modified, or deleted,
25953 respectively. Only user-visible breakpoints are reported to the MI
25954 user.
25955
25956 The @var{bkpt} argument is of the same form as returned by the various
25957 breakpoint commands; @xref{GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands}.
25958
25959 Note that if a breakpoint is emitted in the result record of a
25960 command, then it will not also be emitted in an async record.
25961
25962 @end table
25963
25964 @node GDB/MI Frame Information
25965 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Frame Information
25966
25967 Response from many MI commands includes an information about stack
25968 frame. This information is a tuple that may have the following
25969 fields:
25970
25971 @table @code
25972 @item level
25973 The level of the stack frame. The innermost frame has the level of
25974 zero. This field is always present.
25975
25976 @item func
25977 The name of the function corresponding to the frame. This field may
25978 be absent if @value{GDBN} is unable to determine the function name.
25979
25980 @item addr
25981 The code address for the frame. This field is always present.
25982
25983 @item file
25984 The name of the source files that correspond to the frame's code
25985 address. This field may be absent.
25986
25987 @item line
25988 The source line corresponding to the frames' code address. This field
25989 may be absent.
25990
25991 @item from
25992 The name of the binary file (either executable or shared library) the
25993 corresponds to the frame's code address. This field may be absent.
25994
25995 @end table
25996
25997 @node GDB/MI Thread Information
25998 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Thread Information
25999
26000 Whenever @value{GDBN} has to report an information about a thread, it
26001 uses a tuple with the following fields:
26002
26003 @table @code
26004 @item id
26005 The numeric id assigned to the thread by @value{GDBN}. This field is
26006 always present.
26007
26008 @item target-id
26009 Target-specific string identifying the thread. This field is always present.
26010
26011 @item details
26012 Additional information about the thread provided by the target.
26013 It is supposed to be human-readable and not interpreted by the
26014 frontend. This field is optional.
26015
26016 @item state
26017 Either @samp{stopped} or @samp{running}, depending on whether the
26018 thread is presently running. This field is always present.
26019
26020 @item core
26021 The value of this field is an integer number of the processor core the
26022 thread was last seen on. This field is optional.
26023 @end table
26024
26025 @node GDB/MI Ada Exception Information
26026 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Ada Exception Information
26027
26028 Whenever a @code{*stopped} record is emitted because the program
26029 stopped after hitting an exception catchpoint (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}),
26030 @value{GDBN} provides the name of the exception that was raised via
26031 the @code{exception-name} field.
26032
26033 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
26034 @node GDB/MI Simple Examples
26035 @section Simple Examples of @sc{gdb/mi} Interaction
26036 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, simple examples
26037
26038 This subsection presents several simple examples of interaction using
26039 the @sc{gdb/mi} interface. In these examples, @samp{->} means that the
26040 following line is passed to @sc{gdb/mi} as input, while @samp{<-} means
26041 the output received from @sc{gdb/mi}.
26042
26043 Note the line breaks shown in the examples are here only for
26044 readability, they don't appear in the real output.
26045
26046 @subheading Setting a Breakpoint
26047
26048 Setting a breakpoint generates synchronous output which contains detailed
26049 information of the breakpoint.
26050
26051 @smallexample
26052 -> -break-insert main
26053 <- ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
26054 enabled="y",addr="0x08048564",func="main",file="myprog.c",
26055 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68",times="0"@}
26056 <- (gdb)
26057 @end smallexample
26058
26059 @subheading Program Execution
26060
26061 Program execution generates asynchronous records and MI gives the
26062 reason that execution stopped.
26063
26064 @smallexample
26065 -> -exec-run
26066 <- ^running
26067 <- (gdb)
26068 <- *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",thread-id="0",
26069 frame=@{addr="0x08048564",func="main",
26070 args=[@{name="argc",value="1"@},@{name="argv",value="0xbfc4d4d4"@}],
26071 file="myprog.c",fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68"@}
26072 <- (gdb)
26073 -> -exec-continue
26074 <- ^running
26075 <- (gdb)
26076 <- *stopped,reason="exited-normally"
26077 <- (gdb)
26078 @end smallexample
26079
26080 @subheading Quitting @value{GDBN}
26081
26082 Quitting @value{GDBN} just prints the result class @samp{^exit}.
26083
26084 @smallexample
26085 -> (gdb)
26086 <- -gdb-exit
26087 <- ^exit
26088 @end smallexample
26089
26090 Please note that @samp{^exit} is printed immediately, but it might
26091 take some time for @value{GDBN} to actually exit. During that time, @value{GDBN}
26092 performs necessary cleanups, including killing programs being debugged
26093 or disconnecting from debug hardware, so the frontend should wait till
26094 @value{GDBN} exits and should only forcibly kill @value{GDBN} if it
26095 fails to exit in reasonable time.
26096
26097 @subheading A Bad Command
26098
26099 Here's what happens if you pass a non-existent command:
26100
26101 @smallexample
26102 -> -rubbish
26103 <- ^error,msg="Undefined MI command: rubbish"
26104 <- (gdb)
26105 @end smallexample
26106
26107
26108 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
26109 @node GDB/MI Command Description Format
26110 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Command Description Format
26111
26112 The remaining sections describe blocks of commands. Each block of
26113 commands is laid out in a fashion similar to this section.
26114
26115 @subheading Motivation
26116
26117 The motivation for this collection of commands.
26118
26119 @subheading Introduction
26120
26121 A brief introduction to this collection of commands as a whole.
26122
26123 @subheading Commands
26124
26125 For each command in the block, the following is described:
26126
26127 @subsubheading Synopsis
26128
26129 @smallexample
26130 -command @var{args}@dots{}
26131 @end smallexample
26132
26133 @subsubheading Result
26134
26135 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26136
26137 The corresponding @value{GDBN} CLI command(s), if any.
26138
26139 @subsubheading Example
26140
26141 Example(s) formatted for readability. Some of the described commands have
26142 not been implemented yet and these are labeled N.A.@: (not available).
26143
26144
26145 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
26146 @node GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands
26147 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Breakpoint Commands
26148
26149 @cindex breakpoint commands for @sc{gdb/mi}
26150 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, breakpoint commands
26151 This section documents @sc{gdb/mi} commands for manipulating
26152 breakpoints.
26153
26154 @subheading The @code{-break-after} Command
26155 @findex -break-after
26156
26157 @subsubheading Synopsis
26158
26159 @smallexample
26160 -break-after @var{number} @var{count}
26161 @end smallexample
26162
26163 The breakpoint number @var{number} is not in effect until it has been
26164 hit @var{count} times. To see how this is reflected in the output of
26165 the @samp{-break-list} command, see the description of the
26166 @samp{-break-list} command below.
26167
26168 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26169
26170 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{ignore}.
26171
26172 @subsubheading Example
26173
26174 @smallexample
26175 (gdb)
26176 -break-insert main
26177 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
26178 enabled="y",addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",
26179 fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",line="5",times="0"@}
26180 (gdb)
26181 -break-after 1 3
26182 ~
26183 ^done
26184 (gdb)
26185 -break-list
26186 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
26187 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
26188 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
26189 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
26190 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
26191 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
26192 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
26193 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
26194 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
26195 line="5",times="0",ignore="3"@}]@}
26196 (gdb)
26197 @end smallexample
26198
26199 @ignore
26200 @subheading The @code{-break-catch} Command
26201 @findex -break-catch
26202 @end ignore
26203
26204 @subheading The @code{-break-commands} Command
26205 @findex -break-commands
26206
26207 @subsubheading Synopsis
26208
26209 @smallexample
26210 -break-commands @var{number} [ @var{command1} ... @var{commandN} ]
26211 @end smallexample
26212
26213 Specifies the CLI commands that should be executed when breakpoint
26214 @var{number} is hit. The parameters @var{command1} to @var{commandN}
26215 are the commands. If no command is specified, any previously-set
26216 commands are cleared. @xref{Break Commands}. Typical use of this
26217 functionality is tracing a program, that is, printing of values of
26218 some variables whenever breakpoint is hit and then continuing.
26219
26220 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26221
26222 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{commands}.
26223
26224 @subsubheading Example
26225
26226 @smallexample
26227 (gdb)
26228 -break-insert main
26229 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
26230 enabled="y",addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",
26231 fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",line="5",times="0"@}
26232 (gdb)
26233 -break-commands 1 "print v" "continue"
26234 ^done
26235 (gdb)
26236 @end smallexample
26237
26238 @subheading The @code{-break-condition} Command
26239 @findex -break-condition
26240
26241 @subsubheading Synopsis
26242
26243 @smallexample
26244 -break-condition @var{number} @var{expr}
26245 @end smallexample
26246
26247 Breakpoint @var{number} will stop the program only if the condition in
26248 @var{expr} is true. The condition becomes part of the
26249 @samp{-break-list} output (see the description of the @samp{-break-list}
26250 command below).
26251
26252 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26253
26254 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{condition}.
26255
26256 @subsubheading Example
26257
26258 @smallexample
26259 (gdb)
26260 -break-condition 1 1
26261 ^done
26262 (gdb)
26263 -break-list
26264 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
26265 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
26266 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
26267 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
26268 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
26269 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
26270 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
26271 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
26272 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
26273 line="5",cond="1",times="0",ignore="3"@}]@}
26274 (gdb)
26275 @end smallexample
26276
26277 @subheading The @code{-break-delete} Command
26278 @findex -break-delete
26279
26280 @subsubheading Synopsis
26281
26282 @smallexample
26283 -break-delete ( @var{breakpoint} )+
26284 @end smallexample
26285
26286 Delete the breakpoint(s) whose number(s) are specified in the argument
26287 list. This is obviously reflected in the breakpoint list.
26288
26289 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26290
26291 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{delete}.
26292
26293 @subsubheading Example
26294
26295 @smallexample
26296 (gdb)
26297 -break-delete 1
26298 ^done
26299 (gdb)
26300 -break-list
26301 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="0",nr_cols="6",
26302 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
26303 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
26304 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
26305 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
26306 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
26307 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
26308 body=[]@}
26309 (gdb)
26310 @end smallexample
26311
26312 @subheading The @code{-break-disable} Command
26313 @findex -break-disable
26314
26315 @subsubheading Synopsis
26316
26317 @smallexample
26318 -break-disable ( @var{breakpoint} )+
26319 @end smallexample
26320
26321 Disable the named @var{breakpoint}(s). The field @samp{enabled} in the
26322 break list is now set to @samp{n} for the named @var{breakpoint}(s).
26323
26324 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26325
26326 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disable}.
26327
26328 @subsubheading Example
26329
26330 @smallexample
26331 (gdb)
26332 -break-disable 2
26333 ^done
26334 (gdb)
26335 -break-list
26336 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
26337 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
26338 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
26339 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
26340 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
26341 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
26342 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
26343 body=[bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="n",
26344 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
26345 line="5",times="0"@}]@}
26346 (gdb)
26347 @end smallexample
26348
26349 @subheading The @code{-break-enable} Command
26350 @findex -break-enable
26351
26352 @subsubheading Synopsis
26353
26354 @smallexample
26355 -break-enable ( @var{breakpoint} )+
26356 @end smallexample
26357
26358 Enable (previously disabled) @var{breakpoint}(s).
26359
26360 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26361
26362 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{enable}.
26363
26364 @subsubheading Example
26365
26366 @smallexample
26367 (gdb)
26368 -break-enable 2
26369 ^done
26370 (gdb)
26371 -break-list
26372 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
26373 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
26374 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
26375 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
26376 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
26377 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
26378 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
26379 body=[bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
26380 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
26381 line="5",times="0"@}]@}
26382 (gdb)
26383 @end smallexample
26384
26385 @subheading The @code{-break-info} Command
26386 @findex -break-info
26387
26388 @subsubheading Synopsis
26389
26390 @smallexample
26391 -break-info @var{breakpoint}
26392 @end smallexample
26393
26394 @c REDUNDANT???
26395 Get information about a single breakpoint.
26396
26397 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26398
26399 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info break @var{breakpoint}}.
26400
26401 @subsubheading Example
26402 N.A.
26403
26404 @subheading The @code{-break-insert} Command
26405 @findex -break-insert
26406
26407 @subsubheading Synopsis
26408
26409 @smallexample
26410 -break-insert [ -t ] [ -h ] [ -f ] [ -d ] [ -a ]
26411 [ -c @var{condition} ] [ -i @var{ignore-count} ]
26412 [ -p @var{thread} ] [ @var{location} ]
26413 @end smallexample
26414
26415 @noindent
26416 If specified, @var{location}, can be one of:
26417
26418 @itemize @bullet
26419 @item function
26420 @c @item +offset
26421 @c @item -offset
26422 @c @item linenum
26423 @item filename:linenum
26424 @item filename:function
26425 @item *address
26426 @end itemize
26427
26428 The possible optional parameters of this command are:
26429
26430 @table @samp
26431 @item -t
26432 Insert a temporary breakpoint.
26433 @item -h
26434 Insert a hardware breakpoint.
26435 @item -c @var{condition}
26436 Make the breakpoint conditional on @var{condition}.
26437 @item -i @var{ignore-count}
26438 Initialize the @var{ignore-count}.
26439 @item -f
26440 If @var{location} cannot be parsed (for example if it
26441 refers to unknown files or functions), create a pending
26442 breakpoint. Without this flag, @value{GDBN} will report
26443 an error, and won't create a breakpoint, if @var{location}
26444 cannot be parsed.
26445 @item -d
26446 Create a disabled breakpoint.
26447 @item -a
26448 Create a tracepoint. @xref{Tracepoints}. When this parameter
26449 is used together with @samp{-h}, a fast tracepoint is created.
26450 @end table
26451
26452 @subsubheading Result
26453
26454 The result is in the form:
26455
26456 @smallexample
26457 ^done,bkpt=@{number="@var{number}",type="@var{type}",disp="del"|"keep",
26458 enabled="y"|"n",addr="@var{hex}",func="@var{funcname}",file="@var{filename}",
26459 fullname="@var{full_filename}",line="@var{lineno}",[thread="@var{threadno},]
26460 times="@var{times}"@}
26461 @end smallexample
26462
26463 @noindent
26464 where @var{number} is the @value{GDBN} number for this breakpoint,
26465 @var{funcname} is the name of the function where the breakpoint was
26466 inserted, @var{filename} is the name of the source file which contains
26467 this function, @var{lineno} is the source line number within that file
26468 and @var{times} the number of times that the breakpoint has been hit
26469 (always 0 for -break-insert but may be greater for -break-info or -break-list
26470 which use the same output).
26471
26472 Note: this format is open to change.
26473 @c An out-of-band breakpoint instead of part of the result?
26474
26475 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26476
26477 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{break}, @samp{tbreak},
26478 @samp{hbreak}, @samp{thbreak}, and @samp{rbreak}.
26479
26480 @subsubheading Example
26481
26482 @smallexample
26483 (gdb)
26484 -break-insert main
26485 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x0001072c",file="recursive2.c",
26486 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,line="4",times="0"@}
26487 (gdb)
26488 -break-insert -t foo
26489 ^done,bkpt=@{number="2",addr="0x00010774",file="recursive2.c",
26490 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,line="11",times="0"@}
26491 (gdb)
26492 -break-list
26493 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
26494 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
26495 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
26496 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
26497 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
26498 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
26499 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
26500 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
26501 addr="0x0001072c", func="main",file="recursive2.c",
26502 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,"line="4",times="0"@},
26503 bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="del",enabled="y",
26504 addr="0x00010774",func="foo",file="recursive2.c",
26505 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c",line="11",times="0"@}]@}
26506 (gdb)
26507 -break-insert -r foo.*
26508 ~int foo(int, int);
26509 ^done,bkpt=@{number="3",addr="0x00010774",file="recursive2.c,
26510 "fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c",line="11",times="0"@}
26511 (gdb)
26512 @end smallexample
26513
26514 @subheading The @code{-break-list} Command
26515 @findex -break-list
26516
26517 @subsubheading Synopsis
26518
26519 @smallexample
26520 -break-list
26521 @end smallexample
26522
26523 Displays the list of inserted breakpoints, showing the following fields:
26524
26525 @table @samp
26526 @item Number
26527 number of the breakpoint
26528 @item Type
26529 type of the breakpoint: @samp{breakpoint} or @samp{watchpoint}
26530 @item Disposition
26531 should the breakpoint be deleted or disabled when it is hit: @samp{keep}
26532 or @samp{nokeep}
26533 @item Enabled
26534 is the breakpoint enabled or no: @samp{y} or @samp{n}
26535 @item Address
26536 memory location at which the breakpoint is set
26537 @item What
26538 logical location of the breakpoint, expressed by function name, file
26539 name, line number
26540 @item Times
26541 number of times the breakpoint has been hit
26542 @end table
26543
26544 If there are no breakpoints or watchpoints, the @code{BreakpointTable}
26545 @code{body} field is an empty list.
26546
26547 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26548
26549 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info break}.
26550
26551 @subsubheading Example
26552
26553 @smallexample
26554 (gdb)
26555 -break-list
26556 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
26557 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
26558 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
26559 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
26560 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
26561 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
26562 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
26563 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
26564 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",line="5",times="0"@},
26565 bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
26566 addr="0x00010114",func="foo",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
26567 line="13",times="0"@}]@}
26568 (gdb)
26569 @end smallexample
26570
26571 Here's an example of the result when there are no breakpoints:
26572
26573 @smallexample
26574 (gdb)
26575 -break-list
26576 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="0",nr_cols="6",
26577 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
26578 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
26579 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
26580 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
26581 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
26582 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
26583 body=[]@}
26584 (gdb)
26585 @end smallexample
26586
26587 @subheading The @code{-break-passcount} Command
26588 @findex -break-passcount
26589
26590 @subsubheading Synopsis
26591
26592 @smallexample
26593 -break-passcount @var{tracepoint-number} @var{passcount}
26594 @end smallexample
26595
26596 Set the passcount for tracepoint @var{tracepoint-number} to
26597 @var{passcount}. If the breakpoint referred to by @var{tracepoint-number}
26598 is not a tracepoint, error is emitted. This corresponds to CLI
26599 command @samp{passcount}.
26600
26601 @subheading The @code{-break-watch} Command
26602 @findex -break-watch
26603
26604 @subsubheading Synopsis
26605
26606 @smallexample
26607 -break-watch [ -a | -r ]
26608 @end smallexample
26609
26610 Create a watchpoint. With the @samp{-a} option it will create an
26611 @dfn{access} watchpoint, i.e., a watchpoint that triggers either on a
26612 read from or on a write to the memory location. With the @samp{-r}
26613 option, the watchpoint created is a @dfn{read} watchpoint, i.e., it will
26614 trigger only when the memory location is accessed for reading. Without
26615 either of the options, the watchpoint created is a regular watchpoint,
26616 i.e., it will trigger when the memory location is accessed for writing.
26617 @xref{Set Watchpoints, , Setting Watchpoints}.
26618
26619 Note that @samp{-break-list} will report a single list of watchpoints and
26620 breakpoints inserted.
26621
26622 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26623
26624 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{watch}, @samp{awatch}, and
26625 @samp{rwatch}.
26626
26627 @subsubheading Example
26628
26629 Setting a watchpoint on a variable in the @code{main} function:
26630
26631 @smallexample
26632 (gdb)
26633 -break-watch x
26634 ^done,wpt=@{number="2",exp="x"@}
26635 (gdb)
26636 -exec-continue
26637 ^running
26638 (gdb)
26639 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",wpt=@{number="2",exp="x"@},
26640 value=@{old="-268439212",new="55"@},
26641 frame=@{func="main",args=[],file="recursive2.c",
26642 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="5"@}
26643 (gdb)
26644 @end smallexample
26645
26646 Setting a watchpoint on a variable local to a function. @value{GDBN} will stop
26647 the program execution twice: first for the variable changing value, then
26648 for the watchpoint going out of scope.
26649
26650 @smallexample
26651 (gdb)
26652 -break-watch C
26653 ^done,wpt=@{number="5",exp="C"@}
26654 (gdb)
26655 -exec-continue
26656 ^running
26657 (gdb)
26658 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",
26659 wpt=@{number="5",exp="C"@},value=@{old="-276895068",new="3"@},
26660 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
26661 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
26662 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="13"@}
26663 (gdb)
26664 -exec-continue
26665 ^running
26666 (gdb)
26667 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-scope",wpnum="5",
26668 frame=@{func="callee3",args=[@{name="strarg",
26669 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
26670 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
26671 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
26672 (gdb)
26673 @end smallexample
26674
26675 Listing breakpoints and watchpoints, at different points in the program
26676 execution. Note that once the watchpoint goes out of scope, it is
26677 deleted.
26678
26679 @smallexample
26680 (gdb)
26681 -break-watch C
26682 ^done,wpt=@{number="2",exp="C"@}
26683 (gdb)
26684 -break-list
26685 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
26686 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
26687 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
26688 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
26689 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
26690 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
26691 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
26692 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
26693 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
26694 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
26695 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c"line="8",times="1"@},
26696 bkpt=@{number="2",type="watchpoint",disp="keep",
26697 enabled="y",addr="",what="C",times="0"@}]@}
26698 (gdb)
26699 -exec-continue
26700 ^running
26701 (gdb)
26702 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",wpt=@{number="2",exp="C"@},
26703 value=@{old="-276895068",new="3"@},
26704 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
26705 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
26706 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="13"@}
26707 (gdb)
26708 -break-list
26709 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
26710 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
26711 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
26712 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
26713 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
26714 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
26715 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
26716 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
26717 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
26718 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
26719 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",times="1"@},
26720 bkpt=@{number="2",type="watchpoint",disp="keep",
26721 enabled="y",addr="",what="C",times="-5"@}]@}
26722 (gdb)
26723 -exec-continue
26724 ^running
26725 ^done,reason="watchpoint-scope",wpnum="2",
26726 frame=@{func="callee3",args=[@{name="strarg",
26727 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
26728 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
26729 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
26730 (gdb)
26731 -break-list
26732 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
26733 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
26734 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
26735 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
26736 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
26737 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
26738 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
26739 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
26740 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
26741 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
26742 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",
26743 times="1"@}]@}
26744 (gdb)
26745 @end smallexample
26746
26747 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
26748 @node GDB/MI Program Context
26749 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Program Context
26750
26751 @subheading The @code{-exec-arguments} Command
26752 @findex -exec-arguments
26753
26754
26755 @subsubheading Synopsis
26756
26757 @smallexample
26758 -exec-arguments @var{args}
26759 @end smallexample
26760
26761 Set the inferior program arguments, to be used in the next
26762 @samp{-exec-run}.
26763
26764 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26765
26766 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set args}.
26767
26768 @subsubheading Example
26769
26770 @smallexample
26771 (gdb)
26772 -exec-arguments -v word
26773 ^done
26774 (gdb)
26775 @end smallexample
26776
26777
26778 @ignore
26779 @subheading The @code{-exec-show-arguments} Command
26780 @findex -exec-show-arguments
26781
26782 @subsubheading Synopsis
26783
26784 @smallexample
26785 -exec-show-arguments
26786 @end smallexample
26787
26788 Print the arguments of the program.
26789
26790 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26791
26792 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show args}.
26793
26794 @subsubheading Example
26795 N.A.
26796 @end ignore
26797
26798
26799 @subheading The @code{-environment-cd} Command
26800 @findex -environment-cd
26801
26802 @subsubheading Synopsis
26803
26804 @smallexample
26805 -environment-cd @var{pathdir}
26806 @end smallexample
26807
26808 Set @value{GDBN}'s working directory.
26809
26810 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26811
26812 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{cd}.
26813
26814 @subsubheading Example
26815
26816 @smallexample
26817 (gdb)
26818 -environment-cd /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb
26819 ^done
26820 (gdb)
26821 @end smallexample
26822
26823
26824 @subheading The @code{-environment-directory} Command
26825 @findex -environment-directory
26826
26827 @subsubheading Synopsis
26828
26829 @smallexample
26830 -environment-directory [ -r ] [ @var{pathdir} ]+
26831 @end smallexample
26832
26833 Add directories @var{pathdir} to beginning of search path for source files.
26834 If the @samp{-r} option is used, the search path is reset to the default
26835 search path. If directories @var{pathdir} are supplied in addition to the
26836 @samp{-r} option, the search path is first reset and then addition
26837 occurs as normal.
26838 Multiple directories may be specified, separated by blanks. Specifying
26839 multiple directories in a single command
26840 results in the directories added to the beginning of the
26841 search path in the same order they were presented in the command.
26842 If blanks are needed as
26843 part of a directory name, double-quotes should be used around
26844 the name. In the command output, the path will show up separated
26845 by the system directory-separator character. The directory-separator
26846 character must not be used
26847 in any directory name.
26848 If no directories are specified, the current search path is displayed.
26849
26850 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26851
26852 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{dir}.
26853
26854 @subsubheading Example
26855
26856 @smallexample
26857 (gdb)
26858 -environment-directory /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb
26859 ^done,source-path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb:$cdir:$cwd"
26860 (gdb)
26861 -environment-directory ""
26862 ^done,source-path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb:$cdir:$cwd"
26863 (gdb)
26864 -environment-directory -r /home/jjohnstn/src/gdb /usr/src
26865 ^done,source-path="/home/jjohnstn/src/gdb:/usr/src:$cdir:$cwd"
26866 (gdb)
26867 -environment-directory -r
26868 ^done,source-path="$cdir:$cwd"
26869 (gdb)
26870 @end smallexample
26871
26872
26873 @subheading The @code{-environment-path} Command
26874 @findex -environment-path
26875
26876 @subsubheading Synopsis
26877
26878 @smallexample
26879 -environment-path [ -r ] [ @var{pathdir} ]+
26880 @end smallexample
26881
26882 Add directories @var{pathdir} to beginning of search path for object files.
26883 If the @samp{-r} option is used, the search path is reset to the original
26884 search path that existed at gdb start-up. If directories @var{pathdir} are
26885 supplied in addition to the
26886 @samp{-r} option, the search path is first reset and then addition
26887 occurs as normal.
26888 Multiple directories may be specified, separated by blanks. Specifying
26889 multiple directories in a single command
26890 results in the directories added to the beginning of the
26891 search path in the same order they were presented in the command.
26892 If blanks are needed as
26893 part of a directory name, double-quotes should be used around
26894 the name. In the command output, the path will show up separated
26895 by the system directory-separator character. The directory-separator
26896 character must not be used
26897 in any directory name.
26898 If no directories are specified, the current path is displayed.
26899
26900
26901 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26902
26903 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{path}.
26904
26905 @subsubheading Example
26906
26907 @smallexample
26908 (gdb)
26909 -environment-path
26910 ^done,path="/usr/bin"
26911 (gdb)
26912 -environment-path /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/ppc-eabi/gdb /bin
26913 ^done,path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/ppc-eabi/gdb:/bin:/usr/bin"
26914 (gdb)
26915 -environment-path -r /usr/local/bin
26916 ^done,path="/usr/local/bin:/usr/bin"
26917 (gdb)
26918 @end smallexample
26919
26920
26921 @subheading The @code{-environment-pwd} Command
26922 @findex -environment-pwd
26923
26924 @subsubheading Synopsis
26925
26926 @smallexample
26927 -environment-pwd
26928 @end smallexample
26929
26930 Show the current working directory.
26931
26932 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26933
26934 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{pwd}.
26935
26936 @subsubheading Example
26937
26938 @smallexample
26939 (gdb)
26940 -environment-pwd
26941 ^done,cwd="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb"
26942 (gdb)
26943 @end smallexample
26944
26945 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
26946 @node GDB/MI Thread Commands
26947 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Thread Commands
26948
26949
26950 @subheading The @code{-thread-info} Command
26951 @findex -thread-info
26952
26953 @subsubheading Synopsis
26954
26955 @smallexample
26956 -thread-info [ @var{thread-id} ]
26957 @end smallexample
26958
26959 Reports information about either a specific thread, if
26960 the @var{thread-id} parameter is present, or about all
26961 threads. When printing information about all threads,
26962 also reports the current thread.
26963
26964 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26965
26966 The @samp{info thread} command prints the same information
26967 about all threads.
26968
26969 @subsubheading Result
26970
26971 The result is a list of threads. The following attributes are
26972 defined for a given thread:
26973
26974 @table @samp
26975 @item current
26976 This field exists only for the current thread. It has the value @samp{*}.
26977
26978 @item id
26979 The identifier that @value{GDBN} uses to refer to the thread.
26980
26981 @item target-id
26982 The identifier that the target uses to refer to the thread.
26983
26984 @item details
26985 Extra information about the thread, in a target-specific format. This
26986 field is optional.
26987
26988 @item name
26989 The name of the thread. If the user specified a name using the
26990 @code{thread name} command, then this name is given. Otherwise, if
26991 @value{GDBN} can extract the thread name from the target, then that
26992 name is given. If @value{GDBN} cannot find the thread name, then this
26993 field is omitted.
26994
26995 @item frame
26996 The stack frame currently executing in the thread.
26997
26998 @item state
26999 The thread's state. The @samp{state} field may have the following
27000 values:
27001
27002 @table @code
27003 @item stopped
27004 The thread is stopped. Frame information is available for stopped
27005 threads.
27006
27007 @item running
27008 The thread is running. There's no frame information for running
27009 threads.
27010
27011 @end table
27012
27013 @item core
27014 If @value{GDBN} can find the CPU core on which this thread is running,
27015 then this field is the core identifier. This field is optional.
27016
27017 @end table
27018
27019 @subsubheading Example
27020
27021 @smallexample
27022 -thread-info
27023 ^done,threads=[
27024 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90 (LWP 21257)",
27025 frame=@{level="0",addr="0xffffe410",func="__kernel_vsyscall",
27026 args=[]@},state="running"@},
27027 @{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e156b0 (LWP 21254)",
27028 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0804891f",func="foo",
27029 args=[@{name="i",value="10"@}],
27030 file="/tmp/a.c",fullname="/tmp/a.c",line="158"@},
27031 state="running"@}],
27032 current-thread-id="1"
27033 (gdb)
27034 @end smallexample
27035
27036 @subheading The @code{-thread-list-ids} Command
27037 @findex -thread-list-ids
27038
27039 @subsubheading Synopsis
27040
27041 @smallexample
27042 -thread-list-ids
27043 @end smallexample
27044
27045 Produces a list of the currently known @value{GDBN} thread ids. At the
27046 end of the list it also prints the total number of such threads.
27047
27048 This command is retained for historical reasons, the
27049 @code{-thread-info} command should be used instead.
27050
27051 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27052
27053 Part of @samp{info threads} supplies the same information.
27054
27055 @subsubheading Example
27056
27057 @smallexample
27058 (gdb)
27059 -thread-list-ids
27060 ^done,thread-ids=@{thread-id="3",thread-id="2",thread-id="1"@},
27061 current-thread-id="1",number-of-threads="3"
27062 (gdb)
27063 @end smallexample
27064
27065
27066 @subheading The @code{-thread-select} Command
27067 @findex -thread-select
27068
27069 @subsubheading Synopsis
27070
27071 @smallexample
27072 -thread-select @var{threadnum}
27073 @end smallexample
27074
27075 Make @var{threadnum} the current thread. It prints the number of the new
27076 current thread, and the topmost frame for that thread.
27077
27078 This command is deprecated in favor of explicitly using the
27079 @samp{--thread} option to each command.
27080
27081 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27082
27083 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{thread}.
27084
27085 @subsubheading Example
27086
27087 @smallexample
27088 (gdb)
27089 -exec-next
27090 ^running
27091 (gdb)
27092 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",thread-id="2",line="187",
27093 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.threads/linux-dp.c"
27094 (gdb)
27095 -thread-list-ids
27096 ^done,
27097 thread-ids=@{thread-id="3",thread-id="2",thread-id="1"@},
27098 number-of-threads="3"
27099 (gdb)
27100 -thread-select 3
27101 ^done,new-thread-id="3",
27102 frame=@{level="0",func="vprintf",
27103 args=[@{name="format",value="0x8048e9c \"%*s%c %d %c\\n\""@},
27104 @{name="arg",value="0x2"@}],file="vprintf.c",line="31"@}
27105 (gdb)
27106 @end smallexample
27107
27108 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27109 @node GDB/MI Ada Tasking Commands
27110 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Ada Tasking Commands
27111
27112 @subheading The @code{-ada-task-info} Command
27113 @findex -ada-task-info
27114
27115 @subsubheading Synopsis
27116
27117 @smallexample
27118 -ada-task-info [ @var{task-id} ]
27119 @end smallexample
27120
27121 Reports information about either a specific Ada task, if the
27122 @var{task-id} parameter is present, or about all Ada tasks.
27123
27124 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27125
27126 The @samp{info tasks} command prints the same information
27127 about all Ada tasks (@pxref{Ada Tasks}).
27128
27129 @subsubheading Result
27130
27131 The result is a table of Ada tasks. The following columns are
27132 defined for each Ada task:
27133
27134 @table @samp
27135 @item current
27136 This field exists only for the current thread. It has the value @samp{*}.
27137
27138 @item id
27139 The identifier that @value{GDBN} uses to refer to the Ada task.
27140
27141 @item task-id
27142 The identifier that the target uses to refer to the Ada task.
27143
27144 @item thread-id
27145 The identifier of the thread corresponding to the Ada task.
27146
27147 This field should always exist, as Ada tasks are always implemented
27148 on top of a thread. But if @value{GDBN} cannot find this corresponding
27149 thread for any reason, the field is omitted.
27150
27151 @item parent-id
27152 This field exists only when the task was created by another task.
27153 In this case, it provides the ID of the parent task.
27154
27155 @item priority
27156 The base priority of the task.
27157
27158 @item state
27159 The current state of the task. For a detailed description of the
27160 possible states, see @ref{Ada Tasks}.
27161
27162 @item name
27163 The name of the task.
27164
27165 @end table
27166
27167 @subsubheading Example
27168
27169 @smallexample
27170 -ada-task-info
27171 ^done,tasks=@{nr_rows="3",nr_cols="8",
27172 hdr=[@{width="1",alignment="-1",col_name="current",colhdr=""@},
27173 @{width="3",alignment="1",col_name="id",colhdr="ID"@},
27174 @{width="9",alignment="1",col_name="task-id",colhdr="TID"@},
27175 @{width="4",alignment="1",col_name="thread-id",colhdr=""@},
27176 @{width="4",alignment="1",col_name="parent-id",colhdr="P-ID"@},
27177 @{width="3",alignment="1",col_name="priority",colhdr="Pri"@},
27178 @{width="22",alignment="-1",col_name="state",colhdr="State"@},
27179 @{width="1",alignment="2",col_name="name",colhdr="Name"@}],
27180 body=[@{current="*",id="1",task-id=" 644010",thread-id="1",priority="48",
27181 state="Child Termination Wait",name="main_task"@}]@}
27182 (gdb)
27183 @end smallexample
27184
27185 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27186 @node GDB/MI Program Execution
27187 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Program Execution
27188
27189 These are the asynchronous commands which generate the out-of-band
27190 record @samp{*stopped}. Currently @value{GDBN} only really executes
27191 asynchronously with remote targets and this interaction is mimicked in
27192 other cases.
27193
27194 @subheading The @code{-exec-continue} Command
27195 @findex -exec-continue
27196
27197 @subsubheading Synopsis
27198
27199 @smallexample
27200 -exec-continue [--reverse] [--all|--thread-group N]
27201 @end smallexample
27202
27203 Resumes the execution of the inferior program, which will continue
27204 to execute until it reaches a debugger stop event. If the
27205 @samp{--reverse} option is specified, execution resumes in reverse until
27206 it reaches a stop event. Stop events may include
27207 @itemize @bullet
27208 @item
27209 breakpoints or watchpoints
27210 @item
27211 signals or exceptions
27212 @item
27213 the end of the process (or its beginning under @samp{--reverse})
27214 @item
27215 the end or beginning of a replay log if one is being used.
27216 @end itemize
27217 In all-stop mode (@pxref{All-Stop
27218 Mode}), may resume only one thread, or all threads, depending on the
27219 value of the @samp{scheduler-locking} variable. If @samp{--all} is
27220 specified, all threads (in all inferiors) will be resumed. The @samp{--all} option is
27221 ignored in all-stop mode. If the @samp{--thread-group} options is
27222 specified, then all threads in that thread group are resumed.
27223
27224 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27225
27226 The corresponding @value{GDBN} corresponding is @samp{continue}.
27227
27228 @subsubheading Example
27229
27230 @smallexample
27231 -exec-continue
27232 ^running
27233 (gdb)
27234 @@Hello world
27235 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="2",frame=@{
27236 func="foo",args=[],file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/hello.c",
27237 line="13"@}
27238 (gdb)
27239 @end smallexample
27240
27241
27242 @subheading The @code{-exec-finish} Command
27243 @findex -exec-finish
27244
27245 @subsubheading Synopsis
27246
27247 @smallexample
27248 -exec-finish [--reverse]
27249 @end smallexample
27250
27251 Resumes the execution of the inferior program until the current
27252 function is exited. Displays the results returned by the function.
27253 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes the reverse
27254 execution of the inferior program until the point where current
27255 function was called.
27256
27257 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27258
27259 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{finish}.
27260
27261 @subsubheading Example
27262
27263 Function returning @code{void}.
27264
27265 @smallexample
27266 -exec-finish
27267 ^running
27268 (gdb)
27269 @@hello from foo
27270 *stopped,reason="function-finished",frame=@{func="main",args=[],
27271 file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/hello.c",line="7"@}
27272 (gdb)
27273 @end smallexample
27274
27275 Function returning other than @code{void}. The name of the internal
27276 @value{GDBN} variable storing the result is printed, together with the
27277 value itself.
27278
27279 @smallexample
27280 -exec-finish
27281 ^running
27282 (gdb)
27283 *stopped,reason="function-finished",frame=@{addr="0x000107b0",func="foo",
27284 args=[@{name="a",value="1"],@{name="b",value="9"@}@},
27285 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
27286 gdb-result-var="$1",return-value="0"
27287 (gdb)
27288 @end smallexample
27289
27290
27291 @subheading The @code{-exec-interrupt} Command
27292 @findex -exec-interrupt
27293
27294 @subsubheading Synopsis
27295
27296 @smallexample
27297 -exec-interrupt [--all|--thread-group N]
27298 @end smallexample
27299
27300 Interrupts the background execution of the target. Note how the token
27301 associated with the stop message is the one for the execution command
27302 that has been interrupted. The token for the interrupt itself only
27303 appears in the @samp{^done} output. If the user is trying to
27304 interrupt a non-running program, an error message will be printed.
27305
27306 Note that when asynchronous execution is enabled, this command is
27307 asynchronous just like other execution commands. That is, first the
27308 @samp{^done} response will be printed, and the target stop will be
27309 reported after that using the @samp{*stopped} notification.
27310
27311 In non-stop mode, only the context thread is interrupted by default.
27312 All threads (in all inferiors) will be interrupted if the
27313 @samp{--all} option is specified. If the @samp{--thread-group}
27314 option is specified, all threads in that group will be interrupted.
27315
27316 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27317
27318 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{interrupt}.
27319
27320 @subsubheading Example
27321
27322 @smallexample
27323 (gdb)
27324 111-exec-continue
27325 111^running
27326
27327 (gdb)
27328 222-exec-interrupt
27329 222^done
27330 (gdb)
27331 111*stopped,signal-name="SIGINT",signal-meaning="Interrupt",
27332 frame=@{addr="0x00010140",func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
27333 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="13"@}
27334 (gdb)
27335
27336 (gdb)
27337 -exec-interrupt
27338 ^error,msg="mi_cmd_exec_interrupt: Inferior not executing."
27339 (gdb)
27340 @end smallexample
27341
27342 @subheading The @code{-exec-jump} Command
27343 @findex -exec-jump
27344
27345 @subsubheading Synopsis
27346
27347 @smallexample
27348 -exec-jump @var{location}
27349 @end smallexample
27350
27351 Resumes execution of the inferior program at the location specified by
27352 parameter. @xref{Specify Location}, for a description of the
27353 different forms of @var{location}.
27354
27355 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27356
27357 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{jump}.
27358
27359 @subsubheading Example
27360
27361 @smallexample
27362 -exec-jump foo.c:10
27363 *running,thread-id="all"
27364 ^running
27365 @end smallexample
27366
27367
27368 @subheading The @code{-exec-next} Command
27369 @findex -exec-next
27370
27371 @subsubheading Synopsis
27372
27373 @smallexample
27374 -exec-next [--reverse]
27375 @end smallexample
27376
27377 Resumes execution of the inferior program, stopping when the beginning
27378 of the next source line is reached.
27379
27380 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution
27381 of the inferior program, stopping at the beginning of the previous
27382 source line. If you issue this command on the first line of a
27383 function, it will take you back to the caller of that function, to the
27384 source line where the function was called.
27385
27386
27387 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27388
27389 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{next}.
27390
27391 @subsubheading Example
27392
27393 @smallexample
27394 -exec-next
27395 ^running
27396 (gdb)
27397 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",line="8",file="hello.c"
27398 (gdb)
27399 @end smallexample
27400
27401
27402 @subheading The @code{-exec-next-instruction} Command
27403 @findex -exec-next-instruction
27404
27405 @subsubheading Synopsis
27406
27407 @smallexample
27408 -exec-next-instruction [--reverse]
27409 @end smallexample
27410
27411 Executes one machine instruction. If the instruction is a function
27412 call, continues until the function returns. If the program stops at an
27413 instruction in the middle of a source line, the address will be
27414 printed as well.
27415
27416 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution
27417 of the inferior program, stopping at the previous instruction. If the
27418 previously executed instruction was a return from another function,
27419 it will continue to execute in reverse until the call to that function
27420 (from the current stack frame) is reached.
27421
27422 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27423
27424 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{nexti}.
27425
27426 @subsubheading Example
27427
27428 @smallexample
27429 (gdb)
27430 -exec-next-instruction
27431 ^running
27432
27433 (gdb)
27434 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
27435 addr="0x000100d4",line="5",file="hello.c"
27436 (gdb)
27437 @end smallexample
27438
27439
27440 @subheading The @code{-exec-return} Command
27441 @findex -exec-return
27442
27443 @subsubheading Synopsis
27444
27445 @smallexample
27446 -exec-return
27447 @end smallexample
27448
27449 Makes current function return immediately. Doesn't execute the inferior.
27450 Displays the new current frame.
27451
27452 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27453
27454 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{return}.
27455
27456 @subsubheading Example
27457
27458 @smallexample
27459 (gdb)
27460 200-break-insert callee4
27461 200^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x00010734",
27462 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@}
27463 (gdb)
27464 000-exec-run
27465 000^running
27466 (gdb)
27467 000*stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",
27468 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
27469 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
27470 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@}
27471 (gdb)
27472 205-break-delete
27473 205^done
27474 (gdb)
27475 111-exec-return
27476 111^done,frame=@{level="0",func="callee3",
27477 args=[@{name="strarg",
27478 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
27479 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
27480 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
27481 (gdb)
27482 @end smallexample
27483
27484
27485 @subheading The @code{-exec-run} Command
27486 @findex -exec-run
27487
27488 @subsubheading Synopsis
27489
27490 @smallexample
27491 -exec-run [--all | --thread-group N]
27492 @end smallexample
27493
27494 Starts execution of the inferior from the beginning. The inferior
27495 executes until either a breakpoint is encountered or the program
27496 exits. In the latter case the output will include an exit code, if
27497 the program has exited exceptionally.
27498
27499 When no option is specified, the current inferior is started. If the
27500 @samp{--thread-group} option is specified, it should refer to a thread
27501 group of type @samp{process}, and that thread group will be started.
27502 If the @samp{--all} option is specified, then all inferiors will be started.
27503
27504 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27505
27506 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{run}.
27507
27508 @subsubheading Examples
27509
27510 @smallexample
27511 (gdb)
27512 -break-insert main
27513 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x0001072c",file="recursive2.c",line="4"@}
27514 (gdb)
27515 -exec-run
27516 ^running
27517 (gdb)
27518 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",
27519 frame=@{func="main",args=[],file="recursive2.c",
27520 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="4"@}
27521 (gdb)
27522 @end smallexample
27523
27524 @noindent
27525 Program exited normally:
27526
27527 @smallexample
27528 (gdb)
27529 -exec-run
27530 ^running
27531 (gdb)
27532 x = 55
27533 *stopped,reason="exited-normally"
27534 (gdb)
27535 @end smallexample
27536
27537 @noindent
27538 Program exited exceptionally:
27539
27540 @smallexample
27541 (gdb)
27542 -exec-run
27543 ^running
27544 (gdb)
27545 x = 55
27546 *stopped,reason="exited",exit-code="01"
27547 (gdb)
27548 @end smallexample
27549
27550 Another way the program can terminate is if it receives a signal such as
27551 @code{SIGINT}. In this case, @sc{gdb/mi} displays this:
27552
27553 @smallexample
27554 (gdb)
27555 *stopped,reason="exited-signalled",signal-name="SIGINT",
27556 signal-meaning="Interrupt"
27557 @end smallexample
27558
27559
27560 @c @subheading -exec-signal
27561
27562
27563 @subheading The @code{-exec-step} Command
27564 @findex -exec-step
27565
27566 @subsubheading Synopsis
27567
27568 @smallexample
27569 -exec-step [--reverse]
27570 @end smallexample
27571
27572 Resumes execution of the inferior program, stopping when the beginning
27573 of the next source line is reached, if the next source line is not a
27574 function call. If it is, stop at the first instruction of the called
27575 function. If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse
27576 execution of the inferior program, stopping at the beginning of the
27577 previously executed source line.
27578
27579 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27580
27581 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{step}.
27582
27583 @subsubheading Example
27584
27585 Stepping into a function:
27586
27587 @smallexample
27588 -exec-step
27589 ^running
27590 (gdb)
27591 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
27592 frame=@{func="foo",args=[@{name="a",value="10"@},
27593 @{name="b",value="0"@}],file="recursive2.c",
27594 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="11"@}
27595 (gdb)
27596 @end smallexample
27597
27598 Regular stepping:
27599
27600 @smallexample
27601 -exec-step
27602 ^running
27603 (gdb)
27604 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",line="14",file="recursive2.c"
27605 (gdb)
27606 @end smallexample
27607
27608
27609 @subheading The @code{-exec-step-instruction} Command
27610 @findex -exec-step-instruction
27611
27612 @subsubheading Synopsis
27613
27614 @smallexample
27615 -exec-step-instruction [--reverse]
27616 @end smallexample
27617
27618 Resumes the inferior which executes one machine instruction. If the
27619 @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution of the
27620 inferior program, stopping at the previously executed instruction.
27621 The output, once @value{GDBN} has stopped, will vary depending on
27622 whether we have stopped in the middle of a source line or not. In the
27623 former case, the address at which the program stopped will be printed
27624 as well.
27625
27626 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27627
27628 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{stepi}.
27629
27630 @subsubheading Example
27631
27632 @smallexample
27633 (gdb)
27634 -exec-step-instruction
27635 ^running
27636
27637 (gdb)
27638 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
27639 frame=@{func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
27640 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="10"@}
27641 (gdb)
27642 -exec-step-instruction
27643 ^running
27644
27645 (gdb)
27646 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
27647 frame=@{addr="0x000100f4",func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
27648 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="10"@}
27649 (gdb)
27650 @end smallexample
27651
27652
27653 @subheading The @code{-exec-until} Command
27654 @findex -exec-until
27655
27656 @subsubheading Synopsis
27657
27658 @smallexample
27659 -exec-until [ @var{location} ]
27660 @end smallexample
27661
27662 Executes the inferior until the @var{location} specified in the
27663 argument is reached. If there is no argument, the inferior executes
27664 until a source line greater than the current one is reached. The
27665 reason for stopping in this case will be @samp{location-reached}.
27666
27667 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27668
27669 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{until}.
27670
27671 @subsubheading Example
27672
27673 @smallexample
27674 (gdb)
27675 -exec-until recursive2.c:6
27676 ^running
27677 (gdb)
27678 x = 55
27679 *stopped,reason="location-reached",frame=@{func="main",args=[],
27680 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="6"@}
27681 (gdb)
27682 @end smallexample
27683
27684 @ignore
27685 @subheading -file-clear
27686 Is this going away????
27687 @end ignore
27688
27689 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27690 @node GDB/MI Stack Manipulation
27691 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Stack Manipulation Commands
27692
27693
27694 @subheading The @code{-stack-info-frame} Command
27695 @findex -stack-info-frame
27696
27697 @subsubheading Synopsis
27698
27699 @smallexample
27700 -stack-info-frame
27701 @end smallexample
27702
27703 Get info on the selected frame.
27704
27705 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27706
27707 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info frame} or @samp{frame}
27708 (without arguments).
27709
27710 @subsubheading Example
27711
27712 @smallexample
27713 (gdb)
27714 -stack-info-frame
27715 ^done,frame=@{level="1",addr="0x0001076c",func="callee3",
27716 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
27717 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="17"@}
27718 (gdb)
27719 @end smallexample
27720
27721 @subheading The @code{-stack-info-depth} Command
27722 @findex -stack-info-depth
27723
27724 @subsubheading Synopsis
27725
27726 @smallexample
27727 -stack-info-depth [ @var{max-depth} ]
27728 @end smallexample
27729
27730 Return the depth of the stack. If the integer argument @var{max-depth}
27731 is specified, do not count beyond @var{max-depth} frames.
27732
27733 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27734
27735 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command.
27736
27737 @subsubheading Example
27738
27739 For a stack with frame levels 0 through 11:
27740
27741 @smallexample
27742 (gdb)
27743 -stack-info-depth
27744 ^done,depth="12"
27745 (gdb)
27746 -stack-info-depth 4
27747 ^done,depth="4"
27748 (gdb)
27749 -stack-info-depth 12
27750 ^done,depth="12"
27751 (gdb)
27752 -stack-info-depth 11
27753 ^done,depth="11"
27754 (gdb)
27755 -stack-info-depth 13
27756 ^done,depth="12"
27757 (gdb)
27758 @end smallexample
27759
27760 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-arguments} Command
27761 @findex -stack-list-arguments
27762
27763 @subsubheading Synopsis
27764
27765 @smallexample
27766 -stack-list-arguments @var{print-values}
27767 [ @var{low-frame} @var{high-frame} ]
27768 @end smallexample
27769
27770 Display a list of the arguments for the frames between @var{low-frame}
27771 and @var{high-frame} (inclusive). If @var{low-frame} and
27772 @var{high-frame} are not provided, list the arguments for the whole
27773 call stack. If the two arguments are equal, show the single frame
27774 at the corresponding level. It is an error if @var{low-frame} is
27775 larger than the actual number of frames. On the other hand,
27776 @var{high-frame} may be larger than the actual number of frames, in
27777 which case only existing frames will be returned.
27778
27779 If @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
27780 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
27781 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
27782 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
27783 structures and unions.
27784
27785 Use of this command to obtain arguments in a single frame is
27786 deprecated in favor of the @samp{-stack-list-variables} command.
27787
27788 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27789
27790 @value{GDBN} does not have an equivalent command. @code{gdbtk} has a
27791 @samp{gdb_get_args} command which partially overlaps with the
27792 functionality of @samp{-stack-list-arguments}.
