39f0d6792405ae3c3d47c98c263b61357ca49668
[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, 1998,
3 @c 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
4 @c 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 Ninth
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
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 1.1 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 1-882114-77-9 @*
101
102 @insertcopying
103 @page
104 This edition of the GDB manual is dedicated to the memory of Fred
105 Fish. Fred was a long-standing contributor to GDB and to Free
106 software in general. We will miss him.
107 @end titlepage
108 @page
109
110 @ifnottex
111 @node Top, Summary, (dir), (dir)
112
113 @top Debugging with @value{GDBN}
114
115 This file describes @value{GDBN}, the @sc{gnu} symbolic debugger.
116
117 This is the @value{EDITION} Edition, for @value{GDBN}
118 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
119 @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
120 @end ifset
121 Version @value{GDBVN}.
122
123 Copyright (C) 1988-2009 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
124
125 This edition of the GDB manual is dedicated to the memory of Fred
126 Fish. Fred was a long-standing contributor to GDB and to Free
127 software in general. We will miss him.
128
129 @menu
130 * Summary:: Summary of @value{GDBN}
131 * Sample Session:: A sample @value{GDBN} session
132
133 * Invocation:: Getting in and out of @value{GDBN}
134 * Commands:: @value{GDBN} commands
135 * Running:: Running programs under @value{GDBN}
136 * Stopping:: Stopping and continuing
137 * Reverse Execution:: Running programs backward
138 * Process Record and Replay:: Recording inferior's execution and replaying it
139 * Stack:: Examining the stack
140 * Source:: Examining source files
141 * Data:: Examining data
142 * Optimized Code:: Debugging optimized code
143 * Macros:: Preprocessor Macros
144 * Tracepoints:: Debugging remote targets non-intrusively
145 * Overlays:: Debugging programs that use overlays
146
147 * Languages:: Using @value{GDBN} with different languages
148
149 * Symbols:: Examining the symbol table
150 * Altering:: Altering execution
151 * GDB Files:: @value{GDBN} files
152 * Targets:: Specifying a debugging target
153 * Remote Debugging:: Debugging remote programs
154 * Configurations:: Configuration-specific information
155 * Controlling GDB:: Controlling @value{GDBN}
156 * Extending GDB:: Extending @value{GDBN}
157 * Interpreters:: Command Interpreters
158 * TUI:: @value{GDBN} Text User Interface
159 * Emacs:: Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
160 * GDB/MI:: @value{GDBN}'s Machine Interface.
161 * Annotations:: @value{GDBN}'s annotation interface.
162 * JIT Interface:: Using the JIT debugging interface.
163
164 * GDB Bugs:: Reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
165
166 * Command Line Editing:: Command Line Editing
167 * Using History Interactively:: Using History Interactively
168 * Formatting Documentation:: How to format and print @value{GDBN} documentation
169 * Installing GDB:: Installing GDB
170 * Maintenance Commands:: Maintenance Commands
171 * Remote Protocol:: GDB Remote Serial Protocol
172 * Agent Expressions:: The GDB Agent Expression Mechanism
173 * Target Descriptions:: How targets can describe themselves to
174 @value{GDBN}
175 * Operating System Information:: Getting additional information from
176 the operating system
177 * Copying:: GNU General Public License says
178 how you can copy and share GDB
179 * GNU Free Documentation License:: The license for this documentation
180 * Index:: Index
181 @end menu
182
183 @end ifnottex
184
185 @contents
186
187 @node Summary
188 @unnumbered Summary of @value{GDBN}
189
190 The purpose of a debugger such as @value{GDBN} is to allow you to see what is
191 going on ``inside'' another program while it executes---or what another
192 program was doing at the moment it crashed.
193
194 @value{GDBN} can do four main kinds of things (plus other things in support of
195 these) to help you catch bugs in the act:
196
197 @itemize @bullet
198 @item
199 Start your program, specifying anything that might affect its behavior.
200
201 @item
202 Make your program stop on specified conditions.
203
204 @item
205 Examine what has happened, when your program has stopped.
206
207 @item
208 Change things in your program, so you can experiment with correcting the
209 effects of one bug and go on to learn about another.
210 @end itemize
211
212 You can use @value{GDBN} to debug programs written in C and C@t{++}.
213 For more information, see @ref{Supported Languages,,Supported Languages}.
214 For more information, see @ref{C,,C and C++}.
215
216 @cindex Modula-2
217 Support for Modula-2 is partial. For information on Modula-2, see
218 @ref{Modula-2,,Modula-2}.
219
220 @cindex Pascal
221 Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or
222 nested functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
223 entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal
224 syntax.
225
226 @cindex Fortran
227 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, although
228 it may be necessary to refer to some variables with a trailing
229 underscore.
230
231 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Objective-C,
232 using either the Apple/NeXT or the GNU Objective-C runtime.
233
234 @menu
235 * Free Software:: Freely redistributable software
236 * Contributors:: Contributors to GDB
237 @end menu
238
239 @node Free Software
240 @unnumberedsec Free Software
241
242 @value{GDBN} is @dfn{free software}, protected by the @sc{gnu}
243 General Public License
244 (GPL). The GPL gives you the freedom to copy or adapt a licensed
245 program---but every person getting a copy also gets with it the
246 freedom to modify that copy (which means that they must get access to
247 the source code), and the freedom to distribute further copies.
248 Typical software companies use copyrights to limit your freedoms; the
249 Free Software Foundation uses the GPL to preserve these freedoms.
250
251 Fundamentally, the General Public License is a license which says that
252 you have these freedoms and that you cannot take these freedoms away
253 from anyone else.
254
255 @unnumberedsec Free Software Needs Free Documentation
256
257 The biggest deficiency in the free software community today is not in
258 the software---it is the lack of good free documentation that we can
259 include with the free software. Many of our most important
260 programs do not come with free reference manuals and free introductory
261 texts. Documentation is an essential part of any software package;
262 when an important free software package does not come with a free
263 manual and a free tutorial, that is a major gap. We have many such
264 gaps today.
265
266 Consider Perl, for instance. The tutorial manuals that people
267 normally use are non-free. How did this come about? Because the
268 authors of those manuals published them with restrictive terms---no
269 copying, no modification, source files not available---which exclude
270 them from the free software world.
271
272 That wasn't the first time this sort of thing happened, and it was far
273 from the last. Many times we have heard a GNU user eagerly describe a
274 manual that he is writing, his intended contribution to the community,
275 only to learn that he had ruined everything by signing a publication
276 contract to make it non-free.
277
278 Free documentation, like free software, is a matter of freedom, not
279 price. The problem with the non-free manual is not that publishers
280 charge a price for printed copies---that in itself is fine. (The Free
281 Software Foundation sells printed copies of manuals, too.) The
282 problem is the restrictions on the use of the manual. Free manuals
283 are available in source code form, and give you permission to copy and
284 modify. Non-free manuals do not allow this.
285
286 The criteria of freedom for a free manual are roughly the same as for
287 free software. Redistribution (including the normal kinds of
288 commercial redistribution) must be permitted, so that the manual can
289 accompany every copy of the program, both on-line and on paper.
290
291 Permission for modification of the technical content is crucial too.
292 When people modify the software, adding or changing features, if they
293 are conscientious they will change the manual too---so they can
294 provide accurate and clear documentation for the modified program. A
295 manual that leaves you no choice but to write a new manual to document
296 a changed version of the program is not really available to our
297 community.
298
299 Some kinds of limits on the way modification is handled are
300 acceptable. For example, requirements to preserve the original
301 author's copyright notice, the distribution terms, or the list of
302 authors, are ok. It is also no problem to require modified versions
303 to include notice that they were modified. Even entire sections that
304 may not be deleted or changed are acceptable, as long as they deal
305 with nontechnical topics (like this one). These kinds of restrictions
306 are acceptable because they don't obstruct the community's normal use
307 of the manual.
308
309 However, it must be possible to modify all the @emph{technical}
310 content of the manual, and then distribute the result in all the usual
311 media, through all the usual channels. Otherwise, the restrictions
312 obstruct the use of the manual, it is not free, and we need another
313 manual to replace it.
314
315 Please spread the word about this issue. Our community continues to
316 lose manuals to proprietary publishing. If we spread the word that
317 free software needs free reference manuals and free tutorials, perhaps
318 the next person who wants to contribute by writing documentation will
319 realize, before it is too late, that only free manuals contribute to
320 the free software community.
321
322 If you are writing documentation, please insist on publishing it under
323 the GNU Free Documentation License or another free documentation
324 license. Remember that this decision requires your approval---you
325 don't have to let the publisher decide. Some commercial publishers
326 will use a free license if you insist, but they will not propose the
327 option; it is up to you to raise the issue and say firmly that this is
328 what you want. If the publisher you are dealing with refuses, please
329 try other publishers. If you're not sure whether a proposed license
330 is free, write to @email{licensing@@gnu.org}.
331
332 You can encourage commercial publishers to sell more free, copylefted
333 manuals and tutorials by buying them, and particularly by buying
334 copies from the publishers that paid for their writing or for major
335 improvements. Meanwhile, try to avoid buying non-free documentation
336 at all. Check the distribution terms of a manual before you buy it,
337 and insist that whoever seeks your business must respect your freedom.
338 Check the history of the book, and try to reward the publishers that
339 have paid or pay the authors to work on it.
340
341 The Free Software Foundation maintains a list of free documentation
342 published by other publishers, at
343 @url{http://www.fsf.org/doc/other-free-books.html}.
344
345 @node Contributors
346 @unnumberedsec Contributors to @value{GDBN}
347
348 Richard Stallman was the original author of @value{GDBN}, and of many
349 other @sc{gnu} programs. Many others have contributed to its
350 development. This section attempts to credit major contributors. One
351 of the virtues of free software is that everyone is free to contribute
352 to it; with regret, we cannot actually acknowledge everyone here. The
353 file @file{ChangeLog} in the @value{GDBN} distribution approximates a
354 blow-by-blow account.
355
356 Changes much prior to version 2.0 are lost in the mists of time.
357
358 @quotation
359 @emph{Plea:} Additions to this section are particularly welcome. If you
360 or your friends (or enemies, to be evenhanded) have been unfairly
361 omitted from this list, we would like to add your names!
362 @end quotation
363
364 So that they may not regard their many labors as thankless, we
365 particularly thank those who shepherded @value{GDBN} through major
366 releases:
367 Andrew Cagney (releases 6.3, 6.2, 6.1, 6.0, 5.3, 5.2, 5.1 and 5.0);
368 Jim Blandy (release 4.18);
369 Jason Molenda (release 4.17);
370 Stan Shebs (release 4.14);
371 Fred Fish (releases 4.16, 4.15, 4.13, 4.12, 4.11, 4.10, and 4.9);
372 Stu Grossman and John Gilmore (releases 4.8, 4.7, 4.6, 4.5, and 4.4);
373 John Gilmore (releases 4.3, 4.2, 4.1, 4.0, and 3.9);
374 Jim Kingdon (releases 3.5, 3.4, and 3.3);
375 and Randy Smith (releases 3.2, 3.1, and 3.0).
376
377 Richard Stallman, assisted at various times by Peter TerMaat, Chris
378 Hanson, and Richard Mlynarik, handled releases through 2.8.
379
380 Michael Tiemann is the author of most of the @sc{gnu} C@t{++} support
381 in @value{GDBN}, with significant additional contributions from Per
382 Bothner and Daniel Berlin. James Clark wrote the @sc{gnu} C@t{++}
383 demangler. Early work on C@t{++} was by Peter TerMaat (who also did
384 much general update work leading to release 3.0).
385
386 @value{GDBN} uses the BFD subroutine library to examine multiple
387 object-file formats; BFD was a joint project of David V.
388 Henkel-Wallace, Rich Pixley, Steve Chamberlain, and John Gilmore.
389
390 David Johnson wrote the original COFF support; Pace Willison did
391 the original support for encapsulated COFF.
392
393 Brent Benson of Harris Computer Systems contributed DWARF 2 support.
394
395 Adam de Boor and Bradley Davis contributed the ISI Optimum V support.
396 Per Bothner, Noboyuki Hikichi, and Alessandro Forin contributed MIPS
397 support.
398 Jean-Daniel Fekete contributed Sun 386i support.
399 Chris Hanson improved the HP9000 support.
400 Noboyuki Hikichi and Tomoyuki Hasei contributed Sony/News OS 3 support.
401 David Johnson contributed Encore Umax support.
402 Jyrki Kuoppala contributed Altos 3068 support.
403 Jeff Law contributed HP PA and SOM support.
404 Keith Packard contributed NS32K support.
405 Doug Rabson contributed Acorn Risc Machine support.
406 Bob Rusk contributed Harris Nighthawk CX-UX support.
407 Chris Smith contributed Convex support (and Fortran debugging).
408 Jonathan Stone contributed Pyramid support.
409 Michael Tiemann contributed SPARC support.
410 Tim Tucker contributed support for the Gould NP1 and Gould Powernode.
411 Pace Willison contributed Intel 386 support.
412 Jay Vosburgh contributed Symmetry support.
413 Marko Mlinar contributed OpenRISC 1000 support.
414
415 Andreas Schwab contributed M68K @sc{gnu}/Linux support.
416
417 Rich Schaefer and Peter Schauer helped with support of SunOS shared
418 libraries.
419
420 Jay Fenlason and Roland McGrath ensured that @value{GDBN} and GAS agree
421 about several machine instruction sets.
422
423 Patrick Duval, Ted Goldstein, Vikram Koka and Glenn Engel helped develop
424 remote debugging. Intel Corporation, Wind River Systems, AMD, and ARM
425 contributed remote debugging modules for the i960, VxWorks, A29K UDI,
426 and RDI targets, respectively.
427
428 Brian Fox is the author of the readline libraries providing
429 command-line editing and command history.
430
431 Andrew Beers of SUNY Buffalo wrote the language-switching code, the
432 Modula-2 support, and contributed the Languages chapter of this manual.
433
434 Fred Fish wrote most of the support for Unix System Vr4.
435 He also enhanced the command-completion support to cover C@t{++} overloaded
436 symbols.
437
438 Hitachi America (now Renesas America), Ltd. sponsored the support for
439 H8/300, H8/500, and Super-H processors.
440
441 NEC sponsored the support for the v850, Vr4xxx, and Vr5xxx processors.
442
443 Mitsubishi (now Renesas) sponsored the support for D10V, D30V, and M32R/D
444 processors.
445
446 Toshiba sponsored the support for the TX39 Mips processor.
447
448 Matsushita sponsored the support for the MN10200 and MN10300 processors.
449
450 Fujitsu sponsored the support for SPARClite and FR30 processors.
451
452 Kung Hsu, Jeff Law, and Rick Sladkey added support for hardware
453 watchpoints.
454
455 Michael Snyder added support for tracepoints.
456
457 Stu Grossman wrote gdbserver.
458
459 Jim Kingdon, Peter Schauer, Ian Taylor, and Stu Grossman made
460 nearly innumerable bug fixes and cleanups throughout @value{GDBN}.
461
462 The following people at the Hewlett-Packard Company contributed
463 support for the PA-RISC 2.0 architecture, HP-UX 10.20, 10.30, and 11.0
464 (narrow mode), HP's implementation of kernel threads, HP's aC@t{++}
465 compiler, and the Text User Interface (nee Terminal User Interface):
466 Ben Krepp, Richard Title, John Bishop, Susan Macchia, Kathy Mann,
467 Satish Pai, India Paul, Steve Rehrauer, and Elena Zannoni. Kim Haase
468 provided HP-specific information in this manual.
469
470 DJ Delorie ported @value{GDBN} to MS-DOS, for the DJGPP project.
471 Robert Hoehne made significant contributions to the DJGPP port.
472
473 Cygnus Solutions has sponsored @value{GDBN} maintenance and much of its
474 development since 1991. Cygnus engineers who have worked on @value{GDBN}
475 fulltime include Mark Alexander, Jim Blandy, Per Bothner, Kevin
476 Buettner, Edith Epstein, Chris Faylor, Fred Fish, Martin Hunt, Jim
477 Ingham, John Gilmore, Stu Grossman, Kung Hsu, Jim Kingdon, John Metzler,
478 Fernando Nasser, Geoffrey Noer, Dawn Perchik, Rich Pixley, Zdenek
479 Radouch, Keith Seitz, Stan Shebs, David Taylor, and Elena Zannoni. In
480 addition, Dave Brolley, Ian Carmichael, Steve Chamberlain, Nick Clifton,
481 JT Conklin, Stan Cox, DJ Delorie, Ulrich Drepper, Frank Eigler, Doug
482 Evans, Sean Fagan, David Henkel-Wallace, Richard Henderson, Jeff
483 Holcomb, Jeff Law, Jim Lemke, Tom Lord, Bob Manson, Michael Meissner,
484 Jason Merrill, Catherine Moore, Drew Moseley, Ken Raeburn, Gavin
485 Romig-Koch, Rob Savoye, Jamie Smith, Mike Stump, Ian Taylor, Angela
486 Thomas, Michael Tiemann, Tom Tromey, Ron Unrau, Jim Wilson, and David
487 Zuhn have made contributions both large and small.
488
489 Andrew Cagney, Fernando Nasser, and Elena Zannoni, while working for
490 Cygnus Solutions, implemented the original @sc{gdb/mi} interface.
491
492 Jim Blandy added support for preprocessor macros, while working for Red
493 Hat.
494
495 Andrew Cagney designed @value{GDBN}'s architecture vector. Many
496 people including Andrew Cagney, Stephane Carrez, Randolph Chung, Nick
497 Duffek, Richard Henderson, Mark Kettenis, Grace Sainsbury, Kei
498 Sakamoto, Yoshinori Sato, Michael Snyder, Andreas Schwab, Jason
499 Thorpe, Corinna Vinschen, Ulrich Weigand, and Elena Zannoni, helped
500 with the migration of old architectures to this new framework.
501
502 Andrew Cagney completely re-designed and re-implemented @value{GDBN}'s
503 unwinder framework, this consisting of a fresh new design featuring
504 frame IDs, independent frame sniffers, and the sentinel frame. Mark
505 Kettenis implemented the @sc{dwarf 2} unwinder, Jeff Johnston the
506 libunwind unwinder, and Andrew Cagney the dummy, sentinel, tramp, and
507 trad unwinders. The architecture-specific changes, each involving a
508 complete rewrite of the architecture's frame code, were carried out by
509 Jim Blandy, Joel Brobecker, Kevin Buettner, Andrew Cagney, Stephane
510 Carrez, Randolph Chung, Orjan Friberg, Richard Henderson, Daniel
511 Jacobowitz, Jeff Johnston, Mark Kettenis, Theodore A. Roth, Kei
512 Sakamoto, Yoshinori Sato, Michael Snyder, Corinna Vinschen, and Ulrich
513 Weigand.
514
515 Christian Zankel, Ross Morley, Bob Wilson, and Maxim Grigoriev from
516 Tensilica, Inc.@: contributed support for Xtensa processors. Others
517 who have worked on the Xtensa port of @value{GDBN} in the past include
518 Steve Tjiang, John Newlin, and Scott Foehner.
519
520 Michael Eager and staff of Xilinx, Inc., contributed support for the
521 Xilinx MicroBlaze architecture.
522
523 @node Sample Session
524 @chapter A Sample @value{GDBN} Session
525
526 You can use this manual at your leisure to read all about @value{GDBN}.
527 However, a handful of commands are enough to get started using the
528 debugger. This chapter illustrates those commands.
529
530 @iftex
531 In this sample session, we emphasize user input like this: @b{input},
532 to make it easier to pick out from the surrounding output.
533 @end iftex
534
535 @c FIXME: this example may not be appropriate for some configs, where
536 @c FIXME...primary interest is in remote use.
537
538 One of the preliminary versions of @sc{gnu} @code{m4} (a generic macro
539 processor) exhibits the following bug: sometimes, when we change its
540 quote strings from the default, the commands used to capture one macro
541 definition within another stop working. In the following short @code{m4}
542 session, we define a macro @code{foo} which expands to @code{0000}; we
543 then use the @code{m4} built-in @code{defn} to define @code{bar} as the
544 same thing. However, when we change the open quote string to
545 @code{<QUOTE>} and the close quote string to @code{<UNQUOTE>}, the same
546 procedure fails to define a new synonym @code{baz}:
547
548 @smallexample
549 $ @b{cd gnu/m4}
550 $ @b{./m4}
551 @b{define(foo,0000)}
552
553 @b{foo}
554 0000
555 @b{define(bar,defn(`foo'))}
556
557 @b{bar}
558 0000
559 @b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
560
561 @b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
562 @b{baz}
563 @b{Ctrl-d}
564 m4: End of input: 0: fatal error: EOF in string
565 @end smallexample
566
567 @noindent
568 Let us use @value{GDBN} to try to see what is going on.
569
570 @smallexample
571 $ @b{@value{GDBP} m4}
572 @c FIXME: this falsifies the exact text played out, to permit smallbook
573 @c FIXME... format to come out better.
574 @value{GDBN} is free software and you are welcome to distribute copies
575 of it under certain conditions; type "show copying" to see
576 the conditions.
577 There is absolutely no warranty for @value{GDBN}; type "show warranty"
578 for details.
579
580 @value{GDBN} @value{GDBVN}, Copyright 1999 Free Software Foundation, Inc...
581 (@value{GDBP})
582 @end smallexample
583
584 @noindent
585 @value{GDBN} reads only enough symbol data to know where to find the
586 rest when needed; as a result, the first prompt comes up very quickly.
587 We now tell @value{GDBN} to use a narrower display width than usual, so
588 that examples fit in this manual.
589
590 @smallexample
591 (@value{GDBP}) @b{set width 70}
592 @end smallexample
593
594 @noindent
595 We need to see how the @code{m4} built-in @code{changequote} works.
596 Having looked at the source, we know the relevant subroutine is
597 @code{m4_changequote}, so we set a breakpoint there with the @value{GDBN}
598 @code{break} command.
599
600 @smallexample
601 (@value{GDBP}) @b{break m4_changequote}
602 Breakpoint 1 at 0x62f4: file builtin.c, line 879.
603 @end smallexample
604
605 @noindent
606 Using the @code{run} command, we start @code{m4} running under @value{GDBN}
607 control; as long as control does not reach the @code{m4_changequote}
608 subroutine, the program runs as usual:
609
610 @smallexample
611 (@value{GDBP}) @b{run}
612 Starting program: /work/Editorial/gdb/gnu/m4/m4
613 @b{define(foo,0000)}
614
615 @b{foo}
616 0000
617 @end smallexample
618
619 @noindent
620 To trigger the breakpoint, we call @code{changequote}. @value{GDBN}
621 suspends execution of @code{m4}, displaying information about the
622 context where it stops.
623
624 @smallexample
625 @b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
626
627 Breakpoint 1, m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
628 at builtin.c:879
629 879 if (bad_argc(TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[0]),argc,1,3))
630 @end smallexample
631
632 @noindent
633 Now we use the command @code{n} (@code{next}) to advance execution to
634 the next line of the current function.
635
636 @smallexample
637 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
638 882 set_quotes((argc >= 2) ? TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[1])\
639 : nil,
640 @end smallexample
641
642 @noindent
643 @code{set_quotes} looks like a promising subroutine. We can go into it
644 by using the command @code{s} (@code{step}) instead of @code{next}.
645 @code{step} goes to the next line to be executed in @emph{any}
646 subroutine, so it steps into @code{set_quotes}.
647
648 @smallexample
649 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
650 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
651 at input.c:530
652 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
653 @end smallexample
654
655 @noindent
656 The display that shows the subroutine where @code{m4} is now
657 suspended (and its arguments) is called a stack frame display. It
658 shows a summary of the stack. We can use the @code{backtrace}
659 command (which can also be spelled @code{bt}), to see where we are
660 in the stack as a whole: the @code{backtrace} command displays a
661 stack frame for each active subroutine.
662
663 @smallexample
664 (@value{GDBP}) @b{bt}
665 #0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
666 at input.c:530
667 #1 0x6344 in m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
668 at builtin.c:882
669 #2 0x8174 in expand_macro (sym=0x33320) at macro.c:242
670 #3 0x7a88 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=209696, td=0xf7fffa30)
671 at macro.c:71
672 #4 0x79dc in expand_input () at macro.c:40
673 #5 0x2930 in main (argc=0, argv=0xf7fffb20) at m4.c:195
674 @end smallexample
675
676 @noindent
677 We step through a few more lines to see what happens. The first two
678 times, we can use @samp{s}; the next two times we use @code{n} to avoid
679 falling into the @code{xstrdup} subroutine.
680
681 @smallexample
682 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
683 0x3b5c 532 if (rquote != def_rquote)
684 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
685 0x3b80 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? \
686 def_lquote : xstrdup(lq);
687 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
688 536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
689 : xstrdup(rq);
690 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
691 538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
692 @end smallexample
693
694 @noindent
695 The last line displayed looks a little odd; we can examine the variables
696 @code{lquote} and @code{rquote} to see if they are in fact the new left
697 and right quotes we specified. We use the command @code{p}
698 (@code{print}) to see their values.
699
700 @smallexample
701 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p lquote}
702 $1 = 0x35d40 "<QUOTE>"
703 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p rquote}
704 $2 = 0x35d50 "<UNQUOTE>"
705 @end smallexample
706
707 @noindent
708 @code{lquote} and @code{rquote} are indeed the new left and right quotes.
709 To look at some context, we can display ten lines of source
710 surrounding the current line with the @code{l} (@code{list}) command.
711
712 @smallexample
713 (@value{GDBP}) @b{l}
714 533 xfree(rquote);
715 534
716 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? def_lquote\
717 : xstrdup (lq);
718 536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
719 : xstrdup (rq);
720 537
721 538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
722 539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
723 540 @}
724 541
725 542 void
726 @end smallexample
727
728 @noindent
729 Let us step past the two lines that set @code{len_lquote} and
730 @code{len_rquote}, and then examine the values of those variables.
731
732 @smallexample
733 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
734 539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
735 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
736 540 @}
737 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote}
738 $3 = 9
739 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote}
740 $4 = 7
741 @end smallexample
742
743 @noindent
744 That certainly looks wrong, assuming @code{len_lquote} and
745 @code{len_rquote} are meant to be the lengths of @code{lquote} and
746 @code{rquote} respectively. We can set them to better values using
747 the @code{p} command, since it can print the value of
748 any expression---and that expression can include subroutine calls and
749 assignments.
750
751 @smallexample
752 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote=strlen(lquote)}
753 $5 = 7
754 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote=strlen(rquote)}
755 $6 = 9
756 @end smallexample
757
758 @noindent
759 Is that enough to fix the problem of using the new quotes with the
760 @code{m4} built-in @code{defn}? We can allow @code{m4} to continue
761 executing with the @code{c} (@code{continue}) command, and then try the
762 example that caused trouble initially:
763
764 @smallexample
765 (@value{GDBP}) @b{c}
766 Continuing.
767
768 @b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
769
770 baz
771 0000
772 @end smallexample
773
774 @noindent
775 Success! The new quotes now work just as well as the default ones. The
776 problem seems to have been just the two typos defining the wrong
777 lengths. We allow @code{m4} exit by giving it an EOF as input:
778
779 @smallexample
780 @b{Ctrl-d}
781 Program exited normally.
782 @end smallexample
783
784 @noindent
785 The message @samp{Program exited normally.} is from @value{GDBN}; it
786 indicates @code{m4} has finished executing. We can end our @value{GDBN}
787 session with the @value{GDBN} @code{quit} command.
788
789 @smallexample
790 (@value{GDBP}) @b{quit}
791 @end smallexample
792
793 @node Invocation
794 @chapter Getting In and Out of @value{GDBN}
795
796 This chapter discusses how to start @value{GDBN}, and how to get out of it.
797 The essentials are:
798 @itemize @bullet
799 @item
800 type @samp{@value{GDBP}} to start @value{GDBN}.
801 @item
802 type @kbd{quit} or @kbd{Ctrl-d} to exit.
803 @end itemize
804
805 @menu
806 * Invoking GDB:: How to start @value{GDBN}
807 * Quitting GDB:: How to quit @value{GDBN}
808 * Shell Commands:: How to use shell commands inside @value{GDBN}
809 * Logging Output:: How to log @value{GDBN}'s output to a file
810 @end menu
811
812 @node Invoking GDB
813 @section Invoking @value{GDBN}
814
815 Invoke @value{GDBN} by running the program @code{@value{GDBP}}. Once started,
816 @value{GDBN} reads commands from the terminal until you tell it to exit.
817
818 You can also run @code{@value{GDBP}} with a variety of arguments and options,
819 to specify more of your debugging environment at the outset.
820
821 The command-line options described here are designed
822 to cover a variety of situations; in some environments, some of these
823 options may effectively be unavailable.
824
825 The most usual way to start @value{GDBN} is with one argument,
826 specifying an executable program:
827
828 @smallexample
829 @value{GDBP} @var{program}
830 @end smallexample
831
832 @noindent
833 You can also start with both an executable program and a core file
834 specified:
835
836 @smallexample
837 @value{GDBP} @var{program} @var{core}
838 @end smallexample
839
840 You can, instead, specify a process ID as a second argument, if you want
841 to debug a running process:
842
843 @smallexample
844 @value{GDBP} @var{program} 1234
845 @end smallexample
846
847 @noindent
848 would attach @value{GDBN} to process @code{1234} (unless you also have a file
849 named @file{1234}; @value{GDBN} does check for a core file first).
850
851 Taking advantage of the second command-line argument requires a fairly
852 complete operating system; when you use @value{GDBN} as a remote
853 debugger attached to a bare board, there may not be any notion of
854 ``process'', and there is often no way to get a core dump. @value{GDBN}
855 will warn you if it is unable to attach or to read core dumps.
856
857 You can optionally have @code{@value{GDBP}} pass any arguments after the
858 executable file to the inferior using @code{--args}. This option stops
859 option processing.
860 @smallexample
861 @value{GDBP} --args gcc -O2 -c foo.c
862 @end smallexample
863 This will cause @code{@value{GDBP}} to debug @code{gcc}, and to set
864 @code{gcc}'s command-line arguments (@pxref{Arguments}) to @samp{-O2 -c foo.c}.
865
866 You can run @code{@value{GDBP}} without printing the front material, which describes
867 @value{GDBN}'s non-warranty, by specifying @code{-silent}:
868
869 @smallexample
870 @value{GDBP} -silent
871 @end smallexample
872
873 @noindent
874 You can further control how @value{GDBN} starts up by using command-line
875 options. @value{GDBN} itself can remind you of the options available.
876
877 @noindent
878 Type
879
880 @smallexample
881 @value{GDBP} -help
882 @end smallexample
883
884 @noindent
885 to display all available options and briefly describe their use
886 (@samp{@value{GDBP} -h} is a shorter equivalent).
887
888 All options and command line arguments you give are processed
889 in sequential order. The order makes a difference when the
890 @samp{-x} option is used.
891
892
893 @menu
894 * File Options:: Choosing files
895 * Mode Options:: Choosing modes
896 * Startup:: What @value{GDBN} does during startup
897 @end menu
898
899 @node File Options
900 @subsection Choosing Files
901
902 When @value{GDBN} starts, it reads any arguments other than options as
903 specifying an executable file and core file (or process ID). This is
904 the same as if the arguments were specified by the @samp{-se} and
905 @samp{-c} (or @samp{-p}) options respectively. (@value{GDBN} reads the
906 first argument that does not have an associated option flag as
907 equivalent to the @samp{-se} option followed by that argument; and the
908 second argument that does not have an associated option flag, if any, as
909 equivalent to the @samp{-c}/@samp{-p} option followed by that argument.)
910 If the second argument begins with a decimal digit, @value{GDBN} will
911 first attempt to attach to it as a process, and if that fails, attempt
912 to open it as a corefile. If you have a corefile whose name begins with
913 a digit, you can prevent @value{GDBN} from treating it as a pid by
914 prefixing it with @file{./}, e.g.@: @file{./12345}.
915
916 If @value{GDBN} has not been configured to included core file support,
917 such as for most embedded targets, then it will complain about a second
918 argument and ignore it.
919
920 Many options have both long and short forms; both are shown in the
921 following list. @value{GDBN} also recognizes the long forms if you truncate
922 them, so long as enough of the option is present to be unambiguous.
923 (If you prefer, you can flag option arguments with @samp{--} rather
924 than @samp{-}, though we illustrate the more usual convention.)
925
926 @c NOTE: the @cindex entries here use double dashes ON PURPOSE. This
927 @c way, both those who look for -foo and --foo in the index, will find
928 @c it.
929
930 @table @code
931 @item -symbols @var{file}
932 @itemx -s @var{file}
933 @cindex @code{--symbols}
934 @cindex @code{-s}
935 Read symbol table from file @var{file}.
936
937 @item -exec @var{file}
938 @itemx -e @var{file}
939 @cindex @code{--exec}
940 @cindex @code{-e}
941 Use file @var{file} as the executable file to execute when appropriate,
942 and for examining pure data in conjunction with a core dump.
943
944 @item -se @var{file}
945 @cindex @code{--se}
946 Read symbol table from file @var{file} and use it as the executable
947 file.
948
949 @item -core @var{file}
950 @itemx -c @var{file}
951 @cindex @code{--core}
952 @cindex @code{-c}
953 Use file @var{file} as a core dump to examine.
954
955 @item -pid @var{number}
956 @itemx -p @var{number}
957 @cindex @code{--pid}
958 @cindex @code{-p}
959 Connect to process ID @var{number}, as with the @code{attach} command.
960
961 @item -command @var{file}
962 @itemx -x @var{file}
963 @cindex @code{--command}
964 @cindex @code{-x}
965 Execute @value{GDBN} commands from file @var{file}. @xref{Command
966 Files,, Command files}.
967
968 @item -eval-command @var{command}
969 @itemx -ex @var{command}
970 @cindex @code{--eval-command}
971 @cindex @code{-ex}
972 Execute a single @value{GDBN} command.
973
974 This option may be used multiple times to call multiple commands. It may
975 also be interleaved with @samp{-command} as required.
976
977 @smallexample
978 @value{GDBP} -ex 'target sim' -ex 'load' \
979 -x setbreakpoints -ex 'run' a.out
980 @end smallexample
981
982 @item -directory @var{directory}
983 @itemx -d @var{directory}
984 @cindex @code{--directory}
985 @cindex @code{-d}
986 Add @var{directory} to the path to search for source and script files.
987
988 @item -r
989 @itemx -readnow
990 @cindex @code{--readnow}
991 @cindex @code{-r}
992 Read each symbol file's entire symbol table immediately, rather than
993 the default, which is to read it incrementally as it is needed.
994 This makes startup slower, but makes future operations faster.
995
996 @end table
997
998 @node Mode Options
999 @subsection Choosing Modes
1000
1001 You can run @value{GDBN} in various alternative modes---for example, in
1002 batch mode or quiet mode.
1003
1004 @table @code
1005 @item -nx
1006 @itemx -n
1007 @cindex @code{--nx}
1008 @cindex @code{-n}
1009 Do not execute commands found in any initialization files. Normally,
1010 @value{GDBN} executes the commands in these files after all the command
1011 options and arguments have been processed. @xref{Command Files,,Command
1012 Files}.
1013
1014 @item -quiet
1015 @itemx -silent
1016 @itemx -q
1017 @cindex @code{--quiet}
1018 @cindex @code{--silent}
1019 @cindex @code{-q}
1020 ``Quiet''. Do not print the introductory and copyright messages. These
1021 messages are also suppressed in batch mode.
1022
1023 @item -batch
1024 @cindex @code{--batch}
1025 Run in batch mode. Exit with status @code{0} after processing all the
1026 command files specified with @samp{-x} (and all commands from
1027 initialization files, if not inhibited with @samp{-n}). Exit with
1028 nonzero status if an error occurs in executing the @value{GDBN} commands
1029 in the command files.
1030
1031 Batch mode may be useful for running @value{GDBN} as a filter, for
1032 example to download and run a program on another computer; in order to
1033 make this more useful, the message
1034
1035 @smallexample
1036 Program exited normally.
1037 @end smallexample
1038
1039 @noindent
1040 (which is ordinarily issued whenever a program running under
1041 @value{GDBN} control terminates) is not issued when running in batch
1042 mode.
1043
1044 @item -batch-silent
1045 @cindex @code{--batch-silent}
1046 Run in batch mode exactly like @samp{-batch}, but totally silently. All
1047 @value{GDBN} output to @code{stdout} is prevented (@code{stderr} is
1048 unaffected). This is much quieter than @samp{-silent} and would be useless
1049 for an interactive session.
1050
1051 This is particularly useful when using targets that give @samp{Loading section}
1052 messages, for example.
1053
1054 Note that targets that give their output via @value{GDBN}, as opposed to
1055 writing directly to @code{stdout}, will also be made silent.
1056
1057 @item -return-child-result
1058 @cindex @code{--return-child-result}
1059 The return code from @value{GDBN} will be the return code from the child
1060 process (the process being debugged), with the following exceptions:
1061
1062 @itemize @bullet
1063 @item
1064 @value{GDBN} exits abnormally. E.g., due to an incorrect argument or an
1065 internal error. In this case the exit code is the same as it would have been
1066 without @samp{-return-child-result}.
1067 @item
1068 The user quits with an explicit value. E.g., @samp{quit 1}.
1069 @item
1070 The child process never runs, or is not allowed to terminate, in which case
1071 the exit code will be -1.
1072 @end itemize
1073
1074 This option is useful in conjunction with @samp{-batch} or @samp{-batch-silent},
1075 when @value{GDBN} is being used as a remote program loader or simulator
1076 interface.
1077
1078 @item -nowindows
1079 @itemx -nw
1080 @cindex @code{--nowindows}
1081 @cindex @code{-nw}
1082 ``No windows''. If @value{GDBN} comes with a graphical user interface
1083 (GUI) built in, then this option tells @value{GDBN} to only use the command-line
1084 interface. If no GUI is available, this option has no effect.
1085
1086 @item -windows
1087 @itemx -w
1088 @cindex @code{--windows}
1089 @cindex @code{-w}
1090 If @value{GDBN} includes a GUI, then this option requires it to be
1091 used if possible.
1092
1093 @item -cd @var{directory}
1094 @cindex @code{--cd}
1095 Run @value{GDBN} using @var{directory} as its working directory,
1096 instead of the current directory.
1097
1098 @item -fullname
1099 @itemx -f
1100 @cindex @code{--fullname}
1101 @cindex @code{-f}
1102 @sc{gnu} Emacs sets this option when it runs @value{GDBN} as a
1103 subprocess. It tells @value{GDBN} to output the full file name and line
1104 number in a standard, recognizable fashion each time a stack frame is
1105 displayed (which includes each time your program stops). This
1106 recognizable format looks like two @samp{\032} characters, followed by
1107 the file name, line number and character position separated by colons,
1108 and a newline. The Emacs-to-@value{GDBN} interface program uses the two
1109 @samp{\032} characters as a signal to display the source code for the
1110 frame.
1111
1112 @item -epoch
1113 @cindex @code{--epoch}
1114 The Epoch Emacs-@value{GDBN} interface sets this option when it runs
1115 @value{GDBN} as a subprocess. It tells @value{GDBN} to modify its print
1116 routines so as to allow Epoch to display values of expressions in a
1117 separate window.
1118
1119 @item -annotate @var{level}
1120 @cindex @code{--annotate}
1121 This option sets the @dfn{annotation level} inside @value{GDBN}. Its
1122 effect is identical to using @samp{set annotate @var{level}}
1123 (@pxref{Annotations}). The annotation @var{level} controls how much
1124 information @value{GDBN} prints together with its prompt, values of
1125 expressions, source lines, and other types of output. Level 0 is the
1126 normal, level 1 is for use when @value{GDBN} is run as a subprocess of
1127 @sc{gnu} Emacs, level 3 is the maximum annotation suitable for programs
1128 that control @value{GDBN}, and level 2 has been deprecated.
1129
1130 The annotation mechanism has largely been superseded by @sc{gdb/mi}
1131 (@pxref{GDB/MI}).
1132
1133 @item --args
1134 @cindex @code{--args}
1135 Change interpretation of command line so that arguments following the
1136 executable file are passed as command line arguments to the inferior.
1137 This option stops option processing.
1138
1139 @item -baud @var{bps}
1140 @itemx -b @var{bps}
1141 @cindex @code{--baud}
1142 @cindex @code{-b}
1143 Set the line speed (baud rate or bits per second) of any serial
1144 interface used by @value{GDBN} for remote debugging.
1145
1146 @item -l @var{timeout}
1147 @cindex @code{-l}
1148 Set the timeout (in seconds) of any communication used by @value{GDBN}
1149 for remote debugging.
1150
1151 @item -tty @var{device}
1152 @itemx -t @var{device}
1153 @cindex @code{--tty}
1154 @cindex @code{-t}
1155 Run using @var{device} for your program's standard input and output.
1156 @c FIXME: kingdon thinks there is more to -tty. Investigate.
1157
1158 @c resolve the situation of these eventually
1159 @item -tui
1160 @cindex @code{--tui}
1161 Activate the @dfn{Text User Interface} when starting. The Text User
1162 Interface manages several text windows on the terminal, showing
1163 source, assembly, registers and @value{GDBN} command outputs
1164 (@pxref{TUI, ,@value{GDBN} Text User Interface}). Alternatively, the
1165 Text User Interface can be enabled by invoking the program
1166 @samp{@value{GDBTUI}}. Do not use this option if you run @value{GDBN} from
1167 Emacs (@pxref{Emacs, ,Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}).
1168
1169 @c @item -xdb
1170 @c @cindex @code{--xdb}
1171 @c Run in XDB compatibility mode, allowing the use of certain XDB commands.
1172 @c For information, see the file @file{xdb_trans.html}, which is usually
1173 @c installed in the directory @code{/opt/langtools/wdb/doc} on HP-UX
1174 @c systems.
1175
1176 @item -interpreter @var{interp}
1177 @cindex @code{--interpreter}
1178 Use the interpreter @var{interp} for interface with the controlling
1179 program or device. This option is meant to be set by programs which
1180 communicate with @value{GDBN} using it as a back end.
1181 @xref{Interpreters, , Command Interpreters}.
1182
1183 @samp{--interpreter=mi} (or @samp{--interpreter=mi2}) causes
1184 @value{GDBN} to use the @dfn{@sc{gdb/mi} interface} (@pxref{GDB/MI, ,
1185 The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface}) included since @value{GDBN} version 6.0. The
1186 previous @sc{gdb/mi} interface, included in @value{GDBN} version 5.3 and
1187 selected with @samp{--interpreter=mi1}, is deprecated. Earlier
1188 @sc{gdb/mi} interfaces are no longer supported.
1189
1190 @item -write
1191 @cindex @code{--write}
1192 Open the executable and core files for both reading and writing. This
1193 is equivalent to the @samp{set write on} command inside @value{GDBN}
1194 (@pxref{Patching}).
1195
1196 @item -statistics
1197 @cindex @code{--statistics}
1198 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print statistics about time and
1199 memory usage after it completes each command and returns to the prompt.
1200
1201 @item -version
1202 @cindex @code{--version}
1203 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print its version number and
1204 no-warranty blurb, and exit.
1205
1206 @end table
1207
1208 @node Startup
1209 @subsection What @value{GDBN} Does During Startup
1210 @cindex @value{GDBN} startup
1211
1212 Here's the description of what @value{GDBN} does during session startup:
1213
1214 @enumerate
1215 @item
1216 Sets up the command interpreter as specified by the command line
1217 (@pxref{Mode Options, interpreter}).
1218
1219 @item
1220 @cindex init file
1221 Reads the system-wide @dfn{init file} (if @option{--with-system-gdbinit} was
1222 used when building @value{GDBN}; @pxref{System-wide configuration,
1223 ,System-wide configuration and settings}) and executes all the commands in
1224 that file.
1225
1226 @item
1227 Reads the init file (if any) in your home directory@footnote{On
1228 DOS/Windows systems, the home directory is the one pointed to by the
1229 @code{HOME} environment variable.} and executes all the commands in
1230 that file.
1231
1232 @item
1233 Processes command line options and operands.
1234
1235 @item
1236 Reads and executes the commands from init file (if any) in the current
1237 working directory. This is only done if the current directory is
1238 different from your home directory. Thus, you can have more than one
1239 init file, one generic in your home directory, and another, specific
1240 to the program you are debugging, in the directory where you invoke
1241 @value{GDBN}.
1242
1243 @item
1244 Reads command files specified by the @samp{-x} option. @xref{Command
1245 Files}, for more details about @value{GDBN} command files.
1246
1247 @item
1248 Reads the command history recorded in the @dfn{history file}.
1249 @xref{Command History}, for more details about the command history and the
1250 files where @value{GDBN} records it.
1251 @end enumerate
1252
1253 Init files use the same syntax as @dfn{command files} (@pxref{Command
1254 Files}) and are processed by @value{GDBN} in the same way. The init
1255 file in your home directory can set options (such as @samp{set
1256 complaints}) that affect subsequent processing of command line options
1257 and operands. Init files are not executed if you use the @samp{-nx}
1258 option (@pxref{Mode Options, ,Choosing Modes}).
1259
1260 To display the list of init files loaded by gdb at startup, you
1261 can use @kbd{gdb --help}.
1262
1263 @cindex init file name
1264 @cindex @file{.gdbinit}
1265 @cindex @file{gdb.ini}
1266 The @value{GDBN} init files are normally called @file{.gdbinit}.
1267 The DJGPP port of @value{GDBN} uses the name @file{gdb.ini}, due to
1268 the limitations of file names imposed by DOS filesystems. The Windows
1269 ports of @value{GDBN} use the standard name, but if they find a
1270 @file{gdb.ini} file, they warn you about that and suggest to rename
1271 the file to the standard name.
1272
1273
1274 @node Quitting GDB
1275 @section Quitting @value{GDBN}
1276 @cindex exiting @value{GDBN}
1277 @cindex leaving @value{GDBN}
1278
1279 @table @code
1280 @kindex quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1281 @kindex q @r{(@code{quit})}
1282 @item quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1283 @itemx q
1284 To exit @value{GDBN}, use the @code{quit} command (abbreviated
1285 @code{q}), or type an end-of-file character (usually @kbd{Ctrl-d}). If you
1286 do not supply @var{expression}, @value{GDBN} will terminate normally;
1287 otherwise it will terminate using the result of @var{expression} as the
1288 error code.
1289 @end table
1290
1291 @cindex interrupt
1292 An interrupt (often @kbd{Ctrl-c}) does not exit from @value{GDBN}, but rather
1293 terminates the action of any @value{GDBN} command that is in progress and
1294 returns to @value{GDBN} command level. It is safe to type the interrupt
1295 character at any time because @value{GDBN} does not allow it to take effect
1296 until a time when it is safe.
1297
1298 If you have been using @value{GDBN} to control an attached process or
1299 device, you can release it with the @code{detach} command
1300 (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an Already-running Process}).
1301
1302 @node Shell Commands
1303 @section Shell Commands
1304
1305 If you need to execute occasional shell commands during your
1306 debugging session, there is no need to leave or suspend @value{GDBN}; you can
1307 just use the @code{shell} command.
1308
1309 @table @code
1310 @kindex shell
1311 @cindex shell escape
1312 @item shell @var{command string}
1313 Invoke a standard shell to execute @var{command string}.
1314 If it exists, the environment variable @code{SHELL} determines which
1315 shell to run. Otherwise @value{GDBN} uses the default shell
1316 (@file{/bin/sh} on Unix systems, @file{COMMAND.COM} on MS-DOS, etc.).
1317 @end table
1318
1319 The utility @code{make} is often needed in development environments.
1320 You do not have to use the @code{shell} command for this purpose in
1321 @value{GDBN}:
1322
1323 @table @code
1324 @kindex make
1325 @cindex calling make
1326 @item make @var{make-args}
1327 Execute the @code{make} program with the specified
1328 arguments. This is equivalent to @samp{shell make @var{make-args}}.
1329 @end table
1330
1331 @node Logging Output
1332 @section Logging Output
1333 @cindex logging @value{GDBN} output
1334 @cindex save @value{GDBN} output to a file
1335
1336 You may want to save the output of @value{GDBN} commands to a file.
1337 There are several commands to control @value{GDBN}'s logging.
1338
1339 @table @code
1340 @kindex set logging
1341 @item set logging on
1342 Enable logging.
1343 @item set logging off
1344 Disable logging.
1345 @cindex logging file name
1346 @item set logging file @var{file}
1347 Change the name of the current logfile. The default logfile is @file{gdb.txt}.
1348 @item set logging overwrite [on|off]
1349 By default, @value{GDBN} will append to the logfile. Set @code{overwrite} if
1350 you want @code{set logging on} to overwrite the logfile instead.
1351 @item set logging redirect [on|off]
1352 By default, @value{GDBN} output will go to both the terminal and the logfile.
1353 Set @code{redirect} if you want output to go only to the log file.
1354 @kindex show logging
1355 @item show logging
1356 Show the current values of the logging settings.
1357 @end table
1358
1359 @node Commands
1360 @chapter @value{GDBN} Commands
1361
1362 You can abbreviate a @value{GDBN} command to the first few letters of the command
1363 name, if that abbreviation is unambiguous; and you can repeat certain
1364 @value{GDBN} commands by typing just @key{RET}. You can also use the @key{TAB}
1365 key to get @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest of a word in a command (or to
1366 show you the alternatives available, if there is more than one possibility).
1367
1368 @menu
1369 * Command Syntax:: How to give commands to @value{GDBN}
1370 * Completion:: Command completion
1371 * Help:: How to ask @value{GDBN} for help
1372 @end menu
1373
1374 @node Command Syntax
1375 @section Command Syntax
1376
1377 A @value{GDBN} command is a single line of input. There is no limit on
1378 how long it can be. It starts with a command name, which is followed by
1379 arguments whose meaning depends on the command name. For example, the
1380 command @code{step} accepts an argument which is the number of times to
1381 step, as in @samp{step 5}. You can also use the @code{step} command
1382 with no arguments. Some commands do not allow any arguments.
1383
1384 @cindex abbreviation
1385 @value{GDBN} command names may always be truncated if that abbreviation is
1386 unambiguous. Other possible command abbreviations are listed in the
1387 documentation for individual commands. In some cases, even ambiguous
1388 abbreviations are allowed; for example, @code{s} is specially defined as
1389 equivalent to @code{step} even though there are other commands whose
1390 names start with @code{s}. You can test abbreviations by using them as
1391 arguments to the @code{help} command.
1392
1393 @cindex repeating commands
1394 @kindex RET @r{(repeat last command)}
1395 A blank line as input to @value{GDBN} (typing just @key{RET}) means to
1396 repeat the previous command. Certain commands (for example, @code{run})
1397 will not repeat this way; these are commands whose unintentional
1398 repetition might cause trouble and which you are unlikely to want to
1399 repeat. User-defined commands can disable this feature; see
1400 @ref{Define, dont-repeat}.
1401
1402 The @code{list} and @code{x} commands, when you repeat them with
1403 @key{RET}, construct new arguments rather than repeating
1404 exactly as typed. This permits easy scanning of source or memory.
1405
1406 @value{GDBN} can also use @key{RET} in another way: to partition lengthy
1407 output, in a way similar to the common utility @code{more}
1408 (@pxref{Screen Size,,Screen Size}). Since it is easy to press one
1409 @key{RET} too many in this situation, @value{GDBN} disables command
1410 repetition after any command that generates this sort of display.
1411
1412 @kindex # @r{(a comment)}
1413 @cindex comment
1414 Any text from a @kbd{#} to the end of the line is a comment; it does
1415 nothing. This is useful mainly in command files (@pxref{Command
1416 Files,,Command Files}).
1417
1418 @cindex repeating command sequences
1419 @kindex Ctrl-o @r{(operate-and-get-next)}
1420 The @kbd{Ctrl-o} binding is useful for repeating a complex sequence of
1421 commands. This command accepts the current line, like @key{RET}, and
1422 then fetches the next line relative to the current line from the history
1423 for editing.
1424
1425 @node Completion
1426 @section Command Completion
1427
1428 @cindex completion
1429 @cindex word completion
1430 @value{GDBN} can fill in the rest of a word in a command for you, if there is
1431 only one possibility; it can also show you what the valid possibilities
1432 are for the next word in a command, at any time. This works for @value{GDBN}
1433 commands, @value{GDBN} subcommands, and the names of symbols in your program.
1434
1435 Press the @key{TAB} key whenever you want @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest
1436 of a word. If there is only one possibility, @value{GDBN} fills in the
1437 word, and waits for you to finish the command (or press @key{RET} to
1438 enter it). For example, if you type
1439
1440 @c FIXME "@key" does not distinguish its argument sufficiently to permit
1441 @c complete accuracy in these examples; space introduced for clarity.
1442 @c If texinfo enhancements make it unnecessary, it would be nice to
1443 @c replace " @key" by "@key" in the following...
1444 @smallexample
1445 (@value{GDBP}) info bre @key{TAB}
1446 @end smallexample
1447
1448 @noindent
1449 @value{GDBN} fills in the rest of the word @samp{breakpoints}, since that is
1450 the only @code{info} subcommand beginning with @samp{bre}:
1451
1452 @smallexample
1453 (@value{GDBP}) info breakpoints
1454 @end smallexample
1455
1456 @noindent
1457 You can either press @key{RET} at this point, to run the @code{info
1458 breakpoints} command, or backspace and enter something else, if
1459 @samp{breakpoints} does not look like the command you expected. (If you
1460 were sure you wanted @code{info breakpoints} in the first place, you
1461 might as well just type @key{RET} immediately after @samp{info bre},
1462 to exploit command abbreviations rather than command completion).
1463
1464 If there is more than one possibility for the next word when you press
1465 @key{TAB}, @value{GDBN} sounds a bell. You can either supply more
1466 characters and try again, or just press @key{TAB} a second time;
1467 @value{GDBN} displays all the possible completions for that word. For
1468 example, you might want to set a breakpoint on a subroutine whose name
1469 begins with @samp{make_}, but when you type @kbd{b make_@key{TAB}} @value{GDBN}
1470 just sounds the bell. Typing @key{TAB} again displays all the
1471 function names in your program that begin with those characters, for
1472 example:
1473
1474 @smallexample
1475 (@value{GDBP}) b make_ @key{TAB}
1476 @exdent @value{GDBN} sounds bell; press @key{TAB} again, to see:
1477 make_a_section_from_file make_environ
1478 make_abs_section make_function_type
1479 make_blockvector make_pointer_type
1480 make_cleanup make_reference_type
1481 make_command make_symbol_completion_list
1482 (@value{GDBP}) b make_
1483 @end smallexample
1484
1485 @noindent
1486 After displaying the available possibilities, @value{GDBN} copies your
1487 partial input (@samp{b make_} in the example) so you can finish the
1488 command.
1489
1490 If you just want to see the list of alternatives in the first place, you
1491 can press @kbd{M-?} rather than pressing @key{TAB} twice. @kbd{M-?}
1492 means @kbd{@key{META} ?}. You can type this either by holding down a
1493 key designated as the @key{META} shift on your keyboard (if there is
1494 one) while typing @kbd{?}, or as @key{ESC} followed by @kbd{?}.
1495
1496 @cindex quotes in commands
1497 @cindex completion of quoted strings
1498 Sometimes the string you need, while logically a ``word'', may contain
1499 parentheses or other characters that @value{GDBN} normally excludes from
1500 its notion of a word. To permit word completion to work in this
1501 situation, you may enclose words in @code{'} (single quote marks) in
1502 @value{GDBN} commands.
1503
1504 The most likely situation where you might need this is in typing the
1505 name of a C@t{++} function. This is because C@t{++} allows function
1506 overloading (multiple definitions of the same function, distinguished
1507 by argument type). For example, when you want to set a breakpoint you
1508 may need to distinguish whether you mean the version of @code{name}
1509 that takes an @code{int} parameter, @code{name(int)}, or the version
1510 that takes a @code{float} parameter, @code{name(float)}. To use the
1511 word-completion facilities in this situation, type a single quote
1512 @code{'} at the beginning of the function name. This alerts
1513 @value{GDBN} that it may need to consider more information than usual
1514 when you press @key{TAB} or @kbd{M-?} to request word completion:
1515
1516 @smallexample
1517 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble( @kbd{M-?}
1518 bubble(double,double) bubble(int,int)
1519 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble(
1520 @end smallexample
1521
1522 In some cases, @value{GDBN} can tell that completing a name requires using
1523 quotes. When this happens, @value{GDBN} inserts the quote for you (while
1524 completing as much as it can) if you do not type the quote in the first
1525 place:
1526
1527 @smallexample
1528 (@value{GDBP}) b bub @key{TAB}
1529 @exdent @value{GDBN} alters your input line to the following, and rings a bell:
1530 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble(
1531 @end smallexample
1532
1533 @noindent
1534 In general, @value{GDBN} can tell that a quote is needed (and inserts it) if
1535 you have not yet started typing the argument list when you ask for
1536 completion on an overloaded symbol.
1537
1538 For more information about overloaded functions, see @ref{C Plus Plus
1539 Expressions, ,C@t{++} Expressions}. You can use the command @code{set
1540 overload-resolution off} to disable overload resolution;
1541 see @ref{Debugging C Plus Plus, ,@value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}}.
1542
1543 @cindex completion of structure field names
1544 @cindex structure field name completion
1545 @cindex completion of union field names
1546 @cindex union field name completion
1547 When completing in an expression which looks up a field in a
1548 structure, @value{GDBN} also tries@footnote{The completer can be
1549 confused by certain kinds of invalid expressions. Also, it only
1550 examines the static type of the expression, not the dynamic type.} to
1551 limit completions to the field names available in the type of the
1552 left-hand-side:
1553
1554 @smallexample
1555 (@value{GDBP}) p gdb_stdout.@kbd{M-?}
1556 magic to_delete to_fputs to_put to_rewind
1557 to_data to_flush to_isatty to_read to_write
1558 @end smallexample
1559
1560 @noindent
1561 This is because the @code{gdb_stdout} is a variable of the type
1562 @code{struct ui_file} that is defined in @value{GDBN} sources as
1563 follows:
1564
1565 @smallexample
1566 struct ui_file
1567 @{
1568 int *magic;
1569 ui_file_flush_ftype *to_flush;
1570 ui_file_write_ftype *to_write;
1571 ui_file_fputs_ftype *to_fputs;
1572 ui_file_read_ftype *to_read;
1573 ui_file_delete_ftype *to_delete;
1574 ui_file_isatty_ftype *to_isatty;
1575 ui_file_rewind_ftype *to_rewind;
1576 ui_file_put_ftype *to_put;
1577 void *to_data;
1578 @}
1579 @end smallexample
1580
1581
1582 @node Help
1583 @section Getting Help
1584 @cindex online documentation
1585 @kindex help
1586
1587 You can always ask @value{GDBN} itself for information on its commands,
1588 using the command @code{help}.
1589
1590 @table @code
1591 @kindex h @r{(@code{help})}
1592 @item help
1593 @itemx h
1594 You can use @code{help} (abbreviated @code{h}) with no arguments to
1595 display a short list of named classes of commands:
1596
1597 @smallexample
1598 (@value{GDBP}) help
1599 List of classes of commands:
1600
1601 aliases -- Aliases of other commands
1602 breakpoints -- Making program stop at certain points
1603 data -- Examining data
1604 files -- Specifying and examining files
1605 internals -- Maintenance commands
1606 obscure -- Obscure features
1607 running -- Running the program
1608 stack -- Examining the stack
1609 status -- Status inquiries
1610 support -- Support facilities
1611 tracepoints -- Tracing of program execution without
1612 stopping the program
1613 user-defined -- User-defined commands
1614
1615 Type "help" followed by a class name for a list of
1616 commands in that class.
1617 Type "help" followed by command name for full
1618 documentation.
1619 Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1620 (@value{GDBP})
1621 @end smallexample
1622 @c the above line break eliminates huge line overfull...
1623
1624 @item help @var{class}
1625 Using one of the general help classes as an argument, you can get a
1626 list of the individual commands in that class. For example, here is the
1627 help display for the class @code{status}:
1628
1629 @smallexample
1630 (@value{GDBP}) help status
1631 Status inquiries.
1632
1633 List of commands:
1634
1635 @c Line break in "show" line falsifies real output, but needed
1636 @c to fit in smallbook page size.
1637 info -- Generic command for showing things
1638 about the program being debugged
1639 show -- Generic command for showing things
1640 about the debugger
1641
1642 Type "help" followed by command name for full
1643 documentation.
1644 Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1645 (@value{GDBP})
1646 @end smallexample
1647
1648 @item help @var{command}
1649 With a command name as @code{help} argument, @value{GDBN} displays a
1650 short paragraph on how to use that command.
1651
1652 @kindex apropos
1653 @item apropos @var{args}
1654 The @code{apropos} command searches through all of the @value{GDBN}
1655 commands, and their documentation, for the regular expression specified in
1656 @var{args}. It prints out all matches found. For example:
1657
1658 @smallexample
1659 apropos reload
1660 @end smallexample
1661
1662 @noindent
1663 results in:
1664
1665 @smallexample
1666 @c @group
1667 set symbol-reloading -- Set dynamic symbol table reloading
1668 multiple times in one run
1669 show symbol-reloading -- Show dynamic symbol table reloading
1670 multiple times in one run
1671 @c @end group
1672 @end smallexample
1673
1674 @kindex complete
1675 @item complete @var{args}
1676 The @code{complete @var{args}} command lists all the possible completions
1677 for the beginning of a command. Use @var{args} to specify the beginning of the
1678 command you want completed. For example:
1679
1680 @smallexample
1681 complete i
1682 @end smallexample
1683
1684 @noindent results in:
1685
1686 @smallexample
1687 @group
1688 if
1689 ignore
1690 info
1691 inspect
1692 @end group
1693 @end smallexample
1694
1695 @noindent This is intended for use by @sc{gnu} Emacs.
1696 @end table
1697
1698 In addition to @code{help}, you can use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{info}
1699 and @code{show} to inquire about the state of your program, or the state
1700 of @value{GDBN} itself. Each command supports many topics of inquiry; this
1701 manual introduces each of them in the appropriate context. The listings
1702 under @code{info} and under @code{show} in the Index point to
1703 all the sub-commands. @xref{Index}.
1704
1705 @c @group
1706 @table @code
1707 @kindex info
1708 @kindex i @r{(@code{info})}
1709 @item info
1710 This command (abbreviated @code{i}) is for describing the state of your
1711 program. For example, you can show the arguments passed to a function
1712 with @code{info args}, list the registers currently in use with @code{info
1713 registers}, or list the breakpoints you have set with @code{info breakpoints}.
1714 You can get a complete list of the @code{info} sub-commands with
1715 @w{@code{help info}}.
1716
1717 @kindex set
1718 @item set
1719 You can assign the result of an expression to an environment variable with
1720 @code{set}. For example, you can set the @value{GDBN} prompt to a $-sign with
1721 @code{set prompt $}.
1722
1723 @kindex show
1724 @item show
1725 In contrast to @code{info}, @code{show} is for describing the state of
1726 @value{GDBN} itself.
1727 You can change most of the things you can @code{show}, by using the
1728 related command @code{set}; for example, you can control what number
1729 system is used for displays with @code{set radix}, or simply inquire
1730 which is currently in use with @code{show radix}.
1731
1732 @kindex info set
1733 To display all the settable parameters and their current
1734 values, you can use @code{show} with no arguments; you may also use
1735 @code{info set}. Both commands produce the same display.
1736 @c FIXME: "info set" violates the rule that "info" is for state of
1737 @c FIXME...program. Ck w/ GNU: "info set" to be called something else,
1738 @c FIXME...or change desc of rule---eg "state of prog and debugging session"?
1739 @end table
1740 @c @end group
1741
1742 Here are three miscellaneous @code{show} subcommands, all of which are
1743 exceptional in lacking corresponding @code{set} commands:
1744
1745 @table @code
1746 @kindex show version
1747 @cindex @value{GDBN} version number
1748 @item show version
1749 Show what version of @value{GDBN} is running. You should include this
1750 information in @value{GDBN} bug-reports. If multiple versions of
1751 @value{GDBN} are in use at your site, you may need to determine which
1752 version of @value{GDBN} you are running; as @value{GDBN} evolves, new
1753 commands are introduced, and old ones may wither away. Also, many
1754 system vendors ship variant versions of @value{GDBN}, and there are
1755 variant versions of @value{GDBN} in @sc{gnu}/Linux distributions as well.
1756 The version number is the same as the one announced when you start
1757 @value{GDBN}.
1758
1759 @kindex show copying
1760 @kindex info copying
1761 @cindex display @value{GDBN} copyright
1762 @item show copying
1763 @itemx info copying
1764 Display information about permission for copying @value{GDBN}.
1765
1766 @kindex show warranty
1767 @kindex info warranty
1768 @item show warranty
1769 @itemx info warranty
1770 Display the @sc{gnu} ``NO WARRANTY'' statement, or a warranty,
1771 if your version of @value{GDBN} comes with one.
1772
1773 @end table
1774
1775 @node Running
1776 @chapter Running Programs Under @value{GDBN}
1777
1778 When you run a program under @value{GDBN}, you must first generate
1779 debugging information when you compile it.
1780
1781 You may start @value{GDBN} with its arguments, if any, in an environment
1782 of your choice. If you are doing native debugging, you may redirect
1783 your program's input and output, debug an already running process, or
1784 kill a child process.
1785
1786 @menu
1787 * Compilation:: Compiling for debugging
1788 * Starting:: Starting your program
1789 * Arguments:: Your program's arguments
1790 * Environment:: Your program's environment
1791
1792 * Working Directory:: Your program's working directory
1793 * Input/Output:: Your program's input and output
1794 * Attach:: Debugging an already-running process
1795 * Kill Process:: Killing the child process
1796
1797 * Inferiors and Programs:: Debugging multiple inferiors and programs
1798 * Threads:: Debugging programs with multiple threads
1799 * Forks:: Debugging forks
1800 * Checkpoint/Restart:: Setting a @emph{bookmark} to return to later
1801 @end menu
1802
1803 @node Compilation
1804 @section Compiling for Debugging
1805
1806 In order to debug a program effectively, you need to generate
1807 debugging information when you compile it. This debugging information
1808 is stored in the object file; it describes the data type of each
1809 variable or function and the correspondence between source line numbers
1810 and addresses in the executable code.
1811
1812 To request debugging information, specify the @samp{-g} option when you run
1813 the compiler.
1814
1815 Programs that are to be shipped to your customers are compiled with
1816 optimizations, using the @samp{-O} compiler option. However, some
1817 compilers are unable to handle the @samp{-g} and @samp{-O} options
1818 together. Using those compilers, you cannot generate optimized
1819 executables containing debugging information.
1820
1821 @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C/C@t{++} compiler, supports @samp{-g} with or
1822 without @samp{-O}, making it possible to debug optimized code. We
1823 recommend that you @emph{always} use @samp{-g} whenever you compile a
1824 program. You may think your program is correct, but there is no sense
1825 in pushing your luck. For more information, see @ref{Optimized Code}.
1826
1827 Older versions of the @sc{gnu} C compiler permitted a variant option
1828 @w{@samp{-gg}} for debugging information. @value{GDBN} no longer supports this
1829 format; if your @sc{gnu} C compiler has this option, do not use it.
1830
1831 @value{GDBN} knows about preprocessor macros and can show you their
1832 expansion (@pxref{Macros}). Most compilers do not include information
1833 about preprocessor macros in the debugging information if you specify
1834 the @option{-g} flag alone, because this information is rather large.
1835 Version 3.1 and later of @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C compiler,
1836 provides macro information if you specify the options
1837 @option{-gdwarf-2} and @option{-g3}; the former option requests
1838 debugging information in the Dwarf 2 format, and the latter requests
1839 ``extra information''. In the future, we hope to find more compact
1840 ways to represent macro information, so that it can be included with
1841 @option{-g} alone.
1842
1843 @need 2000
1844 @node Starting
1845 @section Starting your Program
1846 @cindex starting
1847 @cindex running
1848
1849 @table @code
1850 @kindex run
1851 @kindex r @r{(@code{run})}
1852 @item run
1853 @itemx r
1854 Use the @code{run} command to start your program under @value{GDBN}.
1855 You must first specify the program name (except on VxWorks) with an
1856 argument to @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Invocation, ,Getting In and Out of
1857 @value{GDBN}}), or by using the @code{file} or @code{exec-file} command
1858 (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
1859
1860 @end table
1861
1862 If you are running your program in an execution environment that
1863 supports processes, @code{run} creates an inferior process and makes
1864 that process run your program. In some environments without processes,
1865 @code{run} jumps to the start of your program. Other targets,
1866 like @samp{remote}, are always running. If you get an error
1867 message like this one:
1868
1869 @smallexample
1870 The "remote" target does not support "run".
1871 Try "help target" or "continue".
1872 @end smallexample
1873
1874 @noindent
1875 then use @code{continue} to run your program. You may need @code{load}
1876 first (@pxref{load}).
1877
1878 The execution of a program is affected by certain information it
1879 receives from its superior. @value{GDBN} provides ways to specify this
1880 information, which you must do @emph{before} starting your program. (You
1881 can change it after starting your program, but such changes only affect
1882 your program the next time you start it.) This information may be
1883 divided into four categories:
1884
1885 @table @asis
1886 @item The @emph{arguments.}
1887 Specify the arguments to give your program as the arguments of the
1888 @code{run} command. If a shell is available on your target, the shell
1889 is used to pass the arguments, so that you may use normal conventions
1890 (such as wildcard expansion or variable substitution) in describing
1891 the arguments.
1892 In Unix systems, you can control which shell is used with the
1893 @code{SHELL} environment variable.
1894 @xref{Arguments, ,Your Program's Arguments}.
1895
1896 @item The @emph{environment.}
1897 Your program normally inherits its environment from @value{GDBN}, but you can
1898 use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{set environment} and @code{unset
1899 environment} to change parts of the environment that affect
1900 your program. @xref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}.
1901
1902 @item The @emph{working directory.}
1903 Your program inherits its working directory from @value{GDBN}. You can set
1904 the @value{GDBN} working directory with the @code{cd} command in @value{GDBN}.
1905 @xref{Working Directory, ,Your Program's Working Directory}.
1906
1907 @item The @emph{standard input and output.}
1908 Your program normally uses the same device for standard input and
1909 standard output as @value{GDBN} is using. You can redirect input and output
1910 in the @code{run} command line, or you can use the @code{tty} command to
1911 set a different device for your program.
1912 @xref{Input/Output, ,Your Program's Input and Output}.
1913
1914 @cindex pipes
1915 @emph{Warning:} While input and output redirection work, you cannot use
1916 pipes to pass the output of the program you are debugging to another
1917 program; if you attempt this, @value{GDBN} is likely to wind up debugging the
1918 wrong program.
1919 @end table
1920
1921 When you issue the @code{run} command, your program begins to execute
1922 immediately. @xref{Stopping, ,Stopping and Continuing}, for discussion
1923 of how to arrange for your program to stop. Once your program has
1924 stopped, you may call functions in your program, using the @code{print}
1925 or @code{call} commands. @xref{Data, ,Examining Data}.
1926
1927 If the modification time of your symbol file has changed since the last
1928 time @value{GDBN} read its symbols, @value{GDBN} discards its symbol
1929 table, and reads it again. When it does this, @value{GDBN} tries to retain
1930 your current breakpoints.
1931
1932 @table @code
1933 @kindex start
1934 @item start
1935 @cindex run to main procedure
1936 The name of the main procedure can vary from language to language.
1937 With C or C@t{++}, the main procedure name is always @code{main}, but
1938 other languages such as Ada do not require a specific name for their
1939 main procedure. The debugger provides a convenient way to start the
1940 execution of the program and to stop at the beginning of the main
1941 procedure, depending on the language used.
1942
1943 The @samp{start} command does the equivalent of setting a temporary
1944 breakpoint at the beginning of the main procedure and then invoking
1945 the @samp{run} command.
1946
1947 @cindex elaboration phase
1948 Some programs contain an @dfn{elaboration} phase where some startup code is
1949 executed before the main procedure is called. This depends on the
1950 languages used to write your program. In C@t{++}, for instance,
1951 constructors for static and global objects are executed before
1952 @code{main} is called. It is therefore possible that the debugger stops
1953 before reaching the main procedure. However, the temporary breakpoint
1954 will remain to halt execution.
1955
1956 Specify the arguments to give to your program as arguments to the
1957 @samp{start} command. These arguments will be given verbatim to the
1958 underlying @samp{run} command. Note that the same arguments will be
1959 reused if no argument is provided during subsequent calls to
1960 @samp{start} or @samp{run}.
1961
1962 It is sometimes necessary to debug the program during elaboration. In
1963 these cases, using the @code{start} command would stop the execution of
1964 your program too late, as the program would have already completed the
1965 elaboration phase. Under these circumstances, insert breakpoints in your
1966 elaboration code before running your program.
1967
1968 @kindex set exec-wrapper
1969 @item set exec-wrapper @var{wrapper}
1970 @itemx show exec-wrapper
1971 @itemx unset exec-wrapper
1972 When @samp{exec-wrapper} is set, the specified wrapper is used to
1973 launch programs for debugging. @value{GDBN} starts your program
1974 with a shell command of the form @kbd{exec @var{wrapper}
1975 @var{program}}. Quoting is added to @var{program} and its
1976 arguments, but not to @var{wrapper}, so you should add quotes if
1977 appropriate for your shell. The wrapper runs until it executes
1978 your program, and then @value{GDBN} takes control.
1979
1980 You can use any program that eventually calls @code{execve} with
1981 its arguments as a wrapper. Several standard Unix utilities do
1982 this, e.g.@: @code{env} and @code{nohup}. Any Unix shell script ending
1983 with @code{exec "$@@"} will also work.
1984
1985 For example, you can use @code{env} to pass an environment variable to
1986 the debugged program, without setting the variable in your shell's
1987 environment:
1988
1989 @smallexample
1990 (@value{GDBP}) set exec-wrapper env 'LD_PRELOAD=libtest.so'
1991 (@value{GDBP}) run
1992 @end smallexample
1993
1994 This command is available when debugging locally on most targets, excluding
1995 @sc{djgpp}, Cygwin, MS Windows, and QNX Neutrino.
1996
1997 @kindex set disable-randomization
1998 @item set disable-randomization
1999 @itemx set disable-randomization on
2000 This option (enabled by default in @value{GDBN}) will turn off the native
2001 randomization of the virtual address space of the started program. This option
2002 is useful for multiple debugging sessions to make the execution better
2003 reproducible and memory addresses reusable across debugging sessions.
2004
2005 This feature is implemented only on @sc{gnu}/Linux. You can get the same
2006 behavior using
2007
2008 @smallexample
2009 (@value{GDBP}) set exec-wrapper setarch `uname -m` -R
2010 @end smallexample
2011
2012 @item set disable-randomization off
2013 Leave the behavior of the started executable unchanged. Some bugs rear their
2014 ugly heads only when the program is loaded at certain addresses. If your bug
2015 disappears when you run the program under @value{GDBN}, that might be because
2016 @value{GDBN} by default disables the address randomization on platforms, such
2017 as @sc{gnu}/Linux, which do that for stand-alone programs. Use @kbd{set
2018 disable-randomization off} to try to reproduce such elusive bugs.
2019
2020 The virtual address space randomization is implemented only on @sc{gnu}/Linux.
2021 It protects the programs against some kinds of security attacks. In these
2022 cases the attacker needs to know the exact location of a concrete executable
2023 code. Randomizing its location makes it impossible to inject jumps misusing
2024 a code at its expected addresses.
2025
2026 Prelinking shared libraries provides a startup performance advantage but it
2027 makes addresses in these libraries predictable for privileged processes by
2028 having just unprivileged access at the target system. Reading the shared
2029 library binary gives enough information for assembling the malicious code
2030 misusing it. Still even a prelinked shared library can get loaded at a new
2031 random address just requiring the regular relocation process during the
2032 startup. Shared libraries not already prelinked are always loaded at
2033 a randomly chosen address.
2034
2035 Position independent executables (PIE) contain position independent code
2036 similar to the shared libraries and therefore such executables get loaded at
2037 a randomly chosen address upon startup. PIE executables always load even
2038 already prelinked shared libraries at a random address. You can build such
2039 executable using @command{gcc -fPIE -pie}.
2040
2041 Heap (malloc storage), stack and custom mmap areas are always placed randomly
2042 (as long as the randomization is enabled).
2043
2044 @item show disable-randomization
2045 Show the current setting of the explicit disable of the native randomization of
2046 the virtual address space of the started program.
2047
2048 @end table
2049
2050 @node Arguments
2051 @section Your Program's Arguments
2052
2053 @cindex arguments (to your program)
2054 The arguments to your program can be specified by the arguments of the
2055 @code{run} command.
2056 They are passed to a shell, which expands wildcard characters and
2057 performs redirection of I/O, and thence to your program. Your
2058 @code{SHELL} environment variable (if it exists) specifies what shell
2059 @value{GDBN} uses. If you do not define @code{SHELL}, @value{GDBN} uses
2060 the default shell (@file{/bin/sh} on Unix).
2061
2062 On non-Unix systems, the program is usually invoked directly by
2063 @value{GDBN}, which emulates I/O redirection via the appropriate system
2064 calls, and the wildcard characters are expanded by the startup code of
2065 the program, not by the shell.
2066
2067 @code{run} with no arguments uses the same arguments used by the previous
2068 @code{run}, or those set by the @code{set args} command.
2069
2070 @table @code
2071 @kindex set args
2072 @item set args
2073 Specify the arguments to be used the next time your program is run. If
2074 @code{set args} has no arguments, @code{run} executes your program
2075 with no arguments. Once you have run your program with arguments,
2076 using @code{set args} before the next @code{run} is the only way to run
2077 it again without arguments.
2078
2079 @kindex show args
2080 @item show args
2081 Show the arguments to give your program when it is started.
2082 @end table
2083
2084 @node Environment
2085 @section Your Program's Environment
2086
2087 @cindex environment (of your program)
2088 The @dfn{environment} consists of a set of environment variables and
2089 their values. Environment variables conventionally record such things as
2090 your user name, your home directory, your terminal type, and your search
2091 path for programs to run. Usually you set up environment variables with
2092 the shell and they are inherited by all the other programs you run. When
2093 debugging, it can be useful to try running your program with a modified
2094 environment without having to start @value{GDBN} over again.
2095
2096 @table @code
2097 @kindex path
2098 @item path @var{directory}
2099 Add @var{directory} to the front of the @code{PATH} environment variable
2100 (the search path for executables) that will be passed to your program.
2101 The value of @code{PATH} used by @value{GDBN} does not change.
2102 You may specify several directory names, separated by whitespace or by a
2103 system-dependent separator character (@samp{:} on Unix, @samp{;} on
2104 MS-DOS and MS-Windows). If @var{directory} is already in the path, it
2105 is moved to the front, so it is searched sooner.
2106
2107 You can use the string @samp{$cwd} to refer to whatever is the current
2108 working directory at the time @value{GDBN} searches the path. If you
2109 use @samp{.} instead, it refers to the directory where you executed the
2110 @code{path} command. @value{GDBN} replaces @samp{.} in the
2111 @var{directory} argument (with the current path) before adding
2112 @var{directory} to the search path.
2113 @c 'path' is explicitly nonrepeatable, but RMS points out it is silly to
2114 @c document that, since repeating it would be a no-op.
2115
2116 @kindex show paths
2117 @item show paths
2118 Display the list of search paths for executables (the @code{PATH}
2119 environment variable).
2120
2121 @kindex show environment
2122 @item show environment @r{[}@var{varname}@r{]}
2123 Print the value of environment variable @var{varname} to be given to
2124 your program when it starts. If you do not supply @var{varname},
2125 print the names and values of all environment variables to be given to
2126 your program. You can abbreviate @code{environment} as @code{env}.
2127
2128 @kindex set environment
2129 @item set environment @var{varname} @r{[}=@var{value}@r{]}
2130 Set environment variable @var{varname} to @var{value}. The value
2131 changes for your program only, not for @value{GDBN} itself. @var{value} may
2132 be any string; the values of environment variables are just strings, and
2133 any interpretation is supplied by your program itself. The @var{value}
2134 parameter is optional; if it is eliminated, the variable is set to a
2135 null value.
2136 @c "any string" here does not include leading, trailing
2137 @c blanks. Gnu asks: does anyone care?
2138
2139 For example, this command:
2140
2141 @smallexample
2142 set env USER = foo
2143 @end smallexample
2144
2145 @noindent
2146 tells the debugged program, when subsequently run, that its user is named
2147 @samp{foo}. (The spaces around @samp{=} are used for clarity here; they
2148 are not actually required.)
2149
2150 @kindex unset environment
2151 @item unset environment @var{varname}
2152 Remove variable @var{varname} from the environment to be passed to your
2153 program. This is different from @samp{set env @var{varname} =};
2154 @code{unset environment} removes the variable from the environment,
2155 rather than assigning it an empty value.
2156 @end table
2157
2158 @emph{Warning:} On Unix systems, @value{GDBN} runs your program using
2159 the shell indicated
2160 by your @code{SHELL} environment variable if it exists (or
2161 @code{/bin/sh} if not). If your @code{SHELL} variable names a shell
2162 that runs an initialization file---such as @file{.cshrc} for C-shell, or
2163 @file{.bashrc} for BASH---any variables you set in that file affect
2164 your program. You may wish to move setting of environment variables to
2165 files that are only run when you sign on, such as @file{.login} or
2166 @file{.profile}.
2167
2168 @node Working Directory
2169 @section Your Program's Working Directory
2170
2171 @cindex working directory (of your program)
2172 Each time you start your program with @code{run}, it inherits its
2173 working directory from the current working directory of @value{GDBN}.
2174 The @value{GDBN} working directory is initially whatever it inherited
2175 from its parent process (typically the shell), but you can specify a new
2176 working directory in @value{GDBN} with the @code{cd} command.
2177
2178 The @value{GDBN} working directory also serves as a default for the commands
2179 that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate on. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
2180 Specify Files}.
2181
2182 @table @code
2183 @kindex cd
2184 @cindex change working directory
2185 @item cd @var{directory}
2186 Set the @value{GDBN} working directory to @var{directory}.
2187
2188 @kindex pwd
2189 @item pwd
2190 Print the @value{GDBN} working directory.
2191 @end table
2192
2193 It is generally impossible to find the current working directory of
2194 the process being debugged (since a program can change its directory
2195 during its run). If you work on a system where @value{GDBN} is
2196 configured with the @file{/proc} support, you can use the @code{info
2197 proc} command (@pxref{SVR4 Process Information}) to find out the
2198 current working directory of the debuggee.
2199
2200 @node Input/Output
2201 @section Your Program's Input and Output
2202
2203 @cindex redirection
2204 @cindex i/o
2205 @cindex terminal
2206 By default, the program you run under @value{GDBN} does input and output to
2207 the same terminal that @value{GDBN} uses. @value{GDBN} switches the terminal
2208 to its own terminal modes to interact with you, but it records the terminal
2209 modes your program was using and switches back to them when you continue
2210 running your program.
2211
2212 @table @code
2213 @kindex info terminal
2214 @item info terminal
2215 Displays information recorded by @value{GDBN} about the terminal modes your
2216 program is using.
2217 @end table
2218
2219 You can redirect your program's input and/or output using shell
2220 redirection with the @code{run} command. For example,
2221
2222 @smallexample
2223 run > outfile
2224 @end smallexample
2225
2226 @noindent
2227 starts your program, diverting its output to the file @file{outfile}.
2228
2229 @kindex tty
2230 @cindex controlling terminal
2231 Another way to specify where your program should do input and output is
2232 with the @code{tty} command. This command accepts a file name as
2233 argument, and causes this file to be the default for future @code{run}
2234 commands. It also resets the controlling terminal for the child
2235 process, for future @code{run} commands. For example,
2236
2237 @smallexample
2238 tty /dev/ttyb
2239 @end smallexample
2240
2241 @noindent
2242 directs that processes started with subsequent @code{run} commands
2243 default to do input and output on the terminal @file{/dev/ttyb} and have
2244 that as their controlling terminal.
2245
2246 An explicit redirection in @code{run} overrides the @code{tty} command's
2247 effect on the input/output device, but not its effect on the controlling
2248 terminal.
2249
2250 When you use the @code{tty} command or redirect input in the @code{run}
2251 command, only the input @emph{for your program} is affected. The input
2252 for @value{GDBN} still comes from your terminal. @code{tty} is an alias
2253 for @code{set inferior-tty}.
2254
2255 @cindex inferior tty
2256 @cindex set inferior controlling terminal
2257 You can use the @code{show inferior-tty} command to tell @value{GDBN} to
2258 display the name of the terminal that will be used for future runs of your
2259 program.
2260
2261 @table @code
2262 @item set inferior-tty /dev/ttyb
2263 @kindex set inferior-tty
2264 Set the tty for the program being debugged to /dev/ttyb.
2265
2266 @item show inferior-tty
2267 @kindex show inferior-tty
2268 Show the current tty for the program being debugged.
2269 @end table
2270
2271 @node Attach
2272 @section Debugging an Already-running Process
2273 @kindex attach
2274 @cindex attach
2275
2276 @table @code
2277 @item attach @var{process-id}
2278 This command attaches to a running process---one that was started
2279 outside @value{GDBN}. (@code{info files} shows your active
2280 targets.) The command takes as argument a process ID. The usual way to
2281 find out the @var{process-id} of a Unix process is with the @code{ps} utility,
2282 or with the @samp{jobs -l} shell command.
2283
2284 @code{attach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} a second time after
2285 executing the command.
2286 @end table
2287
2288 To use @code{attach}, your program must be running in an environment
2289 which supports processes; for example, @code{attach} does not work for
2290 programs on bare-board targets that lack an operating system. You must
2291 also have permission to send the process a signal.
2292
2293 When you use @code{attach}, the debugger finds the program running in
2294 the process first by looking in the current working directory, then (if
2295 the program is not found) by using the source file search path
2296 (@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying Source Directories}). You can also use
2297 the @code{file} command to load the program. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
2298 Specify Files}.
2299
2300 The first thing @value{GDBN} does after arranging to debug the specified
2301 process is to stop it. You can examine and modify an attached process
2302 with all the @value{GDBN} commands that are ordinarily available when
2303 you start processes with @code{run}. You can insert breakpoints; you
2304 can step and continue; you can modify storage. If you would rather the
2305 process continue running, you may use the @code{continue} command after
2306 attaching @value{GDBN} to the process.
2307
2308 @table @code
2309 @kindex detach
2310 @item detach
2311 When you have finished debugging the attached process, you can use the
2312 @code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control. Detaching
2313 the process continues its execution. After the @code{detach} command,
2314 that process and @value{GDBN} become completely independent once more, and you
2315 are ready to @code{attach} another process or start one with @code{run}.
2316 @code{detach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
2317 executing the command.
2318 @end table
2319
2320 If you exit @value{GDBN} while you have an attached process, you detach
2321 that process. If you use the @code{run} command, you kill that process.
2322 By default, @value{GDBN} asks for confirmation if you try to do either of these
2323 things; you can control whether or not you need to confirm by using the
2324 @code{set confirm} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
2325 Messages}).
2326
2327 @node Kill Process
2328 @section Killing the Child Process
2329
2330 @table @code
2331 @kindex kill
2332 @item kill
2333 Kill the child process in which your program is running under @value{GDBN}.
2334 @end table
2335
2336 This command is useful if you wish to debug a core dump instead of a
2337 running process. @value{GDBN} ignores any core dump file while your program
2338 is running.
2339
2340 On some operating systems, a program cannot be executed outside @value{GDBN}
2341 while you have breakpoints set on it inside @value{GDBN}. You can use the
2342 @code{kill} command in this situation to permit running your program
2343 outside the debugger.
2344
2345 The @code{kill} command is also useful if you wish to recompile and
2346 relink your program, since on many systems it is impossible to modify an
2347 executable file while it is running in a process. In this case, when you
2348 next type @code{run}, @value{GDBN} notices that the file has changed, and
2349 reads the symbol table again (while trying to preserve your current
2350 breakpoint settings).
2351
2352 @node Inferiors and Programs
2353 @section Debugging Multiple Inferiors and Programs
2354
2355 @value{GDBN} lets you run and debug multiple programs in a single
2356 session. In addition, @value{GDBN} on some systems may let you run
2357 several programs simultaneously (otherwise you have to exit from one
2358 before starting another). In the most general case, you can have
2359 multiple threads of execution in each of multiple processes, launched
2360 from multiple executables.
2361
2362 @cindex inferior
2363 @value{GDBN} represents the state of each program execution with an
2364 object called an @dfn{inferior}. An inferior typically corresponds to
2365 a process, but is more general and applies also to targets that do not
2366 have processes. Inferiors may be created before a process runs, and
2367 may be retained after a process exits. Inferiors have unique
2368 identifiers that are different from process ids. Usually each
2369 inferior will also have its own distinct address space, although some
2370 embedded targets may have several inferiors running in different parts
2371 of a single address space. Each inferior may in turn have multiple
2372 threads running in it.
2373
2374 To find out what inferiors exist at any moment, use @w{@code{info
2375 inferiors}}:
2376
2377 @table @code
2378 @kindex info inferiors
2379 @item info inferiors
2380 Print a list of all inferiors currently being managed by @value{GDBN}.
2381
2382 @value{GDBN} displays for each inferior (in this order):
2383
2384 @enumerate
2385 @item
2386 the inferior number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2387
2388 @item
2389 the target system's inferior identifier
2390
2391 @item
2392 the name of the executable the inferior is running.
2393
2394 @end enumerate
2395
2396 @noindent
2397 An asterisk @samp{*} preceding the @value{GDBN} inferior number
2398 indicates the current inferior.
2399
2400 For example,
2401 @end table
2402 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2403
2404 @smallexample
2405 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2406 Num Description Executable
2407 2 process 2307 hello
2408 * 1 process 3401 goodbye
2409 @end smallexample
2410
2411 To switch focus between inferiors, use the @code{inferior} command:
2412
2413 @table @code
2414 @kindex inferior @var{infno}
2415 @item inferior @var{infno}
2416 Make inferior number @var{infno} the current inferior. The argument
2417 @var{infno} is the inferior number assigned by @value{GDBN}, as shown
2418 in the first field of the @samp{info inferiors} display.
2419 @end table
2420
2421
2422 You can get multiple executables into a debugging session via the
2423 @code{add-inferior} and @w{@code{clone-inferior}} commands. On some
2424 systems @value{GDBN} can add inferiors to the debug session
2425 automatically by following calls to @code{fork} and @code{exec}. To
2426 remove inferiors from the debugging session use the
2427 @w{@code{remove-inferior}} command.
2428
2429 @table @code
2430 @kindex add-inferior
2431 @item add-inferior [ -copies @var{n} ] [ -exec @var{executable} ]
2432 Adds @var{n} inferiors to be run using @var{executable} as the
2433 executable. @var{n} defaults to 1. If no executable is specified,
2434 the inferiors begins empty, with no program. You can still assign or
2435 change the program assigned to the inferior at any time by using the
2436 @code{file} command with the executable name as its argument.
2437
2438 @kindex clone-inferior
2439 @item clone-inferior [ -copies @var{n} ] [ @var{infno} ]
2440 Adds @var{n} inferiors ready to execute the same program as inferior
2441 @var{infno}. @var{n} defaults to 1. @var{infno} defaults to the
2442 number of the current inferior. This is a convenient command when you
2443 want to run another instance of the inferior you are debugging.
2444
2445 @smallexample
2446 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2447 Num Description Executable
2448 * 1 process 29964 helloworld
2449 (@value{GDBP}) clone-inferior
2450 Added inferior 2.
2451 1 inferiors added.
2452 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2453 Num Description Executable
2454 2 <null> helloworld
2455 * 1 process 29964 helloworld
2456 @end smallexample
2457
2458 You can now simply switch focus to inferior 2 and run it.
2459
2460 @kindex remove-inferior
2461 @item remove-inferior @var{infno}
2462 Removes the inferior @var{infno}. It is not possible to remove an
2463 inferior that is running with this command. For those, use the
2464 @code{kill} or @code{detach} command first.
2465
2466 @end table
2467
2468 To quit debugging one of the running inferiors that is not the current
2469 inferior, you can either detach from it by using the @w{@code{detach
2470 inferior}} command (allowing it to run independently), or kill it
2471 using the @w{@code{kill inferior}} command:
2472
2473 @table @code
2474 @kindex detach inferior @var{infno}
2475 @item detach inferior @var{infno}
2476 Detach from the inferior identified by @value{GDBN} inferior number
2477 @var{infno}, and remove it from the inferior list.
2478
2479 @kindex kill inferior @var{infno}
2480 @item kill inferior @var{infno}
2481 Kill the inferior identified by @value{GDBN} inferior number
2482 @var{infno}, and remove it from the inferior list.
2483 @end table
2484
2485 After the successful completion of a command such as @code{detach},
2486 @code{detach inferior}, @code{kill} or @code{kill inferior}, or after
2487 a normal process exit, the inferior is still valid and listed with
2488 @code{info inferiors}, ready to be restarted.
2489
2490
2491 To be notified when inferiors are started or exit under @value{GDBN}'s
2492 control use @w{@code{set print inferior-events}}:
2493
2494 @table @code
2495 @kindex set print inferior-events
2496 @cindex print messages on inferior start and exit
2497 @item set print inferior-events
2498 @itemx set print inferior-events on
2499 @itemx set print inferior-events off
2500 The @code{set print inferior-events} command allows you to enable or
2501 disable printing of messages when @value{GDBN} notices that new
2502 inferiors have started or that inferiors have exited or have been
2503 detached. By default, these messages will not be printed.
2504
2505 @kindex show print inferior-events
2506 @item show print inferior-events
2507 Show whether messages will be printed when @value{GDBN} detects that
2508 inferiors have started, exited or have been detached.
2509 @end table
2510
2511 Many commands will work the same with multiple programs as with a
2512 single program: e.g., @code{print myglobal} will simply display the
2513 value of @code{myglobal} in the current inferior.
2514
2515
2516 Occasionaly, when debugging @value{GDBN} itself, it may be useful to
2517 get more info about the relationship of inferiors, programs, address
2518 spaces in a debug session. You can do that with the @w{@code{maint
2519 info program-spaces}} command.
2520
2521 @table @code
2522 @kindex maint info program-spaces
2523 @item maint info program-spaces
2524 Print a list of all program spaces currently being managed by
2525 @value{GDBN}.
2526
2527 @value{GDBN} displays for each program space (in this order):
2528
2529 @enumerate
2530 @item
2531 the program space number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2532
2533 @item
2534 the name of the executable loaded into the program space, with e.g.,
2535 the @code{file} command.
2536
2537 @end enumerate
2538
2539 @noindent
2540 An asterisk @samp{*} preceding the @value{GDBN} program space number
2541 indicates the current program space.
2542
2543 In addition, below each program space line, @value{GDBN} prints extra
2544 information that isn't suitable to display in tabular form. For
2545 example, the list of inferiors bound to the program space.
2546
2547 @smallexample
2548 (@value{GDBP}) maint info program-spaces
2549 Id Executable
2550 2 goodbye
2551 Bound inferiors: ID 1 (process 21561)
2552 * 1 hello
2553 @end smallexample
2554
2555 Here we can see that no inferior is running the program @code{hello},
2556 while @code{process 21561} is running the program @code{goodbye}. On
2557 some targets, it is possible that multiple inferiors are bound to the
2558 same program space. The most common example is that of debugging both
2559 the parent and child processes of a @code{vfork} call. For example,
2560
2561 @smallexample
2562 (@value{GDBP}) maint info program-spaces
2563 Id Executable
2564 * 1 vfork-test
2565 Bound inferiors: ID 2 (process 18050), ID 1 (process 18045)
2566 @end smallexample
2567
2568 Here, both inferior 2 and inferior 1 are running in the same program
2569 space as a result of inferior 1 having executed a @code{vfork} call.
2570 @end table
2571
2572 @node Threads
2573 @section Debugging Programs with Multiple Threads
2574
2575 @cindex threads of execution
2576 @cindex multiple threads
2577 @cindex switching threads
2578 In some operating systems, such as HP-UX and Solaris, a single program
2579 may have more than one @dfn{thread} of execution. The precise semantics
2580 of threads differ from one operating system to another, but in general
2581 the threads of a single program are akin to multiple processes---except
2582 that they share one address space (that is, they can all examine and
2583 modify the same variables). On the other hand, each thread has its own
2584 registers and execution stack, and perhaps private memory.
2585
2586 @value{GDBN} provides these facilities for debugging multi-thread
2587 programs:
2588
2589 @itemize @bullet
2590 @item automatic notification of new threads
2591 @item @samp{thread @var{threadno}}, a command to switch among threads
2592 @item @samp{info threads}, a command to inquire about existing threads
2593 @item @samp{thread apply [@var{threadno}] [@var{all}] @var{args}},
2594 a command to apply a command to a list of threads
2595 @item thread-specific breakpoints
2596 @item @samp{set print thread-events}, which controls printing of
2597 messages on thread start and exit.
2598 @item @samp{set libthread-db-search-path @var{path}}, which lets
2599 the user specify which @code{libthread_db} to use if the default choice
2600 isn't compatible with the program.
2601 @end itemize
2602
2603 @quotation
2604 @emph{Warning:} These facilities are not yet available on every
2605 @value{GDBN} configuration where the operating system supports threads.
2606 If your @value{GDBN} does not support threads, these commands have no
2607 effect. For example, a system without thread support shows no output
2608 from @samp{info threads}, and always rejects the @code{thread} command,
2609 like this:
2610
2611 @smallexample
2612 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2613 (@value{GDBP}) thread 1
2614 Thread ID 1 not known. Use the "info threads" command to
2615 see the IDs of currently known threads.
2616 @end smallexample
2617 @c FIXME to implementors: how hard would it be to say "sorry, this GDB
2618 @c doesn't support threads"?
2619 @end quotation
2620
2621 @cindex focus of debugging
2622 @cindex current thread
2623 The @value{GDBN} thread debugging facility allows you to observe all
2624 threads while your program runs---but whenever @value{GDBN} takes
2625 control, one thread in particular is always the focus of debugging.
2626 This thread is called the @dfn{current thread}. Debugging commands show
2627 program information from the perspective of the current thread.
2628
2629 @cindex @code{New} @var{systag} message
2630 @cindex thread identifier (system)
2631 @c FIXME-implementors!! It would be more helpful if the [New...] message
2632 @c included GDB's numeric thread handle, so you could just go to that
2633 @c thread without first checking `info threads'.
2634 Whenever @value{GDBN} detects a new thread in your program, it displays
2635 the target system's identification for the thread with a message in the
2636 form @samp{[New @var{systag}]}. @var{systag} is a thread identifier
2637 whose form varies depending on the particular system. For example, on
2638 @sc{gnu}/Linux, you might see
2639
2640 @smallexample
2641 [New Thread 46912507313328 (LWP 25582)]
2642 @end smallexample
2643
2644 @noindent
2645 when @value{GDBN} notices a new thread. In contrast, on an SGI system,
2646 the @var{systag} is simply something like @samp{process 368}, with no
2647 further qualifier.
2648
2649 @c FIXME!! (1) Does the [New...] message appear even for the very first
2650 @c thread of a program, or does it only appear for the
2651 @c second---i.e.@: when it becomes obvious we have a multithread
2652 @c program?
2653 @c (2) *Is* there necessarily a first thread always? Or do some
2654 @c multithread systems permit starting a program with multiple
2655 @c threads ab initio?
2656
2657 @cindex thread number
2658 @cindex thread identifier (GDB)
2659 For debugging purposes, @value{GDBN} associates its own thread
2660 number---always a single integer---with each thread in your program.
2661
2662 @table @code
2663 @kindex info threads
2664 @item info threads
2665 Display a summary of all threads currently in your
2666 program. @value{GDBN} displays for each thread (in this order):
2667
2668 @enumerate
2669 @item
2670 the thread number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2671
2672 @item
2673 the target system's thread identifier (@var{systag})
2674
2675 @item
2676 the current stack frame summary for that thread
2677 @end enumerate
2678
2679 @noindent
2680 An asterisk @samp{*} to the left of the @value{GDBN} thread number
2681 indicates the current thread.
2682
2683 For example,
2684 @end table
2685 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2686
2687 @smallexample
2688 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2689 3 process 35 thread 27 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2690 2 process 35 thread 23 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2691 * 1 process 35 thread 13 main (argc=1, argv=0x7ffffff8)
2692 at threadtest.c:68
2693 @end smallexample
2694
2695 On HP-UX systems:
2696
2697 @cindex debugging multithreaded programs (on HP-UX)
2698 @cindex thread identifier (GDB), on HP-UX
2699 For debugging purposes, @value{GDBN} associates its own thread
2700 number---a small integer assigned in thread-creation order---with each
2701 thread in your program.
2702
2703 @cindex @code{New} @var{systag} message, on HP-UX
2704 @cindex thread identifier (system), on HP-UX
2705 @c FIXME-implementors!! It would be more helpful if the [New...] message
2706 @c included GDB's numeric thread handle, so you could just go to that
2707 @c thread without first checking `info threads'.
2708 Whenever @value{GDBN} detects a new thread in your program, it displays
2709 both @value{GDBN}'s thread number and the target system's identification for the thread with a message in the
2710 form @samp{[New @var{systag}]}. @var{systag} is a thread identifier
2711 whose form varies depending on the particular system. For example, on
2712 HP-UX, you see
2713
2714 @smallexample
2715 [New thread 2 (system thread 26594)]
2716 @end smallexample
2717
2718 @noindent
2719 when @value{GDBN} notices a new thread.
2720
2721 @table @code
2722 @kindex info threads (HP-UX)
2723 @item info threads
2724 Display a summary of all threads currently in your
2725 program. @value{GDBN} displays for each thread (in this order):
2726
2727 @enumerate
2728 @item the thread number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2729
2730 @item the target system's thread identifier (@var{systag})
2731
2732 @item the current stack frame summary for that thread
2733 @end enumerate
2734
2735 @noindent
2736 An asterisk @samp{*} to the left of the @value{GDBN} thread number
2737 indicates the current thread.
2738
2739 For example,
2740 @end table
2741 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2742
2743 @smallexample
2744 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2745 * 3 system thread 26607 worker (wptr=0x7b09c318 "@@") \@*
2746 at quicksort.c:137
2747 2 system thread 26606 0x7b0030d8 in __ksleep () \@*
2748 from /usr/lib/libc.2
2749 1 system thread 27905 0x7b003498 in _brk () \@*
2750 from /usr/lib/libc.2
2751 @end smallexample
2752
2753 On Solaris, you can display more information about user threads with a
2754 Solaris-specific command:
2755
2756 @table @code
2757 @item maint info sol-threads
2758 @kindex maint info sol-threads
2759 @cindex thread info (Solaris)
2760 Display info on Solaris user threads.
2761 @end table
2762
2763 @table @code
2764 @kindex thread @var{threadno}
2765 @item thread @var{threadno}
2766 Make thread number @var{threadno} the current thread. The command
2767 argument @var{threadno} is the internal @value{GDBN} thread number, as
2768 shown in the first field of the @samp{info threads} display.
2769 @value{GDBN} responds by displaying the system identifier of the thread
2770 you selected, and its current stack frame summary:
2771
2772 @smallexample
2773 @c FIXME!! This example made up; find a @value{GDBN} w/threads and get real one
2774 (@value{GDBP}) thread 2
2775 [Switching to process 35 thread 23]
2776 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2777 @end smallexample
2778
2779 @noindent
2780 As with the @samp{[New @dots{}]} message, the form of the text after
2781 @samp{Switching to} depends on your system's conventions for identifying
2782 threads.
2783
2784 @kindex thread apply
2785 @cindex apply command to several threads
2786 @item thread apply [@var{threadno}] [@var{all}] @var{command}
2787 The @code{thread apply} command allows you to apply the named
2788 @var{command} to one or more threads. Specify the numbers of the
2789 threads that you want affected with the command argument
2790 @var{threadno}. It can be a single thread number, one of the numbers
2791 shown in the first field of the @samp{info threads} display; or it
2792 could be a range of thread numbers, as in @code{2-4}. To apply a
2793 command to all threads, type @kbd{thread apply all @var{command}}.
2794
2795 @kindex set print thread-events
2796 @cindex print messages on thread start and exit
2797 @item set print thread-events
2798 @itemx set print thread-events on
2799 @itemx set print thread-events off
2800 The @code{set print thread-events} command allows you to enable or
2801 disable printing of messages when @value{GDBN} notices that new threads have
2802 started or that threads have exited. By default, these messages will
2803 be printed if detection of these events is supported by the target.
2804 Note that these messages cannot be disabled on all targets.
2805
2806 @kindex show print thread-events
2807 @item show print thread-events
2808 Show whether messages will be printed when @value{GDBN} detects that threads
2809 have started and exited.
2810 @end table
2811
2812 @xref{Thread Stops,,Stopping and Starting Multi-thread Programs}, for
2813 more information about how @value{GDBN} behaves when you stop and start
2814 programs with multiple threads.
2815
2816 @xref{Set Watchpoints,,Setting Watchpoints}, for information about
2817 watchpoints in programs with multiple threads.
2818
2819 @table @code
2820 @kindex set libthread-db-search-path
2821 @cindex search path for @code{libthread_db}
2822 @item set libthread-db-search-path @r{[}@var{path}@r{]}
2823 If this variable is set, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
2824 directories @value{GDBN} will use to search for @code{libthread_db}.
2825 If you omit @var{path}, @samp{libthread-db-search-path} will be reset to
2826 an empty list.
2827
2828 On @sc{gnu}/Linux and Solaris systems, @value{GDBN} uses a ``helper''
2829 @code{libthread_db} library to obtain information about threads in the
2830 inferior process. @value{GDBN} will use @samp{libthread-db-search-path}
2831 to find @code{libthread_db}. If that fails, @value{GDBN} will continue
2832 with default system shared library directories, and finally the directory
2833 from which @code{libpthread} was loaded in the inferior process.
2834
2835 For any @code{libthread_db} library @value{GDBN} finds in above directories,
2836 @value{GDBN} attempts to initialize it with the current inferior process.
2837 If this initialization fails (which could happen because of a version
2838 mismatch between @code{libthread_db} and @code{libpthread}), @value{GDBN}
2839 will unload @code{libthread_db}, and continue with the next directory.
2840 If none of @code{libthread_db} libraries initialize successfully,
2841 @value{GDBN} will issue a warning and thread debugging will be disabled.
2842
2843 Setting @code{libthread-db-search-path} is currently implemented
2844 only on some platforms.
2845
2846 @kindex show libthread-db-search-path
2847 @item show libthread-db-search-path
2848 Display current libthread_db search path.
2849 @end table
2850
2851 @node Forks
2852 @section Debugging Forks
2853
2854 @cindex fork, debugging programs which call
2855 @cindex multiple processes
2856 @cindex processes, multiple
2857 On most systems, @value{GDBN} has no special support for debugging
2858 programs which create additional processes using the @code{fork}
2859 function. When a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug the
2860 parent process and the child process will run unimpeded. If you have
2861 set a breakpoint in any code which the child then executes, the child
2862 will get a @code{SIGTRAP} signal which (unless it catches the signal)
2863 will cause it to terminate.
2864
2865 However, if you want to debug the child process there is a workaround
2866 which isn't too painful. Put a call to @code{sleep} in the code which
2867 the child process executes after the fork. It may be useful to sleep
2868 only if a certain environment variable is set, or a certain file exists,
2869 so that the delay need not occur when you don't want to run @value{GDBN}
2870 on the child. While the child is sleeping, use the @code{ps} program to
2871 get its process ID. Then tell @value{GDBN} (a new invocation of
2872 @value{GDBN} if you are also debugging the parent process) to attach to
2873 the child process (@pxref{Attach}). From that point on you can debug
2874 the child process just like any other process which you attached to.
2875
2876 On some systems, @value{GDBN} provides support for debugging programs that
2877 create additional processes using the @code{fork} or @code{vfork} functions.
2878 Currently, the only platforms with this feature are HP-UX (11.x and later
2879 only?) and @sc{gnu}/Linux (kernel version 2.5.60 and later).
2880
2881 By default, when a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug
2882 the parent process and the child process will run unimpeded.
2883
2884 If you want to follow the child process instead of the parent process,
2885 use the command @w{@code{set follow-fork-mode}}.
2886
2887 @table @code
2888 @kindex set follow-fork-mode
2889 @item set follow-fork-mode @var{mode}
2890 Set the debugger response to a program call of @code{fork} or
2891 @code{vfork}. A call to @code{fork} or @code{vfork} creates a new
2892 process. The @var{mode} argument can be:
2893
2894 @table @code
2895 @item parent
2896 The original process is debugged after a fork. The child process runs
2897 unimpeded. This is the default.
2898
2899 @item child
2900 The new process is debugged after a fork. The parent process runs
2901 unimpeded.
2902
2903 @end table
2904
2905 @kindex show follow-fork-mode
2906 @item show follow-fork-mode
2907 Display the current debugger response to a @code{fork} or @code{vfork} call.
2908 @end table
2909
2910 @cindex debugging multiple processes
2911 On Linux, if you want to debug both the parent and child processes, use the
2912 command @w{@code{set detach-on-fork}}.
2913
2914 @table @code
2915 @kindex set detach-on-fork
2916 @item set detach-on-fork @var{mode}
2917 Tells gdb whether to detach one of the processes after a fork, or
2918 retain debugger control over them both.
2919
2920 @table @code
2921 @item on
2922 The child process (or parent process, depending on the value of
2923 @code{follow-fork-mode}) will be detached and allowed to run
2924 independently. This is the default.
2925
2926 @item off
2927 Both processes will be held under the control of @value{GDBN}.
2928 One process (child or parent, depending on the value of
2929 @code{follow-fork-mode}) is debugged as usual, while the other
2930 is held suspended.
2931
2932 @end table
2933
2934 @kindex show detach-on-fork
2935 @item show detach-on-fork
2936 Show whether detach-on-fork mode is on/off.
2937 @end table
2938
2939 If you choose to set @samp{detach-on-fork} mode off, then @value{GDBN}
2940 will retain control of all forked processes (including nested forks).
2941 You can list the forked processes under the control of @value{GDBN} by
2942 using the @w{@code{info inferiors}} command, and switch from one fork
2943 to another by using the @code{inferior} command (@pxref{Inferiors and
2944 Programs, ,Debugging Multiple Inferiors and Programs}).
2945
2946 To quit debugging one of the forked processes, you can either detach
2947 from it by using the @w{@code{detach inferior}} command (allowing it
2948 to run independently), or kill it using the @w{@code{kill inferior}}
2949 command. @xref{Inferiors and Programs, ,Debugging Multiple Inferiors
2950 and Programs}.
2951
2952 If you ask to debug a child process and a @code{vfork} is followed by an
2953 @code{exec}, @value{GDBN} executes the new target up to the first
2954 breakpoint in the new target. If you have a breakpoint set on
2955 @code{main} in your original program, the breakpoint will also be set on
2956 the child process's @code{main}.
2957
2958 On some systems, when a child process is spawned by @code{vfork}, you
2959 cannot debug the child or parent until an @code{exec} call completes.
2960
2961 If you issue a @code{run} command to @value{GDBN} after an @code{exec}
2962 call executes, the new target restarts. To restart the parent
2963 process, use the @code{file} command with the parent executable name
2964 as its argument. By default, after an @code{exec} call executes,
2965 @value{GDBN} discards the symbols of the previous executable image.
2966 You can change this behaviour with the @w{@code{set follow-exec-mode}}
2967 command.
2968
2969 @table @code
2970 @kindex set follow-exec-mode
2971 @item set follow-exec-mode @var{mode}
2972
2973 Set debugger response to a program call of @code{exec}. An
2974 @code{exec} call replaces the program image of a process.
2975
2976 @code{follow-exec-mode} can be:
2977
2978 @table @code
2979 @item new
2980 @value{GDBN} creates a new inferior and rebinds the process to this
2981 new inferior. The program the process was running before the
2982 @code{exec} call can be restarted afterwards by restarting the
2983 original inferior.
2984
2985 For example:
2986
2987 @smallexample
2988 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2989 (gdb) info inferior
2990 Id Description Executable
2991 * 1 <null> prog1
2992 (@value{GDBP}) run
2993 process 12020 is executing new program: prog2
2994 Program exited normally.
2995 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2996 Id Description Executable
2997 * 2 <null> prog2
2998 1 <null> prog1
2999 @end smallexample
3000
3001 @item same
3002 @value{GDBN} keeps the process bound to the same inferior. The new
3003 executable image replaces the previous executable loaded in the
3004 inferior. Restarting the inferior after the @code{exec} call, with
3005 e.g., the @code{run} command, restarts the executable the process was
3006 running after the @code{exec} call. This is the default mode.
3007
3008 For example:
3009
3010 @smallexample
3011 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3012 Id Description Executable
3013 * 1 <null> prog1
3014 (@value{GDBP}) run
3015 process 12020 is executing new program: prog2
3016 Program exited normally.
3017 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3018 Id Description Executable
3019 * 1 <null> prog2
3020 @end smallexample
3021
3022 @end table
3023 @end table
3024
3025 You can use the @code{catch} command to make @value{GDBN} stop whenever
3026 a @code{fork}, @code{vfork}, or @code{exec} call is made. @xref{Set
3027 Catchpoints, ,Setting Catchpoints}.
3028
3029 @node Checkpoint/Restart
3030 @section Setting a @emph{Bookmark} to Return to Later
3031
3032 @cindex checkpoint
3033 @cindex restart
3034 @cindex bookmark
3035 @cindex snapshot of a process
3036 @cindex rewind program state
3037
3038 On certain operating systems@footnote{Currently, only
3039 @sc{gnu}/Linux.}, @value{GDBN} is able to save a @dfn{snapshot} of a
3040 program's state, called a @dfn{checkpoint}, and come back to it
3041 later.
3042
3043 Returning to a checkpoint effectively undoes everything that has
3044 happened in the program since the @code{checkpoint} was saved. This
3045 includes changes in memory, registers, and even (within some limits)
3046 system state. Effectively, it is like going back in time to the
3047 moment when the checkpoint was saved.
3048
3049 Thus, if you're stepping thru a program and you think you're
3050 getting close to the point where things go wrong, you can save
3051 a checkpoint. Then, if you accidentally go too far and miss
3052 the critical statement, instead of having to restart your program
3053 from the beginning, you can just go back to the checkpoint and
3054 start again from there.
3055
3056 This can be especially useful if it takes a lot of time or
3057 steps to reach the point where you think the bug occurs.
3058
3059 To use the @code{checkpoint}/@code{restart} method of debugging:
3060
3061 @table @code
3062 @kindex checkpoint
3063 @item checkpoint
3064 Save a snapshot of the debugged program's current execution state.
3065 The @code{checkpoint} command takes no arguments, but each checkpoint
3066 is assigned a small integer id, similar to a breakpoint id.
3067
3068 @kindex info checkpoints
3069 @item info checkpoints
3070 List the checkpoints that have been saved in the current debugging
3071 session. For each checkpoint, the following information will be
3072 listed:
3073
3074 @table @code
3075 @item Checkpoint ID
3076 @item Process ID
3077 @item Code Address
3078 @item Source line, or label
3079 @end table
3080
3081 @kindex restart @var{checkpoint-id}
3082 @item restart @var{checkpoint-id}
3083 Restore the program state that was saved as checkpoint number
3084 @var{checkpoint-id}. All program variables, registers, stack frames
3085 etc.@: will be returned to the values that they had when the checkpoint
3086 was saved. In essence, gdb will ``wind back the clock'' to the point
3087 in time when the checkpoint was saved.
3088
3089 Note that breakpoints, @value{GDBN} variables, command history etc.
3090 are not affected by restoring a checkpoint. In general, a checkpoint
3091 only restores things that reside in the program being debugged, not in
3092 the debugger.
3093
3094 @kindex delete checkpoint @var{checkpoint-id}
3095 @item delete checkpoint @var{checkpoint-id}
3096 Delete the previously-saved checkpoint identified by @var{checkpoint-id}.
3097
3098 @end table
3099
3100 Returning to a previously saved checkpoint will restore the user state
3101 of the program being debugged, plus a significant subset of the system
3102 (OS) state, including file pointers. It won't ``un-write'' data from
3103 a file, but it will rewind the file pointer to the previous location,
3104 so that the previously written data can be overwritten. For files
3105 opened in read mode, the pointer will also be restored so that the
3106 previously read data can be read again.
3107
3108 Of course, characters that have been sent to a printer (or other
3109 external device) cannot be ``snatched back'', and characters received
3110 from eg.@: a serial device can be removed from internal program buffers,
3111 but they cannot be ``pushed back'' into the serial pipeline, ready to
3112 be received again. Similarly, the actual contents of files that have
3113 been changed cannot be restored (at this time).
3114
3115 However, within those constraints, you actually can ``rewind'' your
3116 program to a previously saved point in time, and begin debugging it
3117 again --- and you can change the course of events so as to debug a
3118 different execution path this time.
3119
3120 @cindex checkpoints and process id
3121 Finally, there is one bit of internal program state that will be
3122 different when you return to a checkpoint --- the program's process
3123 id. Each checkpoint will have a unique process id (or @var{pid}),
3124 and each will be different from the program's original @var{pid}.
3125 If your program has saved a local copy of its process id, this could
3126 potentially pose a problem.
3127
3128 @subsection A Non-obvious Benefit of Using Checkpoints
3129
3130 On some systems such as @sc{gnu}/Linux, address space randomization
3131 is performed on new processes for security reasons. This makes it
3132 difficult or impossible to set a breakpoint, or watchpoint, on an
3133 absolute address if you have to restart the program, since the
3134 absolute location of a symbol will change from one execution to the
3135 next.
3136
3137 A checkpoint, however, is an @emph{identical} copy of a process.
3138 Therefore if you create a checkpoint at (eg.@:) the start of main,
3139 and simply return to that checkpoint instead of restarting the
3140 process, you can avoid the effects of address randomization and
3141 your symbols will all stay in the same place.
3142
3143 @node Stopping
3144 @chapter Stopping and Continuing
3145
3146 The principal purposes of using a debugger are so that you can stop your
3147 program before it terminates; or so that, if your program runs into
3148 trouble, you can investigate and find out why.
3149
3150 Inside @value{GDBN}, your program may stop for any of several reasons,
3151 such as a signal, a breakpoint, or reaching a new line after a
3152 @value{GDBN} command such as @code{step}. You may then examine and
3153 change variables, set new breakpoints or remove old ones, and then
3154 continue execution. Usually, the messages shown by @value{GDBN} provide
3155 ample explanation of the status of your program---but you can also
3156 explicitly request this information at any time.
3157
3158 @table @code
3159 @kindex info program
3160 @item info program
3161 Display information about the status of your program: whether it is
3162 running or not, what process it is, and why it stopped.
3163 @end table
3164
3165 @menu
3166 * Breakpoints:: Breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints
3167 * Continuing and Stepping:: Resuming execution
3168 * Signals:: Signals
3169 * Thread Stops:: Stopping and starting multi-thread programs
3170 @end menu
3171
3172 @node Breakpoints
3173 @section Breakpoints, Watchpoints, and Catchpoints
3174
3175 @cindex breakpoints
3176 A @dfn{breakpoint} makes your program stop whenever a certain point in
3177 the program is reached. For each breakpoint, you can add conditions to
3178 control in finer detail whether your program stops. You can set
3179 breakpoints with the @code{break} command and its variants (@pxref{Set
3180 Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}), to specify the place where your program
3181 should stop by line number, function name or exact address in the
3182 program.
3183
3184 On some systems, you can set breakpoints in shared libraries before
3185 the executable is run. There is a minor limitation on HP-UX systems:
3186 you must wait until the executable is run in order to set breakpoints
3187 in shared library routines that are not called directly by the program
3188 (for example, routines that are arguments in a @code{pthread_create}
3189 call).
3190
3191 @cindex watchpoints
3192 @cindex data breakpoints
3193 @cindex memory tracing
3194 @cindex breakpoint on memory address
3195 @cindex breakpoint on variable modification
3196 A @dfn{watchpoint} is a special breakpoint that stops your program
3197 when the value of an expression changes. The expression may be a value
3198 of a variable, or it could involve values of one or more variables
3199 combined by operators, such as @samp{a + b}. This is sometimes called
3200 @dfn{data breakpoints}. You must use a different command to set
3201 watchpoints (@pxref{Set Watchpoints, ,Setting Watchpoints}), but aside
3202 from that, you can manage a watchpoint like any other breakpoint: you
3203 enable, disable, and delete both breakpoints and watchpoints using the
3204 same commands.
3205
3206 You can arrange to have values from your program displayed automatically
3207 whenever @value{GDBN} stops at a breakpoint. @xref{Auto Display,,
3208 Automatic Display}.
3209
3210 @cindex catchpoints
3211 @cindex breakpoint on events
3212 A @dfn{catchpoint} is another special breakpoint that stops your program
3213 when a certain kind of event occurs, such as the throwing of a C@t{++}
3214 exception or the loading of a library. As with watchpoints, you use a
3215 different command to set a catchpoint (@pxref{Set Catchpoints, ,Setting
3216 Catchpoints}), but aside from that, you can manage a catchpoint like any
3217 other breakpoint. (To stop when your program receives a signal, use the
3218 @code{handle} command; see @ref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
3219
3220 @cindex breakpoint numbers
3221 @cindex numbers for breakpoints
3222 @value{GDBN} assigns a number to each breakpoint, watchpoint, or
3223 catchpoint when you create it; these numbers are successive integers
3224 starting with one. In many of the commands for controlling various
3225 features of breakpoints you use the breakpoint number to say which
3226 breakpoint you want to change. Each breakpoint may be @dfn{enabled} or
3227 @dfn{disabled}; if disabled, it has no effect on your program until you
3228 enable it again.
3229
3230 @cindex breakpoint ranges
3231 @cindex ranges of breakpoints
3232 Some @value{GDBN} commands accept a range of breakpoints on which to
3233 operate. A breakpoint range is either a single breakpoint number, like
3234 @samp{5}, or two such numbers, in increasing order, separated by a
3235 hyphen, like @samp{5-7}. When a breakpoint range is given to a command,
3236 all breakpoints in that range are operated on.
3237
3238 @menu
3239 * Set Breaks:: Setting breakpoints
3240 * Set Watchpoints:: Setting watchpoints
3241 * Set Catchpoints:: Setting catchpoints
3242 * Delete Breaks:: Deleting breakpoints
3243 * Disabling:: Disabling breakpoints
3244 * Conditions:: Break conditions
3245 * Break Commands:: Breakpoint command lists
3246 * Error in Breakpoints:: ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
3247 * Breakpoint-related Warnings:: ``Breakpoint address adjusted...''
3248 @end menu
3249
3250 @node Set Breaks
3251 @subsection Setting Breakpoints
3252
3253 @c FIXME LMB what does GDB do if no code on line of breakpt?
3254 @c consider in particular declaration with/without initialization.
3255 @c
3256 @c FIXME 2 is there stuff on this already? break at fun start, already init?
3257
3258 @kindex break
3259 @kindex b @r{(@code{break})}
3260 @vindex $bpnum@r{, convenience variable}
3261 @cindex latest breakpoint
3262 Breakpoints are set with the @code{break} command (abbreviated
3263 @code{b}). The debugger convenience variable @samp{$bpnum} records the
3264 number of the breakpoint you've set most recently; see @ref{Convenience
3265 Vars,, Convenience Variables}, for a discussion of what you can do with
3266 convenience variables.
3267
3268 @table @code
3269 @item break @var{location}
3270 Set a breakpoint at the given @var{location}, which can specify a
3271 function name, a line number, or an address of an instruction.
3272 (@xref{Specify Location}, for a list of all the possible ways to
3273 specify a @var{location}.) The breakpoint will stop your program just
3274 before it executes any of the code in the specified @var{location}.
3275
3276 When using source languages that permit overloading of symbols, such as
3277 C@t{++}, a function name may refer to more than one possible place to break.
3278 @xref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous Expressions}, for a discussion of
3279 that situation.
3280
3281 It is also possible to insert a breakpoint that will stop the program
3282 only if a specific thread (@pxref{Thread-Specific Breakpoints})
3283 or a specific task (@pxref{Ada Tasks}) hits that breakpoint.