27793
27794 @subsubheading Example
27795
27796 @smallexample
27797 (gdb)
27798 -stack-list-frames
27799 ^done,
27800 stack=[
27801 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
27802 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
27803 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@},
27804 frame=@{level="1",addr="0x0001076c",func="callee3",
27805 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
27806 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="17"@},
27807 frame=@{level="2",addr="0x0001078c",func="callee2",
27808 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
27809 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="22"@},
27810 frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107b4",func="callee1",
27811 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
27812 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="27"@},
27813 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107e0",func="main",
27814 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
27815 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="32"@}]
27816 (gdb)
27817 -stack-list-arguments 0
27818 ^done,
27819 stack-args=[
27820 frame=@{level="0",args=[]@},
27821 frame=@{level="1",args=[name="strarg"]@},
27822 frame=@{level="2",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg"]@},
27823 frame=@{level="3",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg",name="fltarg"]@},
27824 frame=@{level="4",args=[]@}]
27825 (gdb)
27826 -stack-list-arguments 1
27827 ^done,
27828 stack-args=[
27829 frame=@{level="0",args=[]@},
27830 frame=@{level="1",
27831 args=[@{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@},
27832 frame=@{level="2",args=[
27833 @{name="intarg",value="2"@},
27834 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@},
27835 @{frame=@{level="3",args=[
27836 @{name="intarg",value="2"@},
27837 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@},
27838 @{name="fltarg",value="3.5"@}]@},
27839 frame=@{level="4",args=[]@}]
27840 (gdb)
27841 -stack-list-arguments 0 2 2
27842 ^done,stack-args=[frame=@{level="2",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg"]@}]
27843 (gdb)
27844 -stack-list-arguments 1 2 2
27845 ^done,stack-args=[frame=@{level="2",
27846 args=[@{name="intarg",value="2"@},
27847 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@}]
27848 (gdb)
27849 @end smallexample
27850
27851 @c @subheading -stack-list-exception-handlers
27852
27853
27854 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-frames} Command
27855 @findex -stack-list-frames
27856
27857 @subsubheading Synopsis
27858
27859 @smallexample
27860 -stack-list-frames [ @var{low-frame} @var{high-frame} ]
27861 @end smallexample
27862
27863 List the frames currently on the stack. For each frame it displays the
27864 following info:
27865
27866 @table @samp
27867 @item @var{level}
27868 The frame number, 0 being the topmost frame, i.e., the innermost function.
27869 @item @var{addr}
27870 The @code{$pc} value for that frame.
27871 @item @var{func}
27872 Function name.
27873 @item @var{file}
27874 File name of the source file where the function lives.
27875 @item @var{fullname}
27876 The full file name of the source file where the function lives.
27877 @item @var{line}
27878 Line number corresponding to the @code{$pc}.
27879 @item @var{from}
27880 The shared library where this function is defined. This is only given
27881 if the frame's function is not known.
27882 @end table
27883
27884 If invoked without arguments, this command prints a backtrace for the
27885 whole stack. If given two integer arguments, it shows the frames whose
27886 levels are between the two arguments (inclusive). If the two arguments
27887 are equal, it shows the single frame at the corresponding level. It is
27888 an error if @var{low-frame} is larger than the actual number of
27889 frames. On the other hand, @var{high-frame} may be larger than the
27890 actual number of frames, in which case only existing frames will be returned.
27891
27892 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27893
27894 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{backtrace} and @samp{where}.
27895
27896 @subsubheading Example
27897
27898 Full stack backtrace:
27899
27900 @smallexample
27901 (gdb)
27902 -stack-list-frames
27903 ^done,stack=
27904 [frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0001076c",func="foo",
27905 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="11"@},
27906 frame=@{level="1",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27907 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
27908 frame=@{level="2",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27909 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
27910 frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27911 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
27912 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27913 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
27914 frame=@{level="5",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27915 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
27916 frame=@{level="6",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27917 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
27918 frame=@{level="7",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27919 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
27920 frame=@{level="8",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27921 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
27922 frame=@{level="9",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27923 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
27924 frame=@{level="10",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27925 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
27926 frame=@{level="11",addr="0x00010738",func="main",
27927 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="4"@}]
27928 (gdb)
27929 @end smallexample
27930
27931 Show frames between @var{low_frame} and @var{high_frame}:
27932
27933 @smallexample
27934 (gdb)
27935 -stack-list-frames 3 5
27936 ^done,stack=
27937 [frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27938 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
27939 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27940 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
27941 frame=@{level="5",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27942 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@}]
27943 (gdb)
27944 @end smallexample
27945
27946 Show a single frame:
27947
27948 @smallexample
27949 (gdb)
27950 -stack-list-frames 3 3
27951 ^done,stack=
27952 [frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27953 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@}]
27954 (gdb)
27955 @end smallexample
27956
27957
27958 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-locals} Command
27959 @findex -stack-list-locals
27960
27961 @subsubheading Synopsis
27962
27963 @smallexample
27964 -stack-list-locals @var{print-values}
27965 @end smallexample
27966
27967 Display the local variable names for the selected frame. If
27968 @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
27969 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
27970 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
27971 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
27972 structures and unions. In this last case, a frontend can immediately
27973 display the value of simple data types and create variable objects for
27974 other data types when the user wishes to explore their values in
27975 more detail.
27976
27977 This command is deprecated in favor of the
27978 @samp{-stack-list-variables} command.
27979
27980 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27981
27982 @samp{info locals} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_get_locals} in @code{gdbtk}.
27983
27984 @subsubheading Example
27985
27986 @smallexample
27987 (gdb)
27988 -stack-list-locals 0
27989 ^done,locals=[name="A",name="B",name="C"]
27990 (gdb)
27991 -stack-list-locals --all-values
27992 ^done,locals=[@{name="A",value="1"@},@{name="B",value="2"@},
27993 @{name="C",value="@{1, 2, 3@}"@}]
27994 -stack-list-locals --simple-values
27995 ^done,locals=[@{name="A",type="int",value="1"@},
27996 @{name="B",type="int",value="2"@},@{name="C",type="int [3]"@}]
27997 (gdb)
27998 @end smallexample
27999
28000 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-variables} Command
28001 @findex -stack-list-variables
28002
28003 @subsubheading Synopsis
28004
28005 @smallexample
28006 -stack-list-variables @var{print-values}
28007 @end smallexample
28008
28009 Display the names of local variables and function arguments for the selected frame. If
28010 @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
28011 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
28012 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
28013 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
28014 structures and unions.
28015
28016 @subsubheading Example
28017
28018 @smallexample
28019 (gdb)
28020 -stack-list-variables --thread 1 --frame 0 --all-values
28021 ^done,variables=[@{name="x",value="11"@},@{name="s",value="@{a = 1, b = 2@}"@}]
28022 (gdb)
28023 @end smallexample
28024
28025
28026 @subheading The @code{-stack-select-frame} Command
28027 @findex -stack-select-frame
28028
28029 @subsubheading Synopsis
28030
28031 @smallexample
28032 -stack-select-frame @var{framenum}
28033 @end smallexample
28034
28035 Change the selected frame. Select a different frame @var{framenum} on
28036 the stack.
28037
28038 This command in deprecated in favor of passing the @samp{--frame}
28039 option to every command.
28040
28041 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28042
28043 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{frame}, @samp{up},
28044 @samp{down}, @samp{select-frame}, @samp{up-silent}, and @samp{down-silent}.
28045
28046 @subsubheading Example
28047
28048 @smallexample
28049 (gdb)
28050 -stack-select-frame 2
28051 ^done
28052 (gdb)
28053 @end smallexample
28054
28055 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28056 @node GDB/MI Variable Objects
28057 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Variable Objects
28058
28059 @ignore
28060
28061 @subheading Motivation for Variable Objects in @sc{gdb/mi}
28062
28063 For the implementation of a variable debugger window (locals, watched
28064 expressions, etc.), we are proposing the adaptation of the existing code
28065 used by @code{Insight}.
28066
28067 The two main reasons for that are:
28068
28069 @enumerate 1
28070 @item
28071 It has been proven in practice (it is already on its second generation).
28072
28073 @item
28074 It will shorten development time (needless to say how important it is
28075 now).
28076 @end enumerate
28077
28078 The original interface was designed to be used by Tcl code, so it was
28079 slightly changed so it could be used through @sc{gdb/mi}. This section
28080 describes the @sc{gdb/mi} operations that will be available and gives some
28081 hints about their use.
28082
28083 @emph{Note}: In addition to the set of operations described here, we
28084 expect the @sc{gui} implementation of a variable window to require, at
28085 least, the following operations:
28086
28087 @itemize @bullet
28088 @item @code{-gdb-show} @code{output-radix}
28089 @item @code{-stack-list-arguments}
28090 @item @code{-stack-list-locals}
28091 @item @code{-stack-select-frame}
28092 @end itemize
28093
28094 @end ignore
28095
28096 @subheading Introduction to Variable Objects
28097
28098 @cindex variable objects in @sc{gdb/mi}
28099
28100 Variable objects are "object-oriented" MI interface for examining and
28101 changing values of expressions. Unlike some other MI interfaces that
28102 work with expressions, variable objects are specifically designed for
28103 simple and efficient presentation in the frontend. A variable object
28104 is identified by string name. When a variable object is created, the
28105 frontend specifies the expression for that variable object. The
28106 expression can be a simple variable, or it can be an arbitrary complex
28107 expression, and can even involve CPU registers. After creating a
28108 variable object, the frontend can invoke other variable object
28109 operations---for example to obtain or change the value of a variable
28110 object, or to change display format.
28111
28112 Variable objects have hierarchical tree structure. Any variable object
28113 that corresponds to a composite type, such as structure in C, has
28114 a number of child variable objects, for example corresponding to each
28115 element of a structure. A child variable object can itself have
28116 children, recursively. Recursion ends when we reach
28117 leaf variable objects, which always have built-in types. Child variable
28118 objects are created only by explicit request, so if a frontend
28119 is not interested in the children of a particular variable object, no
28120 child will be created.
28121
28122 For a leaf variable object it is possible to obtain its value as a
28123 string, or set the value from a string. String value can be also
28124 obtained for a non-leaf variable object, but it's generally a string
28125 that only indicates the type of the object, and does not list its
28126 contents. Assignment to a non-leaf variable object is not allowed.
28127
28128 A frontend does not need to read the values of all variable objects each time
28129 the program stops. Instead, MI provides an update command that lists all
28130 variable objects whose values has changed since the last update
28131 operation. This considerably reduces the amount of data that must
28132 be transferred to the frontend. As noted above, children variable
28133 objects are created on demand, and only leaf variable objects have a
28134 real value. As result, gdb will read target memory only for leaf
28135 variables that frontend has created.
28136
28137 The automatic update is not always desirable. For example, a frontend
28138 might want to keep a value of some expression for future reference,
28139 and never update it. For another example, fetching memory is
28140 relatively slow for embedded targets, so a frontend might want
28141 to disable automatic update for the variables that are either not
28142 visible on the screen, or ``closed''. This is possible using so
28143 called ``frozen variable objects''. Such variable objects are never
28144 implicitly updated.
28145
28146 Variable objects can be either @dfn{fixed} or @dfn{floating}. For the
28147 fixed variable object, the expression is parsed when the variable
28148 object is created, including associating identifiers to specific
28149 variables. The meaning of expression never changes. For a floating
28150 variable object the values of variables whose names appear in the
28151 expressions are re-evaluated every time in the context of the current
28152 frame. Consider this example:
28153
28154 @smallexample
28155 void do_work(...)
28156 @{
28157 struct work_state state;
28158
28159 if (...)
28160 do_work(...);
28161 @}
28162 @end smallexample
28163
28164 If a fixed variable object for the @code{state} variable is created in
28165 this function, and we enter the recursive call, the variable
28166 object will report the value of @code{state} in the top-level
28167 @code{do_work} invocation. On the other hand, a floating variable
28168 object will report the value of @code{state} in the current frame.
28169
28170 If an expression specified when creating a fixed variable object
28171 refers to a local variable, the variable object becomes bound to the
28172 thread and frame in which the variable object is created. When such
28173 variable object is updated, @value{GDBN} makes sure that the
28174 thread/frame combination the variable object is bound to still exists,
28175 and re-evaluates the variable object in context of that thread/frame.
28176
28177 The following is the complete set of @sc{gdb/mi} operations defined to
28178 access this functionality:
28179
28180 @multitable @columnfractions .4 .6
28181 @item @strong{Operation}
28182 @tab @strong{Description}
28183
28184 @item @code{-enable-pretty-printing}
28185 @tab enable Python-based pretty-printing
28186 @item @code{-var-create}
28187 @tab create a variable object
28188 @item @code{-var-delete}
28189 @tab delete the variable object and/or its children
28190 @item @code{-var-set-format}
28191 @tab set the display format of this variable
28192 @item @code{-var-show-format}
28193 @tab show the display format of this variable
28194 @item @code{-var-info-num-children}
28195 @tab tells how many children this object has
28196 @item @code{-var-list-children}
28197 @tab return a list of the object's children
28198 @item @code{-var-info-type}
28199 @tab show the type of this variable object
28200 @item @code{-var-info-expression}
28201 @tab print parent-relative expression that this variable object represents
28202 @item @code{-var-info-path-expression}
28203 @tab print full expression that this variable object represents
28204 @item @code{-var-show-attributes}
28205 @tab is this variable editable? does it exist here?
28206 @item @code{-var-evaluate-expression}
28207 @tab get the value of this variable
28208 @item @code{-var-assign}
28209 @tab set the value of this variable
28210 @item @code{-var-update}
28211 @tab update the variable and its children
28212 @item @code{-var-set-frozen}
28213 @tab set frozeness attribute
28214 @item @code{-var-set-update-range}
28215 @tab set range of children to display on update
28216 @end multitable
28217
28218 In the next subsection we describe each operation in detail and suggest
28219 how it can be used.
28220
28221 @subheading Description And Use of Operations on Variable Objects
28222
28223 @subheading The @code{-enable-pretty-printing} Command
28224 @findex -enable-pretty-printing
28225
28226 @smallexample
28227 -enable-pretty-printing
28228 @end smallexample
28229
28230 @value{GDBN} allows Python-based visualizers to affect the output of the
28231 MI variable object commands. However, because there was no way to
28232 implement this in a fully backward-compatible way, a front end must
28233 request that this functionality be enabled.
28234
28235 Once enabled, this feature cannot be disabled.
28236
28237 Note that if Python support has not been compiled into @value{GDBN},
28238 this command will still succeed (and do nothing).
28239
28240 This feature is currently (as of @value{GDBN} 7.0) experimental, and
28241 may work differently in future versions of @value{GDBN}.
28242
28243 @subheading The @code{-var-create} Command
28244 @findex -var-create
28245
28246 @subsubheading Synopsis
28247
28248 @smallexample
28249 -var-create @{@var{name} | "-"@}
28250 @{@var{frame-addr} | "*" | "@@"@} @var{expression}
28251 @end smallexample
28252
28253 This operation creates a variable object, which allows the monitoring of
28254 a variable, the result of an expression, a memory cell or a CPU
28255 register.
28256
28257 The @var{name} parameter is the string by which the object can be
28258 referenced. It must be unique. If @samp{-} is specified, the varobj
28259 system will generate a string ``varNNNNNN'' automatically. It will be
28260 unique provided that one does not specify @var{name} of that format.
28261 The command fails if a duplicate name is found.
28262
28263 The frame under which the expression should be evaluated can be
28264 specified by @var{frame-addr}. A @samp{*} indicates that the current
28265 frame should be used. A @samp{@@} indicates that a floating variable
28266 object must be created.
28267
28268 @var{expression} is any expression valid on the current language set (must not
28269 begin with a @samp{*}), or one of the following:
28270
28271 @itemize @bullet
28272 @item
28273 @samp{*@var{addr}}, where @var{addr} is the address of a memory cell
28274
28275 @item
28276 @samp{*@var{addr}-@var{addr}} --- a memory address range (TBD)
28277
28278 @item
28279 @samp{$@var{regname}} --- a CPU register name
28280 @end itemize
28281
28282 @cindex dynamic varobj
28283 A varobj's contents may be provided by a Python-based pretty-printer. In this
28284 case the varobj is known as a @dfn{dynamic varobj}. Dynamic varobjs
28285 have slightly different semantics in some cases. If the
28286 @code{-enable-pretty-printing} command is not sent, then @value{GDBN}
28287 will never create a dynamic varobj. This ensures backward
28288 compatibility for existing clients.
28289
28290 @subsubheading Result
28291
28292 This operation returns attributes of the newly-created varobj. These
28293 are:
28294
28295 @table @samp
28296 @item name
28297 The name of the varobj.
28298
28299 @item numchild
28300 The number of children of the varobj. This number is not necessarily
28301 reliable for a dynamic varobj. Instead, you must examine the
28302 @samp{has_more} attribute.
28303
28304 @item value
28305 The varobj's scalar value. For a varobj whose type is some sort of
28306 aggregate (e.g., a @code{struct}), or for a dynamic varobj, this value
28307 will not be interesting.
28308
28309 @item type
28310 The varobj's type. This is a string representation of the type, as
28311 would be printed by the @value{GDBN} CLI.
28312
28313 @item thread-id
28314 If a variable object is bound to a specific thread, then this is the
28315 thread's identifier.
28316
28317 @item has_more
28318 For a dynamic varobj, this indicates whether there appear to be any
28319 children available. For a non-dynamic varobj, this will be 0.
28320
28321 @item dynamic
28322 This attribute will be present and have the value @samp{1} if the
28323 varobj is a dynamic varobj. If the varobj is not a dynamic varobj,
28324 then this attribute will not be present.
28325
28326 @item displayhint
28327 A dynamic varobj can supply a display hint to the front end. The
28328 value comes directly from the Python pretty-printer object's
28329 @code{display_hint} method. @xref{Pretty Printing API}.
28330 @end table
28331
28332 Typical output will look like this:
28333
28334 @smallexample
28335 name="@var{name}",numchild="@var{N}",type="@var{type}",thread-id="@var{M}",
28336 has_more="@var{has_more}"
28337 @end smallexample
28338
28339
28340 @subheading The @code{-var-delete} Command
28341 @findex -var-delete
28342
28343 @subsubheading Synopsis
28344
28345 @smallexample
28346 -var-delete [ -c ] @var{name}
28347 @end smallexample
28348
28349 Deletes a previously created variable object and all of its children.
28350 With the @samp{-c} option, just deletes the children.
28351
28352 Returns an error if the object @var{name} is not found.
28353
28354
28355 @subheading The @code{-var-set-format} Command
28356 @findex -var-set-format
28357
28358 @subsubheading Synopsis
28359
28360 @smallexample
28361 -var-set-format @var{name} @var{format-spec}
28362 @end smallexample
28363
28364 Sets the output format for the value of the object @var{name} to be
28365 @var{format-spec}.
28366
28367 @anchor{-var-set-format}
28368 The syntax for the @var{format-spec} is as follows:
28369
28370 @smallexample
28371 @var{format-spec} @expansion{}
28372 @{binary | decimal | hexadecimal | octal | natural@}
28373 @end smallexample
28374
28375 The natural format is the default format choosen automatically
28376 based on the variable type (like decimal for an @code{int}, hex
28377 for pointers, etc.).
28378
28379 For a variable with children, the format is set only on the
28380 variable itself, and the children are not affected.
28381
28382 @subheading The @code{-var-show-format} Command
28383 @findex -var-show-format
28384
28385 @subsubheading Synopsis
28386
28387 @smallexample
28388 -var-show-format @var{name}
28389 @end smallexample
28390
28391 Returns the format used to display the value of the object @var{name}.
28392
28393 @smallexample
28394 @var{format} @expansion{}
28395 @var{format-spec}
28396 @end smallexample
28397
28398
28399 @subheading The @code{-var-info-num-children} Command
28400 @findex -var-info-num-children
28401
28402 @subsubheading Synopsis
28403
28404 @smallexample
28405 -var-info-num-children @var{name}
28406 @end smallexample
28407
28408 Returns the number of children of a variable object @var{name}:
28409
28410 @smallexample
28411 numchild=@var{n}
28412 @end smallexample
28413
28414 Note that this number is not completely reliable for a dynamic varobj.
28415 It will return the current number of children, but more children may
28416 be available.
28417
28418
28419 @subheading The @code{-var-list-children} Command
28420 @findex -var-list-children
28421
28422 @subsubheading Synopsis
28423
28424 @smallexample
28425 -var-list-children [@var{print-values}] @var{name} [@var{from} @var{to}]
28426 @end smallexample
28427 @anchor{-var-list-children}
28428
28429 Return a list of the children of the specified variable object and
28430 create variable objects for them, if they do not already exist. With
28431 a single argument or if @var{print-values} has a value of 0 or
28432 @code{--no-values}, print only the names of the variables; if
28433 @var{print-values} is 1 or @code{--all-values}, also print their
28434 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values} print the name and
28435 value for simple data types and just the name for arrays, structures
28436 and unions.
28437
28438 @var{from} and @var{to}, if specified, indicate the range of children
28439 to report. If @var{from} or @var{to} is less than zero, the range is
28440 reset and all children will be reported. Otherwise, children starting
28441 at @var{from} (zero-based) and up to and excluding @var{to} will be
28442 reported.
28443
28444 If a child range is requested, it will only affect the current call to
28445 @code{-var-list-children}, but not future calls to @code{-var-update}.
28446 For this, you must instead use @code{-var-set-update-range}. The
28447 intent of this approach is to enable a front end to implement any
28448 update approach it likes; for example, scrolling a view may cause the
28449 front end to request more children with @code{-var-list-children}, and
28450 then the front end could call @code{-var-set-update-range} with a
28451 different range to ensure that future updates are restricted to just
28452 the visible items.
28453
28454 For each child the following results are returned:
28455
28456 @table @var
28457
28458 @item name
28459 Name of the variable object created for this child.
28460
28461 @item exp
28462 The expression to be shown to the user by the front end to designate this child.
28463 For example this may be the name of a structure member.
28464
28465 For a dynamic varobj, this value cannot be used to form an
28466 expression. There is no way to do this at all with a dynamic varobj.
28467
28468 For C/C@t{++} structures there are several pseudo children returned to
28469 designate access qualifiers. For these pseudo children @var{exp} is
28470 @samp{public}, @samp{private}, or @samp{protected}. In this case the
28471 type and value are not present.
28472
28473 A dynamic varobj will not report the access qualifying
28474 pseudo-children, regardless of the language. This information is not
28475 available at all with a dynamic varobj.
28476
28477 @item numchild
28478 Number of children this child has. For a dynamic varobj, this will be
28479 0.
28480
28481 @item type
28482 The type of the child.
28483
28484 @item value
28485 If values were requested, this is the value.
28486
28487 @item thread-id
28488 If this variable object is associated with a thread, this is the thread id.
28489 Otherwise this result is not present.
28490
28491 @item frozen
28492 If the variable object is frozen, this variable will be present with a value of 1.
28493 @end table
28494
28495 The result may have its own attributes:
28496
28497 @table @samp
28498 @item displayhint
28499 A dynamic varobj can supply a display hint to the front end. The
28500 value comes directly from the Python pretty-printer object's
28501 @code{display_hint} method. @xref{Pretty Printing API}.
28502
28503 @item has_more
28504 This is an integer attribute which is nonzero if there are children
28505 remaining after the end of the selected range.
28506 @end table
28507
28508 @subsubheading Example
28509
28510 @smallexample
28511 (gdb)
28512 -var-list-children n
28513 ^done,numchild=@var{n},children=[child=@{name=@var{name},exp=@var{exp},
28514 numchild=@var{n},type=@var{type}@},@r{(repeats N times)}]
28515 (gdb)
28516 -var-list-children --all-values n
28517 ^done,numchild=@var{n},children=[child=@{name=@var{name},exp=@var{exp},
28518 numchild=@var{n},value=@var{value},type=@var{type}@},@r{(repeats N times)}]
28519 @end smallexample
28520
28521
28522 @subheading The @code{-var-info-type} Command
28523 @findex -var-info-type
28524
28525 @subsubheading Synopsis
28526
28527 @smallexample
28528 -var-info-type @var{name}
28529 @end smallexample
28530
28531 Returns the type of the specified variable @var{name}. The type is
28532 returned as a string in the same format as it is output by the
28533 @value{GDBN} CLI:
28534
28535 @smallexample
28536 type=@var{typename}
28537 @end smallexample
28538
28539
28540 @subheading The @code{-var-info-expression} Command
28541 @findex -var-info-expression
28542
28543 @subsubheading Synopsis
28544
28545 @smallexample
28546 -var-info-expression @var{name}
28547 @end smallexample
28548
28549 Returns a string that is suitable for presenting this
28550 variable object in user interface. The string is generally
28551 not valid expression in the current language, and cannot be evaluated.
28552
28553 For example, if @code{a} is an array, and variable object
28554 @code{A} was created for @code{a}, then we'll get this output:
28555
28556 @smallexample
28557 (gdb) -var-info-expression A.1
28558 ^done,lang="C",exp="1"
28559 @end smallexample
28560
28561 @noindent
28562 Here, the values of @code{lang} can be @code{@{"C" | "C++" | "Java"@}}.
28563
28564 Note that the output of the @code{-var-list-children} command also
28565 includes those expressions, so the @code{-var-info-expression} command
28566 is of limited use.
28567
28568 @subheading The @code{-var-info-path-expression} Command
28569 @findex -var-info-path-expression
28570
28571 @subsubheading Synopsis
28572
28573 @smallexample
28574 -var-info-path-expression @var{name}
28575 @end smallexample
28576
28577 Returns an expression that can be evaluated in the current
28578 context and will yield the same value that a variable object has.
28579 Compare this with the @code{-var-info-expression} command, which
28580 result can be used only for UI presentation. Typical use of
28581 the @code{-var-info-path-expression} command is creating a
28582 watchpoint from a variable object.
28583
28584 This command is currently not valid for children of a dynamic varobj,
28585 and will give an error when invoked on one.
28586
28587 For example, suppose @code{C} is a C@t{++} class, derived from class
28588 @code{Base}, and that the @code{Base} class has a member called
28589 @code{m_size}. Assume a variable @code{c} is has the type of
28590 @code{C} and a variable object @code{C} was created for variable
28591 @code{c}. Then, we'll get this output:
28592 @smallexample
28593 (gdb) -var-info-path-expression C.Base.public.m_size
28594 ^done,path_expr=((Base)c).m_size)
28595 @end smallexample
28596
28597 @subheading The @code{-var-show-attributes} Command
28598 @findex -var-show-attributes
28599
28600 @subsubheading Synopsis
28601
28602 @smallexample
28603 -var-show-attributes @var{name}
28604 @end smallexample
28605
28606 List attributes of the specified variable object @var{name}:
28607
28608 @smallexample
28609 status=@var{attr} [ ( ,@var{attr} )* ]
28610 @end smallexample
28611
28612 @noindent
28613 where @var{attr} is @code{@{ @{ editable | noneditable @} | TBD @}}.
28614
28615 @subheading The @code{-var-evaluate-expression} Command
28616 @findex -var-evaluate-expression
28617
28618 @subsubheading Synopsis
28619
28620 @smallexample
28621 -var-evaluate-expression [-f @var{format-spec}] @var{name}
28622 @end smallexample
28623
28624 Evaluates the expression that is represented by the specified variable
28625 object and returns its value as a string. The format of the string
28626 can be specified with the @samp{-f} option. The possible values of
28627 this option are the same as for @code{-var-set-format}
28628 (@pxref{-var-set-format}). If the @samp{-f} option is not specified,
28629 the current display format will be used. The current display format
28630 can be changed using the @code{-var-set-format} command.
28631
28632 @smallexample
28633 value=@var{value}
28634 @end smallexample
28635
28636 Note that one must invoke @code{-var-list-children} for a variable
28637 before the value of a child variable can be evaluated.
28638
28639 @subheading The @code{-var-assign} Command
28640 @findex -var-assign
28641
28642 @subsubheading Synopsis
28643
28644 @smallexample
28645 -var-assign @var{name} @var{expression}
28646 @end smallexample
28647
28648 Assigns the value of @var{expression} to the variable object specified
28649 by @var{name}. The object must be @samp{editable}. If the variable's
28650 value is altered by the assign, the variable will show up in any
28651 subsequent @code{-var-update} list.
28652
28653 @subsubheading Example
28654
28655 @smallexample
28656 (gdb)
28657 -var-assign var1 3
28658 ^done,value="3"
28659 (gdb)
28660 -var-update *
28661 ^done,changelist=[@{name="var1",in_scope="true",type_changed="false"@}]
28662 (gdb)
28663 @end smallexample
28664
28665 @subheading The @code{-var-update} Command
28666 @findex -var-update
28667
28668 @subsubheading Synopsis
28669
28670 @smallexample
28671 -var-update [@var{print-values}] @{@var{name} | "*"@}
28672 @end smallexample
28673
28674 Reevaluate the expressions corresponding to the variable object
28675 @var{name} and all its direct and indirect children, and return the
28676 list of variable objects whose values have changed; @var{name} must
28677 be a root variable object. Here, ``changed'' means that the result of
28678 @code{-var-evaluate-expression} before and after the
28679 @code{-var-update} is different. If @samp{*} is used as the variable
28680 object names, all existing variable objects are updated, except
28681 for frozen ones (@pxref{-var-set-frozen}). The option
28682 @var{print-values} determines whether both names and values, or just
28683 names are printed. The possible values of this option are the same
28684 as for @code{-var-list-children} (@pxref{-var-list-children}). It is
28685 recommended to use the @samp{--all-values} option, to reduce the
28686 number of MI commands needed on each program stop.
28687
28688 With the @samp{*} parameter, if a variable object is bound to a
28689 currently running thread, it will not be updated, without any
28690 diagnostic.
28691
28692 If @code{-var-set-update-range} was previously used on a varobj, then
28693 only the selected range of children will be reported.
28694
28695 @code{-var-update} reports all the changed varobjs in a tuple named
28696 @samp{changelist}.
28697
28698 Each item in the change list is itself a tuple holding:
28699
28700 @table @samp
28701 @item name
28702 The name of the varobj.
28703
28704 @item value
28705 If values were requested for this update, then this field will be
28706 present and will hold the value of the varobj.
28707
28708 @item in_scope
28709 @anchor{-var-update}
28710 This field is a string which may take one of three values:
28711
28712 @table @code
28713 @item "true"
28714 The variable object's current value is valid.
28715
28716 @item "false"
28717 The variable object does not currently hold a valid value but it may
28718 hold one in the future if its associated expression comes back into
28719 scope.
28720
28721 @item "invalid"
28722 The variable object no longer holds a valid value.
28723 This can occur when the executable file being debugged has changed,
28724 either through recompilation or by using the @value{GDBN} @code{file}
28725 command. The front end should normally choose to delete these variable
28726 objects.
28727 @end table
28728
28729 In the future new values may be added to this list so the front should
28730 be prepared for this possibility. @xref{GDB/MI Development and Front Ends, ,@sc{GDB/MI} Development and Front Ends}.
28731
28732 @item type_changed
28733 This is only present if the varobj is still valid. If the type
28734 changed, then this will be the string @samp{true}; otherwise it will
28735 be @samp{false}.
28736
28737 @item new_type
28738 If the varobj's type changed, then this field will be present and will
28739 hold the new type.
28740
28741 @item new_num_children
28742 For a dynamic varobj, if the number of children changed, or if the
28743 type changed, this will be the new number of children.
28744
28745 The @samp{numchild} field in other varobj responses is generally not
28746 valid for a dynamic varobj -- it will show the number of children that
28747 @value{GDBN} knows about, but because dynamic varobjs lazily
28748 instantiate their children, this will not reflect the number of
28749 children which may be available.
28750
28751 The @samp{new_num_children} attribute only reports changes to the
28752 number of children known by @value{GDBN}. This is the only way to
28753 detect whether an update has removed children (which necessarily can
28754 only happen at the end of the update range).
28755
28756 @item displayhint
28757 The display hint, if any.
28758
28759 @item has_more
28760 This is an integer value, which will be 1 if there are more children
28761 available outside the varobj's update range.
28762
28763 @item dynamic
28764 This attribute will be present and have the value @samp{1} if the
28765 varobj is a dynamic varobj. If the varobj is not a dynamic varobj,
28766 then this attribute will not be present.
28767
28768 @item new_children
28769 If new children were added to a dynamic varobj within the selected
28770 update range (as set by @code{-var-set-update-range}), then they will
28771 be listed in this attribute.
28772 @end table
28773
28774 @subsubheading Example
28775
28776 @smallexample
28777 (gdb)
28778 -var-assign var1 3
28779 ^done,value="3"
28780 (gdb)
28781 -var-update --all-values var1
28782 ^done,changelist=[@{name="var1",value="3",in_scope="true",
28783 type_changed="false"@}]
28784 (gdb)
28785 @end smallexample
28786
28787 @subheading The @code{-var-set-frozen} Command
28788 @findex -var-set-frozen
28789 @anchor{-var-set-frozen}
28790
28791 @subsubheading Synopsis
28792
28793 @smallexample
28794 -var-set-frozen @var{name} @var{flag}
28795 @end smallexample
28796
28797 Set the frozenness flag on the variable object @var{name}. The
28798 @var{flag} parameter should be either @samp{1} to make the variable
28799 frozen or @samp{0} to make it unfrozen. If a variable object is
28800 frozen, then neither itself, nor any of its children, are
28801 implicitly updated by @code{-var-update} of
28802 a parent variable or by @code{-var-update *}. Only
28803 @code{-var-update} of the variable itself will update its value and
28804 values of its children. After a variable object is unfrozen, it is
28805 implicitly updated by all subsequent @code{-var-update} operations.
28806 Unfreezing a variable does not update it, only subsequent
28807 @code{-var-update} does.
28808
28809 @subsubheading Example
28810
28811 @smallexample
28812 (gdb)
28813 -var-set-frozen V 1
28814 ^done
28815 (gdb)
28816 @end smallexample
28817
28818 @subheading The @code{-var-set-update-range} command
28819 @findex -var-set-update-range
28820 @anchor{-var-set-update-range}
28821
28822 @subsubheading Synopsis
28823
28824 @smallexample
28825 -var-set-update-range @var{name} @var{from} @var{to}
28826 @end smallexample
28827
28828 Set the range of children to be returned by future invocations of
28829 @code{-var-update}.
28830
28831 @var{from} and @var{to} indicate the range of children to report. If
28832 @var{from} or @var{to} is less than zero, the range is reset and all
28833 children will be reported. Otherwise, children starting at @var{from}
28834 (zero-based) and up to and excluding @var{to} will be reported.
28835
28836 @subsubheading Example
28837
28838 @smallexample
28839 (gdb)
28840 -var-set-update-range V 1 2
28841 ^done
28842 @end smallexample
28843
28844 @subheading The @code{-var-set-visualizer} command
28845 @findex -var-set-visualizer
28846 @anchor{-var-set-visualizer}
28847
28848 @subsubheading Synopsis
28849
28850 @smallexample
28851 -var-set-visualizer @var{name} @var{visualizer}
28852 @end smallexample
28853
28854 Set a visualizer for the variable object @var{name}.
28855
28856 @var{visualizer} is the visualizer to use. The special value
28857 @samp{None} means to disable any visualizer in use.
28858
28859 If not @samp{None}, @var{visualizer} must be a Python expression.
28860 This expression must evaluate to a callable object which accepts a
28861 single argument. @value{GDBN} will call this object with the value of
28862 the varobj @var{name} as an argument (this is done so that the same
28863 Python pretty-printing code can be used for both the CLI and MI).
28864 When called, this object must return an object which conforms to the
28865 pretty-printing interface (@pxref{Pretty Printing API}).
28866
28867 The pre-defined function @code{gdb.default_visualizer} may be used to
28868 select a visualizer by following the built-in process
28869 (@pxref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}). This is done automatically when
28870 a varobj is created, and so ordinarily is not needed.
28871
28872 This feature is only available if Python support is enabled. The MI
28873 command @code{-list-features} (@pxref{GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands})
28874 can be used to check this.
28875
28876 @subsubheading Example
28877
28878 Resetting the visualizer:
28879
28880 @smallexample
28881 (gdb)
28882 -var-set-visualizer V None
28883 ^done
28884 @end smallexample
28885
28886 Reselecting the default (type-based) visualizer:
28887
28888 @smallexample
28889 (gdb)
28890 -var-set-visualizer V gdb.default_visualizer
28891 ^done
28892 @end smallexample
28893
28894 Suppose @code{SomeClass} is a visualizer class. A lambda expression
28895 can be used to instantiate this class for a varobj:
28896
28897 @smallexample
28898 (gdb)
28899 -var-set-visualizer V "lambda val: SomeClass()"
28900 ^done
28901 @end smallexample
28902
28903 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28904 @node GDB/MI Data Manipulation
28905 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Data Manipulation
28906
28907 @cindex data manipulation, in @sc{gdb/mi}
28908 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, data manipulation
28909 This section describes the @sc{gdb/mi} commands that manipulate data:
28910 examine memory and registers, evaluate expressions, etc.
28911
28912 @c REMOVED FROM THE INTERFACE.
28913 @c @subheading -data-assign
28914 @c Change the value of a program variable. Plenty of side effects.
28915 @c @subsubheading GDB Command
28916 @c set variable
28917 @c @subsubheading Example
28918 @c N.A.
28919
28920 @subheading The @code{-data-disassemble} Command
28921 @findex -data-disassemble
28922
28923 @subsubheading Synopsis
28924
28925 @smallexample
28926 -data-disassemble
28927 [ -s @var{start-addr} -e @var{end-addr} ]
28928 | [ -f @var{filename} -l @var{linenum} [ -n @var{lines} ] ]
28929 -- @var{mode}
28930 @end smallexample
28931
28932 @noindent
28933 Where:
28934
28935 @table @samp
28936 @item @var{start-addr}
28937 is the beginning address (or @code{$pc})
28938 @item @var{end-addr}
28939 is the end address
28940 @item @var{filename}
28941 is the name of the file to disassemble
28942 @item @var{linenum}
28943 is the line number to disassemble around
28944 @item @var{lines}
28945 is the number of disassembly lines to be produced. If it is -1,
28946 the whole function will be disassembled, in case no @var{end-addr} is
28947 specified. If @var{end-addr} is specified as a non-zero value, and
28948 @var{lines} is lower than the number of disassembly lines between
28949 @var{start-addr} and @var{end-addr}, only @var{lines} lines are
28950 displayed; if @var{lines} is higher than the number of lines between
28951 @var{start-addr} and @var{end-addr}, only the lines up to @var{end-addr}
28952 are displayed.
28953 @item @var{mode}
28954 is either 0 (meaning only disassembly), 1 (meaning mixed source and
28955 disassembly), 2 (meaning disassembly with raw opcodes), or 3 (meaning
28956 mixed source and disassembly with raw opcodes).
28957 @end table
28958
28959 @subsubheading Result
28960
28961 The output for each instruction is composed of four fields:
28962
28963 @itemize @bullet
28964 @item Address
28965 @item Func-name
28966 @item Offset
28967 @item Instruction
28968 @end itemize
28969
28970 Note that whatever included in the instruction field, is not manipulated
28971 directly by @sc{gdb/mi}, i.e., it is not possible to adjust its format.
28972
28973 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28974
28975 There's no direct mapping from this command to the CLI.
28976
28977 @subsubheading Example
28978
28979 Disassemble from the current value of @code{$pc} to @code{$pc + 20}:
28980
28981 @smallexample
28982 (gdb)
28983 -data-disassemble -s $pc -e "$pc + 20" -- 0
28984 ^done,
28985 asm_insns=[
28986 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
28987 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
28988 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
28989 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
28990 @{address="0x000107c8",func-name="main",offset="12",
28991 inst="or %o2, 0x140, %o1\t! 0x11940 <_lib_version+8>"@},
28992 @{address="0x000107cc",func-name="main",offset="16",
28993 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
28994 @{address="0x000107d0",func-name="main",offset="20",
28995 inst="or %o2, 0x168, %o4\t! 0x11968 <_lib_version+48>"@}]
28996 (gdb)
28997 @end smallexample
28998
28999 Disassemble the whole @code{main} function. Line 32 is part of
29000 @code{main}.
29001
29002 @smallexample
29003 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -- 0
29004 ^done,asm_insns=[
29005 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
29006 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@},
29007 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
29008 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
29009 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
29010 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
29011 [@dots{}]
29012 @{address="0x0001081c",func-name="main",offset="96",inst="ret "@},
29013 @{address="0x00010820",func-name="main",offset="100",inst="restore "@}]
29014 (gdb)
29015 @end smallexample
29016
29017 Disassemble 3 instructions from the start of @code{main}:
29018
29019 @smallexample
29020 (gdb)
29021 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -n 3 -- 0
29022 ^done,asm_insns=[
29023 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
29024 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@},
29025 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
29026 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
29027 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
29028 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@}]
29029 (gdb)
29030 @end smallexample
29031
29032 Disassemble 3 instructions from the start of @code{main} in mixed mode:
29033
29034 @smallexample
29035 (gdb)
29036 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -n 3 -- 1
29037 ^done,asm_insns=[
29038 src_and_asm_line=@{line="31",
29039 file="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb/ \
29040 testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line_asm_insn=[
29041 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
29042 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@}]@},
29043 src_and_asm_line=@{line="32",
29044 file="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb/ \
29045 testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line_asm_insn=[
29046 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
29047 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
29048 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
29049 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@}]@}]
29050 (gdb)
29051 @end smallexample
29052
29053
29054 @subheading The @code{-data-evaluate-expression} Command
29055 @findex -data-evaluate-expression
29056
29057 @subsubheading Synopsis
29058
29059 @smallexample
29060 -data-evaluate-expression @var{expr}
29061 @end smallexample
29062
29063 Evaluate @var{expr} as an expression. The expression could contain an
29064 inferior function call. The function call will execute synchronously.
29065 If the expression contains spaces, it must be enclosed in double quotes.
29066
29067 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29068
29069 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{print}, @samp{output}, and
29070 @samp{call}. In @code{gdbtk} only, there's a corresponding
29071 @samp{gdb_eval} command.
29072
29073 @subsubheading Example
29074
29075 In the following example, the numbers that precede the commands are the
29076 @dfn{tokens} described in @ref{GDB/MI Command Syntax, ,@sc{gdb/mi}
29077 Command Syntax}. Notice how @sc{gdb/mi} returns the same tokens in its
29078 output.
29079
29080 @smallexample
29081 211-data-evaluate-expression A
29082 211^done,value="1"
29083 (gdb)
29084 311-data-evaluate-expression &A
29085 311^done,value="0xefffeb7c"
29086 (gdb)
29087 411-data-evaluate-expression A+3
29088 411^done,value="4"
29089 (gdb)
29090 511-data-evaluate-expression "A + 3"
29091 511^done,value="4"
29092 (gdb)
29093 @end smallexample
29094
29095
29096 @subheading The @code{-data-list-changed-registers} Command
29097 @findex -data-list-changed-registers
29098
29099 @subsubheading Synopsis
29100
29101 @smallexample
29102 -data-list-changed-registers
29103 @end smallexample
29104
29105 Display a list of the registers that have changed.
29106
29107 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29108
29109 @value{GDBN} doesn't have a direct analog for this command; @code{gdbtk}
29110 has the corresponding command @samp{gdb_changed_register_list}.
29111
29112 @subsubheading Example
29113
29114 On a PPC MBX board:
29115
29116 @smallexample
29117 (gdb)
29118 -exec-continue
29119 ^running
29120
29121 (gdb)
29122 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",frame=@{
29123 func="main",args=[],file="try.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",
29124 line="5"@}
29125 (gdb)
29126 -data-list-changed-registers
29127 ^done,changed-registers=["0","1","2","4","5","6","7","8","9",
29128 "10","11","13","14","15","16","17","18","19","20","21","22","23",
29129 "24","25","26","27","28","30","31","64","65","66","67","69"]
29130 (gdb)
29131 @end smallexample
29132
29133
29134 @subheading The @code{-data-list-register-names} Command
29135 @findex -data-list-register-names
29136
29137 @subsubheading Synopsis
29138
29139 @smallexample
29140 -data-list-register-names [ ( @var{regno} )+ ]
29141 @end smallexample
29142
29143 Show a list of register names for the current target. If no arguments
29144 are given, it shows a list of the names of all the registers. If
29145 integer numbers are given as arguments, it will print a list of the
29146 names of the registers corresponding to the arguments. To ensure
29147 consistency between a register name and its number, the output list may
29148 include empty register names.
29149
29150 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29151
29152 @value{GDBN} does not have a command which corresponds to
29153 @samp{-data-list-register-names}. In @code{gdbtk} there is a
29154 corresponding command @samp{gdb_regnames}.
29155
29156 @subsubheading Example
29157
29158 For the PPC MBX board:
29159 @smallexample
29160 (gdb)
29161 -data-list-register-names
29162 ^done,register-names=["r0","r1","r2","r3","r4","r5","r6","r7",
29163 "r8","r9","r10","r11","r12","r13","r14","r15","r16","r17","r18",
29164 "r19","r20","r21","r22","r23","r24","r25","r26","r27","r28","r29",
29165 "r30","r31","f0","f1","f2","f3","f4","f5","f6","f7","f8","f9",
29166 "f10","f11","f12","f13","f14","f15","f16","f17","f18","f19","f20",
29167 "f21","f22","f23","f24","f25","f26","f27","f28","f29","f30","f31",
29168 "", "pc","ps","cr","lr","ctr","xer"]
29169 (gdb)
29170 -data-list-register-names 1 2 3
29171 ^done,register-names=["r1","r2","r3"]
29172 (gdb)
29173 @end smallexample
29174
29175 @subheading The @code{-data-list-register-values} Command
29176 @findex -data-list-register-values
29177
29178 @subsubheading Synopsis
29179
29180 @smallexample
29181 -data-list-register-values @var{fmt} [ ( @var{regno} )*]
29182 @end smallexample
29183
29184 Display the registers' contents. @var{fmt} is the format according to
29185 which the registers' contents are to be returned, followed by an optional
29186 list of numbers specifying the registers to display. A missing list of
29187 numbers indicates that the contents of all the registers must be returned.
29188
29189 Allowed formats for @var{fmt} are:
29190
29191 @table @code
29192 @item x
29193 Hexadecimal
29194 @item o
29195 Octal
29196 @item t
29197 Binary
29198 @item d
29199 Decimal
29200 @item r
29201 Raw
29202 @item N
29203 Natural
29204 @end table
29205
29206 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29207
29208 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{info reg}, @samp{info
29209 all-reg}, and (in @code{gdbtk}) @samp{gdb_fetch_registers}.
29210
29211 @subsubheading Example
29212
29213 For a PPC MBX board (note: line breaks are for readability only, they
29214 don't appear in the actual output):
29215
29216 @smallexample
29217 (gdb)
29218 -data-list-register-values r 64 65
29219 ^done,register-values=[@{number="64",value="0xfe00a300"@},
29220 @{number="65",value="0x00029002"@}]
29221 (gdb)
29222 -data-list-register-values x
29223 ^done,register-values=[@{number="0",value="0xfe0043c8"@},
29224 @{number="1",value="0x3fff88"@},@{number="2",value="0xfffffffe"@},
29225 @{number="3",value="0x0"@},@{number="4",value="0xa"@},
29226 @{number="5",value="0x3fff68"@},@{number="6",value="0x3fff58"@},
29227 @{number="7",value="0xfe011e98"@},@{number="8",value="0x2"@},
29228 @{number="9",value="0xfa202820"@},@{number="10",value="0xfa202808"@},
29229 @{number="11",value="0x1"@},@{number="12",value="0x0"@},
29230 @{number="13",value="0x4544"@},@{number="14",value="0xffdfffff"@},
29231 @{number="15",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="16",value="0xfffffeff"@},
29232 @{number="17",value="0xefffffed"@},@{number="18",value="0xfffffffe"@},
29233 @{number="19",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="20",value="0xffffffff"@},
29234 @{number="21",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="22",value="0xfffffff7"@},
29235 @{number="23",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="24",value="0xffffffff"@},
29236 @{number="25",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="26",value="0xfffffffb"@},
29237 @{number="27",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="28",value="0xf7bfffff"@},
29238 @{number="29",value="0x0"@},@{number="30",value="0xfe010000"@},
29239 @{number="31",value="0x0"@},@{number="32",value="0x0"@},
29240 @{number="33",value="0x0"@},@{number="34",value="0x0"@},
29241 @{number="35",value="0x0"@},@{number="36",value="0x0"@},
29242 @{number="37",value="0x0"@},@{number="38",value="0x0"@},
29243 @{number="39",value="0x0"@},@{number="40",value="0x0"@},
29244 @{number="41",value="0x0"@},@{number="42",value="0x0"@},
29245 @{number="43",value="0x0"@},@{number="44",value="0x0"@},
29246 @{number="45",value="0x0"@},@{number="46",value="0x0"@},
29247 @{number="47",value="0x0"@},@{number="48",value="0x0"@},
29248 @{number="49",value="0x0"@},@{number="50",value="0x0"@},
29249 @{number="51",value="0x0"@},@{number="52",value="0x0"@},
29250 @{number="53",value="0x0"@},@{number="54",value="0x0"@},
29251 @{number="55",value="0x0"@},@{number="56",value="0x0"@},
29252 @{number="57",value="0x0"@},@{number="58",value="0x0"@},
29253 @{number="59",value="0x0"@},@{number="60",value="0x0"@},
29254 @{number="61",value="0x0"@},@{number="62",value="0x0"@},
29255 @{number="63",value="0x0"@},@{number="64",value="0xfe00a300"@},
29256 @{number="65",value="0x29002"@},@{number="66",value="0x202f04b5"@},
29257 @{number="67",value="0xfe0043b0"@},@{number="68",value="0xfe00b3e4"@},
29258 @{number="69",value="0x20002b03"@}]
29259 (gdb)
29260 @end smallexample
29261
29262
29263 @subheading The @code{-data-read-memory} Command
29264 @findex -data-read-memory
29265
29266 This command is deprecated, use @code{-data-read-memory-bytes} instead.
29267
29268 @subsubheading Synopsis
29269
29270 @smallexample
29271 -data-read-memory [ -o @var{byte-offset} ]
29272 @var{address} @var{word-format} @var{word-size}
29273 @var{nr-rows} @var{nr-cols} [ @var{aschar} ]
29274 @end smallexample
29275
29276 @noindent
29277 where:
29278
29279 @table @samp
29280 @item @var{address}
29281 An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
29282 read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
29283 quoted using the C convention.
29284
29285 @item @var{word-format}
29286 The format to be used to print the memory words. The notation is the
29287 same as for @value{GDBN}'s @code{print} command (@pxref{Output Formats,
29288 ,Output Formats}).
29289
29290 @item @var{word-size}
29291 The size of each memory word in bytes.
29292
29293 @item @var{nr-rows}
29294 The number of rows in the output table.
29295
29296 @item @var{nr-cols}
29297 The number of columns in the output table.
29298
29299 @item @var{aschar}
29300 If present, indicates that each row should include an @sc{ascii} dump. The
29301 value of @var{aschar} is used as a padding character when a byte is not a
29302 member of the printable @sc{ascii} character set (printable @sc{ascii}
29303 characters are those whose code is between 32 and 126, inclusively).
29304
29305 @item @var{byte-offset}
29306 An offset to add to the @var{address} before fetching memory.
29307 @end table
29308
29309 This command displays memory contents as a table of @var{nr-rows} by
29310 @var{nr-cols} words, each word being @var{word-size} bytes. In total,
29311 @code{@var{nr-rows} * @var{nr-cols} * @var{word-size}} bytes are read
29312 (returned as @samp{total-bytes}). Should less than the requested number
29313 of bytes be returned by the target, the missing words are identified
29314 using @samp{N/A}. The number of bytes read from the target is returned
29315 in @samp{nr-bytes} and the starting address used to read memory in
29316 @samp{addr}.
29317
29318 The address of the next/previous row or page is available in
29319 @samp{next-row} and @samp{prev-row}, @samp{next-page} and
29320 @samp{prev-page}.
29321
29322 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29323
29324 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{x}. @code{gdbtk} has
29325 @samp{gdb_get_mem} memory read command.