3284
3285 @item break
3286 When called without any arguments, @code{break} sets a breakpoint at
3287 the next instruction to be executed in the selected stack frame
3288 (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the Stack}). In any selected frame but the
3289 innermost, this makes your program stop as soon as control
3290 returns to that frame. This is similar to the effect of a
3291 @code{finish} command in the frame inside the selected frame---except
3292 that @code{finish} does not leave an active breakpoint. If you use
3293 @code{break} without an argument in the innermost frame, @value{GDBN} stops
3294 the next time it reaches the current location; this may be useful
3295 inside loops.
3296
3297 @value{GDBN} normally ignores breakpoints when it resumes execution, until at
3298 least one instruction has been executed. If it did not do this, you
3299 would be unable to proceed past a breakpoint without first disabling the
3300 breakpoint. This rule applies whether or not the breakpoint already
3301 existed when your program stopped.
3302
3303 @item break @dots{} if @var{cond}
3304 Set a breakpoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
3305 @var{cond} each time the breakpoint is reached, and stop only if the
3306 value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
3307 @samp{@dots{}} stands for one of the possible arguments described
3308 above (or no argument) specifying where to break. @xref{Conditions,
3309 ,Break Conditions}, for more information on breakpoint conditions.
3310
3311 @kindex tbreak
3312 @item tbreak @var{args}
3313 Set a breakpoint enabled only for one stop. @var{args} are the
3314 same as for the @code{break} command, and the breakpoint is set in the same
3315 way, but the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the first time your
3316 program stops there. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}.
3317
3318 @kindex hbreak
3319 @cindex hardware breakpoints
3320 @item hbreak @var{args}
3321 Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint. @var{args} are the same as for the
3322 @code{break} command and the breakpoint is set in the same way, but the
3323 breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware may not
3324 have this support. The main purpose of this is EPROM/ROM code
3325 debugging, so you can set a breakpoint at an instruction without
3326 changing the instruction. This can be used with the new trap-generation
3327 provided by SPARClite DSU and most x86-based targets. These targets
3328 will generate traps when a program accesses some data or instruction
3329 address that is assigned to the debug registers. However the hardware
3330 breakpoint registers can take a limited number of breakpoints. For
3331 example, on the DSU, only two data breakpoints can be set at a time, and
3332 @value{GDBN} will reject this command if more than two are used. Delete
3333 or disable unused hardware breakpoints before setting new ones
3334 (@pxref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}).
3335 @xref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}.
3336 For remote targets, you can restrict the number of hardware
3337 breakpoints @value{GDBN} will use, see @ref{set remote
3338 hardware-breakpoint-limit}.
3339
3340 @kindex thbreak
3341 @item thbreak @var{args}
3342 Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint enabled only for one stop. @var{args}
3343 are the same as for the @code{hbreak} command and the breakpoint is set in
3344 the same way. However, like the @code{tbreak} command,
3345 the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the
3346 first time your program stops there. Also, like the @code{hbreak}
3347 command, the breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware
3348 may not have this support. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}.
3349 See also @ref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}.
3350
3351 @kindex rbreak
3352 @cindex regular expression
3353 @cindex breakpoints in functions matching a regexp
3354 @cindex set breakpoints in many functions
3355 @item rbreak @var{regex}
3356 Set breakpoints on all functions matching the regular expression
3357 @var{regex}. This command sets an unconditional breakpoint on all
3358 matches, printing a list of all breakpoints it set. Once these
3359 breakpoints are set, they are treated just like the breakpoints set with
3360 the @code{break} command. You can delete them, disable them, or make
3361 them conditional the same way as any other breakpoint.
3362
3363 The syntax of the regular expression is the standard one used with tools
3364 like @file{grep}. Note that this is different from the syntax used by
3365 shells, so for instance @code{foo*} matches all functions that include
3366 an @code{fo} followed by zero or more @code{o}s. There is an implicit
3367 @code{.*} leading and trailing the regular expression you supply, so to
3368 match only functions that begin with @code{foo}, use @code{^foo}.
3369
3370 @cindex non-member C@t{++} functions, set breakpoint in
3371 When debugging C@t{++} programs, @code{rbreak} is useful for setting
3372 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
3373 classes.
3374
3375 @cindex set breakpoints on all functions
3376 The @code{rbreak} command can be used to set breakpoints in
3377 @strong{all} the functions in a program, like this:
3378
3379 @smallexample
3380 (@value{GDBP}) rbreak .
3381 @end smallexample
3382
3383 @kindex info breakpoints
3384 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info breakpoints}
3385 @item info breakpoints @r{[}@var{n}@r{]}
3386 @itemx info break @r{[}@var{n}@r{]}
3387 @itemx info watchpoints @r{[}@var{n}@r{]}
3388 Print a table of all breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints set and
3389 not deleted. Optional argument @var{n} means print information only
3390 about the specified breakpoint (or watchpoint or catchpoint). For
3391 each breakpoint, following columns are printed:
3392
3393 @table @emph
3394 @item Breakpoint Numbers
3395 @item Type
3396 Breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint.
3397 @item Disposition
3398 Whether the breakpoint is marked to be disabled or deleted when hit.
3399 @item Enabled or Disabled
3400 Enabled breakpoints are marked with @samp{y}. @samp{n} marks breakpoints
3401 that are not enabled.
3402 @item Address
3403 Where the breakpoint is in your program, as a memory address. For a
3404 pending breakpoint whose address is not yet known, this field will
3405 contain @samp{<PENDING>}. Such breakpoint won't fire until a shared
3406 library that has the symbol or line referred by breakpoint is loaded.
3407 See below for details. A breakpoint with several locations will
3408 have @samp{<MULTIPLE>} in this field---see below for details.
3409 @item What
3410 Where the breakpoint is in the source for your program, as a file and
3411 line number. For a pending breakpoint, the original string passed to
3412 the breakpoint command will be listed as it cannot be resolved until
3413 the appropriate shared library is loaded in the future.
3414 @end table
3415
3416 @noindent
3417 If a breakpoint is conditional, @code{info break} shows the condition on
3418 the line following the affected breakpoint; breakpoint commands, if any,
3419 are listed after that. A pending breakpoint is allowed to have a condition
3420 specified for it. The condition is not parsed for validity until a shared
3421 library is loaded that allows the pending breakpoint to resolve to a
3422 valid location.
3423
3424 @noindent
3425 @code{info break} with a breakpoint
3426 number @var{n} as argument lists only that breakpoint. The
3427 convenience variable @code{$_} and the default examining-address for
3428 the @code{x} command are set to the address of the last breakpoint
3429 listed (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}).
3430
3431 @noindent
3432 @code{info break} displays a count of the number of times the breakpoint
3433 has been hit. This is especially useful in conjunction with the
3434 @code{ignore} command. You can ignore a large number of breakpoint
3435 hits, look at the breakpoint info to see how many times the breakpoint
3436 was hit, and then run again, ignoring one less than that number. This
3437 will get you quickly to the last hit of that breakpoint.
3438 @end table
3439
3440 @value{GDBN} allows you to set any number of breakpoints at the same place in
3441 your program. There is nothing silly or meaningless about this. When
3442 the breakpoints are conditional, this is even useful
3443 (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
3444
3445 @cindex multiple locations, breakpoints
3446 @cindex breakpoints, multiple locations
3447 It is possible that a breakpoint corresponds to several locations
3448 in your program. Examples of this situation are:
3449
3450 @itemize @bullet
3451 @item
3452 For a C@t{++} constructor, the @value{NGCC} compiler generates several
3453 instances of the function body, used in different cases.
3454
3455 @item
3456 For a C@t{++} template function, a given line in the function can
3457 correspond to any number of instantiations.
3458
3459 @item
3460 For an inlined function, a given source line can correspond to
3461 several places where that function is inlined.
3462 @end itemize
3463
3464 In all those cases, @value{GDBN} will insert a breakpoint at all
3465 the relevant locations@footnote{
3466 As of this writing, multiple-location breakpoints work only if there's
3467 line number information for all the locations. This means that they
3468 will generally not work in system libraries, unless you have debug
3469 info with line numbers for them.}.
3470
3471 A breakpoint with multiple locations is displayed in the breakpoint
3472 table using several rows---one header row, followed by one row for
3473 each breakpoint location. The header row has @samp{<MULTIPLE>} in the
3474 address column. The rows for individual locations contain the actual
3475 addresses for locations, and show the functions to which those
3476 locations belong. The number column for a location is of the form
3477 @var{breakpoint-number}.@var{location-number}.
3478
3479 For example:
3480
3481 @smallexample
3482 Num Type Disp Enb Address What
3483 1 breakpoint keep y <MULTIPLE>
3484 stop only if i==1
3485 breakpoint already hit 1 time
3486 1.1 y 0x080486a2 in void foo<int>() at t.cc:8
3487 1.2 y 0x080486ca in void foo<double>() at t.cc:8
3488 @end smallexample
3489
3490 Each location can be individually enabled or disabled by passing
3491 @var{breakpoint-number}.@var{location-number} as argument to the
3492 @code{enable} and @code{disable} commands. Note that you cannot
3493 delete the individual locations from the list, you can only delete the
3494 entire list of locations that belong to their parent breakpoint (with
3495 the @kbd{delete @var{num}} command, where @var{num} is the number of
3496 the parent breakpoint, 1 in the above example). Disabling or enabling
3497 the parent breakpoint (@pxref{Disabling}) affects all of the locations
3498 that belong to that breakpoint.
3499
3500 @cindex pending breakpoints
3501 It's quite common to have a breakpoint inside a shared library.
3502 Shared libraries can be loaded and unloaded explicitly,
3503 and possibly repeatedly, as the program is executed. To support
3504 this use case, @value{GDBN} updates breakpoint locations whenever
3505 any shared library is loaded or unloaded. Typically, you would
3506 set a breakpoint in a shared library at the beginning of your
3507 debugging session, when the library is not loaded, and when the
3508 symbols from the library are not available. When you try to set
3509 breakpoint, @value{GDBN} will ask you if you want to set
3510 a so called @dfn{pending breakpoint}---breakpoint whose address
3511 is not yet resolved.
3512
3513 After the program is run, whenever a new shared library is loaded,
3514 @value{GDBN} reevaluates all the breakpoints. When a newly loaded
3515 shared library contains the symbol or line referred to by some
3516 pending breakpoint, that breakpoint is resolved and becomes an
3517 ordinary breakpoint. When a library is unloaded, all breakpoints
3518 that refer to its symbols or source lines become pending again.
3519
3520 This logic works for breakpoints with multiple locations, too. For
3521 example, if you have a breakpoint in a C@t{++} template function, and
3522 a newly loaded shared library has an instantiation of that template,
3523 a new location is added to the list of locations for the breakpoint.
3524
3525 Except for having unresolved address, pending breakpoints do not
3526 differ from regular breakpoints. You can set conditions or commands,
3527 enable and disable them and perform other breakpoint operations.
3528
3529 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling what
3530 happens when the @samp{break} command cannot resolve breakpoint
3531 address specification to an address:
3532
3533 @kindex set breakpoint pending
3534 @kindex show breakpoint pending
3535 @table @code
3536 @item set breakpoint pending auto
3537 This is the default behavior. When @value{GDBN} cannot find the breakpoint
3538 location, it queries you whether a pending breakpoint should be created.
3539
3540 @item set breakpoint pending on
3541 This indicates that an unrecognized breakpoint location should automatically
3542 result in a pending breakpoint being created.
3543
3544 @item set breakpoint pending off
3545 This indicates that pending breakpoints are not to be created. Any
3546 unrecognized breakpoint location results in an error. This setting does
3547 not affect any pending breakpoints previously created.
3548
3549 @item show breakpoint pending
3550 Show the current behavior setting for creating pending breakpoints.
3551 @end table
3552
3553 The settings above only affect the @code{break} command and its
3554 variants. Once breakpoint is set, it will be automatically updated
3555 as shared libraries are loaded and unloaded.
3556
3557 @cindex automatic hardware breakpoints
3558 For some targets, @value{GDBN} can automatically decide if hardware or
3559 software breakpoints should be used, depending on whether the
3560 breakpoint address is read-only or read-write. This applies to
3561 breakpoints set with the @code{break} command as well as to internal
3562 breakpoints set by commands like @code{next} and @code{finish}. For
3563 breakpoints set with @code{hbreak}, @value{GDBN} will always use hardware
3564 breakpoints.
3565
3566 You can control this automatic behaviour with the following commands::
3567
3568 @kindex set breakpoint auto-hw
3569 @kindex show breakpoint auto-hw
3570 @table @code
3571 @item set breakpoint auto-hw on
3572 This is the default behavior. When @value{GDBN} sets a breakpoint, it
3573 will try to use the target memory map to decide if software or hardware
3574 breakpoint must be used.
3575
3576 @item set breakpoint auto-hw off
3577 This indicates @value{GDBN} should not automatically select breakpoint
3578 type. If the target provides a memory map, @value{GDBN} will warn when
3579 trying to set software breakpoint at a read-only address.
3580 @end table
3581
3582 @value{GDBN} normally implements breakpoints by replacing the program code
3583 at the breakpoint address with a special instruction, which, when
3584 executed, given control to the debugger. By default, the program
3585 code is so modified only when the program is resumed. As soon as
3586 the program stops, @value{GDBN} restores the original instructions. This
3587 behaviour guards against leaving breakpoints inserted in the
3588 target should gdb abrubptly disconnect. However, with slow remote
3589 targets, inserting and removing breakpoint can reduce the performance.
3590 This behavior can be controlled with the following commands::
3591
3592 @kindex set breakpoint always-inserted
3593 @kindex show breakpoint always-inserted
3594 @table @code
3595 @item set breakpoint always-inserted off
3596 All breakpoints, including newly added by the user, are inserted in
3597 the target only when the target is resumed. All breakpoints are
3598 removed from the target when it stops.
3599
3600 @item set breakpoint always-inserted on
3601 Causes all breakpoints to be inserted in the target at all times. If
3602 the user adds a new breakpoint, or changes an existing breakpoint, the
3603 breakpoints in the target are updated immediately. A breakpoint is
3604 removed from the target only when breakpoint itself is removed.
3605
3606 @cindex non-stop mode, and @code{breakpoint always-inserted}
3607 @item set breakpoint always-inserted auto
3608 This is the default mode. If @value{GDBN} is controlling the inferior
3609 in non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}), gdb behaves as if
3610 @code{breakpoint always-inserted} mode is on. If @value{GDBN} is
3611 controlling the inferior in all-stop mode, @value{GDBN} behaves as if
3612 @code{breakpoint always-inserted} mode is off.
3613 @end table
3614
3615 @cindex negative breakpoint numbers
3616 @cindex internal @value{GDBN} breakpoints
3617 @value{GDBN} itself sometimes sets breakpoints in your program for
3618 special purposes, such as proper handling of @code{longjmp} (in C
3619 programs). These internal breakpoints are assigned negative numbers,
3620 starting with @code{-1}; @samp{info breakpoints} does not display them.
3621 You can see these breakpoints with the @value{GDBN} maintenance command
3622 @samp{maint info breakpoints} (@pxref{maint info breakpoints}).
3623
3624
3625 @node Set Watchpoints
3626 @subsection Setting Watchpoints
3627
3628 @cindex setting watchpoints
3629 You can use a watchpoint to stop execution whenever the value of an
3630 expression changes, without having to predict a particular place where
3631 this may happen. (This is sometimes called a @dfn{data breakpoint}.)
3632 The expression may be as simple as the value of a single variable, or
3633 as complex as many variables combined by operators. Examples include:
3634
3635 @itemize @bullet
3636 @item
3637 A reference to the value of a single variable.
3638
3639 @item
3640 An address cast to an appropriate data type. For example,
3641 @samp{*(int *)0x12345678} will watch a 4-byte region at the specified
3642 address (assuming an @code{int} occupies 4 bytes).
3643
3644 @item
3645 An arbitrarily complex expression, such as @samp{a*b + c/d}. The
3646 expression can use any operators valid in the program's native
3647 language (@pxref{Languages}).
3648 @end itemize
3649
3650 You can set a watchpoint on an expression even if the expression can
3651 not be evaluated yet. For instance, you can set a watchpoint on
3652 @samp{*global_ptr} before @samp{global_ptr} is initialized.
3653 @value{GDBN} will stop when your program sets @samp{global_ptr} and
3654 the expression produces a valid value. If the expression becomes
3655 valid in some other way than changing a variable (e.g.@: if the memory
3656 pointed to by @samp{*global_ptr} becomes readable as the result of a
3657 @code{malloc} call), @value{GDBN} may not stop until the next time
3658 the expression changes.
3659
3660 @cindex software watchpoints
3661 @cindex hardware watchpoints
3662 Depending on your system, watchpoints may be implemented in software or
3663 hardware. @value{GDBN} does software watchpointing by single-stepping your
3664 program and testing the variable's value each time, which is hundreds of
3665 times slower than normal execution. (But this may still be worth it, to
3666 catch errors where you have no clue what part of your program is the
3667 culprit.)
3668
3669 On some systems, such as HP-UX, PowerPC, @sc{gnu}/Linux and most other
3670 x86-based targets, @value{GDBN} includes support for hardware
3671 watchpoints, which do not slow down the running of your program.
3672
3673 @table @code
3674 @kindex watch
3675 @item watch @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]}
3676 Set a watchpoint for an expression. @value{GDBN} will break when the
3677 expression @var{expr} is written into by the program and its value
3678 changes. The simplest (and the most popular) use of this command is
3679 to watch the value of a single variable:
3680
3681 @smallexample
3682 (@value{GDBP}) watch foo
3683 @end smallexample
3684
3685 If the command includes a @code{@r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]}}
3686 clause, @value{GDBN} breaks only when the thread identified by
3687 @var{threadnum} changes the value of @var{expr}. If any other threads
3688 change the value of @var{expr}, @value{GDBN} will not break. Note
3689 that watchpoints restricted to a single thread in this way only work
3690 with Hardware Watchpoints.
3691
3692 @kindex rwatch
3693 @item rwatch @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]}
3694 Set a watchpoint that will break when the value of @var{expr} is read
3695 by the program.
3696
3697 @kindex awatch
3698 @item awatch @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]}
3699 Set a watchpoint that will break when @var{expr} is either read from
3700 or written into by the program.
3701
3702 @kindex info watchpoints @r{[}@var{n}@r{]}
3703 @item info watchpoints
3704 This command prints a list of watchpoints, breakpoints, and catchpoints;
3705 it is the same as @code{info break} (@pxref{Set Breaks}).
3706 @end table
3707
3708 @value{GDBN} sets a @dfn{hardware watchpoint} if possible. Hardware
3709 watchpoints execute very quickly, and the debugger reports a change in
3710 value at the exact instruction where the change occurs. If @value{GDBN}
3711 cannot set a hardware watchpoint, it sets a software watchpoint, which
3712 executes more slowly and reports the change in value at the next
3713 @emph{statement}, not the instruction, after the change occurs.
3714
3715 @cindex use only software watchpoints
3716 You can force @value{GDBN} to use only software watchpoints with the
3717 @kbd{set can-use-hw-watchpoints 0} command. With this variable set to
3718 zero, @value{GDBN} will never try to use hardware watchpoints, even if
3719 the underlying system supports them. (Note that hardware-assisted
3720 watchpoints that were set @emph{before} setting
3721 @code{can-use-hw-watchpoints} to zero will still use the hardware
3722 mechanism of watching expression values.)
3723
3724 @table @code
3725 @item set can-use-hw-watchpoints
3726 @kindex set can-use-hw-watchpoints
3727 Set whether or not to use hardware watchpoints.
3728
3729 @item show can-use-hw-watchpoints
3730 @kindex show can-use-hw-watchpoints
3731 Show the current mode of using hardware watchpoints.
3732 @end table
3733
3734 For remote targets, you can restrict the number of hardware
3735 watchpoints @value{GDBN} will use, see @ref{set remote
3736 hardware-breakpoint-limit}.
3737
3738 When you issue the @code{watch} command, @value{GDBN} reports
3739
3740 @smallexample
3741 Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: @var{expr}
3742 @end smallexample
3743
3744 @noindent
3745 if it was able to set a hardware watchpoint.
3746
3747 Currently, the @code{awatch} and @code{rwatch} commands can only set
3748 hardware watchpoints, because accesses to data that don't change the
3749 value of the watched expression cannot be detected without examining
3750 every instruction as it is being executed, and @value{GDBN} does not do
3751 that currently. If @value{GDBN} finds that it is unable to set a
3752 hardware breakpoint with the @code{awatch} or @code{rwatch} command, it
3753 will print a message like this:
3754
3755 @smallexample
3756 Expression cannot be implemented with read/access watchpoint.
3757 @end smallexample
3758
3759 Sometimes, @value{GDBN} cannot set a hardware watchpoint because the
3760 data type of the watched expression is wider than what a hardware
3761 watchpoint on the target machine can handle. For example, some systems
3762 can only watch regions that are up to 4 bytes wide; on such systems you
3763 cannot set hardware watchpoints for an expression that yields a
3764 double-precision floating-point number (which is typically 8 bytes
3765 wide). As a work-around, it might be possible to break the large region
3766 into a series of smaller ones and watch them with separate watchpoints.
3767
3768 If you set too many hardware watchpoints, @value{GDBN} might be unable
3769 to insert all of them when you resume the execution of your program.
3770 Since the precise number of active watchpoints is unknown until such
3771 time as the program is about to be resumed, @value{GDBN} might not be
3772 able to warn you about this when you set the watchpoints, and the
3773 warning will be printed only when the program is resumed:
3774
3775 @smallexample
3776 Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: Could not insert watchpoint
3777 @end smallexample
3778
3779 @noindent
3780 If this happens, delete or disable some of the watchpoints.
3781
3782 Watching complex expressions that reference many variables can also
3783 exhaust the resources available for hardware-assisted watchpoints.
3784 That's because @value{GDBN} needs to watch every variable in the
3785 expression with separately allocated resources.
3786
3787 If you call a function interactively using @code{print} or @code{call},
3788 any watchpoints you have set will be inactive until @value{GDBN} reaches another
3789 kind of breakpoint or the call completes.
3790
3791 @value{GDBN} automatically deletes watchpoints that watch local
3792 (automatic) variables, or expressions that involve such variables, when
3793 they go out of scope, that is, when the execution leaves the block in
3794 which these variables were defined. In particular, when the program
3795 being debugged terminates, @emph{all} local variables go out of scope,
3796 and so only watchpoints that watch global variables remain set. If you
3797 rerun the program, you will need to set all such watchpoints again. One
3798 way of doing that would be to set a code breakpoint at the entry to the
3799 @code{main} function and when it breaks, set all the watchpoints.
3800
3801 @cindex watchpoints and threads
3802 @cindex threads and watchpoints
3803 In multi-threaded programs, watchpoints will detect changes to the
3804 watched expression from every thread.
3805
3806 @quotation
3807 @emph{Warning:} In multi-threaded programs, software watchpoints
3808 have only limited usefulness. If @value{GDBN} creates a software
3809 watchpoint, it can only watch the value of an expression @emph{in a
3810 single thread}. If you are confident that the expression can only
3811 change due to the current thread's activity (and if you are also
3812 confident that no other thread can become current), then you can use
3813 software watchpoints as usual. However, @value{GDBN} may not notice
3814 when a non-current thread's activity changes the expression. (Hardware
3815 watchpoints, in contrast, watch an expression in all threads.)
3816 @end quotation
3817
3818 @xref{set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit}.
3819
3820 @node Set Catchpoints
3821 @subsection Setting Catchpoints
3822 @cindex catchpoints, setting
3823 @cindex exception handlers
3824 @cindex event handling
3825
3826 You can use @dfn{catchpoints} to cause the debugger to stop for certain
3827 kinds of program events, such as C@t{++} exceptions or the loading of a
3828 shared library. Use the @code{catch} command to set a catchpoint.
3829
3830 @table @code
3831 @kindex catch
3832 @item catch @var{event}
3833 Stop when @var{event} occurs. @var{event} can be any of the following:
3834 @table @code
3835 @item throw
3836 @cindex stop on C@t{++} exceptions
3837 The throwing of a C@t{++} exception.
3838
3839 @item catch
3840 The catching of a C@t{++} exception.
3841
3842 @item exception
3843 @cindex Ada exception catching
3844 @cindex catch Ada exceptions
3845 An Ada exception being raised. If an exception name is specified
3846 at the end of the command (eg @code{catch exception Program_Error}),
3847 the debugger will stop only when this specific exception is raised.
3848 Otherwise, the debugger stops execution when any Ada exception is raised.
3849
3850 When inserting an exception catchpoint on a user-defined exception whose
3851 name is identical to one of the exceptions defined by the language, the
3852 fully qualified name must be used as the exception name. Otherwise,
3853 @value{GDBN} will assume that it should stop on the pre-defined exception
3854 rather than the user-defined one. For instance, assuming an exception
3855 called @code{Constraint_Error} is defined in package @code{Pck}, then
3856 the command to use to catch such exceptions is @kbd{catch exception
3857 Pck.Constraint_Error}.
3858
3859 @item exception unhandled
3860 An exception that was raised but is not handled by the program.
3861
3862 @item assert
3863 A failed Ada assertion.
3864
3865 @item exec
3866 @cindex break on fork/exec
3867 A call to @code{exec}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
3868 and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
3869
3870 @item syscall
3871 @itemx syscall @r{[}@var{name} @r{|} @var{number}@r{]} @r{...}
3872 @cindex break on a system call.
3873 A call to or return from a system call, a.k.a.@: @dfn{syscall}. A
3874 syscall is a mechanism for application programs to request a service
3875 from the operating system (OS) or one of the OS system services.
3876 @value{GDBN} can catch some or all of the syscalls issued by the
3877 debuggee, and show the related information for each syscall. If no
3878 argument is specified, calls to and returns from all system calls
3879 will be caught.
3880
3881 @var{name} can be any system call name that is valid for the
3882 underlying OS. Just what syscalls are valid depends on the OS. On
3883 GNU and Unix systems, you can find the full list of valid syscall
3884 names on @file{/usr/include/asm/unistd.h}.
3885
3886 @c For MS-Windows, the syscall names and the corresponding numbers
3887 @c can be found, e.g., on this URL:
3888 @c http://www.metasploit.com/users/opcode/syscalls.html
3889 @c but we don't support Windows syscalls yet.
3890
3891 Normally, @value{GDBN} knows in advance which syscalls are valid for
3892 each OS, so you can use the @value{GDBN} command-line completion
3893 facilities (@pxref{Completion,, command completion}) to list the
3894 available choices.
3895
3896 You may also specify the system call numerically. A syscall's
3897 number is the value passed to the OS's syscall dispatcher to
3898 identify the requested service. When you specify the syscall by its
3899 name, @value{GDBN} uses its database of syscalls to convert the name
3900 into the corresponding numeric code, but using the number directly
3901 may be useful if @value{GDBN}'s database does not have the complete
3902 list of syscalls on your system (e.g., because @value{GDBN} lags
3903 behind the OS upgrades).
3904
3905 The example below illustrates how this command works if you don't provide
3906 arguments to it:
3907
3908 @smallexample
3909 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall
3910 Catchpoint 1 (syscall)
3911 (@value{GDBP}) r
3912 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
3913
3914 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'close'), \
3915 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
3916 (@value{GDBP}) c
3917 Continuing.
3918
3919 Catchpoint 1 (returned from syscall 'close'), \
3920 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
3921 (@value{GDBP})
3922 @end smallexample
3923
3924 Here is an example of catching a system call by name:
3925
3926 @smallexample
3927 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall chroot
3928 Catchpoint 1 (syscall 'chroot' [61])
3929 (@value{GDBP}) r
3930 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
3931
3932 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'chroot'), \
3933 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
3934 (@value{GDBP}) c
3935 Continuing.
3936
3937 Catchpoint 1 (returned from syscall 'chroot'), \
3938 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
3939 (@value{GDBP})
3940 @end smallexample
3941
3942 An example of specifying a system call numerically. In the case
3943 below, the syscall number has a corresponding entry in the XML
3944 file, so @value{GDBN} finds its name and prints it:
3945
3946 @smallexample
3947 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 252
3948 Catchpoint 1 (syscall(s) 'exit_group')
3949 (@value{GDBP}) r
3950 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
3951
3952 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'exit_group'), \
3953 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
3954 (@value{GDBP}) c
3955 Continuing.
3956
3957 Program exited normally.
3958 (@value{GDBP})
3959 @end smallexample
3960
3961 However, there can be situations when there is no corresponding name
3962 in XML file for that syscall number. In this case, @value{GDBN} prints
3963 a warning message saying that it was not able to find the syscall name,
3964 but the catchpoint will be set anyway. See the example below:
3965
3966 @smallexample
3967 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 764
3968 warning: The number '764' does not represent a known syscall.
3969 Catchpoint 2 (syscall 764)
3970 (@value{GDBP})
3971 @end smallexample
3972
3973 If you configure @value{GDBN} using the @samp{--without-expat} option,
3974 it will not be able to display syscall names. Also, if your
3975 architecture does not have an XML file describing its system calls,
3976 you will not be able to see the syscall names. It is important to
3977 notice that these two features are used for accessing the syscall
3978 name database. In either case, you will see a warning like this:
3979
3980 @smallexample
3981 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall
3982 warning: Could not open "syscalls/i386-linux.xml"
3983 warning: Could not load the syscall XML file 'syscalls/i386-linux.xml'.
3984 GDB will not be able to display syscall names.
3985 Catchpoint 1 (syscall)
3986 (@value{GDBP})
3987 @end smallexample
3988
3989 Of course, the file name will change depending on your architecture and system.
3990
3991 Still using the example above, you can also try to catch a syscall by its
3992 number. In this case, you would see something like:
3993
3994 @smallexample
3995 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 252
3996 Catchpoint 1 (syscall(s) 252)
3997 @end smallexample
3998
3999 Again, in this case @value{GDBN} would not be able to display syscall's names.
4000
4001 @item fork
4002 A call to @code{fork}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
4003 and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
4004
4005 @item vfork
4006 A call to @code{vfork}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
4007 and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
4008
4009 @end table
4010
4011 @item tcatch @var{event}
4012 Set a catchpoint that is enabled only for one stop. The catchpoint is
4013 automatically deleted after the first time the event is caught.
4014
4015 @end table
4016
4017 Use the @code{info break} command to list the current catchpoints.
4018
4019 There are currently some limitations to C@t{++} exception handling
4020 (@code{catch throw} and @code{catch catch}) in @value{GDBN}:
4021
4022 @itemize @bullet
4023 @item
4024 If you call a function interactively, @value{GDBN} normally returns
4025 control to you when the function has finished executing. If the call
4026 raises an exception, however, the call may bypass the mechanism that
4027 returns control to you and cause your program either to abort or to
4028 simply continue running until it hits a breakpoint, catches a signal
4029 that @value{GDBN} is listening for, or exits. This is the case even if
4030 you set a catchpoint for the exception; catchpoints on exceptions are
4031 disabled within interactive calls.
4032
4033 @item
4034 You cannot raise an exception interactively.
4035
4036 @item
4037 You cannot install an exception handler interactively.
4038 @end itemize
4039
4040 @cindex raise exceptions
4041 Sometimes @code{catch} is not the best way to debug exception handling:
4042 if you need to know exactly where an exception is raised, it is better to
4043 stop @emph{before} the exception handler is called, since that way you
4044 can see the stack before any unwinding takes place. If you set a
4045 breakpoint in an exception handler instead, it may not be easy to find
4046 out where the exception was raised.
4047
4048 To stop just before an exception handler is called, you need some
4049 knowledge of the implementation. In the case of @sc{gnu} C@t{++}, exceptions are
4050 raised by calling a library function named @code{__raise_exception}
4051 which has the following ANSI C interface:
4052
4053 @smallexample
4054 /* @var{addr} is where the exception identifier is stored.
4055 @var{id} is the exception identifier. */
4056 void __raise_exception (void **addr, void *id);
4057 @end smallexample
4058
4059 @noindent
4060 To make the debugger catch all exceptions before any stack
4061 unwinding takes place, set a breakpoint on @code{__raise_exception}
4062 (@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints; Watchpoints; and Exceptions}).
4063
4064 With a conditional breakpoint (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions})
4065 that depends on the value of @var{id}, you can stop your program when
4066 a specific exception is raised. You can use multiple conditional
4067 breakpoints to stop your program when any of a number of exceptions are
4068 raised.
4069
4070
4071 @node Delete Breaks
4072 @subsection Deleting Breakpoints
4073
4074 @cindex clearing breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
4075 @cindex deleting breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
4076 It is often necessary to eliminate a breakpoint, watchpoint, or
4077 catchpoint once it has done its job and you no longer want your program
4078 to stop there. This is called @dfn{deleting} the breakpoint. A
4079 breakpoint that has been deleted no longer exists; it is forgotten.
4080
4081 With the @code{clear} command you can delete breakpoints according to
4082 where they are in your program. With the @code{delete} command you can
4083 delete individual breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints by specifying
4084 their breakpoint numbers.
4085
4086 It is not necessary to delete a breakpoint to proceed past it. @value{GDBN}
4087 automatically ignores breakpoints on the first instruction to be executed
4088 when you continue execution without changing the execution address.
4089
4090 @table @code
4091 @kindex clear
4092 @item clear
4093 Delete any breakpoints at the next instruction to be executed in the
4094 selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}). When
4095 the innermost frame is selected, this is a good way to delete a
4096 breakpoint where your program just stopped.
4097
4098 @item clear @var{location}
4099 Delete any breakpoints set at the specified @var{location}.
4100 @xref{Specify Location}, for the various forms of @var{location}; the
4101 most useful ones are listed below:
4102
4103 @table @code
4104 @item clear @var{function}
4105 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{function}
4106 Delete any breakpoints set at entry to the named @var{function}.
4107
4108 @item clear @var{linenum}
4109 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
4110 Delete any breakpoints set at or within the code of the specified
4111 @var{linenum} of the specified @var{filename}.
4112 @end table
4113
4114 @cindex delete breakpoints
4115 @kindex delete
4116 @kindex d @r{(@code{delete})}
4117 @item delete @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4118 Delete the breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints of the breakpoint
4119 ranges specified as arguments. If no argument is specified, delete all
4120 breakpoints (@value{GDBN} asks confirmation, unless you have @code{set
4121 confirm off}). You can abbreviate this command as @code{d}.
4122 @end table
4123
4124 @node Disabling
4125 @subsection Disabling Breakpoints
4126
4127 @cindex enable/disable a breakpoint
4128 Rather than deleting a breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint, you might
4129 prefer to @dfn{disable} it. This makes the breakpoint inoperative as if
4130 it had been deleted, but remembers the information on the breakpoint so
4131 that you can @dfn{enable} it again later.
4132
4133 You disable and enable breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints with
4134 the @code{enable} and @code{disable} commands, optionally specifying one
4135 or more breakpoint numbers as arguments. Use @code{info break} or
4136 @code{info watch} to print a list of breakpoints, watchpoints, and
4137 catchpoints if you do not know which numbers to use.
4138
4139 Disabling and enabling a breakpoint that has multiple locations
4140 affects all of its locations.
4141
4142 A breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint can have any of four different
4143 states of enablement:
4144
4145 @itemize @bullet
4146 @item
4147 Enabled. The breakpoint stops your program. A breakpoint set
4148 with the @code{break} command starts out in this state.
4149 @item
4150 Disabled. The breakpoint has no effect on your program.
4151 @item
4152 Enabled once. The breakpoint stops your program, but then becomes
4153 disabled.
4154 @item
4155 Enabled for deletion. The breakpoint stops your program, but
4156 immediately after it does so it is deleted permanently. A breakpoint
4157 set with the @code{tbreak} command starts out in this state.
4158 @end itemize
4159
4160 You can use the following commands to enable or disable breakpoints,
4161 watchpoints, and catchpoints:
4162
4163 @table @code
4164 @kindex disable
4165 @kindex dis @r{(@code{disable})}
4166 @item disable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4167 Disable the specified breakpoints---or all breakpoints, if none are
4168 listed. A disabled breakpoint has no effect but is not forgotten. All
4169 options such as ignore-counts, conditions and commands are remembered in
4170 case the breakpoint is enabled again later. You may abbreviate
4171 @code{disable} as @code{dis}.
4172
4173 @kindex enable
4174 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4175 Enable the specified breakpoints (or all defined breakpoints). They
4176 become effective once again in stopping your program.
4177
4178 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} once @var{range}@dots{}
4179 Enable the specified breakpoints temporarily. @value{GDBN} disables any
4180 of these breakpoints immediately after stopping your program.
4181
4182 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} delete @var{range}@dots{}
4183 Enable the specified breakpoints to work once, then die. @value{GDBN}
4184 deletes any of these breakpoints as soon as your program stops there.
4185 Breakpoints set by the @code{tbreak} command start out in this state.
4186 @end table
4187
4188 @c FIXME: I think the following ``Except for [...] @code{tbreak}'' is
4189 @c confusing: tbreak is also initially enabled.
4190 Except for a breakpoint set with @code{tbreak} (@pxref{Set Breaks,
4191 ,Setting Breakpoints}), breakpoints that you set are initially enabled;
4192 subsequently, they become disabled or enabled only when you use one of
4193 the commands above. (The command @code{until} can set and delete a
4194 breakpoint of its own, but it does not change the state of your other
4195 breakpoints; see @ref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and
4196 Stepping}.)
4197
4198 @node Conditions
4199 @subsection Break Conditions
4200 @cindex conditional breakpoints
4201 @cindex breakpoint conditions
4202
4203 @c FIXME what is scope of break condition expr? Context where wanted?
4204 @c in particular for a watchpoint?
4205 The simplest sort of breakpoint breaks every time your program reaches a
4206 specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for a
4207 breakpoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
4208 programming language (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). A breakpoint with
4209 a condition evaluates the expression each time your program reaches it,
4210 and your program stops only if the condition is @emph{true}.
4211
4212 This is the converse of using assertions for program validation; in that
4213 situation, you want to stop when the assertion is violated---that is,
4214 when the condition is false. In C, if you want to test an assertion expressed
4215 by the condition @var{assert}, you should set the condition
4216 @samp{! @var{assert}} on the appropriate breakpoint.
4217
4218 Conditions are also accepted for watchpoints; you may not need them,
4219 since a watchpoint is inspecting the value of an expression anyhow---but
4220 it might be simpler, say, to just set a watchpoint on a variable name,
4221 and specify a condition that tests whether the new value is an interesting
4222 one.
4223
4224 Break conditions can have side effects, and may even call functions in
4225 your program. This can be useful, for example, to activate functions
4226 that log program progress, or to use your own print functions to
4227 format special data structures. The effects are completely predictable
4228 unless there is another enabled breakpoint at the same address. (In
4229 that case, @value{GDBN} might see the other breakpoint first and stop your
4230 program without checking the condition of this one.) Note that
4231 breakpoint commands are usually more convenient and flexible than break
4232 conditions for the
4233 purpose of performing side effects when a breakpoint is reached
4234 (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint Command Lists}).
4235
4236 Break conditions can be specified when a breakpoint is set, by using
4237 @samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{break} command. @xref{Set
4238 Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}. They can also be changed at any time
4239 with the @code{condition} command.
4240
4241 You can also use the @code{if} keyword with the @code{watch} command.
4242 The @code{catch} command does not recognize the @code{if} keyword;
4243 @code{condition} is the only way to impose a further condition on a
4244 catchpoint.
4245
4246 @table @code
4247 @kindex condition
4248 @item condition @var{bnum} @var{expression}
4249 Specify @var{expression} as the break condition for breakpoint,
4250 watchpoint, or catchpoint number @var{bnum}. After you set a condition,
4251 breakpoint @var{bnum} stops your program only if the value of
4252 @var{expression} is true (nonzero, in C). When you use
4253 @code{condition}, @value{GDBN} checks @var{expression} immediately for
4254 syntactic correctness, and to determine whether symbols in it have
4255 referents in the context of your breakpoint. If @var{expression} uses
4256 symbols not referenced in the context of the breakpoint, @value{GDBN}
4257 prints an error message:
4258
4259 @smallexample
4260 No symbol "foo" in current context.
4261 @end smallexample
4262
4263 @noindent
4264 @value{GDBN} does
4265 not actually evaluate @var{expression} at the time the @code{condition}
4266 command (or a command that sets a breakpoint with a condition, like
4267 @code{break if @dots{}}) is given, however. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
4268
4269 @item condition @var{bnum}
4270 Remove the condition from breakpoint number @var{bnum}. It becomes
4271 an ordinary unconditional breakpoint.
4272 @end table
4273
4274 @cindex ignore count (of breakpoint)
4275 A special case of a breakpoint condition is to stop only when the
4276 breakpoint has been reached a certain number of times. This is so
4277 useful that there is a special way to do it, using the @dfn{ignore
4278 count} of the breakpoint. Every breakpoint has an ignore count, which
4279 is an integer. Most of the time, the ignore count is zero, and
4280 therefore has no effect. But if your program reaches a breakpoint whose
4281 ignore count is positive, then instead of stopping, it just decrements
4282 the ignore count by one and continues. As a result, if the ignore count
4283 value is @var{n}, the breakpoint does not stop the next @var{n} times
4284 your program reaches it.
4285
4286 @table @code
4287 @kindex ignore
4288 @item ignore @var{bnum} @var{count}
4289 Set the ignore count of breakpoint number @var{bnum} to @var{count}.
4290 The next @var{count} times the breakpoint is reached, your program's
4291 execution does not stop; other than to decrement the ignore count, @value{GDBN}
4292 takes no action.
4293
4294 To make the breakpoint stop the next time it is reached, specify
4295 a count of zero.
4296
4297 When you use @code{continue} to resume execution of your program from a
4298 breakpoint, you can specify an ignore count directly as an argument to
4299 @code{continue}, rather than using @code{ignore}. @xref{Continuing and
4300 Stepping,,Continuing and Stepping}.
4301
4302 If a breakpoint has a positive ignore count and a condition, the
4303 condition is not checked. Once the ignore count reaches zero,
4304 @value{GDBN} resumes checking the condition.
4305
4306 You could achieve the effect of the ignore count with a condition such
4307 as @w{@samp{$foo-- <= 0}} using a debugger convenience variable that
4308 is decremented each time. @xref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
4309 Variables}.
4310 @end table
4311
4312 Ignore counts apply to breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints.
4313
4314
4315 @node Break Commands
4316 @subsection Breakpoint Command Lists
4317
4318 @cindex breakpoint commands
4319 You can give any breakpoint (or watchpoint or catchpoint) a series of
4320 commands to execute when your program stops due to that breakpoint. For
4321 example, you might want to print the values of certain expressions, or
4322 enable other breakpoints.
4323
4324 @table @code
4325 @kindex commands
4326 @kindex end@r{ (breakpoint commands)}
4327 @item commands @r{[}@var{bnum}@r{]}
4328 @itemx @dots{} @var{command-list} @dots{}
4329 @itemx end
4330 Specify a list of commands for breakpoint number @var{bnum}. The commands
4331 themselves appear on the following lines. Type a line containing just
4332 @code{end} to terminate the commands.
4333
4334 To remove all commands from a breakpoint, type @code{commands} and
4335 follow it immediately with @code{end}; that is, give no commands.
4336
4337 With no @var{bnum} argument, @code{commands} refers to the last
4338 breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint set (not to the breakpoint most
4339 recently encountered).
4340 @end table
4341
4342 Pressing @key{RET} as a means of repeating the last @value{GDBN} command is
4343 disabled within a @var{command-list}.
4344
4345 You can use breakpoint commands to start your program up again. Simply
4346 use the @code{continue} command, or @code{step}, or any other command
4347 that resumes execution.
4348
4349 Any other commands in the command list, after a command that resumes
4350 execution, are ignored. This is because any time you resume execution
4351 (even with a simple @code{next} or @code{step}), you may encounter
4352 another breakpoint---which could have its own command list, leading to
4353 ambiguities about which list to execute.
4354
4355 @kindex silent
4356 If the first command you specify in a command list is @code{silent}, the
4357 usual message about stopping at a breakpoint is not printed. This may
4358 be desirable for breakpoints that are to print a specific message and
4359 then continue. If none of the remaining commands print anything, you
4360 see no sign that the breakpoint was reached. @code{silent} is
4361 meaningful only at the beginning of a breakpoint command list.
4362
4363 The commands @code{echo}, @code{output}, and @code{printf} allow you to
4364 print precisely controlled output, and are often useful in silent
4365 breakpoints. @xref{Output, ,Commands for Controlled Output}.
4366
4367 For example, here is how you could use breakpoint commands to print the
4368 value of @code{x} at entry to @code{foo} whenever @code{x} is positive.
4369
4370 @smallexample
4371 break foo if x>0
4372 commands
4373 silent
4374 printf "x is %d\n",x
4375 cont
4376 end
4377 @end smallexample
4378
4379 One application for breakpoint commands is to compensate for one bug so
4380 you can test for another. Put a breakpoint just after the erroneous line
4381 of code, give it a condition to detect the case in which something
4382 erroneous has been done, and give it commands to assign correct values
4383 to any variables that need them. End with the @code{continue} command
4384 so that your program does not stop, and start with the @code{silent}
4385 command so that no output is produced. Here is an example:
4386
4387 @smallexample
4388 break 403
4389 commands
4390 silent
4391 set x = y + 4
4392 cont
4393 end
4394 @end smallexample
4395
4396 @c @ifclear BARETARGET
4397 @node Error in Breakpoints
4398 @subsection ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
4399
4400 If you request too many active hardware-assisted breakpoints and
4401 watchpoints, you will see this error message:
4402
4403 @c FIXME: the precise wording of this message may change; the relevant
4404 @c source change is not committed yet (Sep 3, 1999).
4405 @smallexample
4406 Stopped; cannot insert breakpoints.
4407 You may have requested too many hardware breakpoints and watchpoints.
4408 @end smallexample
4409
4410 @noindent
4411 This message is printed when you attempt to resume the program, since
4412 only then @value{GDBN} knows exactly how many hardware breakpoints and
4413 watchpoints it needs to insert.
4414
4415 When this message is printed, you need to disable or remove some of the
4416 hardware-assisted breakpoints and watchpoints, and then continue.
4417
4418 @node Breakpoint-related Warnings
4419 @subsection ``Breakpoint address adjusted...''
4420 @cindex breakpoint address adjusted
4421
4422 Some processor architectures place constraints on the addresses at
4423 which breakpoints may be placed. For architectures thus constrained,
4424 @value{GDBN} will attempt to adjust the breakpoint's address to comply
4425 with the constraints dictated by the architecture.
4426
4427 One example of such an architecture is the Fujitsu FR-V. The FR-V is
4428 a VLIW architecture in which a number of RISC-like instructions may be
4429 bundled together for parallel execution. The FR-V architecture
4430 constrains the location of a breakpoint instruction within such a
4431 bundle to the instruction with the lowest address. @value{GDBN}
4432 honors this constraint by adjusting a breakpoint's address to the
4433 first in the bundle.
4434
4435 It is not uncommon for optimized code to have bundles which contain
4436 instructions from different source statements, thus it may happen that
4437 a breakpoint's address will be adjusted from one source statement to
4438 another. Since this adjustment may significantly alter @value{GDBN}'s
4439 breakpoint related behavior from what the user expects, a warning is
4440 printed when the breakpoint is first set and also when the breakpoint
4441 is hit.
4442
4443 A warning like the one below is printed when setting a breakpoint
4444 that's been subject to address adjustment:
4445
4446 @smallexample
4447 warning: Breakpoint address adjusted from 0x00010414 to 0x00010410.
4448 @end smallexample
4449
4450 Such warnings are printed both for user settable and @value{GDBN}'s
4451 internal breakpoints. If you see one of these warnings, you should
4452 verify that a breakpoint set at the adjusted address will have the
4453 desired affect. If not, the breakpoint in question may be removed and
4454 other breakpoints may be set which will have the desired behavior.
4455 E.g., it may be sufficient to place the breakpoint at a later
4456 instruction. A conditional breakpoint may also be useful in some
4457 cases to prevent the breakpoint from triggering too often.
4458
4459 @value{GDBN} will also issue a warning when stopping at one of these
4460 adjusted breakpoints:
4461
4462 @smallexample
4463 warning: Breakpoint 1 address previously adjusted from 0x00010414
4464 to 0x00010410.
4465 @end smallexample
4466
4467 When this warning is encountered, it may be too late to take remedial
4468 action except in cases where the breakpoint is hit earlier or more
4469 frequently than expected.
4470
4471 @node Continuing and Stepping
4472 @section Continuing and Stepping
4473
4474 @cindex stepping
4475 @cindex continuing
4476 @cindex resuming execution
4477 @dfn{Continuing} means resuming program execution until your program
4478 completes normally. In contrast, @dfn{stepping} means executing just
4479 one more ``step'' of your program, where ``step'' may mean either one
4480 line of source code, or one machine instruction (depending on what
4481 particular command you use). Either when continuing or when stepping,
4482 your program may stop even sooner, due to a breakpoint or a signal. (If
4483 it stops due to a signal, you may want to use @code{handle}, or use
4484 @samp{signal 0} to resume execution. @xref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
4485
4486 @table @code
4487 @kindex continue
4488 @kindex c @r{(@code{continue})}
4489 @kindex fg @r{(resume foreground execution)}
4490 @item continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4491 @itemx c @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4492 @itemx fg @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4493 Resume program execution, at the address where your program last stopped;
4494 any breakpoints set at that address are bypassed. The optional argument
4495 @var{ignore-count} allows you to specify a further number of times to
4496 ignore a breakpoint at this location; its effect is like that of
4497 @code{ignore} (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
4498
4499 The argument @var{ignore-count} is meaningful only when your program
4500 stopped due to a breakpoint. At other times, the argument to
4501 @code{continue} is ignored.
4502
4503 The synonyms @code{c} and @code{fg} (for @dfn{foreground}, as the
4504 debugged program is deemed to be the foreground program) are provided
4505 purely for convenience, and have exactly the same behavior as
4506 @code{continue}.
4507 @end table
4508
4509 To resume execution at a different place, you can use @code{return}
4510 (@pxref{Returning, ,Returning from a Function}) to go back to the
4511 calling function; or @code{jump} (@pxref{Jumping, ,Continuing at a
4512 Different Address}) to go to an arbitrary location in your program.
4513
4514 A typical technique for using stepping is to set a breakpoint
4515 (@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints; Watchpoints; and Catchpoints}) at the
4516 beginning of the function or the section of your program where a problem
4517 is believed to lie, run your program until it stops at that breakpoint,
4518 and then step through the suspect area, examining the variables that are
4519 interesting, until you see the problem happen.
4520
4521 @table @code
4522 @kindex step
4523 @kindex s @r{(@code{step})}
4524 @item step
4525 Continue running your program until control reaches a different source
4526 line, then stop it and return control to @value{GDBN}. This command is
4527 abbreviated @code{s}.
4528
4529 @quotation
4530 @c "without debugging information" is imprecise; actually "without line
4531 @c numbers in the debugging information". (gcc -g1 has debugging info but
4532 @c not line numbers). But it seems complex to try to make that
4533 @c distinction here.
4534 @emph{Warning:} If you use the @code{step} command while control is
4535 within a function that was compiled without debugging information,
4536 execution proceeds until control reaches a function that does have
4537 debugging information. Likewise, it will not step into a function which
4538 is compiled without debugging information. To step through functions
4539 without debugging information, use the @code{stepi} command, described
4540 below.
4541 @end quotation
4542
4543 The @code{step} command only stops at the first instruction of a source
4544 line. This prevents the multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
4545 @code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc. @code{step} continues
4546 to stop if a function that has debugging information is called within
4547 the line. In other words, @code{step} @emph{steps inside} any functions
4548 called within the line.
4549
4550 Also, the @code{step} command only enters a function if there is line
4551 number information for the function. Otherwise it acts like the
4552 @code{next} command. This avoids problems when using @code{cc -gl}
4553 on MIPS machines. Previously, @code{step} entered subroutines if there
4554 was any debugging information about the routine.
4555
4556 @item step @var{count}
4557 Continue running as in @code{step}, but do so @var{count} times. If a
4558 breakpoint is reached, or a signal not related to stepping occurs before
4559 @var{count} steps, stepping stops right away.
4560
4561 @kindex next
4562 @kindex n @r{(@code{next})}
4563 @item next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
4564 Continue to the next source line in the current (innermost) stack frame.
4565 This is similar to @code{step}, but function calls that appear within
4566 the line of code are executed without stopping. Execution stops when
4567 control reaches a different line of code at the original stack level
4568 that was executing when you gave the @code{next} command. This command
4569 is abbreviated @code{n}.
4570
4571 An argument @var{count} is a repeat count, as for @code{step}.
4572
4573
4574 @c FIX ME!! Do we delete this, or is there a way it fits in with
4575 @c the following paragraph? --- Vctoria
4576 @c
4577 @c @code{next} within a function that lacks debugging information acts like
4578 @c @code{step}, but any function calls appearing within the code of the
4579 @c function are executed without stopping.
4580
4581 The @code{next} command only stops at the first instruction of a
4582 source line. This prevents multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
4583 @code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc.
4584
4585 @kindex set step-mode
4586 @item set step-mode
4587 @cindex functions without line info, and stepping
4588 @cindex stepping into functions with no line info
4589 @itemx set step-mode on
4590 The @code{set step-mode on} command causes the @code{step} command to
4591 stop at the first instruction of a function which contains no debug line
4592 information rather than stepping over it.
4593
4594 This is useful in cases where you may be interested in inspecting the
4595 machine instructions of a function which has no symbolic info and do not
4596 want @value{GDBN} to automatically skip over this function.
4597
4598 @item set step-mode off
4599 Causes the @code{step} command to step over any functions which contains no
4600 debug information. This is the default.
4601
4602 @item show step-mode
4603 Show whether @value{GDBN} will stop in or step over functions without
4604 source line debug information.
4605
4606 @kindex finish
4607 @kindex fin @r{(@code{finish})}
4608 @item finish
4609 Continue running until just after function in the selected stack frame
4610 returns. Print the returned value (if any). This command can be
4611 abbreviated as @code{fin}.
4612
4613 Contrast this with the @code{return} command (@pxref{Returning,
4614 ,Returning from a Function}).
4615
4616 @kindex until
4617 @kindex u @r{(@code{until})}
4618 @cindex run until specified location
4619 @item until
4620 @itemx u
4621 Continue running until a source line past the current line, in the
4622 current stack frame, is reached. This command is used to avoid single
4623 stepping through a loop more than once. It is like the @code{next}
4624 command, except that when @code{until} encounters a jump, it
4625 automatically continues execution until the program counter is greater
4626 than the address of the jump.
4627
4628 This means that when you reach the end of a loop after single stepping
4629 though it, @code{until} makes your program continue execution until it
4630 exits the loop. In contrast, a @code{next} command at the end of a loop
4631 simply steps back to the beginning of the loop, which forces you to step
4632 through the next iteration.
4633
4634 @code{until} always stops your program if it attempts to exit the current
4635 stack frame.
4636
4637 @code{until} may produce somewhat counterintuitive results if the order
4638 of machine code does not match the order of the source lines. For
4639 example, in the following excerpt from a debugging session, the @code{f}
4640 (@code{frame}) command shows that execution is stopped at line
4641 @code{206}; yet when we use @code{until}, we get to line @code{195}:
4642
4643 @smallexample
4644 (@value{GDBP}) f
4645 #0 main (argc=4, argv=0xf7fffae8) at m4.c:206
4646 206 expand_input();
4647 (@value{GDBP}) until
4648 195 for ( ; argc > 0; NEXTARG) @{
4649 @end smallexample
4650
4651 This happened because, for execution efficiency, the compiler had
4652 generated code for the loop closure test at the end, rather than the
4653 start, of the loop---even though the test in a C @code{for}-loop is
4654 written before the body of the loop. The @code{until} command appeared
4655 to step back to the beginning of the loop when it advanced to this
4656 expression; however, it has not really gone to an earlier
4657 statement---not in terms of the actual machine code.
4658
4659 @code{until} with no argument works by means of single
4660 instruction stepping, and hence is slower than @code{until} with an
4661 argument.
4662
4663 @item until @var{location}
4664 @itemx u @var{location}
4665 Continue running your program until either the specified location is
4666 reached, or the current stack frame returns. @var{location} is any of
4667 the forms described in @ref{Specify Location}.
4668 This form of the command uses temporary breakpoints, and
4669 hence is quicker than @code{until} without an argument. The specified
4670 location is actually reached only if it is in the current frame. This
4671 implies that @code{until} can be used to skip over recursive function
4672 invocations. For instance in the code below, if the current location is
4673 line @code{96}, issuing @code{until 99} will execute the program up to
4674 line @code{99} in the same invocation of factorial, i.e., after the inner
4675 invocations have returned.
4676
4677 @smallexample
4678 94 int factorial (int value)
4679 95 @{
4680 96 if (value > 1) @{
4681 97 value *= factorial (value - 1);
4682 98 @}
4683 99 return (value);
4684 100 @}
4685 @end smallexample
4686
4687
4688 @kindex advance @var{location}
4689 @itemx advance @var{location}
4690 Continue running the program up to the given @var{location}. An argument is
4691 required, which should be of one of the forms described in
4692 @ref{Specify Location}.
4693 Execution will also stop upon exit from the current stack
4694 frame. This command is similar to @code{until}, but @code{advance} will
4695 not skip over recursive function calls, and the target location doesn't
4696 have to be in the same frame as the current one.
4697
4698
4699 @kindex stepi
4700 @kindex si @r{(@code{stepi})}
4701 @item stepi
4702 @itemx stepi @var{arg}
4703 @itemx si
4704 Execute one machine instruction, then stop and return to the debugger.
4705
4706 It is often useful to do @samp{display/i $pc} when stepping by machine
4707 instructions. This makes @value{GDBN} automatically display the next
4708 instruction to be executed, each time your program stops. @xref{Auto
4709 Display,, Automatic Display}.
4710
4711 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{step}.
4712
4713 @need 750
4714 @kindex nexti
4715 @kindex ni @r{(@code{nexti})}
4716 @item nexti
4717 @itemx nexti @var{arg}
4718 @itemx ni
4719 Execute one machine instruction, but if it is a function call,
4720 proceed until the function returns.
4721
4722 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{next}.
4723 @end table
4724
4725 @node Signals
4726 @section Signals
4727 @cindex signals
4728
4729 A signal is an asynchronous event that can happen in a program. The
4730 operating system defines the possible kinds of signals, and gives each
4731 kind a name and a number. For example, in Unix @code{SIGINT} is the
4732 signal a program gets when you type an interrupt character (often @kbd{Ctrl-c});
4733 @code{SIGSEGV} is the signal a program gets from referencing a place in
4734 memory far away from all the areas in use; @code{SIGALRM} occurs when
4735 the alarm clock timer goes off (which happens only if your program has
4736 requested an alarm).
4737
4738 @cindex fatal signals
4739 Some signals, including @code{SIGALRM}, are a normal part of the
4740 functioning of your program. Others, such as @code{SIGSEGV}, indicate
4741 errors; these signals are @dfn{fatal} (they kill your program immediately) if the
4742 program has not specified in advance some other way to handle the signal.
4743 @code{SIGINT} does not indicate an error in your program, but it is normally
4744 fatal so it can carry out the purpose of the interrupt: to kill the program.
4745
4746 @value{GDBN} has the ability to detect any occurrence of a signal in your
4747 program. You can tell @value{GDBN} in advance what to do for each kind of
4748 signal.
4749
4750 @cindex handling signals
4751 Normally, @value{GDBN} is set up to let the non-erroneous signals like
4752 @code{SIGALRM} be silently passed to your program
4753 (so as not to interfere with their role in the program's functioning)
4754 but to stop your program immediately whenever an error signal happens.
4755 You can change these settings with the @code{handle} command.
4756
4757 @table @code
4758 @kindex info signals
4759 @kindex info handle
4760 @item info signals
4761 @itemx info handle
4762 Print a table of all the kinds of signals and how @value{GDBN} has been told to
4763 handle each one. You can use this to see the signal numbers of all
4764 the defined types of signals.
4765
4766 @item info signals @var{sig}
4767 Similar, but print information only about the specified signal number.
4768
4769 @code{info handle} is an alias for @code{info signals}.
4770
4771 @kindex handle
4772 @item handle @var{signal} @r{[}@var{keywords}@dots{}@r{]}
4773 Change the way @value{GDBN} handles signal @var{signal}. @var{signal}
4774 can be the number of a signal or its name (with or without the
4775 @samp{SIG} at the beginning); a list of signal numbers of the form
4776 @samp{@var{low}-@var{high}}; or the word @samp{all}, meaning all the
4777 known signals. Optional arguments @var{keywords}, described below,
4778 say what change to make.
4779 @end table
4780
4781 @c @group
4782 The keywords allowed by the @code{handle} command can be abbreviated.
4783 Their full names are:
4784
4785 @table @code
4786 @item nostop
4787 @value{GDBN} should not stop your program when this signal happens. It may
4788 still print a message telling you that the signal has come in.
4789
4790 @item stop
4791 @value{GDBN} should stop your program when this signal happens. This implies
4792 the @code{print} keyword as well.
4793
4794 @item print
4795 @value{GDBN} should print a message when this signal happens.
4796
4797 @item noprint
4798 @value{GDBN} should not mention the occurrence of the signal at all. This
4799 implies the @code{nostop} keyword as well.
4800
4801 @item pass
4802 @itemx noignore
4803 @value{GDBN} should allow your program to see this signal; your program
4804 can handle the signal, or else it may terminate if the signal is fatal
4805 and not handled. @code{pass} and @code{noignore} are synonyms.
4806
4807 @item nopass
4808 @itemx ignore
4809 @value{GDBN} should not allow your program to see this signal.
4810 @code{nopass} and @code{ignore} are synonyms.
4811 @end table
4812 @c @end group
4813
4814 When a signal stops your program, the signal is not visible to the
4815 program until you
4816 continue. Your program sees the signal then, if @code{pass} is in
4817 effect for the signal in question @emph{at that time}. In other words,
4818 after @value{GDBN} reports a signal, you can use the @code{handle}
4819 command with @code{pass} or @code{nopass} to control whether your
4820 program sees that signal when you continue.
4821
4822 The default is set to @code{nostop}, @code{noprint}, @code{pass} for
4823 non-erroneous signals such as @code{SIGALRM}, @code{SIGWINCH} and
4824 @code{SIGCHLD}, and to @code{stop}, @code{print}, @code{pass} for the
4825 erroneous signals.