29326
29327 @subsubheading Example
29328
29329 Read six bytes of memory starting at @code{bytes+6} but then offset by
29330 @code{-6} bytes. Format as three rows of two columns. One byte per
29331 word. Display each word in hex.
29332
29333 @smallexample
29334 (gdb)
29335 9-data-read-memory -o -6 -- bytes+6 x 1 3 2
29336 9^done,addr="0x00001390",nr-bytes="6",total-bytes="6",
29337 next-row="0x00001396",prev-row="0x0000138e",next-page="0x00001396",
29338 prev-page="0x0000138a",memory=[
29339 @{addr="0x00001390",data=["0x00","0x01"]@},
29340 @{addr="0x00001392",data=["0x02","0x03"]@},
29341 @{addr="0x00001394",data=["0x04","0x05"]@}]
29342 (gdb)
29343 @end smallexample
29344
29345 Read two bytes of memory starting at address @code{shorts + 64} and
29346 display as a single word formatted in decimal.
29347
29348 @smallexample
29349 (gdb)
29350 5-data-read-memory shorts+64 d 2 1 1
29351 5^done,addr="0x00001510",nr-bytes="2",total-bytes="2",
29352 next-row="0x00001512",prev-row="0x0000150e",
29353 next-page="0x00001512",prev-page="0x0000150e",memory=[
29354 @{addr="0x00001510",data=["128"]@}]
29355 (gdb)
29356 @end smallexample
29357
29358 Read thirty two bytes of memory starting at @code{bytes+16} and format
29359 as eight rows of four columns. Include a string encoding with @samp{x}
29360 used as the non-printable character.
29361
29362 @smallexample
29363 (gdb)
29364 4-data-read-memory bytes+16 x 1 8 4 x
29365 4^done,addr="0x000013a0",nr-bytes="32",total-bytes="32",
29366 next-row="0x000013c0",prev-row="0x0000139c",
29367 next-page="0x000013c0",prev-page="0x00001380",memory=[
29368 @{addr="0x000013a0",data=["0x10","0x11","0x12","0x13"],ascii="xxxx"@},
29369 @{addr="0x000013a4",data=["0x14","0x15","0x16","0x17"],ascii="xxxx"@},
29370 @{addr="0x000013a8",data=["0x18","0x19","0x1a","0x1b"],ascii="xxxx"@},
29371 @{addr="0x000013ac",data=["0x1c","0x1d","0x1e","0x1f"],ascii="xxxx"@},
29372 @{addr="0x000013b0",data=["0x20","0x21","0x22","0x23"],ascii=" !\"#"@},
29373 @{addr="0x000013b4",data=["0x24","0x25","0x26","0x27"],ascii="$%&'"@},
29374 @{addr="0x000013b8",data=["0x28","0x29","0x2a","0x2b"],ascii="()*+"@},
29375 @{addr="0x000013bc",data=["0x2c","0x2d","0x2e","0x2f"],ascii=",-./"@}]
29376 (gdb)
29377 @end smallexample
29378
29379 @subheading The @code{-data-read-memory-bytes} Command
29380 @findex -data-read-memory-bytes
29381
29382 @subsubheading Synopsis
29383
29384 @smallexample
29385 -data-read-memory-bytes [ -o @var{byte-offset} ]
29386 @var{address} @var{count}
29387 @end smallexample
29388
29389 @noindent
29390 where:
29391
29392 @table @samp
29393 @item @var{address}
29394 An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
29395 read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
29396 quoted using the C convention.
29397
29398 @item @var{count}
29399 The number of bytes to read. This should be an integer literal.
29400
29401 @item @var{byte-offset}
29402 The offsets in bytes relative to @var{address} at which to start
29403 reading. This should be an integer literal. This option is provided
29404 so that a frontend is not required to first evaluate address and then
29405 perform address arithmetics itself.
29406
29407 @end table
29408
29409 This command attempts to read all accessible memory regions in the
29410 specified range. First, all regions marked as unreadable in the memory
29411 map (if one is defined) will be skipped. @xref{Memory Region
29412 Attributes}. Second, @value{GDBN} will attempt to read the remaining
29413 regions. For each one, if reading full region results in an errors,
29414 @value{GDBN} will try to read a subset of the region.
29415
29416 In general, every single byte in the region may be readable or not,
29417 and the only way to read every readable byte is to try a read at
29418 every address, which is not practical. Therefore, @value{GDBN} will
29419 attempt to read all accessible bytes at either beginning or the end
29420 of the region, using a binary division scheme. This heuristic works
29421 well for reading accross a memory map boundary. Note that if a region
29422 has a readable range that is neither at the beginning or the end,
29423 @value{GDBN} will not read it.
29424
29425 The result record (@pxref{GDB/MI Result Records}) that is output of
29426 the command includes a field named @samp{memory} whose content is a
29427 list of tuples. Each tuple represent a successfully read memory block
29428 and has the following fields:
29429
29430 @table @code
29431 @item begin
29432 The start address of the memory block, as hexadecimal literal.
29433
29434 @item end
29435 The end address of the memory block, as hexadecimal literal.
29436
29437 @item offset
29438 The offset of the memory block, as hexadecimal literal, relative to
29439 the start address passed to @code{-data-read-memory-bytes}.
29440
29441 @item contents
29442 The contents of the memory block, in hex.
29443
29444 @end table
29445
29446
29447
29448 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29449
29450 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{x}.
29451
29452 @subsubheading Example
29453
29454 @smallexample
29455 (gdb)
29456 -data-read-memory-bytes &a 10
29457 ^done,memory=[@{begin="0xbffff154",offset="0x00000000",
29458 end="0xbffff15e",
29459 contents="01000000020000000300"@}]
29460 (gdb)
29461 @end smallexample
29462
29463
29464 @subheading The @code{-data-write-memory-bytes} Command
29465 @findex -data-write-memory-bytes
29466
29467 @subsubheading Synopsis
29468
29469 @smallexample
29470 -data-write-memory-bytes @var{address} @var{contents}
29471 @end smallexample
29472
29473 @noindent
29474 where:
29475
29476 @table @samp
29477 @item @var{address}
29478 An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
29479 read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
29480 quoted using the C convention.
29481
29482 @item @var{contents}
29483 The hex-encoded bytes to write.
29484
29485 @end table
29486
29487 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29488
29489 There's no corresponding @value{GDBN} command.
29490
29491 @subsubheading Example
29492
29493 @smallexample
29494 (gdb)
29495 -data-write-memory-bytes &a "aabbccdd"
29496 ^done
29497 (gdb)
29498 @end smallexample
29499
29500
29501 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29502 @node GDB/MI Tracepoint Commands
29503 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Tracepoint Commands
29504
29505 The commands defined in this section implement MI support for
29506 tracepoints. For detailed introduction, see @ref{Tracepoints}.
29507
29508 @subheading The @code{-trace-find} Command
29509 @findex -trace-find
29510
29511 @subsubheading Synopsis
29512
29513 @smallexample
29514 -trace-find @var{mode} [@var{parameters}@dots{}]
29515 @end smallexample
29516
29517 Find a trace frame using criteria defined by @var{mode} and
29518 @var{parameters}. The following table lists permissible
29519 modes and their parameters. For details of operation, see @ref{tfind}.
29520
29521 @table @samp
29522
29523 @item none
29524 No parameters are required. Stops examining trace frames.
29525
29526 @item frame-number
29527 An integer is required as parameter. Selects tracepoint frame with
29528 that index.
29529
29530 @item tracepoint-number
29531 An integer is required as parameter. Finds next
29532 trace frame that corresponds to tracepoint with the specified number.
29533
29534 @item pc
29535 An address is required as parameter. Finds
29536 next trace frame that corresponds to any tracepoint at the specified
29537 address.
29538
29539 @item pc-inside-range
29540 Two addresses are required as parameters. Finds next trace
29541 frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at an address inside the
29542 specified range. Both bounds are considered to be inside the range.
29543
29544 @item pc-outside-range
29545 Two addresses are required as parameters. Finds
29546 next trace frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at an address outside
29547 the specified range. Both bounds are considered to be inside the range.
29548
29549 @item line
29550 Line specification is required as parameter. @xref{Specify Location}.
29551 Finds next trace frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at
29552 the specified location.
29553
29554 @end table
29555
29556 If @samp{none} was passed as @var{mode}, the response does not
29557 have fields. Otherwise, the response may have the following fields:
29558
29559 @table @samp
29560 @item found
29561 This field has either @samp{0} or @samp{1} as the value, depending
29562 on whether a matching tracepoint was found.
29563
29564 @item traceframe
29565 The index of the found traceframe. This field is present iff
29566 the @samp{found} field has value of @samp{1}.
29567
29568 @item tracepoint
29569 The index of the found tracepoint. This field is present iff
29570 the @samp{found} field has value of @samp{1}.
29571
29572 @item frame
29573 The information about the frame corresponding to the found trace
29574 frame. This field is present only if a trace frame was found.
29575 @xref{GDB/MI Frame Information}, for description of this field.
29576
29577 @end table
29578
29579 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29580
29581 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tfind}.
29582
29583 @subheading -trace-define-variable
29584 @findex -trace-define-variable
29585
29586 @subsubheading Synopsis
29587
29588 @smallexample
29589 -trace-define-variable @var{name} [ @var{value} ]
29590 @end smallexample
29591
29592 Create trace variable @var{name} if it does not exist. If
29593 @var{value} is specified, sets the initial value of the specified
29594 trace variable to that value. Note that the @var{name} should start
29595 with the @samp{$} character.
29596
29597 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29598
29599 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tvariable}.
29600
29601 @subheading -trace-list-variables
29602 @findex -trace-list-variables
29603
29604 @subsubheading Synopsis
29605
29606 @smallexample
29607 -trace-list-variables
29608 @end smallexample
29609
29610 Return a table of all defined trace variables. Each element of the
29611 table has the following fields:
29612
29613 @table @samp
29614 @item name
29615 The name of the trace variable. This field is always present.
29616
29617 @item initial
29618 The initial value. This is a 64-bit signed integer. This
29619 field is always present.
29620
29621 @item current
29622 The value the trace variable has at the moment. This is a 64-bit
29623 signed integer. This field is absent iff current value is
29624 not defined, for example if the trace was never run, or is
29625 presently running.
29626
29627 @end table
29628
29629 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29630
29631 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tvariables}.
29632
29633 @subsubheading Example
29634
29635 @smallexample
29636 (gdb)
29637 -trace-list-variables
29638 ^done,trace-variables=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="3",
29639 hdr=[@{width="15",alignment="-1",col_name="name",colhdr="Name"@},
29640 @{width="11",alignment="-1",col_name="initial",colhdr="Initial"@},
29641 @{width="11",alignment="-1",col_name="current",colhdr="Current"@}],
29642 body=[variable=@{name="$trace_timestamp",initial="0"@}
29643 variable=@{name="$foo",initial="10",current="15"@}]@}
29644 (gdb)
29645 @end smallexample
29646
29647 @subheading -trace-save
29648 @findex -trace-save
29649
29650 @subsubheading Synopsis
29651
29652 @smallexample
29653 -trace-save [-r ] @var{filename}
29654 @end smallexample
29655
29656 Saves the collected trace data to @var{filename}. Without the
29657 @samp{-r} option, the data is downloaded from the target and saved
29658 in a local file. With the @samp{-r} option the target is asked
29659 to perform the save.
29660
29661 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29662
29663 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tsave}.
29664
29665
29666 @subheading -trace-start
29667 @findex -trace-start
29668
29669 @subsubheading Synopsis
29670
29671 @smallexample
29672 -trace-start
29673 @end smallexample
29674
29675 Starts a tracing experiments. The result of this command does not
29676 have any fields.
29677
29678 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29679
29680 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstart}.
29681
29682 @subheading -trace-status
29683 @findex -trace-status
29684
29685 @subsubheading Synopsis
29686
29687 @smallexample
29688 -trace-status
29689 @end smallexample
29690
29691 Obtains the status of a tracing experiment. The result may include
29692 the following fields:
29693
29694 @table @samp
29695
29696 @item supported
29697 May have a value of either @samp{0}, when no tracing operations are
29698 supported, @samp{1}, when all tracing operations are supported, or
29699 @samp{file} when examining trace file. In the latter case, examining
29700 of trace frame is possible but new tracing experiement cannot be
29701 started. This field is always present.
29702
29703 @item running
29704 May have a value of either @samp{0} or @samp{1} depending on whether
29705 tracing experiement is in progress on target. This field is present
29706 if @samp{supported} field is not @samp{0}.
29707
29708 @item stop-reason
29709 Report the reason why the tracing was stopped last time. This field
29710 may be absent iff tracing was never stopped on target yet. The
29711 value of @samp{request} means the tracing was stopped as result of
29712 the @code{-trace-stop} command. The value of @samp{overflow} means
29713 the tracing buffer is full. The value of @samp{disconnection} means
29714 tracing was automatically stopped when @value{GDBN} has disconnected.
29715 The value of @samp{passcount} means tracing was stopped when a
29716 tracepoint was passed a maximal number of times for that tracepoint.
29717 This field is present if @samp{supported} field is not @samp{0}.
29718
29719 @item stopping-tracepoint
29720 The number of tracepoint whose passcount as exceeded. This field is
29721 present iff the @samp{stop-reason} field has the value of
29722 @samp{passcount}.
29723
29724 @item frames
29725 @itemx frames-created
29726 The @samp{frames} field is a count of the total number of trace frames
29727 in the trace buffer, while @samp{frames-created} is the total created
29728 during the run, including ones that were discarded, such as when a
29729 circular trace buffer filled up. Both fields are optional.
29730
29731 @item buffer-size
29732 @itemx buffer-free
29733 These fields tell the current size of the tracing buffer and the
29734 remaining space. These fields are optional.
29735
29736 @item circular
29737 The value of the circular trace buffer flag. @code{1} means that the
29738 trace buffer is circular and old trace frames will be discarded if
29739 necessary to make room, @code{0} means that the trace buffer is linear
29740 and may fill up.
29741
29742 @item disconnected
29743 The value of the disconnected tracing flag. @code{1} means that
29744 tracing will continue after @value{GDBN} disconnects, @code{0} means
29745 that the trace run will stop.
29746
29747 @end table
29748
29749 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29750
29751 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstatus}.
29752
29753 @subheading -trace-stop
29754 @findex -trace-stop
29755
29756 @subsubheading Synopsis
29757
29758 @smallexample
29759 -trace-stop
29760 @end smallexample
29761
29762 Stops a tracing experiment. The result of this command has the same
29763 fields as @code{-trace-status}, except that the @samp{supported} and
29764 @samp{running} fields are not output.
29765
29766 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29767
29768 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstop}.
29769
29770
29771 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29772 @node GDB/MI Symbol Query
29773 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Symbol Query Commands
29774
29775
29776 @ignore
29777 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-address} Command
29778 @findex -symbol-info-address
29779
29780 @subsubheading Synopsis
29781
29782 @smallexample
29783 -symbol-info-address @var{symbol}
29784 @end smallexample
29785
29786 Describe where @var{symbol} is stored.
29787
29788 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29789
29790 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info address}.
29791
29792 @subsubheading Example
29793 N.A.
29794
29795
29796 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-file} Command
29797 @findex -symbol-info-file
29798
29799 @subsubheading Synopsis
29800
29801 @smallexample
29802 -symbol-info-file
29803 @end smallexample
29804
29805 Show the file for the symbol.
29806
29807 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29808
29809 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command. @code{gdbtk} has
29810 @samp{gdb_find_file}.
29811
29812 @subsubheading Example
29813 N.A.
29814
29815
29816 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-function} Command
29817 @findex -symbol-info-function
29818
29819 @subsubheading Synopsis
29820
29821 @smallexample
29822 -symbol-info-function
29823 @end smallexample
29824
29825 Show which function the symbol lives in.
29826
29827 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29828
29829 @samp{gdb_get_function} in @code{gdbtk}.
29830
29831 @subsubheading Example
29832 N.A.
29833
29834
29835 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-line} Command
29836 @findex -symbol-info-line
29837
29838 @subsubheading Synopsis
29839
29840 @smallexample
29841 -symbol-info-line
29842 @end smallexample
29843
29844 Show the core addresses of the code for a source line.
29845
29846 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29847
29848 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info line}.
29849 @code{gdbtk} has the @samp{gdb_get_line} and @samp{gdb_get_file} commands.
29850
29851 @subsubheading Example
29852 N.A.
29853
29854
29855 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-symbol} Command
29856 @findex -symbol-info-symbol
29857
29858 @subsubheading Synopsis
29859
29860 @smallexample
29861 -symbol-info-symbol @var{addr}
29862 @end smallexample
29863
29864 Describe what symbol is at location @var{addr}.
29865
29866 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29867
29868 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info symbol}.
29869
29870 @subsubheading Example
29871 N.A.
29872
29873
29874 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-functions} Command
29875 @findex -symbol-list-functions
29876
29877 @subsubheading Synopsis
29878
29879 @smallexample
29880 -symbol-list-functions
29881 @end smallexample
29882
29883 List the functions in the executable.
29884
29885 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29886
29887 @samp{info functions} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_listfunc} and
29888 @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
29889
29890 @subsubheading Example
29891 N.A.
29892 @end ignore
29893
29894
29895 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-lines} Command
29896 @findex -symbol-list-lines
29897
29898 @subsubheading Synopsis
29899
29900 @smallexample
29901 -symbol-list-lines @var{filename}
29902 @end smallexample
29903
29904 Print the list of lines that contain code and their associated program
29905 addresses for the given source filename. The entries are sorted in
29906 ascending PC order.
29907
29908 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29909
29910 There is no corresponding @value{GDBN} command.
29911
29912 @subsubheading Example
29913 @smallexample
29914 (gdb)
29915 -symbol-list-lines basics.c
29916 ^done,lines=[@{pc="0x08048554",line="7"@},@{pc="0x0804855a",line="8"@}]
29917 (gdb)
29918 @end smallexample
29919
29920
29921 @ignore
29922 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-types} Command
29923 @findex -symbol-list-types
29924
29925 @subsubheading Synopsis
29926
29927 @smallexample
29928 -symbol-list-types
29929 @end smallexample
29930
29931 List all the type names.
29932
29933 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29934
29935 The corresponding commands are @samp{info types} in @value{GDBN},
29936 @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
29937
29938 @subsubheading Example
29939 N.A.
29940
29941
29942 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-variables} Command
29943 @findex -symbol-list-variables
29944
29945 @subsubheading Synopsis
29946
29947 @smallexample
29948 -symbol-list-variables
29949 @end smallexample
29950
29951 List all the global and static variable names.
29952
29953 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29954
29955 @samp{info variables} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
29956
29957 @subsubheading Example
29958 N.A.
29959
29960
29961 @subheading The @code{-symbol-locate} Command
29962 @findex -symbol-locate
29963
29964 @subsubheading Synopsis
29965
29966 @smallexample
29967 -symbol-locate
29968 @end smallexample
29969
29970 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29971
29972 @samp{gdb_loc} in @code{gdbtk}.
29973
29974 @subsubheading Example
29975 N.A.
29976
29977
29978 @subheading The @code{-symbol-type} Command
29979 @findex -symbol-type
29980
29981 @subsubheading Synopsis
29982
29983 @smallexample
29984 -symbol-type @var{variable}
29985 @end smallexample
29986
29987 Show type of @var{variable}.
29988
29989 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29990
29991 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{ptype}, @code{gdbtk} has
29992 @samp{gdb_obj_variable}.
29993
29994 @subsubheading Example
29995 N.A.
29996 @end ignore
29997
29998
29999 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
30000 @node GDB/MI File Commands
30001 @section @sc{gdb/mi} File Commands
30002
30003 This section describes the GDB/MI commands to specify executable file names
30004 and to read in and obtain symbol table information.
30005
30006 @subheading The @code{-file-exec-and-symbols} Command
30007 @findex -file-exec-and-symbols
30008
30009 @subsubheading Synopsis
30010
30011 @smallexample
30012 -file-exec-and-symbols @var{file}
30013 @end smallexample
30014
30015 Specify the executable file to be debugged. This file is the one from
30016 which the symbol table is also read. If no file is specified, the
30017 command clears the executable and symbol information. If breakpoints
30018 are set when using this command with no arguments, @value{GDBN} will produce
30019 error messages. Otherwise, no output is produced, except a completion
30020 notification.
30021
30022 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30023
30024 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{file}.
30025
30026 @subsubheading Example
30027
30028 @smallexample
30029 (gdb)
30030 -file-exec-and-symbols /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
30031 ^done
30032 (gdb)
30033 @end smallexample
30034
30035
30036 @subheading The @code{-file-exec-file} Command
30037 @findex -file-exec-file
30038
30039 @subsubheading Synopsis
30040
30041 @smallexample
30042 -file-exec-file @var{file}
30043 @end smallexample
30044
30045 Specify the executable file to be debugged. Unlike
30046 @samp{-file-exec-and-symbols}, the symbol table is @emph{not} read
30047 from this file. If used without argument, @value{GDBN} clears the information
30048 about the executable file. No output is produced, except a completion
30049 notification.
30050
30051 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30052
30053 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{exec-file}.
30054
30055 @subsubheading Example
30056
30057 @smallexample
30058 (gdb)
30059 -file-exec-file /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
30060 ^done
30061 (gdb)
30062 @end smallexample
30063
30064
30065 @ignore
30066 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-sections} Command
30067 @findex -file-list-exec-sections
30068
30069 @subsubheading Synopsis
30070
30071 @smallexample
30072 -file-list-exec-sections
30073 @end smallexample
30074
30075 List the sections of the current executable file.
30076
30077 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30078
30079 The @value{GDBN} command @samp{info file} shows, among the rest, the same
30080 information as this command. @code{gdbtk} has a corresponding command
30081 @samp{gdb_load_info}.
30082
30083 @subsubheading Example
30084 N.A.
30085 @end ignore
30086
30087
30088 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-source-file} Command
30089 @findex -file-list-exec-source-file
30090
30091 @subsubheading Synopsis
30092
30093 @smallexample
30094 -file-list-exec-source-file
30095 @end smallexample
30096
30097 List the line number, the current source file, and the absolute path
30098 to the current source file for the current executable. The macro
30099 information field has a value of @samp{1} or @samp{0} depending on
30100 whether or not the file includes preprocessor macro information.
30101
30102 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30103
30104 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{info source}
30105
30106 @subsubheading Example
30107
30108 @smallexample
30109 (gdb)
30110 123-file-list-exec-source-file
30111 123^done,line="1",file="foo.c",fullname="/home/bar/foo.c,macro-info="1"
30112 (gdb)
30113 @end smallexample
30114
30115
30116 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-source-files} Command
30117 @findex -file-list-exec-source-files
30118
30119 @subsubheading Synopsis
30120
30121 @smallexample
30122 -file-list-exec-source-files
30123 @end smallexample
30124
30125 List the source files for the current executable.
30126
30127 It will always output the filename, but only when @value{GDBN} can find
30128 the absolute file name of a source file, will it output the fullname.
30129
30130 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30131
30132 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{info sources}.
30133 @code{gdbtk} has an analogous command @samp{gdb_listfiles}.
30134
30135 @subsubheading Example
30136 @smallexample
30137 (gdb)
30138 -file-list-exec-source-files
30139 ^done,files=[
30140 @{file=foo.c,fullname=/home/foo.c@},
30141 @{file=/home/bar.c,fullname=/home/bar.c@},
30142 @{file=gdb_could_not_find_fullpath.c@}]
30143 (gdb)
30144 @end smallexample
30145
30146 @ignore
30147 @subheading The @code{-file-list-shared-libraries} Command
30148 @findex -file-list-shared-libraries
30149
30150 @subsubheading Synopsis
30151
30152 @smallexample
30153 -file-list-shared-libraries
30154 @end smallexample
30155
30156 List the shared libraries in the program.
30157
30158 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30159
30160 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info shared}.
30161
30162 @subsubheading Example
30163 N.A.
30164
30165
30166 @subheading The @code{-file-list-symbol-files} Command
30167 @findex -file-list-symbol-files
30168
30169 @subsubheading Synopsis
30170
30171 @smallexample
30172 -file-list-symbol-files
30173 @end smallexample
30174
30175 List symbol files.
30176
30177 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30178
30179 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info file} (part of it).
30180
30181 @subsubheading Example
30182 N.A.
30183 @end ignore
30184
30185
30186 @subheading The @code{-file-symbol-file} Command
30187 @findex -file-symbol-file
30188
30189 @subsubheading Synopsis
30190
30191 @smallexample
30192 -file-symbol-file @var{file}
30193 @end smallexample
30194
30195 Read symbol table info from the specified @var{file} argument. When
30196 used without arguments, clears @value{GDBN}'s symbol table info. No output is
30197 produced, except for a completion notification.
30198
30199 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30200
30201 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{symbol-file}.
30202
30203 @subsubheading Example
30204
30205 @smallexample
30206 (gdb)
30207 -file-symbol-file /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
30208 ^done
30209 (gdb)
30210 @end smallexample
30211
30212 @ignore
30213 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
30214 @node GDB/MI Memory Overlay Commands
30215 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Memory Overlay Commands
30216
30217 The memory overlay commands are not implemented.
30218
30219 @c @subheading -overlay-auto
30220
30221 @c @subheading -overlay-list-mapping-state
30222
30223 @c @subheading -overlay-list-overlays
30224
30225 @c @subheading -overlay-map
30226
30227 @c @subheading -overlay-off
30228
30229 @c @subheading -overlay-on
30230
30231 @c @subheading -overlay-unmap
30232
30233 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
30234 @node GDB/MI Signal Handling Commands
30235 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Signal Handling Commands
30236
30237 Signal handling commands are not implemented.
30238
30239 @c @subheading -signal-handle
30240
30241 @c @subheading -signal-list-handle-actions
30242
30243 @c @subheading -signal-list-signal-types
30244 @end ignore
30245
30246
30247 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
30248 @node GDB/MI Target Manipulation
30249 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Target Manipulation Commands
30250
30251
30252 @subheading The @code{-target-attach} Command
30253 @findex -target-attach
30254
30255 @subsubheading Synopsis
30256
30257 @smallexample
30258 -target-attach @var{pid} | @var{gid} | @var{file}
30259 @end smallexample
30260
30261 Attach to a process @var{pid} or a file @var{file} outside of
30262 @value{GDBN}, or a thread group @var{gid}. If attaching to a thread
30263 group, the id previously returned by
30264 @samp{-list-thread-groups --available} must be used.
30265
30266 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30267
30268 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{attach}.
30269
30270 @subsubheading Example
30271 @smallexample
30272 (gdb)
30273 -target-attach 34
30274 =thread-created,id="1"
30275 *stopped,thread-id="1",frame=@{addr="0xb7f7e410",func="bar",args=[]@}
30276 ^done
30277 (gdb)
30278 @end smallexample
30279
30280 @ignore
30281 @subheading The @code{-target-compare-sections} Command
30282 @findex -target-compare-sections
30283
30284 @subsubheading Synopsis
30285
30286 @smallexample
30287 -target-compare-sections [ @var{section} ]
30288 @end smallexample
30289
30290 Compare data of section @var{section} on target to the exec file.
30291 Without the argument, all sections are compared.
30292
30293 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30294
30295 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{compare-sections}.
30296
30297 @subsubheading Example
30298 N.A.
30299 @end ignore
30300
30301
30302 @subheading The @code{-target-detach} Command
30303 @findex -target-detach
30304
30305 @subsubheading Synopsis
30306
30307 @smallexample
30308 -target-detach [ @var{pid} | @var{gid} ]
30309 @end smallexample
30310
30311 Detach from the remote target which normally resumes its execution.
30312 If either @var{pid} or @var{gid} is specified, detaches from either
30313 the specified process, or specified thread group. There's no output.
30314
30315 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30316
30317 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{detach}.
30318
30319 @subsubheading Example
30320
30321 @smallexample
30322 (gdb)
30323 -target-detach
30324 ^done
30325 (gdb)
30326 @end smallexample
30327
30328
30329 @subheading The @code{-target-disconnect} Command
30330 @findex -target-disconnect
30331
30332 @subsubheading Synopsis
30333
30334 @smallexample
30335 -target-disconnect
30336 @end smallexample
30337
30338 Disconnect from the remote target. There's no output and the target is
30339 generally not resumed.
30340
30341 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30342
30343 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disconnect}.
30344
30345 @subsubheading Example
30346
30347 @smallexample
30348 (gdb)
30349 -target-disconnect
30350 ^done
30351 (gdb)
30352 @end smallexample
30353
30354
30355 @subheading The @code{-target-download} Command
30356 @findex -target-download
30357
30358 @subsubheading Synopsis
30359
30360 @smallexample
30361 -target-download
30362 @end smallexample
30363
30364 Loads the executable onto the remote target.
30365 It prints out an update message every half second, which includes the fields:
30366
30367 @table @samp
30368 @item section
30369 The name of the section.
30370 @item section-sent
30371 The size of what has been sent so far for that section.
30372 @item section-size
30373 The size of the section.
30374 @item total-sent
30375 The total size of what was sent so far (the current and the previous sections).
30376 @item total-size
30377 The size of the overall executable to download.
30378 @end table
30379
30380 @noindent
30381 Each message is sent as status record (@pxref{GDB/MI Output Syntax, ,
30382 @sc{gdb/mi} Output Syntax}).
30383
30384 In addition, it prints the name and size of the sections, as they are
30385 downloaded. These messages include the following fields:
30386
30387 @table @samp
30388 @item section
30389 The name of the section.
30390 @item section-size
30391 The size of the section.
30392 @item total-size
30393 The size of the overall executable to download.
30394 @end table
30395
30396 @noindent
30397 At the end, a summary is printed.
30398
30399 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30400
30401 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{load}.
30402
30403 @subsubheading Example
30404
30405 Note: each status message appears on a single line. Here the messages
30406 have been broken down so that they can fit onto a page.
30407
30408 @smallexample
30409 (gdb)
30410 -target-download
30411 +download,@{section=".text",section-size="6668",total-size="9880"@}
30412 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="512",section-size="6668",
30413 total-sent="512",total-size="9880"@}
30414 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="1024",section-size="6668",
30415 total-sent="1024",total-size="9880"@}
30416 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="1536",section-size="6668",
30417 total-sent="1536",total-size="9880"@}
30418 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="2048",section-size="6668",
30419 total-sent="2048",total-size="9880"@}
30420 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="2560",section-size="6668",
30421 total-sent="2560",total-size="9880"@}
30422 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="3072",section-size="6668",
30423 total-sent="3072",total-size="9880"@}
30424 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="3584",section-size="6668",
30425 total-sent="3584",total-size="9880"@}
30426 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="4096",section-size="6668",
30427 total-sent="4096",total-size="9880"@}
30428 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="4608",section-size="6668",
30429 total-sent="4608",total-size="9880"@}
30430 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="5120",section-size="6668",
30431 total-sent="5120",total-size="9880"@}
30432 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="5632",section-size="6668",
30433 total-sent="5632",total-size="9880"@}
30434 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="6144",section-size="6668",
30435 total-sent="6144",total-size="9880"@}
30436 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="6656",section-size="6668",
30437 total-sent="6656",total-size="9880"@}
30438 +download,@{section=".init",section-size="28",total-size="9880"@}
30439 +download,@{section=".fini",section-size="28",total-size="9880"@}
30440 +download,@{section=".data",section-size="3156",total-size="9880"@}
30441 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="512",section-size="3156",
30442 total-sent="7236",total-size="9880"@}
30443 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="1024",section-size="3156",
30444 total-sent="7748",total-size="9880"@}
30445 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="1536",section-size="3156",
30446 total-sent="8260",total-size="9880"@}
30447 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="2048",section-size="3156",
30448 total-sent="8772",total-size="9880"@}
30449 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="2560",section-size="3156",
30450 total-sent="9284",total-size="9880"@}
30451 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="3072",section-size="3156",
30452 total-sent="9796",total-size="9880"@}
30453 ^done,address="0x10004",load-size="9880",transfer-rate="6586",
30454 write-rate="429"
30455 (gdb)
30456 @end smallexample
30457
30458
30459 @ignore
30460 @subheading The @code{-target-exec-status} Command
30461 @findex -target-exec-status
30462
30463 @subsubheading Synopsis
30464
30465 @smallexample
30466 -target-exec-status
30467 @end smallexample
30468
30469 Provide information on the state of the target (whether it is running or
30470 not, for instance).
30471
30472 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30473
30474 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command.
30475
30476 @subsubheading Example
30477 N.A.
30478
30479
30480 @subheading The @code{-target-list-available-targets} Command
30481 @findex -target-list-available-targets
30482
30483 @subsubheading Synopsis
30484
30485 @smallexample
30486 -target-list-available-targets
30487 @end smallexample
30488
30489 List the possible targets to connect to.
30490
30491 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30492
30493 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{help target}.
30494
30495 @subsubheading Example
30496 N.A.
30497
30498
30499 @subheading The @code{-target-list-current-targets} Command
30500 @findex -target-list-current-targets
30501
30502 @subsubheading Synopsis
30503
30504 @smallexample
30505 -target-list-current-targets
30506 @end smallexample
30507
30508 Describe the current target.
30509
30510 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30511
30512 The corresponding information is printed by @samp{info file} (among
30513 other things).
30514
30515 @subsubheading Example
30516 N.A.
30517
30518
30519 @subheading The @code{-target-list-parameters} Command
30520 @findex -target-list-parameters
30521
30522 @subsubheading Synopsis
30523
30524 @smallexample
30525 -target-list-parameters
30526 @end smallexample
30527
30528 @c ????
30529 @end ignore
30530
30531 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30532
30533 No equivalent.
30534
30535 @subsubheading Example
30536 N.A.
30537
30538
30539 @subheading The @code{-target-select} Command
30540 @findex -target-select
30541
30542 @subsubheading Synopsis
30543
30544 @smallexample
30545 -target-select @var{type} @var{parameters @dots{}}
30546 @end smallexample
30547
30548 Connect @value{GDBN} to the remote target. This command takes two args:
30549
30550 @table @samp
30551 @item @var{type}
30552 The type of target, for instance @samp{remote}, etc.
30553 @item @var{parameters}
30554 Device names, host names and the like. @xref{Target Commands, ,
30555 Commands for Managing Targets}, for more details.
30556 @end table
30557
30558 The output is a connection notification, followed by the address at
30559 which the target program is, in the following form:
30560
30561 @smallexample
30562 ^connected,addr="@var{address}",func="@var{function name}",
30563 args=[@var{arg list}]
30564 @end smallexample
30565
30566 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30567
30568 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{target}.
30569
30570 @subsubheading Example
30571
30572 @smallexample
30573 (gdb)
30574 -target-select remote /dev/ttya
30575 ^connected,addr="0xfe00a300",func="??",args=[]
30576 (gdb)
30577 @end smallexample
30578
30579 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
30580 @node GDB/MI File Transfer Commands
30581 @section @sc{gdb/mi} File Transfer Commands
30582
30583
30584 @subheading The @code{-target-file-put} Command
30585 @findex -target-file-put
30586
30587 @subsubheading Synopsis
30588
30589 @smallexample
30590 -target-file-put @var{hostfile} @var{targetfile}
30591 @end smallexample
30592
30593 Copy file @var{hostfile} from the host system (the machine running
30594 @value{GDBN}) to @var{targetfile} on the target system.
30595
30596 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30597
30598 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote put}.
30599
30600 @subsubheading Example
30601
30602 @smallexample
30603 (gdb)
30604 -target-file-put localfile remotefile
30605 ^done
30606 (gdb)
30607 @end smallexample
30608
30609
30610 @subheading The @code{-target-file-get} Command
30611 @findex -target-file-get
30612
30613 @subsubheading Synopsis
30614
30615 @smallexample
30616 -target-file-get @var{targetfile} @var{hostfile}
30617 @end smallexample
30618
30619 Copy file @var{targetfile} from the target system to @var{hostfile}
30620 on the host system.
30621
30622 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30623
30624 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote get}.
30625
30626 @subsubheading Example
30627
30628 @smallexample
30629 (gdb)
30630 -target-file-get remotefile localfile
30631 ^done
30632 (gdb)
30633 @end smallexample
30634
30635
30636 @subheading The @code{-target-file-delete} Command
30637 @findex -target-file-delete
30638
30639 @subsubheading Synopsis
30640
30641 @smallexample
30642 -target-file-delete @var{targetfile}
30643 @end smallexample
30644
30645 Delete @var{targetfile} from the target system.
30646
30647 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30648
30649 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote delete}.
30650
30651 @subsubheading Example
30652
30653 @smallexample
30654 (gdb)
30655 -target-file-delete remotefile
30656 ^done
30657 (gdb)
30658 @end smallexample
30659
30660
30661 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
30662 @node GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands
30663 @section Miscellaneous @sc{gdb/mi} Commands
30664
30665 @c @subheading -gdb-complete
30666
30667 @subheading The @code{-gdb-exit} Command
30668 @findex -gdb-exit
30669
30670 @subsubheading Synopsis
30671
30672 @smallexample
30673 -gdb-exit
30674 @end smallexample
30675
30676 Exit @value{GDBN} immediately.
30677
30678 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30679
30680 Approximately corresponds to @samp{quit}.
30681
30682 @subsubheading Example
30683
30684 @smallexample
30685 (gdb)
30686 -gdb-exit
30687 ^exit
30688 @end smallexample
30689
30690
30691 @ignore
30692 @subheading The @code{-exec-abort} Command
30693 @findex -exec-abort
30694
30695 @subsubheading Synopsis
30696
30697 @smallexample
30698 -exec-abort
30699 @end smallexample
30700
30701 Kill the inferior running program.
30702
30703 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30704
30705 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{kill}.
30706
30707 @subsubheading Example
30708 N.A.
30709 @end ignore
30710
30711
30712 @subheading The @code{-gdb-set} Command
30713 @findex -gdb-set
30714
30715 @subsubheading Synopsis
30716
30717 @smallexample
30718 -gdb-set
30719 @end smallexample
30720
30721 Set an internal @value{GDBN} variable.
30722 @c IS THIS A DOLLAR VARIABLE? OR SOMETHING LIKE ANNOTATE ?????
30723
30724 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30725
30726 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set}.
30727
30728 @subsubheading Example
30729
30730 @smallexample
30731 (gdb)
30732 -gdb-set $foo=3
30733 ^done
30734 (gdb)
30735 @end smallexample
30736
30737
30738 @subheading The @code{-gdb-show} Command
30739 @findex -gdb-show
30740
30741 @subsubheading Synopsis
30742
30743 @smallexample
30744 -gdb-show
30745 @end smallexample
30746
30747 Show the current value of a @value{GDBN} variable.
30748
30749 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30750
30751 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show}.
30752
30753 @subsubheading Example
30754
30755 @smallexample
30756 (gdb)
30757 -gdb-show annotate
30758 ^done,value="0"
30759 (gdb)
30760 @end smallexample
30761
30762 @c @subheading -gdb-source
30763
30764
30765 @subheading The @code{-gdb-version} Command
30766 @findex -gdb-version
30767
30768 @subsubheading Synopsis
30769
30770 @smallexample
30771 -gdb-version
30772 @end smallexample
30773
30774 Show version information for @value{GDBN}. Used mostly in testing.
30775
30776 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30777
30778 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{show version}. @value{GDBN} by
30779 default shows this information when you start an interactive session.
30780
30781 @subsubheading Example
30782
30783 @c This example modifies the actual output from GDB to avoid overfull
30784 @c box in TeX.
30785 @smallexample
30786 (gdb)
30787 -gdb-version
30788 ~GNU gdb 5.2.1
30789 ~Copyright 2000 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
30790 ~GDB is free software, covered by the GNU General Public License, and
30791 ~you are welcome to change it and/or distribute copies of it under
30792 ~ certain conditions.
30793 ~Type "show copying" to see the conditions.
30794 ~There is absolutely no warranty for GDB. Type "show warranty" for
30795 ~ details.
30796 ~This GDB was configured as
30797 "--host=sparc-sun-solaris2.5.1 --target=ppc-eabi".
30798 ^done
30799 (gdb)
30800 @end smallexample
30801
30802 @subheading The @code{-list-features} Command
30803 @findex -list-features
30804
30805 Returns a list of particular features of the MI protocol that
30806 this version of gdb implements. A feature can be a command,
30807 or a new field in an output of some command, or even an
30808 important bugfix. While a frontend can sometimes detect presence
30809 of a feature at runtime, it is easier to perform detection at debugger
30810 startup.
30811
30812 The command returns a list of strings, with each string naming an
30813 available feature. Each returned string is just a name, it does not
30814 have any internal structure. The list of possible feature names
30815 is given below.
30816
30817 Example output:
30818
30819 @smallexample
30820 (gdb) -list-features
30821 ^done,result=["feature1","feature2"]
30822 @end smallexample
30823
30824 The current list of features is:
30825
30826 @table @samp
30827 @item frozen-varobjs
30828 Indicates support for the @code{-var-set-frozen} command, as well
30829 as possible presense of the @code{frozen} field in the output
30830 of @code{-varobj-create}.
30831 @item pending-breakpoints
30832 Indicates support for the @option{-f} option to the @code{-break-insert}
30833 command.
30834 @item python
30835 Indicates Python scripting support, Python-based
30836 pretty-printing commands, and possible presence of the
30837 @samp{display_hint} field in the output of @code{-var-list-children}
30838 @item thread-info
30839 Indicates support for the @code{-thread-info} command.
30840 @item data-read-memory-bytes
30841 Indicates support for the @code{-data-read-memory-bytes} and the
30842 @code{-data-write-memory-bytes} commands.
30843 @item breakpoint-notifications
30844 Indicates that changes to breakpoints and breakpoints created via the
30845 CLI will be announced via async records.
30846 @item ada-task-info
30847 Indicates support for the @code{-ada-task-info} command.
30848 @end table
30849
30850 @subheading The @code{-list-target-features} Command
30851 @findex -list-target-features
30852
30853 Returns a list of particular features that are supported by the
30854 target. Those features affect the permitted MI commands, but
30855 unlike the features reported by the @code{-list-features} command, the
30856 features depend on which target GDB is using at the moment. Whenever
30857 a target can change, due to commands such as @code{-target-select},
30858 @code{-target-attach} or @code{-exec-run}, the list of target features
30859 may change, and the frontend should obtain it again.
30860 Example output:
30861
30862 @smallexample
30863 (gdb) -list-features
30864 ^done,result=["async"]
30865 @end smallexample
30866
30867 The current list of features is:
30868
30869 @table @samp
30870 @item async
30871 Indicates that the target is capable of asynchronous command
30872 execution, which means that @value{GDBN} will accept further commands
30873 while the target is running.
30874
30875 @item reverse
30876 Indicates that the target is capable of reverse execution.
30877 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
30878
30879 @end table
30880
30881 @subheading The @code{-list-thread-groups} Command
30882 @findex -list-thread-groups
30883
30884 @subheading Synopsis
30885
30886 @smallexample
30887 -list-thread-groups [ --available ] [ --recurse 1 ] [ @var{group} ... ]
30888 @end smallexample
30889
30890 Lists thread groups (@pxref{Thread groups}). When a single thread
30891 group is passed as the argument, lists the children of that group.
30892 When several thread group are passed, lists information about those
30893 thread groups. Without any parameters, lists information about all
30894 top-level thread groups.
30895
30896 Normally, thread groups that are being debugged are reported.
30897 With the @samp{--available} option, @value{GDBN} reports thread groups
30898 available on the target.
30899
30900 The output of this command may have either a @samp{threads} result or
30901 a @samp{groups} result. The @samp{thread} result has a list of tuples
30902 as value, with each tuple describing a thread (@pxref{GDB/MI Thread
30903 Information}). The @samp{groups} result has a list of tuples as value,
30904 each tuple describing a thread group. If top-level groups are
30905 requested (that is, no parameter is passed), or when several groups
30906 are passed, the output always has a @samp{groups} result. The format
30907 of the @samp{group} result is described below.
30908
30909 To reduce the number of roundtrips it's possible to list thread groups
30910 together with their children, by passing the @samp{--recurse} option
30911 and the recursion depth. Presently, only recursion depth of 1 is
30912 permitted. If this option is present, then every reported thread group
30913 will also include its children, either as @samp{group} or
30914 @samp{threads} field.
30915
30916 In general, any combination of option and parameters is permitted, with
30917 the following caveats:
30918
30919 @itemize @bullet
30920 @item
30921 When a single thread group is passed, the output will typically
30922 be the @samp{threads} result. Because threads may not contain
30923 anything, the @samp{recurse} option will be ignored.
30924
30925 @item
30926 When the @samp{--available} option is passed, limited information may
30927 be available. In particular, the list of threads of a process might
30928 be inaccessible. Further, specifying specific thread groups might
30929 not give any performance advantage over listing all thread groups.
30930 The frontend should assume that @samp{-list-thread-groups --available}
30931 is always an expensive operation and cache the results.
30932
30933 @end itemize
30934
30935 The @samp{groups} result is a list of tuples, where each tuple may
30936 have the following fields:
30937
30938 @table @code
30939 @item id
30940 Identifier of the thread group. This field is always present.
30941 The identifier is an opaque string; frontends should not try to
30942 convert it to an integer, even though it might look like one.
30943
30944 @item type
30945 The type of the thread group. At present, only @samp{process} is a
30946 valid type.
30947
30948 @item pid
30949 The target-specific process identifier. This field is only present
30950 for thread groups of type @samp{process} and only if the process exists.
30951
30952 @item num_children
30953 The number of children this thread group has. This field may be
30954 absent for an available thread group.
30955
30956 @item threads
30957 This field has a list of tuples as value, each tuple describing a
30958 thread. It may be present if the @samp{--recurse} option is
30959 specified, and it's actually possible to obtain the threads.
30960
30961 @item cores
30962 This field is a list of integers, each identifying a core that one
30963 thread of the group is running on. This field may be absent if
30964 such information is not available.
30965
30966 @item executable
30967 The name of the executable file that corresponds to this thread group.
30968 The field is only present for thread groups of type @samp{process},
30969 and only if there is a corresponding executable file.
30970
30971 @end table
30972
30973 @subheading Example
30974
30975 @smallexample
30976 @value{GDBP}
30977 -list-thread-groups
30978 ^done,groups=[@{id="17",type="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2"@}]
30979 -list-thread-groups 17
30980 ^done,threads=[@{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90 (LWP 21257)",
30981 frame=@{level="0",addr="0xffffe410",func="__kernel_vsyscall",args=[]@},state="running"@},
30982 @{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e156b0 (LWP 21254)",
30983 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0804891f",func="foo",args=[@{name="i",value="10"@}],
30984 file="/tmp/a.c",fullname="/tmp/a.c",line="158"@},state="running"@}]]
30985 -list-thread-groups --available
30986 ^done,groups=[@{id="17",type="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2]@}]
30987 -list-thread-groups --available --recurse 1
30988 ^done,groups=[@{id="17", types="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2],
30989 threads=[@{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[1]@},
30990 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[2]@}]@},..]
30991 -list-thread-groups --available --recurse 1 17 18
30992 ^done,groups=[@{id="17", types="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2],
30993 threads=[@{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[1]@},
30994 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[2]@}]@},...]
30995 @end smallexample
30996
30997
30998 @subheading The @code{-add-inferior} Command
30999 @findex -add-inferior
31000
31001 @subheading Synopsis
31002
31003 @smallexample
31004 -add-inferior
31005 @end smallexample
31006
31007 Creates a new inferior (@pxref{Inferiors and Programs}). The created
31008 inferior is not associated with any executable. Such association may
31009 be established with the @samp{-file-exec-and-symbols} command
31010 (@pxref{GDB/MI File Commands}). The command response has a single
31011 field, @samp{thread-group}, whose value is the identifier of the
31012 thread group corresponding to the new inferior.
31013
31014 @subheading Example
31015
31016 @smallexample
31017 @value{GDBP}
31018 -add-inferior
31019 ^done,thread-group="i3"
31020 @end smallexample
31021
31022 @subheading The @code{-interpreter-exec} Command
31023 @findex -interpreter-exec
31024
31025 @subheading Synopsis
31026
31027 @smallexample
31028 -interpreter-exec @var{interpreter} @var{command}
31029 @end smallexample
31030 @anchor{-interpreter-exec}
31031
31032 Execute the specified @var{command} in the given @var{interpreter}.
31033
31034 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
31035
31036 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{interpreter-exec}.
31037
31038 @subheading Example
31039
31040 @smallexample
31041 (gdb)
31042 -interpreter-exec console "break main"
31043 &"During symbol reading, couldn't parse type; debugger out of date?.\n"
31044 &"During symbol reading, bad structure-type format.\n"
31045 ~"Breakpoint 1 at 0x8074fc6: file ../../src/gdb/main.c, line 743.\n"
31046 ^done
31047 (gdb)
31048 @end smallexample
31049
31050 @subheading The @code{-inferior-tty-set} Command
31051 @findex -inferior-tty-set
31052
31053 @subheading Synopsis
31054
31055 @smallexample
31056 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
31057 @end smallexample
31058
31059 Set terminal for future runs of the program being debugged.
31060
31061 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
31062
31063 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set inferior-tty} /dev/pts/1.
31064
31065 @subheading Example
31066
31067 @smallexample
31068 (gdb)
31069 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
31070 ^done
31071 (gdb)
31072 @end smallexample
31073
31074 @subheading The @code{-inferior-tty-show} Command
31075 @findex -inferior-tty-show
31076
31077 @subheading Synopsis
31078
31079 @smallexample
31080 -inferior-tty-show
31081 @end smallexample
31082
31083 Show terminal for future runs of program being debugged.
31084
31085 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
31086
31087 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show inferior-tty}.
31088
31089 @subheading Example
31090
31091 @smallexample
31092 (gdb)
31093 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
31094 ^done
31095 (gdb)
31096 -inferior-tty-show
31097 ^done,inferior_tty_terminal="/dev/pts/1"
31098 (gdb)
31099 @end smallexample
31100
31101 @subheading The @code{-enable-timings} Command
31102 @findex -enable-timings
31103
31104 @subheading Synopsis
31105
31106 @smallexample
31107 -enable-timings [yes | no]
31108 @end smallexample
31109
31110 Toggle the printing of the wallclock, user and system times for an MI
31111 command as a field in its output. This command is to help frontend
31112 developers optimize the performance of their code. No argument is
31113 equivalent to @samp{yes}.
31114
31115 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
31116
31117 No equivalent.
31118
31119 @subheading Example
31120
31121 @smallexample
31122 (gdb)
31123 -enable-timings
31124 ^done
31125 (gdb)
31126 -break-insert main
31127 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
31128 addr="0x080484ed",func="main",file="myprog.c",
31129 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="73",times="0"@},
31130 time=@{wallclock="0.05185",user="0.00800",system="0.00000"@}
31131 (gdb)
31132 -enable-timings no
31133 ^done
31134 (gdb)
31135 -exec-run
31136 ^running
31137 (gdb)
31138 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",thread-id="0",
31139 frame=@{addr="0x080484ed",func="main",args=[@{name="argc",value="1"@},
31140 @{name="argv",value="0xbfb60364"@}],file="myprog.c",
31141 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="73"@}
31142 (gdb)
31143 @end smallexample
31144
31145 @node Annotations
31146 @chapter @value{GDBN} Annotations
31147
31148 This chapter describes annotations in @value{GDBN}. Annotations were
31149 designed to interface @value{GDBN} to graphical user interfaces or other
31150 similar programs which want to interact with @value{GDBN} at a
31151 relatively high level.
31152
31153 The annotation mechanism has largely been superseded by @sc{gdb/mi}
31154 (@pxref{GDB/MI}).
31155
31156 @ignore
31157 This is Edition @value{EDITION}, @value{DATE}.
31158 @end ignore
31159
31160 @menu
31161 * Annotations Overview:: What annotations are; the general syntax.
31162 * Server Prefix:: Issuing a command without affecting user state.
31163 * Prompting:: Annotations marking @value{GDBN}'s need for input.
31164 * Errors:: Annotations for error messages.
31165 * Invalidation:: Some annotations describe things now invalid.
31166 * Annotations for Running::
31167 Whether the program is running, how it stopped, etc.
31168 * Source Annotations:: Annotations describing source code.
31169 @end menu
31170
31171 @node Annotations Overview
31172 @section What is an Annotation?
31173 @cindex annotations
31174
31175 Annotations start with a newline character, two @samp{control-z}
31176 characters, and the name of the annotation. If there is no additional
31177 information associated with this annotation, the name of the annotation
31178 is followed immediately by a newline. If there is additional
31179 information, the name of the annotation is followed by a space, the
31180 additional information, and a newline. The additional information
31181 cannot contain newline characters.
31182
31183 Any output not beginning with a newline and two @samp{control-z}
31184 characters denotes literal output from @value{GDBN}. Currently there is
31185 no need for @value{GDBN} to output a newline followed by two
31186 @samp{control-z} characters, but if there was such a need, the
31187 annotations could be extended with an @samp{escape} annotation which
31188 means those three characters as output.
31189
31190 The annotation @var{level}, which is specified using the
31191 @option{--annotate} command line option (@pxref{Mode Options}), controls
31192 how much information @value{GDBN} prints together with its prompt,
31193 values of expressions, source lines, and other types of output. Level 0
31194 is for no annotations, level 1 is for use when @value{GDBN} is run as a
31195 subprocess of @sc{gnu} Emacs, level 3 is the maximum annotation suitable
31196 for programs that control @value{GDBN}, and level 2 annotations have
31197 been made obsolete (@pxref{Limitations, , Limitations of the Annotation
31198 Interface, annotate, GDB's Obsolete Annotations}).
31199
31200 @table @code
31201 @kindex set annotate
31202 @item set annotate @var{level}
31203 The @value{GDBN} command @code{set annotate} sets the level of
31204 annotations to the specified @var{level}.
31205
31206 @item show annotate
31207 @kindex show annotate
31208 Show the current annotation level.
31209 @end table
31210
31211 This chapter describes level 3 annotations.
31212
31213 A simple example of starting up @value{GDBN} with annotations is:
31214
31215 @smallexample
31216 $ @kbd{gdb --annotate=3}
31217 GNU gdb 6.0
31218 Copyright 2003 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
31219 GDB is free software, covered by the GNU General Public License,
31220 and you are welcome to change it and/or distribute copies of it
31221 under certain conditions.
31222 Type "show copying" to see the conditions.
31223 There is absolutely no warranty for GDB. Type "show warranty"
31224 for details.
31225 This GDB was configured as "i386-pc-linux-gnu"
31226
31227 ^Z^Zpre-prompt
31228 (@value{GDBP})
31229 ^Z^Zprompt
31230 @kbd{quit}
31231
31232 ^Z^Zpost-prompt
31233 $
31234 @end smallexample
31235
31236 Here @samp{quit} is input to @value{GDBN}; the rest is output from
31237 @value{GDBN}. The three lines beginning @samp{^Z^Z} (where @samp{^Z}
31238 denotes a @samp{control-z} character) are annotations; the rest is
31239 output from @value{GDBN}.
31240
31241 @node Server Prefix
31242 @section The Server Prefix
31243 @cindex server prefix
31244
31245 If you prefix a command with @samp{server } then it will not affect
31246 the command history, nor will it affect @value{GDBN}'s notion of which
31247 command to repeat if @key{RET} is pressed on a line by itself. This
31248 means that commands can be run behind a user's back by a front-end in
31249 a transparent manner.
31250
31251 The @code{server } prefix does not affect the recording of values into
31252 the value history; to print a value without recording it into the
31253 value history, use the @code{output} command instead of the
31254 @code{print} command.
31255
31256 Using this prefix also disables confirmation requests
31257 (@pxref{confirmation requests}).
31258
31259 @node Prompting
31260 @section Annotation for @value{GDBN} Input
31261
31262 @cindex annotations for prompts
31263 When @value{GDBN} prompts for input, it annotates this fact so it is possible
31264 to know when to send output, when the output from a given command is
31265 over, etc.
31266
31267 Different kinds of input each have a different @dfn{input type}. Each
31268 input type has three annotations: a @code{pre-} annotation, which
31269 denotes the beginning of any prompt which is being output, a plain
31270 annotation, which denotes the end of the prompt, and then a @code{post-}
31271 annotation which denotes the end of any echo which may (or may not) be
31272 associated with the input. For example, the @code{prompt} input type
31273 features the following annotations:
31274
31275 @smallexample
31276 ^Z^Zpre-prompt
31277 ^Z^Zprompt
31278 ^Z^Zpost-prompt
31279 @end smallexample
31280
31281 The input types are
31282
31283 @table @code
31284 @findex pre-prompt annotation
31285 @findex prompt annotation
31286 @findex post-prompt annotation
31287 @item prompt
31288 When @value{GDBN} is prompting for a command (the main @value{GDBN} prompt).
31289
31290 @findex pre-commands annotation
31291 @findex commands annotation
31292 @findex post-commands annotation
31293 @item commands
31294 When @value{GDBN} prompts for a set of commands, like in the @code{commands}
31295 command. The annotations are repeated for each command which is input.
31296
31297 @findex pre-overload-choice annotation
31298 @findex overload-choice annotation
31299 @findex post-overload-choice annotation
31300 @item overload-choice
31301 When @value{GDBN} wants the user to select between various overloaded functions.
31302
31303 @findex pre-query annotation
31304 @findex query annotation
31305 @findex post-query annotation
31306 @item query
31307 When @value{GDBN} wants the user to confirm a potentially dangerous operation.
31308
31309 @findex pre-prompt-for-continue annotation
31310 @findex prompt-for-continue annotation
31311 @findex post-prompt-for-continue annotation
31312 @item prompt-for-continue
31313 When @value{GDBN} is asking the user to press return to continue. Note: Don't
31314 expect this to work well; instead use @code{set height 0} to disable
31315 prompting. This is because the counting of lines is buggy in the
31316 presence of annotations.
31317 @end table
31318
31319 @node Errors
31320 @section Errors
31321 @cindex annotations for errors, warnings and interrupts
31322
31323 @findex quit annotation
31324 @smallexample
31325 ^Z^Zquit
31326 @end smallexample
31327
31328 This annotation occurs right before @value{GDBN} responds to an interrupt.
31329
31330 @findex error annotation
31331 @smallexample
31332 ^Z^Zerror
31333 @end smallexample
31334
31335 This annotation occurs right before @value{GDBN} responds to an error.
31336
31337 Quit and error annotations indicate that any annotations which @value{GDBN} was
31338 in the middle of may end abruptly. For example, if a
31339 @code{value-history-begin} annotation is followed by a @code{error}, one
31340 cannot expect to receive the matching @code{value-history-end}. One
31341 cannot expect not to receive it either, however; an error annotation
31342 does not necessarily mean that @value{GDBN} is immediately returning all the way
31343 to the top level.
31344
31345 @findex error-begin annotation
31346 A quit or error annotation may be preceded by
31347
31348 @smallexample
31349 ^Z^Zerror-begin
31350 @end smallexample
31351
31352 Any output between that and the quit or error annotation is the error
31353 message.
31354
31355 Warning messages are not yet annotated.
31356 @c If we want to change that, need to fix warning(), type_error(),
31357 @c range_error(), and possibly other places.
31358
31359 @node Invalidation
31360 @section Invalidation Notices
31361
31362 @cindex annotations for invalidation messages
31363 The following annotations say that certain pieces of state may have
31364 changed.
31365
31366 @table @code
31367 @findex frames-invalid annotation
31368 @item ^Z^Zframes-invalid
31369
31370 The frames (for example, output from the @code{backtrace} command) may
31371 have changed.
31372
31373 @findex breakpoints-invalid annotation
31374 @item ^Z^Zbreakpoints-invalid
31375
31376 The breakpoints may have changed. For example, the user just added or
31377 deleted a breakpoint.
31378 @end table
31379
31380 @node Annotations for Running
31381 @section Running the Program
31382 @cindex annotations for running programs
31383
31384 @findex starting annotation
31385 @findex stopping annotation
31386 When the program starts executing due to a @value{GDBN} command such as
31387 @code{step} or @code{continue},
31388
31389 @smallexample
31390 ^Z^Zstarting
31391 @end smallexample
31392
31393 is output. When the program stops,
31394
31395 @smallexample
31396 ^Z^Zstopped
31397 @end smallexample
31398
31399 is output. Before the @code{stopped} annotation, a variety of
31400 annotations describe how the program stopped.
31401
31402 @table @code
31403 @findex exited annotation
31404 @item ^Z^Zexited @var{exit-status}
31405 The program exited, and @var{exit-status} is the exit status (zero for
31406 successful exit, otherwise nonzero).
31407
31408 @findex signalled annotation
31409 @findex signal-name annotation
31410 @findex signal-name-end annotation
31411 @findex signal-string annotation
31412 @findex signal-string-end annotation
31413 @item ^Z^Zsignalled
31414 The program exited with a signal. After the @code{^Z^Zsignalled}, the
31415 annotation continues:
31416
31417 @smallexample
31418 @var{intro-text}
31419 ^Z^Zsignal-name
31420 @var{name}
31421 ^Z^Zsignal-name-end
31422 @var{middle-text}
31423 ^Z^Zsignal-string
31424 @var{string}
31425 ^Z^Zsignal-string-end
31426 @var{end-text}
31427 @end smallexample
31428
31429 @noindent
31430 where @var{name} is the name of the signal, such as @code{SIGILL} or
31431 @code{SIGSEGV}, and @var{string} is the explanation of the signal, such
31432 as @code{Illegal Instruction} or @code{Segmentation fault}.
31433 @var{intro-text}, @var{middle-text}, and @var{end-text} are for the
31434 user's benefit and have no particular format.
31435
31436 @findex signal annotation
31437 @item ^Z^Zsignal
31438 The syntax of this annotation is just like @code{signalled}, but @value{GDBN} is
31439 just saying that the program received the signal, not that it was
31440 terminated with it.
31441
31442 @findex breakpoint annotation
31443 @item ^Z^Zbreakpoint @var{number}
31444 The program hit breakpoint number @var{number}.
31445
31446 @findex watchpoint annotation
31447 @item ^Z^Zwatchpoint @var{number}
31448 The program hit watchpoint number @var{number}.
31449 @end table
31450
31451 @node Source Annotations
31452 @section Displaying Source
31453 @cindex annotations for source display
31454
31455 @findex source annotation
31456 The following annotation is used instead of displaying source code:
31457
31458 @smallexample
31459 ^Z^Zsource @var{filename}:@var{line}:@var{character}:@var{middle}:@var{addr}
31460 @end smallexample
31461
31462 where @var{filename} is an absolute file name indicating which source
31463 file, @var{line} is the line number within that file (where 1 is the
31464 first line in the file), @var{character} is the character position
31465 within the file (where 0 is the first character in the file) (for most
31466 debug formats this will necessarily point to the beginning of a line),
31467 @var{middle} is @samp{middle} if @var{addr} is in the middle of the
31468 line, or @samp{beg} if @var{addr} is at the beginning of the line, and
31469 @var{addr} is the address in the target program associated with the
31470 source which is being displayed. @var{addr} is in the form @samp{0x}
31471 followed by one or more lowercase hex digits (note that this does not
31472 depend on the language).
31473
31474 @node JIT Interface
31475 @chapter JIT Compilation Interface
31476 @cindex just-in-time compilation
31477 @cindex JIT compilation interface
31478
31479 This chapter documents @value{GDBN}'s @dfn{just-in-time} (JIT) compilation
31480 interface. A JIT compiler is a program or library that generates native
31481 executable code at runtime and executes it, usually in order to achieve good
31482 performance while maintaining platform independence.
31483
31484 Programs that use JIT compilation are normally difficult to debug because
31485 portions of their code are generated at runtime, instead of being loaded from
31486 object files, which is where @value{GDBN} normally finds the program's symbols
31487 and debug information. In order to debug programs that use JIT compilation,
31488 @value{GDBN} has an interface that allows the program to register in-memory
31489 symbol files with @value{GDBN} at runtime.
31490
31491 If you are using @value{GDBN} to debug a program that uses this interface, then
31492 it should work transparently so long as you have not stripped the binary. If
31493 you are developing a JIT compiler, then the interface is documented in the rest
31494 of this chapter. At this time, the only known client of this interface is the
31495 LLVM JIT.
31496
31497 Broadly speaking, the JIT interface mirrors the dynamic loader interface. The
31498 JIT compiler communicates with @value{GDBN} by writing data into a global
31499 variable and calling a fuction at a well-known symbol. When @value{GDBN}
31500 attaches, it reads a linked list of symbol files from the global variable to
31501 find existing code, and puts a breakpoint in the function so that it can find
31502 out about additional code.
31503
31504 @menu
31505 * Declarations:: Relevant C struct declarations
31506 * Registering Code:: Steps to register code
31507 * Unregistering Code:: Steps to unregister code
31508 @end menu
31509
31510 @node Declarations
31511 @section JIT Declarations
31512
31513 These are the relevant struct declarations that a C program should include to
31514 implement the interface:
31515
31516 @smallexample
31517 typedef enum
31518 @{
31519 JIT_NOACTION = 0,
31520 JIT_REGISTER_FN,
31521 JIT_UNREGISTER_FN
31522 @} jit_actions_t;
31523
31524 struct jit_code_entry
31525 @{
31526 struct jit_code_entry *next_entry;
31527 struct jit_code_entry *prev_entry;
31528 const char *symfile_addr;
31529 uint64_t symfile_size;
31530 @};
31531
31532 struct jit_descriptor
31533 @{
31534 uint32_t version;
31535 /* This type should be jit_actions_t, but we use uint32_t
31536 to be explicit about the bitwidth. */
31537 uint32_t action_flag;
31538 struct jit_code_entry *relevant_entry;
31539 struct jit_code_entry *first_entry;
31540 @};
31541
31542 /* GDB puts a breakpoint in this function. */
31543 void __attribute__((noinline)) __jit_debug_register_code() @{ @};
31544
31545 /* Make sure to specify the version statically, because the
31546 debugger may check the version before we can set it. */
31547 struct jit_descriptor __jit_debug_descriptor = @{ 1, 0, 0, 0 @};
31548 @end smallexample
31549
31550 If the JIT is multi-threaded, then it is important that the JIT synchronize any
31551 modifications to this global data properly, which can easily be done by putting
31552 a global mutex around modifications to these structures.
31553
31554 @node Registering Code
31555 @section Registering Code
31556
31557 To register code with @value{GDBN}, the JIT should follow this protocol:
31558
31559 @itemize @bullet
31560 @item
31561 Generate an object file in memory with symbols and other desired debug
31562 information. The file must include the virtual addresses of the sections.
31563
31564 @item
31565 Create a code entry for the file, which gives the start and size of the symbol
31566 file.
31567
31568 @item
31569 Add it to the linked list in the JIT descriptor.
31570
31571 @item
31572 Point the relevant_entry field of the descriptor at the entry.
31573
31574 @item
31575 Set @code{action_flag} to @code{JIT_REGISTER} and call
31576 @code{__jit_debug_register_code}.
31577 @end itemize
31578
31579 When @value{GDBN} is attached and the breakpoint fires, @value{GDBN} uses the
31580 @code{relevant_entry} pointer so it doesn't have to walk the list looking for
31581 new code. However, the linked list must still be maintained in order to allow
31582 @value{GDBN} to attach to a running process and still find the symbol files.
31583
31584 @node Unregistering Code
31585 @section Unregistering Code
31586
31587 If code is freed, then the JIT should use the following protocol:
31588
31589 @itemize @bullet
31590 @item
31591 Remove the code entry corresponding to the code from the linked list.
31592
31593 @item
31594 Point the @code{relevant_entry} field of the descriptor at the code entry.
31595
31596 @item
31597 Set @code{action_flag} to @code{JIT_UNREGISTER} and call
31598 @code{__jit_debug_register_code}.
31599 @end itemize
31600
31601 If the JIT frees or recompiles code without unregistering it, then @value{GDBN}
31602 and the JIT will leak the memory used for the associated symbol files.
31603
31604 @node GDB Bugs
31605 @chapter Reporting Bugs in @value{GDBN}
31606 @cindex bugs in @value{GDBN}
31607 @cindex reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
31608
31609 Your bug reports play an essential role in making @value{GDBN} reliable.
31610
31611 Reporting a bug may help you by bringing a solution to your problem, or it
31612 may not. But in any case the principal function of a bug report is to help
31613 the entire community by making the next version of @value{GDBN} work better. Bug
31614 reports are your contribution to the maintenance of @value{GDBN}.
31615
31616 In order for a bug report to serve its purpose, you must include the
31617 information that enables us to fix the bug.
31618
31619 @menu
31620 * Bug Criteria:: Have you found a bug?
31621 * Bug Reporting:: How to report bugs
31622 @end menu
31623
31624 @node Bug Criteria
31625 @section Have You Found a Bug?
31626 @cindex bug criteria
31627
31628 If you are not sure whether you have found a bug, here are some guidelines:
31629
31630 @itemize @bullet
31631 @cindex fatal signal
31632 @cindex debugger crash
31633 @cindex crash of debugger
31634 @item
31635 If the debugger gets a fatal signal, for any input whatever, that is a
31636 @value{GDBN} bug. Reliable debuggers never crash.
31637
31638 @cindex error on valid input
31639 @item
31640 If @value{GDBN} produces an error message for valid input, that is a
31641 bug. (Note that if you're cross debugging, the problem may also be
31642 somewhere in the connection to the target.)
31643
31644 @cindex invalid input
31645 @item
31646 If @value{GDBN} does not produce an error message for invalid input,
31647 that is a bug. However, you should note that your idea of
31648 ``invalid input'' might be our idea of ``an extension'' or ``support
31649 for traditional practice''.
31650
31651 @item
31652 If you are an experienced user of debugging tools, your suggestions
31653 for improvement of @value{GDBN} are welcome in any case.
31654 @end itemize
31655
31656 @node Bug Reporting
31657 @section How to Report Bugs
31658 @cindex bug reports
31659 @cindex @value{GDBN} bugs, reporting
31660
31661 A number of companies and individuals offer support for @sc{gnu} products.
31662 If you obtained @value{GDBN} from a support organization, we recommend you
31663 contact that organization first.
31664
31665 You can find contact information for many support companies and
31666 individuals in the file @file{etc/SERVICE} in the @sc{gnu} Emacs
31667 distribution.
31668 @c should add a web page ref...
31669
31670 @ifset BUGURL
31671 @ifset BUGURL_DEFAULT
31672 In any event, we also recommend that you submit bug reports for
31673 @value{GDBN}. The preferred method is to submit them directly using
31674 @uref{http://www.gnu.org/software/gdb/bugs/, @value{GDBN}'s Bugs web
31675 page}. Alternatively, the @email{bug-gdb@@gnu.org, e-mail gateway} can
31676 be used.
31677
31678 @strong{Do not send bug reports to @samp{info-gdb}, or to
31679 @samp{help-gdb}, or to any newsgroups.} Most users of @value{GDBN} do
31680 not want to receive bug reports. Those that do have arranged to receive
31681 @samp{bug-gdb}.
31682
31683 The mailing list @samp{bug-gdb} has a newsgroup @samp{gnu.gdb.bug} which
31684 serves as a repeater. The mailing list and the newsgroup carry exactly
31685 the same messages. Often people think of posting bug reports to the
31686 newsgroup instead of mailing them. This appears to work, but it has one
31687 problem which can be crucial: a newsgroup posting often lacks a mail
31688 path back to the sender. Thus, if we need to ask for more information,
31689 we may be unable to reach you. For this reason, it is better to send
31690 bug reports to the mailing list.
31691 @end ifset
31692 @ifclear BUGURL_DEFAULT
31693 In any event, we also recommend that you submit bug reports for
31694 @value{GDBN} to @value{BUGURL}.
31695 @end ifclear
31696 @end ifset
31697
31698 The fundamental principle of reporting bugs usefully is this:
31699 @strong{report all the facts}. If you are not sure whether to state a
31700 fact or leave it out, state it!
31701
31702 Often people omit facts because they think they know what causes the
31703 problem and assume that some details do not matter. Thus, you might
31704 assume that the name of the variable you use in an example does not matter.
31705 Well, probably it does not, but one cannot be sure. Perhaps the bug is a
31706 stray memory reference which happens to fetch from the location where that
31707 name is stored in memory; perhaps, if the name were different, the contents
31708 of that location would fool the debugger into doing the right thing despite
31709 the bug. Play it safe and give a specific, complete example. That is the
31710 easiest thing for you to do, and the most helpful.
31711
31712 Keep in mind that the purpose of a bug report is to enable us to fix the
31713 bug. It may be that the bug has been reported previously, but neither
31714 you nor we can know that unless your bug report is complete and
31715 self-contained.
31716
31717 Sometimes people give a few sketchy facts and ask, ``Does this ring a
31718 bell?'' Those bug reports are useless, and we urge everyone to
31719 @emph{refuse to respond to them} except to chide the sender to report
31720 bugs properly.
31721
31722 To enable us to fix the bug, you should include all these things:
31723
31724 @itemize @bullet
31725 @item
31726 The version of @value{GDBN}. @value{GDBN} announces it if you start
31727 with no arguments; you can also print it at any time using @code{show
31728 version}.
31729
31730 Without this, we will not know whether there is any point in looking for
31731 the bug in the current version of @value{GDBN}.
31732
31733 @item
31734 The type of machine you are using, and the operating system name and
31735 version number.
31736
31737 @item
31738 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile @value{GDBN}---e.g.@:
31739 ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1''.
31740
31741 @item
31742 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile the program you are
31743 debugging---e.g.@: ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1'', or ``HP92453-01 A.10.32.03 HP
31744 C Compiler''. For @value{NGCC}, you can say @kbd{@value{GCC} --version}
31745 to get this information; for other compilers, see the documentation for
31746 those compilers.
31747
31748 @item
31749 The command arguments you gave the compiler to compile your example and
31750 observe the bug. For example, did you use @samp{-O}? To guarantee
31751 you will not omit something important, list them all. A copy of the
31752 Makefile (or the output from make) is sufficient.
31753
31754 If we were to try to guess the arguments, we would probably guess wrong
31755 and then we might not encounter the bug.
31756
31757 @item
31758 A complete input script, and all necessary source files, that will
31759 reproduce the bug.
31760
31761 @item
31762 A description of what behavior you observe that you believe is
31763 incorrect. For example, ``It gets a fatal signal.''
31764
31765 Of course, if the bug is that @value{GDBN} gets a fatal signal, then we
31766 will certainly notice it. But if the bug is incorrect output, we might
31767 not notice unless it is glaringly wrong. You might as well not give us
31768 a chance to make a mistake.
31769
31770 Even if the problem you experience is a fatal signal, you should still
31771 say so explicitly. Suppose something strange is going on, such as, your
31772 copy of @value{GDBN} is out of synch, or you have encountered a bug in
31773 the C library on your system. (This has happened!) Your copy might
31774 crash and ours would not. If you told us to expect a crash, then when
31775 ours fails to crash, we would know that the bug was not happening for
31776 us. If you had not told us to expect a crash, then we would not be able
31777 to draw any conclusion from our observations.
31778
31779 @pindex script
31780 @cindex recording a session script
31781 To collect all this information, you can use a session recording program
31782 such as @command{script}, which is available on many Unix systems.
31783 Just run your @value{GDBN} session inside @command{script} and then
31784 include the @file{typescript} file with your bug report.
31785
31786 Another way to record a @value{GDBN} session is to run @value{GDBN}
31787 inside Emacs and then save the entire buffer to a file.
31788
31789 @item
31790 If you wish to suggest changes to the @value{GDBN} source, send us context
31791 diffs. If you even discuss something in the @value{GDBN} source, refer to
31792 it by context, not by line number.
31793
31794 The line numbers in our development sources will not match those in your
31795 sources. Your line numbers would convey no useful information to us.
31796
31797 @end itemize
31798
31799 Here are some things that are not necessary:
31800
31801 @itemize @bullet
31802 @item
31803 A description of the envelope of the bug.
31804
31805 Often people who encounter a bug spend a lot of time investigating
31806 which changes to the input file will make the bug go away and which
31807 changes will not affect it.
31808
31809 This is often time consuming and not very useful, because the way we
31810 will find the bug is by running a single example under the debugger
31811 with breakpoints, not by pure deduction from a series of examples.
31812 We recommend that you save your time for something else.
31813
31814 Of course, if you can find a simpler example to report @emph{instead}
31815 of the original one, that is a convenience for us. Errors in the
31816 output will be easier to spot, running under the debugger will take
31817 less time, and so on.
31818
31819 However, simplification is not vital; if you do not want to do this,
31820 report the bug anyway and send us the entire test case you used.
31821
31822 @item
31823 A patch for the bug.
31824
31825 A patch for the bug does help us if it is a good one. But do not omit
31826 the necessary information, such as the test case, on the assumption that
31827 a patch is all we need. We might see problems with your patch and decide
31828 to fix the problem another way, or we might not understand it at all.
31829
31830 Sometimes with a program as complicated as @value{GDBN} it is very hard to
31831 construct an example that will make the program follow a certain path
31832 through the code. If you do not send us the example, we will not be able
31833 to construct one, so we will not be able to verify that the bug is fixed.
31834
31835 And if we cannot understand what bug you are trying to fix, or why your
31836 patch should be an improvement, we will not install it. A test case will
31837 help us to understand.
31838
31839 @item
31840 A guess about what the bug is or what it depends on.
31841
31842 Such guesses are usually wrong. Even we cannot guess right about such
31843 things without first using the debugger to find the facts.
31844 @end itemize
31845
31846 @c The readline documentation is distributed with the readline code
31847 @c and consists of the two following files:
31848 @c rluser.texi
31849 @c hsuser.texi
31850 @c Use -I with makeinfo to point to the appropriate directory,
31851 @c environment var TEXINPUTS with TeX.
31852 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
31853 @include rluser.texi
31854 @include hsuser.texi
31855 @end ifclear
31856
31857 @node In Memoriam
31858 @appendix In Memoriam
31859
31860 The @value{GDBN} project mourns the loss of the following long-time
31861 contributors:
31862
31863 @table @code
31864 @item Fred Fish
31865 Fred was a long-standing contributor to @value{GDBN} (1991-2006), and
31866 to Free Software in general. Outside of @value{GDBN}, he was known in
31867 the Amiga world for his series of Fish Disks, and the GeekGadget project.
31868
31869 @item Michael Snyder
31870 Michael was one of the Global Maintainers of the @value{GDBN} project,
31871 with contributions recorded as early as 1996, until 2011. In addition
31872 to his day to day participation, he was a large driving force behind
31873 adding Reverse Debugging to @value{GDBN}.
31874 @end table
31875
31876 Beyond their technical contributions to the project, they were also
31877 enjoyable members of the Free Software Community. We will miss them.
31878
31879 @node Formatting Documentation
31880 @appendix Formatting Documentation
31881
31882 @cindex @value{GDBN} reference card
31883 @cindex reference card
31884 The @value{GDBN} 4 release includes an already-formatted reference card, ready
31885 for printing with PostScript or Ghostscript, in the @file{gdb}
31886 subdirectory of the main source directory@footnote{In
31887 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/refcard.ps} of the version @value{GDBVN}
31888 release.}. If you can use PostScript or Ghostscript with your printer,
31889 you can print the reference card immediately with @file{refcard.ps}.
31890
31891 The release also includes the source for the reference card. You
31892 can format it, using @TeX{}, by typing:
31893
31894 @smallexample
31895 make refcard.dvi
31896 @end smallexample
31897
31898 The @value{GDBN} reference card is designed to print in @dfn{landscape}
31899 mode on US ``letter'' size paper;
31900 that is, on a sheet 11 inches wide by 8.5 inches
31901 high. You will need to specify this form of printing as an option to
31902 your @sc{dvi} output program.
31903
31904 @cindex documentation
31905
31906 All the documentation for @value{GDBN} comes as part of the machine-readable
31907 distribution. The documentation is written in Texinfo format, which is
31908 a documentation system that uses a single source file to produce both
31909 on-line information and a printed manual. You can use one of the Info
31910 formatting commands to create the on-line version of the documentation
31911 and @TeX{} (or @code{texi2roff}) to typeset the printed version.
31912
31913 @value{GDBN} includes an already formatted copy of the on-line Info
31914 version of this manual in the @file{gdb} subdirectory. The main Info
31915 file is @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/gdb.info}, and it refers to
31916 subordinate files matching @samp{gdb.info*} in the same directory. If
31917 necessary, you can print out these files, or read them with any editor;
31918 but they are easier to read using the @code{info} subsystem in @sc{gnu}
31919 Emacs or the standalone @code{info} program, available as part of the
31920 @sc{gnu} Texinfo distribution.
31921
31922 If you want to format these Info files yourself, you need one of the
31923 Info formatting programs, such as @code{texinfo-format-buffer} or
31924 @code{makeinfo}.
31925
31926 If you have @code{makeinfo} installed, and are in the top level
31927 @value{GDBN} source directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, in the case of
31928 version @value{GDBVN}), you can make the Info file by typing:
31929
31930 @smallexample
31931 cd gdb
31932 make gdb.info
31933 @end smallexample
31934
31935 If you want to typeset and print copies of this manual, you need @TeX{},
31936 a program to print its @sc{dvi} output files, and @file{texinfo.tex}, the
31937 Texinfo definitions file.
31938
31939 @TeX{} is a typesetting program; it does not print files directly, but
31940 produces output files called @sc{dvi} files. To print a typeset
31941 document, you need a program to print @sc{dvi} files. If your system
31942 has @TeX{} installed, chances are it has such a program. The precise
31943 command to use depends on your system; @kbd{lpr -d} is common; another
31944 (for PostScript devices) is @kbd{dvips}. The @sc{dvi} print command may
31945 require a file name without any extension or a @samp{.dvi} extension.
31946
31947 @TeX{} also requires a macro definitions file called
31948 @file{texinfo.tex}. This file tells @TeX{} how to typeset a document
31949 written in Texinfo format. On its own, @TeX{} cannot either read or
31950 typeset a Texinfo file. @file{texinfo.tex} is distributed with GDB
31951 and is located in the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}/texinfo}
31952 directory.
31953
31954 If you have @TeX{} and a @sc{dvi} printer program installed, you can
31955 typeset and print this manual. First switch to the @file{gdb}
31956 subdirectory of the main source directory (for example, to
31957 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb}) and type:
31958
31959 @smallexample
31960 make gdb.dvi
31961 @end smallexample
31962
31963 Then give @file{gdb.dvi} to your @sc{dvi} printing program.
31964
31965 @node Installing GDB
31966 @appendix Installing @value{GDBN}
31967 @cindex installation
31968
31969 @menu
31970 * Requirements:: Requirements for building @value{GDBN}
31971 * Running Configure:: Invoking the @value{GDBN} @file{configure} script
31972 * Separate Objdir:: Compiling @value{GDBN} in another directory
31973 * Config Names:: Specifying names for hosts and targets
31974 * Configure Options:: Summary of options for configure
31975 * System-wide configuration:: Having a system-wide init file
31976 @end menu
31977
31978 @node Requirements
31979 @section Requirements for Building @value{GDBN}
31980 @cindex building @value{GDBN}, requirements for
31981
31982 Building @value{GDBN} requires various tools and packages to be available.
31983 Other packages will be used only if they are found.
31984
31985 @heading Tools/Packages Necessary for Building @value{GDBN}
31986 @table @asis
31987 @item ISO C90 compiler
31988 @value{GDBN} is written in ISO C90. It should be buildable with any
31989 working C90 compiler, e.g.@: GCC.
31990
31991 @end table
31992
31993 @heading Tools/Packages Optional for Building @value{GDBN}
31994 @table @asis
31995 @item Expat
31996 @anchor{Expat}
31997 @value{GDBN} can use the Expat XML parsing library. This library may be
31998 included with your operating system distribution; if it is not, you
31999 can get the latest version from @url{http://expat.sourceforge.net}.
32000 The @file{configure} script will search for this library in several
32001 standard locations; if it is installed in an unusual path, you can
32002 use the @option{--with-libexpat-prefix} option to specify its location.
32003
32004 Expat is used for:
32005
32006 @itemize @bullet
32007 @item
32008 Remote protocol memory maps (@pxref{Memory Map Format})
32009 @item
32010 Target descriptions (@pxref{Target Descriptions})
32011 @item
32012 Remote shared library lists (@pxref{Library List Format})
32013 @item
32014 MS-Windows shared libraries (@pxref{Shared Libraries})
32015 @item
32016 Traceframe info (@pxref{Traceframe Info Format})
32017 @end itemize
32018
32019 @item zlib
32020 @cindex compressed debug sections
32021 @value{GDBN} will use the @samp{zlib} library, if available, to read
32022 compressed debug sections. Some linkers, such as GNU gold, are capable
32023 of producing binaries with compressed debug sections. If @value{GDBN}
32024 is compiled with @samp{zlib}, it will be able to read the debug
32025 information in such binaries.
32026
32027 The @samp{zlib} library is likely included with your operating system
32028 distribution; if it is not, you can get the latest version from
32029 @url{http://zlib.net}.
32030
32031 @item iconv
32032 @value{GDBN}'s features related to character sets (@pxref{Character
32033 Sets}) require a functioning @code{iconv} implementation. If you are
32034 on a GNU system, then this is provided by the GNU C Library. Some
32035 other systems also provide a working @code{iconv}.
32036
32037 If @value{GDBN} is using the @code{iconv} program which is installed
32038 in a non-standard place, you will need to tell @value{GDBN} where to find it.
32039 This is done with @option{--with-iconv-bin} which specifies the
32040 directory that contains the @code{iconv} program.
32041
32042 On systems without @code{iconv}, you can install GNU Libiconv. If you
32043 have previously installed Libiconv, you can use the
32044 @option{--with-libiconv-prefix} option to configure.
32045
32046 @value{GDBN}'s top-level @file{configure} and @file{Makefile} will
32047 arrange to build Libiconv if a directory named @file{libiconv} appears
32048 in the top-most source directory. If Libiconv is built this way, and
32049 if the operating system does not provide a suitable @code{iconv}
32050 implementation, then the just-built library will automatically be used
32051 by @value{GDBN}. One easy way to set this up is to download GNU
32052 Libiconv, unpack it, and then rename the directory holding the
32053 Libiconv source code to @samp{libiconv}.
32054 @end table
32055
32056 @node Running Configure
32057 @section Invoking the @value{GDBN} @file{configure} Script
32058 @cindex configuring @value{GDBN}
32059 @value{GDBN} comes with a @file{configure} script that automates the process
32060 of preparing @value{GDBN} for installation; you can then use @code{make} to
32061 build the @code{gdb} program.
32062 @iftex
32063 @c irrelevant in info file; it's as current as the code it lives with.
32064 @footnote{If you have a more recent version of @value{GDBN} than @value{GDBVN},
32065 look at the @file{README} file in the sources; we may have improved the
32066 installation procedures since publishing this manual.}
32067 @end iftex
32068
32069 The @value{GDBN} distribution includes all the source code you need for
32070 @value{GDBN} in a single directory, whose name is usually composed by
32071 appending the version number to @samp{gdb}.
32072
32073 For example, the @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN} distribution is in the
32074 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory. That directory contains:
32075
32076 @table @code
32077 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure @r{(and supporting files)}
32078 script for configuring @value{GDBN} and all its supporting libraries
32079
32080 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb
32081 the source specific to @value{GDBN} itself
32082
32083 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/bfd
32084 source for the Binary File Descriptor library
32085
32086 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/include
32087 @sc{gnu} include files
32088
32089 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/libiberty
32090 source for the @samp{-liberty} free software library
32091
32092 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/opcodes
32093 source for the library of opcode tables and disassemblers
32094
32095 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/readline
32096 source for the @sc{gnu} command-line interface
32097
32098 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/glob
32099 source for the @sc{gnu} filename pattern-matching subroutine
32100
32101 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/mmalloc
32102 source for the @sc{gnu} memory-mapped malloc package
32103 @end table
32104
32105 The simplest way to configure and build @value{GDBN} is to run @file{configure}
32106 from the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory, which in
32107 this example is the @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory.
32108
32109 First switch to the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory
32110 if you are not already in it; then run @file{configure}. Pass the
32111 identifier for the platform on which @value{GDBN} will run as an
32112 argument.
32113
32114 For example:
32115
32116 @smallexample
32117 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
32118 ./configure @var{host}
32119 make
32120 @end smallexample
32121
32122 @noindent
32123 where @var{host} is an identifier such as @samp{sun4} or
32124 @samp{decstation}, that identifies the platform where @value{GDBN} will run.
32125 (You can often leave off @var{host}; @file{configure} tries to guess the
32126 correct value by examining your system.)
32127
32128 Running @samp{configure @var{host}} and then running @code{make} builds the
32129 @file{bfd}, @file{readline}, @file{mmalloc}, and @file{libiberty}
32130 libraries, then @code{gdb} itself. The configured source files, and the
32131 binaries, are left in the corresponding source directories.
32132
32133 @need 750
32134 @file{configure} is a Bourne-shell (@code{/bin/sh}) script; if your
32135 system does not recognize this automatically when you run a different
32136 shell, you may need to run @code{sh} on it explicitly:
32137
32138 @smallexample
32139 sh configure @var{host}
32140 @end smallexample
32141
32142 If you run @file{configure} from a directory that contains source
32143 directories for multiple libraries or programs, such as the
32144 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} source directory for version @value{GDBVN},
32145 @file{configure}
32146 creates configuration files for every directory level underneath (unless
32147 you tell it not to, with the @samp{--norecursion} option).
32148
32149 You should run the @file{configure} script from the top directory in the
32150 source tree, the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} directory. If you run
32151 @file{configure} from one of the subdirectories, you will configure only
32152 that subdirectory. That is usually not what you want. In particular,
32153 if you run the first @file{configure} from the @file{gdb} subdirectory
32154 of the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} directory, you will omit the
32155 configuration of @file{bfd}, @file{readline}, and other sibling
32156 directories of the @file{gdb} subdirectory. This leads to build errors
32157 about missing include files such as @file{bfd/bfd.h}.
32158
32159 You can install @code{@value{GDBP}} anywhere; it has no hardwired paths.
32160 However, you should make sure that the shell on your path (named by
32161 the @samp{SHELL} environment variable) is publicly readable. Remember
32162 that @value{GDBN} uses the shell to start your program---some systems refuse to
32163 let @value{GDBN} debug child processes whose programs are not readable.
32164
32165 @node Separate Objdir
32166 @section Compiling @value{GDBN} in Another Directory
32167
32168 If you want to run @value{GDBN} versions for several host or target machines,
32169 you need a different @code{gdb} compiled for each combination of
32170 host and target. @file{configure} is designed to make this easy by
32171 allowing you to generate each configuration in a separate subdirectory,
32172 rather than in the source directory. If your @code{make} program
32173 handles the @samp{VPATH} feature (@sc{gnu} @code{make} does), running
32174 @code{make} in each of these directories builds the @code{gdb}
32175 program specified there.
32176
32177 To build @code{gdb} in a separate directory, run @file{configure}
32178 with the @samp{--srcdir} option to specify where to find the source.
32179 (You also need to specify a path to find @file{configure}
32180 itself from your working directory. If the path to @file{configure}
32181 would be the same as the argument to @samp{--srcdir}, you can leave out
32182 the @samp{--srcdir} option; it is assumed.)
32183
32184 For example, with version @value{GDBVN}, you can build @value{GDBN} in a
32185 separate directory for a Sun 4 like this:
32186
32187 @smallexample
32188 @group
32189 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
32190 mkdir ../gdb-sun4
32191 cd ../gdb-sun4
32192 ../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure sun4
32193 make
32194 @end group
32195 @end smallexample
32196
32197 When @file{configure} builds a configuration using a remote source
32198 directory, it creates a tree for the binaries with the same structure
32199 (and using the same names) as the tree under the source directory. In
32200 the example, you'd find the Sun 4 library @file{libiberty.a} in the
32201 directory @file{gdb-sun4/libiberty}, and @value{GDBN} itself in
32202 @file{gdb-sun4/gdb}.
32203
32204 Make sure that your path to the @file{configure} script has just one
32205 instance of @file{gdb} in it. If your path to @file{configure} looks
32206 like @file{../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/configure}, you are configuring only
32207 one subdirectory of @value{GDBN}, not the whole package. This leads to
32208 build errors about missing include files such as @file{bfd/bfd.h}.
32209
32210 One popular reason to build several @value{GDBN} configurations in separate
32211 directories is to configure @value{GDBN} for cross-compiling (where
32212 @value{GDBN} runs on one machine---the @dfn{host}---while debugging
32213 programs that run on another machine---the @dfn{target}).
32214 You specify a cross-debugging target by
32215 giving the @samp{--target=@var{target}} option to @file{configure}.
32216
32217 When you run @code{make} to build a program or library, you must run
32218 it in a configured directory---whatever directory you were in when you
32219 called @file{configure} (or one of its subdirectories).
32220
32221 The @code{Makefile} that @file{configure} generates in each source
32222 directory also runs recursively. If you type @code{make} in a source
32223 directory such as @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} (or in a separate configured
32224 directory configured with @samp{--srcdir=@var{dirname}/gdb-@value{GDBVN}}), you
32225 will build all the required libraries, and then build GDB.
32226
32227 When you have multiple hosts or targets configured in separate
32228 directories, you can run @code{make} on them in parallel (for example,
32229 if they are NFS-mounted on each of the hosts); they will not interfere
32230 with each other.
32231
32232 @node Config Names
32233 @section Specifying Names for Hosts and Targets
32234
32235 The specifications used for hosts and targets in the @file{configure}
32236 script are based on a three-part naming scheme, but some short predefined
32237 aliases are also supported. The full naming scheme encodes three pieces
32238 of information in the following pattern:
32239
32240 @smallexample
32241 @var{architecture}-@var{vendor}-@var{os}
32242 @end smallexample
32243
32244 For example, you can use the alias @code{sun4} as a @var{host} argument,
32245 or as the value for @var{target} in a @code{--target=@var{target}}
32246 option. The equivalent full name is @samp{sparc-sun-sunos4}.
32247
32248 The @file{configure} script accompanying @value{GDBN} does not provide
32249 any query facility to list all supported host and target names or
32250 aliases. @file{configure} calls the Bourne shell script
32251 @code{config.sub} to map abbreviations to full names; you can read the
32252 script, if you wish, or you can use it to test your guesses on
32253 abbreviations---for example:
32254
32255 @smallexample
32256 % sh config.sub i386-linux
32257 i386-pc-linux-gnu
32258 % sh config.sub alpha-linux
32259 alpha-unknown-linux-gnu
32260 % sh config.sub hp9k700
32261 hppa1.1-hp-hpux
32262 % sh config.sub sun4
32263 sparc-sun-sunos4.1.1
32264 % sh config.sub sun3
32265 m68k-sun-sunos4.1.1
32266 % sh config.sub i986v
32267 Invalid configuration `i986v': machine `i986v' not recognized
32268 @end smallexample
32269
32270 @noindent
32271 @code{config.sub} is also distributed in the @value{GDBN} source
32272 directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, for version @value{GDBVN}).
32273
32274 @node Configure Options
32275 @section @file{configure} Options
32276
32277 Here is a summary of the @file{configure} options and arguments that
32278 are most often useful for building @value{GDBN}. @file{configure} also has
32279 several other options not listed here. @inforef{What Configure
32280 Does,,configure.info}, for a full explanation of @file{configure}.
32281
32282 @smallexample
32283 configure @r{[}--help@r{]}
32284 @r{[}--prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
32285 @r{[}--exec-prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
32286 @r{[}--srcdir=@var{dirname}@r{]}
32287 @r{[}--norecursion@r{]} @r{[}--rm@r{]}
32288 @r{[}--target=@var{target}@r{]}
32289 @var{host}
32290 @end smallexample
32291
32292 @noindent
32293 You may introduce options with a single @samp{-} rather than
32294 @samp{--} if you prefer; but you may abbreviate option names if you use
32295 @samp{--}.
32296
32297 @table @code
32298 @item --help
32299 Display a quick summary of how to invoke @file{configure}.
32300
32301 @item --prefix=@var{dir}
32302 Configure the source to install programs and files under directory
32303 @file{@var{dir}}.
32304
32305 @item --exec-prefix=@var{dir}
32306 Configure the source to install programs under directory
32307 @file{@var{dir}}.
32308
32309 @c avoid splitting the warning from the explanation:
32310 @need 2000
32311 @item --srcdir=@var{dirname}
32312 @strong{Warning: using this option requires @sc{gnu} @code{make}, or another
32313 @code{make} that implements the @code{VPATH} feature.}@*
32314 Use this option to make configurations in directories separate from the
32315 @value{GDBN} source directories. Among other things, you can use this to
32316 build (or maintain) several configurations simultaneously, in separate
32317 directories. @file{configure} writes configuration-specific files in
32318 the current directory, but arranges for them to use the source in the
32319 directory @var{dirname}. @file{configure} creates directories under
32320 the working directory in parallel to the source directories below
32321 @var{dirname}.
32322
32323 @item --norecursion
32324 Configure only the directory level where @file{configure} is executed; do not
32325 propagate configuration to subdirectories.
32326
32327 @item --target=@var{target}
32328 Configure @value{GDBN} for cross-debugging programs running on the specified
32329 @var{target}. Without this option, @value{GDBN} is configured to debug
32330 programs that run on the same machine (@var{host}) as @value{GDBN} itself.
32331
32332 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available targets.
32333
32334 @item @var{host} @dots{}
32335 Configure @value{GDBN} to run on the specified @var{host}.
32336
32337 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available hosts.
32338 @end table
32339
32340 There are many other options available as well, but they are generally
32341 needed for special purposes only.
32342
32343 @node System-wide configuration
32344 @section System-wide configuration and settings
32345 @cindex system-wide init file
32346
32347 @value{GDBN} can be configured to have a system-wide init file;
32348 this file will be read and executed at startup (@pxref{Startup, , What
32349 @value{GDBN} does during startup}).
32350
32351 Here is the corresponding configure option:
32352
32353 @table @code
32354 @item --with-system-gdbinit=@var{file}
32355 Specify that the default location of the system-wide init file is
32356 @var{file}.
32357 @end table
32358
32359 If @value{GDBN} has been configured with the option @option{--prefix=$prefix},
32360 it may be subject to relocation. Two possible cases:
32361
32362 @itemize @bullet
32363 @item
32364 If the default location of this init file contains @file{$prefix},
32365 it will be subject to relocation. Suppose that the configure options
32366 are @option{--prefix=$prefix --with-system-gdbinit=$prefix/etc/gdbinit};
32367 if @value{GDBN} is moved from @file{$prefix} to @file{$install}, the system
32368 init file is looked for as @file{$install/etc/gdbinit} instead of
32369 @file{$prefix/etc/gdbinit}.
32370
32371 @item
32372 By contrast, if the default location does not contain the prefix,
32373 it will not be relocated. E.g.@: if @value{GDBN} has been configured with
32374 @option{--prefix=/usr/local --with-system-gdbinit=/usr/share/gdb/gdbinit},
32375 then @value{GDBN} will always look for @file{/usr/share/gdb/gdbinit},
32376 wherever @value{GDBN} is installed.
32377 @end itemize
32378
32379 @node Maintenance Commands
32380 @appendix Maintenance Commands
32381 @cindex maintenance commands
32382 @cindex internal commands
32383
32384 In addition to commands intended for @value{GDBN} users, @value{GDBN}
32385 includes a number of commands intended for @value{GDBN} developers,
32386 that are not documented elsewhere in this manual. These commands are
32387 provided here for reference. (For commands that turn on debugging
32388 messages, see @ref{Debugging Output}.)
32389
32390 @table @code
32391 @kindex maint agent
32392 @kindex maint agent-eval
32393 @item maint agent @var{expression}
32394 @itemx maint agent-eval @var{expression}
32395 Translate the given @var{expression} into remote agent bytecodes.
32396 This command is useful for debugging the Agent Expression mechanism
32397 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}). The @samp{agent} version produces an
32398 expression useful for data collection, such as by tracepoints, while
32399 @samp{maint agent-eval} produces an expression that evaluates directly
32400 to a result. For instance, a collection expression for @code{globa +
32401 globb} will include bytecodes to record four bytes of memory at each
32402 of the addresses of @code{globa} and @code{globb}, while discarding
32403 the result of the addition, while an evaluation expression will do the
32404 addition and return the sum.
32405
32406 @kindex maint info breakpoints
32407 @item @anchor{maint info breakpoints}maint info breakpoints
32408 Using the same format as @samp{info breakpoints}, display both the
32409 breakpoints you've set explicitly, and those @value{GDBN} is using for
32410 internal purposes. Internal breakpoints are shown with negative
32411 breakpoint numbers. The type column identifies what kind of breakpoint
32412 is shown:
32413
32414 @table @code
32415 @item breakpoint
32416 Normal, explicitly set breakpoint.
32417
32418 @item watchpoint
32419 Normal, explicitly set watchpoint.
32420
32421 @item longjmp
32422 Internal breakpoint, used to handle correctly stepping through
32423 @code{longjmp} calls.
32424
32425 @item longjmp resume
32426 Internal breakpoint at the target of a @code{longjmp}.
32427
32428 @item until
32429 Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{until} command.
32430
32431 @item finish
32432 Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{finish} command.
32433
32434 @item shlib events
32435 Shared library events.
32436
32437 @end table
32438
32439 @kindex set displaced-stepping
32440 @kindex show displaced-stepping
32441 @cindex displaced stepping support
32442 @cindex out-of-line single-stepping
32443 @item set displaced-stepping
32444 @itemx show displaced-stepping
32445 Control whether or not @value{GDBN} will do @dfn{displaced stepping}
32446 if the target supports it. Displaced stepping is a way to single-step
32447 over breakpoints without removing them from the inferior, by executing
32448 an out-of-line copy of the instruction that was originally at the
32449 breakpoint location. It is also known as out-of-line single-stepping.
32450
32451 @table @code
32452 @item set displaced-stepping on
32453 If the target architecture supports it, @value{GDBN} will use
32454 displaced stepping to step over breakpoints.
32455
32456 @item set displaced-stepping off
32457 @value{GDBN} will not use displaced stepping to step over breakpoints,
32458 even if such is supported by the target architecture.
32459
32460 @cindex non-stop mode, and @samp{set displaced-stepping}
32461 @item set displaced-stepping auto
32462 This is the default mode. @value{GDBN} will use displaced stepping
32463 only if non-stop mode is active (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}) and the target
32464 architecture supports displaced stepping.
32465 @end table
32466
32467 @kindex maint check-symtabs
32468 @item maint check-symtabs
32469 Check the consistency of psymtabs and symtabs.
32470
32471 @kindex maint cplus first_component
32472 @item maint cplus first_component @var{name}
32473 Print the first C@t{++} class/namespace component of @var{name}.
32474
32475 @kindex maint cplus namespace
32476 @item maint cplus namespace
32477 Print the list of possible C@t{++} namespaces.
32478
32479 @kindex maint demangle
32480 @item maint demangle @var{name}
32481 Demangle a C@t{++} or Objective-C mangled @var{name}.
32482
32483 @kindex maint deprecate
32484 @kindex maint undeprecate
32485 @cindex deprecated commands
32486 @item maint deprecate @var{command} @r{[}@var{replacement}@r{]}
32487 @itemx maint undeprecate @var{command}
32488 Deprecate or undeprecate the named @var{command}. Deprecated commands
32489 cause @value{GDBN} to issue a warning when you use them. The optional
32490 argument @var{replacement} says which newer command should be used in
32491 favor of the deprecated one; if it is given, @value{GDBN} will mention
32492 the replacement as part of the warning.