4826
4827 You can also use the @code{signal} command to prevent your program from
4828 seeing a signal, or cause it to see a signal it normally would not see,
4829 or to give it any signal at any time. For example, if your program stopped
4830 due to some sort of memory reference error, you might store correct
4831 values into the erroneous variables and continue, hoping to see more
4832 execution; but your program would probably terminate immediately as
4833 a result of the fatal signal once it saw the signal. To prevent this,
4834 you can continue with @samp{signal 0}. @xref{Signaling, ,Giving your
4835 Program a Signal}.
4836
4837 @cindex extra signal information
4838 @anchor{extra signal information}
4839
4840 On some targets, @value{GDBN} can inspect extra signal information
4841 associated with the intercepted signal, before it is actually
4842 delivered to the program being debugged. This information is exported
4843 by the convenience variable @code{$_siginfo}, and consists of data
4844 that is passed by the kernel to the signal handler at the time of the
4845 receipt of a signal. The data type of the information itself is
4846 target dependent. You can see the data type using the @code{ptype
4847 $_siginfo} command. On Unix systems, it typically corresponds to the
4848 standard @code{siginfo_t} type, as defined in the @file{signal.h}
4849 system header.
4850
4851 Here's an example, on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, printing the stray
4852 referenced address that raised a segmentation fault.
4853
4854 @smallexample
4855 @group
4856 (@value{GDBP}) continue
4857 Program received signal SIGSEGV, Segmentation fault.
4858 0x0000000000400766 in main ()
4859 69 *(int *)p = 0;
4860 (@value{GDBP}) ptype $_siginfo
4861 type = struct @{
4862 int si_signo;
4863 int si_errno;
4864 int si_code;
4865 union @{
4866 int _pad[28];
4867 struct @{...@} _kill;
4868 struct @{...@} _timer;
4869 struct @{...@} _rt;
4870 struct @{...@} _sigchld;
4871 struct @{...@} _sigfault;
4872 struct @{...@} _sigpoll;
4873 @} _sifields;
4874 @}
4875 (@value{GDBP}) ptype $_siginfo._sifields._sigfault
4876 type = struct @{
4877 void *si_addr;
4878 @}
4879 (@value{GDBP}) p $_siginfo._sifields._sigfault.si_addr
4880 $1 = (void *) 0x7ffff7ff7000
4881 @end group
4882 @end smallexample
4883
4884 Depending on target support, @code{$_siginfo} may also be writable.
4885
4886 @node Thread Stops
4887 @section Stopping and Starting Multi-thread Programs
4888
4889 @cindex stopped threads
4890 @cindex threads, stopped
4891
4892 @cindex continuing threads
4893 @cindex threads, continuing
4894
4895 @value{GDBN} supports debugging programs with multiple threads
4896 (@pxref{Threads,, Debugging Programs with Multiple Threads}). There
4897 are two modes of controlling execution of your program within the
4898 debugger. In the default mode, referred to as @dfn{all-stop mode},
4899 when any thread in your program stops (for example, at a breakpoint
4900 or while being stepped), all other threads in the program are also stopped by
4901 @value{GDBN}. On some targets, @value{GDBN} also supports
4902 @dfn{non-stop mode}, in which other threads can continue to run freely while
4903 you examine the stopped thread in the debugger.
4904
4905 @menu
4906 * All-Stop Mode:: All threads stop when GDB takes control
4907 * Non-Stop Mode:: Other threads continue to execute
4908 * Background Execution:: Running your program asynchronously
4909 * Thread-Specific Breakpoints:: Controlling breakpoints
4910 * Interrupted System Calls:: GDB may interfere with system calls
4911 @end menu
4912
4913 @node All-Stop Mode
4914 @subsection All-Stop Mode
4915
4916 @cindex all-stop mode
4917
4918 In all-stop mode, whenever your program stops under @value{GDBN} for any reason,
4919 @emph{all} threads of execution stop, not just the current thread. This
4920 allows you to examine the overall state of the program, including
4921 switching between threads, without worrying that things may change
4922 underfoot.
4923
4924 Conversely, whenever you restart the program, @emph{all} threads start
4925 executing. @emph{This is true even when single-stepping} with commands
4926 like @code{step} or @code{next}.
4927
4928 In particular, @value{GDBN} cannot single-step all threads in lockstep.
4929 Since thread scheduling is up to your debugging target's operating
4930 system (not controlled by @value{GDBN}), other threads may
4931 execute more than one statement while the current thread completes a
4932 single step. Moreover, in general other threads stop in the middle of a
4933 statement, rather than at a clean statement boundary, when the program
4934 stops.
4935
4936 You might even find your program stopped in another thread after
4937 continuing or even single-stepping. This happens whenever some other
4938 thread runs into a breakpoint, a signal, or an exception before the
4939 first thread completes whatever you requested.
4940
4941 @cindex automatic thread selection
4942 @cindex switching threads automatically
4943 @cindex threads, automatic switching
4944 Whenever @value{GDBN} stops your program, due to a breakpoint or a
4945 signal, it automatically selects the thread where that breakpoint or
4946 signal happened. @value{GDBN} alerts you to the context switch with a
4947 message such as @samp{[Switching to Thread @var{n}]} to identify the
4948 thread.
4949
4950 On some OSes, you can modify @value{GDBN}'s default behavior by
4951 locking the OS scheduler to allow only a single thread to run.
4952
4953 @table @code
4954 @item set scheduler-locking @var{mode}
4955 @cindex scheduler locking mode
4956 @cindex lock scheduler
4957 Set the scheduler locking mode. If it is @code{off}, then there is no
4958 locking and any thread may run at any time. If @code{on}, then only the
4959 current thread may run when the inferior is resumed. The @code{step}
4960 mode optimizes for single-stepping; it prevents other threads
4961 from preempting the current thread while you are stepping, so that
4962 the focus of debugging does not change unexpectedly.
4963 Other threads only rarely (or never) get a chance to run
4964 when you step. They are more likely to run when you @samp{next} over a
4965 function call, and they are completely free to run when you use commands
4966 like @samp{continue}, @samp{until}, or @samp{finish}. However, unless another
4967 thread hits a breakpoint during its timeslice, @value{GDBN} does not change
4968 the current thread away from the thread that you are debugging.
4969
4970 @item show scheduler-locking
4971 Display the current scheduler locking mode.
4972 @end table
4973
4974 @cindex resume threads of multiple processes simultaneously
4975 By default, when you issue one of the execution commands such as
4976 @code{continue}, @code{next} or @code{step}, @value{GDBN} allows only
4977 threads of the current inferior to run. For example, if @value{GDBN}
4978 is attached to two inferiors, each with two threads, the
4979 @code{continue} command resumes only the two threads of the current
4980 inferior. This is useful, for example, when you debug a program that
4981 forks and you want to hold the parent stopped (so that, for instance,
4982 it doesn't run to exit), while you debug the child. In other
4983 situations, you may not be interested in inspecting the current state
4984 of any of the processes @value{GDBN} is attached to, and you may want
4985 to resume them all until some breakpoint is hit. In the latter case,
4986 you can instruct @value{GDBN} to allow all threads of all the
4987 inferiors to run with the @w{@code{set schedule-multiple}} command.
4988
4989 @table @code
4990 @kindex set schedule-multiple
4991 @item set schedule-multiple
4992 Set the mode for allowing threads of multiple processes to be resumed
4993 when an execution command is issued. When @code{on}, all threads of
4994 all processes are allowed to run. When @code{off}, only the threads
4995 of the current process are resumed. The default is @code{off}. The
4996 @code{scheduler-locking} mode takes precedence when set to @code{on},
4997 or while you are stepping and set to @code{step}.
4998
4999 @item show schedule-multiple
5000 Display the current mode for resuming the execution of threads of
5001 multiple processes.
5002 @end table
5003
5004 @node Non-Stop Mode
5005 @subsection Non-Stop Mode
5006
5007 @cindex non-stop mode
5008
5009 @c This section is really only a place-holder, and needs to be expanded
5010 @c with more details.
5011
5012 For some multi-threaded targets, @value{GDBN} supports an optional
5013 mode of operation in which you can examine stopped program threads in
5014 the debugger while other threads continue to execute freely. This
5015 minimizes intrusion when debugging live systems, such as programs
5016 where some threads have real-time constraints or must continue to
5017 respond to external events. This is referred to as @dfn{non-stop} mode.
5018
5019 In non-stop mode, when a thread stops to report a debugging event,
5020 @emph{only} that thread is stopped; @value{GDBN} does not stop other
5021 threads as well, in contrast to the all-stop mode behavior. Additionally,
5022 execution commands such as @code{continue} and @code{step} apply by default
5023 only to the current thread in non-stop mode, rather than all threads as
5024 in all-stop mode. This allows you to control threads explicitly in
5025 ways that are not possible in all-stop mode --- for example, stepping
5026 one thread while allowing others to run freely, stepping
5027 one thread while holding all others stopped, or stepping several threads
5028 independently and simultaneously.
5029
5030 To enter non-stop mode, use this sequence of commands before you run
5031 or attach to your program:
5032
5033 @smallexample
5034 # Enable the async interface.
5035 set target-async 1
5036
5037 # If using the CLI, pagination breaks non-stop.
5038 set pagination off
5039
5040 # Finally, turn it on!
5041 set non-stop on
5042 @end smallexample
5043
5044 You can use these commands to manipulate the non-stop mode setting:
5045
5046 @table @code
5047 @kindex set non-stop
5048 @item set non-stop on
5049 Enable selection of non-stop mode.
5050 @item set non-stop off
5051 Disable selection of non-stop mode.
5052 @kindex show non-stop
5053 @item show non-stop
5054 Show the current non-stop enablement setting.
5055 @end table
5056
5057 Note these commands only reflect whether non-stop mode is enabled,
5058 not whether the currently-executing program is being run in non-stop mode.
5059 In particular, the @code{set non-stop} preference is only consulted when
5060 @value{GDBN} starts or connects to the target program, and it is generally
5061 not possible to switch modes once debugging has started. Furthermore,
5062 since not all targets support non-stop mode, even when you have enabled
5063 non-stop mode, @value{GDBN} may still fall back to all-stop operation by
5064 default.
5065
5066 In non-stop mode, all execution commands apply only to the current thread
5067 by default. That is, @code{continue} only continues one thread.
5068 To continue all threads, issue @code{continue -a} or @code{c -a}.
5069
5070 You can use @value{GDBN}'s background execution commands
5071 (@pxref{Background Execution}) to run some threads in the background
5072 while you continue to examine or step others from @value{GDBN}.
5073 The MI execution commands (@pxref{GDB/MI Program Execution}) are
5074 always executed asynchronously in non-stop mode.
5075
5076 Suspending execution is done with the @code{interrupt} command when
5077 running in the background, or @kbd{Ctrl-c} during foreground execution.
5078 In all-stop mode, this stops the whole process;
5079 but in non-stop mode the interrupt applies only to the current thread.
5080 To stop the whole program, use @code{interrupt -a}.
5081
5082 Other execution commands do not currently support the @code{-a} option.
5083
5084 In non-stop mode, when a thread stops, @value{GDBN} doesn't automatically make
5085 that thread current, as it does in all-stop mode. This is because the
5086 thread stop notifications are asynchronous with respect to @value{GDBN}'s
5087 command interpreter, and it would be confusing if @value{GDBN} unexpectedly
5088 changed to a different thread just as you entered a command to operate on the
5089 previously current thread.
5090
5091 @node Background Execution
5092 @subsection Background Execution
5093
5094 @cindex foreground execution
5095 @cindex background execution
5096 @cindex asynchronous execution
5097 @cindex execution, foreground, background and asynchronous
5098
5099 @value{GDBN}'s execution commands have two variants: the normal
5100 foreground (synchronous) behavior, and a background
5101 (asynchronous) behavior. In foreground execution, @value{GDBN} waits for
5102 the program to report that some thread has stopped before prompting for
5103 another command. In background execution, @value{GDBN} immediately gives
5104 a command prompt so that you can issue other commands while your program runs.
5105
5106 You need to explicitly enable asynchronous mode before you can use
5107 background execution commands. You can use these commands to
5108 manipulate the asynchronous mode setting:
5109
5110 @table @code
5111 @kindex set target-async
5112 @item set target-async on
5113 Enable asynchronous mode.
5114 @item set target-async off
5115 Disable asynchronous mode.
5116 @kindex show target-async
5117 @item show target-async
5118 Show the current target-async setting.
5119 @end table
5120
5121 If the target doesn't support async mode, @value{GDBN} issues an error
5122 message if you attempt to use the background execution commands.
5123
5124 To specify background execution, add a @code{&} to the command. For example,
5125 the background form of the @code{continue} command is @code{continue&}, or
5126 just @code{c&}. The execution commands that accept background execution
5127 are:
5128
5129 @table @code
5130 @kindex run&
5131 @item run
5132 @xref{Starting, , Starting your Program}.
5133
5134 @item attach
5135 @kindex attach&
5136 @xref{Attach, , Debugging an Already-running Process}.
5137
5138 @item step
5139 @kindex step&
5140 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, step}.
5141
5142 @item stepi
5143 @kindex stepi&
5144 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, stepi}.
5145
5146 @item next
5147 @kindex next&
5148 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, next}.
5149
5150 @item nexti
5151 @kindex nexti&
5152 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, nexti}.
5153
5154 @item continue
5155 @kindex continue&
5156 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, continue}.
5157
5158 @item finish
5159 @kindex finish&
5160 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, finish}.
5161
5162 @item until
5163 @kindex until&
5164 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, until}.
5165
5166 @end table
5167
5168 Background execution is especially useful in conjunction with non-stop
5169 mode for debugging programs with multiple threads; see @ref{Non-Stop Mode}.
5170 However, you can also use these commands in the normal all-stop mode with
5171 the restriction that you cannot issue another execution command until the
5172 previous one finishes. Examples of commands that are valid in all-stop
5173 mode while the program is running include @code{help} and @code{info break}.
5174
5175 You can interrupt your program while it is running in the background by
5176 using the @code{interrupt} command.
5177
5178 @table @code
5179 @kindex interrupt
5180 @item interrupt
5181 @itemx interrupt -a
5182
5183 Suspend execution of the running program. In all-stop mode,
5184 @code{interrupt} stops the whole process, but in non-stop mode, it stops
5185 only the current thread. To stop the whole program in non-stop mode,
5186 use @code{interrupt -a}.
5187 @end table
5188
5189 @node Thread-Specific Breakpoints
5190 @subsection Thread-Specific Breakpoints
5191
5192 When your program has multiple threads (@pxref{Threads,, Debugging
5193 Programs with Multiple Threads}), you can choose whether to set
5194 breakpoints on all threads, or on a particular thread.
5195
5196 @table @code
5197 @cindex breakpoints and threads
5198 @cindex thread breakpoints
5199 @kindex break @dots{} thread @var{threadno}
5200 @item break @var{linespec} thread @var{threadno}
5201 @itemx break @var{linespec} thread @var{threadno} if @dots{}
5202 @var{linespec} specifies source lines; there are several ways of
5203 writing them (@pxref{Specify Location}), but the effect is always to
5204 specify some source line.
5205
5206 Use the qualifier @samp{thread @var{threadno}} with a breakpoint command
5207 to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
5208 particular thread reaches this breakpoint. @var{threadno} is one of the
5209 numeric thread identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown in the first
5210 column of the @samp{info threads} display.
5211
5212 If you do not specify @samp{thread @var{threadno}} when you set a
5213 breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} threads of your
5214 program.
5215
5216 You can use the @code{thread} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
5217 well; in this case, place @samp{thread @var{threadno}} before or
5218 after the breakpoint condition, like this:
5219
5220 @smallexample
5221 (@value{GDBP}) break frik.c:13 thread 28 if bartab > lim
5222 @end smallexample
5223
5224 @end table
5225
5226 @node Interrupted System Calls
5227 @subsection Interrupted System Calls
5228
5229 @cindex thread breakpoints and system calls
5230 @cindex system calls and thread breakpoints
5231 @cindex premature return from system calls
5232 There is an unfortunate side effect when using @value{GDBN} to debug
5233 multi-threaded programs. If one thread stops for a
5234 breakpoint, or for some other reason, and another thread is blocked in a
5235 system call, then the system call may return prematurely. This is a
5236 consequence of the interaction between multiple threads and the signals
5237 that @value{GDBN} uses to implement breakpoints and other events that
5238 stop execution.
5239
5240 To handle this problem, your program should check the return value of
5241 each system call and react appropriately. This is good programming
5242 style anyways.
5243
5244 For example, do not write code like this:
5245
5246 @smallexample
5247 sleep (10);
5248 @end smallexample
5249
5250 The call to @code{sleep} will return early if a different thread stops
5251 at a breakpoint or for some other reason.
5252
5253 Instead, write this:
5254
5255 @smallexample
5256 int unslept = 10;
5257 while (unslept > 0)
5258 unslept = sleep (unslept);
5259 @end smallexample
5260
5261 A system call is allowed to return early, so the system is still
5262 conforming to its specification. But @value{GDBN} does cause your
5263 multi-threaded program to behave differently than it would without
5264 @value{GDBN}.
5265
5266 Also, @value{GDBN} uses internal breakpoints in the thread library to
5267 monitor certain events such as thread creation and thread destruction.
5268 When such an event happens, a system call in another thread may return
5269 prematurely, even though your program does not appear to stop.
5270
5271
5272 @node Reverse Execution
5273 @chapter Running programs backward
5274 @cindex reverse execution
5275 @cindex running programs backward
5276
5277 When you are debugging a program, it is not unusual to realize that
5278 you have gone too far, and some event of interest has already happened.
5279 If the target environment supports it, @value{GDBN} can allow you to
5280 ``rewind'' the program by running it backward.
5281
5282 A target environment that supports reverse execution should be able
5283 to ``undo'' the changes in machine state that have taken place as the
5284 program was executing normally. Variables, registers etc.@: should
5285 revert to their previous values. Obviously this requires a great
5286 deal of sophistication on the part of the target environment; not
5287 all target environments can support reverse execution.
5288
5289 When a program is executed in reverse, the instructions that
5290 have most recently been executed are ``un-executed'', in reverse
5291 order. The program counter runs backward, following the previous
5292 thread of execution in reverse. As each instruction is ``un-executed'',
5293 the values of memory and/or registers that were changed by that
5294 instruction are reverted to their previous states. After executing
5295 a piece of source code in reverse, all side effects of that code
5296 should be ``undone'', and all variables should be returned to their
5297 prior values@footnote{
5298 Note that some side effects are easier to undo than others. For instance,
5299 memory and registers are relatively easy, but device I/O is hard. Some
5300 targets may be able undo things like device I/O, and some may not.
5301
5302 The contract between @value{GDBN} and the reverse executing target
5303 requires only that the target do something reasonable when
5304 @value{GDBN} tells it to execute backwards, and then report the
5305 results back to @value{GDBN}. Whatever the target reports back to
5306 @value{GDBN}, @value{GDBN} will report back to the user. @value{GDBN}
5307 assumes that the memory and registers that the target reports are in a
5308 consistant state, but @value{GDBN} accepts whatever it is given.
5309 }.
5310
5311 If you are debugging in a target environment that supports
5312 reverse execution, @value{GDBN} provides the following commands.
5313
5314 @table @code
5315 @kindex reverse-continue
5316 @kindex rc @r{(@code{reverse-continue})}
5317 @item reverse-continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
5318 @itemx rc @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
5319 Beginning at the point where your program last stopped, start executing
5320 in reverse. Reverse execution will stop for breakpoints and synchronous
5321 exceptions (signals), just like normal execution. Behavior of
5322 asynchronous signals depends on the target environment.
5323
5324 @kindex reverse-step
5325 @kindex rs @r{(@code{step})}
5326 @item reverse-step @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5327 Run the program backward until control reaches the start of a
5328 different source line; then stop it, and return control to @value{GDBN}.
5329
5330 Like the @code{step} command, @code{reverse-step} will only stop
5331 at the beginning of a source line. It ``un-executes'' the previously
5332 executed source line. If the previous source line included calls to
5333 debuggable functions, @code{reverse-step} will step (backward) into
5334 the called function, stopping at the beginning of the @emph{last}
5335 statement in the called function (typically a return statement).
5336
5337 Also, as with the @code{step} command, if non-debuggable functions are
5338 called, @code{reverse-step} will run thru them backward without stopping.
5339
5340 @kindex reverse-stepi
5341 @kindex rsi @r{(@code{reverse-stepi})}
5342 @item reverse-stepi @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5343 Reverse-execute one machine instruction. Note that the instruction
5344 to be reverse-executed is @emph{not} the one pointed to by the program
5345 counter, but the instruction executed prior to that one. For instance,
5346 if the last instruction was a jump, @code{reverse-stepi} will take you
5347 back from the destination of the jump to the jump instruction itself.
5348
5349 @kindex reverse-next
5350 @kindex rn @r{(@code{reverse-next})}
5351 @item reverse-next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5352 Run backward to the beginning of the previous line executed in
5353 the current (innermost) stack frame. If the line contains function
5354 calls, they will be ``un-executed'' without stopping. Starting from
5355 the first line of a function, @code{reverse-next} will take you back
5356 to the caller of that function, @emph{before} the function was called,
5357 just as the normal @code{next} command would take you from the last
5358 line of a function back to its return to its caller
5359 @footnote{Unless the code is too heavily optimized.}.
5360
5361 @kindex reverse-nexti
5362 @kindex rni @r{(@code{reverse-nexti})}
5363 @item reverse-nexti @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5364 Like @code{nexti}, @code{reverse-nexti} executes a single instruction
5365 in reverse, except that called functions are ``un-executed'' atomically.
5366 That is, if the previously executed instruction was a return from
5367 another instruction, @code{reverse-nexti} will continue to execute
5368 in reverse until the call to that function (from the current stack
5369 frame) is reached.
5370
5371 @kindex reverse-finish
5372 @item reverse-finish
5373 Just as the @code{finish} command takes you to the point where the
5374 current function returns, @code{reverse-finish} takes you to the point
5375 where it was called. Instead of ending up at the end of the current
5376 function invocation, you end up at the beginning.
5377
5378 @kindex set exec-direction
5379 @item set exec-direction
5380 Set the direction of target execution.
5381 @itemx set exec-direction reverse
5382 @cindex execute forward or backward in time
5383 @value{GDBN} will perform all execution commands in reverse, until the
5384 exec-direction mode is changed to ``forward''. Affected commands include
5385 @code{step, stepi, next, nexti, continue, and finish}. The @code{return}
5386 command cannot be used in reverse mode.
5387 @item set exec-direction forward
5388 @value{GDBN} will perform all execution commands in the normal fashion.
5389 This is the default.
5390 @end table
5391
5392
5393 @node Process Record and Replay
5394 @chapter Recording Inferior's Execution and Replaying It
5395 @cindex process record and replay
5396 @cindex recording inferior's execution and replaying it
5397
5398 On some platforms, @value{GDBN} provides a special @dfn{process record
5399 and replay} target that can record a log of the process execution, and
5400 replay it later with both forward and reverse execution commands.
5401
5402 @cindex replay mode
5403 When this target is in use, if the execution log includes the record
5404 for the next instruction, @value{GDBN} will debug in @dfn{replay
5405 mode}. In the replay mode, the inferior does not really execute code
5406 instructions. Instead, all the events that normally happen during
5407 code execution are taken from the execution log. While code is not
5408 really executed in replay mode, the values of registers (including the
5409 program counter register) and the memory of the inferior are still
5410 changed as they normally would. Their contents are taken from the
5411 execution log.
5412
5413 @cindex record mode
5414 If the record for the next instruction is not in the execution log,
5415 @value{GDBN} will debug in @dfn{record mode}. In this mode, the
5416 inferior executes normally, and @value{GDBN} records the execution log
5417 for future replay.
5418
5419 The process record and replay target supports reverse execution
5420 (@pxref{Reverse Execution}), even if the platform on which the
5421 inferior runs does not. However, the reverse execution is limited in
5422 this case by the range of the instructions recorded in the execution
5423 log. In other words, reverse execution on platforms that don't
5424 support it directly can only be done in the replay mode.
5425
5426 When debugging in the reverse direction, @value{GDBN} will work in
5427 replay mode as long as the execution log includes the record for the
5428 previous instruction; otherwise, it will work in record mode, if the
5429 platform supports reverse execution, or stop if not.
5430
5431 For architecture environments that support process record and replay,
5432 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands:
5433
5434 @table @code
5435 @kindex target record
5436 @kindex record
5437 @kindex rec
5438 @item target record
5439 This command starts the process record and replay target. The process
5440 record and replay target can only debug a process that is already
5441 running. Therefore, you need first to start the process with the
5442 @kbd{run} or @kbd{start} commands, and then start the recording with
5443 the @kbd{target record} command.
5444
5445 Both @code{record} and @code{rec} are aliases of @code{target record}.
5446
5447 @cindex displaced stepping, and process record and replay
5448 Displaced stepping (@pxref{Maintenance Commands,, displaced stepping})
5449 will be automatically disabled when process record and replay target
5450 is started. That's because the process record and replay target
5451 doesn't support displaced stepping.
5452
5453 @cindex non-stop mode, and process record and replay
5454 @cindex asynchronous execution, and process record and replay
5455 If the inferior is in the non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}) or in
5456 the asynchronous execution mode (@pxref{Background Execution}), the
5457 process record and replay target cannot be started because it doesn't
5458 support these two modes.
5459
5460 @kindex record stop
5461 @kindex rec s
5462 @item record stop
5463 Stop the process record and replay target. When process record and
5464 replay target stops, the entire execution log will be deleted and the
5465 inferior will either be terminated, or will remain in its final state.
5466
5467 When you stop the process record and replay target in record mode (at
5468 the end of the execution log), the inferior will be stopped at the
5469 next instruction that would have been recorded. In other words, if
5470 you record for a while and then stop recording, the inferior process
5471 will be left in the same state as if the recording never happened.
5472
5473 On the other hand, if the process record and replay target is stopped
5474 while in replay mode (that is, not at the end of the execution log,
5475 but at some earlier point), the inferior process will become ``live''
5476 at that earlier state, and it will then be possible to continue the
5477 usual ``live'' debugging of the process from that state.
5478
5479 When the inferior process exits, or @value{GDBN} detaches from it,
5480 process record and replay target will automatically stop itself.
5481
5482 @kindex set record insn-number-max
5483 @item set record insn-number-max @var{limit}
5484 Set the limit of instructions to be recorded. Default value is 200000.
5485
5486 If @var{limit} is a positive number, then @value{GDBN} will start
5487 deleting instructions from the log once the number of the record
5488 instructions becomes greater than @var{limit}. For every new recorded
5489 instruction, @value{GDBN} will delete the earliest recorded
5490 instruction to keep the number of recorded instructions at the limit.
5491 (Since deleting recorded instructions loses information, @value{GDBN}
5492 lets you control what happens when the limit is reached, by means of
5493 the @code{stop-at-limit} option, described below.)
5494
5495 If @var{limit} is zero, @value{GDBN} will never delete recorded
5496 instructions from the execution log. The number of recorded
5497 instructions is unlimited in this case.
5498
5499 @kindex show record insn-number-max
5500 @item show record insn-number-max
5501 Show the limit of instructions to be recorded.
5502
5503 @kindex set record stop-at-limit
5504 @item set record stop-at-limit
5505 Control the behavior when the number of recorded instructions reaches
5506 the limit. If ON (the default), @value{GDBN} will stop when the limit
5507 is reached for the first time and ask you whether you want to stop the
5508 inferior or continue running it and recording the execution log. If
5509 you decide to continue recording, each new recorded instruction will
5510 cause the oldest one to be deleted.
5511
5512 If this option is OFF, @value{GDBN} will automatically delete the
5513 oldest record to make room for each new one, without asking.
5514
5515 @kindex show record stop-at-limit
5516 @item show record stop-at-limit
5517 Show the current setting of @code{stop-at-limit}.
5518
5519 @kindex info record
5520 @item info record
5521 Show various statistics about the state of process record and its
5522 in-memory execution log buffer, including:
5523
5524 @itemize @bullet
5525 @item
5526 Whether in record mode or replay mode.
5527 @item
5528 Lowest recorded instruction number (counting from when the current execution log started recording instructions).
5529 @item
5530 Highest recorded instruction number.
5531 @item
5532 Current instruction about to be replayed (if in replay mode).
5533 @item
5534 Number of instructions contained in the execution log.
5535 @item
5536 Maximum number of instructions that may be contained in the execution log.
5537 @end itemize
5538
5539 @kindex record delete
5540 @kindex rec del
5541 @item record delete
5542 When record target runs in replay mode (``in the past''), delete the
5543 subsequent execution log and begin to record a new execution log starting
5544 from the current address. This means you will abandon the previously
5545 recorded ``future'' and begin recording a new ``future''.
5546 @end table
5547
5548
5549 @node Stack
5550 @chapter Examining the Stack
5551
5552 When your program has stopped, the first thing you need to know is where it
5553 stopped and how it got there.
5554
5555 @cindex call stack
5556 Each time your program performs a function call, information about the call
5557 is generated.
5558 That information includes the location of the call in your program,
5559 the arguments of the call,
5560 and the local variables of the function being called.
5561 The information is saved in a block of data called a @dfn{stack frame}.
5562 The stack frames are allocated in a region of memory called the @dfn{call
5563 stack}.
5564
5565 When your program stops, the @value{GDBN} commands for examining the
5566 stack allow you to see all of this information.
5567
5568 @cindex selected frame
5569 One of the stack frames is @dfn{selected} by @value{GDBN} and many
5570 @value{GDBN} commands refer implicitly to the selected frame. In
5571 particular, whenever you ask @value{GDBN} for the value of a variable in
5572 your program, the value is found in the selected frame. There are
5573 special @value{GDBN} commands to select whichever frame you are
5574 interested in. @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
5575
5576 When your program stops, @value{GDBN} automatically selects the
5577 currently executing frame and describes it briefly, similar to the
5578 @code{frame} command (@pxref{Frame Info, ,Information about a Frame}).
5579
5580 @menu
5581 * Frames:: Stack frames
5582 * Backtrace:: Backtraces
5583 * Selection:: Selecting a frame
5584 * Frame Info:: Information on a frame
5585
5586 @end menu
5587
5588 @node Frames
5589 @section Stack Frames
5590
5591 @cindex frame, definition
5592 @cindex stack frame
5593 The call stack is divided up into contiguous pieces called @dfn{stack
5594 frames}, or @dfn{frames} for short; each frame is the data associated
5595 with one call to one function. The frame contains the arguments given
5596 to the function, the function's local variables, and the address at
5597 which the function is executing.
5598
5599 @cindex initial frame
5600 @cindex outermost frame
5601 @cindex innermost frame
5602 When your program is started, the stack has only one frame, that of the
5603 function @code{main}. This is called the @dfn{initial} frame or the
5604 @dfn{outermost} frame. Each time a function is called, a new frame is
5605 made. Each time a function returns, the frame for that function invocation
5606 is eliminated. If a function is recursive, there can be many frames for
5607 the same function. The frame for the function in which execution is
5608 actually occurring is called the @dfn{innermost} frame. This is the most
5609 recently created of all the stack frames that still exist.
5610
5611 @cindex frame pointer
5612 Inside your program, stack frames are identified by their addresses. A
5613 stack frame consists of many bytes, each of which has its own address; each
5614 kind of computer has a convention for choosing one byte whose
5615 address serves as the address of the frame. Usually this address is kept
5616 in a register called the @dfn{frame pointer register}
5617 (@pxref{Registers, $fp}) while execution is going on in that frame.
5618
5619 @cindex frame number
5620 @value{GDBN} assigns numbers to all existing stack frames, starting with
5621 zero for the innermost frame, one for the frame that called it,
5622 and so on upward. These numbers do not really exist in your program;
5623 they are assigned by @value{GDBN} to give you a way of designating stack
5624 frames in @value{GDBN} commands.
5625
5626 @c The -fomit-frame-pointer below perennially causes hbox overflow
5627 @c underflow problems.
5628 @cindex frameless execution
5629 Some compilers provide a way to compile functions so that they operate
5630 without stack frames. (For example, the @value{NGCC} option
5631 @smallexample
5632 @samp{-fomit-frame-pointer}
5633 @end smallexample
5634 generates functions without a frame.)
5635 This is occasionally done with heavily used library functions to save
5636 the frame setup time. @value{GDBN} has limited facilities for dealing
5637 with these function invocations. If the innermost function invocation
5638 has no stack frame, @value{GDBN} nevertheless regards it as though
5639 it had a separate frame, which is numbered zero as usual, allowing
5640 correct tracing of the function call chain. However, @value{GDBN} has
5641 no provision for frameless functions elsewhere in the stack.
5642
5643 @table @code
5644 @kindex frame@r{, command}
5645 @cindex current stack frame
5646 @item frame @var{args}
5647 The @code{frame} command allows you to move from one stack frame to another,
5648 and to print the stack frame you select. @var{args} may be either the
5649 address of the frame or the stack frame number. Without an argument,
5650 @code{frame} prints the current stack frame.
5651
5652 @kindex select-frame
5653 @cindex selecting frame silently
5654 @item select-frame
5655 The @code{select-frame} command allows you to move from one stack frame
5656 to another without printing the frame. This is the silent version of
5657 @code{frame}.
5658 @end table
5659
5660 @node Backtrace
5661 @section Backtraces
5662
5663 @cindex traceback
5664 @cindex call stack traces
5665 A backtrace is a summary of how your program got where it is. It shows one
5666 line per frame, for many frames, starting with the currently executing
5667 frame (frame zero), followed by its caller (frame one), and on up the
5668 stack.
5669
5670 @table @code
5671 @kindex backtrace
5672 @kindex bt @r{(@code{backtrace})}
5673 @item backtrace
5674 @itemx bt
5675 Print a backtrace of the entire stack: one line per frame for all
5676 frames in the stack.
5677
5678 You can stop the backtrace at any time by typing the system interrupt
5679 character, normally @kbd{Ctrl-c}.
5680
5681 @item backtrace @var{n}
5682 @itemx bt @var{n}
5683 Similar, but print only the innermost @var{n} frames.
5684
5685 @item backtrace -@var{n}
5686 @itemx bt -@var{n}
5687 Similar, but print only the outermost @var{n} frames.
5688
5689 @item backtrace full
5690 @itemx bt full
5691 @itemx bt full @var{n}
5692 @itemx bt full -@var{n}
5693 Print the values of the local variables also. @var{n} specifies the
5694 number of frames to print, as described above.
5695 @end table
5696
5697 @kindex where
5698 @kindex info stack
5699 The names @code{where} and @code{info stack} (abbreviated @code{info s})
5700 are additional aliases for @code{backtrace}.
5701
5702 @cindex multiple threads, backtrace
5703 In a multi-threaded program, @value{GDBN} by default shows the
5704 backtrace only for the current thread. To display the backtrace for
5705 several or all of the threads, use the command @code{thread apply}
5706 (@pxref{Threads, thread apply}). For example, if you type @kbd{thread
5707 apply all backtrace}, @value{GDBN} will display the backtrace for all
5708 the threads; this is handy when you debug a core dump of a
5709 multi-threaded program.
5710
5711 Each line in the backtrace shows the frame number and the function name.
5712 The program counter value is also shown---unless you use @code{set
5713 print address off}. The backtrace also shows the source file name and
5714 line number, as well as the arguments to the function. The program
5715 counter value is omitted if it is at the beginning of the code for that
5716 line number.
5717
5718 Here is an example of a backtrace. It was made with the command
5719 @samp{bt 3}, so it shows the innermost three frames.
5720
5721 @smallexample
5722 @group
5723 #0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
5724 at builtin.c:993
5725 #1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=0x2b600, data=...) at macro.c:242
5726 #2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=177664, td=0xf7fffb08)
5727 at macro.c:71
5728 (More stack frames follow...)
5729 @end group
5730 @end smallexample
5731
5732 @noindent
5733 The display for frame zero does not begin with a program counter
5734 value, indicating that your program has stopped at the beginning of the
5735 code for line @code{993} of @code{builtin.c}.
5736
5737 @noindent
5738 The value of parameter @code{data} in frame 1 has been replaced by
5739 @code{@dots{}}. By default, @value{GDBN} prints the value of a parameter
5740 only if it is a scalar (integer, pointer, enumeration, etc). See command
5741 @kbd{set print frame-arguments} in @ref{Print Settings} for more details
5742 on how to configure the way function parameter values are printed.
5743
5744 @cindex value optimized out, in backtrace
5745 @cindex function call arguments, optimized out
5746 If your program was compiled with optimizations, some compilers will
5747 optimize away arguments passed to functions if those arguments are
5748 never used after the call. Such optimizations generate code that
5749 passes arguments through registers, but doesn't store those arguments
5750 in the stack frame. @value{GDBN} has no way of displaying such
5751 arguments in stack frames other than the innermost one. Here's what
5752 such a backtrace might look like:
5753
5754 @smallexample
5755 @group
5756 #0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
5757 at builtin.c:993
5758 #1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=<value optimized out>) at macro.c:242
5759 #2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=<value optimized out>, td=0xf7fffb08)
5760 at macro.c:71
5761 (More stack frames follow...)
5762 @end group
5763 @end smallexample
5764
5765 @noindent
5766 The values of arguments that were not saved in their stack frames are
5767 shown as @samp{<value optimized out>}.
5768
5769 If you need to display the values of such optimized-out arguments,
5770 either deduce that from other variables whose values depend on the one
5771 you are interested in, or recompile without optimizations.
5772
5773 @cindex backtrace beyond @code{main} function
5774 @cindex program entry point
5775 @cindex startup code, and backtrace
5776 Most programs have a standard user entry point---a place where system
5777 libraries and startup code transition into user code. For C this is
5778 @code{main}@footnote{
5779 Note that embedded programs (the so-called ``free-standing''
5780 environment) are not required to have a @code{main} function as the
5781 entry point. They could even have multiple entry points.}.
5782 When @value{GDBN} finds the entry function in a backtrace
5783 it will terminate the backtrace, to avoid tracing into highly
5784 system-specific (and generally uninteresting) code.
5785
5786 If you need to examine the startup code, or limit the number of levels
5787 in a backtrace, you can change this behavior:
5788
5789 @table @code
5790 @item set backtrace past-main
5791 @itemx set backtrace past-main on
5792 @kindex set backtrace
5793 Backtraces will continue past the user entry point.
5794
5795 @item set backtrace past-main off
5796 Backtraces will stop when they encounter the user entry point. This is the
5797 default.
5798
5799 @item show backtrace past-main
5800 @kindex show backtrace
5801 Display the current user entry point backtrace policy.
5802
5803 @item set backtrace past-entry
5804 @itemx set backtrace past-entry on
5805 Backtraces will continue past the internal entry point of an application.
5806 This entry point is encoded by the linker when the application is built,
5807 and is likely before the user entry point @code{main} (or equivalent) is called.
5808
5809 @item set backtrace past-entry off
5810 Backtraces will stop when they encounter the internal entry point of an
5811 application. This is the default.
5812
5813 @item show backtrace past-entry
5814 Display the current internal entry point backtrace policy.
5815
5816 @item set backtrace limit @var{n}
5817 @itemx set backtrace limit 0
5818 @cindex backtrace limit
5819 Limit the backtrace to @var{n} levels. A value of zero means
5820 unlimited.
5821
5822 @item show backtrace limit
5823 Display the current limit on backtrace levels.
5824 @end table
5825
5826 @node Selection
5827 @section Selecting a Frame
5828
5829 Most commands for examining the stack and other data in your program work on
5830 whichever stack frame is selected at the moment. Here are the commands for
5831 selecting a stack frame; all of them finish by printing a brief description
5832 of the stack frame just selected.
5833
5834 @table @code
5835 @kindex frame@r{, selecting}
5836 @kindex f @r{(@code{frame})}
5837 @item frame @var{n}
5838 @itemx f @var{n}
5839 Select frame number @var{n}. Recall that frame zero is the innermost
5840 (currently executing) frame, frame one is the frame that called the
5841 innermost one, and so on. The highest-numbered frame is the one for
5842 @code{main}.
5843
5844 @item frame @var{addr}
5845 @itemx f @var{addr}
5846 Select the frame at address @var{addr}. This is useful mainly if the
5847 chaining of stack frames has been damaged by a bug, making it
5848 impossible for @value{GDBN} to assign numbers properly to all frames. In
5849 addition, this can be useful when your program has multiple stacks and
5850 switches between them.
5851
5852 On the SPARC architecture, @code{frame} needs two addresses to
5853 select an arbitrary frame: a frame pointer and a stack pointer.
5854
5855 On the MIPS and Alpha architecture, it needs two addresses: a stack
5856 pointer and a program counter.
5857
5858 On the 29k architecture, it needs three addresses: a register stack
5859 pointer, a program counter, and a memory stack pointer.
5860
5861 @kindex up
5862 @item up @var{n}
5863 Move @var{n} frames up the stack. For positive numbers @var{n}, this
5864 advances toward the outermost frame, to higher frame numbers, to frames
5865 that have existed longer. @var{n} defaults to one.
5866
5867 @kindex down
5868 @kindex do @r{(@code{down})}
5869 @item down @var{n}
5870 Move @var{n} frames down the stack. For positive numbers @var{n}, this
5871 advances toward the innermost frame, to lower frame numbers, to frames
5872 that were created more recently. @var{n} defaults to one. You may
5873 abbreviate @code{down} as @code{do}.
5874 @end table
5875
5876 All of these commands end by printing two lines of output describing the
5877 frame. The first line shows the frame number, the function name, the
5878 arguments, and the source file and line number of execution in that
5879 frame. The second line shows the text of that source line.
5880
5881 @need 1000
5882 For example:
5883
5884 @smallexample
5885 @group
5886 (@value{GDBP}) up
5887 #1 0x22f0 in main (argc=1, argv=0xf7fffbf4, env=0xf7fffbfc)
5888 at env.c:10
5889 10 read_input_file (argv[i]);
5890 @end group
5891 @end smallexample
5892
5893 After such a printout, the @code{list} command with no arguments
5894 prints ten lines centered on the point of execution in the frame.
5895 You can also edit the program at the point of execution with your favorite
5896 editing program by typing @code{edit}.
5897 @xref{List, ,Printing Source Lines},
5898 for details.
5899
5900 @table @code
5901 @kindex down-silently
5902 @kindex up-silently
5903 @item up-silently @var{n}
5904 @itemx down-silently @var{n}
5905 These two commands are variants of @code{up} and @code{down},
5906 respectively; they differ in that they do their work silently, without
5907 causing display of the new frame. They are intended primarily for use
5908 in @value{GDBN} command scripts, where the output might be unnecessary and
5909 distracting.
5910 @end table
5911
5912 @node Frame Info
5913 @section Information About a Frame
5914
5915 There are several other commands to print information about the selected
5916 stack frame.
5917
5918 @table @code
5919 @item frame
5920 @itemx f
5921 When used without any argument, this command does not change which
5922 frame is selected, but prints a brief description of the currently
5923 selected stack frame. It can be abbreviated @code{f}. With an
5924 argument, this command is used to select a stack frame.
5925 @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
5926
5927 @kindex info frame
5928 @kindex info f @r{(@code{info frame})}
5929 @item info frame
5930 @itemx info f
5931 This command prints a verbose description of the selected stack frame,
5932 including:
5933
5934 @itemize @bullet
5935 @item
5936 the address of the frame
5937 @item
5938 the address of the next frame down (called by this frame)
5939 @item
5940 the address of the next frame up (caller of this frame)
5941 @item
5942 the language in which the source code corresponding to this frame is written
5943 @item
5944 the address of the frame's arguments
5945 @item
5946 the address of the frame's local variables
5947 @item
5948 the program counter saved in it (the address of execution in the caller frame)
5949 @item
5950 which registers were saved in the frame
5951 @end itemize
5952
5953 @noindent The verbose description is useful when
5954 something has gone wrong that has made the stack format fail to fit
5955 the usual conventions.
5956
5957 @item info frame @var{addr}
5958 @itemx info f @var{addr}
5959 Print a verbose description of the frame at address @var{addr}, without
5960 selecting that frame. The selected frame remains unchanged by this
5961 command. This requires the same kind of address (more than one for some
5962 architectures) that you specify in the @code{frame} command.
5963 @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
5964
5965 @kindex info args
5966 @item info args
5967 Print the arguments of the selected frame, each on a separate line.
5968
5969 @item info locals
5970 @kindex info locals
5971 Print the local variables of the selected frame, each on a separate
5972 line. These are all variables (declared either static or automatic)
5973 accessible at the point of execution of the selected frame.
5974
5975 @kindex info catch
5976 @cindex catch exceptions, list active handlers
5977 @cindex exception handlers, how to list
5978 @item info catch
5979 Print a list of all the exception handlers that are active in the
5980 current stack frame at the current point of execution. To see other
5981 exception handlers, visit the associated frame (using the @code{up},
5982 @code{down}, or @code{frame} commands); then type @code{info catch}.
5983 @xref{Set Catchpoints, , Setting Catchpoints}.
5984
5985 @end table
5986
5987
5988 @node Source
5989 @chapter Examining Source Files
5990
5991 @value{GDBN} can print parts of your program's source, since the debugging
5992 information recorded in the program tells @value{GDBN} what source files were
5993 used to build it. When your program stops, @value{GDBN} spontaneously prints
5994 the line where it stopped. Likewise, when you select a stack frame
5995 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}), @value{GDBN} prints the line where
5996 execution in that frame has stopped. You can print other portions of
5997 source files by explicit command.
5998
5999 If you use @value{GDBN} through its @sc{gnu} Emacs interface, you may
6000 prefer to use Emacs facilities to view source; see @ref{Emacs, ,Using
6001 @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}.
6002
6003 @menu
6004 * List:: Printing source lines
6005 * Specify Location:: How to specify code locations
6006 * Edit:: Editing source files
6007 * Search:: Searching source files
6008 * Source Path:: Specifying source directories
6009 * Machine Code:: Source and machine code
6010 @end menu
6011
6012 @node List
6013 @section Printing Source Lines
6014
6015 @kindex list
6016 @kindex l @r{(@code{list})}
6017 To print lines from a source file, use the @code{list} command
6018 (abbreviated @code{l}). By default, ten lines are printed.
6019 There are several ways to specify what part of the file you want to
6020 print; see @ref{Specify Location}, for the full list.
6021
6022 Here are the forms of the @code{list} command most commonly used:
6023
6024 @table @code
6025 @item list @var{linenum}
6026 Print lines centered around line number @var{linenum} in the
6027 current source file.
6028
6029 @item list @var{function}
6030 Print lines centered around the beginning of function
6031 @var{function}.
6032
6033 @item list
6034 Print more lines. If the last lines printed were printed with a
6035 @code{list} command, this prints lines following the last lines
6036 printed; however, if the last line printed was a solitary line printed
6037 as part of displaying a stack frame (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the
6038 Stack}), this prints lines centered around that line.
6039
6040 @item list -
6041 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
6042 @end table
6043
6044 @cindex @code{list}, how many lines to display
6045 By default, @value{GDBN} prints ten source lines with any of these forms of
6046 the @code{list} command. You can change this using @code{set listsize}:
6047
6048 @table @code
6049 @kindex set listsize
6050 @item set listsize @var{count}
6051 Make the @code{list} command display @var{count} source lines (unless
6052 the @code{list} argument explicitly specifies some other number).
6053
6054 @kindex show listsize
6055 @item show listsize
6056 Display the number of lines that @code{list} prints.
6057 @end table
6058
6059 Repeating a @code{list} command with @key{RET} discards the argument,
6060 so it is equivalent to typing just @code{list}. This is more useful
6061 than listing the same lines again. An exception is made for an
6062 argument of @samp{-}; that argument is preserved in repetition so that
6063 each repetition moves up in the source file.
6064
6065 In general, the @code{list} command expects you to supply zero, one or two
6066 @dfn{linespecs}. Linespecs specify source lines; there are several ways
6067 of writing them (@pxref{Specify Location}), but the effect is always
6068 to specify some source line.
6069
6070 Here is a complete description of the possible arguments for @code{list}:
6071
6072 @table @code
6073 @item list @var{linespec}
6074 Print lines centered around the line specified by @var{linespec}.
6075
6076 @item list @var{first},@var{last}
6077 Print lines from @var{first} to @var{last}. Both arguments are
6078 linespecs. When a @code{list} command has two linespecs, and the
6079 source file of the second linespec is omitted, this refers to
6080 the same source file as the first linespec.
6081
6082 @item list ,@var{last}
6083 Print lines ending with @var{last}.
6084
6085 @item list @var{first},
6086 Print lines starting with @var{first}.
6087
6088 @item list +
6089 Print lines just after the lines last printed.
6090
6091 @item list -
6092 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
6093
6094 @item list
6095 As described in the preceding table.
6096 @end table
6097
6098 @node Specify Location
6099 @section Specifying a Location
6100 @cindex specifying location
6101 @cindex linespec
6102
6103 Several @value{GDBN} commands accept arguments that specify a location
6104 of your program's code. Since @value{GDBN} is a source-level
6105 debugger, a location usually specifies some line in the source code;
6106 for that reason, locations are also known as @dfn{linespecs}.
6107
6108 Here are all the different ways of specifying a code location that
6109 @value{GDBN} understands:
6110
6111 @table @code
6112 @item @var{linenum}
6113 Specifies the line number @var{linenum} of the current source file.
6114
6115 @item -@var{offset}
6116 @itemx +@var{offset}
6117 Specifies the line @var{offset} lines before or after the @dfn{current
6118 line}. For the @code{list} command, the current line is the last one
6119 printed; for the breakpoint commands, this is the line at which
6120 execution stopped in the currently selected @dfn{stack frame}
6121 (@pxref{Frames, ,Frames}, for a description of stack frames.) When
6122 used as the second of the two linespecs in a @code{list} command,
6123 this specifies the line @var{offset} lines up or down from the first
6124 linespec.
6125
6126 @item @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
6127 Specifies the line @var{linenum} in the source file @var{filename}.
6128
6129 @item @var{function}
6130 Specifies the line that begins the body of the function @var{function}.
6131 For example, in C, this is the line with the open brace.
6132
6133 @item @var{filename}:@var{function}
6134 Specifies the line that begins the body of the function @var{function}
6135 in the file @var{filename}. You only need the file name with a
6136 function name to avoid ambiguity when there are identically named
6137 functions in different source files.
6138
6139 @item *@var{address}
6140 Specifies the program address @var{address}. For line-oriented
6141 commands, such as @code{list} and @code{edit}, this specifies a source
6142 line that contains @var{address}. For @code{break} and other
6143 breakpoint oriented commands, this can be used to set breakpoints in
6144 parts of your program which do not have debugging information or
6145 source files.
6146
6147 Here @var{address} may be any expression valid in the current working
6148 language (@pxref{Languages, working language}) that specifies a code
6149 address. In addition, as a convenience, @value{GDBN} extends the
6150 semantics of expressions used in locations to cover the situations
6151 that frequently happen during debugging. Here are the various forms
6152 of @var{address}:
6153
6154 @table @code
6155 @item @var{expression}
6156 Any expression valid in the current working language.
6157
6158 @item @var{funcaddr}
6159 An address of a function or procedure derived from its name. In C,
6160 C@t{++}, Java, Objective-C, Fortran, minimal, and assembly, this is
6161 simply the function's name @var{function} (and actually a special case
6162 of a valid expression). In Pascal and Modula-2, this is
6163 @code{&@var{function}}. In Ada, this is @code{@var{function}'Address}
6164 (although the Pascal form also works).
6165
6166 This form specifies the address of the function's first instruction,
6167 before the stack frame and arguments have been set up.
6168
6169 @item '@var{filename}'::@var{funcaddr}
6170 Like @var{funcaddr} above, but also specifies the name of the source
6171 file explicitly. This is useful if the name of the function does not
6172 specify the function unambiguously, e.g., if there are several
6173 functions with identical names in different source files.
6174 @end table
6175
6176 @end table
6177
6178
6179 @node Edit
6180 @section Editing Source Files
6181 @cindex editing source files
6182
6183 @kindex edit
6184 @kindex e @r{(@code{edit})}
6185 To edit the lines in a source file, use the @code{edit} command.
6186 The editing program of your choice
6187 is invoked with the current line set to
6188 the active line in the program.
6189 Alternatively, there are several ways to specify what part of the file you
6190 want to print if you want to see other parts of the program:
6191
6192 @table @code
6193 @item edit @var{location}
6194 Edit the source file specified by @code{location}. Editing starts at
6195 that @var{location}, e.g., at the specified source line of the
6196 specified file. @xref{Specify Location}, for all the possible forms
6197 of the @var{location} argument; here are the forms of the @code{edit}
6198 command most commonly used:
6199
6200 @table @code
6201 @item edit @var{number}
6202 Edit the current source file with @var{number} as the active line number.
6203
6204 @item edit @var{function}
6205 Edit the file containing @var{function} at the beginning of its definition.
6206 @end table
6207
6208 @end table
6209
6210 @subsection Choosing your Editor
6211 You can customize @value{GDBN} to use any editor you want
6212 @footnote{
6213 The only restriction is that your editor (say @code{ex}), recognizes the
6214 following command-line syntax:
6215 @smallexample
6216 ex +@var{number} file
6217 @end smallexample
6218 The optional numeric value +@var{number} specifies the number of the line in
6219 the file where to start editing.}.
6220 By default, it is @file{@value{EDITOR}}, but you can change this
6221 by setting the environment variable @code{EDITOR} before using
6222 @value{GDBN}. For example, to configure @value{GDBN} to use the
6223 @code{vi} editor, you could use these commands with the @code{sh} shell:
6224 @smallexample
6225 EDITOR=/usr/bin/vi
6226 export EDITOR
6227 gdb @dots{}
6228 @end smallexample
6229 or in the @code{csh} shell,
6230 @smallexample
6231 setenv EDITOR /usr/bin/vi
6232 gdb @dots{}
6233 @end smallexample
6234
6235 @node Search
6236 @section Searching Source Files
6237 @cindex searching source files
6238
6239 There are two commands for searching through the current source file for a
6240 regular expression.
6241
6242 @table @code
6243 @kindex search
6244 @kindex forward-search
6245 @item forward-search @var{regexp}
6246 @itemx search @var{regexp}
6247 The command @samp{forward-search @var{regexp}} checks each line,
6248 starting with the one following the last line listed, for a match for
6249 @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can use the
6250 synonym @samp{search @var{regexp}} or abbreviate the command name as
6251 @code{fo}.
6252
6253 @kindex reverse-search
6254 @item reverse-search @var{regexp}
6255 The command @samp{reverse-search @var{regexp}} checks each line, starting
6256 with the one before the last line listed and going backward, for a match
6257 for @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can abbreviate
6258 this command as @code{rev}.
6259 @end table
6260
6261 @node Source Path
6262 @section Specifying Source Directories
6263
6264 @cindex source path
6265 @cindex directories for source files
6266 Executable programs sometimes do not record the directories of the source
6267 files from which they were compiled, just the names. Even when they do,
6268 the directories could be moved between the compilation and your debugging
6269 session. @value{GDBN} has a list of directories to search for source files;
6270 this is called the @dfn{source path}. Each time @value{GDBN} wants a source file,
6271 it tries all the directories in the list, in the order they are present
6272 in the list, until it finds a file with the desired name.
6273
6274 For example, suppose an executable references the file
6275 @file{/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}, and our source path is
6276 @file{/mnt/cross}. The file is first looked up literally; if this
6277 fails, @file{/mnt/cross/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c} is tried; if this
6278 fails, @file{/mnt/cross/foo.c} is opened; if this fails, an error
6279 message is printed. @value{GDBN} does not look up the parts of the
6280 source file name, such as @file{/mnt/cross/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}.
6281 Likewise, the subdirectories of the source path are not searched: if
6282 the source path is @file{/mnt/cross}, and the binary refers to
6283 @file{foo.c}, @value{GDBN} would not find it under
6284 @file{/mnt/cross/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib}.
6285
6286 Plain file names, relative file names with leading directories, file
6287 names containing dots, etc.@: are all treated as described above; for
6288 instance, if the source path is @file{/mnt/cross}, and the source file
6289 is recorded as @file{../lib/foo.c}, @value{GDBN} would first try
6290 @file{../lib/foo.c}, then @file{/mnt/cross/../lib/foo.c}, and after
6291 that---@file{/mnt/cross/foo.c}.
6292
6293 Note that the executable search path is @emph{not} used to locate the
6294 source files.
6295
6296 Whenever you reset or rearrange the source path, @value{GDBN} clears out
6297 any information it has cached about where source files are found and where
6298 each line is in the file.
6299
6300 @kindex directory
6301 @kindex dir
6302 When you start @value{GDBN}, its source path includes only @samp{cdir}
6303 and @samp{cwd}, in that order.
6304 To add other directories, use the @code{directory} command.
6305
6306 The search path is used to find both program source files and @value{GDBN}
6307 script files (read using the @samp{-command} option and @samp{source} command).
6308
6309 In addition to the source path, @value{GDBN} provides a set of commands
6310 that manage a list of source path substitution rules. A @dfn{substitution
6311 rule} specifies how to rewrite source directories stored in the program's
6312 debug information in case the sources were moved to a different
6313 directory between compilation and debugging. A rule is made of
6314 two strings, the first specifying what needs to be rewritten in
6315 the path, and the second specifying how it should be rewritten.
6316 In @ref{set substitute-path}, we name these two parts @var{from} and
6317 @var{to} respectively. @value{GDBN} does a simple string replacement
6318 of @var{from} with @var{to} at the start of the directory part of the
6319 source file name, and uses that result instead of the original file
6320 name to look up the sources.
6321
6322 Using the previous example, suppose the @file{foo-1.0} tree has been
6323 moved from @file{/usr/src} to @file{/mnt/cross}, then you can tell
6324 @value{GDBN} to replace @file{/usr/src} in all source path names with
6325 @file{/mnt/cross}. The first lookup will then be
6326 @file{/mnt/cross/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c} in place of the original location
6327 of @file{/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}. To define a source path
6328 substitution rule, use the @code{set substitute-path} command
6329 (@pxref{set substitute-path}).
6330
6331 To avoid unexpected substitution results, a rule is applied only if the
6332 @var{from} part of the directory name ends at a directory separator.
6333 For instance, a rule substituting @file{/usr/source} into
6334 @file{/mnt/cross} will be applied to @file{/usr/source/foo-1.0} but
6335 not to @file{/usr/sourceware/foo-2.0}. And because the substitution
6336 is applied only at the beginning of the directory name, this rule will
6337 not be applied to @file{/root/usr/source/baz.c} either.
6338
6339 In many cases, you can achieve the same result using the @code{directory}
6340 command. However, @code{set substitute-path} can be more efficient in
6341 the case where the sources are organized in a complex tree with multiple
6342 subdirectories. With the @code{directory} command, you need to add each
6343 subdirectory of your project. If you moved the entire tree while
6344 preserving its internal organization, then @code{set substitute-path}
6345 allows you to direct the debugger to all the sources with one single
6346 command.
6347
6348 @code{set substitute-path} is also more than just a shortcut command.
6349 The source path is only used if the file at the original location no
6350 longer exists. On the other hand, @code{set substitute-path} modifies
6351 the debugger behavior to look at the rewritten location instead. So, if
6352 for any reason a source file that is not relevant to your executable is
6353 located at the original location, a substitution rule is the only
6354 method available to point @value{GDBN} at the new location.
6355
6356 @cindex @samp{--with-relocated-sources}
6357 @cindex default source path substitution
6358 You can configure a default source path substitution rule by
6359 configuring @value{GDBN} with the
6360 @samp{--with-relocated-sources=@var{dir}} option. The @var{dir}
6361 should be the name of a directory under @value{GDBN}'s configured
6362 prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or @samp{--exec-prefix}), and
6363 directory names in debug information under @var{dir} will be adjusted
6364 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
6365 location. This is useful if @value{GDBN}, libraries or executables
6366 with debug information and corresponding source code are being moved
6367 together.
6368
6369 @table @code
6370 @item directory @var{dirname} @dots{}
6371 @item dir @var{dirname} @dots{}
6372 Add directory @var{dirname} to the front of the source path. Several
6373 directory names may be given to this command, separated by @samp{:}
6374 (@samp{;} on MS-DOS and MS-Windows, where @samp{:} usually appears as
6375 part of absolute file names) or
6376 whitespace. You may specify a directory that is already in the source
6377 path; this moves it forward, so @value{GDBN} searches it sooner.
6378
6379 @kindex cdir
6380 @kindex cwd
6381 @vindex $cdir@r{, convenience variable}
6382 @vindex $cwd@r{, convenience variable}
6383 @cindex compilation directory
6384 @cindex current directory
6385 @cindex working directory
6386 @cindex directory, current
6387 @cindex directory, compilation
6388 You can use the string @samp{$cdir} to refer to the compilation
6389 directory (if one is recorded), and @samp{$cwd} to refer to the current
6390 working directory. @samp{$cwd} is not the same as @samp{.}---the former
6391 tracks the current working directory as it changes during your @value{GDBN}
6392 session, while the latter is immediately expanded to the current
6393 directory at the time you add an entry to the source path.
6394
6395 @item directory
6396 Reset the source path to its default value (@samp{$cdir:$cwd} on Unix systems). This requires confirmation.
6397
6398 @c RET-repeat for @code{directory} is explicitly disabled, but since
6399 @c repeating it would be a no-op we do not say that. (thanks to RMS)
6400
6401 @item show directories
6402 @kindex show directories
6403 Print the source path: show which directories it contains.
6404
6405 @anchor{set substitute-path}
6406 @item set substitute-path @var{from} @var{to}
6407 @kindex set substitute-path
6408 Define a source path substitution rule, and add it at the end of the
6409 current list of existing substitution rules. If a rule with the same
6410 @var{from} was already defined, then the old rule is also deleted.
6411
6412 For example, if the file @file{/foo/bar/baz.c} was moved to
6413 @file{/mnt/cross/baz.c}, then the command
6414
6415 @smallexample
6416 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src /mnt/cross
6417 @end smallexample
6418
6419 @noindent
6420 will tell @value{GDBN} to replace @samp{/usr/src} with
6421 @samp{/mnt/cross}, which will allow @value{GDBN} to find the file
6422 @file{baz.c} even though it was moved.