32493
32494 @kindex maint dump-me
32495 @item maint dump-me
32496 @cindex @code{SIGQUIT} signal, dump core of @value{GDBN}
32497 Cause a fatal signal in the debugger and force it to dump its core.
32498 This is supported only on systems which support aborting a program
32499 with the @code{SIGQUIT} signal.
32500
32501 @kindex maint internal-error
32502 @kindex maint internal-warning
32503 @item maint internal-error @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
32504 @itemx maint internal-warning @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
32505 Cause @value{GDBN} to call the internal function @code{internal_error}
32506 or @code{internal_warning} and hence behave as though an internal error
32507 or internal warning has been detected. In addition to reporting the
32508 internal problem, these functions give the user the opportunity to
32509 either quit @value{GDBN} or create a core file of the current
32510 @value{GDBN} session.
32511
32512 These commands take an optional parameter @var{message-text} that is
32513 used as the text of the error or warning message.
32514
32515 Here's an example of using @code{internal-error}:
32516
32517 @smallexample
32518 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint internal-error testing, 1, 2}
32519 @dots{}/maint.c:121: internal-error: testing, 1, 2
32520 A problem internal to GDB has been detected. Further
32521 debugging may prove unreliable.
32522 Quit this debugging session? (y or n) @kbd{n}
32523 Create a core file? (y or n) @kbd{n}
32524 (@value{GDBP})
32525 @end smallexample
32526
32527 @cindex @value{GDBN} internal error
32528 @cindex internal errors, control of @value{GDBN} behavior
32529
32530 @kindex maint set internal-error
32531 @kindex maint show internal-error
32532 @kindex maint set internal-warning
32533 @kindex maint show internal-warning
32534 @item maint set internal-error @var{action} [ask|yes|no]
32535 @itemx maint show internal-error @var{action}
32536 @itemx maint set internal-warning @var{action} [ask|yes|no]
32537 @itemx maint show internal-warning @var{action}
32538 When @value{GDBN} reports an internal problem (error or warning) it
32539 gives the user the opportunity to both quit @value{GDBN} and create a
32540 core file of the current @value{GDBN} session. These commands let you
32541 override the default behaviour for each particular @var{action},
32542 described in the table below.
32543
32544 @table @samp
32545 @item quit
32546 You can specify that @value{GDBN} should always (yes) or never (no)
32547 quit. The default is to ask the user what to do.
32548
32549 @item corefile
32550 You can specify that @value{GDBN} should always (yes) or never (no)
32551 create a core file. The default is to ask the user what to do.
32552 @end table
32553
32554 @kindex maint packet
32555 @item maint packet @var{text}
32556 If @value{GDBN} is talking to an inferior via the serial protocol,
32557 then this command sends the string @var{text} to the inferior, and
32558 displays the response packet. @value{GDBN} supplies the initial
32559 @samp{$} character, the terminating @samp{#} character, and the
32560 checksum.
32561
32562 @kindex maint print architecture
32563 @item maint print architecture @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
32564 Print the entire architecture configuration. The optional argument
32565 @var{file} names the file where the output goes.
32566
32567 @kindex maint print c-tdesc
32568 @item maint print c-tdesc
32569 Print the current target description (@pxref{Target Descriptions}) as
32570 a C source file. The created source file can be used in @value{GDBN}
32571 when an XML parser is not available to parse the description.
32572
32573 @kindex maint print dummy-frames
32574 @item maint print dummy-frames
32575 Prints the contents of @value{GDBN}'s internal dummy-frame stack.
32576
32577 @smallexample
32578 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{b add}
32579 @dots{}
32580 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{print add(2,3)}
32581 Breakpoint 2, add (a=2, b=3) at @dots{}
32582 58 return (a + b);
32583 The program being debugged stopped while in a function called from GDB.
32584 @dots{}
32585 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint print dummy-frames}
32586 0x1a57c80: pc=0x01014068 fp=0x0200bddc sp=0x0200bdd6
32587 top=0x0200bdd4 id=@{stack=0x200bddc,code=0x101405c@}
32588 call_lo=0x01014000 call_hi=0x01014001
32589 (@value{GDBP})
32590 @end smallexample
32591
32592 Takes an optional file parameter.
32593
32594 @kindex maint print registers
32595 @kindex maint print raw-registers
32596 @kindex maint print cooked-registers
32597 @kindex maint print register-groups
32598 @kindex maint print remote-registers
32599 @item maint print registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
32600 @itemx maint print raw-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
32601 @itemx maint print cooked-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
32602 @itemx maint print register-groups @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
32603 @itemx maint print remote-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
32604 Print @value{GDBN}'s internal register data structures.
32605
32606 The command @code{maint print raw-registers} includes the contents of
32607 the raw register cache; the command @code{maint print
32608 cooked-registers} includes the (cooked) value of all registers,
32609 including registers which aren't available on the target nor visible
32610 to user; the command @code{maint print register-groups} includes the
32611 groups that each register is a member of; and the command @code{maint
32612 print remote-registers} includes the remote target's register numbers
32613 and offsets in the `G' packets. @xref{Registers,, Registers, gdbint,
32614 @value{GDBN} Internals}.
32615
32616 These commands take an optional parameter, a file name to which to
32617 write the information.
32618
32619 @kindex maint print reggroups
32620 @item maint print reggroups @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
32621 Print @value{GDBN}'s internal register group data structures. The
32622 optional argument @var{file} tells to what file to write the
32623 information.
32624
32625 The register groups info looks like this:
32626
32627 @smallexample
32628 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint print reggroups}
32629 Group Type
32630 general user
32631 float user
32632 all user
32633 vector user
32634 system user
32635 save internal
32636 restore internal
32637 @end smallexample
32638
32639 @kindex flushregs
32640 @item flushregs
32641 This command forces @value{GDBN} to flush its internal register cache.
32642
32643 @kindex maint print objfiles
32644 @cindex info for known object files
32645 @item maint print objfiles
32646 Print a dump of all known object files. For each object file, this
32647 command prints its name, address in memory, and all of its psymtabs
32648 and symtabs.
32649
32650 @kindex maint print section-scripts
32651 @cindex info for known .debug_gdb_scripts-loaded scripts
32652 @item maint print section-scripts [@var{regexp}]
32653 Print a dump of scripts specified in the @code{.debug_gdb_section} section.
32654 If @var{regexp} is specified, only print scripts loaded by object files
32655 matching @var{regexp}.
32656 For each script, this command prints its name as specified in the objfile,
32657 and the full path if known.
32658 @xref{.debug_gdb_scripts section}.
32659
32660 @kindex maint print statistics
32661 @cindex bcache statistics
32662 @item maint print statistics
32663 This command prints, for each object file in the program, various data
32664 about that object file followed by the byte cache (@dfn{bcache})
32665 statistics for the object file. The objfile data includes the number
32666 of minimal, partial, full, and stabs symbols, the number of types
32667 defined by the objfile, the number of as yet unexpanded psym tables,
32668 the number of line tables and string tables, and the amount of memory
32669 used by the various tables. The bcache statistics include the counts,
32670 sizes, and counts of duplicates of all and unique objects, max,
32671 average, and median entry size, total memory used and its overhead and
32672 savings, and various measures of the hash table size and chain
32673 lengths.
32674
32675 @kindex maint print target-stack
32676 @cindex target stack description
32677 @item maint print target-stack
32678 A @dfn{target} is an interface between the debugger and a particular
32679 kind of file or process. Targets can be stacked in @dfn{strata},
32680 so that more than one target can potentially respond to a request.
32681 In particular, memory accesses will walk down the stack of targets
32682 until they find a target that is interested in handling that particular
32683 address.
32684
32685 This command prints a short description of each layer that was pushed on
32686 the @dfn{target stack}, starting from the top layer down to the bottom one.
32687
32688 @kindex maint print type
32689 @cindex type chain of a data type
32690 @item maint print type @var{expr}
32691 Print the type chain for a type specified by @var{expr}. The argument
32692 can be either a type name or a symbol. If it is a symbol, the type of
32693 that symbol is described. The type chain produced by this command is
32694 a recursive definition of the data type as stored in @value{GDBN}'s
32695 data structures, including its flags and contained types.
32696
32697 @kindex maint set dwarf2 always-disassemble
32698 @kindex maint show dwarf2 always-disassemble
32699 @item maint set dwarf2 always-disassemble
32700 @item maint show dwarf2 always-disassemble
32701 Control the behavior of @code{info address} when using DWARF debugging
32702 information.
32703
32704 The default is @code{off}, which means that @value{GDBN} should try to
32705 describe a variable's location in an easily readable format. When
32706 @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will instead display the DWARF location
32707 expression in an assembly-like format. Note that some locations are
32708 too complex for @value{GDBN} to describe simply; in this case you will
32709 always see the disassembly form.
32710
32711 Here is an example of the resulting disassembly:
32712
32713 @smallexample
32714 (gdb) info addr argc
32715 Symbol "argc" is a complex DWARF expression:
32716 1: DW_OP_fbreg 0
32717 @end smallexample
32718
32719 For more information on these expressions, see
32720 @uref{http://www.dwarfstd.org/, the DWARF standard}.
32721
32722 @kindex maint set dwarf2 max-cache-age
32723 @kindex maint show dwarf2 max-cache-age
32724 @item maint set dwarf2 max-cache-age
32725 @itemx maint show dwarf2 max-cache-age
32726 Control the DWARF 2 compilation unit cache.
32727
32728 @cindex DWARF 2 compilation units cache
32729 In object files with inter-compilation-unit references, such as those
32730 produced by the GCC option @samp{-feliminate-dwarf2-dups}, the DWARF 2
32731 reader needs to frequently refer to previously read compilation units.
32732 This setting controls how long a compilation unit will remain in the
32733 cache if it is not referenced. A higher limit means that cached
32734 compilation units will be stored in memory longer, and more total
32735 memory will be used. Setting it to zero disables caching, which will
32736 slow down @value{GDBN} startup, but reduce memory consumption.
32737
32738 @kindex maint set profile
32739 @kindex maint show profile
32740 @cindex profiling GDB
32741 @item maint set profile
32742 @itemx maint show profile
32743 Control profiling of @value{GDBN}.
32744
32745 Profiling will be disabled until you use the @samp{maint set profile}
32746 command to enable it. When you enable profiling, the system will begin
32747 collecting timing and execution count data; when you disable profiling or
32748 exit @value{GDBN}, the results will be written to a log file. Remember that
32749 if you use profiling, @value{GDBN} will overwrite the profiling log file
32750 (often called @file{gmon.out}). If you have a record of important profiling
32751 data in a @file{gmon.out} file, be sure to move it to a safe location.
32752
32753 Configuring with @samp{--enable-profiling} arranges for @value{GDBN} to be
32754 compiled with the @samp{-pg} compiler option.
32755
32756 @kindex maint set show-debug-regs
32757 @kindex maint show show-debug-regs
32758 @cindex hardware debug registers
32759 @item maint set show-debug-regs
32760 @itemx maint show show-debug-regs
32761 Control whether to show variables that mirror the hardware debug
32762 registers. Use @code{ON} to enable, @code{OFF} to disable. If
32763 enabled, the debug registers values are shown when @value{GDBN} inserts or
32764 removes a hardware breakpoint or watchpoint, and when the inferior
32765 triggers a hardware-assisted breakpoint or watchpoint.
32766
32767 @kindex maint set show-all-tib
32768 @kindex maint show show-all-tib
32769 @item maint set show-all-tib
32770 @itemx maint show show-all-tib
32771 Control whether to show all non zero areas within a 1k block starting
32772 at thread local base, when using the @samp{info w32 thread-information-block}
32773 command.
32774
32775 @kindex maint space
32776 @cindex memory used by commands
32777 @item maint space
32778 Control whether to display memory usage for each command. If set to a
32779 nonzero value, @value{GDBN} will display how much memory each command
32780 took, following the command's own output. This can also be requested
32781 by invoking @value{GDBN} with the @option{--statistics} command-line
32782 switch (@pxref{Mode Options}).
32783
32784 @kindex maint time
32785 @cindex time of command execution
32786 @item maint time
32787 Control whether to display the execution time for each command. If
32788 set to a nonzero value, @value{GDBN} will display how much time it
32789 took to execute each command, following the command's own output.
32790 The time is not printed for the commands that run the target, since
32791 there's no mechanism currently to compute how much time was spend
32792 by @value{GDBN} and how much time was spend by the program been debugged.
32793 it's not possibly currently
32794 This can also be requested by invoking @value{GDBN} with the
32795 @option{--statistics} command-line switch (@pxref{Mode Options}).
32796
32797 @kindex maint translate-address
32798 @item maint translate-address @r{[}@var{section}@r{]} @var{addr}
32799 Find the symbol stored at the location specified by the address
32800 @var{addr} and an optional section name @var{section}. If found,
32801 @value{GDBN} prints the name of the closest symbol and an offset from
32802 the symbol's location to the specified address. This is similar to
32803 the @code{info address} command (@pxref{Symbols}), except that this
32804 command also allows to find symbols in other sections.
32805
32806 If section was not specified, the section in which the symbol was found
32807 is also printed. For dynamically linked executables, the name of
32808 executable or shared library containing the symbol is printed as well.
32809
32810 @end table
32811
32812 The following command is useful for non-interactive invocations of
32813 @value{GDBN}, such as in the test suite.
32814
32815 @table @code
32816 @item set watchdog @var{nsec}
32817 @kindex set watchdog
32818 @cindex watchdog timer
32819 @cindex timeout for commands
32820 Set the maximum number of seconds @value{GDBN} will wait for the
32821 target operation to finish. If this time expires, @value{GDBN}
32822 reports and error and the command is aborted.
32823
32824 @item show watchdog
32825 Show the current setting of the target wait timeout.
32826 @end table
32827
32828 @node Remote Protocol
32829 @appendix @value{GDBN} Remote Serial Protocol
32830
32831 @menu
32832 * Overview::
32833 * Packets::
32834 * Stop Reply Packets::
32835 * General Query Packets::
32836 * Architecture-Specific Protocol Details::
32837 * Tracepoint Packets::
32838 * Host I/O Packets::
32839 * Interrupts::
32840 * Notification Packets::
32841 * Remote Non-Stop::
32842 * Packet Acknowledgment::
32843 * Examples::
32844 * File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension::
32845 * Library List Format::
32846 * Memory Map Format::
32847 * Thread List Format::
32848 * Traceframe Info Format::
32849 @end menu
32850
32851 @node Overview
32852 @section Overview
32853
32854 There may be occasions when you need to know something about the
32855 protocol---for example, if there is only one serial port to your target
32856 machine, you might want your program to do something special if it
32857 recognizes a packet meant for @value{GDBN}.
32858
32859 In the examples below, @samp{->} and @samp{<-} are used to indicate
32860 transmitted and received data, respectively.
32861
32862 @cindex protocol, @value{GDBN} remote serial
32863 @cindex serial protocol, @value{GDBN} remote
32864 @cindex remote serial protocol
32865 All @value{GDBN} commands and responses (other than acknowledgments
32866 and notifications, see @ref{Notification Packets}) are sent as a
32867 @var{packet}. A @var{packet} is introduced with the character
32868 @samp{$}, the actual @var{packet-data}, and the terminating character
32869 @samp{#} followed by a two-digit @var{checksum}:
32870
32871 @smallexample
32872 @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
32873 @end smallexample
32874 @noindent
32875
32876 @cindex checksum, for @value{GDBN} remote
32877 @noindent
32878 The two-digit @var{checksum} is computed as the modulo 256 sum of all
32879 characters between the leading @samp{$} and the trailing @samp{#} (an
32880 eight bit unsigned checksum).
32881
32882 Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0 the protocol
32883 specification also included an optional two-digit @var{sequence-id}:
32884
32885 @smallexample
32886 @code{$}@var{sequence-id}@code{:}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
32887 @end smallexample
32888
32889 @cindex sequence-id, for @value{GDBN} remote
32890 @noindent
32891 That @var{sequence-id} was appended to the acknowledgment. @value{GDBN}
32892 has never output @var{sequence-id}s. Stubs that handle packets added
32893 since @value{GDBN} 5.0 must not accept @var{sequence-id}.
32894
32895 When either the host or the target machine receives a packet, the first
32896 response expected is an acknowledgment: either @samp{+} (to indicate
32897 the package was received correctly) or @samp{-} (to request
32898 retransmission):
32899
32900 @smallexample
32901 -> @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
32902 <- @code{+}
32903 @end smallexample
32904 @noindent
32905
32906 The @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments can be disabled
32907 once a connection is established.
32908 @xref{Packet Acknowledgment}, for details.
32909
32910 The host (@value{GDBN}) sends @var{command}s, and the target (the
32911 debugging stub incorporated in your program) sends a @var{response}. In
32912 the case of step and continue @var{command}s, the response is only sent
32913 when the operation has completed, and the target has again stopped all
32914 threads in all attached processes. This is the default all-stop mode
32915 behavior, but the remote protocol also supports @value{GDBN}'s non-stop
32916 execution mode; see @ref{Remote Non-Stop}, for details.
32917
32918 @var{packet-data} consists of a sequence of characters with the
32919 exception of @samp{#} and @samp{$} (see @samp{X} packet for additional
32920 exceptions).
32921
32922 @cindex remote protocol, field separator
32923 Fields within the packet should be separated using @samp{,} @samp{;} or
32924 @samp{:}. Except where otherwise noted all numbers are represented in
32925 @sc{hex} with leading zeros suppressed.
32926
32927 Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0, the character
32928 @samp{:} could not appear as the third character in a packet (as it
32929 would potentially conflict with the @var{sequence-id}).
32930
32931 @cindex remote protocol, binary data
32932 @anchor{Binary Data}
32933 Binary data in most packets is encoded either as two hexadecimal
32934 digits per byte of binary data. This allowed the traditional remote
32935 protocol to work over connections which were only seven-bit clean.
32936 Some packets designed more recently assume an eight-bit clean
32937 connection, and use a more efficient encoding to send and receive
32938 binary data.
32939
32940 The binary data representation uses @code{7d} (@sc{ascii} @samp{@}})
32941 as an escape character. Any escaped byte is transmitted as the escape
32942 character followed by the original character XORed with @code{0x20}.
32943 For example, the byte @code{0x7d} would be transmitted as the two
32944 bytes @code{0x7d 0x5d}. The bytes @code{0x23} (@sc{ascii} @samp{#}),
32945 @code{0x24} (@sc{ascii} @samp{$}), and @code{0x7d} (@sc{ascii}
32946 @samp{@}}) must always be escaped. Responses sent by the stub
32947 must also escape @code{0x2a} (@sc{ascii} @samp{*}), so that it
32948 is not interpreted as the start of a run-length encoded sequence
32949 (described next).
32950
32951 Response @var{data} can be run-length encoded to save space.
32952 Run-length encoding replaces runs of identical characters with one
32953 instance of the repeated character, followed by a @samp{*} and a
32954 repeat count. The repeat count is itself sent encoded, to avoid
32955 binary characters in @var{data}: a value of @var{n} is sent as
32956 @code{@var{n}+29}. For a repeat count greater or equal to 3, this
32957 produces a printable @sc{ascii} character, e.g.@: a space (@sc{ascii}
32958 code 32) for a repeat count of 3. (This is because run-length
32959 encoding starts to win for counts 3 or more.) Thus, for example,
32960 @samp{0* } is a run-length encoding of ``0000'': the space character
32961 after @samp{*} means repeat the leading @code{0} @w{@code{32 - 29 =
32962 3}} more times.
32963
32964 The printable characters @samp{#} and @samp{$} or with a numeric value
32965 greater than 126 must not be used. Runs of six repeats (@samp{#}) or
32966 seven repeats (@samp{$}) can be expanded using a repeat count of only
32967 five (@samp{"}). For example, @samp{00000000} can be encoded as
32968 @samp{0*"00}.
32969
32970 The error response returned for some packets includes a two character
32971 error number. That number is not well defined.
32972
32973 @cindex empty response, for unsupported packets
32974 For any @var{command} not supported by the stub, an empty response
32975 (@samp{$#00}) should be returned. That way it is possible to extend the
32976 protocol. A newer @value{GDBN} can tell if a packet is supported based
32977 on that response.
32978
32979 At a minimum, a stub is required to support the @samp{g} and @samp{G}
32980 commands for register access, and the @samp{m} and @samp{M} commands
32981 for memory access. Stubs that only control single-threaded targets
32982 can implement run control with the @samp{c} (continue), and @samp{s}
32983 (step) commands. Stubs that support multi-threading targets should
32984 support the @samp{vCont} command. All other commands are optional.
32985
32986 @node Packets
32987 @section Packets
32988
32989 The following table provides a complete list of all currently defined
32990 @var{command}s and their corresponding response @var{data}.
32991 @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension}, for details about the File
32992 I/O extension of the remote protocol.
32993
32994 Each packet's description has a template showing the packet's overall
32995 syntax, followed by an explanation of the packet's meaning. We
32996 include spaces in some of the templates for clarity; these are not
32997 part of the packet's syntax. No @value{GDBN} packet uses spaces to
32998 separate its components. For example, a template like @samp{foo
32999 @var{bar} @var{baz}} describes a packet beginning with the three ASCII
33000 bytes @samp{foo}, followed by a @var{bar}, followed directly by a
33001 @var{baz}. @value{GDBN} does not transmit a space character between the
33002 @samp{foo} and the @var{bar}, or between the @var{bar} and the
33003 @var{baz}.
33004
33005 @cindex @var{thread-id}, in remote protocol
33006 @anchor{thread-id syntax}
33007 Several packets and replies include a @var{thread-id} field to identify
33008 a thread. Normally these are positive numbers with a target-specific
33009 interpretation, formatted as big-endian hex strings. A @var{thread-id}
33010 can also be a literal @samp{-1} to indicate all threads, or @samp{0} to
33011 pick any thread.
33012
33013 In addition, the remote protocol supports a multiprocess feature in
33014 which the @var{thread-id} syntax is extended to optionally include both
33015 process and thread ID fields, as @samp{p@var{pid}.@var{tid}}.
33016 The @var{pid} (process) and @var{tid} (thread) components each have the
33017 format described above: a positive number with target-specific
33018 interpretation formatted as a big-endian hex string, literal @samp{-1}
33019 to indicate all processes or threads (respectively), or @samp{0} to
33020 indicate an arbitrary process or thread. Specifying just a process, as
33021 @samp{p@var{pid}}, is equivalent to @samp{p@var{pid}.-1}. It is an
33022 error to specify all processes but a specific thread, such as
33023 @samp{p-1.@var{tid}}. Note that the @samp{p} prefix is @emph{not} used
33024 for those packets and replies explicitly documented to include a process
33025 ID, rather than a @var{thread-id}.
33026
33027 The multiprocess @var{thread-id} syntax extensions are only used if both
33028 @value{GDBN} and the stub report support for the @samp{multiprocess}
33029 feature using @samp{qSupported}. @xref{multiprocess extensions}, for
33030 more information.
33031
33032 Note that all packet forms beginning with an upper- or lower-case
33033 letter, other than those described here, are reserved for future use.
33034
33035 Here are the packet descriptions.
33036
33037 @table @samp
33038
33039 @item !
33040 @cindex @samp{!} packet
33041 @anchor{extended mode}
33042 Enable extended mode. In extended mode, the remote server is made
33043 persistent. The @samp{R} packet is used to restart the program being
33044 debugged.
33045
33046 Reply:
33047 @table @samp
33048 @item OK
33049 The remote target both supports and has enabled extended mode.
33050 @end table
33051
33052 @item ?
33053 @cindex @samp{?} packet
33054 Indicate the reason the target halted. The reply is the same as for
33055 step and continue. This packet has a special interpretation when the
33056 target is in non-stop mode; see @ref{Remote Non-Stop}.
33057
33058 Reply:
33059 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
33060
33061 @item A @var{arglen},@var{argnum},@var{arg},@dots{}
33062 @cindex @samp{A} packet
33063 Initialized @code{argv[]} array passed into program. @var{arglen}
33064 specifies the number of bytes in the hex encoded byte stream
33065 @var{arg}. See @code{gdbserver} for more details.
33066
33067 Reply:
33068 @table @samp
33069 @item OK
33070 The arguments were set.
33071 @item E @var{NN}
33072 An error occurred.
33073 @end table
33074
33075 @item b @var{baud}
33076 @cindex @samp{b} packet
33077 (Don't use this packet; its behavior is not well-defined.)
33078 Change the serial line speed to @var{baud}.
33079
33080 JTC: @emph{When does the transport layer state change? When it's
33081 received, or after the ACK is transmitted. In either case, there are
33082 problems if the command or the acknowledgment packet is dropped.}
33083
33084 Stan: @emph{If people really wanted to add something like this, and get
33085 it working for the first time, they ought to modify ser-unix.c to send
33086 some kind of out-of-band message to a specially-setup stub and have the
33087 switch happen "in between" packets, so that from remote protocol's point
33088 of view, nothing actually happened.}
33089
33090 @item B @var{addr},@var{mode}
33091 @cindex @samp{B} packet
33092 Set (@var{mode} is @samp{S}) or clear (@var{mode} is @samp{C}) a
33093 breakpoint at @var{addr}.
33094
33095 Don't use this packet. Use the @samp{Z} and @samp{z} packets instead
33096 (@pxref{insert breakpoint or watchpoint packet}).
33097
33098 @cindex @samp{bc} packet
33099 @anchor{bc}
33100 @item bc
33101 Backward continue. Execute the target system in reverse. No parameter.
33102 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
33103
33104 Reply:
33105 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
33106
33107 @cindex @samp{bs} packet
33108 @anchor{bs}
33109 @item bs
33110 Backward single step. Execute one instruction in reverse. No parameter.
33111 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
33112
33113 Reply:
33114 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
33115
33116 @item c @r{[}@var{addr}@r{]}
33117 @cindex @samp{c} packet
33118 Continue. @var{addr} is address to resume. If @var{addr} is omitted,
33119 resume at current address.
33120
33121 This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
33122 packet}.
33123
33124 Reply:
33125 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
33126
33127 @item C @var{sig}@r{[};@var{addr}@r{]}
33128 @cindex @samp{C} packet
33129 Continue with signal @var{sig} (hex signal number). If
33130 @samp{;@var{addr}} is omitted, resume at same address.
33131
33132 This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
33133 packet}.
33134
33135 Reply:
33136 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
33137
33138 @item d
33139 @cindex @samp{d} packet
33140 Toggle debug flag.
33141
33142 Don't use this packet; instead, define a general set packet
33143 (@pxref{General Query Packets}).
33144
33145 @item D
33146 @itemx D;@var{pid}
33147 @cindex @samp{D} packet
33148 The first form of the packet is used to detach @value{GDBN} from the
33149 remote system. It is sent to the remote target
33150 before @value{GDBN} disconnects via the @code{detach} command.
33151
33152 The second form, including a process ID, is used when multiprocess
33153 protocol extensions are enabled (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}), to
33154 detach only a specific process. The @var{pid} is specified as a
33155 big-endian hex string.
33156
33157 Reply:
33158 @table @samp
33159 @item OK
33160 for success
33161 @item E @var{NN}
33162 for an error
33163 @end table
33164
33165 @item F @var{RC},@var{EE},@var{CF};@var{XX}
33166 @cindex @samp{F} packet
33167 A reply from @value{GDBN} to an @samp{F} packet sent by the target.
33168 This is part of the File-I/O protocol extension. @xref{File-I/O
33169 Remote Protocol Extension}, for the specification.
33170
33171 @item g
33172 @anchor{read registers packet}
33173 @cindex @samp{g} packet
33174 Read general registers.
33175
33176 Reply:
33177 @table @samp
33178 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
33179 Each byte of register data is described by two hex digits. The bytes
33180 with the register are transmitted in target byte order. The size of
33181 each register and their position within the @samp{g} packet are
33182 determined by the @value{GDBN} internal gdbarch functions
33183 @code{DEPRECATED_REGISTER_RAW_SIZE} and @code{gdbarch_register_name}. The
33184 specification of several standard @samp{g} packets is specified below.
33185
33186 When reading registers from a trace frame (@pxref{Analyze Collected
33187 Data,,Using the Collected Data}), the stub may also return a string of
33188 literal @samp{x}'s in place of the register data digits, to indicate
33189 that the corresponding register has not been collected, thus its value
33190 is unavailable. For example, for an architecture with 4 registers of
33191 4 bytes each, the following reply indicates to @value{GDBN} that
33192 registers 0 and 2 have not been collected, while registers 1 and 3
33193 have been collected, and both have zero value:
33194
33195 @smallexample
33196 -> @code{g}
33197 <- @code{xxxxxxxx00000000xxxxxxxx00000000}
33198 @end smallexample
33199
33200 @item E @var{NN}
33201 for an error.
33202 @end table
33203
33204 @item G @var{XX@dots{}}
33205 @cindex @samp{G} packet
33206 Write general registers. @xref{read registers packet}, for a
33207 description of the @var{XX@dots{}} data.
33208
33209 Reply:
33210 @table @samp
33211 @item OK
33212 for success
33213 @item E @var{NN}
33214 for an error
33215 @end table
33216
33217 @item H @var{op} @var{thread-id}
33218 @cindex @samp{H} packet
33219 Set thread for subsequent operations (@samp{m}, @samp{M}, @samp{g},
33220 @samp{G}, et.al.). @var{op} depends on the operation to be performed:
33221 it should be @samp{c} for step and continue operations (note that this
33222 is deprecated, supporting the @samp{vCont} command is a better
33223 option), @samp{g} for other operations. The thread designator
33224 @var{thread-id} has the format and interpretation described in
33225 @ref{thread-id syntax}.
33226
33227 Reply:
33228 @table @samp
33229 @item OK
33230 for success
33231 @item E @var{NN}
33232 for an error
33233 @end table
33234
33235 @c FIXME: JTC:
33236 @c 'H': How restrictive (or permissive) is the thread model. If a
33237 @c thread is selected and stopped, are other threads allowed
33238 @c to continue to execute? As I mentioned above, I think the
33239 @c semantics of each command when a thread is selected must be
33240 @c described. For example:
33241 @c
33242 @c 'g': If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
33243 @c selected, returns the register block from that thread;
33244 @c otherwise returns current registers.
33245 @c
33246 @c 'G' If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
33247 @c selected, sets the registers of the register block of
33248 @c that thread; otherwise sets current registers.
33249
33250 @item i @r{[}@var{addr}@r{[},@var{nnn}@r{]]}
33251 @anchor{cycle step packet}
33252 @cindex @samp{i} packet
33253 Step the remote target by a single clock cycle. If @samp{,@var{nnn}} is
33254 present, cycle step @var{nnn} cycles. If @var{addr} is present, cycle
33255 step starting at that address.
33256
33257 @item I
33258 @cindex @samp{I} packet
33259 Signal, then cycle step. @xref{step with signal packet}. @xref{cycle
33260 step packet}.
33261
33262 @item k
33263 @cindex @samp{k} packet
33264 Kill request.
33265
33266 FIXME: @emph{There is no description of how to operate when a specific
33267 thread context has been selected (i.e.@: does 'k' kill only that
33268 thread?)}.
33269
33270 @item m @var{addr},@var{length}
33271 @cindex @samp{m} packet
33272 Read @var{length} bytes of memory starting at address @var{addr}.
33273 Note that @var{addr} may not be aligned to any particular boundary.
33274
33275 The stub need not use any particular size or alignment when gathering
33276 data from memory for the response; even if @var{addr} is word-aligned
33277 and @var{length} is a multiple of the word size, the stub is free to
33278 use byte accesses, or not. For this reason, this packet may not be
33279 suitable for accessing memory-mapped I/O devices.
33280 @cindex alignment of remote memory accesses
33281 @cindex size of remote memory accesses
33282 @cindex memory, alignment and size of remote accesses
33283
33284 Reply:
33285 @table @samp
33286 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
33287 Memory contents; each byte is transmitted as a two-digit hexadecimal
33288 number. The reply may contain fewer bytes than requested if the
33289 server was able to read only part of the region of memory.
33290 @item E @var{NN}
33291 @var{NN} is errno
33292 @end table
33293
33294 @item M @var{addr},@var{length}:@var{XX@dots{}}
33295 @cindex @samp{M} packet
33296 Write @var{length} bytes of memory starting at address @var{addr}.
33297 @var{XX@dots{}} is the data; each byte is transmitted as a two-digit
33298 hexadecimal number.
33299
33300 Reply:
33301 @table @samp
33302 @item OK
33303 for success
33304 @item E @var{NN}
33305 for an error (this includes the case where only part of the data was
33306 written).
33307 @end table
33308
33309 @item p @var{n}
33310 @cindex @samp{p} packet
33311 Read the value of register @var{n}; @var{n} is in hex.
33312 @xref{read registers packet}, for a description of how the returned
33313 register value is encoded.
33314
33315 Reply:
33316 @table @samp
33317 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
33318 the register's value
33319 @item E @var{NN}
33320 for an error
33321 @item
33322 Indicating an unrecognized @var{query}.
33323 @end table
33324
33325 @item P @var{n@dots{}}=@var{r@dots{}}
33326 @anchor{write register packet}
33327 @cindex @samp{P} packet
33328 Write register @var{n@dots{}} with value @var{r@dots{}}. The register
33329 number @var{n} is in hexadecimal, and @var{r@dots{}} contains two hex
33330 digits for each byte in the register (target byte order).
33331
33332 Reply:
33333 @table @samp
33334 @item OK
33335 for success
33336 @item E @var{NN}
33337 for an error
33338 @end table
33339
33340 @item q @var{name} @var{params}@dots{}
33341 @itemx Q @var{name} @var{params}@dots{}
33342 @cindex @samp{q} packet
33343 @cindex @samp{Q} packet
33344 General query (@samp{q}) and set (@samp{Q}). These packets are
33345 described fully in @ref{General Query Packets}.
33346
33347 @item r
33348 @cindex @samp{r} packet
33349 Reset the entire system.
33350
33351 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{R} packet instead.
33352
33353 @item R @var{XX}
33354 @cindex @samp{R} packet
33355 Restart the program being debugged. @var{XX}, while needed, is ignored.
33356 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
33357
33358 The @samp{R} packet has no reply.
33359
33360 @item s @r{[}@var{addr}@r{]}
33361 @cindex @samp{s} packet
33362 Single step. @var{addr} is the address at which to resume. If
33363 @var{addr} is omitted, resume at same address.
33364
33365 This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
33366 packet}.
33367
33368 Reply:
33369 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
33370
33371 @item S @var{sig}@r{[};@var{addr}@r{]}
33372 @anchor{step with signal packet}
33373 @cindex @samp{S} packet
33374 Step with signal. This is analogous to the @samp{C} packet, but
33375 requests a single-step, rather than a normal resumption of execution.
33376
33377 This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
33378 packet}.
33379
33380 Reply:
33381 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
33382
33383 @item t @var{addr}:@var{PP},@var{MM}
33384 @cindex @samp{t} packet
33385 Search backwards starting at address @var{addr} for a match with pattern
33386 @var{PP} and mask @var{MM}. @var{PP} and @var{MM} are 4 bytes.
33387 @var{addr} must be at least 3 digits.
33388
33389 @item T @var{thread-id}
33390 @cindex @samp{T} packet
33391 Find out if the thread @var{thread-id} is alive. @xref{thread-id syntax}.
33392
33393 Reply:
33394 @table @samp
33395 @item OK
33396 thread is still alive
33397 @item E @var{NN}
33398 thread is dead
33399 @end table
33400
33401 @item v
33402 Packets starting with @samp{v} are identified by a multi-letter name,
33403 up to the first @samp{;} or @samp{?} (or the end of the packet).
33404
33405 @item vAttach;@var{pid}
33406 @cindex @samp{vAttach} packet
33407 Attach to a new process with the specified process ID @var{pid}.
33408 The process ID is a
33409 hexadecimal integer identifying the process. In all-stop mode, all
33410 threads in the attached process are stopped; in non-stop mode, it may be
33411 attached without being stopped if that is supported by the target.
33412
33413 @c In non-stop mode, on a successful vAttach, the stub should set the
33414 @c current thread to a thread of the newly-attached process. After
33415 @c attaching, GDB queries for the attached process's thread ID with qC.
33416 @c Also note that, from a user perspective, whether or not the
33417 @c target is stopped on attach in non-stop mode depends on whether you
33418 @c use the foreground or background version of the attach command, not
33419 @c on what vAttach does; GDB does the right thing with respect to either
33420 @c stopping or restarting threads.
33421
33422 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
33423
33424 Reply:
33425 @table @samp
33426 @item E @var{nn}
33427 for an error
33428 @item @r{Any stop packet}
33429 for success in all-stop mode (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
33430 @item OK
33431 for success in non-stop mode (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop})
33432 @end table
33433
33434 @item vCont@r{[};@var{action}@r{[}:@var{thread-id}@r{]]}@dots{}
33435 @cindex @samp{vCont} packet
33436 @anchor{vCont packet}
33437 Resume the inferior, specifying different actions for each thread.
33438 If an action is specified with no @var{thread-id}, then it is applied to any
33439 threads that don't have a specific action specified; if no default action is
33440 specified then other threads should remain stopped in all-stop mode and
33441 in their current state in non-stop mode.
33442 Specifying multiple
33443 default actions is an error; specifying no actions is also an error.
33444 Thread IDs are specified using the syntax described in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
33445
33446 Currently supported actions are:
33447
33448 @table @samp
33449 @item c
33450 Continue.
33451 @item C @var{sig}
33452 Continue with signal @var{sig}. The signal @var{sig} should be two hex digits.
33453 @item s
33454 Step.
33455 @item S @var{sig}
33456 Step with signal @var{sig}. The signal @var{sig} should be two hex digits.
33457 @item t
33458 Stop.
33459 @end table
33460
33461 The optional argument @var{addr} normally associated with the
33462 @samp{c}, @samp{C}, @samp{s}, and @samp{S} packets is
33463 not supported in @samp{vCont}.
33464
33465 The @samp{t} action is only relevant in non-stop mode
33466 (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop}) and may be ignored by the stub otherwise.
33467 A stop reply should be generated for any affected thread not already stopped.
33468 When a thread is stopped by means of a @samp{t} action,
33469 the corresponding stop reply should indicate that the thread has stopped with
33470 signal @samp{0}, regardless of whether the target uses some other signal
33471 as an implementation detail.
33472
33473 Reply:
33474 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
33475
33476 @item vCont?
33477 @cindex @samp{vCont?} packet
33478 Request a list of actions supported by the @samp{vCont} packet.
33479
33480 Reply:
33481 @table @samp
33482 @item vCont@r{[};@var{action}@dots{}@r{]}
33483 The @samp{vCont} packet is supported. Each @var{action} is a supported
33484 command in the @samp{vCont} packet.
33485 @item
33486 The @samp{vCont} packet is not supported.
33487 @end table
33488
33489 @item vFile:@var{operation}:@var{parameter}@dots{}
33490 @cindex @samp{vFile} packet
33491 Perform a file operation on the target system. For details,
33492 see @ref{Host I/O Packets}.
33493
33494 @item vFlashErase:@var{addr},@var{length}
33495 @cindex @samp{vFlashErase} packet
33496 Direct the stub to erase @var{length} bytes of flash starting at
33497 @var{addr}. The region may enclose any number of flash blocks, but
33498 its start and end must fall on block boundaries, as indicated by the
33499 flash block size appearing in the memory map (@pxref{Memory Map
33500 Format}). @value{GDBN} groups flash memory programming operations
33501 together, and sends a @samp{vFlashDone} request after each group; the
33502 stub is allowed to delay erase operation until the @samp{vFlashDone}
33503 packet is received.
33504
33505 The stub must support @samp{vCont} if it reports support for
33506 multiprocess extensions (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}). Note that in
33507 this case @samp{vCont} actions can be specified to apply to all threads
33508 in a process by using the @samp{p@var{pid}.-1} form of the
33509 @var{thread-id}.
33510
33511 Reply:
33512 @table @samp
33513 @item OK
33514 for success
33515 @item E @var{NN}
33516 for an error
33517 @end table
33518
33519 @item vFlashWrite:@var{addr}:@var{XX@dots{}}
33520 @cindex @samp{vFlashWrite} packet
33521 Direct the stub to write data to flash address @var{addr}. The data
33522 is passed in binary form using the same encoding as for the @samp{X}
33523 packet (@pxref{Binary Data}). The memory ranges specified by
33524 @samp{vFlashWrite} packets preceding a @samp{vFlashDone} packet must
33525 not overlap, and must appear in order of increasing addresses
33526 (although @samp{vFlashErase} packets for higher addresses may already
33527 have been received; the ordering is guaranteed only between
33528 @samp{vFlashWrite} packets). If a packet writes to an address that was
33529 neither erased by a preceding @samp{vFlashErase} packet nor by some other
33530 target-specific method, the results are unpredictable.
33531
33532
33533 Reply:
33534 @table @samp
33535 @item OK
33536 for success
33537 @item E.memtype
33538 for vFlashWrite addressing non-flash memory
33539 @item E @var{NN}
33540 for an error
33541 @end table
33542
33543 @item vFlashDone
33544 @cindex @samp{vFlashDone} packet
33545 Indicate to the stub that flash programming operation is finished.
33546 The stub is permitted to delay or batch the effects of a group of
33547 @samp{vFlashErase} and @samp{vFlashWrite} packets until a
33548 @samp{vFlashDone} packet is received. The contents of the affected
33549 regions of flash memory are unpredictable until the @samp{vFlashDone}
33550 request is completed.
33551
33552 @item vKill;@var{pid}
33553 @cindex @samp{vKill} packet
33554 Kill the process with the specified process ID. @var{pid} is a
33555 hexadecimal integer identifying the process. This packet is used in
33556 preference to @samp{k} when multiprocess protocol extensions are
33557 supported; see @ref{multiprocess extensions}.
33558
33559 Reply:
33560 @table @samp
33561 @item E @var{nn}
33562 for an error
33563 @item OK
33564 for success
33565 @end table
33566
33567 @item vRun;@var{filename}@r{[};@var{argument}@r{]}@dots{}
33568 @cindex @samp{vRun} packet
33569 Run the program @var{filename}, passing it each @var{argument} on its
33570 command line. The file and arguments are hex-encoded strings. If
33571 @var{filename} is an empty string, the stub may use a default program
33572 (e.g.@: the last program run). The program is created in the stopped
33573 state.
33574
33575 @c FIXME: What about non-stop mode?
33576
33577 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
33578
33579 Reply:
33580 @table @samp
33581 @item E @var{nn}
33582 for an error
33583 @item @r{Any stop packet}
33584 for success (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
33585 @end table
33586
33587 @item vStopped
33588 @anchor{vStopped packet}
33589 @cindex @samp{vStopped} packet
33590
33591 In non-stop mode (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop}), acknowledge a previous stop
33592 reply and prompt for the stub to report another one.
33593
33594 Reply:
33595 @table @samp
33596 @item @r{Any stop packet}
33597 if there is another unreported stop event (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
33598 @item OK
33599 if there are no unreported stop events
33600 @end table
33601
33602 @item X @var{addr},@var{length}:@var{XX@dots{}}
33603 @anchor{X packet}
33604 @cindex @samp{X} packet
33605 Write data to memory, where the data is transmitted in binary.
33606 @var{addr} is address, @var{length} is number of bytes,
33607 @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is binary data (@pxref{Binary Data}).
33608
33609 Reply:
33610 @table @samp
33611 @item OK
33612 for success
33613 @item E @var{NN}
33614 for an error
33615 @end table
33616
33617 @item z @var{type},@var{addr},@var{kind}
33618 @itemx Z @var{type},@var{addr},@var{kind}
33619 @anchor{insert breakpoint or watchpoint packet}
33620 @cindex @samp{z} packet
33621 @cindex @samp{Z} packets
33622 Insert (@samp{Z}) or remove (@samp{z}) a @var{type} breakpoint or
33623 watchpoint starting at address @var{address} of kind @var{kind}.
33624
33625 Each breakpoint and watchpoint packet @var{type} is documented
33626 separately.
33627
33628 @emph{Implementation notes: A remote target shall return an empty string
33629 for an unrecognized breakpoint or watchpoint packet @var{type}. A
33630 remote target shall support either both or neither of a given
33631 @samp{Z@var{type}@dots{}} and @samp{z@var{type}@dots{}} packet pair. To
33632 avoid potential problems with duplicate packets, the operations should
33633 be implemented in an idempotent way.}
33634
33635 @item z0,@var{addr},@var{kind}
33636 @itemx Z0,@var{addr},@var{kind}
33637 @cindex @samp{z0} packet
33638 @cindex @samp{Z0} packet
33639 Insert (@samp{Z0}) or remove (@samp{z0}) a memory breakpoint at address
33640 @var{addr} of type @var{kind}.
33641
33642 A memory breakpoint is implemented by replacing the instruction at
33643 @var{addr} with a software breakpoint or trap instruction. The
33644 @var{kind} is target-specific and typically indicates the size of
33645 the breakpoint in bytes that should be inserted. E.g., the @sc{arm}
33646 and @sc{mips} can insert either a 2 or 4 byte breakpoint. Some
33647 architectures have additional meanings for @var{kind};
33648 see @ref{Architecture-Specific Protocol Details}.
33649
33650 @emph{Implementation note: It is possible for a target to copy or move
33651 code that contains memory breakpoints (e.g., when implementing
33652 overlays). The behavior of this packet, in the presence of such a
33653 target, is not defined.}
33654
33655 Reply:
33656 @table @samp
33657 @item OK
33658 success
33659 @item
33660 not supported
33661 @item E @var{NN}
33662 for an error
33663 @end table
33664
33665 @item z1,@var{addr},@var{kind}
33666 @itemx Z1,@var{addr},@var{kind}
33667 @cindex @samp{z1} packet
33668 @cindex @samp{Z1} packet
33669 Insert (@samp{Z1}) or remove (@samp{z1}) a hardware breakpoint at
33670 address @var{addr}.
33671
33672 A hardware breakpoint is implemented using a mechanism that is not
33673 dependant on being able to modify the target's memory. @var{kind}
33674 has the same meaning as in @samp{Z0} packets.
33675
33676 @emph{Implementation note: A hardware breakpoint is not affected by code
33677 movement.}
33678
33679 Reply:
33680 @table @samp
33681 @item OK
33682 success
33683 @item
33684 not supported
33685 @item E @var{NN}
33686 for an error
33687 @end table
33688
33689 @item z2,@var{addr},@var{kind}
33690 @itemx Z2,@var{addr},@var{kind}
33691 @cindex @samp{z2} packet
33692 @cindex @samp{Z2} packet
33693 Insert (@samp{Z2}) or remove (@samp{z2}) a write watchpoint at @var{addr}.
33694 @var{kind} is interpreted as the number of bytes to watch.
33695
33696 Reply:
33697 @table @samp
33698 @item OK
33699 success
33700 @item
33701 not supported
33702 @item E @var{NN}
33703 for an error
33704 @end table
33705
33706 @item z3,@var{addr},@var{kind}
33707 @itemx Z3,@var{addr},@var{kind}
33708 @cindex @samp{z3} packet
33709 @cindex @samp{Z3} packet
33710 Insert (@samp{Z3}) or remove (@samp{z3}) a read watchpoint at @var{addr}.
33711 @var{kind} is interpreted as the number of bytes to watch.
33712
33713 Reply:
33714 @table @samp
33715 @item OK
33716 success
33717 @item
33718 not supported
33719 @item E @var{NN}
33720 for an error
33721 @end table
33722
33723 @item z4,@var{addr},@var{kind}
33724 @itemx Z4,@var{addr},@var{kind}
33725 @cindex @samp{z4} packet
33726 @cindex @samp{Z4} packet
33727 Insert (@samp{Z4}) or remove (@samp{z4}) an access watchpoint at @var{addr}.
33728 @var{kind} is interpreted as the number of bytes to watch.
33729
33730 Reply:
33731 @table @samp
33732 @item OK
33733 success
33734 @item
33735 not supported
33736 @item E @var{NN}
33737 for an error
33738 @end table
33739
33740 @end table
33741
33742 @node Stop Reply Packets
33743 @section Stop Reply Packets
33744 @cindex stop reply packets
33745
33746 The @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}, @samp{s}, @samp{vCont},
33747 @samp{vAttach}, @samp{vRun}, @samp{vStopped}, and @samp{?} packets can
33748 receive any of the below as a reply. Except for @samp{?}
33749 and @samp{vStopped}, that reply is only returned
33750 when the target halts. In the below the exact meaning of @dfn{signal
33751 number} is defined by the header @file{include/gdb/signals.h} in the
33752 @value{GDBN} source code.
33753
33754 As in the description of request packets, we include spaces in the
33755 reply templates for clarity; these are not part of the reply packet's
33756 syntax. No @value{GDBN} stop reply packet uses spaces to separate its
33757 components.
33758
33759 @table @samp
33760
33761 @item S @var{AA}
33762 The program received signal number @var{AA} (a two-digit hexadecimal
33763 number). This is equivalent to a @samp{T} response with no
33764 @var{n}:@var{r} pairs.
33765
33766 @item T @var{AA} @var{n1}:@var{r1};@var{n2}:@var{r2};@dots{}
33767 @cindex @samp{T} packet reply
33768 The program received signal number @var{AA} (a two-digit hexadecimal
33769 number). This is equivalent to an @samp{S} response, except that the
33770 @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pairs can carry values of important registers
33771 and other information directly in the stop reply packet, reducing
33772 round-trip latency. Single-step and breakpoint traps are reported
33773 this way. Each @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pair is interpreted as follows:
33774
33775 @itemize @bullet
33776 @item
33777 If @var{n} is a hexadecimal number, it is a register number, and the
33778 corresponding @var{r} gives that register's value. @var{r} is a
33779 series of bytes in target byte order, with each byte given by a
33780 two-digit hex number.
33781
33782 @item
33783 If @var{n} is @samp{thread}, then @var{r} is the @var{thread-id} of
33784 the stopped thread, as specified in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
33785
33786 @item
33787 If @var{n} is @samp{core}, then @var{r} is the hexadecimal number of
33788 the core on which the stop event was detected.
33789
33790 @item
33791 If @var{n} is a recognized @dfn{stop reason}, it describes a more
33792 specific event that stopped the target. The currently defined stop
33793 reasons are listed below. @var{aa} should be @samp{05}, the trap
33794 signal. At most one stop reason should be present.
33795
33796 @item
33797 Otherwise, @value{GDBN} should ignore this @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pair
33798 and go on to the next; this allows us to extend the protocol in the
33799 future.
33800 @end itemize
33801
33802 The currently defined stop reasons are:
33803
33804 @table @samp
33805 @item watch
33806 @itemx rwatch
33807 @itemx awatch
33808 The packet indicates a watchpoint hit, and @var{r} is the data address, in
33809 hex.
33810
33811 @cindex shared library events, remote reply
33812 @item library
33813 The packet indicates that the loaded libraries have changed.
33814 @value{GDBN} should use @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} to fetch a new
33815 list of loaded libraries. @var{r} is ignored.
33816
33817 @cindex replay log events, remote reply
33818 @item replaylog
33819 The packet indicates that the target cannot continue replaying
33820 logged execution events, because it has reached the end (or the
33821 beginning when executing backward) of the log. The value of @var{r}
33822 will be either @samp{begin} or @samp{end}. @xref{Reverse Execution},
33823 for more information.
33824 @end table
33825
33826 @item W @var{AA}
33827 @itemx W @var{AA} ; process:@var{pid}
33828 The process exited, and @var{AA} is the exit status. This is only
33829 applicable to certain targets.
33830
33831 The second form of the response, including the process ID of the exited
33832 process, can be used only when @value{GDBN} has reported support for
33833 multiprocess protocol extensions; see @ref{multiprocess extensions}.
33834 The @var{pid} is formatted as a big-endian hex string.
33835
33836 @item X @var{AA}
33837 @itemx X @var{AA} ; process:@var{pid}
33838 The process terminated with signal @var{AA}.
33839
33840 The second form of the response, including the process ID of the
33841 terminated process, can be used only when @value{GDBN} has reported
33842 support for multiprocess protocol extensions; see @ref{multiprocess
33843 extensions}. The @var{pid} is formatted as a big-endian hex string.
33844
33845 @item O @var{XX}@dots{}
33846 @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data, to be
33847 written as the program's console output. This can happen at any time
33848 while the program is running and the debugger should continue to wait
33849 for @samp{W}, @samp{T}, etc. This reply is not permitted in non-stop mode.
33850
33851 @item F @var{call-id},@var{parameter}@dots{}
33852 @var{call-id} is the identifier which says which host system call should
33853 be called. This is just the name of the function. Translation into the
33854 correct system call is only applicable as it's defined in @value{GDBN}.
33855 @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension}, for a list of implemented
33856 system calls.
33857
33858 @samp{@var{parameter}@dots{}} is a list of parameters as defined for
33859 this very system call.
33860
33861 The target replies with this packet when it expects @value{GDBN} to
33862 call a host system call on behalf of the target. @value{GDBN} replies
33863 with an appropriate @samp{F} packet and keeps up waiting for the next
33864 reply packet from the target. The latest @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}
33865 or @samp{s} action is expected to be continued. @xref{File-I/O Remote
33866 Protocol Extension}, for more details.
33867
33868 @end table
33869
33870 @node General Query Packets
33871 @section General Query Packets
33872 @cindex remote query requests
33873
33874 Packets starting with @samp{q} are @dfn{general query packets};
33875 packets starting with @samp{Q} are @dfn{general set packets}. General
33876 query and set packets are a semi-unified form for retrieving and
33877 sending information to and from the stub.
33878
33879 The initial letter of a query or set packet is followed by a name
33880 indicating what sort of thing the packet applies to. For example,
33881 @value{GDBN} may use a @samp{qSymbol} packet to exchange symbol
33882 definitions with the stub. These packet names follow some
33883 conventions:
33884
33885 @itemize @bullet
33886 @item
33887 The name must not contain commas, colons or semicolons.
33888 @item
33889 Most @value{GDBN} query and set packets have a leading upper case
33890 letter.
33891 @item
33892 The names of custom vendor packets should use a company prefix, in
33893 lower case, followed by a period. For example, packets designed at
33894 the Acme Corporation might begin with @samp{qacme.foo} (for querying
33895 foos) or @samp{Qacme.bar} (for setting bars).
33896 @end itemize
33897
33898 The name of a query or set packet should be separated from any
33899 parameters by a @samp{:}; the parameters themselves should be
33900 separated by @samp{,} or @samp{;}. Stubs must be careful to match the
33901 full packet name, and check for a separator or the end of the packet,
33902 in case two packet names share a common prefix. New packets should not begin
33903 with @samp{qC}, @samp{qP}, or @samp{qL}@footnote{The @samp{qP} and @samp{qL}
33904 packets predate these conventions, and have arguments without any terminator
33905 for the packet name; we suspect they are in widespread use in places that
33906 are difficult to upgrade. The @samp{qC} packet has no arguments, but some
33907 existing stubs (e.g.@: RedBoot) are known to not check for the end of the
33908 packet.}.
33909
33910 Like the descriptions of the other packets, each description here
33911 has a template showing the packet's overall syntax, followed by an
33912 explanation of the packet's meaning. We include spaces in some of the
33913 templates for clarity; these are not part of the packet's syntax. No
33914 @value{GDBN} packet uses spaces to separate its components.
33915
33916 Here are the currently defined query and set packets:
33917
33918 @table @samp
33919
33920 @item QAllow:@var{op}:@var{val}@dots{}
33921 @cindex @samp{QAllow} packet
33922 Specify which operations @value{GDBN} expects to request of the
33923 target, as a semicolon-separated list of operation name and value
33924 pairs. Possible values for @var{op} include @samp{WriteReg},
33925 @samp{WriteMem}, @samp{InsertBreak}, @samp{InsertTrace},
33926 @samp{InsertFastTrace}, and @samp{Stop}. @var{val} is either 0,
33927 indicating that @value{GDBN} will not request the operation, or 1,
33928 indicating that it may. (The target can then use this to set up its
33929 own internals optimally, for instance if the debugger never expects to
33930 insert breakpoints, it may not need to install its own trap handler.)
33931
33932 @item qC
33933 @cindex current thread, remote request
33934 @cindex @samp{qC} packet
33935 Return the current thread ID.
33936
33937 Reply:
33938 @table @samp
33939 @item QC @var{thread-id}
33940 Where @var{thread-id} is a thread ID as documented in
33941 @ref{thread-id syntax}.
33942 @item @r{(anything else)}
33943 Any other reply implies the old thread ID.
33944 @end table
33945
33946 @item qCRC:@var{addr},@var{length}
33947 @cindex CRC of memory block, remote request
33948 @cindex @samp{qCRC} packet
33949 Compute the CRC checksum of a block of memory using CRC-32 defined in
33950 IEEE 802.3. The CRC is computed byte at a time, taking the most
33951 significant bit of each byte first. The initial pattern code
33952 @code{0xffffffff} is used to ensure leading zeros affect the CRC.
33953
33954 @emph{Note:} This is the same CRC used in validating separate debug
33955 files (@pxref{Separate Debug Files, , Debugging Information in Separate
33956 Files}). However the algorithm is slightly different. When validating
33957 separate debug files, the CRC is computed taking the @emph{least}
33958 significant bit of each byte first, and the final result is inverted to
33959 detect trailing zeros.
33960
33961 Reply:
33962 @table @samp
33963 @item E @var{NN}
33964 An error (such as memory fault)
33965 @item C @var{crc32}
33966 The specified memory region's checksum is @var{crc32}.
33967 @end table
33968
33969 @item QDisableRandomization:@var{value}
33970 @cindex disable address space randomization, remote request
33971 @cindex @samp{QDisableRandomization} packet
33972 Some target operating systems will randomize the virtual address space
33973 of the inferior process as a security feature, but provide a feature
33974 to disable such randomization, e.g.@: to allow for a more deterministic
33975 debugging experience. On such systems, this packet with a @var{value}
33976 of 1 directs the target to disable address space randomization for
33977 processes subsequently started via @samp{vRun} packets, while a packet
33978 with a @var{value} of 0 tells the target to enable address space
33979 randomization.
33980
33981 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
33982
33983 Reply:
33984 @table @samp
33985 @item OK
33986 The request succeeded.
33987
33988 @item E @var{nn}
33989 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
33990
33991 @item
33992 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QDisableRandomization} is not supported
33993 by the stub.
33994 @end table
33995
33996 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
33997 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
33998 This should only be done on targets that actually support disabling
33999 address space randomization.
34000
34001 @item qfThreadInfo
34002 @itemx qsThreadInfo
34003 @cindex list active threads, remote request
34004 @cindex @samp{qfThreadInfo} packet
34005 @cindex @samp{qsThreadInfo} packet
34006 Obtain a list of all active thread IDs from the target (OS). Since there
34007 may be too many active threads to fit into one reply packet, this query
34008 works iteratively: it may require more than one query/reply sequence to
34009 obtain the entire list of threads. The first query of the sequence will
34010 be the @samp{qfThreadInfo} query; subsequent queries in the
34011 sequence will be the @samp{qsThreadInfo} query.
34012
34013 NOTE: This packet replaces the @samp{qL} query (see below).
34014
34015 Reply:
34016 @table @samp
34017 @item m @var{thread-id}
34018 A single thread ID
34019 @item m @var{thread-id},@var{thread-id}@dots{}
34020 a comma-separated list of thread IDs
34021 @item l
34022 (lower case letter @samp{L}) denotes end of list.
34023 @end table
34024
34025 In response to each query, the target will reply with a list of one or
34026 more thread IDs, separated by commas.
34027 @value{GDBN} will respond to each reply with a request for more thread
34028 ids (using the @samp{qs} form of the query), until the target responds
34029 with @samp{l} (lower-case ell, for @dfn{last}).
34030 Refer to @ref{thread-id syntax}, for the format of the @var{thread-id}
34031 fields.
34032
34033 @item qGetTLSAddr:@var{thread-id},@var{offset},@var{lm}
34034 @cindex get thread-local storage address, remote request
34035 @cindex @samp{qGetTLSAddr} packet
34036 Fetch the address associated with thread local storage specified
34037 by @var{thread-id}, @var{offset}, and @var{lm}.
34038
34039 @var{thread-id} is the thread ID associated with the
34040 thread for which to fetch the TLS address. @xref{thread-id syntax}.
34041
34042 @var{offset} is the (big endian, hex encoded) offset associated with the
34043 thread local variable. (This offset is obtained from the debug
34044 information associated with the variable.)
34045
34046 @var{lm} is the (big endian, hex encoded) OS/ABI-specific encoding of the
34047 load module associated with the thread local storage. For example,
34048 a @sc{gnu}/Linux system will pass the link map address of the shared
34049 object associated with the thread local storage under consideration.
34050 Other operating environments may choose to represent the load module
34051 differently, so the precise meaning of this parameter will vary.
34052
34053 Reply:
34054 @table @samp
34055 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
34056 Hex encoded (big endian) bytes representing the address of the thread
34057 local storage requested.
34058
34059 @item E @var{nn}
34060 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
34061
34062 @item
34063 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qGetTLSAddr} is not supported by the stub.
34064 @end table
34065
34066 @item qGetTIBAddr:@var{thread-id}
34067 @cindex get thread information block address
34068 @cindex @samp{qGetTIBAddr} packet
34069 Fetch address of the Windows OS specific Thread Information Block.
34070
34071 @var{thread-id} is the thread ID associated with the thread.
34072
34073 Reply:
34074 @table @samp
34075 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
34076 Hex encoded (big endian) bytes representing the linear address of the
34077 thread information block.
34078
34079 @item E @var{nn}
34080 An error occured. This means that either the thread was not found, or the
34081 address could not be retrieved.
34082
34083 @item
34084 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qGetTIBAddr} is not supported by the stub.
34085 @end table
34086
34087 @item qL @var{startflag} @var{threadcount} @var{nextthread}
34088 Obtain thread information from RTOS. Where: @var{startflag} (one hex
34089 digit) is one to indicate the first query and zero to indicate a
34090 subsequent query; @var{threadcount} (two hex digits) is the maximum
34091 number of threads the response packet can contain; and @var{nextthread}
34092 (eight hex digits), for subsequent queries (@var{startflag} is zero), is
34093 returned in the response as @var{argthread}.
34094
34095 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{qfThreadInfo} query instead (see above).
34096
34097 Reply:
34098 @table @samp
34099 @item qM @var{count} @var{done} @var{argthread} @var{thread}@dots{}
34100 Where: @var{count} (two hex digits) is the number of threads being
34101 returned; @var{done} (one hex digit) is zero to indicate more threads
34102 and one indicates no further threads; @var{argthreadid} (eight hex
34103 digits) is @var{nextthread} from the request packet; @var{thread}@dots{}
34104 is a sequence of thread IDs from the target. @var{threadid} (eight hex
34105 digits). See @code{remote.c:parse_threadlist_response()}.
34106 @end table
34107
34108 @item qOffsets
34109 @cindex section offsets, remote request
34110 @cindex @samp{qOffsets} packet
34111 Get section offsets that the target used when relocating the downloaded
34112 image.
34113
34114 Reply:
34115 @table @samp
34116 @item Text=@var{xxx};Data=@var{yyy}@r{[};Bss=@var{zzz}@r{]}
34117 Relocate the @code{Text} section by @var{xxx} from its original address.
34118 Relocate the @code{Data} section by @var{yyy} from its original address.
34119 If the object file format provides segment information (e.g.@: @sc{elf}
34120 @samp{PT_LOAD} program headers), @value{GDBN} will relocate entire
34121 segments by the supplied offsets.
34122
34123 @emph{Note: while a @code{Bss} offset may be included in the response,
34124 @value{GDBN} ignores this and instead applies the @code{Data} offset
34125 to the @code{Bss} section.}
34126
34127 @item TextSeg=@var{xxx}@r{[};DataSeg=@var{yyy}@r{]}
34128 Relocate the first segment of the object file, which conventionally
34129 contains program code, to a starting address of @var{xxx}. If
34130 @samp{DataSeg} is specified, relocate the second segment, which
34131 conventionally contains modifiable data, to a starting address of
34132 @var{yyy}. @value{GDBN} will report an error if the object file
34133 does not contain segment information, or does not contain at least
34134 as many segments as mentioned in the reply. Extra segments are
34135 kept at fixed offsets relative to the last relocated segment.
34136 @end table
34137
34138 @item qP @var{mode} @var{thread-id}
34139 @cindex thread information, remote request
34140 @cindex @samp{qP} packet
34141 Returns information on @var{thread-id}. Where: @var{mode} is a hex
34142 encoded 32 bit mode; @var{thread-id} is a thread ID
34143 (@pxref{thread-id syntax}).
34144
34145 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{qThreadExtraInfo} query instead
34146 (see below).
34147
34148 Reply: see @code{remote.c:remote_unpack_thread_info_response()}.
34149
34150 @item QNonStop:1
34151 @item QNonStop:0
34152 @cindex non-stop mode, remote request
34153 @cindex @samp{QNonStop} packet
34154 @anchor{QNonStop}
34155 Enter non-stop (@samp{QNonStop:1}) or all-stop (@samp{QNonStop:0}) mode.
34156 @xref{Remote Non-Stop}, for more information.
34157
34158 Reply:
34159 @table @samp
34160 @item OK
34161 The request succeeded.
34162
34163 @item E @var{nn}
34164 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
34165
34166 @item
34167 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QNonStop} is not supported by
34168 the stub.
34169 @end table
34170
34171 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
34172 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
34173 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set non-stop} command;
34174 @pxref{Non-Stop Mode}.
34175
34176 @item QPassSignals: @var{signal} @r{[};@var{signal}@r{]}@dots{}
34177 @cindex pass signals to inferior, remote request
34178 @cindex @samp{QPassSignals} packet
34179 @anchor{QPassSignals}
34180 Each listed @var{signal} should be passed directly to the inferior process.
34181 Signals are numbered identically to continue packets and stop replies
34182 (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}). Each @var{signal} list item should be
34183 strictly greater than the previous item. These signals do not need to stop
34184 the inferior, or be reported to @value{GDBN}. All other signals should be
34185 reported to @value{GDBN}. Multiple @samp{QPassSignals} packets do not
34186 combine; any earlier @samp{QPassSignals} list is completely replaced by the
34187 new list. This packet improves performance when using @samp{handle
34188 @var{signal} nostop noprint pass}.
34189
34190 Reply:
34191 @table @samp
34192 @item OK
34193 The request succeeded.
34194
34195 @item E @var{nn}
34196 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
34197
34198 @item
34199 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QPassSignals} is not supported by
34200 the stub.
34201 @end table
34202
34203 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set remote pass-signals}
34204 command (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remote pass-signals}).
34205 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
34206 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
34207
34208 @item qRcmd,@var{command}
34209 @cindex execute remote command, remote request
34210 @cindex @samp{qRcmd} packet
34211 @var{command} (hex encoded) is passed to the local interpreter for
34212 execution. Invalid commands should be reported using the output
34213 string. Before the final result packet, the target may also respond
34214 with a number of intermediate @samp{O@var{output}} console output
34215 packets. @emph{Implementors should note that providing access to a
34216 stubs's interpreter may have security implications}.
34217
34218 Reply:
34219 @table @samp
34220 @item OK
34221 A command response with no output.
34222 @item @var{OUTPUT}
34223 A command response with the hex encoded output string @var{OUTPUT}.
34224 @item E @var{NN}
34225 Indicate a badly formed request.
34226 @item
34227 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qRcmd} is not recognized.
34228 @end table
34229
34230 (Note that the @code{qRcmd} packet's name is separated from the
34231 command by a @samp{,}, not a @samp{:}, contrary to the naming
34232 conventions above. Please don't use this packet as a model for new
34233 packets.)
34234
34235 @item qSearch:memory:@var{address};@var{length};@var{search-pattern}
34236 @cindex searching memory, in remote debugging
34237 @cindex @samp{qSearch:memory} packet
34238 @anchor{qSearch memory}
34239 Search @var{length} bytes at @var{address} for @var{search-pattern}.
34240 @var{address} and @var{length} are encoded in hex.
34241 @var{search-pattern} is a sequence of bytes, hex encoded.
34242
34243 Reply:
34244 @table @samp
34245 @item 0
34246 The pattern was not found.
34247 @item 1,address
34248 The pattern was found at @var{address}.
34249 @item E @var{NN}
34250 A badly formed request or an error was encountered while searching memory.
34251 @item
34252 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qSearch:memory} is not recognized.
34253 @end table
34254
34255 @item QStartNoAckMode
34256 @cindex @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet
34257 @anchor{QStartNoAckMode}
34258 Request that the remote stub disable the normal @samp{+}/@samp{-}
34259 protocol acknowledgments (@pxref{Packet Acknowledgment}).
34260
34261 Reply:
34262 @table @samp
34263 @item OK
34264 The stub has switched to no-acknowledgment mode.
34265 @value{GDBN} acknowledges this reponse,
34266 but neither the stub nor @value{GDBN} shall send or expect further
34267 @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments in the current connection.
34268 @item
34269 An empty reply indicates that the stub does not support no-acknowledgment mode.
34270 @end table
34271
34272 @item qSupported @r{[}:@var{gdbfeature} @r{[};@var{gdbfeature}@r{]}@dots{} @r{]}
34273 @cindex supported packets, remote query
34274 @cindex features of the remote protocol
34275 @cindex @samp{qSupported} packet
34276 @anchor{qSupported}
34277 Tell the remote stub about features supported by @value{GDBN}, and
34278 query the stub for features it supports. This packet allows
34279 @value{GDBN} and the remote stub to take advantage of each others'
34280 features. @samp{qSupported} also consolidates multiple feature probes
34281 at startup, to improve @value{GDBN} performance---a single larger
34282 packet performs better than multiple smaller probe packets on
34283 high-latency links. Some features may enable behavior which must not
34284 be on by default, e.g.@: because it would confuse older clients or
34285 stubs. Other features may describe packets which could be
34286 automatically probed for, but are not. These features must be
34287 reported before @value{GDBN} will use them. This ``default
34288 unsupported'' behavior is not appropriate for all packets, but it
34289 helps to keep the initial connection time under control with new
34290 versions of @value{GDBN} which support increasing numbers of packets.
34291
34292 Reply:
34293 @table @samp
34294 @item @var{stubfeature} @r{[};@var{stubfeature}@r{]}@dots{}
34295 The stub supports or does not support each returned @var{stubfeature},
34296 depending on the form of each @var{stubfeature} (see below for the
34297 possible forms).
34298 @item
34299 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qSupported} is not recognized,
34300 or that no features needed to be reported to @value{GDBN}.
34301 @end table
34302
34303 The allowed forms for each feature (either a @var{gdbfeature} in the
34304 @samp{qSupported} packet, or a @var{stubfeature} in the response)
34305 are:
34306
34307 @table @samp
34308 @item @var{name}=@var{value}
34309 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is supported, and associated
34310 with the specified @var{value}. The format of @var{value} depends
34311 on the feature, but it must not include a semicolon.
34312 @item @var{name}+
34313 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is supported, and does not
34314 need an associated value.
34315 @item @var{name}-
34316 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is not supported.
34317 @item @var{name}?
34318 The remote protocol feature @var{name} may be supported, and
34319 @value{GDBN} should auto-detect support in some other way when it is
34320 needed. This form will not be used for @var{gdbfeature} notifications,
34321 but may be used for @var{stubfeature} responses.
34322 @end table
34323
34324 Whenever the stub receives a @samp{qSupported} request, the
34325 supplied set of @value{GDBN} features should override any previous
34326 request. This allows @value{GDBN} to put the stub in a known
34327 state, even if the stub had previously been communicating with
34328 a different version of @value{GDBN}.
34329
34330 The following values of @var{gdbfeature} (for the packet sent by @value{GDBN})
34331 are defined:
34332
34333 @table @samp
34334 @item multiprocess
34335 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports multiprocess
34336 extensions to the remote protocol. @value{GDBN} does not use such
34337 extensions unless the stub also reports that it supports them by
34338 including @samp{multiprocess+} in its @samp{qSupported} reply.
34339 @xref{multiprocess extensions}, for details.
34340
34341 @item xmlRegisters
34342 This feature indicates that @value{GDBN} supports the XML target
34343 description. If the stub sees @samp{xmlRegisters=} with target
34344 specific strings separated by a comma, it will report register
34345 description.
34346
34347 @item qRelocInsn
34348 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports the
34349 @samp{qRelocInsn} packet (@pxref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate
34350 instruction reply packet}).
34351 @end table
34352
34353 Stubs should ignore any unknown values for
34354 @var{gdbfeature}. Any @value{GDBN} which sends a @samp{qSupported}
34355 packet supports receiving packets of unlimited length (earlier
34356 versions of @value{GDBN} may reject overly long responses). Additional values
34357 for @var{gdbfeature} may be defined in the future to let the stub take
34358 advantage of new features in @value{GDBN}, e.g.@: incompatible
34359 improvements in the remote protocol---the @samp{multiprocess} feature is
34360 an example of such a feature. The stub's reply should be independent
34361 of the @var{gdbfeature} entries sent by @value{GDBN}; first @value{GDBN}
34362 describes all the features it supports, and then the stub replies with
34363 all the features it supports.
34364
34365 Similarly, @value{GDBN} will silently ignore unrecognized stub feature
34366 responses, as long as each response uses one of the standard forms.
34367
34368 Some features are flags. A stub which supports a flag feature
34369 should respond with a @samp{+} form response. Other features
34370 require values, and the stub should respond with an @samp{=}
34371 form response.
34372
34373 Each feature has a default value, which @value{GDBN} will use if
34374 @samp{qSupported} is not available or if the feature is not mentioned
34375 in the @samp{qSupported} response. The default values are fixed; a
34376 stub is free to omit any feature responses that match the defaults.
34377
34378 Not all features can be probed, but for those which can, the probing
34379 mechanism is useful: in some cases, a stub's internal
34380 architecture may not allow the protocol layer to know some information
34381 about the underlying target in advance. This is especially common in
34382 stubs which may be configured for multiple targets.
34383
34384 These are the currently defined stub features and their properties:
34385
34386 @multitable @columnfractions 0.35 0.2 0.12 0.2
34387 @c NOTE: The first row should be @headitem, but we do not yet require
34388 @c a new enough version of Texinfo (4.7) to use @headitem.
34389 @item Feature Name
34390 @tab Value Required
34391 @tab Default
34392 @tab Probe Allowed
34393
34394 @item @samp{PacketSize}
34395 @tab Yes
34396 @tab @samp{-}
34397 @tab No
34398
34399 @item @samp{qXfer:auxv:read}
34400 @tab No
34401 @tab @samp{-}
34402 @tab Yes
34403
34404 @item @samp{qXfer:features:read}
34405 @tab No
34406 @tab @samp{-}
34407 @tab Yes
34408
34409 @item @samp{qXfer:libraries:read}
34410 @tab No
34411 @tab @samp{-}
34412 @tab Yes
34413
34414 @item @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read}
34415 @tab No
34416 @tab @samp{-}
34417 @tab Yes
34418
34419 @item @samp{qXfer:sdata:read}
34420 @tab No
34421 @tab @samp{-}
34422 @tab Yes
34423
34424 @item @samp{qXfer:spu:read}
34425 @tab No
34426 @tab @samp{-}
34427 @tab Yes
34428
34429 @item @samp{qXfer:spu:write}
34430 @tab No
34431 @tab @samp{-}
34432 @tab Yes
34433
34434 @item @samp{qXfer:siginfo:read}
34435 @tab No
34436 @tab @samp{-}
34437 @tab Yes
34438
34439 @item @samp{qXfer:siginfo:write}
34440 @tab No
34441 @tab @samp{-}
34442 @tab Yes
34443
34444 @item @samp{qXfer:threads:read}
34445 @tab No
34446 @tab @samp{-}
34447 @tab Yes
34448
34449 @item @samp{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
34450 @tab No
34451 @tab @samp{-}
34452 @tab Yes
34453
34454 @item @samp{qXfer:fdpic:read}
34455 @tab No
34456 @tab @samp{-}
34457 @tab Yes
34458
34459 @item @samp{QNonStop}
34460 @tab No
34461 @tab @samp{-}
34462 @tab Yes
34463
34464 @item @samp{QPassSignals}
34465 @tab No
34466 @tab @samp{-}
34467 @tab Yes
34468
34469 @item @samp{QStartNoAckMode}
34470 @tab No
34471 @tab @samp{-}
34472 @tab Yes
34473
34474 @item @samp{multiprocess}
34475 @tab No
34476 @tab @samp{-}
34477 @tab No
34478
34479 @item @samp{ConditionalTracepoints}
34480 @tab No
34481 @tab @samp{-}
34482 @tab No
34483
34484 @item @samp{ReverseContinue}
34485 @tab No
34486 @tab @samp{-}
34487 @tab No
34488
34489 @item @samp{ReverseStep}
34490 @tab No
34491 @tab @samp{-}
34492 @tab No
34493
34494 @item @samp{TracepointSource}
34495 @tab No
34496 @tab @samp{-}
34497 @tab No
34498
34499 @item @samp{QAllow}
34500 @tab No
34501 @tab @samp{-}
34502 @tab No
34503
34504 @item @samp{QDisableRandomization}
34505 @tab No
34506 @tab @samp{-}
34507 @tab No
34508
34509 @item @samp{EnableDisableTracepoints}
34510 @tab No
34511 @tab @samp{-}
34512 @tab No
34513
34514 @end multitable
34515
34516 These are the currently defined stub features, in more detail:
34517
34518 @table @samp
34519 @cindex packet size, remote protocol
34520 @item PacketSize=@var{bytes}
34521 The remote stub can accept packets up to at least @var{bytes} in
34522 length. @value{GDBN} will send packets up to this size for bulk
34523 transfers, and will never send larger packets. This is a limit on the
34524 data characters in the packet, including the frame and checksum.
34525 There is no trailing NUL byte in a remote protocol packet; if the stub
34526 stores packets in a NUL-terminated format, it should allow an extra
34527 byte in its buffer for the NUL. If this stub feature is not supported,
34528 @value{GDBN} guesses based on the size of the @samp{g} packet response.
34529
34530 @item qXfer:auxv:read
34531 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:auxv:read} packet
34532 (@pxref{qXfer auxiliary vector read}).
34533
34534 @item qXfer:features:read
34535 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:features:read} packet
34536 (@pxref{qXfer target description read}).
34537
34538 @item qXfer:libraries:read
34539 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} packet
34540 (@pxref{qXfer library list read}).
34541
34542 @item qXfer:memory-map:read
34543 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read} packet
34544 (@pxref{qXfer memory map read}).
34545
34546 @item qXfer:sdata:read
34547 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:sdata:read} packet
34548 (@pxref{qXfer sdata read}).
34549
34550 @item qXfer:spu:read
34551 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:spu:read} packet
34552 (@pxref{qXfer spu read}).
34553
34554 @item qXfer:spu:write
34555 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:spu:write} packet
34556 (@pxref{qXfer spu write}).
34557
34558 @item qXfer:siginfo:read
34559 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:siginfo:read} packet
34560 (@pxref{qXfer siginfo read}).
34561
34562 @item qXfer:siginfo:write
34563 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:siginfo:write} packet
34564 (@pxref{qXfer siginfo write}).
34565
34566 @item qXfer:threads:read
34567 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:threads:read} packet
34568 (@pxref{qXfer threads read}).
34569
34570 @item qXfer:traceframe-info:read
34571 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
34572 packet (@pxref{qXfer traceframe info read}).
34573
34574 @item qXfer:fdpic:read
34575 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:fdpic:read}
34576 packet (@pxref{qXfer fdpic loadmap read}).
34577
34578 @item QNonStop
34579 The remote stub understands the @samp{QNonStop} packet
34580 (@pxref{QNonStop}).
34581
34582 @item QPassSignals
34583 The remote stub understands the @samp{QPassSignals} packet
34584 (@pxref{QPassSignals}).
34585
34586 @item QStartNoAckMode
34587 The remote stub understands the @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet and
34588 prefers to operate in no-acknowledgment mode. @xref{Packet Acknowledgment}.
34589
34590 @item multiprocess
34591 @anchor{multiprocess extensions}
34592 @cindex multiprocess extensions, in remote protocol
34593 The remote stub understands the multiprocess extensions to the remote
34594 protocol syntax. The multiprocess extensions affect the syntax of
34595 thread IDs in both packets and replies (@pxref{thread-id syntax}), and
34596 add process IDs to the @samp{D} packet and @samp{W} and @samp{X}
34597 replies. Note that reporting this feature indicates support for the
34598 syntactic extensions only, not that the stub necessarily supports
34599 debugging of more than one process at a time. The stub must not use
34600 multiprocess extensions in packet replies unless @value{GDBN} has also
34601 indicated it supports them in its @samp{qSupported} request.
34602
34603 @item qXfer:osdata:read
34604 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:osdata:read} packet
34605 ((@pxref{qXfer osdata read}).
34606
34607 @item ConditionalTracepoints
34608 The remote stub accepts and implements conditional expressions defined
34609 for tracepoints (@pxref{Tracepoint Conditions}).
34610
34611 @item ReverseContinue
34612 The remote stub accepts and implements the reverse continue packet
34613 (@pxref{bc}).
34614
34615 @item ReverseStep
34616 The remote stub accepts and implements the reverse step packet
34617 (@pxref{bs}).
34618
34619 @item TracepointSource
34620 The remote stub understands the @samp{QTDPsrc} packet that supplies
34621 the source form of tracepoint definitions.
34622
34623 @item QAllow
34624 The remote stub understands the @samp{QAllow} packet.
34625
34626 @item QDisableRandomization
34627 The remote stub understands the @samp{QDisableRandomization} packet.
34628
34629 @item StaticTracepoint
34630 @cindex static tracepoints, in remote protocol
34631 The remote stub supports static tracepoints.
34632
34633 @item EnableDisableTracepoints
34634 The remote stub supports the @samp{QTEnable} (@pxref{QTEnable}) and
34635 @samp{QTDisable} (@pxref{QTDisable}) packets that allow tracepoints
34636 to be enabled and disabled while a trace experiment is running.
34637
34638 @end table
34639
34640 @item qSymbol::
34641 @cindex symbol lookup, remote request
34642 @cindex @samp{qSymbol} packet
34643 Notify the target that @value{GDBN} is prepared to serve symbol lookup
34644 requests. Accept requests from the target for the values of symbols.
34645
34646 Reply:
34647 @table @samp
34648 @item OK
34649 The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
34650 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_name}
34651 The target requests the value of symbol @var{sym_name} (hex encoded).
34652 @value{GDBN} may provide the value by using the
34653 @samp{qSymbol:@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}} message, described
34654 below.
34655 @end table
34656
34657 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}
34658 Set the value of @var{sym_name} to @var{sym_value}.
34659
34660 @var{sym_name} (hex encoded) is the name of a symbol whose value the
34661 target has previously requested.
34662
34663 @var{sym_value} (hex) is the value for symbol @var{sym_name}. If
34664 @value{GDBN} cannot supply a value for @var{sym_name}, then this field
34665 will be empty.
34666
34667 Reply:
34668 @table @samp
34669 @item OK
34670 The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
34671 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_name}
34672 The target requests the value of a new symbol @var{sym_name} (hex
34673 encoded). @value{GDBN} will continue to supply the values of symbols
34674 (if available), until the target ceases to request them.
34675 @end table
34676
34677 @item qTBuffer
34678 @item QTBuffer
34679 @item QTDisconnected
34680 @itemx QTDP
34681 @itemx QTDPsrc
34682 @itemx QTDV
34683 @itemx qTfP
34684 @itemx qTfV
34685 @itemx QTFrame
34686 @xref{Tracepoint Packets}.
34687
34688 @item qThreadExtraInfo,@var{thread-id}
34689 @cindex thread attributes info, remote request
34690 @cindex @samp{qThreadExtraInfo} packet
34691 Obtain a printable string description of a thread's attributes from
34692 the target OS. @var{thread-id} is a thread ID;
34693 see @ref{thread-id syntax}. This
34694 string may contain anything that the target OS thinks is interesting
34695 for @value{GDBN} to tell the user about the thread. The string is
34696 displayed in @value{GDBN}'s @code{info threads} display. Some
34697 examples of possible thread extra info strings are @samp{Runnable}, or
34698 @samp{Blocked on Mutex}.
34699
34700 Reply:
34701 @table @samp
34702 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
34703 Where @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is a hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data,
34704 comprising the printable string containing the extra information about
34705 the thread's attributes.
34706 @end table
34707
34708 (Note that the @code{qThreadExtraInfo} packet's name is separated from
34709 the command by a @samp{,}, not a @samp{:}, contrary to the naming
34710 conventions above. Please don't use this packet as a model for new
34711 packets.)
34712
34713 @item QTSave
34714 @item qTsP
34715 @item qTsV
34716 @itemx QTStart
34717 @itemx QTStop
34718 @itemx QTEnable
34719 @itemx QTDisable
34720 @itemx QTinit
34721 @itemx QTro
34722 @itemx qTStatus
34723 @itemx qTV
34724 @itemx qTfSTM
34725 @itemx qTsSTM
34726 @itemx qTSTMat
34727 @xref{Tracepoint Packets}.
34728
34729 @item qXfer:@var{object}:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
34730 @cindex read special object, remote request
34731 @cindex @samp{qXfer} packet
34732 @anchor{qXfer read}
34733 Read uninterpreted bytes from the target's special data area
34734 identified by the keyword @var{object}. Request @var{length} bytes
34735 starting at @var{offset} bytes into the data. The content and
34736 encoding of @var{annex} is specific to @var{object}; it can supply
34737 additional details about what data to access.
34738
34739 Here are the specific requests of this form defined so far. All
34740 @samp{qXfer:@var{object}:read:@dots{}} requests use the same reply
34741 formats, listed below.
34742
34743 @table @samp
34744 @item qXfer:auxv:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
34745 @anchor{qXfer auxiliary vector read}
34746 Access the target's @dfn{auxiliary vector}. @xref{OS Information,
34747 auxiliary vector}. Note @var{annex} must be empty.
34748
34749 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
34750 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
34751
34752 @item qXfer:features:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
34753 @anchor{qXfer target description read}
34754 Access the @dfn{target description}. @xref{Target Descriptions}. The
34755 annex specifies which XML document to access. The main description is
34756 always loaded from the @samp{target.xml} annex.
34757
34758 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
34759 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
34760
34761 @item qXfer:libraries:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
34762 @anchor{qXfer library list read}
34763 Access the target's list of loaded libraries. @xref{Library List Format}.
34764 The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
34765 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
34766
34767 Targets which maintain a list of libraries in the program's memory do
34768 not need to implement this packet; it is designed for platforms where
34769 the operating system manages the list of loaded libraries.
34770
34771 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
34772 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
34773
34774 @item qXfer:memory-map:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
34775 @anchor{qXfer memory map read}
34776 Access the target's @dfn{memory-map}. @xref{Memory Map Format}. The
34777 annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
34778 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
34779
34780 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
34781 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
34782
34783 @item qXfer:sdata:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
34784 @anchor{qXfer sdata read}
34785
34786 Read contents of the extra collected static tracepoint marker
34787 information. The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must
34788 be empty (@pxref{qXfer read}). @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint
34789 Action Lists}.
34790
34791 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
34792 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
34793 (@pxref{qSupported}).
34794
34795 @item qXfer:siginfo:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
34796 @anchor{qXfer siginfo read}
34797 Read contents of the extra signal information on the target
34798 system. The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be
34799 empty (@pxref{qXfer read}).
34800
34801 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
34802 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
34803 (@pxref{qSupported}).
34804
34805 @item qXfer:spu:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
34806 @anchor{qXfer spu read}
34807 Read contents of an @code{spufs} file on the target system. The
34808 annex specifies which file to read; it must be of the form
34809 @file{@var{id}/@var{name}}, where @var{id} specifies an SPU context ID
34810 in the target process, and @var{name} identifes the @code{spufs} file
34811 in that context to be accessed.
34812
34813 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
34814 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
34815 (@pxref{qSupported}).
34816
34817 @item qXfer:threads:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
34818 @anchor{qXfer threads read}
34819 Access the list of threads on target. @xref{Thread List Format}. The
34820 annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
34821 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
34822
34823 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
34824 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
34825
34826 @item qXfer:traceframe-info:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
34827 @anchor{qXfer traceframe info read}
34828
34829 Return a description of the current traceframe's contents.
34830 @xref{Traceframe Info Format}. The annex part of the generic
34831 @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty (@pxref{qXfer read}).
34832
34833 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
34834 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
34835
34836 @item qXfer:fdpic:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
34837 @anchor{qXfer fdpic loadmap read}
34838 Read contents of @code{loadmap}s on the target system. The
34839 annex, either @samp{exec} or @samp{interp}, specifies which @code{loadmap},
34840 executable @code{loadmap} or interpreter @code{loadmap} to read.
34841
34842 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
34843 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
34844
34845 @item qXfer:osdata:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
34846 @anchor{qXfer osdata read}
34847 Access the target's @dfn{operating system information}.
34848 @xref{Operating System Information}.
34849
34850 @end table
34851
34852 Reply:
34853 @table @samp
34854 @item m @var{data}
34855 Data @var{data} (@pxref{Binary Data}) has been read from the
34856 target. There may be more data at a higher address (although
34857 it is permitted to return @samp{m} even for the last valid
34858 block of data, as long as at least one byte of data was read).
34859 @var{data} may have fewer bytes than the @var{length} in the
34860 request.
34861
34862 @item l @var{data}
34863 Data @var{data} (@pxref{Binary Data}) has been read from the target.
34864 There is no more data to be read. @var{data} may have fewer bytes
34865 than the @var{length} in the request.
34866
34867 @item l
34868 The @var{offset} in the request is at the end of the data.
34869 There is no more data to be read.
34870
34871 @item E00
34872 The request was malformed, or @var{annex} was invalid.
34873
34874 @item E @var{nn}
34875 The offset was invalid, or there was an error encountered reading the data.
34876 @var{nn} is a hex-encoded @code{errno} value.
34877
34878 @item
34879 An empty reply indicates the @var{object} string was not recognized by
34880 the stub, or that the object does not support reading.
34881 @end table
34882
34883 @item qXfer:@var{object}:write:@var{annex}:@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
34884 @cindex write data into object, remote request
34885 @anchor{qXfer write}
34886 Write uninterpreted bytes into the target's special data area
34887 identified by the keyword @var{object}, starting at @var{offset} bytes
34888 into the data. @var{data}@dots{} is the binary-encoded data
34889 (@pxref{Binary Data}) to be written. The content and encoding of @var{annex}
34890 is specific to @var{object}; it can supply additional details about what data
34891 to access.
34892
34893 Here are the specific requests of this form defined so far. All
34894 @samp{qXfer:@var{object}:write:@dots{}} requests use the same reply
34895 formats, listed below.
34896
34897 @table @samp
34898 @item qXfer:siginfo:write::@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
34899 @anchor{qXfer siginfo write}
34900 Write @var{data} to the extra signal information on the target system.
34901 The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be
34902 empty (@pxref{qXfer write}).
34903
34904 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
34905 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
34906 (@pxref{qSupported}).
34907
34908 @item qXfer:spu:write:@var{annex}:@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
34909 @anchor{qXfer spu write}
34910 Write @var{data} to an @code{spufs} file on the target system. The
34911 annex specifies which file to write; it must be of the form
34912 @file{@var{id}/@var{name}}, where @var{id} specifies an SPU context ID
34913 in the target process, and @var{name} identifes the @code{spufs} file
34914 in that context to be accessed.
34915
34916 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
34917 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
34918 @end table
34919
34920 Reply:
34921 @table @samp
34922 @item @var{nn}
34923 @var{nn} (hex encoded) is the number of bytes written.
34924 This may be fewer bytes than supplied in the request.
34925
34926 @item E00
34927 The request was malformed, or @var{annex} was invalid.
34928
34929 @item E @var{nn}
34930 The offset was invalid, or there was an error encountered writing the data.
34931 @var{nn} is a hex-encoded @code{errno} value.
34932
34933 @item
34934 An empty reply indicates the @var{object} string was not
34935 recognized by the stub, or that the object does not support writing.
34936 @end table
34937
34938 @item qXfer:@var{object}:@var{operation}:@dots{}
34939 Requests of this form may be added in the future. When a stub does
34940 not recognize the @var{object} keyword, or its support for
34941 @var{object} does not recognize the @var{operation} keyword, the stub
34942 must respond with an empty packet.
34943
34944 @item qAttached:@var{pid}
34945 @cindex query attached, remote request
34946 @cindex @samp{qAttached} packet
34947 Return an indication of whether the remote server attached to an
34948 existing process or created a new process. When the multiprocess
34949 protocol extensions are supported (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}),
34950 @var{pid} is an integer in hexadecimal format identifying the target
34951 process. Otherwise, @value{GDBN} will omit the @var{pid} field and
34952 the query packet will be simplified as @samp{qAttached}.
34953
34954 This query is used, for example, to know whether the remote process
34955 should be detached or killed when a @value{GDBN} session is ended with
34956 the @code{quit} command.
34957
34958 Reply:
34959 @table @samp
34960 @item 1
34961 The remote server attached to an existing process.
34962 @item 0
34963 The remote server created a new process.
34964 @item E @var{NN}
34965 A badly formed request or an error was encountered.
34966 @end table
34967
34968 @end table
34969
34970 @node Architecture-Specific Protocol Details
34971 @section Architecture-Specific Protocol Details
34972
34973 This section describes how the remote protocol is applied to specific
34974 target architectures. Also see @ref{Standard Target Features}, for
34975 details of XML target descriptions for each architecture.
34976
34977 @subsection ARM
34978
34979 @subsubsection Breakpoint Kinds
34980
34981 These breakpoint kinds are defined for the @samp{Z0} and @samp{Z1} packets.
34982
34983 @table @r
34984
34985 @item 2
34986 16-bit Thumb mode breakpoint.
34987
34988 @item 3
34989 32-bit Thumb mode (Thumb-2) breakpoint.
34990
34991 @item 4
34992 32-bit ARM mode breakpoint.
34993
34994 @end table
34995
34996 @subsection MIPS
34997
34998 @subsubsection Register Packet Format
34999
35000 The following @code{g}/@code{G} packets have previously been defined.
35001 In the below, some thirty-two bit registers are transferred as
35002 sixty-four bits. Those registers should be zero/sign extended (which?)
35003 to fill the space allocated. Register bytes are transferred in target
35004 byte order. The two nibbles within a register byte are transferred
35005 most-significant - least-significant.
35006
35007 @table @r
35008
35009 @item MIPS32
35010
35011 All registers are transferred as thirty-two bit quantities in the order:
35012 32 general-purpose; sr; lo; hi; bad; cause; pc; 32 floating-point
35013 registers; fsr; fir; fp.
35014
35015 @item MIPS64
35016
35017 All registers are transferred as sixty-four bit quantities (including
35018 thirty-two bit registers such as @code{sr}). The ordering is the same
35019 as @code{MIPS32}.
35020
35021 @end table
35022
35023 @node Tracepoint Packets
35024 @section Tracepoint Packets
35025 @cindex tracepoint packets
35026 @cindex packets, tracepoint
35027
35028 Here we describe the packets @value{GDBN} uses to implement
35029 tracepoints (@pxref{Tracepoints}).
35030
35031 @table @samp
35032
35033 @item QTDP:@var{n}:@var{addr}:@var{ena}:@var{step}:@var{pass}[:F@var{flen}][:X@var{len},@var{bytes}]@r{[}-@r{]}
35034 Create a new tracepoint, number @var{n}, at @var{addr}. If @var{ena}
35035 is @samp{E}, then the tracepoint is enabled; if it is @samp{D}, then
35036 the tracepoint is disabled. @var{step} is the tracepoint's step
35037 count, and @var{pass} is its pass count. If an @samp{F} is present,
35038 then the tracepoint is to be a fast tracepoint, and the @var{flen} is
35039 the number of bytes that the target should copy elsewhere to make room
35040 for the tracepoint. If an @samp{X} is present, it introduces a
35041 tracepoint condition, which consists of a hexadecimal length, followed
35042 by a comma and hex-encoded bytes, in a manner similar to action
35043 encodings as described below. If the trailing @samp{-} is present,
35044 further @samp{QTDP} packets will follow to specify this tracepoint's
35045 actions.
35046
35047 Replies:
35048 @table @samp
35049 @item OK
35050 The packet was understood and carried out.
35051 @item qRelocInsn
35052 @xref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate instruction reply packet}.
35053 @item
35054 The packet was not recognized.
35055 @end table
35056
35057 @item QTDP:-@var{n}:@var{addr}:@r{[}S@r{]}@var{action}@dots{}@r{[}-@r{]}
35058 Define actions to be taken when a tracepoint is hit. @var{n} and
35059 @var{addr} must be the same as in the initial @samp{QTDP} packet for
35060 this tracepoint. This packet may only be sent immediately after
35061 another @samp{QTDP} packet that ended with a @samp{-}. If the
35062 trailing @samp{-} is present, further @samp{QTDP} packets will follow,
35063 specifying more actions for this tracepoint.
35064
35065 In the series of action packets for a given tracepoint, at most one
35066 can have an @samp{S} before its first @var{action}. If such a packet
35067 is sent, it and the following packets define ``while-stepping''
35068 actions. Any prior packets define ordinary actions --- that is, those
35069 taken when the tracepoint is first hit. If no action packet has an
35070 @samp{S}, then all the packets in the series specify ordinary
35071 tracepoint actions.
35072
35073 The @samp{@var{action}@dots{}} portion of the packet is a series of
35074 actions, concatenated without separators. Each action has one of the
35075 following forms:
35076
35077 @table @samp
35078
35079 @item R @var{mask}
35080 Collect the registers whose bits are set in @var{mask}. @var{mask} is
35081 a hexadecimal number whose @var{i}'th bit is set if register number
35082 @var{i} should be collected. (The least significant bit is numbered
35083 zero.) Note that @var{mask} may be any number of digits long; it may
35084 not fit in a 32-bit word.
35085
35086 @item M @var{basereg},@var{offset},@var{len}
35087 Collect @var{len} bytes of memory starting at the address in register
35088 number @var{basereg}, plus @var{offset}. If @var{basereg} is
35089 @samp{-1}, then the range has a fixed address: @var{offset} is the
35090 address of the lowest byte to collect. The @var{basereg},
35091 @var{offset}, and @var{len} parameters are all unsigned hexadecimal
35092 values (the @samp{-1} value for @var{basereg} is a special case).
35093
35094 @item X @var{len},@var{expr}
35095 Evaluate @var{expr}, whose length is @var{len}, and collect memory as
35096 it directs. @var{expr} is an agent expression, as described in
35097 @ref{Agent Expressions}. Each byte of the expression is encoded as a
35098 two-digit hex number in the packet; @var{len} is the number of bytes
35099 in the expression (and thus one-half the number of hex digits in the
35100 packet).
35101
35102 @end table
35103
35104 Any number of actions may be packed together in a single @samp{QTDP}
35105 packet, as long as the packet does not exceed the maximum packet
35106 length (400 bytes, for many stubs). There may be only one @samp{R}
35107 action per tracepoint, and it must precede any @samp{M} or @samp{X}
35108 actions. Any registers referred to by @samp{M} and @samp{X} actions
35109 must be collected by a preceding @samp{R} action. (The
35110 ``while-stepping'' actions are treated as if they were attached to a
35111 separate tracepoint, as far as these restrictions are concerned.)
35112
35113 Replies:
35114 @table @samp
35115 @item OK
35116 The packet was understood and carried out.
35117 @item qRelocInsn
35118 @xref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate instruction reply packet}.
35119 @item
35120 The packet was not recognized.
35121 @end table
35122
35123 @item QTDPsrc:@var{n}:@var{addr}:@var{type}:@var{start}:@var{slen}:@var{bytes}
35124 @cindex @samp{QTDPsrc} packet
35125 Specify a source string of tracepoint @var{n} at address @var{addr}.
35126 This is useful to get accurate reproduction of the tracepoints
35127 originally downloaded at the beginning of the trace run. @var{type}
35128 is the name of the tracepoint part, such as @samp{cond} for the
35129 tracepoint's conditional expression (see below for a list of types), while
35130 @var{bytes} is the string, encoded in hexadecimal.
35131
35132 @var{start} is the offset of the @var{bytes} within the overall source
35133 string, while @var{slen} is the total length of the source string.
35134 This is intended for handling source strings that are longer than will
35135 fit in a single packet.
35136 @c Add detailed example when this info is moved into a dedicated
35137 @c tracepoint descriptions section.
35138
35139 The available string types are @samp{at} for the location,
35140 @samp{cond} for the conditional, and @samp{cmd} for an action command.
35141 @value{GDBN} sends a separate packet for each command in the action
35142 list, in the same order in which the commands are stored in the list.
35143
35144 The target does not need to do anything with source strings except
35145 report them back as part of the replies to the @samp{qTfP}/@samp{qTsP}
35146 query packets.
35147
35148 Although this packet is optional, and @value{GDBN} will only send it
35149 if the target replies with @samp{TracepointSource} @xref{General
35150 Query Packets}, it makes both disconnected tracing and trace files
35151 much easier to use. Otherwise the user must be careful that the
35152 tracepoints in effect while looking at trace frames are identical to
35153 the ones in effect during the trace run; even a small discrepancy
35154 could cause @samp{tdump} not to work, or a particular trace frame not
35155 be found.
35156
35157 @item QTDV:@var{n}:@var{value}
35158 @cindex define trace state variable, remote request
35159 @cindex @samp{QTDV} packet
35160 Create a new trace state variable, number @var{n}, with an initial
35161 value of @var{value}, which is a 64-bit signed integer. Both @var{n}
35162 and @var{value} are encoded as hexadecimal values. @value{GDBN} has
35163 the option of not using this packet for initial values of zero; the
35164 target should simply create the trace state variables as they are
35165 mentioned in expressions.
35166
35167 @item QTFrame:@var{n}
35168 Select the @var{n}'th tracepoint frame from the buffer, and use the
35169 register and memory contents recorded there to answer subsequent
35170 request packets from @value{GDBN}.
35171
35172 A successful reply from the stub indicates that the stub has found the
35173 requested frame. The response is a series of parts, concatenated
35174 without separators, describing the frame we selected. Each part has
35175 one of the following forms:
35176
35177 @table @samp
35178 @item F @var{f}
35179 The selected frame is number @var{n} in the trace frame buffer;
35180 @var{f} is a hexadecimal number. If @var{f} is @samp{-1}, then there
35181 was no frame matching the criteria in the request packet.
35182
35183 @item T @var{t}
35184 The selected trace frame records a hit of tracepoint number @var{t};
35185 @var{t} is a hexadecimal number.
35186
35187 @end table
35188
35189 @item QTFrame:pc:@var{addr}
35190 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
35191 currently selected frame whose PC is @var{addr};
35192 @var{addr} is a hexadecimal number.