6423
6424 In the case when more than one substitution rule have been defined,
6425 the rules are evaluated one by one in the order where they have been
6426 defined. The first one matching, if any, is selected to perform
6427 the substitution.
6428
6429 For instance, if we had entered the following commands:
6430
6431 @smallexample
6432 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src/include /mnt/include
6433 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src /mnt/src
6434 @end smallexample
6435
6436 @noindent
6437 @value{GDBN} would then rewrite @file{/usr/src/include/defs.h} into
6438 @file{/mnt/include/defs.h} by using the first rule. However, it would
6439 use the second rule to rewrite @file{/usr/src/lib/foo.c} into
6440 @file{/mnt/src/lib/foo.c}.
6441
6442
6443 @item unset substitute-path [path]
6444 @kindex unset substitute-path
6445 If a path is specified, search the current list of substitution rules
6446 for a rule that would rewrite that path. Delete that rule if found.
6447 A warning is emitted by the debugger if no rule could be found.
6448
6449 If no path is specified, then all substitution rules are deleted.
6450
6451 @item show substitute-path [path]
6452 @kindex show substitute-path
6453 If a path is specified, then print the source path substitution rule
6454 which would rewrite that path, if any.
6455
6456 If no path is specified, then print all existing source path substitution
6457 rules.
6458
6459 @end table
6460
6461 If your source path is cluttered with directories that are no longer of
6462 interest, @value{GDBN} may sometimes cause confusion by finding the wrong
6463 versions of source. You can correct the situation as follows:
6464
6465 @enumerate
6466 @item
6467 Use @code{directory} with no argument to reset the source path to its default value.
6468
6469 @item
6470 Use @code{directory} with suitable arguments to reinstall the
6471 directories you want in the source path. You can add all the
6472 directories in one command.
6473 @end enumerate
6474
6475 @node Machine Code
6476 @section Source and Machine Code
6477 @cindex source line and its code address
6478
6479 You can use the command @code{info line} to map source lines to program
6480 addresses (and vice versa), and the command @code{disassemble} to display
6481 a range of addresses as machine instructions. You can use the command
6482 @code{set disassemble-next-line} to set whether to disassemble next
6483 source line when execution stops. When run under @sc{gnu} Emacs
6484 mode, the @code{info line} command causes the arrow to point to the
6485 line specified. Also, @code{info line} prints addresses in symbolic form as
6486 well as hex.
6487
6488 @table @code
6489 @kindex info line
6490 @item info line @var{linespec}
6491 Print the starting and ending addresses of the compiled code for
6492 source line @var{linespec}. You can specify source lines in any of
6493 the ways documented in @ref{Specify Location}.
6494 @end table
6495
6496 For example, we can use @code{info line} to discover the location of
6497 the object code for the first line of function
6498 @code{m4_changequote}:
6499
6500 @c FIXME: I think this example should also show the addresses in
6501 @c symbolic form, as they usually would be displayed.
6502 @smallexample
6503 (@value{GDBP}) info line m4_changequote
6504 Line 895 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x634c and ends at 0x6350.
6505 @end smallexample
6506
6507 @noindent
6508 @cindex code address and its source line
6509 We can also inquire (using @code{*@var{addr}} as the form for
6510 @var{linespec}) what source line covers a particular address:
6511 @smallexample
6512 (@value{GDBP}) info line *0x63ff
6513 Line 926 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x63e4 and ends at 0x6404.
6514 @end smallexample
6515
6516 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info line}
6517 @cindex @code{x} command, default address
6518 @kindex x@r{(examine), and} info line
6519 After @code{info line}, the default address for the @code{x} command
6520 is changed to the starting address of the line, so that @samp{x/i} is
6521 sufficient to begin examining the machine code (@pxref{Memory,
6522 ,Examining Memory}). Also, this address is saved as the value of the
6523 convenience variable @code{$_} (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
6524 Variables}).
6525
6526 @table @code
6527 @kindex disassemble
6528 @cindex assembly instructions
6529 @cindex instructions, assembly
6530 @cindex machine instructions
6531 @cindex listing machine instructions
6532 @item disassemble
6533 @itemx disassemble /m
6534 @itemx disassemble /r
6535 This specialized command dumps a range of memory as machine
6536 instructions. It can also print mixed source+disassembly by specifying
6537 the @code{/m} modifier and print the raw instructions in hex as well as
6538 in symbolic form by specifying the @code{/r}.
6539 The default memory range is the function surrounding the
6540 program counter of the selected frame. A single argument to this
6541 command is a program counter value; @value{GDBN} dumps the function
6542 surrounding this value. When two arguments are given, they should
6543 be separated by a comma, possibly surrounded by whitespace. The
6544 arguments specify a range of addresses (first inclusive, second exclusive)
6545 to dump. In that case, the name of the function is also printed (since
6546 there could be several functions in the given range).
6547
6548 The argument(s) can be any expression yielding a numeric value, such as
6549 @samp{0x32c4}, @samp{&main+10} or @samp{$pc - 8}.
6550
6551 If the range of memory being disassembled contains current program counter,
6552 the instruction at that location is shown with a @code{=>} marker.
6553 @end table
6554
6555 The following example shows the disassembly of a range of addresses of
6556 HP PA-RISC 2.0 code:
6557
6558 @smallexample
6559 (@value{GDBP}) disas 0x32c4, 0x32e4
6560 Dump of assembler code from 0x32c4 to 0x32e4:
6561 0x32c4 <main+204>: addil 0,dp
6562 0x32c8 <main+208>: ldw 0x22c(sr0,r1),r26
6563 0x32cc <main+212>: ldil 0x3000,r31
6564 0x32d0 <main+216>: ble 0x3f8(sr4,r31)
6565 0x32d4 <main+220>: ldo 0(r31),rp
6566 0x32d8 <main+224>: addil -0x800,dp
6567 0x32dc <main+228>: ldo 0x588(r1),r26
6568 0x32e0 <main+232>: ldil 0x3000,r31
6569 End of assembler dump.
6570 @end smallexample
6571
6572 Here is an example showing mixed source+assembly for Intel x86, when the
6573 program is stopped just after function prologue:
6574
6575 @smallexample
6576 (@value{GDBP}) disas /m main
6577 Dump of assembler code for function main:
6578 5 @{
6579 0x08048330 <+0>: push %ebp
6580 0x08048331 <+1>: mov %esp,%ebp
6581 0x08048333 <+3>: sub $0x8,%esp
6582 0x08048336 <+6>: and $0xfffffff0,%esp
6583 0x08048339 <+9>: sub $0x10,%esp
6584
6585 6 printf ("Hello.\n");
6586 => 0x0804833c <+12>: movl $0x8048440,(%esp)
6587 0x08048343 <+19>: call 0x8048284 <puts@@plt>
6588
6589 7 return 0;
6590 8 @}
6591 0x08048348 <+24>: mov $0x0,%eax
6592 0x0804834d <+29>: leave
6593 0x0804834e <+30>: ret
6594
6595 End of assembler dump.
6596 @end smallexample
6597
6598 Some architectures have more than one commonly-used set of instruction
6599 mnemonics or other syntax.
6600
6601 For programs that were dynamically linked and use shared libraries,
6602 instructions that call functions or branch to locations in the shared
6603 libraries might show a seemingly bogus location---it's actually a
6604 location of the relocation table. On some architectures, @value{GDBN}
6605 might be able to resolve these to actual function names.
6606
6607 @table @code
6608 @kindex set disassembly-flavor
6609 @cindex Intel disassembly flavor
6610 @cindex AT&T disassembly flavor
6611 @item set disassembly-flavor @var{instruction-set}
6612 Select the instruction set to use when disassembling the
6613 program via the @code{disassemble} or @code{x/i} commands.
6614
6615 Currently this command is only defined for the Intel x86 family. You
6616 can set @var{instruction-set} to either @code{intel} or @code{att}.
6617 The default is @code{att}, the AT&T flavor used by default by Unix
6618 assemblers for x86-based targets.
6619
6620 @kindex show disassembly-flavor
6621 @item show disassembly-flavor
6622 Show the current setting of the disassembly flavor.
6623 @end table
6624
6625 @table @code
6626 @kindex set disassemble-next-line
6627 @kindex show disassemble-next-line
6628 @item set disassemble-next-line
6629 @itemx show disassemble-next-line
6630 Control whether or not @value{GDBN} will disassemble the next source
6631 line or instruction when execution stops. If ON, @value{GDBN} will
6632 display disassembly of the next source line when execution of the
6633 program being debugged stops. This is @emph{in addition} to
6634 displaying the source line itself, which @value{GDBN} always does if
6635 possible. If the next source line cannot be displayed for some reason
6636 (e.g., if @value{GDBN} cannot find the source file, or there's no line
6637 info in the debug info), @value{GDBN} will display disassembly of the
6638 next @emph{instruction} instead of showing the next source line. If
6639 AUTO, @value{GDBN} will display disassembly of next instruction only
6640 if the source line cannot be displayed. This setting causes
6641 @value{GDBN} to display some feedback when you step through a function
6642 with no line info or whose source file is unavailable. The default is
6643 OFF, which means never display the disassembly of the next line or
6644 instruction.
6645 @end table
6646
6647
6648 @node Data
6649 @chapter Examining Data
6650
6651 @cindex printing data
6652 @cindex examining data
6653 @kindex print
6654 @kindex inspect
6655 @c "inspect" is not quite a synonym if you are using Epoch, which we do not
6656 @c document because it is nonstandard... Under Epoch it displays in a
6657 @c different window or something like that.
6658 The usual way to examine data in your program is with the @code{print}
6659 command (abbreviated @code{p}), or its synonym @code{inspect}. It
6660 evaluates and prints the value of an expression of the language your
6661 program is written in (@pxref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with
6662 Different Languages}).
6663
6664 @table @code
6665 @item print @var{expr}
6666 @itemx print /@var{f} @var{expr}
6667 @var{expr} is an expression (in the source language). By default the
6668 value of @var{expr} is printed in a format appropriate to its data type;
6669 you can choose a different format by specifying @samp{/@var{f}}, where
6670 @var{f} is a letter specifying the format; see @ref{Output Formats,,Output
6671 Formats}.
6672
6673 @item print
6674 @itemx print /@var{f}
6675 @cindex reprint the last value
6676 If you omit @var{expr}, @value{GDBN} displays the last value again (from the
6677 @dfn{value history}; @pxref{Value History, ,Value History}). This allows you to
6678 conveniently inspect the same value in an alternative format.
6679 @end table
6680
6681 A more low-level way of examining data is with the @code{x} command.
6682 It examines data in memory at a specified address and prints it in a
6683 specified format. @xref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}.
6684
6685 If you are interested in information about types, or about how the
6686 fields of a struct or a class are declared, use the @code{ptype @var{exp}}
6687 command rather than @code{print}. @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol
6688 Table}.
6689
6690 @menu
6691 * Expressions:: Expressions
6692 * Ambiguous Expressions:: Ambiguous Expressions
6693 * Variables:: Program variables
6694 * Arrays:: Artificial arrays
6695 * Output Formats:: Output formats
6696 * Memory:: Examining memory
6697 * Auto Display:: Automatic display
6698 * Print Settings:: Print settings
6699 * Value History:: Value history
6700 * Convenience Vars:: Convenience variables
6701 * Registers:: Registers
6702 * Floating Point Hardware:: Floating point hardware
6703 * Vector Unit:: Vector Unit
6704 * OS Information:: Auxiliary data provided by operating system
6705 * Memory Region Attributes:: Memory region attributes
6706 * Dump/Restore Files:: Copy between memory and a file
6707 * Core File Generation:: Cause a program dump its core
6708 * Character Sets:: Debugging programs that use a different
6709 character set than GDB does
6710 * Caching Remote Data:: Data caching for remote targets
6711 * Searching Memory:: Searching memory for a sequence of bytes
6712 @end menu
6713
6714 @node Expressions
6715 @section Expressions
6716
6717 @cindex expressions
6718 @code{print} and many other @value{GDBN} commands accept an expression and
6719 compute its value. Any kind of constant, variable or operator defined
6720 by the programming language you are using is valid in an expression in
6721 @value{GDBN}. This includes conditional expressions, function calls,
6722 casts, and string constants. It also includes preprocessor macros, if
6723 you compiled your program to include this information; see
6724 @ref{Compilation}.
6725
6726 @cindex arrays in expressions
6727 @value{GDBN} supports array constants in expressions input by
6728 the user. The syntax is @{@var{element}, @var{element}@dots{}@}. For example,
6729 you can use the command @code{print @{1, 2, 3@}} to create an array
6730 of three integers. If you pass an array to a function or assign it
6731 to a program variable, @value{GDBN} copies the array to memory that
6732 is @code{malloc}ed in the target program.
6733
6734 Because C is so widespread, most of the expressions shown in examples in
6735 this manual are in C. @xref{Languages, , Using @value{GDBN} with Different
6736 Languages}, for information on how to use expressions in other
6737 languages.
6738
6739 In this section, we discuss operators that you can use in @value{GDBN}
6740 expressions regardless of your programming language.
6741
6742 @cindex casts, in expressions
6743 Casts are supported in all languages, not just in C, because it is so
6744 useful to cast a number into a pointer in order to examine a structure
6745 at that address in memory.
6746 @c FIXME: casts supported---Mod2 true?
6747
6748 @value{GDBN} supports these operators, in addition to those common
6749 to programming languages:
6750
6751 @table @code
6752 @item @@
6753 @samp{@@} is a binary operator for treating parts of memory as arrays.
6754 @xref{Arrays, ,Artificial Arrays}, for more information.
6755
6756 @item ::
6757 @samp{::} allows you to specify a variable in terms of the file or
6758 function where it is defined. @xref{Variables, ,Program Variables}.
6759
6760 @cindex @{@var{type}@}
6761 @cindex type casting memory
6762 @cindex memory, viewing as typed object
6763 @cindex casts, to view memory
6764 @item @{@var{type}@} @var{addr}
6765 Refers to an object of type @var{type} stored at address @var{addr} in
6766 memory. @var{addr} may be any expression whose value is an integer or
6767 pointer (but parentheses are required around binary operators, just as in
6768 a cast). This construct is allowed regardless of what kind of data is
6769 normally supposed to reside at @var{addr}.
6770 @end table
6771
6772 @node Ambiguous Expressions
6773 @section Ambiguous Expressions
6774 @cindex ambiguous expressions
6775
6776 Expressions can sometimes contain some ambiguous elements. For instance,
6777 some programming languages (notably Ada, C@t{++} and Objective-C) permit
6778 a single function name to be defined several times, for application in
6779 different contexts. This is called @dfn{overloading}. Another example
6780 involving Ada is generics. A @dfn{generic package} is similar to C@t{++}
6781 templates and is typically instantiated several times, resulting in
6782 the same function name being defined in different contexts.
6783
6784 In some cases and depending on the language, it is possible to adjust
6785 the expression to remove the ambiguity. For instance in C@t{++}, you
6786 can specify the signature of the function you want to break on, as in
6787 @kbd{break @var{function}(@var{types})}. In Ada, using the fully
6788 qualified name of your function often makes the expression unambiguous
6789 as well.
6790
6791 When an ambiguity that needs to be resolved is detected, the debugger
6792 has the capability to display a menu of numbered choices for each
6793 possibility, and then waits for the selection with the prompt @samp{>}.
6794 The first option is always @samp{[0] cancel}, and typing @kbd{0 @key{RET}}
6795 aborts the current command. If the command in which the expression was
6796 used allows more than one choice to be selected, the next option in the
6797 menu is @samp{[1] all}, and typing @kbd{1 @key{RET}} selects all possible
6798 choices.
6799
6800 For example, the following session excerpt shows an attempt to set a
6801 breakpoint at the overloaded symbol @code{String::after}.
6802 We choose three particular definitions of that function name:
6803
6804 @c FIXME! This is likely to change to show arg type lists, at least
6805 @smallexample
6806 @group
6807 (@value{GDBP}) b String::after
6808 [0] cancel
6809 [1] all
6810 [2] file:String.cc; line number:867
6811 [3] file:String.cc; line number:860
6812 [4] file:String.cc; line number:875
6813 [5] file:String.cc; line number:853
6814 [6] file:String.cc; line number:846
6815 [7] file:String.cc; line number:735
6816 > 2 4 6
6817 Breakpoint 1 at 0xb26c: file String.cc, line 867.
6818 Breakpoint 2 at 0xb344: file String.cc, line 875.
6819 Breakpoint 3 at 0xafcc: file String.cc, line 846.
6820 Multiple breakpoints were set.
6821 Use the "delete" command to delete unwanted
6822 breakpoints.
6823 (@value{GDBP})
6824 @end group
6825 @end smallexample
6826
6827 @table @code
6828 @kindex set multiple-symbols
6829 @item set multiple-symbols @var{mode}
6830 @cindex multiple-symbols menu
6831
6832 This option allows you to adjust the debugger behavior when an expression
6833 is ambiguous.
6834
6835 By default, @var{mode} is set to @code{all}. If the command with which
6836 the expression is used allows more than one choice, then @value{GDBN}
6837 automatically selects all possible choices. For instance, inserting
6838 a breakpoint on a function using an ambiguous name results in a breakpoint
6839 inserted on each possible match. However, if a unique choice must be made,
6840 then @value{GDBN} uses the menu to help you disambiguate the expression.
6841 For instance, printing the address of an overloaded function will result
6842 in the use of the menu.
6843
6844 When @var{mode} is set to @code{ask}, the debugger always uses the menu
6845 when an ambiguity is detected.
6846
6847 Finally, when @var{mode} is set to @code{cancel}, the debugger reports
6848 an error due to the ambiguity and the command is aborted.
6849
6850 @kindex show multiple-symbols
6851 @item show multiple-symbols
6852 Show the current value of the @code{multiple-symbols} setting.
6853 @end table
6854
6855 @node Variables
6856 @section Program Variables
6857
6858 The most common kind of expression to use is the name of a variable
6859 in your program.
6860
6861 Variables in expressions are understood in the selected stack frame
6862 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}); they must be either:
6863
6864 @itemize @bullet
6865 @item
6866 global (or file-static)
6867 @end itemize
6868
6869 @noindent or
6870
6871 @itemize @bullet
6872 @item
6873 visible according to the scope rules of the
6874 programming language from the point of execution in that frame
6875 @end itemize
6876
6877 @noindent This means that in the function
6878
6879 @smallexample
6880 foo (a)
6881 int a;
6882 @{
6883 bar (a);
6884 @{
6885 int b = test ();
6886 bar (b);
6887 @}
6888 @}
6889 @end smallexample
6890
6891 @noindent
6892 you can examine and use the variable @code{a} whenever your program is
6893 executing within the function @code{foo}, but you can only use or
6894 examine the variable @code{b} while your program is executing inside
6895 the block where @code{b} is declared.
6896
6897 @cindex variable name conflict
6898 There is an exception: you can refer to a variable or function whose
6899 scope is a single source file even if the current execution point is not
6900 in this file. But it is possible to have more than one such variable or
6901 function with the same name (in different source files). If that
6902 happens, referring to that name has unpredictable effects. If you wish,
6903 you can specify a static variable in a particular function or file,
6904 using the colon-colon (@code{::}) notation:
6905
6906 @cindex colon-colon, context for variables/functions
6907 @ifnotinfo
6908 @c info cannot cope with a :: index entry, but why deprive hard copy readers?
6909 @cindex @code{::}, context for variables/functions
6910 @end ifnotinfo
6911 @smallexample
6912 @var{file}::@var{variable}
6913 @var{function}::@var{variable}
6914 @end smallexample
6915
6916 @noindent
6917 Here @var{file} or @var{function} is the name of the context for the
6918 static @var{variable}. In the case of file names, you can use quotes to
6919 make sure @value{GDBN} parses the file name as a single word---for example,
6920 to print a global value of @code{x} defined in @file{f2.c}:
6921
6922 @smallexample
6923 (@value{GDBP}) p 'f2.c'::x
6924 @end smallexample
6925
6926 @cindex C@t{++} scope resolution
6927 This use of @samp{::} is very rarely in conflict with the very similar
6928 use of the same notation in C@t{++}. @value{GDBN} also supports use of the C@t{++}
6929 scope resolution operator in @value{GDBN} expressions.
6930 @c FIXME: Um, so what happens in one of those rare cases where it's in
6931 @c conflict?? --mew
6932
6933 @cindex wrong values
6934 @cindex variable values, wrong
6935 @cindex function entry/exit, wrong values of variables
6936 @cindex optimized code, wrong values of variables
6937 @quotation
6938 @emph{Warning:} Occasionally, a local variable may appear to have the
6939 wrong value at certain points in a function---just after entry to a new
6940 scope, and just before exit.
6941 @end quotation
6942 You may see this problem when you are stepping by machine instructions.
6943 This is because, on most machines, it takes more than one instruction to
6944 set up a stack frame (including local variable definitions); if you are
6945 stepping by machine instructions, variables may appear to have the wrong
6946 values until the stack frame is completely built. On exit, it usually
6947 also takes more than one machine instruction to destroy a stack frame;
6948 after you begin stepping through that group of instructions, local
6949 variable definitions may be gone.
6950
6951 This may also happen when the compiler does significant optimizations.
6952 To be sure of always seeing accurate values, turn off all optimization
6953 when compiling.
6954
6955 @cindex ``No symbol "foo" in current context''
6956 Another possible effect of compiler optimizations is to optimize
6957 unused variables out of existence, or assign variables to registers (as
6958 opposed to memory addresses). Depending on the support for such cases
6959 offered by the debug info format used by the compiler, @value{GDBN}
6960 might not be able to display values for such local variables. If that
6961 happens, @value{GDBN} will print a message like this:
6962
6963 @smallexample
6964 No symbol "foo" in current context.
6965 @end smallexample
6966
6967 To solve such problems, either recompile without optimizations, or use a
6968 different debug info format, if the compiler supports several such
6969 formats. For example, @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C/C@t{++} compiler,
6970 usually supports the @option{-gstabs+} option. @option{-gstabs+}
6971 produces debug info in a format that is superior to formats such as
6972 COFF. You may be able to use DWARF 2 (@option{-gdwarf-2}), which is also
6973 an effective form for debug info. @xref{Debugging Options,,Options
6974 for Debugging Your Program or GCC, gcc.info, Using the @sc{gnu}
6975 Compiler Collection (GCC)}.
6976 @xref{C, ,C and C@t{++}}, for more information about debug info formats
6977 that are best suited to C@t{++} programs.
6978
6979 If you ask to print an object whose contents are unknown to
6980 @value{GDBN}, e.g., because its data type is not completely specified
6981 by the debug information, @value{GDBN} will say @samp{<incomplete
6982 type>}. @xref{Symbols, incomplete type}, for more about this.
6983
6984 Strings are identified as arrays of @code{char} values without specified
6985 signedness. Arrays of either @code{signed char} or @code{unsigned char} get
6986 printed as arrays of 1 byte sized integers. @code{-fsigned-char} or
6987 @code{-funsigned-char} @value{NGCC} options have no effect as @value{GDBN}
6988 defines literal string type @code{"char"} as @code{char} without a sign.
6989 For program code
6990
6991 @smallexample
6992 char var0[] = "A";
6993 signed char var1[] = "A";
6994 @end smallexample
6995
6996 You get during debugging
6997 @smallexample
6998 (gdb) print var0
6999 $1 = "A"
7000 (gdb) print var1
7001 $2 = @{65 'A', 0 '\0'@}
7002 @end smallexample
7003
7004 @node Arrays
7005 @section Artificial Arrays
7006
7007 @cindex artificial array
7008 @cindex arrays
7009 @kindex @@@r{, referencing memory as an array}
7010 It is often useful to print out several successive objects of the
7011 same type in memory; a section of an array, or an array of
7012 dynamically determined size for which only a pointer exists in the
7013 program.
7014
7015 You can do this by referring to a contiguous span of memory as an
7016 @dfn{artificial array}, using the binary operator @samp{@@}. The left
7017 operand of @samp{@@} should be the first element of the desired array
7018 and be an individual object. The right operand should be the desired length
7019 of the array. The result is an array value whose elements are all of
7020 the type of the left argument. The first element is actually the left
7021 argument; the second element comes from bytes of memory immediately
7022 following those that hold the first element, and so on. Here is an
7023 example. If a program says
7024
7025 @smallexample
7026 int *array = (int *) malloc (len * sizeof (int));
7027 @end smallexample
7028
7029 @noindent
7030 you can print the contents of @code{array} with
7031
7032 @smallexample
7033 p *array@@len
7034 @end smallexample
7035
7036 The left operand of @samp{@@} must reside in memory. Array values made
7037 with @samp{@@} in this way behave just like other arrays in terms of
7038 subscripting, and are coerced to pointers when used in expressions.
7039 Artificial arrays most often appear in expressions via the value history
7040 (@pxref{Value History, ,Value History}), after printing one out.
7041
7042 Another way to create an artificial array is to use a cast.
7043 This re-interprets a value as if it were an array.
7044 The value need not be in memory:
7045 @smallexample
7046 (@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[2])0x12345678
7047 $1 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
7048 @end smallexample
7049
7050 As a convenience, if you leave the array length out (as in
7051 @samp{(@var{type}[])@var{value}}) @value{GDBN} calculates the size to fill
7052 the value (as @samp{sizeof(@var{value})/sizeof(@var{type})}:
7053 @smallexample
7054 (@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[])0x12345678
7055 $2 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
7056 @end smallexample
7057
7058 Sometimes the artificial array mechanism is not quite enough; in
7059 moderately complex data structures, the elements of interest may not
7060 actually be adjacent---for example, if you are interested in the values
7061 of pointers in an array. One useful work-around in this situation is
7062 to use a convenience variable (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
7063 Variables}) as a counter in an expression that prints the first
7064 interesting value, and then repeat that expression via @key{RET}. For
7065 instance, suppose you have an array @code{dtab} of pointers to
7066 structures, and you are interested in the values of a field @code{fv}
7067 in each structure. Here is an example of what you might type:
7068
7069 @smallexample
7070 set $i = 0
7071 p dtab[$i++]->fv
7072 @key{RET}
7073 @key{RET}
7074 @dots{}
7075 @end smallexample
7076
7077 @node Output Formats
7078 @section Output Formats
7079
7080 @cindex formatted output
7081 @cindex output formats
7082 By default, @value{GDBN} prints a value according to its data type. Sometimes
7083 this is not what you want. For example, you might want to print a number
7084 in hex, or a pointer in decimal. Or you might want to view data in memory
7085 at a certain address as a character string or as an instruction. To do
7086 these things, specify an @dfn{output format} when you print a value.
7087
7088 The simplest use of output formats is to say how to print a value
7089 already computed. This is done by starting the arguments of the
7090 @code{print} command with a slash and a format letter. The format
7091 letters supported are:
7092
7093 @table @code
7094 @item x
7095 Regard the bits of the value as an integer, and print the integer in
7096 hexadecimal.
7097
7098 @item d
7099 Print as integer in signed decimal.
7100
7101 @item u
7102 Print as integer in unsigned decimal.
7103
7104 @item o
7105 Print as integer in octal.
7106
7107 @item t
7108 Print as integer in binary. The letter @samp{t} stands for ``two''.
7109 @footnote{@samp{b} cannot be used because these format letters are also
7110 used with the @code{x} command, where @samp{b} stands for ``byte'';
7111 see @ref{Memory,,Examining Memory}.}
7112
7113 @item a
7114 @cindex unknown address, locating
7115 @cindex locate address
7116 Print as an address, both absolute in hexadecimal and as an offset from
7117 the nearest preceding symbol. You can use this format used to discover
7118 where (in what function) an unknown address is located:
7119
7120 @smallexample
7121 (@value{GDBP}) p/a 0x54320
7122 $3 = 0x54320 <_initialize_vx+396>
7123 @end smallexample
7124
7125 @noindent
7126 The command @code{info symbol 0x54320} yields similar results.
7127 @xref{Symbols, info symbol}.
7128
7129 @item c
7130 Regard as an integer and print it as a character constant. This
7131 prints both the numerical value and its character representation. The
7132 character representation is replaced with the octal escape @samp{\nnn}
7133 for characters outside the 7-bit @sc{ascii} range.
7134
7135 Without this format, @value{GDBN} displays @code{char},
7136 @w{@code{unsigned char}}, and @w{@code{signed char}} data as character
7137 constants. Single-byte members of vectors are displayed as integer
7138 data.
7139
7140 @item f
7141 Regard the bits of the value as a floating point number and print
7142 using typical floating point syntax.
7143
7144 @item s
7145 @cindex printing strings
7146 @cindex printing byte arrays
7147 Regard as a string, if possible. With this format, pointers to single-byte
7148 data are displayed as null-terminated strings and arrays of single-byte data
7149 are displayed as fixed-length strings. Other values are displayed in their
7150 natural types.
7151
7152 Without this format, @value{GDBN} displays pointers to and arrays of
7153 @code{char}, @w{@code{unsigned char}}, and @w{@code{signed char}} as
7154 strings. Single-byte members of a vector are displayed as an integer
7155 array.
7156
7157 @item r
7158 @cindex raw printing
7159 Print using the @samp{raw} formatting. By default, @value{GDBN} will
7160 use a type-specific pretty-printer. The @samp{r} format bypasses any
7161 pretty-printer which might exist for the value's type.
7162 @end table
7163
7164 For example, to print the program counter in hex (@pxref{Registers}), type
7165
7166 @smallexample
7167 p/x $pc
7168 @end smallexample
7169
7170 @noindent
7171 Note that no space is required before the slash; this is because command
7172 names in @value{GDBN} cannot contain a slash.
7173
7174 To reprint the last value in the value history with a different format,
7175 you can use the @code{print} command with just a format and no
7176 expression. For example, @samp{p/x} reprints the last value in hex.
7177
7178 @node Memory
7179 @section Examining Memory
7180
7181 You can use the command @code{x} (for ``examine'') to examine memory in
7182 any of several formats, independently of your program's data types.
7183
7184 @cindex examining memory
7185 @table @code
7186 @kindex x @r{(examine memory)}
7187 @item x/@var{nfu} @var{addr}
7188 @itemx x @var{addr}
7189 @itemx x
7190 Use the @code{x} command to examine memory.
7191 @end table
7192
7193 @var{n}, @var{f}, and @var{u} are all optional parameters that specify how
7194 much memory to display and how to format it; @var{addr} is an
7195 expression giving the address where you want to start displaying memory.
7196 If you use defaults for @var{nfu}, you need not type the slash @samp{/}.
7197 Several commands set convenient defaults for @var{addr}.
7198
7199 @table @r
7200 @item @var{n}, the repeat count
7201 The repeat count is a decimal integer; the default is 1. It specifies
7202 how much memory (counting by units @var{u}) to display.
7203 @c This really is **decimal**; unaffected by 'set radix' as of GDB
7204 @c 4.1.2.
7205
7206 @item @var{f}, the display format
7207 The display format is one of the formats used by @code{print}
7208 (@samp{x}, @samp{d}, @samp{u}, @samp{o}, @samp{t}, @samp{a}, @samp{c},
7209 @samp{f}, @samp{s}), and in addition @samp{i} (for machine instructions).
7210 The default is @samp{x} (hexadecimal) initially. The default changes
7211 each time you use either @code{x} or @code{print}.
7212
7213 @item @var{u}, the unit size
7214 The unit size is any of
7215
7216 @table @code
7217 @item b
7218 Bytes.
7219 @item h
7220 Halfwords (two bytes).
7221 @item w
7222 Words (four bytes). This is the initial default.
7223 @item g
7224 Giant words (eight bytes).
7225 @end table
7226
7227 Each time you specify a unit size with @code{x}, that size becomes the
7228 default unit the next time you use @code{x}. (For the @samp{s} and
7229 @samp{i} formats, the unit size is ignored and is normally not written.)
7230
7231 @item @var{addr}, starting display address
7232 @var{addr} is the address where you want @value{GDBN} to begin displaying
7233 memory. The expression need not have a pointer value (though it may);
7234 it is always interpreted as an integer address of a byte of memory.
7235 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information on expressions. The default for
7236 @var{addr} is usually just after the last address examined---but several
7237 other commands also set the default address: @code{info breakpoints} (to
7238 the address of the last breakpoint listed), @code{info line} (to the
7239 starting address of a line), and @code{print} (if you use it to display
7240 a value from memory).
7241 @end table
7242
7243 For example, @samp{x/3uh 0x54320} is a request to display three halfwords
7244 (@code{h}) of memory, formatted as unsigned decimal integers (@samp{u}),
7245 starting at address @code{0x54320}. @samp{x/4xw $sp} prints the four
7246 words (@samp{w}) of memory above the stack pointer (here, @samp{$sp};
7247 @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}) in hexadecimal (@samp{x}).
7248
7249 Since the letters indicating unit sizes are all distinct from the
7250 letters specifying output formats, you do not have to remember whether
7251 unit size or format comes first; either order works. The output
7252 specifications @samp{4xw} and @samp{4wx} mean exactly the same thing.
7253 (However, the count @var{n} must come first; @samp{wx4} does not work.)
7254
7255 Even though the unit size @var{u} is ignored for the formats @samp{s}
7256 and @samp{i}, you might still want to use a count @var{n}; for example,
7257 @samp{3i} specifies that you want to see three machine instructions,
7258 including any operands. For convenience, especially when used with
7259 the @code{display} command, the @samp{i} format also prints branch delay
7260 slot instructions, if any, beyond the count specified, which immediately
7261 follow the last instruction that is within the count. The command
7262 @code{disassemble} gives an alternative way of inspecting machine
7263 instructions; see @ref{Machine Code,,Source and Machine Code}.
7264
7265 All the defaults for the arguments to @code{x} are designed to make it
7266 easy to continue scanning memory with minimal specifications each time
7267 you use @code{x}. For example, after you have inspected three machine
7268 instructions with @samp{x/3i @var{addr}}, you can inspect the next seven
7269 with just @samp{x/7}. If you use @key{RET} to repeat the @code{x} command,
7270 the repeat count @var{n} is used again; the other arguments default as
7271 for successive uses of @code{x}.
7272
7273 When examining machine instructions, the instruction at current program
7274 counter is shown with a @code{=>} marker. For example:
7275
7276 @smallexample
7277 (@value{GDBP}) x/5i $pc-6
7278 0x804837f <main+11>: mov %esp,%ebp
7279 0x8048381 <main+13>: push %ecx
7280 0x8048382 <main+14>: sub $0x4,%esp
7281 => 0x8048385 <main+17>: movl $0x8048460,(%esp)
7282 0x804838c <main+24>: call 0x80482d4 <puts@@plt>
7283 @end smallexample
7284
7285 @cindex @code{$_}, @code{$__}, and value history
7286 The addresses and contents printed by the @code{x} command are not saved
7287 in the value history because there is often too much of them and they
7288 would get in the way. Instead, @value{GDBN} makes these values available for
7289 subsequent use in expressions as values of the convenience variables
7290 @code{$_} and @code{$__}. After an @code{x} command, the last address
7291 examined is available for use in expressions in the convenience variable
7292 @code{$_}. The contents of that address, as examined, are available in
7293 the convenience variable @code{$__}.
7294
7295 If the @code{x} command has a repeat count, the address and contents saved
7296 are from the last memory unit printed; this is not the same as the last
7297 address printed if several units were printed on the last line of output.
7298
7299 @cindex remote memory comparison
7300 @cindex verify remote memory image
7301 When you are debugging a program running on a remote target machine
7302 (@pxref{Remote Debugging}), you may wish to verify the program's image in the
7303 remote machine's memory against the executable file you downloaded to
7304 the target. The @code{compare-sections} command is provided for such
7305 situations.
7306
7307 @table @code
7308 @kindex compare-sections
7309 @item compare-sections @r{[}@var{section-name}@r{]}
7310 Compare the data of a loadable section @var{section-name} in the
7311 executable file of the program being debugged with the same section in
7312 the remote machine's memory, and report any mismatches. With no
7313 arguments, compares all loadable sections. This command's
7314 availability depends on the target's support for the @code{"qCRC"}
7315 remote request.
7316 @end table
7317
7318 @node Auto Display
7319 @section Automatic Display
7320 @cindex automatic display
7321 @cindex display of expressions
7322
7323 If you find that you want to print the value of an expression frequently
7324 (to see how it changes), you might want to add it to the @dfn{automatic
7325 display list} so that @value{GDBN} prints its value each time your program stops.
7326 Each expression added to the list is given a number to identify it;
7327 to remove an expression from the list, you specify that number.
7328 The automatic display looks like this:
7329
7330 @smallexample
7331 2: foo = 38
7332 3: bar[5] = (struct hack *) 0x3804
7333 @end smallexample
7334
7335 @noindent
7336 This display shows item numbers, expressions and their current values. As with
7337 displays you request manually using @code{x} or @code{print}, you can
7338 specify the output format you prefer; in fact, @code{display} decides
7339 whether to use @code{print} or @code{x} depending your format
7340 specification---it uses @code{x} if you specify either the @samp{i}
7341 or @samp{s} format, or a unit size; otherwise it uses @code{print}.
7342
7343 @table @code
7344 @kindex display
7345 @item display @var{expr}
7346 Add the expression @var{expr} to the list of expressions to display
7347 each time your program stops. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
7348
7349 @code{display} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
7350
7351 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{expr}
7352 For @var{fmt} specifying only a display format and not a size or
7353 count, add the expression @var{expr} to the auto-display list but
7354 arrange to display it each time in the specified format @var{fmt}.
7355 @xref{Output Formats,,Output Formats}.
7356
7357 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{addr}
7358 For @var{fmt} @samp{i} or @samp{s}, or including a unit-size or a
7359 number of units, add the expression @var{addr} as a memory address to
7360 be examined each time your program stops. Examining means in effect
7361 doing @samp{x/@var{fmt} @var{addr}}. @xref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}.
7362 @end table
7363
7364 For example, @samp{display/i $pc} can be helpful, to see the machine
7365 instruction about to be executed each time execution stops (@samp{$pc}
7366 is a common name for the program counter; @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
7367
7368 @table @code
7369 @kindex delete display
7370 @kindex undisplay
7371 @item undisplay @var{dnums}@dots{}
7372 @itemx delete display @var{dnums}@dots{}
7373 Remove item numbers @var{dnums} from the list of expressions to display.
7374
7375 @code{undisplay} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
7376 (Otherwise you would just get the error @samp{No display number @dots{}}.)
7377
7378 @kindex disable display
7379 @item disable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
7380 Disable the display of item numbers @var{dnums}. A disabled display
7381 item is not printed automatically, but is not forgotten. It may be
7382 enabled again later.
7383
7384 @kindex enable display
7385 @item enable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
7386 Enable display of item numbers @var{dnums}. It becomes effective once
7387 again in auto display of its expression, until you specify otherwise.
7388
7389 @item display
7390 Display the current values of the expressions on the list, just as is
7391 done when your program stops.
7392
7393 @kindex info display
7394 @item info display
7395 Print the list of expressions previously set up to display
7396 automatically, each one with its item number, but without showing the
7397 values. This includes disabled expressions, which are marked as such.
7398 It also includes expressions which would not be displayed right now
7399 because they refer to automatic variables not currently available.
7400 @end table
7401
7402 @cindex display disabled out of scope
7403 If a display expression refers to local variables, then it does not make
7404 sense outside the lexical context for which it was set up. Such an
7405 expression is disabled when execution enters a context where one of its
7406 variables is not defined. For example, if you give the command
7407 @code{display last_char} while inside a function with an argument
7408 @code{last_char}, @value{GDBN} displays this argument while your program
7409 continues to stop inside that function. When it stops elsewhere---where
7410 there is no variable @code{last_char}---the display is disabled
7411 automatically. The next time your program stops where @code{last_char}
7412 is meaningful, you can enable the display expression once again.
7413
7414 @node Print Settings
7415 @section Print Settings
7416
7417 @cindex format options
7418 @cindex print settings
7419 @value{GDBN} provides the following ways to control how arrays, structures,
7420 and symbols are printed.
7421
7422 @noindent
7423 These settings are useful for debugging programs in any language:
7424
7425 @table @code
7426 @kindex set print
7427 @item set print address
7428 @itemx set print address on
7429 @cindex print/don't print memory addresses
7430 @value{GDBN} prints memory addresses showing the location of stack
7431 traces, structure values, pointer values, breakpoints, and so forth,
7432 even when it also displays the contents of those addresses. The default
7433 is @code{on}. For example, this is what a stack frame display looks like with
7434 @code{set print address on}:
7435
7436 @smallexample
7437 @group
7438 (@value{GDBP}) f
7439 #0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<<", rq=0x34c88 ">>")
7440 at input.c:530
7441 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
7442 @end group
7443 @end smallexample
7444
7445 @item set print address off
7446 Do not print addresses when displaying their contents. For example,
7447 this is the same stack frame displayed with @code{set print address off}:
7448
7449 @smallexample
7450 @group
7451 (@value{GDBP}) set print addr off
7452 (@value{GDBP}) f
7453 #0 set_quotes (lq="<<", rq=">>") at input.c:530
7454 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
7455 @end group
7456 @end smallexample
7457
7458 You can use @samp{set print address off} to eliminate all machine
7459 dependent displays from the @value{GDBN} interface. For example, with
7460 @code{print address off}, you should get the same text for backtraces on
7461 all machines---whether or not they involve pointer arguments.
7462
7463 @kindex show print
7464 @item show print address
7465 Show whether or not addresses are to be printed.
7466 @end table
7467
7468 When @value{GDBN} prints a symbolic address, it normally prints the
7469 closest earlier symbol plus an offset. If that symbol does not uniquely
7470 identify the address (for example, it is a name whose scope is a single
7471 source file), you may need to clarify. One way to do this is with
7472 @code{info line}, for example @samp{info line *0x4537}. Alternately,
7473 you can set @value{GDBN} to print the source file and line number when
7474 it prints a symbolic address:
7475
7476 @table @code
7477 @item set print symbol-filename on
7478 @cindex source file and line of a symbol
7479 @cindex symbol, source file and line
7480 Tell @value{GDBN} to print the source file name and line number of a
7481 symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
7482
7483 @item set print symbol-filename off
7484 Do not print source file name and line number of a symbol. This is the
7485 default.
7486
7487 @item show print symbol-filename
7488 Show whether or not @value{GDBN} will print the source file name and
7489 line number of a symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
7490 @end table
7491
7492 Another situation where it is helpful to show symbol filenames and line
7493 numbers is when disassembling code; @value{GDBN} shows you the line
7494 number and source file that corresponds to each instruction.
7495
7496 Also, you may wish to see the symbolic form only if the address being
7497 printed is reasonably close to the closest earlier symbol:
7498
7499 @table @code
7500 @item set print max-symbolic-offset @var{max-offset}
7501 @cindex maximum value for offset of closest symbol
7502 Tell @value{GDBN} to only display the symbolic form of an address if the
7503 offset between the closest earlier symbol and the address is less than
7504 @var{max-offset}. The default is 0, which tells @value{GDBN}
7505 to always print the symbolic form of an address if any symbol precedes it.
7506
7507 @item show print max-symbolic-offset
7508 Ask how large the maximum offset is that @value{GDBN} prints in a
7509 symbolic address.
7510 @end table
7511
7512 @cindex wild pointer, interpreting
7513 @cindex pointer, finding referent
7514 If you have a pointer and you are not sure where it points, try
7515 @samp{set print symbol-filename on}. Then you can determine the name
7516 and source file location of the variable where it points, using
7517 @samp{p/a @var{pointer}}. This interprets the address in symbolic form.
7518 For example, here @value{GDBN} shows that a variable @code{ptt} points
7519 at another variable @code{t}, defined in @file{hi2.c}:
7520
7521 @smallexample
7522 (@value{GDBP}) set print symbol-filename on
7523 (@value{GDBP}) p/a ptt
7524 $4 = 0xe008 <t in hi2.c>
7525 @end smallexample
7526
7527 @quotation
7528 @emph{Warning:} For pointers that point to a local variable, @samp{p/a}
7529 does not show the symbol name and filename of the referent, even with
7530 the appropriate @code{set print} options turned on.
7531 @end quotation
7532
7533 Other settings control how different kinds of objects are printed:
7534
7535 @table @code
7536 @item set print array
7537 @itemx set print array on
7538 @cindex pretty print arrays
7539 Pretty print arrays. This format is more convenient to read,
7540 but uses more space. The default is off.
7541
7542 @item set print array off
7543 Return to compressed format for arrays.
7544
7545 @item show print array
7546 Show whether compressed or pretty format is selected for displaying
7547 arrays.
7548
7549 @cindex print array indexes
7550 @item set print array-indexes
7551 @itemx set print array-indexes on
7552 Print the index of each element when displaying arrays. May be more
7553 convenient to locate a given element in the array or quickly find the
7554 index of a given element in that printed array. The default is off.
7555
7556 @item set print array-indexes off
7557 Stop printing element indexes when displaying arrays.
7558
7559 @item show print array-indexes
7560 Show whether the index of each element is printed when displaying
7561 arrays.
7562
7563 @item set print elements @var{number-of-elements}
7564 @cindex number of array elements to print
7565 @cindex limit on number of printed array elements
7566 Set a limit on how many elements of an array @value{GDBN} will print.
7567 If @value{GDBN} is printing a large array, it stops printing after it has
7568 printed the number of elements set by the @code{set print elements} command.
7569 This limit also applies to the display of strings.
7570 When @value{GDBN} starts, this limit is set to 200.
7571 Setting @var{number-of-elements} to zero means that the printing is unlimited.
7572
7573 @item show print elements
7574 Display the number of elements of a large array that @value{GDBN} will print.
7575 If the number is 0, then the printing is unlimited.
7576
7577 @item set print frame-arguments @var{value}
7578 @kindex set print frame-arguments
7579 @cindex printing frame argument values
7580 @cindex print all frame argument values
7581 @cindex print frame argument values for scalars only
7582 @cindex do not print frame argument values
7583 This command allows to control how the values of arguments are printed
7584 when the debugger prints a frame (@pxref{Frames}). The possible
7585 values are:
7586
7587 @table @code
7588 @item all
7589 The values of all arguments are printed.
7590
7591 @item scalars
7592 Print the value of an argument only if it is a scalar. The value of more
7593 complex arguments such as arrays, structures, unions, etc, is replaced
7594 by @code{@dots{}}. This is the default. Here is an example where
7595 only scalar arguments are shown:
7596
7597 @smallexample
7598 #1 0x08048361 in call_me (i=3, s=@dots{}, ss=0xbf8d508c, u=@dots{}, e=green)
7599 at frame-args.c:23
7600 @end smallexample
7601
7602 @item none
7603 None of the argument values are printed. Instead, the value of each argument
7604 is replaced by @code{@dots{}}. In this case, the example above now becomes:
7605
7606 @smallexample
7607 #1 0x08048361 in call_me (i=@dots{}, s=@dots{}, ss=@dots{}, u=@dots{}, e=@dots{})
7608 at frame-args.c:23
7609 @end smallexample
7610 @end table
7611
7612 By default, only scalar arguments are printed. This command can be used
7613 to configure the debugger to print the value of all arguments, regardless
7614 of their type. However, it is often advantageous to not print the value
7615 of more complex parameters. For instance, it reduces the amount of
7616 information printed in each frame, making the backtrace more readable.
7617 Also, it improves performance when displaying Ada frames, because
7618 the computation of large arguments can sometimes be CPU-intensive,
7619 especially in large applications. Setting @code{print frame-arguments}
7620 to @code{scalars} (the default) or @code{none} avoids this computation,
7621 thus speeding up the display of each Ada frame.
7622
7623 @item show print frame-arguments
7624 Show how the value of arguments should be displayed when printing a frame.
7625
7626 @item set print repeats
7627 @cindex repeated array elements
7628 Set the threshold for suppressing display of repeated array
7629 elements. When the number of consecutive identical elements of an
7630 array exceeds the threshold, @value{GDBN} prints the string
7631 @code{"<repeats @var{n} times>"}, where @var{n} is the number of
7632 identical repetitions, instead of displaying the identical elements
7633 themselves. Setting the threshold to zero will cause all elements to
7634 be individually printed. The default threshold is 10.
7635
7636 @item show print repeats
7637 Display the current threshold for printing repeated identical
7638 elements.
7639
7640 @item set print null-stop
7641 @cindex @sc{null} elements in arrays
7642 Cause @value{GDBN} to stop printing the characters of an array when the first
7643 @sc{null} is encountered. This is useful when large arrays actually
7644 contain only short strings.
7645 The default is off.
7646
7647 @item show print null-stop
7648 Show whether @value{GDBN} stops printing an array on the first
7649 @sc{null} character.
7650
7651 @item set print pretty on
7652 @cindex print structures in indented form
7653 @cindex indentation in structure display
7654 Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in an indented format with one member
7655 per line, like this:
7656
7657 @smallexample
7658 @group
7659 $1 = @{
7660 next = 0x0,
7661 flags = @{
7662 sweet = 1,
7663 sour = 1
7664 @},
7665 meat = 0x54 "Pork"
7666 @}
7667 @end group
7668 @end smallexample
7669
7670 @item set print pretty off
7671 Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in a compact format, like this:
7672
7673 @smallexample
7674 @group
7675 $1 = @{next = 0x0, flags = @{sweet = 1, sour = 1@}, \
7676 meat = 0x54 "Pork"@}
7677 @end group
7678 @end smallexample
7679
7680 @noindent
7681 This is the default format.
7682
7683 @item show print pretty
7684 Show which format @value{GDBN} is using to print structures.
7685
7686 @item set print sevenbit-strings on
7687 @cindex eight-bit characters in strings
7688 @cindex octal escapes in strings
7689 Print using only seven-bit characters; if this option is set,
7690 @value{GDBN} displays any eight-bit characters (in strings or
7691 character values) using the notation @code{\}@var{nnn}. This setting is
7692 best if you are working in English (@sc{ascii}) and you use the
7693 high-order bit of characters as a marker or ``meta'' bit.
7694
7695 @item set print sevenbit-strings off
7696 Print full eight-bit characters. This allows the use of more
7697 international character sets, and is the default.
7698
7699 @item show print sevenbit-strings
7700 Show whether or not @value{GDBN} is printing only seven-bit characters.
7701
7702 @item set print union on
7703 @cindex unions in structures, printing
7704 Tell @value{GDBN} to print unions which are contained in structures
7705 and other unions. This is the default setting.
7706
7707 @item set print union off
7708 Tell @value{GDBN} not to print unions which are contained in
7709 structures and other unions. @value{GDBN} will print @code{"@{...@}"}
7710 instead.
7711
7712 @item show print union
7713 Ask @value{GDBN} whether or not it will print unions which are contained in
7714 structures and other unions.
7715
7716 For example, given the declarations
7717
7718 @smallexample
7719 typedef enum @{Tree, Bug@} Species;
7720 typedef enum @{Big_tree, Acorn, Seedling@} Tree_forms;
7721 typedef enum @{Caterpillar, Cocoon, Butterfly@}
7722 Bug_forms;
7723
7724 struct thing @{
7725 Species it;
7726 union @{
7727 Tree_forms tree;
7728 Bug_forms bug;
7729 @} form;
7730 @};
7731
7732 struct thing foo = @{Tree, @{Acorn@}@};
7733 @end smallexample
7734
7735 @noindent
7736 with @code{set print union on} in effect @samp{p foo} would print
7737
7738 @smallexample
7739 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{tree = Acorn, bug = Cocoon@}@}
7740 @end smallexample
7741
7742 @noindent
7743 and with @code{set print union off} in effect it would print
7744
7745 @smallexample
7746 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{...@}@}
7747 @end smallexample
7748
7749 @noindent
7750 @code{set print union} affects programs written in C-like languages
7751 and in Pascal.
7752 @end table
7753
7754 @need 1000
7755 @noindent
7756 These settings are of interest when debugging C@t{++} programs:
7757
7758 @table @code
7759 @cindex demangling C@t{++} names
7760 @item set print demangle
7761 @itemx set print demangle on
7762 Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than in the encoded
7763 (``mangled'') form passed to the assembler and linker for type-safe
7764 linkage. The default is on.
7765
7766 @item show print demangle
7767 Show whether C@t{++} names are printed in mangled or demangled form.
7768
7769 @item set print asm-demangle
7770 @itemx set print asm-demangle on
7771 Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than their mangled form, even
7772 in assembler code printouts such as instruction disassemblies.
7773 The default is off.
7774
7775 @item show print asm-demangle
7776 Show whether C@t{++} names in assembly listings are printed in mangled
7777 or demangled form.
7778
7779 @cindex C@t{++} symbol decoding style
7780 @cindex symbol decoding style, C@t{++}
7781 @kindex set demangle-style
7782 @item set demangle-style @var{style}
7783 Choose among several encoding schemes used by different compilers to
7784 represent C@t{++} names. The choices for @var{style} are currently:
7785
7786 @table @code
7787 @item auto
7788 Allow @value{GDBN} to choose a decoding style by inspecting your program.
7789
7790 @item gnu
7791 Decode based on the @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler (@code{g++}) encoding algorithm.
7792 This is the default.
7793
7794 @item hp
7795 Decode based on the HP ANSI C@t{++} (@code{aCC}) encoding algorithm.
7796
7797 @item lucid
7798 Decode based on the Lucid C@t{++} compiler (@code{lcc}) encoding algorithm.
7799
7800 @item arm
7801 Decode using the algorithm in the @cite{C@t{++} Annotated Reference Manual}.
7802 @strong{Warning:} this setting alone is not sufficient to allow
7803 debugging @code{cfront}-generated executables. @value{GDBN} would
7804 require further enhancement to permit that.
7805
7806 @end table
7807 If you omit @var{style}, you will see a list of possible formats.
7808
7809 @item show demangle-style
7810 Display the encoding style currently in use for decoding C@t{++} symbols.
7811
7812 @item set print object
7813 @itemx set print object on
7814 @cindex derived type of an object, printing
7815 @cindex display derived types
7816 When displaying a pointer to an object, identify the @emph{actual}
7817 (derived) type of the object rather than the @emph{declared} type, using
7818 the virtual function table.
7819
7820 @item set print object off
7821 Display only the declared type of objects, without reference to the
7822 virtual function table. This is the default setting.
7823
7824 @item show print object
7825 Show whether actual, or declared, object types are displayed.
7826
7827 @item set print static-members
7828 @itemx set print static-members on
7829 @cindex static members of C@t{++} objects
7830 Print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object. The default is on.
7831
7832 @item set print static-members off
7833 Do not print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object.
7834
7835 @item show print static-members
7836 Show whether C@t{++} static members are printed or not.
7837
7838 @item set print pascal_static-members
7839 @itemx set print pascal_static-members on
7840 @cindex static members of Pascal objects
7841 @cindex Pascal objects, static members display
7842 Print static members when displaying a Pascal object. The default is on.
7843
7844 @item set print pascal_static-members off
7845 Do not print static members when displaying a Pascal object.
7846
7847 @item show print pascal_static-members
7848 Show whether Pascal static members are printed or not.
7849
7850 @c These don't work with HP ANSI C++ yet.
7851 @item set print vtbl
7852 @itemx set print vtbl on
7853 @cindex pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables
7854 @cindex virtual functions (C@t{++}) display
7855 @cindex VTBL display
7856 Pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables. The default is off.
7857 (The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
7858 ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
7859
7860 @item set print vtbl off
7861 Do not pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables.
7862
7863 @item show print vtbl
7864 Show whether C@t{++} virtual function tables are pretty printed, or not.
7865 @end table
7866
7867 @node Value History
7868 @section Value History
7869
7870 @cindex value history
7871 @cindex history of values printed by @value{GDBN}
7872 Values printed by the @code{print} command are saved in the @value{GDBN}
7873 @dfn{value history}. This allows you to refer to them in other expressions.
7874 Values are kept until the symbol table is re-read or discarded
7875 (for example with the @code{file} or @code{symbol-file} commands).
7876 When the symbol table changes, the value history is discarded,
7877 since the values may contain pointers back to the types defined in the
7878 symbol table.
7879
7880 @cindex @code{$}
7881 @cindex @code{$$}
7882 @cindex history number
7883 The values printed are given @dfn{history numbers} by which you can
7884 refer to them. These are successive integers starting with one.
7885 @code{print} shows you the history number assigned to a value by
7886 printing @samp{$@var{num} = } before the value; here @var{num} is the
7887 history number.
7888
7889 To refer to any previous value, use @samp{$} followed by the value's
7890 history number. The way @code{print} labels its output is designed to
7891 remind you of this. Just @code{$} refers to the most recent value in
7892 the history, and @code{$$} refers to the value before that.
7893 @code{$$@var{n}} refers to the @var{n}th value from the end; @code{$$2}
7894 is the value just prior to @code{$$}, @code{$$1} is equivalent to
7895 @code{$$}, and @code{$$0} is equivalent to @code{$}.
7896
7897 For example, suppose you have just printed a pointer to a structure and
7898 want to see the contents of the structure. It suffices to type
7899
7900 @smallexample
7901 p *$
7902 @end smallexample
7903
7904 If you have a chain of structures where the component @code{next} points
7905 to the next one, you can print the contents of the next one with this:
7906
7907 @smallexample
7908 p *$.next
7909 @end smallexample
7910
7911 @noindent
7912 You can print successive links in the chain by repeating this
7913 command---which you can do by just typing @key{RET}.
7914
7915 Note that the history records values, not expressions. If the value of
7916 @code{x} is 4 and you type these commands:
7917
7918 @smallexample
7919 print x
7920 set x=5
7921 @end smallexample
7922
7923 @noindent
7924 then the value recorded in the value history by the @code{print} command
7925 remains 4 even though the value of @code{x} has changed.
7926
7927 @table @code
7928 @kindex show values
7929 @item show values
7930 Print the last ten values in the value history, with their item numbers.
7931 This is like @samp{p@ $$9} repeated ten times, except that @code{show
7932 values} does not change the history.
7933
7934 @item show values @var{n}
7935 Print ten history values centered on history item number @var{n}.
7936
7937 @item show values +
7938 Print ten history values just after the values last printed. If no more
7939 values are available, @code{show values +} produces no display.
7940 @end table
7941
7942 Pressing @key{RET} to repeat @code{show values @var{n}} has exactly the
7943 same effect as @samp{show values +}.
7944
7945 @node Convenience Vars
7946 @section Convenience Variables
7947
7948 @cindex convenience variables
7949 @cindex user-defined variables
7950 @value{GDBN} provides @dfn{convenience variables} that you can use within
7951 @value{GDBN} to hold on to a value and refer to it later. These variables
7952 exist entirely within @value{GDBN}; they are not part of your program, and
7953 setting a convenience variable has no direct effect on further execution
7954 of your program. That is why you can use them freely.
7955
7956 Convenience variables are prefixed with @samp{$}. Any name preceded by
7957 @samp{$} can be used for a convenience variable, unless it is one of
7958 the predefined machine-specific register names (@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
7959 (Value history references, in contrast, are @emph{numbers} preceded
7960 by @samp{$}. @xref{Value History, ,Value History}.)
7961
7962 You can save a value in a convenience variable with an assignment
7963 expression, just as you would set a variable in your program.
7964 For example:
7965
7966 @smallexample
7967 set $foo = *object_ptr
7968 @end smallexample
7969
7970 @noindent
7971 would save in @code{$foo} the value contained in the object pointed to by
7972 @code{object_ptr}.
7973
7974 Using a convenience variable for the first time creates it, but its
7975 value is @code{void} until you assign a new value. You can alter the
7976 value with another assignment at any time.
7977
7978 Convenience variables have no fixed types. You can assign a convenience
7979 variable any type of value, including structures and arrays, even if
7980 that variable already has a value of a different type. The convenience
7981 variable, when used as an expression, has the type of its current value.
7982
7983 @table @code
7984 @kindex show convenience
7985 @cindex show all user variables
7986 @item show convenience
7987 Print a list of convenience variables used so far, and their values.
7988 Abbreviated @code{show conv}.
7989
7990 @kindex init-if-undefined
7991 @cindex convenience variables, initializing
7992 @item init-if-undefined $@var{variable} = @var{expression}
7993 Set a convenience variable if it has not already been set. This is useful
7994 for user-defined commands that keep some state. It is similar, in concept,
7995 to using local static variables with initializers in C (except that
7996 convenience variables are global). It can also be used to allow users to
7997 override default values used in a command script.
7998
7999 If the variable is already defined then the expression is not evaluated so
8000 any side-effects do not occur.
8001 @end table
8002
8003 One of the ways to use a convenience variable is as a counter to be
8004 incremented or a pointer to be advanced. For example, to print
8005 a field from successive elements of an array of structures:
8006
8007 @smallexample
8008 set $i = 0
8009 print bar[$i++]->contents
8010 @end smallexample
8011
8012 @noindent
8013 Repeat that command by typing @key{RET}.
8014
8015 Some convenience variables are created automatically by @value{GDBN} and given
8016 values likely to be useful.
8017
8018 @table @code
8019 @vindex $_@r{, convenience variable}
8020 @item $_
8021 The variable @code{$_} is automatically set by the @code{x} command to
8022 the last address examined (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}). Other
8023 commands which provide a default address for @code{x} to examine also
8024 set @code{$_} to that address; these commands include @code{info line}
8025 and @code{info breakpoint}. The type of @code{$_} is @code{void *}
8026 except when set by the @code{x} command, in which case it is a pointer
8027 to the type of @code{$__}.
8028
8029 @vindex $__@r{, convenience variable}
8030 @item $__
8031 The variable @code{$__} is automatically set by the @code{x} command
8032 to the value found in the last address examined. Its type is chosen
8033 to match the format in which the data was printed.
8034
8035 @item $_exitcode
8036 @vindex $_exitcode@r{, convenience variable}
8037 The variable @code{$_exitcode} is automatically set to the exit code when
8038 the program being debugged terminates.
8039
8040 @item $_siginfo
8041 @vindex $_siginfo@r{, convenience variable}
8042 The variable @code{$_siginfo} contains extra signal information
8043 (@pxref{extra signal information}). Note that @code{$_siginfo}
8044 could be empty, if the application has not yet received any signals.
8045 For example, it will be empty before you execute the @code{run} command.
8046 @end table
8047
8048 On HP-UX systems, if you refer to a function or variable name that
8049 begins with a dollar sign, @value{GDBN} searches for a user or system
8050 name first, before it searches for a convenience variable.
8051
8052 @cindex convenience functions
8053 @value{GDBN} also supplies some @dfn{convenience functions}. These
8054 have a syntax similar to convenience variables. A convenience
8055 function can be used in an expression just like an ordinary function;
8056 however, a convenience function is implemented internally to
8057 @value{GDBN}.
8058
8059 @table @code
8060 @item help function
8061 @kindex help function
8062 @cindex show all convenience functions
8063 Print a list of all convenience functions.
8064 @end table
8065
8066 @node Registers
8067 @section Registers
8068
8069 @cindex registers
8070 You can refer to machine register contents, in expressions, as variables
8071 with names starting with @samp{$}. The names of registers are different
8072 for each machine; use @code{info registers} to see the names used on
8073 your machine.
8074
8075 @table @code
8076 @kindex info registers
8077 @item info registers
8078 Print the names and values of all registers except floating-point
8079 and vector registers (in the selected stack frame).
8080
8081 @kindex info all-registers
8082 @cindex floating point registers
8083 @item info all-registers
8084 Print the names and values of all registers, including floating-point
8085 and vector registers (in the selected stack frame).
8086
8087 @item info registers @var{regname} @dots{}
8088 Print the @dfn{relativized} value of each specified register @var{regname}.
8089 As discussed in detail below, register values are normally relative to
8090 the selected stack frame. @var{regname} may be any register name valid on
8091 the machine you are using, with or without the initial @samp{$}.
8092 @end table
8093
8094 @cindex stack pointer register
8095 @cindex program counter register
8096 @cindex process status register
8097 @cindex frame pointer register
8098 @cindex standard registers
8099 @value{GDBN} has four ``standard'' register names that are available (in
8100 expressions) on most machines---whenever they do not conflict with an
8101 architecture's canonical mnemonics for registers. The register names
8102 @code{$pc} and @code{$sp} are used for the program counter register and
8103 the stack pointer. @code{$fp} is used for a register that contains a
8104 pointer to the current stack frame, and @code{$ps} is used for a
8105 register that contains the processor status. For example,
8106 you could print the program counter in hex with
8107
8108 @smallexample
8109 p/x $pc
8110 @end smallexample
8111
8112 @noindent
8113 or print the instruction to be executed next with
8114
8115 @smallexample
8116 x/i $pc
8117 @end smallexample
8118
8119 @noindent
8120 or add four to the stack pointer@footnote{This is a way of removing
8121 one word from the stack, on machines where stacks grow downward in
8122 memory (most machines, nowadays). This assumes that the innermost
8123 stack frame is selected; setting @code{$sp} is not allowed when other
8124 stack frames are selected. To pop entire frames off the stack,
8125 regardless of machine architecture, use @code{return};
8126 see @ref{Returning, ,Returning from a Function}.} with
8127
8128 @smallexample
8129 set $sp += 4
8130 @end smallexample
8131
8132 Whenever possible, these four standard register names are available on
8133 your machine even though the machine has different canonical mnemonics,
8134 so long as there is no conflict. The @code{info registers} command
8135 shows the canonical names. For example, on the SPARC, @code{info
8136 registers} displays the processor status register as @code{$psr} but you
8137 can also refer to it as @code{$ps}; and on x86-based machines @code{$ps}
8138 is an alias for the @sc{eflags} register.
8139
8140 @value{GDBN} always considers the contents of an ordinary register as an
8141 integer when the register is examined in this way. Some machines have
8142 special registers which can hold nothing but floating point; these
8143 registers are considered to have floating point values. There is no way
8144 to refer to the contents of an ordinary register as floating point value
8145 (although you can @emph{print} it as a floating point value with
8146 @samp{print/f $@var{regname}}).
8147
8148 Some registers have distinct ``raw'' and ``virtual'' data formats. This
8149 means that the data format in which the register contents are saved by
8150 the operating system is not the same one that your program normally
8151 sees. For example, the registers of the 68881 floating point
8152 coprocessor are always saved in ``extended'' (raw) format, but all C
8153 programs expect to work with ``double'' (virtual) format. In such
8154 cases, @value{GDBN} normally works with the virtual format only (the format
8155 that makes sense for your program), but the @code{info registers} command
8156 prints the data in both formats.
8157
8158 @cindex SSE registers (x86)
8159 @cindex MMX registers (x86)
8160 Some machines have special registers whose contents can be interpreted
8161 in several different ways. For example, modern x86-based machines
8162 have SSE and MMX registers that can hold several values packed
8163 together in several different formats. @value{GDBN} refers to such
8164 registers in @code{struct} notation:
8165
8166 @smallexample
8167 (@value{GDBP}) print $xmm1
8168 $1 = @{
8169 v4_float = @{0, 3.43859137e-038, 1.54142831e-044, 1.821688e-044@},
8170 v2_double = @{9.92129282474342e-303, 2.7585945287983262e-313@},
8171 v16_int8 = "\000\000\000\000\3706;\001\v\000\000\000\r\000\000",
8172 v8_int16 = @{0, 0, 14072, 315, 11, 0, 13, 0@},
8173 v4_int32 = @{0, 20657912, 11, 13@},
8174 v2_int64 = @{88725056443645952, 55834574859@},
8175 uint128 = 0x0000000d0000000b013b36f800000000
8176 @}
8177 @end smallexample
8178
8179 @noindent
8180 To set values of such registers, you need to tell @value{GDBN} which
8181 view of the register you wish to change, as if you were assigning
8182 value to a @code{struct} member:
8183
8184 @smallexample
8185 (@value{GDBP}) set $xmm1.uint128 = 0x000000000000000000000000FFFFFFFF
8186 @end smallexample
8187
8188 Normally, register values are relative to the selected stack frame
8189 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}). This means that you get the
8190 value that the register would contain if all stack frames farther in
8191 were exited and their saved registers restored. In order to see the
8192 true contents of hardware registers, you must select the innermost
8193 frame (with @samp{frame 0}).
8194
8195 However, @value{GDBN} must deduce where registers are saved, from the machine
8196 code generated by your compiler. If some registers are not saved, or if
8197 @value{GDBN} is unable to locate the saved registers, the selected stack
8198 frame makes no difference.
8199
8200 @node Floating Point Hardware
8201 @section Floating Point Hardware
8202 @cindex floating point
8203
8204 Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give
8205 you more information about the status of the floating point hardware.
8206
8207 @table @code
8208 @kindex info float
8209 @item info float
8210 Display hardware-dependent information about the floating
8211 point unit. The exact contents and layout vary depending on the
8212 floating point chip. Currently, @samp{info float} is supported on
8213 the ARM and x86 machines.
8214 @end table
8215
8216 @node Vector Unit
8217 @section Vector Unit
8218 @cindex vector unit
8219
8220 Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give you
8221 more information about the status of the vector unit.
8222
8223 @table @code
8224 @kindex info vector
8225 @item info vector
8226 Display information about the vector unit. The exact contents and
8227 layout vary depending on the hardware.
8228 @end table
8229
8230 @node OS Information
8231 @section Operating System Auxiliary Information
8232 @cindex OS information
8233
8234 @value{GDBN} provides interfaces to useful OS facilities that can help
8235 you debug your program.
8236
8237 @cindex @code{ptrace} system call
8238 @cindex @code{struct user} contents
8239 When @value{GDBN} runs on a @dfn{Posix system} (such as GNU or Unix
8240 machines), it interfaces with the inferior via the @code{ptrace}
8241 system call. The operating system creates a special sata structure,
8242 called @code{struct user}, for this interface. You can use the
8243 command @code{info udot} to display the contents of this data
8244 structure.
8245
8246 @table @code
8247 @item info udot
8248 @kindex info udot
8249 Display the contents of the @code{struct user} maintained by the OS
8250 kernel for the program being debugged. @value{GDBN} displays the
8251 contents of @code{struct user} as a list of hex numbers, similar to
8252 the @code{examine} command.
8253 @end table
8254
8255 @cindex auxiliary vector
8256 @cindex vector, auxiliary
8257 Some operating systems supply an @dfn{auxiliary vector} to programs at
8258 startup. This is akin to the arguments and environment that you
8259 specify for a program, but contains a system-dependent variety of
8260 binary values that tell system libraries important details about the
8261 hardware, operating system, and process. Each value's purpose is
8262 identified by an integer tag; the meanings are well-known but system-specific.
8263 Depending on the configuration and operating system facilities,
8264 @value{GDBN} may be able to show you this information. For remote
8265 targets, this functionality may further depend on the remote stub's
8266 support of the @samp{qXfer:auxv:read} packet, see
8267 @ref{qXfer auxiliary vector read}.
8268
8269 @table @code
8270 @kindex info auxv
8271 @item info auxv
8272 Display the auxiliary vector of the inferior, which can be either a
8273 live process or a core dump file. @value{GDBN} prints each tag value
8274 numerically, and also shows names and text descriptions for recognized
8275 tags. Some values in the vector are numbers, some bit masks, and some
8276 pointers to strings or other data. @value{GDBN} displays each value in the
8277 most appropriate form for a recognized tag, and in hexadecimal for
8278 an unrecognized tag.
8279 @end table
8280
8281 On some targets, @value{GDBN} can access operating-system-specific information
8282 and display it to user, without interpretation. For remote targets,
8283 this functionality depends on the remote stub's support of the
8284 @samp{qXfer:osdata:read} packet, see @ref{qXfer osdata read}.
8285
8286 @table @code
8287 @kindex info os processes
8288 @item info os processes
8289 Display the list of processes on the target. For each process,
8290 @value{GDBN} prints the process identifier, the name of the user, and
8291 the command corresponding to the process.
8292 @end table
8293
8294 @node Memory Region Attributes
8295 @section Memory Region Attributes
8296 @cindex memory region attributes
8297
8298 @dfn{Memory region attributes} allow you to describe special handling
8299 required by regions of your target's memory. @value{GDBN} uses
8300 attributes to determine whether to allow certain types of memory
8301 accesses; whether to use specific width accesses; and whether to cache
8302 target memory. By default the description of memory regions is
8303 fetched from the target (if the current target supports this), but the
8304 user can override the fetched regions.
8305
8306 Defined memory regions can be individually enabled and disabled. When a
8307 memory region is disabled, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when
8308 accessing memory in that region. Similarly, if no memory regions have
8309 been defined, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when accessing
8310 all memory.
8311
8312 When a memory region is defined, it is given a number to identify it;
8313 to enable, disable, or remove a memory region, you specify that number.
8314
8315 @table @code
8316 @kindex mem
8317 @item mem @var{lower} @var{upper} @var{attributes}@dots{}
8318 Define a memory region bounded by @var{lower} and @var{upper} with
8319 attributes @var{attributes}@dots{}, and add it to the list of regions
8320 monitored by @value{GDBN}. Note that @var{upper} == 0 is a special
8321 case: it is treated as the target's maximum memory address.
8322 (0xffff on 16 bit targets, 0xffffffff on 32 bit targets, etc.)
8323
8324 @item mem auto
8325 Discard any user changes to the memory regions and use target-supplied
8326 regions, if available, or no regions if the target does not support.
8327
8328 @kindex delete mem
8329 @item delete mem @var{nums}@dots{}
8330 Remove memory regions @var{nums}@dots{} from the list of regions
8331 monitored by @value{GDBN}.
8332
8333 @kindex disable mem
8334 @item disable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
8335 Disable monitoring of memory regions @var{nums}@dots{}.
8336 A disabled memory region is not forgotten.
8337 It may be enabled again later.
8338
8339 @kindex enable mem
8340 @item enable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
8341 Enable monitoring of memory regions @var{nums}@dots{}.
8342
8343 @kindex info mem
8344 @item info mem
8345 Print a table of all defined memory regions, with the following columns
8346 for each region:
8347
8348 @table @emph
8349 @item Memory Region Number
8350 @item Enabled or Disabled.
8351 Enabled memory regions are marked with @samp{y}.
8352 Disabled memory regions are marked with @samp{n}.
8353
8354 @item Lo Address
8355 The address defining the inclusive lower bound of the memory region.
8356
8357 @item Hi Address
8358 The address defining the exclusive upper bound of the memory region.
8359
8360 @item Attributes
8361 The list of attributes set for this memory region.
8362 @end table
8363 @end table
8364
8365
8366 @subsection Attributes
8367
8368 @subsubsection Memory Access Mode
8369 The access mode attributes set whether @value{GDBN} may make read or
8370 write accesses to a memory region.
8371
8372 While these attributes prevent @value{GDBN} from performing invalid
8373 memory accesses, they do nothing to prevent the target system, I/O DMA,
8374 etc.@: from accessing memory.
8375
8376 @table @code
8377 @item ro
8378 Memory is read only.
8379 @item wo
8380 Memory is write only.
8381 @item rw
8382 Memory is read/write. This is the default.
8383 @end table
8384
8385 @subsubsection Memory Access Size
8386 The access size attribute tells @value{GDBN} to use specific sized
8387 accesses in the memory region. Often memory mapped device registers
8388 require specific sized accesses. If no access size attribute is
8389 specified, @value{GDBN} may use accesses of any size.
8390
8391 @table @code
8392 @item 8
8393 Use 8 bit memory accesses.
8394 @item 16
8395 Use 16 bit memory accesses.
8396 @item 32
8397 Use 32 bit memory accesses.
8398 @item 64
8399 Use 64 bit memory accesses.
8400 @end table
8401
8402 @c @subsubsection Hardware/Software Breakpoints
8403 @c The hardware/software breakpoint attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
8404 @c will use hardware or software breakpoints for the internal breakpoints
8405 @c used by the step, next, finish, until, etc. commands.
8406 @c
8407 @c @table @code
8408 @c @item hwbreak
8409 @c Always use hardware breakpoints
8410 @c @item swbreak (default)
8411 @c @end table
8412
8413 @subsubsection Data Cache
8414 The data cache attributes set whether @value{GDBN} will cache target
8415 memory. While this generally improves performance by reducing debug
8416 protocol overhead, it can lead to incorrect results because @value{GDBN}
8417 does not know about volatile variables or memory mapped device
8418 registers.
8419
8420 @table @code
8421 @item cache
8422 Enable @value{GDBN} to cache target memory.
8423 @item nocache
8424 Disable @value{GDBN} from caching target memory. This is the default.
8425 @end table
8426
8427 @subsection Memory Access Checking
8428 @value{GDBN} can be instructed to refuse accesses to memory that is
8429 not explicitly described. This can be useful if accessing such
8430 regions has undesired effects for a specific target, or to provide
8431 better error checking. The following commands control this behaviour.
8432
8433 @table @code
8434 @kindex set mem inaccessible-by-default
8435 @item set mem inaccessible-by-default [on|off]
8436 If @code{on} is specified, make @value{GDBN} treat memory not
8437 explicitly described by the memory ranges as non-existent and refuse accesses
8438 to such memory. The checks are only performed if there's at least one
8439 memory range defined. If @code{off} is specified, make @value{GDBN}
8440 treat the memory not explicitly described by the memory ranges as RAM.
8441 The default value is @code{on}.
8442 @kindex show mem inaccessible-by-default
8443 @item show mem inaccessible-by-default
8444 Show the current handling of accesses to unknown memory.
8445 @end table
8446
8447
8448 @c @subsubsection Memory Write Verification
8449 @c The memory write verification attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
8450 @c will re-reads data after each write to verify the write was successful.
8451 @c
8452 @c @table @code
8453 @c @item verify
8454 @c @item noverify (default)
8455 @c @end table
8456
8457 @node Dump/Restore Files
8458 @section Copy Between Memory and a File
8459 @cindex dump/restore files
8460 @cindex append data to a file
8461 @cindex dump data to a file
8462 @cindex restore data from a file
8463
8464 You can use the commands @code{dump}, @code{append}, and
8465 @code{restore} to copy data between target memory and a file. The
8466 @code{dump} and @code{append} commands write data to a file, and the
8467 @code{restore} command reads data from a file back into the inferior's
8468 memory. Files may be in binary, Motorola S-record, Intel hex, or
8469 Tektronix Hex format; however, @value{GDBN} can only append to binary
8470 files.
8471
8472 @table @code
8473
8474 @kindex dump
8475 @item dump @r{[}@var{format}@r{]} memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
8476 @itemx dump @r{[}@var{format}@r{]} value @var{filename} @var{expr}
8477 Dump the contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr},
8478 or the value of @var{expr}, to @var{filename} in the given format.
8479
8480 The @var{format} parameter may be any one of:
8481 @table @code
8482 @item binary
8483 Raw binary form.
8484 @item ihex
8485 Intel hex format.
8486 @item srec
8487 Motorola S-record format.
8488 @item tekhex
8489 Tektronix Hex format.
8490 @end table
8491
8492 @value{GDBN} uses the same definitions of these formats as the
8493 @sc{gnu} binary utilities, like @samp{objdump} and @samp{objcopy}. If
8494 @var{format} is omitted, @value{GDBN} dumps the data in raw binary
8495 form.
8496
8497 @kindex append
8498 @item append @r{[}binary@r{]} memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
8499 @itemx append @r{[}binary@r{]} value @var{filename} @var{expr}
8500 Append the contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr},
8501 or the value of @var{expr}, to the file @var{filename}, in raw binary form.
8502 (@value{GDBN} can only append data to files in raw binary form.)
8503
8504 @kindex restore
8505 @item restore @var{filename} @r{[}binary@r{]} @var{bias} @var{start} @var{end}
8506 Restore the contents of file @var{filename} into memory. The
8507 @code{restore} command can automatically recognize any known @sc{bfd}
8508 file format, except for raw binary. To restore a raw binary file you
8509 must specify the optional keyword @code{binary} after the filename.
8510
8511 If @var{bias} is non-zero, its value will be added to the addresses
8512 contained in the file. Binary files always start at address zero, so
8513 they will be restored at address @var{bias}. Other bfd files have
8514 a built-in location; they will be restored at offset @var{bias}
8515 from that location.
8516
8517 If @var{start} and/or @var{end} are non-zero, then only data between
8518 file offset @var{start} and file offset @var{end} will be restored.
8519 These offsets are relative to the addresses in the file, before
8520 the @var{bias} argument is applied.
8521
8522 @end table
8523
8524 @node Core File Generation
8525 @section How to Produce a Core File from Your Program
8526 @cindex dump core from inferior
8527
8528 A @dfn{core file} or @dfn{core dump} is a file that records the memory
8529 image of a running process and its process status (register values
8530 etc.). Its primary use is post-mortem debugging of a program that
8531 crashed while it ran outside a debugger. A program that crashes
8532 automatically produces a core file, unless this feature is disabled by
8533 the user. @xref{Files}, for information on invoking @value{GDBN} in
8534 the post-mortem debugging mode.
8535
8536 Occasionally, you may wish to produce a core file of the program you
8537 are debugging in order to preserve a snapshot of its state.
8538 @value{GDBN} has a special command for that.
8539
8540 @table @code
8541 @kindex gcore
8542 @kindex generate-core-file
8543 @item generate-core-file [@var{file}]
8544 @itemx gcore [@var{file}]
8545 Produce a core dump of the inferior process. The optional argument
8546 @var{file} specifies the file name where to put the core dump. If not
8547 specified, the file name defaults to @file{core.@var{pid}}, where
8548 @var{pid} is the inferior process ID.
8549
8550 Note that this command is implemented only for some systems (as of
8551 this writing, @sc{gnu}/Linux, FreeBSD, Solaris, Unixware, and S390).
8552 @end table
8553
8554 @node Character Sets
8555 @section Character Sets
8556 @cindex character sets
8557 @cindex charset
8558 @cindex translating between character sets
8559 @cindex host character set
8560 @cindex target character set
8561
8562 If the program you are debugging uses a different character set to
8563 represent characters and strings than the one @value{GDBN} uses itself,
8564 @value{GDBN} can automatically translate between the character sets for
8565 you. The character set @value{GDBN} uses we call the @dfn{host
8566 character set}; the one the inferior program uses we call the
8567 @dfn{target character set}.
8568
8569 For example, if you are running @value{GDBN} on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, which
8570 uses the ISO Latin 1 character set, but you are using @value{GDBN}'s
8571 remote protocol (@pxref{Remote Debugging}) to debug a program
8572 running on an IBM mainframe, which uses the @sc{ebcdic} character set,
8573 then the host character set is Latin-1, and the target character set is
8574 @sc{ebcdic}. If you give @value{GDBN} the command @code{set
8575 target-charset EBCDIC-US}, then @value{GDBN} translates between
8576 @sc{ebcdic} and Latin 1 as you print character or string values, or use
8577 character and string literals in expressions.
8578
8579 @value{GDBN} has no way to automatically recognize which character set
8580 the inferior program uses; you must tell it, using the @code{set
8581 target-charset} command, described below.
8582
8583 Here are the commands for controlling @value{GDBN}'s character set
8584 support:
8585
8586 @table @code
8587 @item set target-charset @var{charset}
8588 @kindex set target-charset
8589 Set the current target character set to @var{charset}. To display the
8590 list of supported target character sets, type
8591 @kbd{@w{set target-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}}.
8592
8593 @item set host-charset @var{charset}
8594 @kindex set host-charset
8595 Set the current host character set to @var{charset}.
8596
8597 By default, @value{GDBN} uses a host character set appropriate to the
8598 system it is running on; you can override that default using the
8599 @code{set host-charset} command. On some systems, @value{GDBN} cannot
8600 automatically determine the appropriate host character set. In this
8601 case, @value{GDBN} uses @samp{UTF-8}.
8602
8603 @value{GDBN} can only use certain character sets as its host character
8604 set. If you type @kbd{@w{set target-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}},
8605 @value{GDBN} will list the host character sets it supports.
8606
8607 @item set charset @var{charset}
8608 @kindex set charset
8609 Set the current host and target character sets to @var{charset}. As
8610 above, if you type @kbd{@w{set charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}},
8611 @value{GDBN} will list the names of the character sets that can be used
8612 for both host and target.
8613
8614 @item show charset
8615 @kindex show charset
8616 Show the names of the current host and target character sets.
8617
8618 @item show host-charset
8619 @kindex show host-charset
8620 Show the name of the current host character set.
8621
8622 @item show target-charset
8623 @kindex show target-charset
8624 Show the name of the current target character set.
8625
8626 @item set target-wide-charset @var{charset}
8627 @kindex set target-wide-charset
8628 Set the current target's wide character set to @var{charset}. This is
8629 the character set used by the target's @code{wchar_t} type. To
8630 display the list of supported wide character sets, type
8631 @kbd{@w{set target-wide-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}}.
8632
8633 @item show target-wide-charset
8634 @kindex show target-wide-charset
8635 Show the name of the current target's wide character set.
8636 @end table
8637
8638 Here is an example of @value{GDBN}'s character set support in action.
8639 Assume that the following source code has been placed in the file
8640 @file{charset-test.c}:
8641
8642 @smallexample
8643 #include <stdio.h>
8644
8645 char ascii_hello[]
8646 = @{72, 101, 108, 108, 111, 44, 32, 119,
8647 111, 114, 108, 100, 33, 10, 0@};
8648 char ibm1047_hello[]
8649 = @{200, 133, 147, 147, 150, 107, 64, 166,
8650 150, 153, 147, 132, 90, 37, 0@};
8651
8652 main ()
8653 @{
8654 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
8655 @}
8656 @end smallexample
8657
8658 In this program, @code{ascii_hello} and @code{ibm1047_hello} are arrays
8659 containing the string @samp{Hello, world!} followed by a newline,
8660 encoded in the @sc{ascii} and @sc{ibm1047} character sets.
8661
8662 We compile the program, and invoke the debugger on it:
8663
8664 @smallexample
8665 $ gcc -g charset-test.c -o charset-test
8666 $ gdb -nw charset-test
8667 GNU gdb 2001-12-19-cvs
8668 Copyright 2001 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
8669 @dots{}
8670 (@value{GDBP})
8671 @end smallexample
8672
8673 We can use the @code{show charset} command to see what character sets
8674 @value{GDBN} is currently using to interpret and display characters and
8675 strings:
8676
8677 @smallexample
8678 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
8679 The current host and target character set is `ISO-8859-1'.
8680 (@value{GDBP})
8681 @end smallexample
8682
8683 For the sake of printing this manual, let's use @sc{ascii} as our
8684 initial character set:
8685 @smallexample
8686 (@value{GDBP}) set charset ASCII
8687 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
8688 The current host and target character set is `ASCII'.
8689 (@value{GDBP})
8690 @end smallexample
8691
8692 Let's assume that @sc{ascii} is indeed the correct character set for our
8693 host system --- in other words, let's assume that if @value{GDBN} prints
8694 characters using the @sc{ascii} character set, our terminal will display
8695 them properly. Since our current target character set is also
8696 @sc{ascii}, the contents of @code{ascii_hello} print legibly:
8697
8698 @smallexample
8699 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello
8700 $1 = 0x401698 "Hello, world!\n"
8701 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello[0]
8702 $2 = 72 'H'
8703 (@value{GDBP})
8704 @end smallexample
8705
8706 @value{GDBN} uses the target character set for character and string
8707 literals you use in expressions:
8708
8709 @smallexample
8710 (@value{GDBP}) print '+'
8711 $3 = 43 '+'
8712 (@value{GDBP})
8713 @end smallexample
8714
8715 The @sc{ascii} character set uses the number 43 to encode the @samp{+}
8716 character.
8717
8718 @value{GDBN} relies on the user to tell it which character set the
8719 target program uses. If we print @code{ibm1047_hello} while our target
8720 character set is still @sc{ascii}, we get jibberish:
8721
8722 @smallexample
8723 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello
8724 $4 = 0x4016a8 "\310\205\223\223\226k@@\246\226\231\223\204Z%"
8725 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello[0]
8726 $5 = 200 '\310'
8727 (@value{GDBP})
8728 @end smallexample
8729
8730 If we invoke the @code{set target-charset} followed by @key{TAB}@key{TAB},
8731 @value{GDBN} tells us the character sets it supports:
8732
8733 @smallexample
8734 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset
8735 ASCII EBCDIC-US IBM1047 ISO-8859-1
8736 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset
8737 @end smallexample
8738
8739 We can select @sc{ibm1047} as our target character set, and examine the
8740 program's strings again. Now the @sc{ascii} string is wrong, but
8741 @value{GDBN} translates the contents of @code{ibm1047_hello} from the
8742 target character set, @sc{ibm1047}, to the host character set,
8743 @sc{ascii}, and they display correctly:
8744
8745 @smallexample
8746 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset IBM1047
8747 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
8748 The current host character set is `ASCII'.
8749 The current target character set is `IBM1047'.
8750 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello
8751 $6 = 0x401698 "\110\145%%?\054\040\167?\162%\144\041\012"
8752 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello[0]
8753 $7 = 72 '\110'
8754 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello
8755 $8 = 0x4016a8 "Hello, world!\n"
8756 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello[0]
8757 $9 = 200 'H'
8758 (@value{GDBP})
8759 @end smallexample
8760
8761 As above, @value{GDBN} uses the target character set for character and
8762 string literals you use in expressions:
8763
8764 @smallexample
8765 (@value{GDBP}) print '+'
8766 $10 = 78 '+'
8767 (@value{GDBP})
8768 @end smallexample
8769
8770 The @sc{ibm1047} character set uses the number 78 to encode the @samp{+}
8771 character.
8772
8773 @node Caching Remote Data
8774 @section Caching Data of Remote Targets
8775 @cindex caching data of remote targets
8776
8777 @value{GDBN} caches data exchanged between the debugger and a
8778 remote target (@pxref{Remote Debugging}). Such caching generally improves
8779 performance, because it reduces the overhead of the remote protocol by
8780 bundling memory reads and writes into large chunks. Unfortunately, simply
8781 caching everything would lead to incorrect results, since @value{GDBN}
8782 does not necessarily know anything about volatile values, memory-mapped I/O
8783 addresses, etc. Furthermore, in non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode})
8784 memory can be changed @emph{while} a gdb command is executing.
8785 Therefore, by default, @value{GDBN} only caches data
8786 known to be on the stack@footnote{In non-stop mode, it is moderately
8787 rare for a running thread to modify the stack of a stopped thread
8788 in a way that would interfere with a backtrace, and caching of
8789 stack reads provides a significant speed up of remote backtraces.}.
8790 Other regions of memory can be explicitly marked as
8791 cacheable; see @pxref{Memory Region Attributes}.
8792
8793 @table @code
8794 @kindex set remotecache
8795 @item set remotecache on
8796 @itemx set remotecache off
8797 This option no longer does anything; it exists for compatibility
8798 with old scripts.
8799
8800 @kindex show remotecache
8801 @item show remotecache
8802 Show the current state of the obsolete remotecache flag.
8803
8804 @kindex set stack-cache
8805 @item set stack-cache on
8806 @itemx set stack-cache off
8807 Enable or disable caching of stack accesses. When @code{ON}, use
8808 caching. By default, this option is @code{ON}.
8809
8810 @kindex show stack-cache
8811 @item show stack-cache
8812 Show the current state of data caching for memory accesses.
8813
8814 @kindex info dcache
8815 @item info dcache @r{[}line@r{]}
8816 Print the information about the data cache performance. The
8817 information displayed includes the dcache width and depth, and for
8818 each cache line, its number, address, and how many times it was
8819 referenced. This command is useful for debugging the data cache
8820 operation.
8821
8822 If a line number is specified, the contents of that line will be
8823 printed in hex.
8824 @end table
8825
8826 @node Searching Memory
8827 @section Search Memory
8828 @cindex searching memory
8829
8830 Memory can be searched for a particular sequence of bytes with the
8831 @code{find} command.
8832
8833 @table @code
8834 @kindex find
8835 @item find @r{[}/@var{sn}@r{]} @var{start_addr}, +@var{len}, @var{val1} @r{[}, @var{val2}, @dots{}@r{]}
8836 @itemx find @r{[}/@var{sn}@r{]} @var{start_addr}, @var{end_addr}, @var{val1} @r{[}, @var{val2}, @dots{}@r{]}
8837 Search memory for the sequence of bytes specified by @var{val1}, @var{val2},
8838 etc. The search begins at address @var{start_addr} and continues for either
8839 @var{len} bytes or through to @var{end_addr} inclusive.
8840 @end table
8841
8842 @var{s} and @var{n} are optional parameters.
8843 They may be specified in either order, apart or together.
8844
8845 @table @r
8846 @item @var{s}, search query size
8847 The size of each search query value.
8848
8849 @table @code
8850 @item b
8851 bytes
8852 @item h
8853 halfwords (two bytes)
8854 @item w
8855 words (four bytes)
8856 @item g
8857 giant words (eight bytes)
8858 @end table
8859
8860 All values are interpreted in the current language.
8861 This means, for example, that if the current source language is C/C@t{++}
8862 then searching for the string ``hello'' includes the trailing '\0'.
8863
8864 If the value size is not specified, it is taken from the
8865 value's type in the current language.
8866 This is useful when one wants to specify the search
8867 pattern as a mixture of types.
8868 Note that this means, for example, that in the case of C-like languages
8869 a search for an untyped 0x42 will search for @samp{(int) 0x42}
8870 which is typically four bytes.
8871
8872 @item @var{n}, maximum number of finds
8873 The maximum number of matches to print. The default is to print all finds.
8874 @end table
8875
8876 You can use strings as search values. Quote them with double-quotes
8877 (@code{"}).
8878 The string value is copied into the search pattern byte by byte,
8879 regardless of the endianness of the target and the size specification.
8880
8881 The address of each match found is printed as well as a count of the
8882 number of matches found.
8883
8884 The address of the last value found is stored in convenience variable
8885 @samp{$_}.
8886 A count of the number of matches is stored in @samp{$numfound}.
8887
8888 For example, if stopped at the @code{printf} in this function:
8889
8890 @smallexample
8891 void
8892 hello ()
8893 @{
8894 static char hello[] = "hello-hello";
8895 static struct @{ char c; short s; int i; @}
8896 __attribute__ ((packed)) mixed
8897 = @{ 'c', 0x1234, 0x87654321 @};
8898 printf ("%s\n", hello);
8899 @}
8900 @end smallexample
8901
8902 @noindent
8903 you get during debugging:
8904
8905 @smallexample
8906 (gdb) find &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), "hello"
8907 0x804956d <hello.1620+6>
8908 1 pattern found
8909 (gdb) find &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), 'h', 'e', 'l', 'l', 'o'
8910 0x8049567 <hello.1620>
8911 0x804956d <hello.1620+6>
8912 2 patterns found
8913 (gdb) find /b1 &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), 'h', 0x65, 'l'
8914 0x8049567 <hello.1620>
8915 1 pattern found
8916 (gdb) find &mixed, +sizeof(mixed), (char) 'c', (short) 0x1234, (int) 0x87654321
8917 0x8049560 <mixed.1625>
8918 1 pattern found
8919 (gdb) print $numfound
8920 $1 = 1
8921 (gdb) print $_
8922 $2 = (void *) 0x8049560
8923 @end smallexample
8924
8925 @node Optimized Code
8926 @chapter Debugging Optimized Code
8927 @cindex optimized code, debugging
8928 @cindex debugging optimized code
8929
8930 Almost all compilers support optimization. With optimization
8931 disabled, the compiler generates assembly code that corresponds
8932 directly to your source code, in a simplistic way. As the compiler
8933 applies more powerful optimizations, the generated assembly code
8934 diverges from your original source code. With help from debugging
8935 information generated by the compiler, @value{GDBN} can map from
8936 the running program back to constructs from your original source.
8937
8938 @value{GDBN} is more accurate with optimization disabled. If you
8939 can recompile without optimization, it is easier to follow the
8940 progress of your program during debugging. But, there are many cases
8941 where you may need to debug an optimized version.
8942
8943 When you debug a program compiled with @samp{-g -O}, remember that the
8944 optimizer has rearranged your code; the debugger shows you what is
8945 really there. Do not be too surprised when the execution path does not
8946 exactly match your source file! An extreme example: if you define a
8947 variable, but never use it, @value{GDBN} never sees that
8948 variable---because the compiler optimizes it out of existence.
8949
8950 Some things do not work as well with @samp{-g -O} as with just
8951 @samp{-g}, particularly on machines with instruction scheduling. If in
8952 doubt, recompile with @samp{-g} alone, and if this fixes the problem,
8953 please report it to us as a bug (including a test case!).
8954 @xref{Variables}, for more information about debugging optimized code.
8955
8956 @menu
8957 * Inline Functions:: How @value{GDBN} presents inlining
8958 @end menu
8959
8960 @node Inline Functions
8961 @section Inline Functions
8962 @cindex inline functions, debugging
8963
8964 @dfn{Inlining} is an optimization that inserts a copy of the function
8965 body directly at each call site, instead of jumping to a shared
8966 routine. @value{GDBN} displays inlined functions just like
8967 non-inlined functions. They appear in backtraces. You can view their
8968 arguments and local variables, step into them with @code{step}, skip
8969 them with @code{next}, and escape from them with @code{finish}.
8970 You can check whether a function was inlined by using the
8971 @code{info frame} command.
8972
8973 For @value{GDBN} to support inlined functions, the compiler must
8974 record information about inlining in the debug information ---
8975 @value{NGCC} using the @sc{dwarf 2} format does this, and several
8976 other compilers do also. @value{GDBN} only supports inlined functions
8977 when using @sc{dwarf 2}. Versions of @value{NGCC} before 4.1
8978 do not emit two required attributes (@samp{DW_AT_call_file} and
8979 @samp{DW_AT_call_line}); @value{GDBN} does not display inlined
8980 function calls with earlier versions of @value{NGCC}. It instead
8981 displays the arguments and local variables of inlined functions as
8982 local variables in the caller.
8983
8984 The body of an inlined function is directly included at its call site;
8985 unlike a non-inlined function, there are no instructions devoted to
8986 the call. @value{GDBN} still pretends that the call site and the
8987 start of the inlined function are different instructions. Stepping to
8988 the call site shows the call site, and then stepping again shows
8989 the first line of the inlined function, even though no additional
8990 instructions are executed.
8991
8992 This makes source-level debugging much clearer; you can see both the
8993 context of the call and then the effect of the call. Only stepping by
8994 a single instruction using @code{stepi} or @code{nexti} does not do
8995 this; single instruction steps always show the inlined body.
8996
8997 There are some ways that @value{GDBN} does not pretend that inlined
8998 function calls are the same as normal calls:
8999
9000 @itemize @bullet
9001 @item
9002 You cannot set breakpoints on inlined functions. @value{GDBN}
9003 either reports that there is no symbol with that name, or else sets the
9004 breakpoint only on non-inlined copies of the function. This limitation
9005 will be removed in a future version of @value{GDBN}; until then,
9006 set a breakpoint by line number on the first line of the inlined
9007 function instead.
9008
9009 @item
9010 Setting breakpoints at the call site of an inlined function may not
9011 work, because the call site does not contain any code. @value{GDBN}
9012 may incorrectly move the breakpoint to the next line of the enclosing
9013 function, after the call. This limitation will be removed in a future
9014 version of @value{GDBN}; until then, set a breakpoint on an earlier line
9015 or inside the inlined function instead.
9016
9017 @item
9018 @value{GDBN} cannot locate the return value of inlined calls after
9019 using the @code{finish} command. This is a limitation of compiler-generated
9020 debugging information; after @code{finish}, you can step to the next line
9021 and print a variable where your program stored the return value.
9022
9023 @end itemize
9024
9025
9026 @node Macros
9027 @chapter C Preprocessor Macros
9028
9029 Some languages, such as C and C@t{++}, provide a way to define and invoke
9030 ``preprocessor macros'' which expand into strings of tokens.
9031 @value{GDBN} can evaluate expressions containing macro invocations, show
9032 the result of macro expansion, and show a macro's definition, including
9033 where it was defined.
9034
9035 You may need to compile your program specially to provide @value{GDBN}
9036 with information about preprocessor macros. Most compilers do not
9037 include macros in their debugging information, even when you compile
9038 with the @option{-g} flag. @xref{Compilation}.
9039
9040 A program may define a macro at one point, remove that definition later,
9041 and then provide a different definition after that. Thus, at different
9042 points in the program, a macro may have different definitions, or have
9043 no definition at all. If there is a current stack frame, @value{GDBN}
9044 uses the macros in scope at that frame's source code line. Otherwise,
9045 @value{GDBN} uses the macros in scope at the current listing location;
9046 see @ref{List}.
9047
9048 Whenever @value{GDBN} evaluates an expression, it always expands any
9049 macro invocations present in the expression. @value{GDBN} also provides
9050 the following commands for working with macros explicitly.
9051
9052 @table @code
9053
9054 @kindex macro expand
9055 @cindex macro expansion, showing the results of preprocessor
9056 @cindex preprocessor macro expansion, showing the results of
9057 @cindex expanding preprocessor macros
9058 @item macro expand @var{expression}
9059 @itemx macro exp @var{expression}
9060 Show the results of expanding all preprocessor macro invocations in
9061 @var{expression}. Since @value{GDBN} simply expands macros, but does
9062 not parse the result, @var{expression} need not be a valid expression;
9063 it can be any string of tokens.
9064
9065 @kindex macro exp1
9066 @item macro expand-once @var{expression}
9067 @itemx macro exp1 @var{expression}
9068 @cindex expand macro once
9069 @i{(This command is not yet implemented.)} Show the results of
9070 expanding those preprocessor macro invocations that appear explicitly in
9071 @var{expression}. Macro invocations appearing in that expansion are
9072 left unchanged. This command allows you to see the effect of a
9073 particular macro more clearly, without being confused by further
9074 expansions. Since @value{GDBN} simply expands macros, but does not
9075 parse the result, @var{expression} need not be a valid expression; it
9076 can be any string of tokens.
9077
9078 @kindex info macro
9079 @cindex macro definition, showing
9080 @cindex definition, showing a macro's
9081 @item info macro @var{macro}
9082 Show the definition of the macro named @var{macro}, and describe the
9083 source location or compiler command-line where that definition was established.
9084
9085 @kindex macro define
9086 @cindex user-defined macros
9087 @cindex defining macros interactively
9088 @cindex macros, user-defined
9089 @item macro define @var{macro} @var{replacement-list}
9090 @itemx macro define @var{macro}(@var{arglist}) @var{replacement-list}
9091 Introduce a definition for a preprocessor macro named @var{macro},
9092 invocations of which are replaced by the tokens given in
9093 @var{replacement-list}. The first form of this command defines an
9094 ``object-like'' macro, which takes no arguments; the second form
9095 defines a ``function-like'' macro, which takes the arguments given in
9096 @var{arglist}.
9097
9098 A definition introduced by this command is in scope in every
9099 expression evaluated in @value{GDBN}, until it is removed with the
9100 @code{macro undef} command, described below. The definition overrides
9101 all definitions for @var{macro} present in the program being debugged,
9102 as well as any previous user-supplied definition.
9103
9104 @kindex macro undef
9105 @item macro undef @var{macro}
9106 Remove any user-supplied definition for the macro named @var{macro}.
9107 This command only affects definitions provided with the @code{macro
9108 define} command, described above; it cannot remove definitions present
9109 in the program being debugged.
9110
9111 @kindex macro list
9112 @item macro list
9113 List all the macros defined using the @code{macro define} command.
9114 @end table
9115
9116 @cindex macros, example of debugging with
9117 Here is a transcript showing the above commands in action. First, we
9118 show our source files:
9119
9120 @smallexample
9121 $ cat sample.c
9122 #include <stdio.h>
9123 #include "sample.h"
9124
9125 #define M 42
9126 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
9127
9128 main ()
9129 @{
9130 #define N 28
9131 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
9132 #undef N
9133 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
9134 #define N 1729
9135 printf ("Goodbye, world!\n");
9136 @}
9137 $ cat sample.h
9138 #define Q <
9139 $
9140 @end smallexample
9141
9142 Now, we compile the program using the @sc{gnu} C compiler, @value{NGCC}.
9143 We pass the @option{-gdwarf-2} and @option{-g3} flags to ensure the
9144 compiler includes information about preprocessor macros in the debugging
9145 information.
9146
9147 @smallexample
9148 $ gcc -gdwarf-2 -g3 sample.c -o sample
9149 $
9150 @end smallexample
9151
9152 Now, we start @value{GDBN} on our sample program:
9153
9154 @smallexample
9155 $ gdb -nw sample
9156 GNU gdb 2002-05-06-cvs
9157 Copyright 2002 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
9158 GDB is free software, @dots{}
9159 (@value{GDBP})
9160 @end smallexample
9161
9162 We can expand macros and examine their definitions, even when the
9163 program is not running. @value{GDBN} uses the current listing position
9164 to decide which macro definitions are in scope:
9165
9166 @smallexample
9167 (@value{GDBP}) list main
9168 3
9169 4 #define M 42
9170 5 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
9171 6
9172 7 main ()
9173 8 @{
9174 9 #define N 28
9175 10 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
9176 11 #undef N
9177 12 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
9178 (@value{GDBP}) info macro ADD
9179 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:5
9180 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
9181 (@value{GDBP}) info macro Q
9182 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.h:1
9183 included at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:2
9184 #define Q <
9185 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand ADD(1)
9186 expands to: (42 + 1)
9187 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand-once ADD(1)
9188 expands to: once (M + 1)
9189 (@value{GDBP})
9190 @end smallexample
9191
9192 In the example above, note that @code{macro expand-once} expands only
9193 the macro invocation explicit in the original text --- the invocation of
9194 @code{ADD} --- but does not expand the invocation of the macro @code{M},
9195 which was introduced by @code{ADD}.
9196
9197 Once the program is running, @value{GDBN} uses the macro definitions in
9198 force at the source line of the current stack frame:
9199
9200 @smallexample
9201 (@value{GDBP}) break main
9202 Breakpoint 1 at 0x8048370: file sample.c, line 10.
9203 (@value{GDBP}) run
9204 Starting program: /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample
9205
9206 Breakpoint 1, main () at sample.c:10
9207 10 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
9208 (@value{GDBP})
9209 @end smallexample
9210
9211 At line 10, the definition of the macro @code{N} at line 9 is in force:
9212
9213 @smallexample
9214 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
9215 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:9
9216 #define N 28
9217 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand N Q M
9218 expands to: 28 < 42
9219 (@value{GDBP}) print N Q M
9220 $1 = 1
9221 (@value{GDBP})
9222 @end smallexample
9223
9224 As we step over directives that remove @code{N}'s definition, and then
9225 give it a new definition, @value{GDBN} finds the definition (or lack
9226 thereof) in force at each point:
9227
9228 @smallexample
9229 (@value{GDBP}) next
9230 Hello, world!
9231 12 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
9232 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
9233 The symbol `N' has no definition as a C/C++ preprocessor macro
9234 at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:12
9235 (@value{GDBP}) next
9236 We're so creative.
9237 14 printf ("Goodbye, world!\n");
9238 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
9239 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:13
9240 #define N 1729
9241 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand N Q M
9242 expands to: 1729 < 42
9243 (@value{GDBP}) print N Q M
9244 $2 = 0
9245 (@value{GDBP})
9246 @end smallexample
9247
9248 In addition to source files, macros can be defined on the compilation command
9249 line using the @option{-D@var{name}=@var{value}} syntax. For macros defined in
9250 such a way, @value{GDBN} displays the location of their definition as line zero
9251 of the source file submitted to the compiler.
9252
9253 @smallexample
9254 (@value{GDBP}) info macro __STDC__
9255 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:0
9256 -D__STDC__=1
9257 (@value{GDBP})
9258 @end smallexample
9259
9260
9261 @node Tracepoints
9262 @chapter Tracepoints
9263 @c This chapter is based on the documentation written by Michael
9264 @c Snyder, David Taylor, Jim Blandy, and Elena Zannoni.
9265
9266 @cindex tracepoints
9267 In some applications, it is not feasible for the debugger to interrupt
9268 the program's execution long enough for the developer to learn
9269 anything helpful about its behavior. If the program's correctness
9270 depends on its real-time behavior, delays introduced by a debugger
9271 might cause the program to change its behavior drastically, or perhaps
9272 fail, even when the code itself is correct. It is useful to be able
9273 to observe the program's behavior without interrupting it.
9274
9275 Using @value{GDBN}'s @code{trace} and @code{collect} commands, you can
9276 specify locations in the program, called @dfn{tracepoints}, and
9277 arbitrary expressions to evaluate when those tracepoints are reached.
9278 Later, using the @code{tfind} command, you can examine the values
9279 those expressions had when the program hit the tracepoints. The
9280 expressions may also denote objects in memory---structures or arrays,
9281 for example---whose values @value{GDBN} should record; while visiting
9282 a particular tracepoint, you may inspect those objects as if they were
9283 in memory at that moment. However, because @value{GDBN} records these
9284 values without interacting with you, it can do so quickly and
9285 unobtrusively, hopefully not disturbing the program's behavior.
9286
9287 The tracepoint facility is currently available only for remote
9288 targets. @xref{Targets}. In addition, your remote target must know
9289 how to collect trace data. This functionality is implemented in the
9290 remote stub; however, none of the stubs distributed with @value{GDBN}
9291 support tracepoints as of this writing. The format of the remote
9292 packets used to implement tracepoints are described in @ref{Tracepoint
9293 Packets}.
9294
9295 This chapter describes the tracepoint commands and features.
9296
9297 @menu
9298 * Set Tracepoints::
9299 * Analyze Collected Data::
9300 * Tracepoint Variables::
9301 @end menu
9302
9303 @node Set Tracepoints
9304 @section Commands to Set Tracepoints
9305
9306 Before running such a @dfn{trace experiment}, an arbitrary number of
9307 tracepoints can be set. A tracepoint is actually a special type of
9308 breakpoint (@pxref{Set Breaks}), so you can manipulate it using
9309 standard breakpoint commands. For instance, as with breakpoints,
9310 tracepoint numbers are successive integers starting from one, and many
9311 of the commands associated with tracepoints take the tracepoint number
9312 as their argument, to identify which tracepoint to work on.
9313
9314 For each tracepoint, you can specify, in advance, some arbitrary set
9315 of data that you want the target to collect in the trace buffer when
9316 it hits that tracepoint. The collected data can include registers,
9317 local variables, or global data. Later, you can use @value{GDBN}
9318 commands to examine the values these data had at the time the
9319 tracepoint was hit.
9320
9321 Tracepoints do not support every breakpoint feature. Conditional
9322 expressions and ignore counts on tracepoints have no effect, and
9323 tracepoints cannot run @value{GDBN} commands when they are
9324 hit. Tracepoints may not be thread-specific either.
9325
9326 This section describes commands to set tracepoints and associated
9327 conditions and actions.
9328
9329 @menu
9330 * Create and Delete Tracepoints::
9331 * Enable and Disable Tracepoints::
9332 * Tracepoint Passcounts::
9333 * Tracepoint Conditions::
9334 * Trace State Variables::
9335 * Tracepoint Actions::
9336 * Listing Tracepoints::
9337 * Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments::
9338 @end menu
9339
9340 @node Create and Delete Tracepoints
9341 @subsection Create and Delete Tracepoints
9342
9343 @table @code
9344 @cindex set tracepoint
9345 @kindex trace
9346 @item trace @var{location}
9347 The @code{trace} command is very similar to the @code{break} command.
9348 Its argument @var{location} can be a source line, a function name, or
9349 an address in the target program. @xref{Specify Location}. The
9350 @code{trace} command defines a tracepoint, which is a point in the
9351 target program where the debugger will briefly stop, collect some
9352 data, and then allow the program to continue. Setting a tracepoint or
9353 changing its actions doesn't take effect until the next @code{tstart}
9354 command, and once a trace experiment is running, further changes will
9355 not have any effect until the next trace experiment starts.
9356
9357 Here are some examples of using the @code{trace} command:
9358
9359 @smallexample
9360 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo.c:121} // a source file and line number
9361
9362 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace +2} // 2 lines forward
9363
9364 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace my_function} // first source line of function
9365
9366 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *my_function} // EXACT start address of function
9367
9368 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *0x2117c4} // an address
9369 @end smallexample
9370
9371 @noindent
9372 You can abbreviate @code{trace} as @code{tr}.
9373
9374 @item trace @var{location} if @var{cond}
9375 Set a tracepoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
9376 @var{cond} each time the tracepoint is reached, and collect data only
9377 if the value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
9378 @xref{Tracepoint Conditions, ,Tracepoint Conditions}, for more
9379 information on tracepoint conditions.
9380
9381 @vindex $tpnum
9382 @cindex last tracepoint number
9383 @cindex recent tracepoint number
9384 @cindex tracepoint number
9385 The convenience variable @code{$tpnum} records the tracepoint number
9386 of the most recently set tracepoint.
9387
9388 @kindex delete tracepoint
9389 @cindex tracepoint deletion
9390 @item delete tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
9391 Permanently delete one or more tracepoints. With no argument, the
9392 default is to delete all tracepoints. Note that the regular
9393 @code{delete} command can remove tracepoints also.
9394
9395 Examples:
9396
9397 @smallexample
9398 (@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace 1 2 3} // remove three tracepoints
9399
9400 (@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace} // remove all tracepoints
9401 @end smallexample
9402
9403 @noindent
9404 You can abbreviate this command as @code{del tr}.
9405 @end table
9406
9407 @node Enable and Disable Tracepoints
9408 @subsection Enable and Disable Tracepoints
9409
9410 These commands are deprecated; they are equivalent to plain @code{disable} and @code{enable}.
9411
9412 @table @code
9413 @kindex disable tracepoint
9414 @item disable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
9415 Disable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints if no argument
9416 @var{num} is given. A disabled tracepoint will have no effect during
9417 the next trace experiment, but it is not forgotten. You can re-enable
9418 a disabled tracepoint using the @code{enable tracepoint} command.
9419
9420 @kindex enable tracepoint
9421 @item enable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
9422 Enable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints. The enabled
9423 tracepoints will become effective the next time a trace experiment is
9424 run.
9425 @end table
9426
9427 @node Tracepoint Passcounts
9428 @subsection Tracepoint Passcounts
9429
9430 @table @code
9431 @kindex passcount
9432 @cindex tracepoint pass count
9433 @item passcount @r{[}@var{n} @r{[}@var{num}@r{]]}
9434 Set the @dfn{passcount} of a tracepoint. The passcount is a way to
9435 automatically stop a trace experiment. If a tracepoint's passcount is
9436 @var{n}, then the trace experiment will be automatically stopped on
9437 the @var{n}'th time that tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number
9438 @var{num} is not specified, the @code{passcount} command sets the
9439 passcount of the most recently defined tracepoint. If no passcount is
9440 given, the trace experiment will run until stopped explicitly by the
9441 user.
9442
9443 Examples:
9444
9445 @smallexample
9446 (@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 5 2} // Stop on the 5th execution of
9447 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// tracepoint 2}
9448
9449 (@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 12} // Stop on the 12th execution of the
9450 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// most recently defined tracepoint.}
9451 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
9452 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 3}
9453 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace bar}
9454 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 2}
9455 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace baz}
9456 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 1} // Stop tracing when foo has been
9457 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// executed 3 times OR when bar has}
9458 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// been executed 2 times}
9459 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// OR when baz has been executed 1 time.}
9460 @end smallexample
9461 @end table
9462
9463 @node Tracepoint Conditions
9464 @subsection Tracepoint Conditions
9465 @cindex conditional tracepoints
9466 @cindex tracepoint conditions
9467
9468 The simplest sort of tracepoint collects data every time your program
9469 reaches a specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for
9470 a tracepoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
9471 programming language (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). A
9472 tracepoint with a condition evaluates the expression each time your
9473 program reaches it, and data collection happens only if the condition
9474 is true.
9475
9476 Tracepoint conditions can be specified when a tracepoint is set, by
9477 using @samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{trace} command.
9478 @xref{Create and Delete Tracepoints, ,Setting Tracepoints}. They can
9479 also be set or changed at any time with the @code{condition} command,
9480 just as with breakpoints.
9481
9482 Unlike breakpoint conditions, @value{GDBN} does not actually evaluate
9483 the conditional expression itself. Instead, @value{GDBN} encodes the
9484 expression into an agent expression (@pxref{Agent Expressions}
9485 suitable for execution on the target, independently of @value{GDBN}.
9486 Global variables become raw memory locations, locals become stack
9487 accesses, and so forth.
9488
9489 For instance, suppose you have a function that is usually called
9490 frequently, but should not be called after an error has occurred. You
9491 could use the following tracepoint command to collect data about calls
9492 of that function that happen while the error code is propagating
9493 through the program; an unconditional tracepoint could end up
9494 collecting thousands of useless trace frames that you would have to
9495 search through.
9496
9497 @smallexample
9498 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{trace normal_operation if errcode > 0}
9499 @end smallexample
9500
9501 @node Trace State Variables
9502 @subsection Trace State Variables
9503 @cindex trace state variables
9504
9505 A @dfn{trace state variable} is a special type of variable that is
9506 created and managed by target-side code. The syntax is the same as
9507 that for GDB's convenience variables (a string prefixed with ``$''),
9508 but they are stored on the target. They must be created explicitly,
9509 using a @code{tvariable} command. They are always 64-bit signed
9510 integers.
9511
9512 Trace state variables are remembered by @value{GDBN}, and downloaded
9513 to the target along with tracepoint information when the trace
9514 experiment starts. There are no intrinsic limits on the number of
9515 trace state variables, beyond memory limitations of the target.
9516
9517 @cindex convenience variables, and trace state variables
9518 Although trace state variables are managed by the target, you can use
9519 them in print commands and expressions as if they were convenience
9520 variables; @value{GDBN} will get the current value from the target
9521 while the trace experiment is running. Trace state variables share
9522 the same namespace as other ``$'' variables, which means that you
9523 cannot have trace state variables with names like @code{$23} or
9524 @code{$pc}, nor can you have a trace state variable and a convenience
9525 variable with the same name.
9526
9527 @table @code
9528
9529 @item tvariable $@var{name} [ = @var{expression} ]
9530 @kindex tvariable
9531 The @code{tvariable} command creates a new trace state variable named
9532 @code{$@var{name}}, and optionally gives it an initial value of
9533 @var{expression}. @var{expression} is evaluated when this command is
9534 entered; the result will be converted to an integer if possible,
9535 otherwise @value{GDBN} will report an error. A subsequent
9536 @code{tvariable} command specifying the same name does not create a
9537 variable, but instead assigns the supplied initial value to the
9538 existing variable of that name, overwriting any previous initial
9539 value. The default initial value is 0.
9540
9541 @item info tvariables
9542 @kindex info tvariables
9543 List all the trace state variables along with their initial values.
9544 Their current values may also be displayed, if the trace experiment is
9545 currently running.
9546
9547 @item delete tvariable @r{[} $@var{name} @dots{} @r{]}
9548 @kindex delete tvariable
9549 Delete the given trace state variables, or all of them if no arguments
9550 are specified.
9551
9552 @end table
9553
9554 @node Tracepoint Actions
9555 @subsection Tracepoint Action Lists
9556
9557 @table @code
9558 @kindex actions
9559 @cindex tracepoint actions
9560 @item actions @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
9561 This command will prompt for a list of actions to be taken when the
9562 tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number @var{num} is not
9563 specified, this command sets the actions for the one that was most
9564 recently defined (so that you can define a tracepoint and then say
9565 @code{actions} without bothering about its number). You specify the
9566 actions themselves on the following lines, one action at a time, and
9567 terminate the actions list with a line containing just @code{end}. So
9568 far, the only defined actions are @code{collect} and
9569 @code{while-stepping}.
9570
9571 @cindex remove actions from a tracepoint
9572 To remove all actions from a tracepoint, type @samp{actions @var{num}}
9573 and follow it immediately with @samp{end}.
9574
9575 @smallexample
9576 (@value{GDBP}) @b{collect @var{data}} // collect some data
9577
9578 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while-stepping 5} // single-step 5 times, collect data
9579
9580 (@value{GDBP}) @b{end} // signals the end of actions.
9581 @end smallexample
9582
9583 In the following example, the action list begins with @code{collect}
9584 commands indicating the things to be collected when the tracepoint is
9585 hit. Then, in order to single-step and collect additional data
9586 following the tracepoint, a @code{while-stepping} command is used,
9587 followed by the list of things to be collected while stepping. The
9588 @code{while-stepping} command is terminated by its own separate
9589 @code{end} command. Lastly, the action list is terminated by an
9590 @code{end} command.
9591
9592 @smallexample
9593 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
9594 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
9595 Enter actions for tracepoint 1, one per line:
9596 > collect bar,baz
9597 > collect $regs
9598 > while-stepping 12
9599 > collect $fp, $sp
9600 > end
9601 end
9602 @end smallexample
9603
9604 @kindex collect @r{(tracepoints)}
9605 @item collect @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
9606 Collect values of the given expressions when the tracepoint is hit.
9607 This command accepts a comma-separated list of any valid expressions.
9608 In addition to global, static, or local variables, the following
9609 special arguments are supported:
9610
9611 @table @code
9612 @item $regs
9613 collect all registers
9614
9615 @item $args
9616 collect all function arguments
9617
9618 @item $locals
9619 collect all local variables.
9620 @end table
9621
9622 You can give several consecutive @code{collect} commands, each one
9623 with a single argument, or one @code{collect} command with several
9624 arguments separated by commas: the effect is the same.
9625
9626 The command @code{info scope} (@pxref{Symbols, info scope}) is
9627 particularly useful for figuring out what data to collect.
9628
9629 @kindex while-stepping @r{(tracepoints)}
9630 @item while-stepping @var{n}
9631 Perform @var{n} single-step traces after the tracepoint, collecting
9632 new data at each step. The @code{while-stepping} command is
9633 followed by the list of what to collect while stepping (followed by
9634 its own @code{end} command):
9635
9636 @smallexample
9637 > while-stepping 12
9638 > collect $regs, myglobal
9639 > end
9640 >
9641 @end smallexample
9642
9643 @noindent
9644 You may abbreviate @code{while-stepping} as @code{ws} or
9645 @code{stepping}.
9646
9647 @item set default-collect @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
9648 @kindex set default-collect
9649 @cindex default collection action
9650 This variable is a list of expressions to collect at each tracepoint
9651 hit. It is effectively an additional @code{collect} action prepended
9652 to every tracepoint action list. The expressions are parsed
9653 individually for each tracepoint, so for instance a variable named
9654 @code{xyz} may be interpreted as a global for one tracepoint, and a
9655 local for another, as appropriate to the tracepoint's location.
9656
9657 @item show default-collect
9658 @kindex show default-collect
9659 Show the list of expressions that are collected by default at each
9660 tracepoint hit.
9661
9662 @end table
9663
9664 @node Listing Tracepoints
9665 @subsection Listing Tracepoints
9666
9667 @table @code
9668 @kindex info tracepoints
9669 @kindex info tp
9670 @cindex information about tracepoints
9671 @item info tracepoints @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
9672 Display information about the tracepoint @var{num}. If you don't
9673 specify a tracepoint number, displays information about all the
9674 tracepoints defined so far. The format is similar to that used for
9675 @code{info breakpoints}; in fact, @code{info tracepoints} is the same
9676 command, simply restricting itself to tracepoints.
9677
9678 A tracepoint's listing may include additional information specific to
9679 tracing:
9680
9681 @itemize @bullet
9682 @item
9683 its passcount as given by the @code{passcount @var{n}} command
9684 @item
9685 its step count as given by the @code{while-stepping @var{n}} command
9686 @item
9687 its action list as given by the @code{actions} command. The actions
9688 are prefixed with an @samp{A} so as to distinguish them from commands.
9689 @end itemize
9690
9691 @smallexample
9692 (@value{GDBP}) @b{info trace}
9693 Num Type Disp Enb Address What
9694 1 tracepoint keep y 0x0804ab57 in foo() at main.cxx:7
9695 pass count 1200
9696 step count 20
9697 A while-stepping 20
9698 A collect globfoo, $regs
9699 A end
9700 A collect globfoo2
9701 A end
9702 (@value{GDBP})
9703 @end smallexample
9704
9705 @noindent
9706 This command can be abbreviated @code{info tp}.
9707 @end table
9708
9709 @node Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments
9710 @subsection Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments
9711
9712 @table @code
9713 @kindex tstart
9714 @cindex start a new trace experiment
9715 @cindex collected data discarded
9716 @item tstart
9717 This command takes no arguments. It starts the trace experiment, and
9718 begins collecting data. This has the side effect of discarding all
9719 the data collected in the trace buffer during the previous trace
9720 experiment.