35193
35194 @item QTFrame:tdp:@var{t}
35195 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
35196 currently selected frame that is a hit of tracepoint @var{t}; @var{t}
35197 is a hexadecimal number.
35198
35199 @item QTFrame:range:@var{start}:@var{end}
35200 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
35201 currently selected frame whose PC is between @var{start} (inclusive)
35202 and @var{end} (inclusive); @var{start} and @var{end} are hexadecimal
35203 numbers.
35204
35205 @item QTFrame:outside:@var{start}:@var{end}
35206 Like @samp{QTFrame:range:@var{start}:@var{end}}, but select the first
35207 frame @emph{outside} the given range of addresses (exclusive).
35208
35209 @item QTStart
35210 Begin the tracepoint experiment. Begin collecting data from
35211 tracepoint hits in the trace frame buffer. This packet supports the
35212 @samp{qRelocInsn} reply (@pxref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate
35213 instruction reply packet}).
35214
35215 @item QTStop
35216 End the tracepoint experiment. Stop collecting trace frames.
35217
35218 @item QTEnable:@var{n}:@var{addr}
35219 @anchor{QTEnable}
35220 Enable tracepoint @var{n} at address @var{addr} in a started tracepoint
35221 experiment. If the tracepoint was previously disabled, then collection
35222 of data from it will resume.
35223
35224 @item QTDisable:@var{n}:@var{addr}
35225 @anchor{QTDisable}
35226 Disable tracepoint @var{n} at address @var{addr} in a started tracepoint
35227 experiment. No more data will be collected from the tracepoint unless
35228 @samp{QTEnable:@var{n}:@var{addr}} is subsequently issued.
35229
35230 @item QTinit
35231 Clear the table of tracepoints, and empty the trace frame buffer.
35232
35233 @item QTro:@var{start1},@var{end1}:@var{start2},@var{end2}:@dots{}
35234 Establish the given ranges of memory as ``transparent''. The stub
35235 will answer requests for these ranges from memory's current contents,
35236 if they were not collected as part of the tracepoint hit.
35237
35238 @value{GDBN} uses this to mark read-only regions of memory, like those
35239 containing program code. Since these areas never change, they should
35240 still have the same contents they did when the tracepoint was hit, so
35241 there's no reason for the stub to refuse to provide their contents.
35242
35243 @item QTDisconnected:@var{value}
35244 Set the choice to what to do with the tracing run when @value{GDBN}
35245 disconnects from the target. A @var{value} of 1 directs the target to
35246 continue the tracing run, while 0 tells the target to stop tracing if
35247 @value{GDBN} is no longer in the picture.
35248
35249 @item qTStatus
35250 Ask the stub if there is a trace experiment running right now.
35251
35252 The reply has the form:
35253
35254 @table @samp
35255
35256 @item T@var{running}@r{[};@var{field}@r{]}@dots{}
35257 @var{running} is a single digit @code{1} if the trace is presently
35258 running, or @code{0} if not. It is followed by semicolon-separated
35259 optional fields that an agent may use to report additional status.
35260
35261 @end table
35262
35263 If the trace is not running, the agent may report any of several
35264 explanations as one of the optional fields:
35265
35266 @table @samp
35267
35268 @item tnotrun:0
35269 No trace has been run yet.
35270
35271 @item tstop:0
35272 The trace was stopped by a user-originated stop command.
35273
35274 @item tfull:0
35275 The trace stopped because the trace buffer filled up.
35276
35277 @item tdisconnected:0
35278 The trace stopped because @value{GDBN} disconnected from the target.
35279
35280 @item tpasscount:@var{tpnum}
35281 The trace stopped because tracepoint @var{tpnum} exceeded its pass count.
35282
35283 @item terror:@var{text}:@var{tpnum}
35284 The trace stopped because tracepoint @var{tpnum} had an error. The
35285 string @var{text} is available to describe the nature of the error
35286 (for instance, a divide by zero in the condition expression).
35287 @var{text} is hex encoded.
35288
35289 @item tunknown:0
35290 The trace stopped for some other reason.
35291
35292 @end table
35293
35294 Additional optional fields supply statistical and other information.
35295 Although not required, they are extremely useful for users monitoring
35296 the progress of a trace run. If a trace has stopped, and these
35297 numbers are reported, they must reflect the state of the just-stopped
35298 trace.
35299
35300 @table @samp
35301
35302 @item tframes:@var{n}
35303 The number of trace frames in the buffer.
35304
35305 @item tcreated:@var{n}
35306 The total number of trace frames created during the run. This may
35307 be larger than the trace frame count, if the buffer is circular.
35308
35309 @item tsize:@var{n}
35310 The total size of the trace buffer, in bytes.
35311
35312 @item tfree:@var{n}
35313 The number of bytes still unused in the buffer.
35314
35315 @item circular:@var{n}
35316 The value of the circular trace buffer flag. @code{1} means that the
35317 trace buffer is circular and old trace frames will be discarded if
35318 necessary to make room, @code{0} means that the trace buffer is linear
35319 and may fill up.
35320
35321 @item disconn:@var{n}
35322 The value of the disconnected tracing flag. @code{1} means that
35323 tracing will continue after @value{GDBN} disconnects, @code{0} means
35324 that the trace run will stop.
35325
35326 @end table
35327
35328 @item qTV:@var{var}
35329 @cindex trace state variable value, remote request
35330 @cindex @samp{qTV} packet
35331 Ask the stub for the value of the trace state variable number @var{var}.
35332
35333 Replies:
35334 @table @samp
35335 @item V@var{value}
35336 The value of the variable is @var{value}. This will be the current
35337 value of the variable if the user is examining a running target, or a
35338 saved value if the variable was collected in the trace frame that the
35339 user is looking at. Note that multiple requests may result in
35340 different reply values, such as when requesting values while the
35341 program is running.
35342
35343 @item U
35344 The value of the variable is unknown. This would occur, for example,
35345 if the user is examining a trace frame in which the requested variable
35346 was not collected.
35347 @end table
35348
35349 @item qTfP
35350 @itemx qTsP
35351 These packets request data about tracepoints that are being used by
35352 the target. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfP} to get the first piece
35353 of data, and multiple @code{qTsP} to get additional pieces. Replies
35354 to these packets generally take the form of the @code{QTDP} packets
35355 that define tracepoints. (FIXME add detailed syntax)
35356
35357 @item qTfV
35358 @itemx qTsV
35359 These packets request data about trace state variables that are on the
35360 target. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfV} to get the first vari of data,
35361 and multiple @code{qTsV} to get additional variables. Replies to
35362 these packets follow the syntax of the @code{QTDV} packets that define
35363 trace state variables.
35364
35365 @item qTfSTM
35366 @itemx qTsSTM
35367 These packets request data about static tracepoint markers that exist
35368 in the target program. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfSTM} to get the
35369 first piece of data, and multiple @code{qTsSTM} to get additional
35370 pieces. Replies to these packets take the following form:
35371
35372 Reply:
35373 @table @samp
35374 @item m @var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra}
35375 A single marker
35376 @item m @var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra},@var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra}@dots{}
35377 a comma-separated list of markers
35378 @item l
35379 (lower case letter @samp{L}) denotes end of list.
35380 @item E @var{nn}
35381 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
35382 @item
35383 An empty reply indicates that the request is not supported by the
35384 stub.
35385 @end table
35386
35387 @var{address} is encoded in hex.
35388 @var{id} and @var{extra} are strings encoded in hex.
35389
35390 In response to each query, the target will reply with a list of one or
35391 more markers, separated by commas. @value{GDBN} will respond to each
35392 reply with a request for more markers (using the @samp{qs} form of the
35393 query), until the target responds with @samp{l} (lower-case ell, for
35394 @dfn{last}).
35395
35396 @item qTSTMat:@var{address}
35397 This packets requests data about static tracepoint markers in the
35398 target program at @var{address}. Replies to this packet follow the
35399 syntax of the @samp{qTfSTM} and @code{qTsSTM} packets that list static
35400 tracepoint markers.
35401
35402 @item QTSave:@var{filename}
35403 This packet directs the target to save trace data to the file name
35404 @var{filename} in the target's filesystem. @var{filename} is encoded
35405 as a hex string; the interpretation of the file name (relative vs
35406 absolute, wild cards, etc) is up to the target.
35407
35408 @item qTBuffer:@var{offset},@var{len}
35409 Return up to @var{len} bytes of the current contents of trace buffer,
35410 starting at @var{offset}. The trace buffer is treated as if it were
35411 a contiguous collection of traceframes, as per the trace file format.
35412 The reply consists as many hex-encoded bytes as the target can deliver
35413 in a packet; it is not an error to return fewer than were asked for.
35414 A reply consisting of just @code{l} indicates that no bytes are
35415 available.
35416
35417 @item QTBuffer:circular:@var{value}
35418 This packet directs the target to use a circular trace buffer if
35419 @var{value} is 1, or a linear buffer if the value is 0.
35420
35421 @end table
35422
35423 @subsection Relocate instruction reply packet
35424 When installing fast tracepoints in memory, the target may need to
35425 relocate the instruction currently at the tracepoint address to a
35426 different address in memory. For most instructions, a simple copy is
35427 enough, but, for example, call instructions that implicitly push the
35428 return address on the stack, and relative branches or other
35429 PC-relative instructions require offset adjustment, so that the effect
35430 of executing the instruction at a different address is the same as if
35431 it had executed in the original location.
35432
35433 In response to several of the tracepoint packets, the target may also
35434 respond with a number of intermediate @samp{qRelocInsn} request
35435 packets before the final result packet, to have @value{GDBN} handle
35436 this relocation operation. If a packet supports this mechanism, its
35437 documentation will explicitly say so. See for example the above
35438 descriptions for the @samp{QTStart} and @samp{QTDP} packets. The
35439 format of the request is:
35440
35441 @table @samp
35442 @item qRelocInsn:@var{from};@var{to}
35443
35444 This requests @value{GDBN} to copy instruction at address @var{from}
35445 to address @var{to}, possibly adjusted so that executing the
35446 instruction at @var{to} has the same effect as executing it at
35447 @var{from}. @value{GDBN} writes the adjusted instruction to target
35448 memory starting at @var{to}.
35449 @end table
35450
35451 Replies:
35452 @table @samp
35453 @item qRelocInsn:@var{adjusted_size}
35454 Informs the stub the relocation is complete. @var{adjusted_size} is
35455 the length in bytes of resulting relocated instruction sequence.
35456 @item E @var{NN}
35457 A badly formed request was detected, or an error was encountered while
35458 relocating the instruction.
35459 @end table
35460
35461 @node Host I/O Packets
35462 @section Host I/O Packets
35463 @cindex Host I/O, remote protocol
35464 @cindex file transfer, remote protocol
35465
35466 The @dfn{Host I/O} packets allow @value{GDBN} to perform I/O
35467 operations on the far side of a remote link. For example, Host I/O is
35468 used to upload and download files to a remote target with its own
35469 filesystem. Host I/O uses the same constant values and data structure
35470 layout as the target-initiated File-I/O protocol. However, the
35471 Host I/O packets are structured differently. The target-initiated
35472 protocol relies on target memory to store parameters and buffers.
35473 Host I/O requests are initiated by @value{GDBN}, and the
35474 target's memory is not involved. @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol
35475 Extension}, for more details on the target-initiated protocol.
35476
35477 The Host I/O request packets all encode a single operation along with
35478 its arguments. They have this format:
35479
35480 @table @samp
35481
35482 @item vFile:@var{operation}: @var{parameter}@dots{}
35483 @var{operation} is the name of the particular request; the target
35484 should compare the entire packet name up to the second colon when checking
35485 for a supported operation. The format of @var{parameter} depends on
35486 the operation. Numbers are always passed in hexadecimal. Negative
35487 numbers have an explicit minus sign (i.e.@: two's complement is not
35488 used). Strings (e.g.@: filenames) are encoded as a series of
35489 hexadecimal bytes. The last argument to a system call may be a
35490 buffer of escaped binary data (@pxref{Binary Data}).
35491
35492 @end table
35493
35494 The valid responses to Host I/O packets are:
35495
35496 @table @samp
35497
35498 @item F @var{result} [, @var{errno}] [; @var{attachment}]
35499 @var{result} is the integer value returned by this operation, usually
35500 non-negative for success and -1 for errors. If an error has occured,
35501 @var{errno} will be included in the result. @var{errno} will have a
35502 value defined by the File-I/O protocol (@pxref{Errno Values}). For
35503 operations which return data, @var{attachment} supplies the data as a
35504 binary buffer. Binary buffers in response packets are escaped in the
35505 normal way (@pxref{Binary Data}). See the individual packet
35506 documentation for the interpretation of @var{result} and
35507 @var{attachment}.
35508
35509 @item
35510 An empty response indicates that this operation is not recognized.
35511
35512 @end table
35513
35514 These are the supported Host I/O operations:
35515
35516 @table @samp
35517 @item vFile:open: @var{pathname}, @var{flags}, @var{mode}
35518 Open a file at @var{pathname} and return a file descriptor for it, or
35519 return -1 if an error occurs. @var{pathname} is a string,
35520 @var{flags} is an integer indicating a mask of open flags
35521 (@pxref{Open Flags}), and @var{mode} is an integer indicating a mask
35522 of mode bits to use if the file is created (@pxref{mode_t Values}).
35523 @xref{open}, for details of the open flags and mode values.
35524
35525 @item vFile:close: @var{fd}
35526 Close the open file corresponding to @var{fd} and return 0, or
35527 -1 if an error occurs.
35528
35529 @item vFile:pread: @var{fd}, @var{count}, @var{offset}
35530 Read data from the open file corresponding to @var{fd}. Up to
35531 @var{count} bytes will be read from the file, starting at @var{offset}
35532 relative to the start of the file. The target may read fewer bytes;
35533 common reasons include packet size limits and an end-of-file
35534 condition. The number of bytes read is returned. Zero should only be
35535 returned for a successful read at the end of the file, or if
35536 @var{count} was zero.
35537
35538 The data read should be returned as a binary attachment on success.
35539 If zero bytes were read, the response should include an empty binary
35540 attachment (i.e.@: a trailing semicolon). The return value is the
35541 number of target bytes read; the binary attachment may be longer if
35542 some characters were escaped.
35543
35544 @item vFile:pwrite: @var{fd}, @var{offset}, @var{data}
35545 Write @var{data} (a binary buffer) to the open file corresponding
35546 to @var{fd}. Start the write at @var{offset} from the start of the
35547 file. Unlike many @code{write} system calls, there is no
35548 separate @var{count} argument; the length of @var{data} in the
35549 packet is used. @samp{vFile:write} returns the number of bytes written,
35550 which may be shorter than the length of @var{data}, or -1 if an
35551 error occurred.
35552
35553 @item vFile:unlink: @var{pathname}
35554 Delete the file at @var{pathname} on the target. Return 0,
35555 or -1 if an error occurs. @var{pathname} is a string.
35556
35557 @end table
35558
35559 @node Interrupts
35560 @section Interrupts
35561 @cindex interrupts (remote protocol)
35562
35563 When a program on the remote target is running, @value{GDBN} may
35564 attempt to interrupt it by sending a @samp{Ctrl-C}, @code{BREAK} or
35565 a @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g},
35566 control of which is specified via @value{GDBN}'s @samp{interrupt-sequence}.
35567
35568 The precise meaning of @code{BREAK} is defined by the transport
35569 mechanism and may, in fact, be undefined. @value{GDBN} does not
35570 currently define a @code{BREAK} mechanism for any of the network
35571 interfaces except for TCP, in which case @value{GDBN} sends the
35572 @code{telnet} BREAK sequence.
35573
35574 @samp{Ctrl-C}, on the other hand, is defined and implemented for all
35575 transport mechanisms. It is represented by sending the single byte
35576 @code{0x03} without any of the usual packet overhead described in
35577 the Overview section (@pxref{Overview}). When a @code{0x03} byte is
35578 transmitted as part of a packet, it is considered to be packet data
35579 and does @emph{not} represent an interrupt. E.g., an @samp{X} packet
35580 (@pxref{X packet}), used for binary downloads, may include an unescaped
35581 @code{0x03} as part of its packet.
35582
35583 @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g} is also known as Magic SysRq g.
35584 When Linux kernel receives this sequence from serial port,
35585 it stops execution and connects to gdb.
35586
35587 Stubs are not required to recognize these interrupt mechanisms and the
35588 precise meaning associated with receipt of the interrupt is
35589 implementation defined. If the target supports debugging of multiple
35590 threads and/or processes, it should attempt to interrupt all
35591 currently-executing threads and processes.
35592 If the stub is successful at interrupting the
35593 running program, it should send one of the stop
35594 reply packets (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}) to @value{GDBN} as a result
35595 of successfully stopping the program in all-stop mode, and a stop reply
35596 for each stopped thread in non-stop mode.
35597 Interrupts received while the
35598 program is stopped are discarded.
35599
35600 @node Notification Packets
35601 @section Notification Packets
35602 @cindex notification packets
35603 @cindex packets, notification
35604
35605 The @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol includes @dfn{notifications},
35606 packets that require no acknowledgment. Both the GDB and the stub
35607 may send notifications (although the only notifications defined at
35608 present are sent by the stub). Notifications carry information
35609 without incurring the round-trip latency of an acknowledgment, and so
35610 are useful for low-impact communications where occasional packet loss
35611 is not a problem.
35612
35613 A notification packet has the form @samp{% @var{data} #
35614 @var{checksum}}, where @var{data} is the content of the notification,
35615 and @var{checksum} is a checksum of @var{data}, computed and formatted
35616 as for ordinary @value{GDBN} packets. A notification's @var{data}
35617 never contains @samp{$}, @samp{%} or @samp{#} characters. Upon
35618 receiving a notification, the recipient sends no @samp{+} or @samp{-}
35619 to acknowledge the notification's receipt or to report its corruption.
35620
35621 Every notification's @var{data} begins with a name, which contains no
35622 colon characters, followed by a colon character.
35623
35624 Recipients should silently ignore corrupted notifications and
35625 notifications they do not understand. Recipients should restart
35626 timeout periods on receipt of a well-formed notification, whether or
35627 not they understand it.
35628
35629 Senders should only send the notifications described here when this
35630 protocol description specifies that they are permitted. In the
35631 future, we may extend the protocol to permit existing notifications in
35632 new contexts; this rule helps older senders avoid confusing newer
35633 recipients.
35634
35635 (Older versions of @value{GDBN} ignore bytes received until they see
35636 the @samp{$} byte that begins an ordinary packet, so new stubs may
35637 transmit notifications without fear of confusing older clients. There
35638 are no notifications defined for @value{GDBN} to send at the moment, but we
35639 assume that most older stubs would ignore them, as well.)
35640
35641 The following notification packets from the stub to @value{GDBN} are
35642 defined:
35643
35644 @table @samp
35645 @item Stop: @var{reply}
35646 Report an asynchronous stop event in non-stop mode.
35647 The @var{reply} has the form of a stop reply, as
35648 described in @ref{Stop Reply Packets}. Refer to @ref{Remote Non-Stop},
35649 for information on how these notifications are acknowledged by
35650 @value{GDBN}.
35651 @end table
35652
35653 @node Remote Non-Stop
35654 @section Remote Protocol Support for Non-Stop Mode
35655
35656 @value{GDBN}'s remote protocol supports non-stop debugging of
35657 multi-threaded programs, as described in @ref{Non-Stop Mode}. If the stub
35658 supports non-stop mode, it should report that to @value{GDBN} by including
35659 @samp{QNonStop+} in its @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
35660
35661 @value{GDBN} typically sends a @samp{QNonStop} packet only when
35662 establishing a new connection with the stub. Entering non-stop mode
35663 does not alter the state of any currently-running threads, but targets
35664 must stop all threads in any already-attached processes when entering
35665 all-stop mode. @value{GDBN} uses the @samp{?} packet as necessary to
35666 probe the target state after a mode change.
35667
35668 In non-stop mode, when an attached process encounters an event that
35669 would otherwise be reported with a stop reply, it uses the
35670 asynchronous notification mechanism (@pxref{Notification Packets}) to
35671 inform @value{GDBN}. In contrast to all-stop mode, where all threads
35672 in all processes are stopped when a stop reply is sent, in non-stop
35673 mode only the thread reporting the stop event is stopped. That is,
35674 when reporting a @samp{S} or @samp{T} response to indicate completion
35675 of a step operation, hitting a breakpoint, or a fault, only the
35676 affected thread is stopped; any other still-running threads continue
35677 to run. When reporting a @samp{W} or @samp{X} response, all running
35678 threads belonging to other attached processes continue to run.
35679
35680 Only one stop reply notification at a time may be pending; if
35681 additional stop events occur before @value{GDBN} has acknowledged the
35682 previous notification, they must be queued by the stub for later
35683 synchronous transmission in response to @samp{vStopped} packets from
35684 @value{GDBN}. Because the notification mechanism is unreliable,
35685 the stub is permitted to resend a stop reply notification
35686 if it believes @value{GDBN} may not have received it. @value{GDBN}
35687 ignores additional stop reply notifications received before it has
35688 finished processing a previous notification and the stub has completed
35689 sending any queued stop events.
35690
35691 Otherwise, @value{GDBN} must be prepared to receive a stop reply
35692 notification at any time. Specifically, they may appear when
35693 @value{GDBN} is not otherwise reading input from the stub, or when
35694 @value{GDBN} is expecting to read a normal synchronous response or a
35695 @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgment to a packet it has sent.
35696 Notification packets are distinct from any other communication from
35697 the stub so there is no ambiguity.
35698
35699 After receiving a stop reply notification, @value{GDBN} shall
35700 acknowledge it by sending a @samp{vStopped} packet (@pxref{vStopped packet})
35701 as a regular, synchronous request to the stub. Such acknowledgment
35702 is not required to happen immediately, as @value{GDBN} is permitted to
35703 send other, unrelated packets to the stub first, which the stub should
35704 process normally.
35705
35706 Upon receiving a @samp{vStopped} packet, if the stub has other queued
35707 stop events to report to @value{GDBN}, it shall respond by sending a
35708 normal stop reply response. @value{GDBN} shall then send another
35709 @samp{vStopped} packet to solicit further responses; again, it is
35710 permitted to send other, unrelated packets as well which the stub
35711 should process normally.
35712
35713 If the stub receives a @samp{vStopped} packet and there are no
35714 additional stop events to report, the stub shall return an @samp{OK}
35715 response. At this point, if further stop events occur, the stub shall
35716 send a new stop reply notification, @value{GDBN} shall accept the
35717 notification, and the process shall be repeated.
35718
35719 In non-stop mode, the target shall respond to the @samp{?} packet as
35720 follows. First, any incomplete stop reply notification/@samp{vStopped}
35721 sequence in progress is abandoned. The target must begin a new
35722 sequence reporting stop events for all stopped threads, whether or not
35723 it has previously reported those events to @value{GDBN}. The first
35724 stop reply is sent as a synchronous reply to the @samp{?} packet, and
35725 subsequent stop replies are sent as responses to @samp{vStopped} packets
35726 using the mechanism described above. The target must not send
35727 asynchronous stop reply notifications until the sequence is complete.
35728 If all threads are running when the target receives the @samp{?} packet,
35729 or if the target is not attached to any process, it shall respond
35730 @samp{OK}.
35731
35732 @node Packet Acknowledgment
35733 @section Packet Acknowledgment
35734
35735 @cindex acknowledgment, for @value{GDBN} remote
35736 @cindex packet acknowledgment, for @value{GDBN} remote
35737 By default, when either the host or the target machine receives a packet,
35738 the first response expected is an acknowledgment: either @samp{+} (to indicate
35739 the package was received correctly) or @samp{-} (to request retransmission).
35740 This mechanism allows the @value{GDBN} remote protocol to operate over
35741 unreliable transport mechanisms, such as a serial line.
35742
35743 In cases where the transport mechanism is itself reliable (such as a pipe or
35744 TCP connection), the @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments are redundant.
35745 It may be desirable to disable them in that case to reduce communication
35746 overhead, or for other reasons. This can be accomplished by means of the
35747 @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet; @pxref{QStartNoAckMode}.
35748
35749 When in no-acknowledgment mode, neither the stub nor @value{GDBN} shall send or
35750 expect @samp{+}/@samp{-} protocol acknowledgments. The packet
35751 and response format still includes the normal checksum, as described in
35752 @ref{Overview}, but the checksum may be ignored by the receiver.
35753
35754 If the stub supports @samp{QStartNoAckMode} and prefers to operate in
35755 no-acknowledgment mode, it should report that to @value{GDBN}
35756 by including @samp{QStartNoAckMode+} in its response to @samp{qSupported};
35757 @pxref{qSupported}.
35758 If @value{GDBN} also supports @samp{QStartNoAckMode} and it has not been
35759 disabled via the @code{set remote noack-packet off} command
35760 (@pxref{Remote Configuration}),
35761 @value{GDBN} may then send a @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet to the stub.
35762 Only then may the stub actually turn off packet acknowledgments.
35763 @value{GDBN} sends a final @samp{+} acknowledgment of the stub's @samp{OK}
35764 response, which can be safely ignored by the stub.
35765
35766 Note that @code{set remote noack-packet} command only affects negotiation
35767 between @value{GDBN} and the stub when subsequent connections are made;
35768 it does not affect the protocol acknowledgment state for any current
35769 connection.
35770 Since @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments are enabled by default when a
35771 new connection is established,
35772 there is also no protocol request to re-enable the acknowledgments
35773 for the current connection, once disabled.
35774
35775 @node Examples
35776 @section Examples
35777
35778 Example sequence of a target being re-started. Notice how the restart
35779 does not get any direct output:
35780
35781 @smallexample
35782 -> @code{R00}
35783 <- @code{+}
35784 @emph{target restarts}
35785 -> @code{?}
35786 <- @code{+}
35787 <- @code{T001:1234123412341234}
35788 -> @code{+}
35789 @end smallexample
35790
35791 Example sequence of a target being stepped by a single instruction:
35792
35793 @smallexample
35794 -> @code{G1445@dots{}}
35795 <- @code{+}
35796 -> @code{s}
35797 <- @code{+}
35798 @emph{time passes}
35799 <- @code{T001:1234123412341234}
35800 -> @code{+}
35801 -> @code{g}
35802 <- @code{+}
35803 <- @code{1455@dots{}}
35804 -> @code{+}
35805 @end smallexample
35806
35807 @node File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension
35808 @section File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension
35809 @cindex File-I/O remote protocol extension
35810
35811 @menu
35812 * File-I/O Overview::
35813 * Protocol Basics::
35814 * The F Request Packet::
35815 * The F Reply Packet::
35816 * The Ctrl-C Message::
35817 * Console I/O::
35818 * List of Supported Calls::
35819 * Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes::
35820 * Constants::
35821 * File-I/O Examples::
35822 @end menu
35823
35824 @node File-I/O Overview
35825 @subsection File-I/O Overview
35826 @cindex file-i/o overview
35827
35828 The @dfn{File I/O remote protocol extension} (short: File-I/O) allows the
35829 target to use the host's file system and console I/O to perform various
35830 system calls. System calls on the target system are translated into a
35831 remote protocol packet to the host system, which then performs the needed
35832 actions and returns a response packet to the target system.
35833 This simulates file system operations even on targets that lack file systems.
35834
35835 The protocol is defined to be independent of both the host and target systems.
35836 It uses its own internal representation of datatypes and values. Both
35837 @value{GDBN} and the target's @value{GDBN} stub are responsible for
35838 translating the system-dependent value representations into the internal
35839 protocol representations when data is transmitted.
35840
35841 The communication is synchronous. A system call is possible only when
35842 @value{GDBN} is waiting for a response from the @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}
35843 or @samp{s} packets. While @value{GDBN} handles the request for a system call,
35844 the target is stopped to allow deterministic access to the target's
35845 memory. Therefore File-I/O is not interruptible by target signals. On
35846 the other hand, it is possible to interrupt File-I/O by a user interrupt
35847 (@samp{Ctrl-C}) within @value{GDBN}.
35848
35849 The target's request to perform a host system call does not finish
35850 the latest @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S} or @samp{s} action. That means,
35851 after finishing the system call, the target returns to continuing the
35852 previous activity (continue, step). No additional continue or step
35853 request from @value{GDBN} is required.
35854
35855 @smallexample
35856 (@value{GDBP}) continue
35857 <- target requests 'system call X'
35858 target is stopped, @value{GDBN} executes system call
35859 -> @value{GDBN} returns result
35860 ... target continues, @value{GDBN} returns to wait for the target
35861 <- target hits breakpoint and sends a Txx packet
35862 @end smallexample
35863
35864 The protocol only supports I/O on the console and to regular files on
35865 the host file system. Character or block special devices, pipes,
35866 named pipes, sockets or any other communication method on the host
35867 system are not supported by this protocol.
35868
35869 File I/O is not supported in non-stop mode.
35870
35871 @node Protocol Basics
35872 @subsection Protocol Basics
35873 @cindex protocol basics, file-i/o
35874
35875 The File-I/O protocol uses the @code{F} packet as the request as well
35876 as reply packet. Since a File-I/O system call can only occur when
35877 @value{GDBN} is waiting for a response from the continuing or stepping target,
35878 the File-I/O request is a reply that @value{GDBN} has to expect as a result
35879 of a previous @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S} or @samp{s} packet.
35880 This @code{F} packet contains all information needed to allow @value{GDBN}
35881 to call the appropriate host system call:
35882
35883 @itemize @bullet
35884 @item
35885 A unique identifier for the requested system call.
35886
35887 @item
35888 All parameters to the system call. Pointers are given as addresses
35889 in the target memory address space. Pointers to strings are given as
35890 pointer/length pair. Numerical values are given as they are.
35891 Numerical control flags are given in a protocol-specific representation.
35892
35893 @end itemize
35894
35895 At this point, @value{GDBN} has to perform the following actions.
35896
35897 @itemize @bullet
35898 @item
35899 If the parameters include pointer values to data needed as input to a
35900 system call, @value{GDBN} requests this data from the target with a
35901 standard @code{m} packet request. This additional communication has to be
35902 expected by the target implementation and is handled as any other @code{m}
35903 packet.
35904
35905 @item
35906 @value{GDBN} translates all value from protocol representation to host
35907 representation as needed. Datatypes are coerced into the host types.
35908
35909 @item
35910 @value{GDBN} calls the system call.
35911
35912 @item
35913 It then coerces datatypes back to protocol representation.
35914
35915 @item
35916 If the system call is expected to return data in buffer space specified
35917 by pointer parameters to the call, the data is transmitted to the
35918 target using a @code{M} or @code{X} packet. This packet has to be expected
35919 by the target implementation and is handled as any other @code{M} or @code{X}
35920 packet.
35921
35922 @end itemize
35923
35924 Eventually @value{GDBN} replies with another @code{F} packet which contains all
35925 necessary information for the target to continue. This at least contains
35926
35927 @itemize @bullet
35928 @item
35929 Return value.
35930
35931 @item
35932 @code{errno}, if has been changed by the system call.
35933
35934 @item
35935 ``Ctrl-C'' flag.
35936
35937 @end itemize
35938
35939 After having done the needed type and value coercion, the target continues
35940 the latest continue or step action.
35941
35942 @node The F Request Packet
35943 @subsection The @code{F} Request Packet
35944 @cindex file-i/o request packet
35945 @cindex @code{F} request packet
35946
35947 The @code{F} request packet has the following format:
35948
35949 @table @samp
35950 @item F@var{call-id},@var{parameter@dots{}}
35951
35952 @var{call-id} is the identifier to indicate the host system call to be called.
35953 This is just the name of the function.
35954
35955 @var{parameter@dots{}} are the parameters to the system call.
35956 Parameters are hexadecimal integer values, either the actual values in case
35957 of scalar datatypes, pointers to target buffer space in case of compound
35958 datatypes and unspecified memory areas, or pointer/length pairs in case
35959 of string parameters. These are appended to the @var{call-id} as a
35960 comma-delimited list. All values are transmitted in ASCII
35961 string representation, pointer/length pairs separated by a slash.
35962
35963 @end table
35964
35965
35966
35967 @node The F Reply Packet
35968 @subsection The @code{F} Reply Packet
35969 @cindex file-i/o reply packet
35970 @cindex @code{F} reply packet
35971
35972 The @code{F} reply packet has the following format:
35973
35974 @table @samp
35975
35976 @item F@var{retcode},@var{errno},@var{Ctrl-C flag};@var{call-specific attachment}
35977
35978 @var{retcode} is the return code of the system call as hexadecimal value.
35979
35980 @var{errno} is the @code{errno} set by the call, in protocol-specific
35981 representation.
35982 This parameter can be omitted if the call was successful.
35983
35984 @var{Ctrl-C flag} is only sent if the user requested a break. In this
35985 case, @var{errno} must be sent as well, even if the call was successful.
35986 The @var{Ctrl-C flag} itself consists of the character @samp{C}:
35987
35988 @smallexample
35989 F0,0,C
35990 @end smallexample
35991
35992 @noindent
35993 or, if the call was interrupted before the host call has been performed:
35994
35995 @smallexample
35996 F-1,4,C
35997 @end smallexample
35998
35999 @noindent
36000 assuming 4 is the protocol-specific representation of @code{EINTR}.
36001
36002 @end table
36003
36004
36005 @node The Ctrl-C Message
36006 @subsection The @samp{Ctrl-C} Message
36007 @cindex ctrl-c message, in file-i/o protocol
36008
36009 If the @samp{Ctrl-C} flag is set in the @value{GDBN}
36010 reply packet (@pxref{The F Reply Packet}),
36011 the target should behave as if it had
36012 gotten a break message. The meaning for the target is ``system call
36013 interrupted by @code{SIGINT}''. Consequentially, the target should actually stop
36014 (as with a break message) and return to @value{GDBN} with a @code{T02}
36015 packet.
36016
36017 It's important for the target to know in which
36018 state the system call was interrupted. There are two possible cases:
36019
36020 @itemize @bullet
36021 @item
36022 The system call hasn't been performed on the host yet.
36023
36024 @item
36025 The system call on the host has been finished.
36026
36027 @end itemize
36028
36029 These two states can be distinguished by the target by the value of the
36030 returned @code{errno}. If it's the protocol representation of @code{EINTR}, the system
36031 call hasn't been performed. This is equivalent to the @code{EINTR} handling
36032 on POSIX systems. In any other case, the target may presume that the
36033 system call has been finished --- successfully or not --- and should behave
36034 as if the break message arrived right after the system call.
36035
36036 @value{GDBN} must behave reliably. If the system call has not been called
36037 yet, @value{GDBN} may send the @code{F} reply immediately, setting @code{EINTR} as
36038 @code{errno} in the packet. If the system call on the host has been finished
36039 before the user requests a break, the full action must be finished by
36040 @value{GDBN}. This requires sending @code{M} or @code{X} packets as necessary.
36041 The @code{F} packet may only be sent when either nothing has happened
36042 or the full action has been completed.
36043
36044 @node Console I/O
36045 @subsection Console I/O
36046 @cindex console i/o as part of file-i/o
36047
36048 By default and if not explicitly closed by the target system, the file
36049 descriptors 0, 1 and 2 are connected to the @value{GDBN} console. Output
36050 on the @value{GDBN} console is handled as any other file output operation
36051 (@code{write(1, @dots{})} or @code{write(2, @dots{})}). Console input is handled
36052 by @value{GDBN} so that after the target read request from file descriptor
36053 0 all following typing is buffered until either one of the following
36054 conditions is met:
36055
36056 @itemize @bullet
36057 @item
36058 The user types @kbd{Ctrl-c}. The behaviour is as explained above, and the
36059 @code{read}
36060 system call is treated as finished.
36061
36062 @item
36063 The user presses @key{RET}. This is treated as end of input with a trailing
36064 newline.
36065
36066 @item
36067 The user types @kbd{Ctrl-d}. This is treated as end of input. No trailing
36068 character (neither newline nor @samp{Ctrl-D}) is appended to the input.
36069
36070 @end itemize
36071
36072 If the user has typed more characters than fit in the buffer given to
36073 the @code{read} call, the trailing characters are buffered in @value{GDBN} until
36074 either another @code{read(0, @dots{})} is requested by the target, or debugging
36075 is stopped at the user's request.
36076
36077
36078 @node List of Supported Calls
36079 @subsection List of Supported Calls
36080 @cindex list of supported file-i/o calls
36081
36082 @menu
36083 * open::
36084 * close::
36085 * read::
36086 * write::
36087 * lseek::
36088 * rename::
36089 * unlink::
36090 * stat/fstat::
36091 * gettimeofday::
36092 * isatty::
36093 * system::
36094 @end menu
36095
36096 @node open
36097 @unnumberedsubsubsec open
36098 @cindex open, file-i/o system call
36099
36100 @table @asis
36101 @item Synopsis:
36102 @smallexample
36103 int open(const char *pathname, int flags);
36104 int open(const char *pathname, int flags, mode_t mode);
36105 @end smallexample
36106
36107 @item Request:
36108 @samp{Fopen,@var{pathptr}/@var{len},@var{flags},@var{mode}}
36109
36110 @noindent
36111 @var{flags} is the bitwise @code{OR} of the following values:
36112
36113 @table @code
36114 @item O_CREAT
36115 If the file does not exist it will be created. The host
36116 rules apply as far as file ownership and time stamps
36117 are concerned.
36118
36119 @item O_EXCL
36120 When used with @code{O_CREAT}, if the file already exists it is
36121 an error and open() fails.
36122
36123 @item O_TRUNC
36124 If the file already exists and the open mode allows
36125 writing (@code{O_RDWR} or @code{O_WRONLY} is given) it will be
36126 truncated to zero length.
36127
36128 @item O_APPEND
36129 The file is opened in append mode.
36130
36131 @item O_RDONLY
36132 The file is opened for reading only.
36133
36134 @item O_WRONLY
36135 The file is opened for writing only.
36136
36137 @item O_RDWR
36138 The file is opened for reading and writing.
36139 @end table
36140
36141 @noindent
36142 Other bits are silently ignored.
36143
36144
36145 @noindent
36146 @var{mode} is the bitwise @code{OR} of the following values:
36147
36148 @table @code
36149 @item S_IRUSR
36150 User has read permission.
36151
36152 @item S_IWUSR
36153 User has write permission.
36154
36155 @item S_IRGRP
36156 Group has read permission.
36157
36158 @item S_IWGRP
36159 Group has write permission.
36160
36161 @item S_IROTH
36162 Others have read permission.
36163
36164 @item S_IWOTH
36165 Others have write permission.
36166 @end table
36167
36168 @noindent
36169 Other bits are silently ignored.
36170
36171
36172 @item Return value:
36173 @code{open} returns the new file descriptor or -1 if an error
36174 occurred.
36175
36176 @item Errors:
36177
36178 @table @code
36179 @item EEXIST
36180 @var{pathname} already exists and @code{O_CREAT} and @code{O_EXCL} were used.
36181
36182 @item EISDIR
36183 @var{pathname} refers to a directory.
36184
36185 @item EACCES
36186 The requested access is not allowed.
36187
36188 @item ENAMETOOLONG
36189 @var{pathname} was too long.
36190
36191 @item ENOENT
36192 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist.
36193
36194 @item ENODEV
36195 @var{pathname} refers to a device, pipe, named pipe or socket.
36196
36197 @item EROFS
36198 @var{pathname} refers to a file on a read-only filesystem and
36199 write access was requested.
36200
36201 @item EFAULT
36202 @var{pathname} is an invalid pointer value.
36203
36204 @item ENOSPC
36205 No space on device to create the file.
36206
36207 @item EMFILE
36208 The process already has the maximum number of files open.
36209
36210 @item ENFILE
36211 The limit on the total number of files open on the system
36212 has been reached.
36213
36214 @item EINTR
36215 The call was interrupted by the user.
36216 @end table
36217
36218 @end table
36219
36220 @node close
36221 @unnumberedsubsubsec close
36222 @cindex close, file-i/o system call
36223
36224 @table @asis
36225 @item Synopsis:
36226 @smallexample
36227 int close(int fd);
36228 @end smallexample
36229
36230 @item Request:
36231 @samp{Fclose,@var{fd}}
36232
36233 @item Return value:
36234 @code{close} returns zero on success, or -1 if an error occurred.
36235
36236 @item Errors:
36237
36238 @table @code
36239 @item EBADF
36240 @var{fd} isn't a valid open file descriptor.
36241
36242 @item EINTR
36243 The call was interrupted by the user.
36244 @end table
36245
36246 @end table
36247
36248 @node read
36249 @unnumberedsubsubsec read
36250 @cindex read, file-i/o system call
36251
36252 @table @asis
36253 @item Synopsis:
36254 @smallexample
36255 int read(int fd, void *buf, unsigned int count);
36256 @end smallexample
36257
36258 @item Request:
36259 @samp{Fread,@var{fd},@var{bufptr},@var{count}}
36260
36261 @item Return value:
36262 On success, the number of bytes read is returned.
36263 Zero indicates end of file. If count is zero, read
36264 returns zero as well. On error, -1 is returned.
36265
36266 @item Errors:
36267
36268 @table @code
36269 @item EBADF
36270 @var{fd} is not a valid file descriptor or is not open for
36271 reading.
36272
36273 @item EFAULT
36274 @var{bufptr} is an invalid pointer value.
36275
36276 @item EINTR
36277 The call was interrupted by the user.
36278 @end table
36279
36280 @end table
36281
36282 @node write
36283 @unnumberedsubsubsec write
36284 @cindex write, file-i/o system call
36285
36286 @table @asis
36287 @item Synopsis:
36288 @smallexample
36289 int write(int fd, const void *buf, unsigned int count);
36290 @end smallexample
36291
36292 @item Request:
36293 @samp{Fwrite,@var{fd},@var{bufptr},@var{count}}
36294
36295 @item Return value:
36296 On success, the number of bytes written are returned.
36297 Zero indicates nothing was written. On error, -1
36298 is returned.
36299
36300 @item Errors:
36301
36302 @table @code
36303 @item EBADF
36304 @var{fd} is not a valid file descriptor or is not open for
36305 writing.
36306
36307 @item EFAULT
36308 @var{bufptr} is an invalid pointer value.
36309
36310 @item EFBIG
36311 An attempt was made to write a file that exceeds the
36312 host-specific maximum file size allowed.
36313
36314 @item ENOSPC
36315 No space on device to write the data.
36316
36317 @item EINTR
36318 The call was interrupted by the user.
36319 @end table
36320
36321 @end table
36322
36323 @node lseek
36324 @unnumberedsubsubsec lseek
36325 @cindex lseek, file-i/o system call
36326
36327 @table @asis
36328 @item Synopsis:
36329 @smallexample
36330 long lseek (int fd, long offset, int flag);
36331 @end smallexample
36332
36333 @item Request:
36334 @samp{Flseek,@var{fd},@var{offset},@var{flag}}
36335
36336 @var{flag} is one of:
36337
36338 @table @code
36339 @item SEEK_SET
36340 The offset is set to @var{offset} bytes.
36341
36342 @item SEEK_CUR
36343 The offset is set to its current location plus @var{offset}
36344 bytes.
36345
36346 @item SEEK_END
36347 The offset is set to the size of the file plus @var{offset}
36348 bytes.
36349 @end table
36350
36351 @item Return value:
36352 On success, the resulting unsigned offset in bytes from
36353 the beginning of the file is returned. Otherwise, a
36354 value of -1 is returned.
36355
36356 @item Errors:
36357
36358 @table @code
36359 @item EBADF
36360 @var{fd} is not a valid open file descriptor.
36361
36362 @item ESPIPE
36363 @var{fd} is associated with the @value{GDBN} console.
36364
36365 @item EINVAL
36366 @var{flag} is not a proper value.
36367
36368 @item EINTR
36369 The call was interrupted by the user.
36370 @end table
36371
36372 @end table
36373
36374 @node rename
36375 @unnumberedsubsubsec rename
36376 @cindex rename, file-i/o system call
36377
36378 @table @asis
36379 @item Synopsis:
36380 @smallexample
36381 int rename(const char *oldpath, const char *newpath);
36382 @end smallexample
36383
36384 @item Request:
36385 @samp{Frename,@var{oldpathptr}/@var{len},@var{newpathptr}/@var{len}}
36386
36387 @item Return value:
36388 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
36389
36390 @item Errors:
36391
36392 @table @code
36393 @item EISDIR
36394 @var{newpath} is an existing directory, but @var{oldpath} is not a
36395 directory.
36396
36397 @item EEXIST
36398 @var{newpath} is a non-empty directory.
36399
36400 @item EBUSY
36401 @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} is a directory that is in use by some
36402 process.
36403
36404 @item EINVAL
36405 An attempt was made to make a directory a subdirectory
36406 of itself.
36407
36408 @item ENOTDIR
36409 A component used as a directory in @var{oldpath} or new
36410 path is not a directory. Or @var{oldpath} is a directory
36411 and @var{newpath} exists but is not a directory.
36412
36413 @item EFAULT
36414 @var{oldpathptr} or @var{newpathptr} are invalid pointer values.
36415
36416 @item EACCES
36417 No access to the file or the path of the file.
36418
36419 @item ENAMETOOLONG
36420
36421 @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} was too long.
36422
36423 @item ENOENT
36424 A directory component in @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} does not exist.
36425
36426 @item EROFS
36427 The file is on a read-only filesystem.
36428
36429 @item ENOSPC
36430 The device containing the file has no room for the new
36431 directory entry.
36432
36433 @item EINTR
36434 The call was interrupted by the user.
36435 @end table
36436
36437 @end table
36438
36439 @node unlink
36440 @unnumberedsubsubsec unlink
36441 @cindex unlink, file-i/o system call
36442
36443 @table @asis
36444 @item Synopsis:
36445 @smallexample
36446 int unlink(const char *pathname);
36447 @end smallexample
36448
36449 @item Request:
36450 @samp{Funlink,@var{pathnameptr}/@var{len}}
36451
36452 @item Return value:
36453 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
36454
36455 @item Errors:
36456
36457 @table @code
36458 @item EACCES
36459 No access to the file or the path of the file.
36460
36461 @item EPERM
36462 The system does not allow unlinking of directories.
36463
36464 @item EBUSY
36465 The file @var{pathname} cannot be unlinked because it's
36466 being used by another process.
36467
36468 @item EFAULT
36469 @var{pathnameptr} is an invalid pointer value.
36470
36471 @item ENAMETOOLONG
36472 @var{pathname} was too long.
36473
36474 @item ENOENT
36475 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist.
36476
36477 @item ENOTDIR
36478 A component of the path is not a directory.
36479
36480 @item EROFS
36481 The file is on a read-only filesystem.
36482
36483 @item EINTR
36484 The call was interrupted by the user.
36485 @end table
36486
36487 @end table
36488
36489 @node stat/fstat
36490 @unnumberedsubsubsec stat/fstat
36491 @cindex fstat, file-i/o system call
36492 @cindex stat, file-i/o system call
36493
36494 @table @asis
36495 @item Synopsis:
36496 @smallexample
36497 int stat(const char *pathname, struct stat *buf);
36498 int fstat(int fd, struct stat *buf);
36499 @end smallexample
36500
36501 @item Request:
36502 @samp{Fstat,@var{pathnameptr}/@var{len},@var{bufptr}}@*
36503 @samp{Ffstat,@var{fd},@var{bufptr}}
36504
36505 @item Return value:
36506 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
36507
36508 @item Errors:
36509
36510 @table @code
36511 @item EBADF
36512 @var{fd} is not a valid open file.
36513
36514 @item ENOENT
36515 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist or the
36516 path is an empty string.
36517
36518 @item ENOTDIR
36519 A component of the path is not a directory.
36520
36521 @item EFAULT
36522 @var{pathnameptr} is an invalid pointer value.
36523
36524 @item EACCES
36525 No access to the file or the path of the file.
36526
36527 @item ENAMETOOLONG
36528 @var{pathname} was too long.
36529
36530 @item EINTR
36531 The call was interrupted by the user.
36532 @end table
36533
36534 @end table
36535
36536 @node gettimeofday
36537 @unnumberedsubsubsec gettimeofday
36538 @cindex gettimeofday, file-i/o system call
36539
36540 @table @asis
36541 @item Synopsis:
36542 @smallexample
36543 int gettimeofday(struct timeval *tv, void *tz);
36544 @end smallexample
36545
36546 @item Request:
36547 @samp{Fgettimeofday,@var{tvptr},@var{tzptr}}
36548
36549 @item Return value:
36550 On success, 0 is returned, -1 otherwise.
36551
36552 @item Errors:
36553
36554 @table @code
36555 @item EINVAL
36556 @var{tz} is a non-NULL pointer.
36557
36558 @item EFAULT
36559 @var{tvptr} and/or @var{tzptr} is an invalid pointer value.
36560 @end table
36561
36562 @end table
36563
36564 @node isatty
36565 @unnumberedsubsubsec isatty
36566 @cindex isatty, file-i/o system call
36567
36568 @table @asis
36569 @item Synopsis:
36570 @smallexample
36571 int isatty(int fd);
36572 @end smallexample
36573
36574 @item Request:
36575 @samp{Fisatty,@var{fd}}
36576
36577 @item Return value:
36578 Returns 1 if @var{fd} refers to the @value{GDBN} console, 0 otherwise.
36579
36580 @item Errors:
36581
36582 @table @code
36583 @item EINTR
36584 The call was interrupted by the user.
36585 @end table
36586
36587 @end table
36588
36589 Note that the @code{isatty} call is treated as a special case: it returns
36590 1 to the target if the file descriptor is attached
36591 to the @value{GDBN} console, 0 otherwise. Implementing through system calls
36592 would require implementing @code{ioctl} and would be more complex than
36593 needed.
36594
36595
36596 @node system
36597 @unnumberedsubsubsec system
36598 @cindex system, file-i/o system call
36599
36600 @table @asis
36601 @item Synopsis:
36602 @smallexample
36603 int system(const char *command);
36604 @end smallexample
36605
36606 @item Request:
36607 @samp{Fsystem,@var{commandptr}/@var{len}}
36608
36609 @item Return value:
36610 If @var{len} is zero, the return value indicates whether a shell is
36611 available. A zero return value indicates a shell is not available.
36612 For non-zero @var{len}, the value returned is -1 on error and the
36613 return status of the command otherwise. Only the exit status of the
36614 command is returned, which is extracted from the host's @code{system}
36615 return value by calling @code{WEXITSTATUS(retval)}. In case
36616 @file{/bin/sh} could not be executed, 127 is returned.
36617
36618 @item Errors:
36619
36620 @table @code
36621 @item EINTR
36622 The call was interrupted by the user.
36623 @end table
36624
36625 @end table
36626
36627 @value{GDBN} takes over the full task of calling the necessary host calls
36628 to perform the @code{system} call. The return value of @code{system} on
36629 the host is simplified before it's returned
36630 to the target. Any termination signal information from the child process
36631 is discarded, and the return value consists
36632 entirely of the exit status of the called command.
36633
36634 Due to security concerns, the @code{system} call is by default refused
36635 by @value{GDBN}. The user has to allow this call explicitly with the
36636 @code{set remote system-call-allowed 1} command.
36637
36638 @table @code
36639 @item set remote system-call-allowed
36640 @kindex set remote system-call-allowed
36641 Control whether to allow the @code{system} calls in the File I/O
36642 protocol for the remote target. The default is zero (disabled).
36643
36644 @item show remote system-call-allowed
36645 @kindex show remote system-call-allowed
36646 Show whether the @code{system} calls are allowed in the File I/O
36647 protocol.