9721
9722 @kindex tstop
9723 @cindex stop a running trace experiment
9724 @item tstop
9725 This command takes no arguments. It ends the trace experiment, and
9726 stops collecting data.
9727
9728 @strong{Note}: a trace experiment and data collection may stop
9729 automatically if any tracepoint's passcount is reached
9730 (@pxref{Tracepoint Passcounts}), or if the trace buffer becomes full.
9731
9732 @kindex tstatus
9733 @cindex status of trace data collection
9734 @cindex trace experiment, status of
9735 @item tstatus
9736 This command displays the status of the current trace data
9737 collection.
9738 @end table
9739
9740 Here is an example of the commands we described so far:
9741
9742 @smallexample
9743 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace gdb_c_test}
9744 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
9745 Enter actions for tracepoint #1, one per line.
9746 > collect $regs,$locals,$args
9747 > while-stepping 11
9748 > collect $regs
9749 > end
9750 > end
9751 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
9752 [time passes @dots{}]
9753 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstop}
9754 @end smallexample
9755
9756
9757 @node Analyze Collected Data
9758 @section Using the Collected Data
9759
9760 After the tracepoint experiment ends, you use @value{GDBN} commands
9761 for examining the trace data. The basic idea is that each tracepoint
9762 collects a trace @dfn{snapshot} every time it is hit and another
9763 snapshot every time it single-steps. All these snapshots are
9764 consecutively numbered from zero and go into a buffer, and you can
9765 examine them later. The way you examine them is to @dfn{focus} on a
9766 specific trace snapshot. When the remote stub is focused on a trace
9767 snapshot, it will respond to all @value{GDBN} requests for memory and
9768 registers by reading from the buffer which belongs to that snapshot,
9769 rather than from @emph{real} memory or registers of the program being
9770 debugged. This means that @strong{all} @value{GDBN} commands
9771 (@code{print}, @code{info registers}, @code{backtrace}, etc.) will
9772 behave as if we were currently debugging the program state as it was
9773 when the tracepoint occurred. Any requests for data that are not in
9774 the buffer will fail.
9775
9776 @menu
9777 * tfind:: How to select a trace snapshot
9778 * tdump:: How to display all data for a snapshot
9779 * save-tracepoints:: How to save tracepoints for a future run
9780 @end menu
9781
9782 @node tfind
9783 @subsection @code{tfind @var{n}}
9784
9785 @kindex tfind
9786 @cindex select trace snapshot
9787 @cindex find trace snapshot
9788 The basic command for selecting a trace snapshot from the buffer is
9789 @code{tfind @var{n}}, which finds trace snapshot number @var{n},
9790 counting from zero. If no argument @var{n} is given, the next
9791 snapshot is selected.
9792
9793 Here are the various forms of using the @code{tfind} command.
9794
9795 @table @code
9796 @item tfind start
9797 Find the first snapshot in the buffer. This is a synonym for
9798 @code{tfind 0} (since 0 is the number of the first snapshot).
9799
9800 @item tfind none
9801 Stop debugging trace snapshots, resume @emph{live} debugging.
9802
9803 @item tfind end
9804 Same as @samp{tfind none}.
9805
9806 @item tfind
9807 No argument means find the next trace snapshot.
9808
9809 @item tfind -
9810 Find the previous trace snapshot before the current one. This permits
9811 retracing earlier steps.
9812
9813 @item tfind tracepoint @var{num}
9814 Find the next snapshot associated with tracepoint @var{num}. Search
9815 proceeds forward from the last examined trace snapshot. If no
9816 argument @var{num} is given, it means find the next snapshot collected
9817 for the same tracepoint as the current snapshot.
9818
9819 @item tfind pc @var{addr}
9820 Find the next snapshot associated with the value @var{addr} of the
9821 program counter. Search proceeds forward from the last examined trace
9822 snapshot. If no argument @var{addr} is given, it means find the next
9823 snapshot with the same value of PC as the current snapshot.
9824
9825 @item tfind outside @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
9826 Find the next snapshot whose PC is outside the given range of
9827 addresses.
9828
9829 @item tfind range @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
9830 Find the next snapshot whose PC is between @var{addr1} and
9831 @var{addr2}. @c FIXME: Is the range inclusive or exclusive?
9832
9833 @item tfind line @r{[}@var{file}:@r{]}@var{n}
9834 Find the next snapshot associated with the source line @var{n}. If
9835 the optional argument @var{file} is given, refer to line @var{n} in
9836 that source file. Search proceeds forward from the last examined
9837 trace snapshot. If no argument @var{n} is given, it means find the
9838 next line other than the one currently being examined; thus saying
9839 @code{tfind line} repeatedly can appear to have the same effect as
9840 stepping from line to line in a @emph{live} debugging session.
9841 @end table
9842
9843 The default arguments for the @code{tfind} commands are specifically
9844 designed to make it easy to scan through the trace buffer. For
9845 instance, @code{tfind} with no argument selects the next trace
9846 snapshot, and @code{tfind -} with no argument selects the previous
9847 trace snapshot. So, by giving one @code{tfind} command, and then
9848 simply hitting @key{RET} repeatedly you can examine all the trace
9849 snapshots in order. Or, by saying @code{tfind -} and then hitting
9850 @key{RET} repeatedly you can examine the snapshots in reverse order.
9851 The @code{tfind line} command with no argument selects the snapshot
9852 for the next source line executed. The @code{tfind pc} command with
9853 no argument selects the next snapshot with the same program counter
9854 (PC) as the current frame. The @code{tfind tracepoint} command with
9855 no argument selects the next trace snapshot collected by the same
9856 tracepoint as the current one.
9857
9858 In addition to letting you scan through the trace buffer manually,
9859 these commands make it easy to construct @value{GDBN} scripts that
9860 scan through the trace buffer and print out whatever collected data
9861 you are interested in. Thus, if we want to examine the PC, FP, and SP
9862 registers from each trace frame in the buffer, we can say this:
9863
9864 @smallexample
9865 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
9866 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
9867 > printf "Frame %d, PC = %08X, SP = %08X, FP = %08X\n", \
9868 $trace_frame, $pc, $sp, $fp
9869 > tfind
9870 > end
9871
9872 Frame 0, PC = 0020DC64, SP = 0030BF3C, FP = 0030BF44
9873 Frame 1, PC = 0020DC6C, SP = 0030BF38, FP = 0030BF44
9874 Frame 2, PC = 0020DC70, SP = 0030BF34, FP = 0030BF44
9875 Frame 3, PC = 0020DC74, SP = 0030BF30, FP = 0030BF44
9876 Frame 4, PC = 0020DC78, SP = 0030BF2C, FP = 0030BF44
9877 Frame 5, PC = 0020DC7C, SP = 0030BF28, FP = 0030BF44
9878 Frame 6, PC = 0020DC80, SP = 0030BF24, FP = 0030BF44
9879 Frame 7, PC = 0020DC84, SP = 0030BF20, FP = 0030BF44
9880 Frame 8, PC = 0020DC88, SP = 0030BF1C, FP = 0030BF44
9881 Frame 9, PC = 0020DC8E, SP = 0030BF18, FP = 0030BF44
9882 Frame 10, PC = 00203F6C, SP = 0030BE3C, FP = 0030BF14
9883 @end smallexample
9884
9885 Or, if we want to examine the variable @code{X} at each source line in
9886 the buffer:
9887
9888 @smallexample
9889 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
9890 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
9891 > printf "Frame %d, X == %d\n", $trace_frame, X
9892 > tfind line
9893 > end
9894
9895 Frame 0, X = 1
9896 Frame 7, X = 2
9897 Frame 13, X = 255
9898 @end smallexample
9899
9900 @node tdump
9901 @subsection @code{tdump}
9902 @kindex tdump
9903 @cindex dump all data collected at tracepoint
9904 @cindex tracepoint data, display
9905
9906 This command takes no arguments. It prints all the data collected at
9907 the current trace snapshot.
9908
9909 @smallexample
9910 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace 444}
9911 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
9912 Enter actions for tracepoint #2, one per line:
9913 > collect $regs, $locals, $args, gdb_long_test
9914 > end
9915
9916 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
9917
9918 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind line 444}
9919 #0 gdb_test (p1=0x11, p2=0x22, p3=0x33, p4=0x44, p5=0x55, p6=0x66)
9920 at gdb_test.c:444
9921 444 printp( "%s: arguments = 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X\n", )
9922
9923 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tdump}
9924 Data collected at tracepoint 2, trace frame 1:
9925 d0 0xc4aa0085 -995491707
9926 d1 0x18 24
9927 d2 0x80 128
9928 d3 0x33 51
9929 d4 0x71aea3d 119204413
9930 d5 0x22 34
9931 d6 0xe0 224
9932 d7 0x380035 3670069
9933 a0 0x19e24a 1696330
9934 a1 0x3000668 50333288
9935 a2 0x100 256
9936 a3 0x322000 3284992
9937 a4 0x3000698 50333336
9938 a5 0x1ad3cc 1758156
9939 fp 0x30bf3c 0x30bf3c
9940 sp 0x30bf34 0x30bf34
9941 ps 0x0 0
9942 pc 0x20b2c8 0x20b2c8
9943 fpcontrol 0x0 0
9944 fpstatus 0x0 0
9945 fpiaddr 0x0 0
9946 p = 0x20e5b4 "gdb-test"
9947 p1 = (void *) 0x11
9948 p2 = (void *) 0x22
9949 p3 = (void *) 0x33
9950 p4 = (void *) 0x44
9951 p5 = (void *) 0x55
9952 p6 = (void *) 0x66
9953 gdb_long_test = 17 '\021'
9954
9955 (@value{GDBP})
9956 @end smallexample
9957
9958 @node save-tracepoints
9959 @subsection @code{save-tracepoints @var{filename}}
9960 @kindex save-tracepoints
9961 @cindex save tracepoints for future sessions
9962
9963 This command saves all current tracepoint definitions together with
9964 their actions and passcounts, into a file @file{@var{filename}}
9965 suitable for use in a later debugging session. To read the saved
9966 tracepoint definitions, use the @code{source} command (@pxref{Command
9967 Files}).
9968
9969 @node Tracepoint Variables
9970 @section Convenience Variables for Tracepoints
9971 @cindex tracepoint variables
9972 @cindex convenience variables for tracepoints
9973
9974 @table @code
9975 @vindex $trace_frame
9976 @item (int) $trace_frame
9977 The current trace snapshot (a.k.a.@: @dfn{frame}) number, or -1 if no
9978 snapshot is selected.
9979
9980 @vindex $tracepoint
9981 @item (int) $tracepoint
9982 The tracepoint for the current trace snapshot.
9983
9984 @vindex $trace_line
9985 @item (int) $trace_line
9986 The line number for the current trace snapshot.
9987
9988 @vindex $trace_file
9989 @item (char []) $trace_file
9990 The source file for the current trace snapshot.
9991
9992 @vindex $trace_func
9993 @item (char []) $trace_func
9994 The name of the function containing @code{$tracepoint}.
9995 @end table
9996
9997 Note: @code{$trace_file} is not suitable for use in @code{printf},
9998 use @code{output} instead.
9999
10000 Here's a simple example of using these convenience variables for
10001 stepping through all the trace snapshots and printing some of their
10002 data. Note that these are not the same as trace state variables,
10003 which are managed by the target.
10004
10005 @smallexample
10006 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
10007
10008 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while $trace_frame != -1}
10009 > output $trace_file
10010 > printf ", line %d (tracepoint #%d)\n", $trace_line, $tracepoint
10011 > tfind
10012 > end
10013 @end smallexample
10014
10015 @node Overlays
10016 @chapter Debugging Programs That Use Overlays
10017 @cindex overlays
10018
10019 If your program is too large to fit completely in your target system's
10020 memory, you can sometimes use @dfn{overlays} to work around this
10021 problem. @value{GDBN} provides some support for debugging programs that
10022 use overlays.
10023
10024 @menu
10025 * How Overlays Work:: A general explanation of overlays.
10026 * Overlay Commands:: Managing overlays in @value{GDBN}.
10027 * Automatic Overlay Debugging:: @value{GDBN} can find out which overlays are
10028 mapped by asking the inferior.
10029 * Overlay Sample Program:: A sample program using overlays.
10030 @end menu
10031
10032 @node How Overlays Work
10033 @section How Overlays Work
10034 @cindex mapped overlays
10035 @cindex unmapped overlays
10036 @cindex load address, overlay's
10037 @cindex mapped address
10038 @cindex overlay area
10039
10040 Suppose you have a computer whose instruction address space is only 64
10041 kilobytes long, but which has much more memory which can be accessed by
10042 other means: special instructions, segment registers, or memory
10043 management hardware, for example. Suppose further that you want to
10044 adapt a program which is larger than 64 kilobytes to run on this system.
10045
10046 One solution is to identify modules of your program which are relatively
10047 independent, and need not call each other directly; call these modules
10048 @dfn{overlays}. Separate the overlays from the main program, and place
10049 their machine code in the larger memory. Place your main program in
10050 instruction memory, but leave at least enough space there to hold the
10051 largest overlay as well.
10052
10053 Now, to call a function located in an overlay, you must first copy that
10054 overlay's machine code from the large memory into the space set aside
10055 for it in the instruction memory, and then jump to its entry point
10056 there.
10057
10058 @c NB: In the below the mapped area's size is greater or equal to the
10059 @c size of all overlays. This is intentional to remind the developer
10060 @c that overlays don't necessarily need to be the same size.
10061
10062 @smallexample
10063 @group
10064 Data Instruction Larger
10065 Address Space Address Space Address Space
10066 +-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+
10067 | | | | | |
10068 +-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+<-- overlay 1
10069 | program | | main | .----| overlay 1 | load address
10070 | variables | | program | | +-----------+
10071 | and heap | | | | | |
10072 +-----------+ | | | +-----------+<-- overlay 2
10073 | | +-----------+ | | | load address
10074 +-----------+ | | | .-| overlay 2 |
10075 | | | | | |
10076 mapped --->+-----------+ | | +-----------+
10077 address | | | | | |
10078 | overlay | <-' | | |
10079 | area | <---' +-----------+<-- overlay 3
10080 | | <---. | | load address
10081 +-----------+ `--| overlay 3 |
10082 | | | |
10083 +-----------+ | |
10084 +-----------+
10085 | |
10086 +-----------+
10087
10088 @anchor{A code overlay}A code overlay
10089 @end group
10090 @end smallexample
10091
10092 The diagram (@pxref{A code overlay}) shows a system with separate data
10093 and instruction address spaces. To map an overlay, the program copies
10094 its code from the larger address space to the instruction address space.
10095 Since the overlays shown here all use the same mapped address, only one
10096 may be mapped at a time. For a system with a single address space for
10097 data and instructions, the diagram would be similar, except that the
10098 program variables and heap would share an address space with the main
10099 program and the overlay area.
10100
10101 An overlay loaded into instruction memory and ready for use is called a
10102 @dfn{mapped} overlay; its @dfn{mapped address} is its address in the
10103 instruction memory. An overlay not present (or only partially present)
10104 in instruction memory is called @dfn{unmapped}; its @dfn{load address}
10105 is its address in the larger memory. The mapped address is also called
10106 the @dfn{virtual memory address}, or @dfn{VMA}; the load address is also
10107 called the @dfn{load memory address}, or @dfn{LMA}.
10108
10109 Unfortunately, overlays are not a completely transparent way to adapt a
10110 program to limited instruction memory. They introduce a new set of
10111 global constraints you must keep in mind as you design your program:
10112
10113 @itemize @bullet
10114
10115 @item
10116 Before calling or returning to a function in an overlay, your program
10117 must make sure that overlay is actually mapped. Otherwise, the call or
10118 return will transfer control to the right address, but in the wrong
10119 overlay, and your program will probably crash.
10120
10121 @item
10122 If the process of mapping an overlay is expensive on your system, you
10123 will need to choose your overlays carefully to minimize their effect on
10124 your program's performance.
10125
10126 @item
10127 The executable file you load onto your system must contain each
10128 overlay's instructions, appearing at the overlay's load address, not its
10129 mapped address. However, each overlay's instructions must be relocated
10130 and its symbols defined as if the overlay were at its mapped address.
10131 You can use GNU linker scripts to specify different load and relocation
10132 addresses for pieces of your program; see @ref{Overlay Description,,,
10133 ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}.
10134
10135 @item
10136 The procedure for loading executable files onto your system must be able
10137 to load their contents into the larger address space as well as the
10138 instruction and data spaces.
10139
10140 @end itemize
10141
10142 The overlay system described above is rather simple, and could be
10143 improved in many ways:
10144
10145 @itemize @bullet
10146
10147 @item
10148 If your system has suitable bank switch registers or memory management
10149 hardware, you could use those facilities to make an overlay's load area
10150 contents simply appear at their mapped address in instruction space.
10151 This would probably be faster than copying the overlay to its mapped
10152 area in the usual way.
10153
10154 @item
10155 If your overlays are small enough, you could set aside more than one
10156 overlay area, and have more than one overlay mapped at a time.
10157
10158 @item
10159 You can use overlays to manage data, as well as instructions. In
10160 general, data overlays are even less transparent to your design than
10161 code overlays: whereas code overlays only require care when you call or
10162 return to functions, data overlays require care every time you access
10163 the data. Also, if you change the contents of a data overlay, you
10164 must copy its contents back out to its load address before you can copy a
10165 different data overlay into the same mapped area.
10166
10167 @end itemize
10168
10169
10170 @node Overlay Commands
10171 @section Overlay Commands
10172
10173 To use @value{GDBN}'s overlay support, each overlay in your program must
10174 correspond to a separate section of the executable file. The section's
10175 virtual memory address and load memory address must be the overlay's
10176 mapped and load addresses. Identifying overlays with sections allows
10177 @value{GDBN} to determine the appropriate address of a function or
10178 variable, depending on whether the overlay is mapped or not.
10179
10180 @value{GDBN}'s overlay commands all start with the word @code{overlay};
10181 you can abbreviate this as @code{ov} or @code{ovly}. The commands are:
10182
10183 @table @code
10184 @item overlay off
10185 @kindex overlay
10186 Disable @value{GDBN}'s overlay support. When overlay support is
10187 disabled, @value{GDBN} assumes that all functions and variables are
10188 always present at their mapped addresses. By default, @value{GDBN}'s
10189 overlay support is disabled.
10190
10191 @item overlay manual
10192 @cindex manual overlay debugging
10193 Enable @dfn{manual} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
10194 relies on you to tell it which overlays are mapped, and which are not,
10195 using the @code{overlay map-overlay} and @code{overlay unmap-overlay}
10196 commands described below.
10197
10198 @item overlay map-overlay @var{overlay}
10199 @itemx overlay map @var{overlay}
10200 @cindex map an overlay
10201 Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is now mapped; @var{overlay} must
10202 be the name of the object file section containing the overlay. When an
10203 overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the overlay's
10204 functions and variables at their mapped addresses. @value{GDBN} assumes
10205 that any other overlays whose mapped ranges overlap that of
10206 @var{overlay} are now unmapped.
10207
10208 @item overlay unmap-overlay @var{overlay}
10209 @itemx overlay unmap @var{overlay}
10210 @cindex unmap an overlay
10211 Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is no longer mapped; @var{overlay}
10212 must be the name of the object file section containing the overlay.
10213 When an overlay is unmapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the
10214 overlay's functions and variables at their load addresses.
10215
10216 @item overlay auto
10217 Enable @dfn{automatic} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
10218 consults a data structure the overlay manager maintains in the inferior
10219 to see which overlays are mapped. For details, see @ref{Automatic
10220 Overlay Debugging}.
10221
10222 @item overlay load-target
10223 @itemx overlay load
10224 @cindex reloading the overlay table
10225 Re-read the overlay table from the inferior. Normally, @value{GDBN}
10226 re-reads the table @value{GDBN} automatically each time the inferior
10227 stops, so this command should only be necessary if you have changed the
10228 overlay mapping yourself using @value{GDBN}. This command is only
10229 useful when using automatic overlay debugging.
10230
10231 @item overlay list-overlays
10232 @itemx overlay list
10233 @cindex listing mapped overlays
10234 Display a list of the overlays currently mapped, along with their mapped
10235 addresses, load addresses, and sizes.
10236
10237 @end table
10238
10239 Normally, when @value{GDBN} prints a code address, it includes the name
10240 of the function the address falls in:
10241
10242 @smallexample
10243 (@value{GDBP}) print main
10244 $3 = @{int ()@} 0x11a0 <main>
10245 @end smallexample
10246 @noindent
10247 When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} recognizes code in
10248 unmapped overlays, and prints the names of unmapped functions with
10249 asterisks around them. For example, if @code{foo} is a function in an
10250 unmapped overlay, @value{GDBN} prints it this way:
10251
10252 @smallexample
10253 (@value{GDBP}) overlay list
10254 No sections are mapped.
10255 (@value{GDBP}) print foo
10256 $5 = @{int (int)@} 0x100000 <*foo*>
10257 @end smallexample
10258 @noindent
10259 When @code{foo}'s overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} prints the function's
10260 name normally:
10261
10262 @smallexample
10263 (@value{GDBP}) overlay list
10264 Section .ov.foo.text, loaded at 0x100000 - 0x100034,
10265 mapped at 0x1016 - 0x104a
10266 (@value{GDBP}) print foo
10267 $6 = @{int (int)@} 0x1016 <foo>
10268 @end smallexample
10269
10270 When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} can find the correct
10271 address for functions and variables in an overlay, whether or not the
10272 overlay is mapped. This allows most @value{GDBN} commands, like
10273 @code{break} and @code{disassemble}, to work normally, even on unmapped
10274 code. However, @value{GDBN}'s breakpoint support has some limitations:
10275
10276 @itemize @bullet
10277 @item
10278 @cindex breakpoints in overlays
10279 @cindex overlays, setting breakpoints in
10280 You can set breakpoints in functions in unmapped overlays, as long as
10281 @value{GDBN} can write to the overlay at its load address.
10282 @item
10283 @value{GDBN} can not set hardware or simulator-based breakpoints in
10284 unmapped overlays. However, if you set a breakpoint at the end of your
10285 overlay manager (and tell @value{GDBN} which overlays are now mapped, if
10286 you are using manual overlay management), @value{GDBN} will re-set its
10287 breakpoints properly.
10288 @end itemize
10289
10290
10291 @node Automatic Overlay Debugging
10292 @section Automatic Overlay Debugging
10293 @cindex automatic overlay debugging
10294
10295 @value{GDBN} can automatically track which overlays are mapped and which
10296 are not, given some simple co-operation from the overlay manager in the
10297 inferior. If you enable automatic overlay debugging with the
10298 @code{overlay auto} command (@pxref{Overlay Commands}), @value{GDBN}
10299 looks in the inferior's memory for certain variables describing the
10300 current state of the overlays.
10301
10302 Here are the variables your overlay manager must define to support
10303 @value{GDBN}'s automatic overlay debugging:
10304
10305 @table @asis
10306
10307 @item @code{_ovly_table}:
10308 This variable must be an array of the following structures:
10309
10310 @smallexample
10311 struct
10312 @{
10313 /* The overlay's mapped address. */
10314 unsigned long vma;
10315
10316 /* The size of the overlay, in bytes. */
10317 unsigned long size;
10318
10319 /* The overlay's load address. */
10320 unsigned long lma;
10321
10322 /* Non-zero if the overlay is currently mapped;
10323 zero otherwise. */
10324 unsigned long mapped;
10325 @}
10326 @end smallexample
10327
10328 @item @code{_novlys}:
10329 This variable must be a four-byte signed integer, holding the total
10330 number of elements in @code{_ovly_table}.
10331
10332 @end table
10333
10334 To decide whether a particular overlay is mapped or not, @value{GDBN}
10335 looks for an entry in @w{@code{_ovly_table}} whose @code{vma} and
10336 @code{lma} members equal the VMA and LMA of the overlay's section in the
10337 executable file. When @value{GDBN} finds a matching entry, it consults
10338 the entry's @code{mapped} member to determine whether the overlay is
10339 currently mapped.
10340
10341 In addition, your overlay manager may define a function called
10342 @code{_ovly_debug_event}. If this function is defined, @value{GDBN}
10343 will silently set a breakpoint there. If the overlay manager then
10344 calls this function whenever it has changed the overlay table, this
10345 will enable @value{GDBN} to accurately keep track of which overlays
10346 are in program memory, and update any breakpoints that may be set
10347 in overlays. This will allow breakpoints to work even if the
10348 overlays are kept in ROM or other non-writable memory while they
10349 are not being executed.
10350
10351 @node Overlay Sample Program
10352 @section Overlay Sample Program
10353 @cindex overlay example program
10354
10355 When linking a program which uses overlays, you must place the overlays
10356 at their load addresses, while relocating them to run at their mapped
10357 addresses. To do this, you must write a linker script (@pxref{Overlay
10358 Description,,, ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}). Unfortunately,
10359 since linker scripts are specific to a particular host system, target
10360 architecture, and target memory layout, this manual cannot provide
10361 portable sample code demonstrating @value{GDBN}'s overlay support.
10362
10363 However, the @value{GDBN} source distribution does contain an overlaid
10364 program, with linker scripts for a few systems, as part of its test
10365 suite. The program consists of the following files from
10366 @file{gdb/testsuite/gdb.base}:
10367
10368 @table @file
10369 @item overlays.c
10370 The main program file.
10371 @item ovlymgr.c
10372 A simple overlay manager, used by @file{overlays.c}.
10373 @item foo.c
10374 @itemx bar.c
10375 @itemx baz.c
10376 @itemx grbx.c
10377 Overlay modules, loaded and used by @file{overlays.c}.
10378 @item d10v.ld
10379 @itemx m32r.ld
10380 Linker scripts for linking the test program on the @code{d10v-elf}
10381 and @code{m32r-elf} targets.
10382 @end table
10383
10384 You can build the test program using the @code{d10v-elf} GCC
10385 cross-compiler like this:
10386
10387 @smallexample
10388 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c overlays.c
10389 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c ovlymgr.c
10390 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c foo.c
10391 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c bar.c
10392 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c baz.c
10393 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c grbx.c
10394 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g overlays.o ovlymgr.o foo.o bar.o \
10395 baz.o grbx.o -Wl,-Td10v.ld -o overlays
10396 @end smallexample
10397
10398 The build process is identical for any other architecture, except that
10399 you must substitute the appropriate compiler and linker script for the
10400 target system for @code{d10v-elf-gcc} and @code{d10v.ld}.
10401
10402
10403 @node Languages
10404 @chapter Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages
10405 @cindex languages
10406
10407 Although programming languages generally have common aspects, they are
10408 rarely expressed in the same manner. For instance, in ANSI C,
10409 dereferencing a pointer @code{p} is accomplished by @code{*p}, but in
10410 Modula-2, it is accomplished by @code{p^}. Values can also be
10411 represented (and displayed) differently. Hex numbers in C appear as
10412 @samp{0x1ae}, while in Modula-2 they appear as @samp{1AEH}.
10413
10414 @cindex working language
10415 Language-specific information is built into @value{GDBN} for some languages,
10416 allowing you to express operations like the above in your program's
10417 native language, and allowing @value{GDBN} to output values in a manner
10418 consistent with the syntax of your program's native language. The
10419 language you use to build expressions is called the @dfn{working
10420 language}.
10421
10422 @menu
10423 * Setting:: Switching between source languages
10424 * Show:: Displaying the language
10425 * Checks:: Type and range checks
10426 * Supported Languages:: Supported languages
10427 * Unsupported Languages:: Unsupported languages
10428 @end menu
10429
10430 @node Setting
10431 @section Switching Between Source Languages
10432
10433 There are two ways to control the working language---either have @value{GDBN}
10434 set it automatically, or select it manually yourself. You can use the
10435 @code{set language} command for either purpose. On startup, @value{GDBN}
10436 defaults to setting the language automatically. The working language is
10437 used to determine how expressions you type are interpreted, how values
10438 are printed, etc.
10439
10440 In addition to the working language, every source file that
10441 @value{GDBN} knows about has its own working language. For some object
10442 file formats, the compiler might indicate which language a particular
10443 source file is in. However, most of the time @value{GDBN} infers the
10444 language from the name of the file. The language of a source file
10445 controls whether C@t{++} names are demangled---this way @code{backtrace} can
10446 show each frame appropriately for its own language. There is no way to
10447 set the language of a source file from within @value{GDBN}, but you can
10448 set the language associated with a filename extension. @xref{Show, ,
10449 Displaying the Language}.
10450
10451 This is most commonly a problem when you use a program, such
10452 as @code{cfront} or @code{f2c}, that generates C but is written in
10453 another language. In that case, make the
10454 program use @code{#line} directives in its C output; that way
10455 @value{GDBN} will know the correct language of the source code of the original
10456 program, and will display that source code, not the generated C code.
10457
10458 @menu
10459 * Filenames:: Filename extensions and languages.
10460 * Manually:: Setting the working language manually
10461 * Automatically:: Having @value{GDBN} infer the source language
10462 @end menu
10463
10464 @node Filenames
10465 @subsection List of Filename Extensions and Languages
10466
10467 If a source file name ends in one of the following extensions, then
10468 @value{GDBN} infers that its language is the one indicated.
10469
10470 @table @file
10471 @item .ada
10472 @itemx .ads
10473 @itemx .adb
10474 @itemx .a
10475 Ada source file.
10476
10477 @item .c
10478 C source file
10479
10480 @item .C
10481 @itemx .cc
10482 @itemx .cp
10483 @itemx .cpp
10484 @itemx .cxx
10485 @itemx .c++
10486 C@t{++} source file
10487
10488 @item .m
10489 Objective-C source file
10490
10491 @item .f
10492 @itemx .F
10493 Fortran source file
10494
10495 @item .mod
10496 Modula-2 source file
10497
10498 @item .s
10499 @itemx .S
10500 Assembler source file. This actually behaves almost like C, but
10501 @value{GDBN} does not skip over function prologues when stepping.
10502 @end table
10503
10504 In addition, you may set the language associated with a filename
10505 extension. @xref{Show, , Displaying the Language}.
10506
10507 @node Manually
10508 @subsection Setting the Working Language
10509
10510 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically,
10511 expressions are interpreted the same way in your debugging session and
10512 your program.
10513
10514 @kindex set language
10515 If you wish, you may set the language manually. To do this, issue the
10516 command @samp{set language @var{lang}}, where @var{lang} is the name of
10517 a language, such as
10518 @code{c} or @code{modula-2}.
10519 For a list of the supported languages, type @samp{set language}.
10520
10521 Setting the language manually prevents @value{GDBN} from updating the working
10522 language automatically. This can lead to confusion if you try
10523 to debug a program when the working language is not the same as the
10524 source language, when an expression is acceptable to both
10525 languages---but means different things. For instance, if the current
10526 source file were written in C, and @value{GDBN} was parsing Modula-2, a
10527 command such as:
10528
10529 @smallexample
10530 print a = b + c
10531 @end smallexample
10532
10533 @noindent
10534 might not have the effect you intended. In C, this means to add
10535 @code{b} and @code{c} and place the result in @code{a}. The result
10536 printed would be the value of @code{a}. In Modula-2, this means to compare
10537 @code{a} to the result of @code{b+c}, yielding a @code{BOOLEAN} value.
10538
10539 @node Automatically
10540 @subsection Having @value{GDBN} Infer the Source Language
10541
10542 To have @value{GDBN} set the working language automatically, use
10543 @samp{set language local} or @samp{set language auto}. @value{GDBN}
10544 then infers the working language. That is, when your program stops in a
10545 frame (usually by encountering a breakpoint), @value{GDBN} sets the
10546 working language to the language recorded for the function in that
10547 frame. If the language for a frame is unknown (that is, if the function
10548 or block corresponding to the frame was defined in a source file that
10549 does not have a recognized extension), the current working language is
10550 not changed, and @value{GDBN} issues a warning.
10551
10552 This may not seem necessary for most programs, which are written
10553 entirely in one source language. However, program modules and libraries
10554 written in one source language can be used by a main program written in
10555 a different source language. Using @samp{set language auto} in this
10556 case frees you from having to set the working language manually.
10557
10558 @node Show
10559 @section Displaying the Language
10560
10561 The following commands help you find out which language is the
10562 working language, and also what language source files were written in.
10563
10564 @table @code
10565 @item show language
10566 @kindex show language
10567 Display the current working language. This is the
10568 language you can use with commands such as @code{print} to
10569 build and compute expressions that may involve variables in your program.
10570
10571 @item info frame
10572 @kindex info frame@r{, show the source language}
10573 Display the source language for this frame. This language becomes the
10574 working language if you use an identifier from this frame.
10575 @xref{Frame Info, ,Information about a Frame}, to identify the other
10576 information listed here.
10577
10578 @item info source
10579 @kindex info source@r{, show the source language}
10580 Display the source language of this source file.
10581 @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}, to identify the other
10582 information listed here.
10583 @end table
10584
10585 In unusual circumstances, you may have source files with extensions
10586 not in the standard list. You can then set the extension associated
10587 with a language explicitly:
10588
10589 @table @code
10590 @item set extension-language @var{ext} @var{language}
10591 @kindex set extension-language
10592 Tell @value{GDBN} that source files with extension @var{ext} are to be
10593 assumed as written in the source language @var{language}.
10594
10595 @item info extensions
10596 @kindex info extensions
10597 List all the filename extensions and the associated languages.
10598 @end table
10599
10600 @node Checks
10601 @section Type and Range Checking
10602
10603 @quotation
10604 @emph{Warning:} In this release, the @value{GDBN} commands for type and range
10605 checking are included, but they do not yet have any effect. This
10606 section documents the intended facilities.
10607 @end quotation
10608 @c FIXME remove warning when type/range code added
10609
10610 Some languages are designed to guard you against making seemingly common
10611 errors through a series of compile- and run-time checks. These include
10612 checking the type of arguments to functions and operators, and making
10613 sure mathematical overflows are caught at run time. Checks such as
10614 these help to ensure a program's correctness once it has been compiled
10615 by eliminating type mismatches, and providing active checks for range
10616 errors when your program is running.
10617
10618 @value{GDBN} can check for conditions like the above if you wish.
10619 Although @value{GDBN} does not check the statements in your program,
10620 it can check expressions entered directly into @value{GDBN} for
10621 evaluation via the @code{print} command, for example. As with the
10622 working language, @value{GDBN} can also decide whether or not to check
10623 automatically based on your program's source language.
10624 @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for the default
10625 settings of supported languages.
10626
10627 @menu
10628 * Type Checking:: An overview of type checking
10629 * Range Checking:: An overview of range checking
10630 @end menu
10631
10632 @cindex type checking
10633 @cindex checks, type
10634 @node Type Checking
10635 @subsection An Overview of Type Checking
10636
10637 Some languages, such as Modula-2, are strongly typed, meaning that the
10638 arguments to operators and functions have to be of the correct type,
10639 otherwise an error occurs. These checks prevent type mismatch
10640 errors from ever causing any run-time problems. For example,
10641
10642 @smallexample
10643 1 + 2 @result{} 3
10644 @exdent but
10645 @error{} 1 + 2.3
10646 @end smallexample
10647
10648 The second example fails because the @code{CARDINAL} 1 is not
10649 type-compatible with the @code{REAL} 2.3.
10650
10651 For the expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell the
10652 @value{GDBN} type checker to skip checking;
10653 to treat any mismatches as errors and abandon the expression;
10654 or to only issue warnings when type mismatches occur,
10655 but evaluate the expression anyway. When you choose the last of
10656 these, @value{GDBN} evaluates expressions like the second example above, but
10657 also issues a warning.
10658
10659 Even if you turn type checking off, there may be other reasons
10660 related to type that prevent @value{GDBN} from evaluating an expression.
10661 For instance, @value{GDBN} does not know how to add an @code{int} and
10662 a @code{struct foo}. These particular type errors have nothing to do
10663 with the language in use, and usually arise from expressions, such as
10664 the one described above, which make little sense to evaluate anyway.
10665
10666 Each language defines to what degree it is strict about type. For
10667 instance, both Modula-2 and C require the arguments to arithmetical
10668 operators to be numbers. In C, enumerated types and pointers can be
10669 represented as numbers, so that they are valid arguments to mathematical
10670 operators. @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for further
10671 details on specific languages.
10672
10673 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling the type checker:
10674
10675 @kindex set check type
10676 @kindex show check type
10677 @table @code
10678 @item set check type auto
10679 Set type checking on or off based on the current working language.
10680 @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for the default settings for
10681 each language.
10682
10683 @item set check type on
10684 @itemx set check type off
10685 Set type checking on or off, overriding the default setting for the
10686 current working language. Issue a warning if the setting does not
10687 match the language default. If any type mismatches occur in
10688 evaluating an expression while type checking is on, @value{GDBN} prints a
10689 message and aborts evaluation of the expression.
10690
10691 @item set check type warn
10692 Cause the type checker to issue warnings, but to always attempt to
10693 evaluate the expression. Evaluating the expression may still
10694 be impossible for other reasons. For example, @value{GDBN} cannot add
10695 numbers and structures.
10696
10697 @item show type
10698 Show the current setting of the type checker, and whether or not @value{GDBN}
10699 is setting it automatically.
10700 @end table
10701
10702 @cindex range checking
10703 @cindex checks, range
10704 @node Range Checking
10705 @subsection An Overview of Range Checking
10706
10707 In some languages (such as Modula-2), it is an error to exceed the
10708 bounds of a type; this is enforced with run-time checks. Such range
10709 checking is meant to ensure program correctness by making sure
10710 computations do not overflow, or indices on an array element access do
10711 not exceed the bounds of the array.
10712
10713 For expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell
10714 @value{GDBN} to treat range errors in one of three ways: ignore them,
10715 always treat them as errors and abandon the expression, or issue
10716 warnings but evaluate the expression anyway.
10717
10718 A range error can result from numerical overflow, from exceeding an
10719 array index bound, or when you type a constant that is not a member
10720 of any type. Some languages, however, do not treat overflows as an
10721 error. In many implementations of C, mathematical overflow causes the
10722 result to ``wrap around'' to lower values---for example, if @var{m} is
10723 the largest integer value, and @var{s} is the smallest, then
10724
10725 @smallexample
10726 @var{m} + 1 @result{} @var{s}
10727 @end smallexample
10728
10729 This, too, is specific to individual languages, and in some cases
10730 specific to individual compilers or machines. @xref{Supported Languages, ,
10731 Supported Languages}, for further details on specific languages.
10732
10733 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling the range checker:
10734
10735 @kindex set check range
10736 @kindex show check range
10737 @table @code
10738 @item set check range auto
10739 Set range checking on or off based on the current working language.
10740 @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for the default settings for
10741 each language.
10742
10743 @item set check range on
10744 @itemx set check range off
10745 Set range checking on or off, overriding the default setting for the
10746 current working language. A warning is issued if the setting does not
10747 match the language default. If a range error occurs and range checking is on,
10748 then a message is printed and evaluation of the expression is aborted.
10749
10750 @item set check range warn
10751 Output messages when the @value{GDBN} range checker detects a range error,
10752 but attempt to evaluate the expression anyway. Evaluating the
10753 expression may still be impossible for other reasons, such as accessing
10754 memory that the process does not own (a typical example from many Unix
10755 systems).
10756
10757 @item show range
10758 Show the current setting of the range checker, and whether or not it is
10759 being set automatically by @value{GDBN}.
10760 @end table
10761
10762 @node Supported Languages
10763 @section Supported Languages
10764
10765 @value{GDBN} supports C, C@t{++}, Objective-C, Fortran, Java, Pascal,
10766 assembly, Modula-2, and Ada.
10767 @c This is false ...
10768 Some @value{GDBN} features may be used in expressions regardless of the
10769 language you use: the @value{GDBN} @code{@@} and @code{::} operators,
10770 and the @samp{@{type@}addr} construct (@pxref{Expressions,
10771 ,Expressions}) can be used with the constructs of any supported
10772 language.
10773
10774 The following sections detail to what degree each source language is
10775 supported by @value{GDBN}. These sections are not meant to be language
10776 tutorials or references, but serve only as a reference guide to what the
10777 @value{GDBN} expression parser accepts, and what input and output
10778 formats should look like for different languages. There are many good
10779 books written on each of these languages; please look to these for a
10780 language reference or tutorial.
10781
10782 @menu
10783 * C:: C and C@t{++}
10784 * Objective-C:: Objective-C
10785 * Fortran:: Fortran
10786 * Pascal:: Pascal
10787 * Modula-2:: Modula-2
10788 * Ada:: Ada
10789 @end menu
10790
10791 @node C
10792 @subsection C and C@t{++}
10793
10794 @cindex C and C@t{++}
10795 @cindex expressions in C or C@t{++}
10796
10797 Since C and C@t{++} are so closely related, many features of @value{GDBN} apply
10798 to both languages. Whenever this is the case, we discuss those languages
10799 together.
10800
10801 @cindex C@t{++}
10802 @cindex @code{g++}, @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler
10803 @cindex @sc{gnu} C@t{++}
10804 The C@t{++} debugging facilities are jointly implemented by the C@t{++}
10805 compiler and @value{GDBN}. Therefore, to debug your C@t{++} code
10806 effectively, you must compile your C@t{++} programs with a supported
10807 C@t{++} compiler, such as @sc{gnu} @code{g++}, or the HP ANSI C@t{++}
10808 compiler (@code{aCC}).
10809
10810 For best results when using @sc{gnu} C@t{++}, use the DWARF 2 debugging
10811 format; if it doesn't work on your system, try the stabs+ debugging
10812 format. You can select those formats explicitly with the @code{g++}
10813 command-line options @option{-gdwarf-2} and @option{-gstabs+}.
10814 @xref{Debugging Options,,Options for Debugging Your Program or GCC,
10815 gcc.info, Using the @sc{gnu} Compiler Collection (GCC)}.
10816
10817 @menu
10818 * C Operators:: C and C@t{++} operators
10819 * C Constants:: C and C@t{++} constants
10820 * C Plus Plus Expressions:: C@t{++} expressions
10821 * C Defaults:: Default settings for C and C@t{++}
10822 * C Checks:: C and C@t{++} type and range checks
10823 * Debugging C:: @value{GDBN} and C
10824 * Debugging C Plus Plus:: @value{GDBN} features for C@t{++}
10825 * Decimal Floating Point:: Numbers in Decimal Floating Point format
10826 @end menu
10827
10828 @node C Operators
10829 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Operators
10830
10831 @cindex C and C@t{++} operators
10832
10833 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
10834 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
10835 often defined on groups of types.
10836
10837 For the purposes of C and C@t{++}, the following definitions hold:
10838
10839 @itemize @bullet
10840
10841 @item
10842 @emph{Integral types} include @code{int} with any of its storage-class
10843 specifiers; @code{char}; @code{enum}; and, for C@t{++}, @code{bool}.
10844
10845 @item
10846 @emph{Floating-point types} include @code{float}, @code{double}, and
10847 @code{long double} (if supported by the target platform).
10848
10849 @item
10850 @emph{Pointer types} include all types defined as @code{(@var{type} *)}.
10851
10852 @item
10853 @emph{Scalar types} include all of the above.
10854
10855 @end itemize
10856
10857 @noindent
10858 The following operators are supported. They are listed here
10859 in order of increasing precedence:
10860
10861 @table @code
10862 @item ,
10863 The comma or sequencing operator. Expressions in a comma-separated list
10864 are evaluated from left to right, with the result of the entire
10865 expression being the last expression evaluated.
10866
10867 @item =
10868 Assignment. The value of an assignment expression is the value
10869 assigned. Defined on scalar types.
10870
10871 @item @var{op}=
10872 Used in an expression of the form @w{@code{@var{a} @var{op}= @var{b}}},
10873 and translated to @w{@code{@var{a} = @var{a op b}}}.
10874 @w{@code{@var{op}=}} and @code{=} have the same precedence.
10875 @var{op} is any one of the operators @code{|}, @code{^}, @code{&},
10876 @code{<<}, @code{>>}, @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{%}.
10877
10878 @item ?:
10879 The ternary operator. @code{@var{a} ? @var{b} : @var{c}} can be thought
10880 of as: if @var{a} then @var{b} else @var{c}. @var{a} should be of an
10881 integral type.
10882
10883 @item ||
10884 Logical @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
10885
10886 @item &&
10887 Logical @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
10888
10889 @item |
10890 Bitwise @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
10891
10892 @item ^
10893 Bitwise exclusive-@sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
10894
10895 @item &
10896 Bitwise @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
10897
10898 @item ==@r{, }!=
10899 Equality and inequality. Defined on scalar types. The value of these
10900 expressions is 0 for false and non-zero for true.
10901
10902 @item <@r{, }>@r{, }<=@r{, }>=
10903 Less than, greater than, less than or equal, greater than or equal.
10904 Defined on scalar types. The value of these expressions is 0 for false
10905 and non-zero for true.
10906
10907 @item <<@r{, }>>
10908 left shift, and right shift. Defined on integral types.
10909
10910 @item @@
10911 The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
10912
10913 @item +@r{, }-
10914 Addition and subtraction. Defined on integral types, floating-point types and
10915 pointer types.
10916
10917 @item *@r{, }/@r{, }%
10918 Multiplication, division, and modulus. Multiplication and division are
10919 defined on integral and floating-point types. Modulus is defined on
10920 integral types.
10921
10922 @item ++@r{, }--
10923 Increment and decrement. When appearing before a variable, the
10924 operation is performed before the variable is used in an expression;
10925 when appearing after it, the variable's value is used before the
10926 operation takes place.
10927
10928 @item *
10929 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types. Same precedence as
10930 @code{++}.
10931
10932 @item &
10933 Address operator. Defined on variables. Same precedence as @code{++}.
10934
10935 For debugging C@t{++}, @value{GDBN} implements a use of @samp{&} beyond what is
10936 allowed in the C@t{++} language itself: you can use @samp{&(&@var{ref})}
10937 to examine the address
10938 where a C@t{++} reference variable (declared with @samp{&@var{ref}}) is
10939 stored.
10940
10941 @item -
10942 Negative. Defined on integral and floating-point types. Same
10943 precedence as @code{++}.
10944
10945 @item !
10946 Logical negation. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
10947 @code{++}.
10948
10949 @item ~
10950 Bitwise complement operator. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
10951 @code{++}.
10952
10953
10954 @item .@r{, }->
10955 Structure member, and pointer-to-structure member. For convenience,
10956 @value{GDBN} regards the two as equivalent, choosing whether to dereference a
10957 pointer based on the stored type information.
10958 Defined on @code{struct} and @code{union} data.
10959
10960 @item .*@r{, }->*
10961 Dereferences of pointers to members.
10962
10963 @item []
10964 Array indexing. @code{@var{a}[@var{i}]} is defined as
10965 @code{*(@var{a}+@var{i})}. Same precedence as @code{->}.
10966
10967 @item ()
10968 Function parameter list. Same precedence as @code{->}.
10969
10970 @item ::
10971 C@t{++} scope resolution operator. Defined on @code{struct}, @code{union},
10972 and @code{class} types.
10973
10974 @item ::
10975 Doubled colons also represent the @value{GDBN} scope operator
10976 (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). Same precedence as @code{::},
10977 above.
10978 @end table
10979
10980 If an operator is redefined in the user code, @value{GDBN} usually
10981 attempts to invoke the redefined version instead of using the operator's
10982 predefined meaning.
10983
10984 @node C Constants
10985 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Constants
10986
10987 @cindex C and C@t{++} constants
10988
10989 @value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of C and C@t{++} in the
10990 following ways:
10991
10992 @itemize @bullet
10993 @item
10994 Integer constants are a sequence of digits. Octal constants are
10995 specified by a leading @samp{0} (i.e.@: zero), and hexadecimal constants
10996 by a leading @samp{0x} or @samp{0X}. Constants may also end with a letter
10997 @samp{l}, specifying that the constant should be treated as a
10998 @code{long} value.
10999
11000 @item
11001 Floating point constants are a sequence of digits, followed by a decimal
11002 point, followed by a sequence of digits, and optionally followed by an
11003 exponent. An exponent is of the form:
11004 @samp{@w{e@r{[[}+@r{]|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}}, where @var{nnn} is another
11005 sequence of digits. The @samp{+} is optional for positive exponents.
11006 A floating-point constant may also end with a letter @samp{f} or
11007 @samp{F}, specifying that the constant should be treated as being of
11008 the @code{float} (as opposed to the default @code{double}) type; or with
11009 a letter @samp{l} or @samp{L}, which specifies a @code{long double}
11010 constant.
11011
11012 @item
11013 Enumerated constants consist of enumerated identifiers, or their
11014 integral equivalents.
11015
11016 @item
11017 Character constants are a single character surrounded by single quotes
11018 (@code{'}), or a number---the ordinal value of the corresponding character
11019 (usually its @sc{ascii} value). Within quotes, the single character may
11020 be represented by a letter or by @dfn{escape sequences}, which are of
11021 the form @samp{\@var{nnn}}, where @var{nnn} is the octal representation
11022 of the character's ordinal value; or of the form @samp{\@var{x}}, where
11023 @samp{@var{x}} is a predefined special character---for example,
11024 @samp{\n} for newline.
11025
11026 @item
11027 String constants are a sequence of character constants surrounded by
11028 double quotes (@code{"}). Any valid character constant (as described
11029 above) may appear. Double quotes within the string must be preceded by
11030 a backslash, so for instance @samp{"a\"b'c"} is a string of five
11031 characters.
11032
11033 @item
11034 Pointer constants are an integral value. You can also write pointers
11035 to constants using the C operator @samp{&}.
11036
11037 @item
11038 Array constants are comma-separated lists surrounded by braces @samp{@{}
11039 and @samp{@}}; for example, @samp{@{1,2,3@}} is a three-element array of
11040 integers, @samp{@{@{1,2@}, @{3,4@}, @{5,6@}@}} is a three-by-two array,
11041 and @samp{@{&"hi", &"there", &"fred"@}} is a three-element array of pointers.
11042 @end itemize
11043
11044 @node C Plus Plus Expressions
11045 @subsubsection C@t{++} Expressions
11046
11047 @cindex expressions in C@t{++}
11048 @value{GDBN} expression handling can interpret most C@t{++} expressions.
11049
11050 @cindex debugging C@t{++} programs
11051 @cindex C@t{++} compilers
11052 @cindex debug formats and C@t{++}
11053 @cindex @value{NGCC} and C@t{++}
11054 @quotation
11055 @emph{Warning:} @value{GDBN} can only debug C@t{++} code if you use the
11056 proper compiler and the proper debug format. Currently, @value{GDBN}
11057 works best when debugging C@t{++} code that is compiled with
11058 @value{NGCC} 2.95.3 or with @value{NGCC} 3.1 or newer, using the options
11059 @option{-gdwarf-2} or @option{-gstabs+}. DWARF 2 is preferred over
11060 stabs+. Most configurations of @value{NGCC} emit either DWARF 2 or
11061 stabs+ as their default debug format, so you usually don't need to
11062 specify a debug format explicitly. Other compilers and/or debug formats
11063 are likely to work badly or not at all when using @value{GDBN} to debug
11064 C@t{++} code.
11065 @end quotation
11066
11067 @enumerate
11068
11069 @cindex member functions
11070 @item
11071 Member function calls are allowed; you can use expressions like
11072
11073 @smallexample
11074 count = aml->GetOriginal(x, y)
11075 @end smallexample
11076
11077 @vindex this@r{, inside C@t{++} member functions}
11078 @cindex namespace in C@t{++}
11079 @item
11080 While a member function is active (in the selected stack frame), your
11081 expressions have the same namespace available as the member function;
11082 that is, @value{GDBN} allows implicit references to the class instance
11083 pointer @code{this} following the same rules as C@t{++}.
11084
11085 @cindex call overloaded functions
11086 @cindex overloaded functions, calling
11087 @cindex type conversions in C@t{++}
11088 @item
11089 You can call overloaded functions; @value{GDBN} resolves the function
11090 call to the right definition, with some restrictions. @value{GDBN} does not
11091 perform overload resolution involving user-defined type conversions,
11092 calls to constructors, or instantiations of templates that do not exist
11093 in the program. It also cannot handle ellipsis argument lists or
11094 default arguments.
11095
11096 It does perform integral conversions and promotions, floating-point
11097 promotions, arithmetic conversions, pointer conversions, conversions of
11098 class objects to base classes, and standard conversions such as those of
11099 functions or arrays to pointers; it requires an exact match on the
11100 number of function arguments.
11101
11102 Overload resolution is always performed, unless you have specified
11103 @code{set overload-resolution off}. @xref{Debugging C Plus Plus,
11104 ,@value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}}.
11105
11106 You must specify @code{set overload-resolution off} in order to use an
11107 explicit function signature to call an overloaded function, as in
11108 @smallexample
11109 p 'foo(char,int)'('x', 13)
11110 @end smallexample
11111
11112 The @value{GDBN} command-completion facility can simplify this;
11113 see @ref{Completion, ,Command Completion}.
11114
11115 @cindex reference declarations
11116 @item
11117 @value{GDBN} understands variables declared as C@t{++} references; you can use
11118 them in expressions just as you do in C@t{++} source---they are automatically
11119 dereferenced.
11120
11121 In the parameter list shown when @value{GDBN} displays a frame, the values of
11122 reference variables are not displayed (unlike other variables); this
11123 avoids clutter, since references are often used for large structures.
11124 The @emph{address} of a reference variable is always shown, unless
11125 you have specified @samp{set print address off}.
11126
11127 @item
11128 @value{GDBN} supports the C@t{++} name resolution operator @code{::}---your
11129 expressions can use it just as expressions in your program do. Since
11130 one scope may be defined in another, you can use @code{::} repeatedly if
11131 necessary, for example in an expression like
11132 @samp{@var{scope1}::@var{scope2}::@var{name}}. @value{GDBN} also allows
11133 resolving name scope by reference to source files, in both C and C@t{++}
11134 debugging (@pxref{Variables, ,Program Variables}).
11135 @end enumerate
11136
11137 In addition, when used with HP's C@t{++} compiler, @value{GDBN} supports
11138 calling virtual functions correctly, printing out virtual bases of
11139 objects, calling functions in a base subobject, casting objects, and
11140 invoking user-defined operators.
11141
11142 @node C Defaults
11143 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Defaults
11144
11145 @cindex C and C@t{++} defaults
11146
11147 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set type and range checking automatically, they
11148 both default to @code{off} whenever the working language changes to
11149 C or C@t{++}. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
11150 selects the working language.
11151
11152 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, it
11153 recognizes source files whose names end with @file{.c}, @file{.C}, or
11154 @file{.cc}, etc, and when @value{GDBN} enters code compiled from one of
11155 these files, it sets the working language to C or C@t{++}.
11156 @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN} Infer the Source Language},
11157 for further details.
11158
11159 @c Type checking is (a) primarily motivated by Modula-2, and (b)
11160 @c unimplemented. If (b) changes, it might make sense to let this node
11161 @c appear even if Mod-2 does not, but meanwhile ignore it. roland 16jul93.
11162
11163 @node C Checks
11164 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Type and Range Checks
11165
11166 @cindex C and C@t{++} checks
11167
11168 By default, when @value{GDBN} parses C or C@t{++} expressions, type checking
11169 is not used. However, if you turn type checking on, @value{GDBN}
11170 considers two variables type equivalent if:
11171
11172 @itemize @bullet
11173 @item
11174 The two variables are structured and have the same structure, union, or
11175 enumerated tag.
11176
11177 @item
11178 The two variables have the same type name, or types that have been
11179 declared equivalent through @code{typedef}.
11180
11181 @ignore
11182 @c leaving this out because neither J Gilmore nor R Pesch understand it.
11183 @c FIXME--beers?
11184 @item
11185 The two @code{struct}, @code{union}, or @code{enum} variables are
11186 declared in the same declaration. (Note: this may not be true for all C
11187 compilers.)
11188 @end ignore
11189 @end itemize
11190
11191 Range checking, if turned on, is done on mathematical operations. Array
11192 indices are not checked, since they are often used to index a pointer
11193 that is not itself an array.
11194
11195 @node Debugging C
11196 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} and C
11197
11198 The @code{set print union} and @code{show print union} commands apply to
11199 the @code{union} type. When set to @samp{on}, any @code{union} that is
11200 inside a @code{struct} or @code{class} is also printed. Otherwise, it
11201 appears as @samp{@{...@}}.
11202
11203 The @code{@@} operator aids in the debugging of dynamic arrays, formed
11204 with pointers and a memory allocation function. @xref{Expressions,
11205 ,Expressions}.
11206
11207 @node Debugging C Plus Plus
11208 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}
11209
11210 @cindex commands for C@t{++}
11211
11212 Some @value{GDBN} commands are particularly useful with C@t{++}, and some are
11213 designed specifically for use with C@t{++}. Here is a summary:
11214
11215 @table @code
11216 @cindex break in overloaded functions
11217 @item @r{breakpoint menus}
11218 When you want a breakpoint in a function whose name is overloaded,
11219 @value{GDBN} has the capability to display a menu of possible breakpoint
11220 locations to help you specify which function definition you want.
11221 @xref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous Expressions}.
11222
11223 @cindex overloading in C@t{++}
11224 @item rbreak @var{regex}
11225 Setting breakpoints using regular expressions is helpful for setting
11226 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
11227 classes.
11228 @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}.
11229
11230 @cindex C@t{++} exception handling
11231 @item catch throw
11232 @itemx catch catch
11233 Debug C@t{++} exception handling using these commands. @xref{Set
11234 Catchpoints, , Setting Catchpoints}.
11235
11236 @cindex inheritance
11237 @item ptype @var{typename}
11238 Print inheritance relationships as well as other information for type
11239 @var{typename}.
11240 @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}.
11241
11242 @cindex C@t{++} symbol display
11243 @item set print demangle
11244 @itemx show print demangle
11245 @itemx set print asm-demangle
11246 @itemx show print asm-demangle
11247 Control whether C@t{++} symbols display in their source form, both when
11248 displaying code as C@t{++} source and when displaying disassemblies.
11249 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
11250
11251 @item set print object
11252 @itemx show print object
11253 Choose whether to print derived (actual) or declared types of objects.
11254 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
11255
11256 @item set print vtbl
11257 @itemx show print vtbl
11258 Control the format for printing virtual function tables.
11259 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
11260 (The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
11261 ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
11262
11263 @kindex set overload-resolution
11264 @cindex overloaded functions, overload resolution
11265 @item set overload-resolution on
11266 Enable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. The default
11267 is on. For overloaded functions, @value{GDBN} evaluates the arguments
11268 and searches for a function whose signature matches the argument types,
11269 using the standard C@t{++} conversion rules (see @ref{C Plus Plus
11270 Expressions, ,C@t{++} Expressions}, for details).
11271 If it cannot find a match, it emits a message.
11272
11273 @item set overload-resolution off
11274 Disable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. For
11275 overloaded functions that are not class member functions, @value{GDBN}
11276 chooses the first function of the specified name that it finds in the
11277 symbol table, whether or not its arguments are of the correct type. For
11278 overloaded functions that are class member functions, @value{GDBN}
11279 searches for a function whose signature @emph{exactly} matches the
11280 argument types.
11281
11282 @kindex show overload-resolution
11283 @item show overload-resolution
11284 Show the current setting of overload resolution.
11285
11286 @item @r{Overloaded symbol names}
11287 You can specify a particular definition of an overloaded symbol, using
11288 the same notation that is used to declare such symbols in C@t{++}: type
11289 @code{@var{symbol}(@var{types})} rather than just @var{symbol}. You can
11290 also use the @value{GDBN} command-line word completion facilities to list the
11291 available choices, or to finish the type list for you.
11292 @xref{Completion,, Command Completion}, for details on how to do this.
11293 @end table
11294
11295 @node Decimal Floating Point
11296 @subsubsection Decimal Floating Point format
11297 @cindex decimal floating point format
11298
11299 @value{GDBN} can examine, set and perform computations with numbers in
11300 decimal floating point format, which in the C language correspond to the
11301 @code{_Decimal32}, @code{_Decimal64} and @code{_Decimal128} types as
11302 specified by the extension to support decimal floating-point arithmetic.
11303
11304 There are two encodings in use, depending on the architecture: BID (Binary
11305 Integer Decimal) for x86 and x86-64, and DPD (Densely Packed Decimal) for
11306 PowerPC. @value{GDBN} will use the appropriate encoding for the configured
11307 target.
11308
11309 Because of a limitation in @file{libdecnumber}, the library used by @value{GDBN}
11310 to manipulate decimal floating point numbers, it is not possible to convert
11311 (using a cast, for example) integers wider than 32-bit to decimal float.
11312
11313 In addition, in order to imitate @value{GDBN}'s behaviour with binary floating
11314 point computations, error checking in decimal float operations ignores
11315 underflow, overflow and divide by zero exceptions.
11316
11317 In the PowerPC architecture, @value{GDBN} provides a set of pseudo-registers
11318 to inspect @code{_Decimal128} values stored in floating point registers.
11319 See @ref{PowerPC,,PowerPC} for more details.
11320
11321 @node Objective-C
11322 @subsection Objective-C
11323
11324 @cindex Objective-C
11325 This section provides information about some commands and command
11326 options that are useful for debugging Objective-C code. See also
11327 @ref{Symbols, info classes}, and @ref{Symbols, info selectors}, for a
11328 few more commands specific to Objective-C support.
11329
11330 @menu
11331 * Method Names in Commands::
11332 * The Print Command with Objective-C::
11333 @end menu
11334
11335 @node Method Names in Commands
11336 @subsubsection Method Names in Commands
11337
11338 The following commands have been extended to accept Objective-C method
11339 names as line specifications:
11340
11341 @kindex clear@r{, and Objective-C}
11342 @kindex break@r{, and Objective-C}
11343 @kindex info line@r{, and Objective-C}
11344 @kindex jump@r{, and Objective-C}
11345 @kindex list@r{, and Objective-C}
11346 @itemize
11347 @item @code{clear}
11348 @item @code{break}
11349 @item @code{info line}
11350 @item @code{jump}
11351 @item @code{list}
11352 @end itemize
11353
11354 A fully qualified Objective-C method name is specified as
11355
11356 @smallexample
11357 -[@var{Class} @var{methodName}]
11358 @end smallexample
11359
11360 where the minus sign is used to indicate an instance method and a
11361 plus sign (not shown) is used to indicate a class method. The class
11362 name @var{Class} and method name @var{methodName} are enclosed in
11363 brackets, similar to the way messages are specified in Objective-C
11364 source code. For example, to set a breakpoint at the @code{create}
11365 instance method of class @code{Fruit} in the program currently being
11366 debugged, enter:
11367
11368 @smallexample
11369 break -[Fruit create]
11370 @end smallexample
11371
11372 To list ten program lines around the @code{initialize} class method,
11373 enter:
11374
11375 @smallexample
11376 list +[NSText initialize]
11377 @end smallexample
11378
11379 In the current version of @value{GDBN}, the plus or minus sign is
11380 required. In future versions of @value{GDBN}, the plus or minus
11381 sign will be optional, but you can use it to narrow the search. It
11382 is also possible to specify just a method name:
11383
11384 @smallexample
11385 break create
11386 @end smallexample
11387
11388 You must specify the complete method name, including any colons. If
11389 your program's source files contain more than one @code{create} method,
11390 you'll be presented with a numbered list of classes that implement that
11391 method. Indicate your choice by number, or type @samp{0} to exit if
11392 none apply.