36648 @end table
36649
36650 @node Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes
36651 @subsection Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes
36652 @cindex protocol-specific representation of datatypes, in file-i/o protocol
36653
36654 @menu
36655 * Integral Datatypes::
36656 * Pointer Values::
36657 * Memory Transfer::
36658 * struct stat::
36659 * struct timeval::
36660 @end menu
36661
36662 @node Integral Datatypes
36663 @unnumberedsubsubsec Integral Datatypes
36664 @cindex integral datatypes, in file-i/o protocol
36665
36666 The integral datatypes used in the system calls are @code{int},
36667 @code{unsigned int}, @code{long}, @code{unsigned long},
36668 @code{mode_t}, and @code{time_t}.
36669
36670 @code{int}, @code{unsigned int}, @code{mode_t} and @code{time_t} are
36671 implemented as 32 bit values in this protocol.
36672
36673 @code{long} and @code{unsigned long} are implemented as 64 bit types.
36674
36675 @xref{Limits}, for corresponding MIN and MAX values (similar to those
36676 in @file{limits.h}) to allow range checking on host and target.
36677
36678 @code{time_t} datatypes are defined as seconds since the Epoch.
36679
36680 All integral datatypes transferred as part of a memory read or write of a
36681 structured datatype e.g.@: a @code{struct stat} have to be given in big endian
36682 byte order.
36683
36684 @node Pointer Values
36685 @unnumberedsubsubsec Pointer Values
36686 @cindex pointer values, in file-i/o protocol
36687
36688 Pointers to target data are transmitted as they are. An exception
36689 is made for pointers to buffers for which the length isn't
36690 transmitted as part of the function call, namely strings. Strings
36691 are transmitted as a pointer/length pair, both as hex values, e.g.@:
36692
36693 @smallexample
36694 @code{1aaf/12}
36695 @end smallexample
36696
36697 @noindent
36698 which is a pointer to data of length 18 bytes at position 0x1aaf.
36699 The length is defined as the full string length in bytes, including
36700 the trailing null byte. For example, the string @code{"hello world"}
36701 at address 0x123456 is transmitted as
36702
36703 @smallexample
36704 @code{123456/d}
36705 @end smallexample
36706
36707 @node Memory Transfer
36708 @unnumberedsubsubsec Memory Transfer
36709 @cindex memory transfer, in file-i/o protocol
36710
36711 Structured data which is transferred using a memory read or write (for
36712 example, a @code{struct stat}) is expected to be in a protocol-specific format
36713 with all scalar multibyte datatypes being big endian. Translation to
36714 this representation needs to be done both by the target before the @code{F}
36715 packet is sent, and by @value{GDBN} before
36716 it transfers memory to the target. Transferred pointers to structured
36717 data should point to the already-coerced data at any time.
36718
36719
36720 @node struct stat
36721 @unnumberedsubsubsec struct stat
36722 @cindex struct stat, in file-i/o protocol
36723
36724 The buffer of type @code{struct stat} used by the target and @value{GDBN}
36725 is defined as follows:
36726
36727 @smallexample
36728 struct stat @{
36729 unsigned int st_dev; /* device */
36730 unsigned int st_ino; /* inode */
36731 mode_t st_mode; /* protection */
36732 unsigned int st_nlink; /* number of hard links */
36733 unsigned int st_uid; /* user ID of owner */
36734 unsigned int st_gid; /* group ID of owner */
36735 unsigned int st_rdev; /* device type (if inode device) */
36736 unsigned long st_size; /* total size, in bytes */
36737 unsigned long st_blksize; /* blocksize for filesystem I/O */
36738 unsigned long st_blocks; /* number of blocks allocated */
36739 time_t st_atime; /* time of last access */
36740 time_t st_mtime; /* time of last modification */
36741 time_t st_ctime; /* time of last change */
36742 @};
36743 @end smallexample
36744
36745 The integral datatypes conform to the definitions given in the
36746 appropriate section (see @ref{Integral Datatypes}, for details) so this
36747 structure is of size 64 bytes.
36748
36749 The values of several fields have a restricted meaning and/or
36750 range of values.
36751
36752 @table @code
36753
36754 @item st_dev
36755 A value of 0 represents a file, 1 the console.
36756
36757 @item st_ino
36758 No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
36759
36760 @item st_mode
36761 Valid mode bits are described in @ref{Constants}. Any other
36762 bits have currently no meaning for the target.
36763
36764 @item st_uid
36765 @itemx st_gid
36766 @itemx st_rdev
36767 No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
36768
36769 @item st_atime
36770 @itemx st_mtime
36771 @itemx st_ctime
36772 These values have a host and file system dependent
36773 accuracy. Especially on Windows hosts, the file system may not
36774 support exact timing values.
36775 @end table
36776
36777 The target gets a @code{struct stat} of the above representation and is
36778 responsible for coercing it to the target representation before
36779 continuing.
36780
36781 Note that due to size differences between the host, target, and protocol
36782 representations of @code{struct stat} members, these members could eventually
36783 get truncated on the target.
36784
36785 @node struct timeval
36786 @unnumberedsubsubsec struct timeval
36787 @cindex struct timeval, in file-i/o protocol
36788
36789 The buffer of type @code{struct timeval} used by the File-I/O protocol
36790 is defined as follows:
36791
36792 @smallexample
36793 struct timeval @{
36794 time_t tv_sec; /* second */
36795 long tv_usec; /* microsecond */
36796 @};
36797 @end smallexample
36798
36799 The integral datatypes conform to the definitions given in the
36800 appropriate section (see @ref{Integral Datatypes}, for details) so this
36801 structure is of size 8 bytes.
36802
36803 @node Constants
36804 @subsection Constants
36805 @cindex constants, in file-i/o protocol
36806
36807 The following values are used for the constants inside of the
36808 protocol. @value{GDBN} and target are responsible for translating these
36809 values before and after the call as needed.
36810
36811 @menu
36812 * Open Flags::
36813 * mode_t Values::
36814 * Errno Values::
36815 * Lseek Flags::
36816 * Limits::
36817 @end menu
36818
36819 @node Open Flags
36820 @unnumberedsubsubsec Open Flags
36821 @cindex open flags, in file-i/o protocol
36822
36823 All values are given in hexadecimal representation.
36824
36825 @smallexample
36826 O_RDONLY 0x0
36827 O_WRONLY 0x1
36828 O_RDWR 0x2
36829 O_APPEND 0x8
36830 O_CREAT 0x200
36831 O_TRUNC 0x400
36832 O_EXCL 0x800
36833 @end smallexample
36834
36835 @node mode_t Values
36836 @unnumberedsubsubsec mode_t Values
36837 @cindex mode_t values, in file-i/o protocol
36838
36839 All values are given in octal representation.
36840
36841 @smallexample
36842 S_IFREG 0100000
36843 S_IFDIR 040000
36844 S_IRUSR 0400
36845 S_IWUSR 0200
36846 S_IXUSR 0100
36847 S_IRGRP 040
36848 S_IWGRP 020
36849 S_IXGRP 010
36850 S_IROTH 04
36851 S_IWOTH 02
36852 S_IXOTH 01
36853 @end smallexample
36854
36855 @node Errno Values
36856 @unnumberedsubsubsec Errno Values
36857 @cindex errno values, in file-i/o protocol
36858
36859 All values are given in decimal representation.
36860
36861 @smallexample
36862 EPERM 1
36863 ENOENT 2
36864 EINTR 4
36865 EBADF 9
36866 EACCES 13
36867 EFAULT 14
36868 EBUSY 16
36869 EEXIST 17
36870 ENODEV 19
36871 ENOTDIR 20
36872 EISDIR 21
36873 EINVAL 22
36874 ENFILE 23
36875 EMFILE 24
36876 EFBIG 27
36877 ENOSPC 28
36878 ESPIPE 29
36879 EROFS 30
36880 ENAMETOOLONG 91
36881 EUNKNOWN 9999
36882 @end smallexample
36883
36884 @code{EUNKNOWN} is used as a fallback error value if a host system returns
36885 any error value not in the list of supported error numbers.
36886
36887 @node Lseek Flags
36888 @unnumberedsubsubsec Lseek Flags
36889 @cindex lseek flags, in file-i/o protocol
36890
36891 @smallexample
36892 SEEK_SET 0
36893 SEEK_CUR 1
36894 SEEK_END 2
36895 @end smallexample
36896
36897 @node Limits
36898 @unnumberedsubsubsec Limits
36899 @cindex limits, in file-i/o protocol
36900
36901 All values are given in decimal representation.
36902
36903 @smallexample
36904 INT_MIN -2147483648
36905 INT_MAX 2147483647
36906 UINT_MAX 4294967295
36907 LONG_MIN -9223372036854775808
36908 LONG_MAX 9223372036854775807
36909 ULONG_MAX 18446744073709551615
36910 @end smallexample
36911
36912 @node File-I/O Examples
36913 @subsection File-I/O Examples
36914 @cindex file-i/o examples
36915
36916 Example sequence of a write call, file descriptor 3, buffer is at target
36917 address 0x1234, 6 bytes should be written:
36918
36919 @smallexample
36920 <- @code{Fwrite,3,1234,6}
36921 @emph{request memory read from target}
36922 -> @code{m1234,6}
36923 <- XXXXXX
36924 @emph{return "6 bytes written"}
36925 -> @code{F6}
36926 @end smallexample
36927
36928 Example sequence of a read call, file descriptor 3, buffer is at target
36929 address 0x1234, 6 bytes should be read:
36930
36931 @smallexample
36932 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
36933 @emph{request memory write to target}
36934 -> @code{X1234,6:XXXXXX}
36935 @emph{return "6 bytes read"}
36936 -> @code{F6}
36937 @end smallexample
36938
36939 Example sequence of a read call, call fails on the host due to invalid
36940 file descriptor (@code{EBADF}):
36941
36942 @smallexample
36943 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
36944 -> @code{F-1,9}
36945 @end smallexample
36946
36947 Example sequence of a read call, user presses @kbd{Ctrl-c} before syscall on
36948 host is called:
36949
36950 @smallexample
36951 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
36952 -> @code{F-1,4,C}
36953 <- @code{T02}
36954 @end smallexample
36955
36956 Example sequence of a read call, user presses @kbd{Ctrl-c} after syscall on
36957 host is called:
36958
36959 @smallexample
36960 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
36961 -> @code{X1234,6:XXXXXX}
36962 <- @code{T02}
36963 @end smallexample
36964
36965 @node Library List Format
36966 @section Library List Format
36967 @cindex library list format, remote protocol
36968
36969 On some platforms, a dynamic loader (e.g.@: @file{ld.so}) runs in the
36970 same process as your application to manage libraries. In this case,
36971 @value{GDBN} can use the loader's symbol table and normal memory
36972 operations to maintain a list of shared libraries. On other
36973 platforms, the operating system manages loaded libraries.
36974 @value{GDBN} can not retrieve the list of currently loaded libraries
36975 through memory operations, so it uses the @samp{qXfer:libraries:read}
36976 packet (@pxref{qXfer library list read}) instead. The remote stub
36977 queries the target's operating system and reports which libraries
36978 are loaded.
36979
36980 The @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} packet returns an XML document which
36981 lists loaded libraries and their offsets. Each library has an
36982 associated name and one or more segment or section base addresses,
36983 which report where the library was loaded in memory.
36984
36985 For the common case of libraries that are fully linked binaries, the
36986 library should have a list of segments. If the target supports
36987 dynamic linking of a relocatable object file, its library XML element
36988 should instead include a list of allocated sections. The segment or
36989 section bases are start addresses, not relocation offsets; they do not
36990 depend on the library's link-time base addresses.
36991
36992 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
36993 library lists. @xref{Expat}.
36994
36995 A simple memory map, with one loaded library relocated by a single
36996 offset, looks like this:
36997
36998 @smallexample
36999 <library-list>
37000 <library name="/lib/libc.so.6">
37001 <segment address="0x10000000"/>
37002 </library>
37003 </library-list>
37004 @end smallexample
37005
37006 Another simple memory map, with one loaded library with three
37007 allocated sections (.text, .data, .bss), looks like this:
37008
37009 @smallexample
37010 <library-list>
37011 <library name="sharedlib.o">
37012 <section address="0x10000000"/>
37013 <section address="0x20000000"/>
37014 <section address="0x30000000"/>
37015 </library>
37016 </library-list>
37017 @end smallexample
37018
37019 The format of a library list is described by this DTD:
37020
37021 @smallexample
37022 <!-- library-list: Root element with versioning -->
37023 <!ELEMENT library-list (library)*>
37024 <!ATTLIST library-list version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
37025 <!ELEMENT library (segment*, section*)>
37026 <!ATTLIST library name CDATA #REQUIRED>
37027 <!ELEMENT segment EMPTY>
37028 <!ATTLIST segment address CDATA #REQUIRED>
37029 <!ELEMENT section EMPTY>
37030 <!ATTLIST section address CDATA #REQUIRED>
37031 @end smallexample
37032
37033 In addition, segments and section descriptors cannot be mixed within a
37034 single library element, and you must supply at least one segment or
37035 section for each library.
37036
37037 @node Memory Map Format
37038 @section Memory Map Format
37039 @cindex memory map format
37040
37041 To be able to write into flash memory, @value{GDBN} needs to obtain a
37042 memory map from the target. This section describes the format of the
37043 memory map.
37044
37045 The memory map is obtained using the @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read}
37046 (@pxref{qXfer memory map read}) packet and is an XML document that
37047 lists memory regions.
37048
37049 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
37050 memory maps. @xref{Expat}.
37051
37052 The top-level structure of the document is shown below:
37053
37054 @smallexample
37055 <?xml version="1.0"?>
37056 <!DOCTYPE memory-map
37057 PUBLIC "+//IDN gnu.org//DTD GDB Memory Map V1.0//EN"
37058 "http://sourceware.org/gdb/gdb-memory-map.dtd">
37059 <memory-map>
37060 region...
37061 </memory-map>
37062 @end smallexample
37063
37064 Each region can be either:
37065
37066 @itemize
37067
37068 @item
37069 A region of RAM starting at @var{addr} and extending for @var{length}
37070 bytes from there:
37071
37072 @smallexample
37073 <memory type="ram" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
37074 @end smallexample
37075
37076
37077 @item
37078 A region of read-only memory:
37079
37080 @smallexample
37081 <memory type="rom" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
37082 @end smallexample
37083
37084
37085 @item
37086 A region of flash memory, with erasure blocks @var{blocksize}
37087 bytes in length:
37088
37089 @smallexample
37090 <memory type="flash" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}">
37091 <property name="blocksize">@var{blocksize}</property>
37092 </memory>
37093 @end smallexample
37094
37095 @end itemize
37096
37097 Regions must not overlap. @value{GDBN} assumes that areas of memory not covered
37098 by the memory map are RAM, and uses the ordinary @samp{M} and @samp{X}
37099 packets to write to addresses in such ranges.
37100
37101 The formal DTD for memory map format is given below:
37102
37103 @smallexample
37104 <!-- ................................................... -->
37105 <!-- Memory Map XML DTD ................................ -->
37106 <!-- File: memory-map.dtd .............................. -->
37107 <!-- .................................... .............. -->
37108 <!-- memory-map.dtd -->
37109 <!-- memory-map: Root element with versioning -->
37110 <!ELEMENT memory-map (memory | property)>
37111 <!ATTLIST memory-map version CDATA #FIXED "1.0.0">
37112 <!ELEMENT memory (property)>
37113 <!-- memory: Specifies a memory region,
37114 and its type, or device. -->
37115 <!ATTLIST memory type CDATA #REQUIRED
37116 start CDATA #REQUIRED
37117 length CDATA #REQUIRED
37118 device CDATA #IMPLIED>
37119 <!-- property: Generic attribute tag -->
37120 <!ELEMENT property (#PCDATA | property)*>
37121 <!ATTLIST property name CDATA #REQUIRED>
37122 @end smallexample
37123
37124 @node Thread List Format
37125 @section Thread List Format
37126 @cindex thread list format
37127
37128 To efficiently update the list of threads and their attributes,
37129 @value{GDBN} issues the @samp{qXfer:threads:read} packet
37130 (@pxref{qXfer threads read}) and obtains the XML document with
37131 the following structure:
37132
37133 @smallexample
37134 <?xml version="1.0"?>
37135 <threads>
37136 <thread id="id" core="0">
37137 ... description ...
37138 </thread>
37139 </threads>
37140 @end smallexample
37141
37142 Each @samp{thread} element must have the @samp{id} attribute that
37143 identifies the thread (@pxref{thread-id syntax}). The
37144 @samp{core} attribute, if present, specifies which processor core
37145 the thread was last executing on. The content of the of @samp{thread}
37146 element is interpreted as human-readable auxilliary information.
37147
37148 @node Traceframe Info Format
37149 @section Traceframe Info Format
37150 @cindex traceframe info format
37151
37152 To be able to know which objects in the inferior can be examined when
37153 inspecting a tracepoint hit, @value{GDBN} needs to obtain the list of
37154 memory ranges, registers and trace state variables that have been
37155 collected in a traceframe.
37156
37157 This list is obtained using the @samp{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
37158 (@pxref{qXfer traceframe info read}) packet and is an XML document.
37159
37160 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
37161 traceframe info discovery. @xref{Expat}.
37162
37163 The top-level structure of the document is shown below:
37164
37165 @smallexample
37166 <?xml version="1.0"?>
37167 <!DOCTYPE traceframe-info
37168 PUBLIC "+//IDN gnu.org//DTD GDB Memory Map V1.0//EN"
37169 "http://sourceware.org/gdb/gdb-traceframe-info.dtd">
37170 <traceframe-info>
37171 block...
37172 </traceframe-info>
37173 @end smallexample
37174
37175 Each traceframe block can be either:
37176
37177 @itemize
37178
37179 @item
37180 A region of collected memory starting at @var{addr} and extending for
37181 @var{length} bytes from there:
37182
37183 @smallexample
37184 <memory start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
37185 @end smallexample
37186
37187 @end itemize
37188
37189 The formal DTD for the traceframe info format is given below:
37190
37191 @smallexample
37192 <!ELEMENT traceframe-info (memory)* >
37193 <!ATTLIST traceframe-info version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
37194
37195 <!ELEMENT memory EMPTY>
37196 <!ATTLIST memory start CDATA #REQUIRED
37197 length CDATA #REQUIRED>
37198 @end smallexample
37199
37200 @include agentexpr.texi
37201
37202 @node Target Descriptions
37203 @appendix Target Descriptions
37204 @cindex target descriptions
37205
37206 One of the challenges of using @value{GDBN} to debug embedded systems
37207 is that there are so many minor variants of each processor
37208 architecture in use. It is common practice for vendors to start with
37209 a standard processor core --- ARM, PowerPC, or MIPS, for example ---
37210 and then make changes to adapt it to a particular market niche. Some
37211 architectures have hundreds of variants, available from dozens of
37212 vendors. This leads to a number of problems:
37213
37214 @itemize @bullet
37215 @item
37216 With so many different customized processors, it is difficult for
37217 the @value{GDBN} maintainers to keep up with the changes.
37218 @item
37219 Since individual variants may have short lifetimes or limited
37220 audiences, it may not be worthwhile to carry information about every
37221 variant in the @value{GDBN} source tree.
37222 @item
37223 When @value{GDBN} does support the architecture of the embedded system
37224 at hand, the task of finding the correct architecture name to give the
37225 @command{set architecture} command can be error-prone.
37226 @end itemize
37227
37228 To address these problems, the @value{GDBN} remote protocol allows a
37229 target system to not only identify itself to @value{GDBN}, but to
37230 actually describe its own features. This lets @value{GDBN} support
37231 processor variants it has never seen before --- to the extent that the
37232 descriptions are accurate, and that @value{GDBN} understands them.
37233
37234 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
37235 target descriptions. @xref{Expat}.
37236
37237 @menu
37238 * Retrieving Descriptions:: How descriptions are fetched from a target.
37239 * Target Description Format:: The contents of a target description.
37240 * Predefined Target Types:: Standard types available for target
37241 descriptions.
37242 * Standard Target Features:: Features @value{GDBN} knows about.
37243 @end menu
37244
37245 @node Retrieving Descriptions
37246 @section Retrieving Descriptions
37247
37248 Target descriptions can be read from the target automatically, or
37249 specified by the user manually. The default behavior is to read the
37250 description from the target. @value{GDBN} retrieves it via the remote
37251 protocol using @samp{qXfer} requests (@pxref{General Query Packets,
37252 qXfer}). The @var{annex} in the @samp{qXfer} packet will be
37253 @samp{target.xml}. The contents of the @samp{target.xml} annex are an
37254 XML document, of the form described in @ref{Target Description
37255 Format}.
37256
37257 Alternatively, you can specify a file to read for the target description.
37258 If a file is set, the target will not be queried. The commands to
37259 specify a file are:
37260
37261 @table @code
37262 @cindex set tdesc filename
37263 @item set tdesc filename @var{path}
37264 Read the target description from @var{path}.
37265
37266 @cindex unset tdesc filename
37267 @item unset tdesc filename
37268 Do not read the XML target description from a file. @value{GDBN}
37269 will use the description supplied by the current target.
37270
37271 @cindex show tdesc filename
37272 @item show tdesc filename
37273 Show the filename to read for a target description, if any.
37274 @end table
37275
37276
37277 @node Target Description Format
37278 @section Target Description Format
37279 @cindex target descriptions, XML format
37280
37281 A target description annex is an @uref{http://www.w3.org/XML/, XML}
37282 document which complies with the Document Type Definition provided in
37283 the @value{GDBN} sources in @file{gdb/features/gdb-target.dtd}. This
37284 means you can use generally available tools like @command{xmllint} to
37285 check that your feature descriptions are well-formed and valid.
37286 However, to help people unfamiliar with XML write descriptions for
37287 their targets, we also describe the grammar here.
37288
37289 Target descriptions can identify the architecture of the remote target
37290 and (for some architectures) provide information about custom register
37291 sets. They can also identify the OS ABI of the remote target.
37292 @value{GDBN} can use this information to autoconfigure for your
37293 target, or to warn you if you connect to an unsupported target.
37294
37295 Here is a simple target description:
37296
37297 @smallexample
37298 <target version="1.0">
37299 <architecture>i386:x86-64</architecture>
37300 </target>
37301 @end smallexample
37302
37303 @noindent
37304 This minimal description only says that the target uses
37305 the x86-64 architecture.
37306
37307 A target description has the following overall form, with [ ] marking
37308 optional elements and @dots{} marking repeatable elements. The elements
37309 are explained further below.
37310
37311 @smallexample
37312 <?xml version="1.0"?>
37313 <!DOCTYPE target SYSTEM "gdb-target.dtd">
37314 <target version="1.0">
37315 @r{[}@var{architecture}@r{]}
37316 @r{[}@var{osabi}@r{]}
37317 @r{[}@var{compatible}@r{]}
37318 @r{[}@var{feature}@dots{}@r{]}
37319 </target>
37320 @end smallexample
37321
37322 @noindent
37323 The description is generally insensitive to whitespace and line
37324 breaks, under the usual common-sense rules. The XML version
37325 declaration and document type declaration can generally be omitted
37326 (@value{GDBN} does not require them), but specifying them may be
37327 useful for XML validation tools. The @samp{version} attribute for
37328 @samp{<target>} may also be omitted, but we recommend
37329 including it; if future versions of @value{GDBN} use an incompatible
37330 revision of @file{gdb-target.dtd}, they will detect and report
37331 the version mismatch.
37332
37333 @subsection Inclusion
37334 @cindex target descriptions, inclusion
37335 @cindex XInclude
37336 @ifnotinfo
37337 @cindex <xi:include>
37338 @end ifnotinfo
37339
37340 It can sometimes be valuable to split a target description up into
37341 several different annexes, either for organizational purposes, or to
37342 share files between different possible target descriptions. You can
37343 divide a description into multiple files by replacing any element of
37344 the target description with an inclusion directive of the form:
37345
37346 @smallexample
37347 <xi:include href="@var{document}"/>
37348 @end smallexample
37349
37350 @noindent
37351 When @value{GDBN} encounters an element of this form, it will retrieve
37352 the named XML @var{document}, and replace the inclusion directive with
37353 the contents of that document. If the current description was read
37354 using @samp{qXfer}, then so will be the included document;
37355 @var{document} will be interpreted as the name of an annex. If the
37356 current description was read from a file, @value{GDBN} will look for
37357 @var{document} as a file in the same directory where it found the
37358 original description.
37359
37360 @subsection Architecture
37361 @cindex <architecture>
37362
37363 An @samp{<architecture>} element has this form:
37364
37365 @smallexample
37366 <architecture>@var{arch}</architecture>
37367 @end smallexample
37368
37369 @var{arch} is one of the architectures from the set accepted by
37370 @code{set architecture} (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
37371
37372 @subsection OS ABI
37373 @cindex @code{<osabi>}
37374
37375 This optional field was introduced in @value{GDBN} version 7.0.
37376 Previous versions of @value{GDBN} ignore it.
37377
37378 An @samp{<osabi>} element has this form:
37379
37380 @smallexample
37381 <osabi>@var{abi-name}</osabi>
37382 @end smallexample
37383
37384 @var{abi-name} is an OS ABI name from the same selection accepted by
37385 @w{@code{set osabi}} (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the Current ABI}).
37386
37387 @subsection Compatible Architecture
37388 @cindex @code{<compatible>}
37389
37390 This optional field was introduced in @value{GDBN} version 7.0.
37391 Previous versions of @value{GDBN} ignore it.
37392
37393 A @samp{<compatible>} element has this form:
37394
37395 @smallexample
37396 <compatible>@var{arch}</compatible>
37397 @end smallexample
37398
37399 @var{arch} is one of the architectures from the set accepted by
37400 @code{set architecture} (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
37401
37402 A @samp{<compatible>} element is used to specify that the target
37403 is able to run binaries in some other than the main target architecture
37404 given by the @samp{<architecture>} element. For example, on the
37405 Cell Broadband Engine, the main architecture is @code{powerpc:common}
37406 or @code{powerpc:common64}, but the system is able to run binaries
37407 in the @code{spu} architecture as well. The way to describe this
37408 capability with @samp{<compatible>} is as follows:
37409
37410 @smallexample
37411 <architecture>powerpc:common</architecture>
37412 <compatible>spu</compatible>
37413 @end smallexample
37414
37415 @subsection Features
37416 @cindex <feature>
37417
37418 Each @samp{<feature>} describes some logical portion of the target
37419 system. Features are currently used to describe available CPU
37420 registers and the types of their contents. A @samp{<feature>} element
37421 has this form:
37422
37423 @smallexample
37424 <feature name="@var{name}">
37425 @r{[}@var{type}@dots{}@r{]}
37426 @var{reg}@dots{}
37427 </feature>
37428 @end smallexample
37429
37430 @noindent
37431 Each feature's name should be unique within the description. The name
37432 of a feature does not matter unless @value{GDBN} has some special
37433 knowledge of the contents of that feature; if it does, the feature
37434 should have its standard name. @xref{Standard Target Features}.
37435
37436 @subsection Types
37437
37438 Any register's value is a collection of bits which @value{GDBN} must
37439 interpret. The default interpretation is a two's complement integer,
37440 but other types can be requested by name in the register description.
37441 Some predefined types are provided by @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Predefined
37442 Target Types}), and the description can define additional composite types.
37443
37444 Each type element must have an @samp{id} attribute, which gives
37445 a unique (within the containing @samp{<feature>}) name to the type.
37446 Types must be defined before they are used.
37447
37448 @cindex <vector>
37449 Some targets offer vector registers, which can be treated as arrays
37450 of scalar elements. These types are written as @samp{<vector>} elements,
37451 specifying the array element type, @var{type}, and the number of elements,
37452 @var{count}:
37453
37454 @smallexample
37455 <vector id="@var{id}" type="@var{type}" count="@var{count}"/>
37456 @end smallexample
37457
37458 @cindex <union>
37459 If a register's value is usefully viewed in multiple ways, define it
37460 with a union type containing the useful representations. The
37461 @samp{<union>} element contains one or more @samp{<field>} elements,
37462 each of which has a @var{name} and a @var{type}:
37463
37464 @smallexample
37465 <union id="@var{id}">
37466 <field name="@var{name}" type="@var{type}"/>
37467 @dots{}
37468 </union>
37469 @end smallexample
37470
37471 @cindex <struct>
37472 If a register's value is composed from several separate values, define
37473 it with a structure type. There are two forms of the @samp{<struct>}
37474 element; a @samp{<struct>} element must either contain only bitfields
37475 or contain no bitfields. If the structure contains only bitfields,
37476 its total size in bytes must be specified, each bitfield must have an
37477 explicit start and end, and bitfields are automatically assigned an
37478 integer type. The field's @var{start} should be less than or
37479 equal to its @var{end}, and zero represents the least significant bit.
37480
37481 @smallexample
37482 <struct id="@var{id}" size="@var{size}">
37483 <field name="@var{name}" start="@var{start}" end="@var{end}"/>
37484 @dots{}
37485 </struct>
37486 @end smallexample
37487
37488 If the structure contains no bitfields, then each field has an
37489 explicit type, and no implicit padding is added.
37490
37491 @smallexample
37492 <struct id="@var{id}">
37493 <field name="@var{name}" type="@var{type}"/>
37494 @dots{}
37495 </struct>
37496 @end smallexample
37497
37498 @cindex <flags>
37499 If a register's value is a series of single-bit flags, define it with
37500 a flags type. The @samp{<flags>} element has an explicit @var{size}
37501 and contains one or more @samp{<field>} elements. Each field has a
37502 @var{name}, a @var{start}, and an @var{end}. Only single-bit flags
37503 are supported.
37504
37505 @smallexample
37506 <flags id="@var{id}" size="@var{size}">
37507 <field name="@var{name}" start="@var{start}" end="@var{end}"/>
37508 @dots{}
37509 </flags>
37510 @end smallexample
37511
37512 @subsection Registers
37513 @cindex <reg>
37514
37515 Each register is represented as an element with this form:
37516
37517 @smallexample
37518 <reg name="@var{name}"
37519 bitsize="@var{size}"
37520 @r{[}regnum="@var{num}"@r{]}
37521 @r{[}save-restore="@var{save-restore}"@r{]}
37522 @r{[}type="@var{type}"@r{]}
37523 @r{[}group="@var{group}"@r{]}/>
37524 @end smallexample
37525
37526 @noindent
37527 The components are as follows:
37528
37529 @table @var
37530
37531 @item name
37532 The register's name; it must be unique within the target description.
37533
37534 @item bitsize
37535 The register's size, in bits.
37536
37537 @item regnum
37538 The register's number. If omitted, a register's number is one greater
37539 than that of the previous register (either in the current feature or in
37540 a preceding feature); the first register in the target description
37541 defaults to zero. This register number is used to read or write
37542 the register; e.g.@: it is used in the remote @code{p} and @code{P}
37543 packets, and registers appear in the @code{g} and @code{G} packets
37544 in order of increasing register number.
37545
37546 @item save-restore
37547 Whether the register should be preserved across inferior function
37548 calls; this must be either @code{yes} or @code{no}. The default is
37549 @code{yes}, which is appropriate for most registers except for
37550 some system control registers; this is not related to the target's
37551 ABI.
37552
37553 @item type
37554 The type of the register. @var{type} may be a predefined type, a type
37555 defined in the current feature, or one of the special types @code{int}
37556 and @code{float}. @code{int} is an integer type of the correct size
37557 for @var{bitsize}, and @code{float} is a floating point type (in the
37558 architecture's normal floating point format) of the correct size for
37559 @var{bitsize}. The default is @code{int}.
37560
37561 @item group
37562 The register group to which this register belongs. @var{group} must
37563 be either @code{general}, @code{float}, or @code{vector}. If no
37564 @var{group} is specified, @value{GDBN} will not display the register
37565 in @code{info registers}.
37566
37567 @end table
37568
37569 @node Predefined Target Types
37570 @section Predefined Target Types
37571 @cindex target descriptions, predefined types
37572
37573 Type definitions in the self-description can build up composite types
37574 from basic building blocks, but can not define fundamental types. Instead,
37575 standard identifiers are provided by @value{GDBN} for the fundamental
37576 types. The currently supported types are:
37577
37578 @table @code
37579
37580 @item int8
37581 @itemx int16
37582 @itemx int32
37583 @itemx int64
37584 @itemx int128
37585 Signed integer types holding the specified number of bits.
37586
37587 @item uint8
37588 @itemx uint16
37589 @itemx uint32
37590 @itemx uint64
37591 @itemx uint128
37592 Unsigned integer types holding the specified number of bits.
37593
37594 @item code_ptr
37595 @itemx data_ptr
37596 Pointers to unspecified code and data. The program counter and
37597 any dedicated return address register may be marked as code
37598 pointers; printing a code pointer converts it into a symbolic
37599 address. The stack pointer and any dedicated address registers
37600 may be marked as data pointers.
37601
37602 @item ieee_single
37603 Single precision IEEE floating point.
37604
37605 @item ieee_double
37606 Double precision IEEE floating point.
37607
37608 @item arm_fpa_ext
37609 The 12-byte extended precision format used by ARM FPA registers.
37610
37611 @item i387_ext
37612 The 10-byte extended precision format used by x87 registers.
37613
37614 @item i386_eflags
37615 32bit @sc{eflags} register used by x86.
37616
37617 @item i386_mxcsr
37618 32bit @sc{mxcsr} register used by x86.
37619
37620 @end table
37621
37622 @node Standard Target Features
37623 @section Standard Target Features
37624 @cindex target descriptions, standard features
37625
37626 A target description must contain either no registers or all the
37627 target's registers. If the description contains no registers, then
37628 @value{GDBN} will assume a default register layout, selected based on
37629 the architecture. If the description contains any registers, the
37630 default layout will not be used; the standard registers must be
37631 described in the target description, in such a way that @value{GDBN}
37632 can recognize them.
37633
37634 This is accomplished by giving specific names to feature elements
37635 which contain standard registers. @value{GDBN} will look for features
37636 with those names and verify that they contain the expected registers;
37637 if any known feature is missing required registers, or if any required
37638 feature is missing, @value{GDBN} will reject the target
37639 description. You can add additional registers to any of the
37640 standard features --- @value{GDBN} will display them just as if
37641 they were added to an unrecognized feature.
37642
37643 This section lists the known features and their expected contents.
37644 Sample XML documents for these features are included in the
37645 @value{GDBN} source tree, in the directory @file{gdb/features}.
37646
37647 Names recognized by @value{GDBN} should include the name of the
37648 company or organization which selected the name, and the overall
37649 architecture to which the feature applies; so e.g.@: the feature
37650 containing ARM core registers is named @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core}.
37651
37652 The names of registers are not case sensitive for the purpose
37653 of recognizing standard features, but @value{GDBN} will only display
37654 registers using the capitalization used in the description.
37655
37656 @menu
37657 * ARM Features::
37658 * i386 Features::
37659 * MIPS Features::
37660 * M68K Features::
37661 * PowerPC Features::
37662 * TIC6x Features::
37663 @end menu
37664
37665
37666 @node ARM Features
37667 @subsection ARM Features
37668 @cindex target descriptions, ARM features
37669
37670 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core} feature is required for non-M-profile
37671 ARM targets.
37672 It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r13}, @samp{sp},
37673 @samp{lr}, @samp{pc}, and @samp{cpsr}.
37674
37675 For M-profile targets (e.g. Cortex-M3), the @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core}
37676 feature is replaced by @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.m-profile}. It should contain
37677 registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r13}, @samp{sp}, @samp{lr}, @samp{pc},
37678 and @samp{xpsr}.
37679
37680 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.fpa} feature is optional. If present, it
37681 should contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f7} and @samp{fps}.
37682
37683 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.xscale.iwmmxt} feature is optional. If present,
37684 it should contain at least registers @samp{wR0} through @samp{wR15} and
37685 @samp{wCGR0} through @samp{wCGR3}. The @samp{wCID}, @samp{wCon},
37686 @samp{wCSSF}, and @samp{wCASF} registers are optional.
37687
37688 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.vfp} feature is optional. If present, it
37689 should contain at least registers @samp{d0} through @samp{d15}. If
37690 they are present, @samp{d16} through @samp{d31} should also be included.
37691 @value{GDBN} will synthesize the single-precision registers from
37692 halves of the double-precision registers.
37693
37694 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.neon} feature is optional. It does not
37695 need to contain registers; it instructs @value{GDBN} to display the
37696 VFP double-precision registers as vectors and to synthesize the
37697 quad-precision registers from pairs of double-precision registers.
37698 If this feature is present, @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.vfp} must also
37699 be present and include 32 double-precision registers.
37700
37701 @node i386 Features
37702 @subsection i386 Features
37703 @cindex target descriptions, i386 features
37704
37705 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.core} feature is required for i386/amd64
37706 targets. It should describe the following registers:
37707
37708 @itemize @minus
37709 @item
37710 @samp{eax} through @samp{edi} plus @samp{eip} for i386
37711 @item
37712 @samp{rax} through @samp{r15} plus @samp{rip} for amd64
37713 @item
37714 @samp{eflags}, @samp{cs}, @samp{ss}, @samp{ds}, @samp{es},
37715 @samp{fs}, @samp{gs}
37716 @item
37717 @samp{st0} through @samp{st7}
37718 @item
37719 @samp{fctrl}, @samp{fstat}, @samp{ftag}, @samp{fiseg}, @samp{fioff},
37720 @samp{foseg}, @samp{fooff} and @samp{fop}
37721 @end itemize
37722
37723 The register sets may be different, depending on the target.
37724
37725 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.sse} feature is optional. It should
37726 describe registers:
37727
37728 @itemize @minus
37729 @item
37730 @samp{xmm0} through @samp{xmm7} for i386
37731 @item
37732 @samp{xmm0} through @samp{xmm15} for amd64
37733 @item
37734 @samp{mxcsr}
37735 @end itemize
37736
37737 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.avx} feature is optional and requires the
37738 @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.sse} feature. It should
37739 describe the upper 128 bits of @sc{ymm} registers:
37740
37741 @itemize @minus
37742 @item
37743 @samp{ymm0h} through @samp{ymm7h} for i386
37744 @item
37745 @samp{ymm0h} through @samp{ymm15h} for amd64
37746 @end itemize
37747
37748 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.linux} feature is optional. It should
37749 describe a single register, @samp{orig_eax}.
37750
37751 @node MIPS Features
37752 @subsection MIPS Features
37753 @cindex target descriptions, MIPS features
37754
37755 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.cpu} feature is required for MIPS targets.
37756 It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r31}, @samp{lo},
37757 @samp{hi}, and @samp{pc}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending
37758 on the target.
37759
37760 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.cp0} feature is also required. It should
37761 contain at least the @samp{status}, @samp{badvaddr}, and @samp{cause}
37762 registers. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
37763
37764 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.fpu} feature is currently required, though
37765 it may be optional in a future version of @value{GDBN}. It should
37766 contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f31}, @samp{fcsr}, and
37767 @samp{fir}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
37768
37769 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.linux} feature is optional. It should
37770 contain a single register, @samp{restart}, which is used by the
37771 Linux kernel to control restartable syscalls.
37772
37773 @node M68K Features
37774 @subsection M68K Features
37775 @cindex target descriptions, M68K features
37776
37777 @table @code
37778 @item @samp{org.gnu.gdb.m68k.core}
37779 @itemx @samp{org.gnu.gdb.coldfire.core}
37780 @itemx @samp{org.gnu.gdb.fido.core}
37781 One of those features must be always present.
37782 The feature that is present determines which flavor of m68k is
37783 used. The feature that is present should contain registers
37784 @samp{d0} through @samp{d7}, @samp{a0} through @samp{a5}, @samp{fp},
37785 @samp{sp}, @samp{ps} and @samp{pc}.
37786
37787 @item @samp{org.gnu.gdb.coldfire.fp}
37788 This feature is optional. If present, it should contain registers
37789 @samp{fp0} through @samp{fp7}, @samp{fpcontrol}, @samp{fpstatus} and
37790 @samp{fpiaddr}.
37791 @end table
37792
37793 @node PowerPC Features
37794 @subsection PowerPC Features
37795 @cindex target descriptions, PowerPC features
37796
37797 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.core} feature is required for PowerPC
37798 targets. It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r31},
37799 @samp{pc}, @samp{msr}, @samp{cr}, @samp{lr}, @samp{ctr}, and
37800 @samp{xer}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
37801
37802 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.fpu} feature is optional. It should
37803 contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f31} and @samp{fpscr}.
37804
37805 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.altivec} feature is optional. It should
37806 contain registers @samp{vr0} through @samp{vr31}, @samp{vscr},
37807 and @samp{vrsave}.
37808
37809 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.vsx} feature is optional. It should
37810 contain registers @samp{vs0h} through @samp{vs31h}. @value{GDBN}
37811 will combine these registers with the floating point registers
37812 (@samp{f0} through @samp{f31}) and the altivec registers (@samp{vr0}
37813 through @samp{vr31}) to present the 128-bit wide registers @samp{vs0}
37814 through @samp{vs63}, the set of vector registers for POWER7.
37815
37816 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.spe} feature is optional. It should
37817 contain registers @samp{ev0h} through @samp{ev31h}, @samp{acc}, and
37818 @samp{spefscr}. SPE targets should provide 32-bit registers in
37819 @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.core} and provide the upper halves in
37820 @samp{ev0h} through @samp{ev31h}. @value{GDBN} will combine
37821 these to present registers @samp{ev0} through @samp{ev31} to the
37822 user.
37823
37824 @node TIC6x Features
37825 @subsection TMS320C6x Features
37826 @cindex target descriptions, TIC6x features
37827 @cindex target descriptions, TMS320C6x features
37828 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.tic6x.core} feature is required for TMS320C6x
37829 targets. It should contain registers @samp{A0} through @samp{A15},
37830 registers @samp{B0} through @samp{B15}, @samp{CSR} and @samp{PC}.
37831
37832 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.tic6x.gp} feature is optional. It should
37833 contain registers @samp{A16} through @samp{A31} and @samp{B16}
37834 through @samp{B31}.
37835
37836 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.tic6x.c6xp} feature is optional. It should
37837 contain registers @samp{TSR}, @samp{ILC} and @samp{RILC}.
37838
37839 @node Operating System Information
37840 @appendix Operating System Information
37841 @cindex operating system information
37842
37843 @menu
37844 * Process list::
37845 @end menu
37846
37847 Users of @value{GDBN} often wish to obtain information about the state of
37848 the operating system running on the target---for example the list of
37849 processes, or the list of open files. This section describes the
37850 mechanism that makes it possible. This mechanism is similar to the
37851 target features mechanism (@pxref{Target Descriptions}), but focuses
37852 on a different aspect of target.
37853
37854 Operating system information is retrived from the target via the
37855 remote protocol, using @samp{qXfer} requests (@pxref{qXfer osdata
37856 read}). The object name in the request should be @samp{osdata}, and
37857 the @var{annex} identifies the data to be fetched.
37858
37859 @node Process list
37860 @appendixsection Process list
37861 @cindex operating system information, process list
37862
37863 When requesting the process list, the @var{annex} field in the
37864 @samp{qXfer} request should be @samp{processes}. The returned data is
37865 an XML document. The formal syntax of this document is defined in
37866 @file{gdb/features/osdata.dtd}.
37867
37868 An example document is:
37869
37870 @smallexample
37871 <?xml version="1.0"?>
37872 <!DOCTYPE target SYSTEM "osdata.dtd">
37873 <osdata type="processes">
37874 <item>
37875 <column name="pid">1</column>
37876 <column name="user">root</column>
37877 <column name="command">/sbin/init</column>
37878 <column name="cores">1,2,3</column>
37879 </item>
37880 </osdata>
37881 @end smallexample
37882
37883 Each item should include a column whose name is @samp{pid}. The value
37884 of that column should identify the process on the target. The
37885 @samp{user} and @samp{command} columns are optional, and will be
37886 displayed by @value{GDBN}. The @samp{cores} column, if present,
37887 should contain a comma-separated list of cores that this process
37888 is running on. Target may provide additional columns,
37889 which @value{GDBN} currently ignores.
37890
37891 @node Trace File Format
37892 @appendix Trace File Format
37893 @cindex trace file format
37894
37895 The trace file comes in three parts: a header, a textual description
37896 section, and a trace frame section with binary data.
37897
37898 The header has the form @code{\x7fTRACE0\n}. The first byte is
37899 @code{0x7f} so as to indicate that the file contains binary data,
37900 while the @code{0} is a version number that may have different values
37901 in the future.
37902
37903 The description section consists of multiple lines of @sc{ascii} text
37904 separated by newline characters (@code{0xa}). The lines may include a
37905 variety of optional descriptive or context-setting information, such
37906 as tracepoint definitions or register set size. @value{GDBN} will
37907 ignore any line that it does not recognize. An empty line marks the end
37908 of this section.
37909
37910 @c FIXME add some specific types of data
37911
37912 The trace frame section consists of a number of consecutive frames.
37913 Each frame begins with a two-byte tracepoint number, followed by a
37914 four-byte size giving the amount of data in the frame. The data in
37915 the frame consists of a number of blocks, each introduced by a
37916 character indicating its type (at least register, memory, and trace
37917 state variable). The data in this section is raw binary, not a
37918 hexadecimal or other encoding; its endianness matches the target's
37919 endianness.
37920
37921 @c FIXME bi-arch may require endianness/arch info in description section
37922
37923 @table @code
37924 @item R @var{bytes}
37925 Register block. The number and ordering of bytes matches that of a
37926 @code{g} packet in the remote protocol. Note that these are the
37927 actual bytes, in target order and @value{GDBN} register order, not a
37928 hexadecimal encoding.
37929
37930 @item M @var{address} @var{length} @var{bytes}...
37931 Memory block. This is a contiguous block of memory, at the 8-byte
37932 address @var{address}, with a 2-byte length @var{length}, followed by
37933 @var{length} bytes.
37934
37935 @item V @var{number} @var{value}
37936 Trace state variable block. This records the 8-byte signed value
37937 @var{value} of trace state variable numbered @var{number}.
37938
37939 @end table
37940
37941 Future enhancements of the trace file format may include additional types
37942 of blocks.
37943
37944 @node Index Section Format
37945 @appendix @code{.gdb_index} section format
37946 @cindex .gdb_index section format
37947 @cindex index section format
37948
37949 This section documents the index section that is created by @code{save
37950 gdb-index} (@pxref{Index Files}). The index section is
37951 DWARF-specific; some knowledge of DWARF is assumed in this
37952 description.
37953
37954 The mapped index file format is designed to be directly
37955 @code{mmap}able on any architecture. In most cases, a datum is
37956 represented using a little-endian 32-bit integer value, called an
37957 @code{offset_type}. Big endian machines must byte-swap the values
37958 before using them. Exceptions to this rule are noted. The data is
37959 laid out such that alignment is always respected.
37960
37961 A mapped index consists of several areas, laid out in order.
37962
37963 @enumerate
37964 @item
37965 The file header. This is a sequence of values, of @code{offset_type}
37966 unless otherwise noted:
37967
37968 @enumerate
37969 @item
37970 The version number, currently 5. Versions 1, 2 and 3 are obsolete.
37971 Version 4 differs by its hashing function.
37972
37973 @item
37974 The offset, from the start of the file, of the CU list.
37975
37976 @item
37977 The offset, from the start of the file, of the types CU list. Note
37978 that this area can be empty, in which case this offset will be equal
37979 to the next offset.
37980
37981 @item
37982 The offset, from the start of the file, of the address area.
37983
37984 @item
37985 The offset, from the start of the file, of the symbol table.
37986
37987 @item
37988 The offset, from the start of the file, of the constant pool.
37989 @end enumerate
37990
37991 @item
37992 The CU list. This is a sequence of pairs of 64-bit little-endian
37993 values, sorted by the CU offset. The first element in each pair is
37994 the offset of a CU in the @code{.debug_info} section. The second
37995 element in each pair is the length of that CU. References to a CU
37996 elsewhere in the map are done using a CU index, which is just the
37997 0-based index into this table. Note that if there are type CUs, then
37998 conceptually CUs and type CUs form a single list for the purposes of
37999 CU indices.
38000
38001 @item
38002 The types CU list. This is a sequence of triplets of 64-bit
38003 little-endian values. In a triplet, the first value is the CU offset,
38004 the second value is the type offset in the CU, and the third value is
38005 the type signature. The types CU list is not sorted.
38006
38007 @item
38008 The address area. The address area consists of a sequence of address
38009 entries. Each address entry has three elements:
38010
38011 @enumerate
38012 @item
38013 The low address. This is a 64-bit little-endian value.
38014
38015 @item
38016 The high address. This is a 64-bit little-endian value. Like
38017 @code{DW_AT_high_pc}, the value is one byte beyond the end.
38018
38019 @item
38020 The CU index. This is an @code{offset_type} value.
38021 @end enumerate
38022
38023 @item
38024 The symbol table. This is an open-addressed hash table. The size of
38025 the hash table is always a power of 2.
38026
38027 Each slot in the hash table consists of a pair of @code{offset_type}
38028 values. The first value is the offset of the symbol's name in the
38029 constant pool. The second value is the offset of the CU vector in the
38030 constant pool.
38031
38032 If both values are 0, then this slot in the hash table is empty. This
38033 is ok because while 0 is a valid constant pool index, it cannot be a
38034 valid index for both a string and a CU vector.
38035
38036 The hash value for a table entry is computed by applying an
38037 iterative hash function to the symbol's name. Starting with an
38038 initial value of @code{r = 0}, each (unsigned) character @samp{c} in
38039 the string is incorporated into the hash using the formula depending on the
38040 index version:
38041
38042 @table @asis
38043 @item Version 4
38044 The formula is @code{r = r * 67 + c - 113}.
38045
38046 @item Version 5
38047 The formula is @code{r = r * 67 + tolower (c) - 113}.
38048 @end table
38049
38050 The terminating @samp{\0} is not incorporated into the hash.
38051
38052 The step size used in the hash table is computed via
38053 @code{((hash * 17) & (size - 1)) | 1}, where @samp{hash} is the hash
38054 value, and @samp{size} is the size of the hash table. The step size
38055 is used to find the next candidate slot when handling a hash
38056 collision.
38057
38058 The names of C@t{++} symbols in the hash table are canonicalized. We
38059 don't currently have a simple description of the canonicalization
38060 algorithm; if you intend to create new index sections, you must read
38061 the code.
38062
38063 @item
38064 The constant pool. This is simply a bunch of bytes. It is organized
38065 so that alignment is correct: CU vectors are stored first, followed by
38066 strings.
38067
38068 A CU vector in the constant pool is a sequence of @code{offset_type}
38069 values. The first value is the number of CU indices in the vector.
38070 Each subsequent value is the index of a CU in the CU list. This
38071 element in the hash table is used to indicate which CUs define the
38072 symbol.
38073
38074 A string in the constant pool is zero-terminated.
38075 @end enumerate
38076
38077 @include gpl.texi
38078
38079 @node GNU Free Documentation License
38080 @appendix GNU Free Documentation License
38081 @include fdl.texi
38082
38083 @node Index
38084 @unnumbered Index
38085
38086 @printindex cp
38087
38088 @tex
38089 % I think something like @colophon should be in texinfo. In the
38090 % meantime:
38091 \long\def\colophon{\hbox to0pt{}\vfill
38092 \centerline{The body of this manual is set in}
38093 \centerline{\fontname\tenrm,}
38094 \centerline{with headings in {\bf\fontname\tenbf}}
38095 \centerline{and examples in {\tt\fontname\tentt}.}
38096 \centerline{{\it\fontname\tenit\/},}
38097 \centerline{{\bf\fontname\tenbf}, and}
38098 \centerline{{\sl\fontname\tensl\/}}
38099 \centerline{are used for emphasis.}\vfill}
38100 \page\colophon
38101 % Blame: doc@cygnus.com, 1991.
38102 @end tex
38103
38104 @bye
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