11393
11394 As another example, to clear a breakpoint established at the
11395 @code{makeKeyAndOrderFront:} method of the @code{NSWindow} class, enter:
11396
11397 @smallexample
11398 clear -[NSWindow makeKeyAndOrderFront:]
11399 @end smallexample
11400
11401 @node The Print Command with Objective-C
11402 @subsubsection The Print Command With Objective-C
11403 @cindex Objective-C, print objects
11404 @kindex print-object
11405 @kindex po @r{(@code{print-object})}
11406
11407 The print command has also been extended to accept methods. For example:
11408
11409 @smallexample
11410 print -[@var{object} hash]
11411 @end smallexample
11412
11413 @cindex print an Objective-C object description
11414 @cindex @code{_NSPrintForDebugger}, and printing Objective-C objects
11415 @noindent
11416 will tell @value{GDBN} to send the @code{hash} message to @var{object}
11417 and print the result. Also, an additional command has been added,
11418 @code{print-object} or @code{po} for short, which is meant to print
11419 the description of an object. However, this command may only work
11420 with certain Objective-C libraries that have a particular hook
11421 function, @code{_NSPrintForDebugger}, defined.
11422
11423 @node Fortran
11424 @subsection Fortran
11425 @cindex Fortran-specific support in @value{GDBN}
11426
11427 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, but it
11428 currently supports only the features of Fortran 77 language.
11429
11430 @cindex trailing underscore, in Fortran symbols
11431 Some Fortran compilers (@sc{gnu} Fortran 77 and Fortran 95 compilers
11432 among them) append an underscore to the names of variables and
11433 functions. When you debug programs compiled by those compilers, you
11434 will need to refer to variables and functions with a trailing
11435 underscore.
11436
11437 @menu
11438 * Fortran Operators:: Fortran operators and expressions
11439 * Fortran Defaults:: Default settings for Fortran
11440 * Special Fortran Commands:: Special @value{GDBN} commands for Fortran
11441 @end menu
11442
11443 @node Fortran Operators
11444 @subsubsection Fortran Operators and Expressions
11445
11446 @cindex Fortran operators and expressions
11447
11448 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
11449 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on characters or other non-
11450 arithmetic types. Operators are often defined on groups of types.
11451
11452 @table @code
11453 @item **
11454 The exponentiation operator. It raises the first operand to the power
11455 of the second one.
11456
11457 @item :
11458 The range operator. Normally used in the form of array(low:high) to
11459 represent a section of array.
11460
11461 @item %
11462 The access component operator. Normally used to access elements in derived
11463 types. Also suitable for unions. As unions aren't part of regular Fortran,
11464 this can only happen when accessing a register that uses a gdbarch-defined
11465 union type.
11466 @end table
11467
11468 @node Fortran Defaults
11469 @subsubsection Fortran Defaults
11470
11471 @cindex Fortran Defaults
11472
11473 Fortran symbols are usually case-insensitive, so @value{GDBN} by
11474 default uses case-insensitive matches for Fortran symbols. You can
11475 change that with the @samp{set case-insensitive} command, see
11476 @ref{Symbols}, for the details.
11477
11478 @node Special Fortran Commands
11479 @subsubsection Special Fortran Commands
11480
11481 @cindex Special Fortran commands
11482
11483 @value{GDBN} has some commands to support Fortran-specific features,
11484 such as displaying common blocks.
11485
11486 @table @code
11487 @cindex @code{COMMON} blocks, Fortran
11488 @kindex info common
11489 @item info common @r{[}@var{common-name}@r{]}
11490 This command prints the values contained in the Fortran @code{COMMON}
11491 block whose name is @var{common-name}. With no argument, the names of
11492 all @code{COMMON} blocks visible at the current program location are
11493 printed.
11494 @end table
11495
11496 @node Pascal
11497 @subsection Pascal
11498
11499 @cindex Pascal support in @value{GDBN}, limitations
11500 Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or
11501 nested functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
11502 entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal
11503 syntax.
11504
11505 The Pascal-specific command @code{set print pascal_static-members}
11506 controls whether static members of Pascal objects are displayed.
11507 @xref{Print Settings, pascal_static-members}.
11508
11509 @node Modula-2
11510 @subsection Modula-2
11511
11512 @cindex Modula-2, @value{GDBN} support
11513
11514 The extensions made to @value{GDBN} to support Modula-2 only support
11515 output from the @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler (which is currently being
11516 developed). Other Modula-2 compilers are not currently supported, and
11517 attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
11518 to give an error as @value{GDBN} reads in the executable's symbol
11519 table.
11520
11521 @cindex expressions in Modula-2
11522 @menu
11523 * M2 Operators:: Built-in operators
11524 * Built-In Func/Proc:: Built-in functions and procedures
11525 * M2 Constants:: Modula-2 constants
11526 * M2 Types:: Modula-2 types
11527 * M2 Defaults:: Default settings for Modula-2
11528 * Deviations:: Deviations from standard Modula-2
11529 * M2 Checks:: Modula-2 type and range checks
11530 * M2 Scope:: The scope operators @code{::} and @code{.}
11531 * GDB/M2:: @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
11532 @end menu
11533
11534 @node M2 Operators
11535 @subsubsection Operators
11536 @cindex Modula-2 operators
11537
11538 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
11539 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
11540 often defined on groups of types. For the purposes of Modula-2, the
11541 following definitions hold:
11542
11543 @itemize @bullet
11544
11545 @item
11546 @emph{Integral types} consist of @code{INTEGER}, @code{CARDINAL}, and
11547 their subranges.
11548
11549 @item
11550 @emph{Character types} consist of @code{CHAR} and its subranges.
11551
11552 @item
11553 @emph{Floating-point types} consist of @code{REAL}.
11554
11555 @item
11556 @emph{Pointer types} consist of anything declared as @code{POINTER TO
11557 @var{type}}.
11558
11559 @item
11560 @emph{Scalar types} consist of all of the above.
11561
11562 @item
11563 @emph{Set types} consist of @code{SET} and @code{BITSET} types.
11564
11565 @item
11566 @emph{Boolean types} consist of @code{BOOLEAN}.
11567 @end itemize
11568
11569 @noindent
11570 The following operators are supported, and appear in order of
11571 increasing precedence:
11572
11573 @table @code
11574 @item ,
11575 Function argument or array index separator.
11576
11577 @item :=
11578 Assignment. The value of @var{var} @code{:=} @var{value} is
11579 @var{value}.
11580
11581 @item <@r{, }>
11582 Less than, greater than on integral, floating-point, or enumerated
11583 types.
11584
11585 @item <=@r{, }>=
11586 Less than or equal to, greater than or equal to
11587 on integral, floating-point and enumerated types, or set inclusion on
11588 set types. Same precedence as @code{<}.
11589
11590 @item =@r{, }<>@r{, }#
11591 Equality and two ways of expressing inequality, valid on scalar types.
11592 Same precedence as @code{<}. In @value{GDBN} scripts, only @code{<>} is
11593 available for inequality, since @code{#} conflicts with the script
11594 comment character.
11595
11596 @item IN
11597 Set membership. Defined on set types and the types of their members.
11598 Same precedence as @code{<}.
11599
11600 @item OR
11601 Boolean disjunction. Defined on boolean types.
11602
11603 @item AND@r{, }&
11604 Boolean conjunction. Defined on boolean types.
11605
11606 @item @@
11607 The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
11608
11609 @item +@r{, }-
11610 Addition and subtraction on integral and floating-point types, or union
11611 and difference on set types.
11612
11613 @item *
11614 Multiplication on integral and floating-point types, or set intersection
11615 on set types.
11616
11617 @item /
11618 Division on floating-point types, or symmetric set difference on set
11619 types. Same precedence as @code{*}.
11620
11621 @item DIV@r{, }MOD
11622 Integer division and remainder. Defined on integral types. Same
11623 precedence as @code{*}.
11624
11625 @item -
11626 Negative. Defined on @code{INTEGER} and @code{REAL} data.
11627
11628 @item ^
11629 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types.
11630
11631 @item NOT
11632 Boolean negation. Defined on boolean types. Same precedence as
11633 @code{^}.
11634
11635 @item .
11636 @code{RECORD} field selector. Defined on @code{RECORD} data. Same
11637 precedence as @code{^}.
11638
11639 @item []
11640 Array indexing. Defined on @code{ARRAY} data. Same precedence as @code{^}.
11641
11642 @item ()
11643 Procedure argument list. Defined on @code{PROCEDURE} objects. Same precedence
11644 as @code{^}.
11645
11646 @item ::@r{, }.
11647 @value{GDBN} and Modula-2 scope operators.
11648 @end table
11649
11650 @quotation
11651 @emph{Warning:} Set expressions and their operations are not yet supported, so @value{GDBN}
11652 treats the use of the operator @code{IN}, or the use of operators
11653 @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{=}, , @code{<>}, @code{#},
11654 @code{<=}, and @code{>=} on sets as an error.
11655 @end quotation
11656
11657
11658 @node Built-In Func/Proc
11659 @subsubsection Built-in Functions and Procedures
11660 @cindex Modula-2 built-ins
11661
11662 Modula-2 also makes available several built-in procedures and functions.
11663 In describing these, the following metavariables are used:
11664
11665 @table @var
11666
11667 @item a
11668 represents an @code{ARRAY} variable.
11669
11670 @item c
11671 represents a @code{CHAR} constant or variable.
11672
11673 @item i
11674 represents a variable or constant of integral type.
11675
11676 @item m
11677 represents an identifier that belongs to a set. Generally used in the
11678 same function with the metavariable @var{s}. The type of @var{s} should
11679 be @code{SET OF @var{mtype}} (where @var{mtype} is the type of @var{m}).
11680
11681 @item n
11682 represents a variable or constant of integral or floating-point type.
11683
11684 @item r
11685 represents a variable or constant of floating-point type.
11686
11687 @item t
11688 represents a type.
11689
11690 @item v
11691 represents a variable.
11692
11693 @item x
11694 represents a variable or constant of one of many types. See the
11695 explanation of the function for details.
11696 @end table
11697
11698 All Modula-2 built-in procedures also return a result, described below.
11699
11700 @table @code
11701 @item ABS(@var{n})
11702 Returns the absolute value of @var{n}.
11703
11704 @item CAP(@var{c})
11705 If @var{c} is a lower case letter, it returns its upper case
11706 equivalent, otherwise it returns its argument.
11707
11708 @item CHR(@var{i})
11709 Returns the character whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
11710
11711 @item DEC(@var{v})
11712 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
11713
11714 @item DEC(@var{v},@var{i})
11715 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
11716 new value.
11717
11718 @item EXCL(@var{m},@var{s})
11719 Removes the element @var{m} from the set @var{s}. Returns the new
11720 set.
11721
11722 @item FLOAT(@var{i})
11723 Returns the floating point equivalent of the integer @var{i}.
11724
11725 @item HIGH(@var{a})
11726 Returns the index of the last member of @var{a}.
11727
11728 @item INC(@var{v})
11729 Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
11730
11731 @item INC(@var{v},@var{i})
11732 Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
11733 new value.
11734
11735 @item INCL(@var{m},@var{s})
11736 Adds the element @var{m} to the set @var{s} if it is not already
11737 there. Returns the new set.
11738
11739 @item MAX(@var{t})
11740 Returns the maximum value of the type @var{t}.
11741
11742 @item MIN(@var{t})
11743 Returns the minimum value of the type @var{t}.
11744
11745 @item ODD(@var{i})
11746 Returns boolean TRUE if @var{i} is an odd number.
11747
11748 @item ORD(@var{x})
11749 Returns the ordinal value of its argument. For example, the ordinal
11750 value of a character is its @sc{ascii} value (on machines supporting the
11751 @sc{ascii} character set). @var{x} must be of an ordered type, which include
11752 integral, character and enumerated types.
11753
11754 @item SIZE(@var{x})
11755 Returns the size of its argument. @var{x} can be a variable or a type.
11756
11757 @item TRUNC(@var{r})
11758 Returns the integral part of @var{r}.
11759
11760 @item TSIZE(@var{x})
11761 Returns the size of its argument. @var{x} can be a variable or a type.
11762
11763 @item VAL(@var{t},@var{i})
11764 Returns the member of the type @var{t} whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
11765 @end table
11766
11767 @quotation
11768 @emph{Warning:} Sets and their operations are not yet supported, so
11769 @value{GDBN} treats the use of procedures @code{INCL} and @code{EXCL} as
11770 an error.
11771 @end quotation
11772
11773 @cindex Modula-2 constants
11774 @node M2 Constants
11775 @subsubsection Constants
11776
11777 @value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of Modula-2 in the following
11778 ways:
11779
11780 @itemize @bullet
11781
11782 @item
11783 Integer constants are simply a sequence of digits. When used in an
11784 expression, a constant is interpreted to be type-compatible with the
11785 rest of the expression. Hexadecimal integers are specified by a
11786 trailing @samp{H}, and octal integers by a trailing @samp{B}.
11787
11788 @item
11789 Floating point constants appear as a sequence of digits, followed by a
11790 decimal point and another sequence of digits. An optional exponent can
11791 then be specified, in the form @samp{E@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}, where
11792 @samp{@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}} is the desired exponent. All of the
11793 digits of the floating point constant must be valid decimal (base 10)
11794 digits.
11795
11796 @item
11797 Character constants consist of a single character enclosed by a pair of
11798 like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}). They may
11799 also be expressed by their ordinal value (their @sc{ascii} value, usually)
11800 followed by a @samp{C}.
11801
11802 @item
11803 String constants consist of a sequence of characters enclosed by a
11804 pair of like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}).
11805 Escape sequences in the style of C are also allowed. @xref{C
11806 Constants, ,C and C@t{++} Constants}, for a brief explanation of escape
11807 sequences.
11808
11809 @item
11810 Enumerated constants consist of an enumerated identifier.
11811
11812 @item
11813 Boolean constants consist of the identifiers @code{TRUE} and
11814 @code{FALSE}.
11815
11816 @item
11817 Pointer constants consist of integral values only.
11818
11819 @item
11820 Set constants are not yet supported.
11821 @end itemize
11822
11823 @node M2 Types
11824 @subsubsection Modula-2 Types
11825 @cindex Modula-2 types
11826
11827 Currently @value{GDBN} can print the following data types in Modula-2
11828 syntax: array types, record types, set types, pointer types, procedure
11829 types, enumerated types, subrange types and base types. You can also
11830 print the contents of variables declared using these type.
11831 This section gives a number of simple source code examples together with
11832 sample @value{GDBN} sessions.
11833
11834 The first example contains the following section of code:
11835
11836 @smallexample
11837 VAR
11838 s: SET OF CHAR ;
11839 r: [20..40] ;
11840 @end smallexample
11841
11842 @noindent
11843 and you can request @value{GDBN} to interrogate the type and value of
11844 @code{r} and @code{s}.
11845
11846 @smallexample
11847 (@value{GDBP}) print s
11848 @{'A'..'C', 'Z'@}
11849 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
11850 SET OF CHAR
11851 (@value{GDBP}) print r
11852 21
11853 (@value{GDBP}) ptype r
11854 [20..40]
11855 @end smallexample
11856
11857 @noindent
11858 Likewise if your source code declares @code{s} as:
11859
11860 @smallexample
11861 VAR
11862 s: SET ['A'..'Z'] ;
11863 @end smallexample
11864
11865 @noindent
11866 then you may query the type of @code{s} by:
11867
11868 @smallexample
11869 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
11870 type = SET ['A'..'Z']
11871 @end smallexample
11872
11873 @noindent
11874 Note that at present you cannot interactively manipulate set
11875 expressions using the debugger.
11876
11877 The following example shows how you might declare an array in Modula-2
11878 and how you can interact with @value{GDBN} to print its type and contents:
11879
11880 @smallexample
11881 VAR
11882 s: ARRAY [-10..10] OF CHAR ;
11883 @end smallexample
11884
11885 @smallexample
11886 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
11887 ARRAY [-10..10] OF CHAR
11888 @end smallexample
11889
11890 Note that the array handling is not yet complete and although the type
11891 is printed correctly, expression handling still assumes that all
11892 arrays have a lower bound of zero and not @code{-10} as in the example
11893 above.
11894
11895 Here are some more type related Modula-2 examples:
11896
11897 @smallexample
11898 TYPE
11899 colour = (blue, red, yellow, green) ;
11900 t = [blue..yellow] ;
11901 VAR
11902 s: t ;
11903 BEGIN
11904 s := blue ;
11905 @end smallexample
11906
11907 @noindent
11908 The @value{GDBN} interaction shows how you can query the data type
11909 and value of a variable.
11910
11911 @smallexample
11912 (@value{GDBP}) print s
11913 $1 = blue
11914 (@value{GDBP}) ptype t
11915 type = [blue..yellow]
11916 @end smallexample
11917
11918 @noindent
11919 In this example a Modula-2 array is declared and its contents
11920 displayed. Observe that the contents are written in the same way as
11921 their @code{C} counterparts.
11922
11923 @smallexample
11924 VAR
11925 s: ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL ;
11926 BEGIN
11927 s[1] := 1 ;
11928 @end smallexample
11929
11930 @smallexample
11931 (@value{GDBP}) print s
11932 $1 = @{1, 0, 0, 0, 0@}
11933 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
11934 type = ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL
11935 @end smallexample
11936
11937 The Modula-2 language interface to @value{GDBN} also understands
11938 pointer types as shown in this example:
11939
11940 @smallexample
11941 VAR
11942 s: POINTER TO ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL ;
11943 BEGIN
11944 NEW(s) ;
11945 s^[1] := 1 ;
11946 @end smallexample
11947
11948 @noindent
11949 and you can request that @value{GDBN} describes the type of @code{s}.
11950
11951 @smallexample
11952 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
11953 type = POINTER TO ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL
11954 @end smallexample
11955
11956 @value{GDBN} handles compound types as we can see in this example.
11957 Here we combine array types, record types, pointer types and subrange
11958 types:
11959
11960 @smallexample
11961 TYPE
11962 foo = RECORD
11963 f1: CARDINAL ;
11964 f2: CHAR ;
11965 f3: myarray ;
11966 END ;
11967
11968 myarray = ARRAY myrange OF CARDINAL ;
11969 myrange = [-2..2] ;
11970 VAR
11971 s: POINTER TO ARRAY myrange OF foo ;
11972 @end smallexample
11973
11974 @noindent
11975 and you can ask @value{GDBN} to describe the type of @code{s} as shown
11976 below.
11977
11978 @smallexample
11979 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
11980 type = POINTER TO ARRAY [-2..2] OF foo = RECORD
11981 f1 : CARDINAL;
11982 f2 : CHAR;
11983 f3 : ARRAY [-2..2] OF CARDINAL;
11984 END
11985 @end smallexample
11986
11987 @node M2 Defaults
11988 @subsubsection Modula-2 Defaults
11989 @cindex Modula-2 defaults
11990
11991 If type and range checking are set automatically by @value{GDBN}, they
11992 both default to @code{on} whenever the working language changes to
11993 Modula-2. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
11994 selected the working language.
11995
11996 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, then entering
11997 code compiled from a file whose name ends with @file{.mod} sets the
11998 working language to Modula-2. @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN}
11999 Infer the Source Language}, for further details.
12000
12001 @node Deviations
12002 @subsubsection Deviations from Standard Modula-2
12003 @cindex Modula-2, deviations from
12004
12005 A few changes have been made to make Modula-2 programs easier to debug.
12006 This is done primarily via loosening its type strictness:
12007
12008 @itemize @bullet
12009 @item
12010 Unlike in standard Modula-2, pointer constants can be formed by
12011 integers. This allows you to modify pointer variables during
12012 debugging. (In standard Modula-2, the actual address contained in a
12013 pointer variable is hidden from you; it can only be modified
12014 through direct assignment to another pointer variable or expression that
12015 returned a pointer.)
12016
12017 @item
12018 C escape sequences can be used in strings and characters to represent
12019 non-printable characters. @value{GDBN} prints out strings with these
12020 escape sequences embedded. Single non-printable characters are
12021 printed using the @samp{CHR(@var{nnn})} format.
12022
12023 @item
12024 The assignment operator (@code{:=}) returns the value of its right-hand
12025 argument.
12026
12027 @item
12028 All built-in procedures both modify @emph{and} return their argument.
12029 @end itemize
12030
12031 @node M2 Checks
12032 @subsubsection Modula-2 Type and Range Checks
12033 @cindex Modula-2 checks
12034
12035 @quotation
12036 @emph{Warning:} in this release, @value{GDBN} does not yet perform type or
12037 range checking.
12038 @end quotation
12039 @c FIXME remove warning when type/range checks added
12040
12041 @value{GDBN} considers two Modula-2 variables type equivalent if:
12042
12043 @itemize @bullet
12044 @item
12045 They are of types that have been declared equivalent via a @code{TYPE
12046 @var{t1} = @var{t2}} statement
12047
12048 @item
12049 They have been declared on the same line. (Note: This is true of the
12050 @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler, but it may not be true of other compilers.)
12051 @end itemize
12052
12053 As long as type checking is enabled, any attempt to combine variables
12054 whose types are not equivalent is an error.
12055
12056 Range checking is done on all mathematical operations, assignment, array
12057 index bounds, and all built-in functions and procedures.
12058
12059 @node M2 Scope
12060 @subsubsection The Scope Operators @code{::} and @code{.}
12061 @cindex scope
12062 @cindex @code{.}, Modula-2 scope operator
12063 @cindex colon, doubled as scope operator
12064 @ifinfo
12065 @vindex colon-colon@r{, in Modula-2}
12066 @c Info cannot handle :: but TeX can.
12067 @end ifinfo
12068 @ifnotinfo
12069 @vindex ::@r{, in Modula-2}
12070 @end ifnotinfo
12071
12072 There are a few subtle differences between the Modula-2 scope operator
12073 (@code{.}) and the @value{GDBN} scope operator (@code{::}). The two have
12074 similar syntax:
12075
12076 @smallexample
12077
12078 @var{module} . @var{id}
12079 @var{scope} :: @var{id}
12080 @end smallexample
12081
12082 @noindent
12083 where @var{scope} is the name of a module or a procedure,
12084 @var{module} the name of a module, and @var{id} is any declared
12085 identifier within your program, except another module.
12086
12087 Using the @code{::} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the scope
12088 specified by @var{scope} for the identifier @var{id}. If it is not
12089 found in the specified scope, then @value{GDBN} searches all scopes
12090 enclosing the one specified by @var{scope}.
12091
12092 Using the @code{.} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the current scope for
12093 the identifier specified by @var{id} that was imported from the
12094 definition module specified by @var{module}. With this operator, it is
12095 an error if the identifier @var{id} was not imported from definition
12096 module @var{module}, or if @var{id} is not an identifier in
12097 @var{module}.
12098
12099 @node GDB/M2
12100 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
12101
12102 Some @value{GDBN} commands have little use when debugging Modula-2 programs.
12103 Five subcommands of @code{set print} and @code{show print} apply
12104 specifically to C and C@t{++}: @samp{vtbl}, @samp{demangle},
12105 @samp{asm-demangle}, @samp{object}, and @samp{union}. The first four
12106 apply to C@t{++}, and the last to the C @code{union} type, which has no direct
12107 analogue in Modula-2.
12108
12109 The @code{@@} operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}), while available
12110 with any language, is not useful with Modula-2. Its
12111 intent is to aid the debugging of @dfn{dynamic arrays}, which cannot be
12112 created in Modula-2 as they can in C or C@t{++}. However, because an
12113 address can be specified by an integral constant, the construct
12114 @samp{@{@var{type}@}@var{adrexp}} is still useful.
12115
12116 @cindex @code{#} in Modula-2
12117 In @value{GDBN} scripts, the Modula-2 inequality operator @code{#} is
12118 interpreted as the beginning of a comment. Use @code{<>} instead.
12119
12120 @node Ada
12121 @subsection Ada
12122 @cindex Ada
12123
12124 The extensions made to @value{GDBN} for Ada only support
12125 output from the @sc{gnu} Ada (GNAT) compiler.
12126 Other Ada compilers are not currently supported, and
12127 attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
12128 to be difficult.
12129
12130
12131 @cindex expressions in Ada
12132 @menu
12133 * Ada Mode Intro:: General remarks on the Ada syntax
12134 and semantics supported by Ada mode
12135 in @value{GDBN}.
12136 * Omissions from Ada:: Restrictions on the Ada expression syntax.
12137 * Additions to Ada:: Extensions of the Ada expression syntax.
12138 * Stopping Before Main Program:: Debugging the program during elaboration.
12139 * Ada Tasks:: Listing and setting breakpoints in tasks.
12140 * Ada Tasks and Core Files:: Tasking Support when Debugging Core Files
12141 * Ada Glitches:: Known peculiarities of Ada mode.
12142 @end menu
12143
12144 @node Ada Mode Intro
12145 @subsubsection Introduction
12146 @cindex Ada mode, general
12147
12148 The Ada mode of @value{GDBN} supports a fairly large subset of Ada expression
12149 syntax, with some extensions.
12150 The philosophy behind the design of this subset is
12151
12152 @itemize @bullet
12153 @item
12154 That @value{GDBN} should provide basic literals and access to operations for
12155 arithmetic, dereferencing, field selection, indexing, and subprogram calls,
12156 leaving more sophisticated computations to subprograms written into the
12157 program (which therefore may be called from @value{GDBN}).
12158
12159 @item
12160 That type safety and strict adherence to Ada language restrictions
12161 are not particularly important to the @value{GDBN} user.
12162
12163 @item
12164 That brevity is important to the @value{GDBN} user.
12165 @end itemize
12166
12167 Thus, for brevity, the debugger acts as if all names declared in
12168 user-written packages are directly visible, even if they are not visible
12169 according to Ada rules, thus making it unnecessary to fully qualify most
12170 names with their packages, regardless of context. Where this causes
12171 ambiguity, @value{GDBN} asks the user's intent.
12172
12173 The debugger will start in Ada mode if it detects an Ada main program.
12174 As for other languages, it will enter Ada mode when stopped in a program that
12175 was translated from an Ada source file.
12176
12177 While in Ada mode, you may use `@t{--}' for comments. This is useful
12178 mostly for documenting command files. The standard @value{GDBN} comment
12179 (@samp{#}) still works at the beginning of a line in Ada mode, but not in the
12180 middle (to allow based literals).
12181
12182 The debugger supports limited overloading. Given a subprogram call in which
12183 the function symbol has multiple definitions, it will use the number of
12184 actual parameters and some information about their types to attempt to narrow
12185 the set of definitions. It also makes very limited use of context, preferring
12186 procedures to functions in the context of the @code{call} command, and
12187 functions to procedures elsewhere.
12188
12189 @node Omissions from Ada
12190 @subsubsection Omissions from Ada
12191 @cindex Ada, omissions from
12192
12193 Here are the notable omissions from the subset:
12194
12195 @itemize @bullet
12196 @item
12197 Only a subset of the attributes are supported:
12198
12199 @itemize @minus
12200 @item
12201 @t{'First}, @t{'Last}, and @t{'Length}
12202 on array objects (not on types and subtypes).
12203
12204 @item
12205 @t{'Min} and @t{'Max}.
12206
12207 @item
12208 @t{'Pos} and @t{'Val}.
12209
12210 @item
12211 @t{'Tag}.
12212
12213 @item
12214 @t{'Range} on array objects (not subtypes), but only as the right
12215 operand of the membership (@code{in}) operator.
12216
12217 @item
12218 @t{'Access}, @t{'Unchecked_Access}, and
12219 @t{'Unrestricted_Access} (a GNAT extension).
12220
12221 @item
12222 @t{'Address}.
12223 @end itemize
12224
12225 @item
12226 The names in
12227 @code{Characters.Latin_1} are not available and
12228 concatenation is not implemented. Thus, escape characters in strings are
12229 not currently available.
12230
12231 @item
12232 Equality tests (@samp{=} and @samp{/=}) on arrays test for bitwise
12233 equality of representations. They will generally work correctly
12234 for strings and arrays whose elements have integer or enumeration types.
12235 They may not work correctly for arrays whose element
12236 types have user-defined equality, for arrays of real values
12237 (in particular, IEEE-conformant floating point, because of negative
12238 zeroes and NaNs), and for arrays whose elements contain unused bits with
12239 indeterminate values.
12240
12241 @item
12242 The other component-by-component array operations (@code{and}, @code{or},
12243 @code{xor}, @code{not}, and relational tests other than equality)
12244 are not implemented.
12245
12246 @item
12247 @cindex array aggregates (Ada)
12248 @cindex record aggregates (Ada)
12249 @cindex aggregates (Ada)
12250 There is limited support for array and record aggregates. They are
12251 permitted only on the right sides of assignments, as in these examples:
12252
12253 @smallexample
12254 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
12255 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (1, others => 0)
12256 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (0|4 => 1, 1..3 => 2, 5 => 6)
12257 (@value{GDBP}) set A_2D_Array := ((1, 2, 3), (4, 5, 6), (7, 8, 9))
12258 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Record := (1, "Peter", True);
12259 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Record := (Name => "Peter", Id => 1, Alive => True)
12260 @end smallexample
12261
12262 Changing a
12263 discriminant's value by assigning an aggregate has an
12264 undefined effect if that discriminant is used within the record.
12265 However, you can first modify discriminants by directly assigning to
12266 them (which normally would not be allowed in Ada), and then performing an
12267 aggregate assignment. For example, given a variable @code{A_Rec}
12268 declared to have a type such as:
12269
12270 @smallexample
12271 type Rec (Len : Small_Integer := 0) is record
12272 Id : Integer;
12273 Vals : IntArray (1 .. Len);
12274 end record;
12275 @end smallexample
12276
12277 you can assign a value with a different size of @code{Vals} with two
12278 assignments:
12279
12280 @smallexample
12281 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Rec.Len := 4
12282 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Rec := (Id => 42, Vals => (1, 2, 3, 4))
12283 @end smallexample
12284
12285 As this example also illustrates, @value{GDBN} is very loose about the usual
12286 rules concerning aggregates. You may leave out some of the
12287 components of an array or record aggregate (such as the @code{Len}
12288 component in the assignment to @code{A_Rec} above); they will retain their
12289 original values upon assignment. You may freely use dynamic values as
12290 indices in component associations. You may even use overlapping or
12291 redundant component associations, although which component values are
12292 assigned in such cases is not defined.
12293
12294 @item
12295 Calls to dispatching subprograms are not implemented.
12296
12297 @item
12298 The overloading algorithm is much more limited (i.e., less selective)
12299 than that of real Ada. It makes only limited use of the context in
12300 which a subexpression appears to resolve its meaning, and it is much
12301 looser in its rules for allowing type matches. As a result, some
12302 function calls will be ambiguous, and the user will be asked to choose
12303 the proper resolution.
12304
12305 @item
12306 The @code{new} operator is not implemented.
12307
12308 @item
12309 Entry calls are not implemented.
12310
12311 @item
12312 Aside from printing, arithmetic operations on the native VAX floating-point
12313 formats are not supported.
12314
12315 @item
12316 It is not possible to slice a packed array.
12317
12318 @item
12319 The names @code{True} and @code{False}, when not part of a qualified name,
12320 are interpreted as if implicitly prefixed by @code{Standard}, regardless of
12321 context.
12322 Should your program
12323 redefine these names in a package or procedure (at best a dubious practice),
12324 you will have to use fully qualified names to access their new definitions.
12325 @end itemize
12326
12327 @node Additions to Ada
12328 @subsubsection Additions to Ada
12329 @cindex Ada, deviations from
12330
12331 As it does for other languages, @value{GDBN} makes certain generic
12332 extensions to Ada (@pxref{Expressions}):
12333
12334 @itemize @bullet
12335 @item
12336 If the expression @var{E} is a variable residing in memory (typically
12337 a local variable or array element) and @var{N} is a positive integer,
12338 then @code{@var{E}@@@var{N}} displays the values of @var{E} and the
12339 @var{N}-1 adjacent variables following it in memory as an array. In
12340 Ada, this operator is generally not necessary, since its prime use is
12341 in displaying parts of an array, and slicing will usually do this in
12342 Ada. However, there are occasional uses when debugging programs in
12343 which certain debugging information has been optimized away.
12344
12345 @item
12346 @code{@var{B}::@var{var}} means ``the variable named @var{var} that
12347 appears in function or file @var{B}.'' When @var{B} is a file name,
12348 you must typically surround it in single quotes.
12349
12350 @item
12351 The expression @code{@{@var{type}@} @var{addr}} means ``the variable of type
12352 @var{type} that appears at address @var{addr}.''
12353
12354 @item
12355 A name starting with @samp{$} is a convenience variable
12356 (@pxref{Convenience Vars}) or a machine register (@pxref{Registers}).
12357 @end itemize
12358
12359 In addition, @value{GDBN} provides a few other shortcuts and outright
12360 additions specific to Ada:
12361
12362 @itemize @bullet
12363 @item
12364 The assignment statement is allowed as an expression, returning
12365 its right-hand operand as its value. Thus, you may enter
12366
12367 @smallexample
12368 (@value{GDBP}) set x := y + 3
12369 (@value{GDBP}) print A(tmp := y + 1)
12370 @end smallexample
12371
12372 @item
12373 The semicolon is allowed as an ``operator,'' returning as its value
12374 the value of its right-hand operand.
12375 This allows, for example,
12376 complex conditional breaks:
12377
12378 @smallexample
12379 (@value{GDBP}) break f
12380 (@value{GDBP}) condition 1 (report(i); k += 1; A(k) > 100)
12381 @end smallexample
12382
12383 @item
12384 Rather than use catenation and symbolic character names to introduce special
12385 characters into strings, one may instead use a special bracket notation,
12386 which is also used to print strings. A sequence of characters of the form
12387 @samp{["@var{XX}"]} within a string or character literal denotes the
12388 (single) character whose numeric encoding is @var{XX} in hexadecimal. The
12389 sequence of characters @samp{["""]} also denotes a single quotation mark
12390 in strings. For example,
12391 @smallexample
12392 "One line.["0a"]Next line.["0a"]"
12393 @end smallexample
12394 @noindent
12395 contains an ASCII newline character (@code{Ada.Characters.Latin_1.LF})
12396 after each period.
12397
12398 @item
12399 The subtype used as a prefix for the attributes @t{'Pos}, @t{'Min}, and
12400 @t{'Max} is optional (and is ignored in any case). For example, it is valid
12401 to write
12402
12403 @smallexample
12404 (@value{GDBP}) print 'max(x, y)
12405 @end smallexample
12406
12407 @item
12408 When printing arrays, @value{GDBN} uses positional notation when the
12409 array has a lower bound of 1, and uses a modified named notation otherwise.
12410 For example, a one-dimensional array of three integers with a lower bound
12411 of 3 might print as
12412
12413 @smallexample
12414 (3 => 10, 17, 1)
12415 @end smallexample
12416
12417 @noindent
12418 That is, in contrast to valid Ada, only the first component has a @code{=>}
12419 clause.
12420
12421 @item
12422 You may abbreviate attributes in expressions with any unique,
12423 multi-character subsequence of
12424 their names (an exact match gets preference).
12425 For example, you may use @t{a'len}, @t{a'gth}, or @t{a'lh}
12426 in place of @t{a'length}.
12427
12428 @item
12429 @cindex quoting Ada internal identifiers
12430 Since Ada is case-insensitive, the debugger normally maps identifiers you type
12431 to lower case. The GNAT compiler uses upper-case characters for
12432 some of its internal identifiers, which are normally of no interest to users.
12433 For the rare occasions when you actually have to look at them,
12434 enclose them in angle brackets to avoid the lower-case mapping.
12435 For example,
12436 @smallexample
12437 (@value{GDBP}) print <JMPBUF_SAVE>[0]
12438 @end smallexample
12439
12440 @item
12441 Printing an object of class-wide type or dereferencing an
12442 access-to-class-wide value will display all the components of the object's
12443 specific type (as indicated by its run-time tag). Likewise, component
12444 selection on such a value will operate on the specific type of the
12445 object.
12446
12447 @end itemize
12448
12449 @node Stopping Before Main Program
12450 @subsubsection Stopping at the Very Beginning
12451
12452 @cindex breakpointing Ada elaboration code
12453 It is sometimes necessary to debug the program during elaboration, and
12454 before reaching the main procedure.
12455 As defined in the Ada Reference
12456 Manual, the elaboration code is invoked from a procedure called
12457 @code{adainit}. To run your program up to the beginning of
12458 elaboration, simply use the following two commands:
12459 @code{tbreak adainit} and @code{run}.
12460
12461 @node Ada Tasks
12462 @subsubsection Extensions for Ada Tasks
12463 @cindex Ada, tasking
12464
12465 Support for Ada tasks is analogous to that for threads (@pxref{Threads}).
12466 @value{GDBN} provides the following task-related commands:
12467
12468 @table @code
12469 @kindex info tasks
12470 @item info tasks
12471 This command shows a list of current Ada tasks, as in the following example:
12472
12473
12474 @smallexample
12475 @iftex
12476 @leftskip=0.5cm
12477 @end iftex
12478 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
12479 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
12480 1 8088000 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
12481 2 80a4000 1 15 Accept Statement b
12482 3 809a800 1 15 Child Activation Wait a
12483 * 4 80ae800 3 15 Runnable c
12484
12485 @end smallexample
12486
12487 @noindent
12488 In this listing, the asterisk before the last task indicates it to be the
12489 task currently being inspected.
12490
12491 @table @asis
12492 @item ID
12493 Represents @value{GDBN}'s internal task number.
12494
12495 @item TID
12496 The Ada task ID.
12497
12498 @item P-ID
12499 The parent's task ID (@value{GDBN}'s internal task number).
12500
12501 @item Pri
12502 The base priority of the task.
12503
12504 @item State
12505 Current state of the task.
12506
12507 @table @code
12508 @item Unactivated
12509 The task has been created but has not been activated. It cannot be
12510 executing.
12511
12512 @item Runnable
12513 The task is not blocked for any reason known to Ada. (It may be waiting
12514 for a mutex, though.) It is conceptually "executing" in normal mode.
12515
12516 @item Terminated
12517 The task is terminated, in the sense of ARM 9.3 (5). Any dependents
12518 that were waiting on terminate alternatives have been awakened and have
12519 terminated themselves.
12520
12521 @item Child Activation Wait
12522 The task is waiting for created tasks to complete activation.
12523
12524 @item Accept Statement
12525 The task is waiting on an accept or selective wait statement.
12526
12527 @item Waiting on entry call
12528 The task is waiting on an entry call.
12529
12530 @item Async Select Wait
12531 The task is waiting to start the abortable part of an asynchronous
12532 select statement.
12533
12534 @item Delay Sleep
12535 The task is waiting on a select statement with only a delay
12536 alternative open.
12537
12538 @item Child Termination Wait
12539 The task is sleeping having completed a master within itself, and is
12540 waiting for the tasks dependent on that master to become terminated or
12541 waiting on a terminate Phase.
12542
12543 @item Wait Child in Term Alt
12544 The task is sleeping waiting for tasks on terminate alternatives to
12545 finish terminating.
12546
12547 @item Accepting RV with @var{taskno}
12548 The task is accepting a rendez-vous with the task @var{taskno}.
12549 @end table
12550
12551 @item Name
12552 Name of the task in the program.
12553
12554 @end table
12555
12556 @kindex info task @var{taskno}
12557 @item info task @var{taskno}
12558 This command shows detailled informations on the specified task, as in
12559 the following example:
12560 @smallexample
12561 @iftex
12562 @leftskip=0.5cm
12563 @end iftex
12564 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
12565 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
12566 1 8077880 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
12567 * 2 807c468 1 15 Runnable task_1
12568 (@value{GDBP}) info task 2
12569 Ada Task: 0x807c468
12570 Name: task_1
12571 Thread: 0x807f378
12572 Parent: 1 (main_task)
12573 Base Priority: 15
12574 State: Runnable
12575 @end smallexample
12576
12577 @item task
12578 @kindex task@r{ (Ada)}
12579 @cindex current Ada task ID
12580 This command prints the ID of the current task.
12581
12582 @smallexample
12583 @iftex
12584 @leftskip=0.5cm
12585 @end iftex
12586 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
12587 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
12588 1 8077870 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
12589 * 2 807c458 1 15 Runnable t
12590 (@value{GDBP}) task
12591 [Current task is 2]
12592 @end smallexample
12593
12594 @item task @var{taskno}
12595 @cindex Ada task switching
12596 This command is like the @code{thread @var{threadno}}
12597 command (@pxref{Threads}). It switches the context of debugging
12598 from the current task to the given task.
12599
12600 @smallexample
12601 @iftex
12602 @leftskip=0.5cm
12603 @end iftex
12604 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
12605 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
12606 1 8077870 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
12607 * 2 807c458 1 15 Runnable t
12608 (@value{GDBP}) task 1
12609 [Switching to task 1]
12610 #0 0x8067726 in pthread_cond_wait ()
12611 (@value{GDBP}) bt
12612 #0 0x8067726 in pthread_cond_wait ()
12613 #1 0x8056714 in system.os_interface.pthread_cond_wait ()
12614 #2 0x805cb63 in system.task_primitives.operations.sleep ()
12615 #3 0x806153e in system.tasking.stages.activate_tasks ()
12616 #4 0x804aacc in un () at un.adb:5
12617 @end smallexample
12618
12619 @item break @var{linespec} task @var{taskno}
12620 @itemx break @var{linespec} task @var{taskno} if @dots{}
12621 @cindex breakpoints and tasks, in Ada
12622 @cindex task breakpoints, in Ada
12623 @kindex break @dots{} task @var{taskno}@r{ (Ada)}
12624 These commands are like the @code{break @dots{} thread @dots{}}
12625 command (@pxref{Thread Stops}).
12626 @var{linespec} specifies source lines, as described
12627 in @ref{Specify Location}.
12628
12629 Use the qualifier @samp{task @var{taskno}} with a breakpoint command
12630 to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
12631 particular Ada task reaches this breakpoint. @var{taskno} is one of the
12632 numeric task identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown in the first
12633 column of the @samp{info tasks} display.
12634
12635 If you do not specify @samp{task @var{taskno}} when you set a
12636 breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} tasks of your
12637 program.
12638
12639 You can use the @code{task} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
12640 well; in this case, place @samp{task @var{taskno}} before the
12641 breakpoint condition (before the @code{if}).
12642
12643 For example,
12644
12645 @smallexample
12646 @iftex
12647 @leftskip=0.5cm
12648 @end iftex
12649 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
12650 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
12651 1 140022020 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
12652 2 140045060 1 15 Accept/Select Wait t2
12653 3 140044840 1 15 Runnable t1
12654 * 4 140056040 1 15 Runnable t3
12655 (@value{GDBP}) b 15 task 2
12656 Breakpoint 5 at 0x120044cb0: file test_task_debug.adb, line 15.
12657 (@value{GDBP}) cont
12658 Continuing.
12659 task # 1 running
12660 task # 2 running
12661
12662 Breakpoint 5, test_task_debug () at test_task_debug.adb:15
12663 15 flush;
12664 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
12665 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
12666 1 140022020 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
12667 * 2 140045060 1 15 Runnable t2
12668 3 140044840 1 15 Runnable t1
12669 4 140056040 1 15 Delay Sleep t3
12670 @end smallexample
12671 @end table
12672
12673 @node Ada Tasks and Core Files
12674 @subsubsection Tasking Support when Debugging Core Files
12675 @cindex Ada tasking and core file debugging
12676
12677 When inspecting a core file, as opposed to debugging a live program,
12678 tasking support may be limited or even unavailable, depending on
12679 the platform being used.
12680 For instance, on x86-linux, the list of tasks is available, but task
12681 switching is not supported. On Tru64, however, task switching will work
12682 as usual.
12683
12684 On certain platforms, including Tru64, the debugger needs to perform some
12685 memory writes in order to provide Ada tasking support. When inspecting
12686 a core file, this means that the core file must be opened with read-write
12687 privileges, using the command @samp{"set write on"} (@pxref{Patching}).
12688 Under these circumstances, you should make a backup copy of the core
12689 file before inspecting it with @value{GDBN}.
12690
12691 @node Ada Glitches
12692 @subsubsection Known Peculiarities of Ada Mode
12693 @cindex Ada, problems
12694
12695 Besides the omissions listed previously (@pxref{Omissions from Ada}),
12696 we know of several problems with and limitations of Ada mode in
12697 @value{GDBN},
12698 some of which will be fixed with planned future releases of the debugger
12699 and the GNU Ada compiler.
12700
12701 @itemize @bullet
12702 @item
12703 Currently, the debugger
12704 has insufficient information to determine whether certain pointers represent
12705 pointers to objects or the objects themselves.
12706 Thus, the user may have to tack an extra @code{.all} after an expression
12707 to get it printed properly.
12708
12709 @item
12710 Static constants that the compiler chooses not to materialize as objects in
12711 storage are invisible to the debugger.
12712
12713 @item
12714 Named parameter associations in function argument lists are ignored (the
12715 argument lists are treated as positional).
12716
12717 @item
12718 Many useful library packages are currently invisible to the debugger.
12719
12720 @item
12721 Fixed-point arithmetic, conversions, input, and output is carried out using
12722 floating-point arithmetic, and may give results that only approximate those on
12723 the host machine.
12724
12725 @item
12726 The GNAT compiler never generates the prefix @code{Standard} for any of
12727 the standard symbols defined by the Ada language. @value{GDBN} knows about
12728 this: it will strip the prefix from names when you use it, and will never
12729 look for a name you have so qualified among local symbols, nor match against
12730 symbols in other packages or subprograms. If you have
12731 defined entities anywhere in your program other than parameters and
12732 local variables whose simple names match names in @code{Standard},
12733 GNAT's lack of qualification here can cause confusion. When this happens,
12734 you can usually resolve the confusion
12735 by qualifying the problematic names with package
12736 @code{Standard} explicitly.
12737 @end itemize
12738
12739 @node Unsupported Languages
12740 @section Unsupported Languages
12741
12742 @cindex unsupported languages
12743 @cindex minimal language
12744 In addition to the other fully-supported programming languages,
12745 @value{GDBN} also provides a pseudo-language, called @code{minimal}.
12746 It does not represent a real programming language, but provides a set
12747 of capabilities close to what the C or assembly languages provide.
12748 This should allow most simple operations to be performed while debugging
12749 an application that uses a language currently not supported by @value{GDBN}.
12750
12751 If the language is set to @code{auto}, @value{GDBN} will automatically
12752 select this language if the current frame corresponds to an unsupported
12753 language.
12754
12755 @node Symbols
12756 @chapter Examining the Symbol Table
12757
12758 The commands described in this chapter allow you to inquire about the
12759 symbols (names of variables, functions and types) defined in your
12760 program. This information is inherent in the text of your program and
12761 does not change as your program executes. @value{GDBN} finds it in your
12762 program's symbol table, in the file indicated when you started @value{GDBN}
12763 (@pxref{File Options, ,Choosing Files}), or by one of the
12764 file-management commands (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
12765
12766 @cindex symbol names
12767 @cindex names of symbols
12768 @cindex quoting names
12769 Occasionally, you may need to refer to symbols that contain unusual
12770 characters, which @value{GDBN} ordinarily treats as word delimiters. The
12771 most frequent case is in referring to static variables in other
12772 source files (@pxref{Variables,,Program Variables}). File names
12773 are recorded in object files as debugging symbols, but @value{GDBN} would
12774 ordinarily parse a typical file name, like @file{foo.c}, as the three words
12775 @samp{foo} @samp{.} @samp{c}. To allow @value{GDBN} to recognize
12776 @samp{foo.c} as a single symbol, enclose it in single quotes; for example,
12777
12778 @smallexample
12779 p 'foo.c'::x
12780 @end smallexample
12781
12782 @noindent
12783 looks up the value of @code{x} in the scope of the file @file{foo.c}.
12784
12785 @table @code
12786 @cindex case-insensitive symbol names
12787 @cindex case sensitivity in symbol names
12788 @kindex set case-sensitive
12789 @item set case-sensitive on
12790 @itemx set case-sensitive off
12791 @itemx set case-sensitive auto
12792 Normally, when @value{GDBN} looks up symbols, it matches their names
12793 with case sensitivity determined by the current source language.
12794 Occasionally, you may wish to control that. The command @code{set
12795 case-sensitive} lets you do that by specifying @code{on} for
12796 case-sensitive matches or @code{off} for case-insensitive ones. If
12797 you specify @code{auto}, case sensitivity is reset to the default
12798 suitable for the source language. The default is case-sensitive
12799 matches for all languages except for Fortran, for which the default is
12800 case-insensitive matches.
12801
12802 @kindex show case-sensitive
12803 @item show case-sensitive
12804 This command shows the current setting of case sensitivity for symbols
12805 lookups.
12806
12807 @kindex info address
12808 @cindex address of a symbol
12809 @item info address @var{symbol}
12810 Describe where the data for @var{symbol} is stored. For a register
12811 variable, this says which register it is kept in. For a non-register
12812 local variable, this prints the stack-frame offset at which the variable
12813 is always stored.
12814
12815 Note the contrast with @samp{print &@var{symbol}}, which does not work
12816 at all for a register variable, and for a stack local variable prints
12817 the exact address of the current instantiation of the variable.
12818
12819 @kindex info symbol
12820 @cindex symbol from address
12821 @cindex closest symbol and offset for an address
12822 @item info symbol @var{addr}
12823 Print the name of a symbol which is stored at the address @var{addr}.
12824 If no symbol is stored exactly at @var{addr}, @value{GDBN} prints the
12825 nearest symbol and an offset from it:
12826
12827 @smallexample
12828 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x54320
12829 _initialize_vx + 396 in section .text
12830 @end smallexample
12831
12832 @noindent
12833 This is the opposite of the @code{info address} command. You can use
12834 it to find out the name of a variable or a function given its address.
12835
12836 For dynamically linked executables, the name of executable or shared
12837 library containing the symbol is also printed:
12838
12839 @smallexample
12840 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x400225
12841 _start + 5 in section .text of /tmp/a.out
12842 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x2aaaac2811cf
12843 __read_nocancel + 6 in section .text of /usr/lib64/libc.so.6
12844 @end smallexample
12845
12846 @kindex whatis
12847 @item whatis [@var{arg}]
12848 Print the data type of @var{arg}, which can be either an expression or
12849 a data type. With no argument, print the data type of @code{$}, the
12850 last value in the value history. If @var{arg} is an expression, it is
12851 not actually evaluated, and any side-effecting operations (such as
12852 assignments or function calls) inside it do not take place. If
12853 @var{arg} is a type name, it may be the name of a type or typedef, or
12854 for C code it may have the form @samp{class @var{class-name}},
12855 @samp{struct @var{struct-tag}}, @samp{union @var{union-tag}} or
12856 @samp{enum @var{enum-tag}}.
12857 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
12858
12859 @kindex ptype
12860 @item ptype [@var{arg}]
12861 @code{ptype} accepts the same arguments as @code{whatis}, but prints a
12862 detailed description of the type, instead of just the name of the type.
12863 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
12864
12865 For example, for this variable declaration:
12866
12867 @smallexample
12868 struct complex @{double real; double imag;@} v;
12869 @end smallexample
12870
12871 @noindent
12872 the two commands give this output:
12873
12874 @smallexample
12875 @group
12876 (@value{GDBP}) whatis v
12877 type = struct complex
12878 (@value{GDBP}) ptype v
12879 type = struct complex @{
12880 double real;
12881 double imag;
12882 @}
12883 @end group
12884 @end smallexample
12885
12886 @noindent
12887 As with @code{whatis}, using @code{ptype} without an argument refers to
12888 the type of @code{$}, the last value in the value history.
12889
12890 @cindex incomplete type
12891 Sometimes, programs use opaque data types or incomplete specifications
12892 of complex data structure. If the debug information included in the
12893 program does not allow @value{GDBN} to display a full declaration of
12894 the data type, it will say @samp{<incomplete type>}. For example,
12895 given these declarations:
12896
12897 @smallexample
12898 struct foo;
12899 struct foo *fooptr;
12900 @end smallexample
12901
12902 @noindent
12903 but no definition for @code{struct foo} itself, @value{GDBN} will say:
12904
12905 @smallexample
12906 (@value{GDBP}) ptype foo
12907 $1 = <incomplete type>
12908 @end smallexample
12909
12910 @noindent
12911 ``Incomplete type'' is C terminology for data types that are not
12912 completely specified.
12913
12914 @kindex info types
12915 @item info types @var{regexp}
12916 @itemx info types
12917 Print a brief description of all types whose names match the regular
12918 expression @var{regexp} (or all types in your program, if you supply
12919 no argument). Each complete typename is matched as though it were a
12920 complete line; thus, @samp{i type value} gives information on all
12921 types in your program whose names include the string @code{value}, but
12922 @samp{i type ^value$} gives information only on types whose complete
12923 name is @code{value}.
12924
12925 This command differs from @code{ptype} in two ways: first, like
12926 @code{whatis}, it does not print a detailed description; second, it
12927 lists all source files where a type is defined.
12928
12929 @kindex info scope
12930 @cindex local variables
12931 @item info scope @var{location}
12932 List all the variables local to a particular scope. This command
12933 accepts a @var{location} argument---a function name, a source line, or
12934 an address preceded by a @samp{*}, and prints all the variables local
12935 to the scope defined by that location. (@xref{Specify Location}, for
12936 details about supported forms of @var{location}.) For example:
12937
12938 @smallexample
12939 (@value{GDBP}) @b{info scope command_line_handler}
12940 Scope for command_line_handler:
12941 Symbol rl is an argument at stack/frame offset 8, length 4.
12942 Symbol linebuffer is in static storage at address 0x150a18, length 4.
12943 Symbol linelength is in static storage at address 0x150a1c, length 4.
12944 Symbol p is a local variable in register $esi, length 4.
12945 Symbol p1 is a local variable in register $ebx, length 4.
12946 Symbol nline is a local variable in register $edx, length 4.
12947 Symbol repeat is a local variable at frame offset -8, length 4.
12948 @end smallexample
12949
12950 @noindent
12951 This command is especially useful for determining what data to collect
12952 during a @dfn{trace experiment}, see @ref{Tracepoint Actions,
12953 collect}.
12954
12955 @kindex info source
12956 @item info source
12957 Show information about the current source file---that is, the source file for
12958 the function containing the current point of execution:
12959 @itemize @bullet
12960 @item
12961 the name of the source file, and the directory containing it,
12962 @item
12963 the directory it was compiled in,
12964 @item
12965 its length, in lines,
12966 @item
12967 which programming language it is written in,
12968 @item
12969 whether the executable includes debugging information for that file, and
12970 if so, what format the information is in (e.g., STABS, Dwarf 2, etc.), and
12971 @item
12972 whether the debugging information includes information about
12973 preprocessor macros.
12974 @end itemize
12975
12976
12977 @kindex info sources
12978 @item info sources
12979 Print the names of all source files in your program for which there is
12980 debugging information, organized into two lists: files whose symbols
12981 have already been read, and files whose symbols will be read when needed.
12982
12983 @kindex info functions
12984 @item info functions
12985 Print the names and data types of all defined functions.
12986
12987 @item info functions @var{regexp}
12988 Print the names and data types of all defined functions
12989 whose names contain a match for regular expression @var{regexp}.
12990 Thus, @samp{info fun step} finds all functions whose names
12991 include @code{step}; @samp{info fun ^step} finds those whose names
12992 start with @code{step}. If a function name contains characters
12993 that conflict with the regular expression language (e.g.@:
12994 @samp{operator*()}), they may be quoted with a backslash.
12995
12996 @kindex info variables
12997 @item info variables
12998 Print the names and data types of all variables that are defined
12999 outside of functions (i.e.@: excluding local variables).
13000
13001 @item info variables @var{regexp}
13002 Print the names and data types of all variables (except for local
13003 variables) whose names contain a match for regular expression
13004 @var{regexp}.
13005
13006 @kindex info classes
13007 @cindex Objective-C, classes and selectors
13008 @item info classes
13009 @itemx info classes @var{regexp}
13010 Display all Objective-C classes in your program, or
13011 (with the @var{regexp} argument) all those matching a particular regular
13012 expression.
13013
13014 @kindex info selectors
13015 @item info selectors
13016 @itemx info selectors @var{regexp}
13017 Display all Objective-C selectors in your program, or
13018 (with the @var{regexp} argument) all those matching a particular regular
13019 expression.
13020
13021 @ignore
13022 This was never implemented.
13023 @kindex info methods
13024 @item info methods
13025 @itemx info methods @var{regexp}
13026 The @code{info methods} command permits the user to examine all defined
13027 methods within C@t{++} program, or (with the @var{regexp} argument) a
13028 specific set of methods found in the various C@t{++} classes. Many
13029 C@t{++} classes provide a large number of methods. Thus, the output
13030 from the @code{ptype} command can be overwhelming and hard to use. The
13031 @code{info-methods} command filters the methods, printing only those
13032 which match the regular-expression @var{regexp}.
13033 @end ignore
13034
13035 @cindex reloading symbols
13036 Some systems allow individual object files that make up your program to
13037 be replaced without stopping and restarting your program. For example,
13038 in VxWorks you can simply recompile a defective object file and keep on
13039 running. If you are running on one of these systems, you can allow
13040 @value{GDBN} to reload the symbols for automatically relinked modules:
13041
13042 @table @code
13043 @kindex set symbol-reloading
13044 @item set symbol-reloading on
13045 Replace symbol definitions for the corresponding source file when an
13046 object file with a particular name is seen again.
13047
13048 @item set symbol-reloading off
13049 Do not replace symbol definitions when encountering object files of the
13050 same name more than once. This is the default state; if you are not
13051 running on a system that permits automatic relinking of modules, you
13052 should leave @code{symbol-reloading} off, since otherwise @value{GDBN}
13053 may discard symbols when linking large programs, that may contain
13054 several modules (from different directories or libraries) with the same
13055 name.
13056
13057 @kindex show symbol-reloading
13058 @item show symbol-reloading
13059 Show the current @code{on} or @code{off} setting.
13060 @end table
13061
13062 @cindex opaque data types
13063 @kindex set opaque-type-resolution
13064 @item set opaque-type-resolution on
13065 Tell @value{GDBN} to resolve opaque types. An opaque type is a type
13066 declared as a pointer to a @code{struct}, @code{class}, or
13067 @code{union}---for example, @code{struct MyType *}---that is used in one
13068 source file although the full declaration of @code{struct MyType} is in
13069 another source file. The default is on.
13070
13071 A change in the setting of this subcommand will not take effect until
13072 the next time symbols for a file are loaded.
13073
13074 @item set opaque-type-resolution off
13075 Tell @value{GDBN} not to resolve opaque types. In this case, the type
13076 is printed as follows:
13077 @smallexample
13078 @{<no data fields>@}
13079 @end smallexample
13080
13081 @kindex show opaque-type-resolution
13082 @item show opaque-type-resolution
13083 Show whether opaque types are resolved or not.
13084
13085 @kindex maint print symbols
13086 @cindex symbol dump
13087 @kindex maint print psymbols
13088 @cindex partial symbol dump
13089 @item maint print symbols @var{filename}
13090 @itemx maint print psymbols @var{filename}
13091 @itemx maint print msymbols @var{filename}
13092 Write a dump of debugging symbol data into the file @var{filename}.
13093 These commands are used to debug the @value{GDBN} symbol-reading code. Only
13094 symbols with debugging data are included. If you use @samp{maint print
13095 symbols}, @value{GDBN} includes all the symbols for which it has already
13096 collected full details: that is, @var{filename} reflects symbols for
13097 only those files whose symbols @value{GDBN} has read. You can use the
13098 command @code{info sources} to find out which files these are. If you
13099 use @samp{maint print psymbols} instead, the dump shows information about
13100 symbols that @value{GDBN} only knows partially---that is, symbols defined in
13101 files that @value{GDBN} has skimmed, but not yet read completely. Finally,
13102 @samp{maint print msymbols} dumps just the minimal symbol information
13103 required for each object file from which @value{GDBN} has read some symbols.
13104 @xref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}, for a discussion of how
13105 @value{GDBN} reads symbols (in the description of @code{symbol-file}).
13106
13107 @kindex maint info symtabs
13108 @kindex maint info psymtabs
13109 @cindex listing @value{GDBN}'s internal symbol tables
13110 @cindex symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
13111 @cindex full symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
13112 @cindex partial symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
13113 @item maint info symtabs @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
13114 @itemx maint info psymtabs @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
13115
13116 List the @code{struct symtab} or @code{struct partial_symtab}
13117 structures whose names match @var{regexp}. If @var{regexp} is not
13118 given, list them all. The output includes expressions which you can
13119 copy into a @value{GDBN} debugging this one to examine a particular
13120 structure in more detail. For example:
13121
13122 @smallexample
13123 (@value{GDBP}) maint info psymtabs dwarf2read
13124 @{ objfile /home/gnu/build/gdb/gdb
13125 ((struct objfile *) 0x82e69d0)
13126 @{ psymtab /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c
13127 ((struct partial_symtab *) 0x8474b10)
13128 readin no
13129 fullname (null)
13130 text addresses 0x814d3c8 -- 0x8158074
13131 globals (* (struct partial_symbol **) 0x8507a08 @@ 9)
13132 statics (* (struct partial_symbol **) 0x40e95b78 @@ 2882)
13133 dependencies (none)
13134 @}
13135 @}
13136 (@value{GDBP}) maint info symtabs
13137 (@value{GDBP})
13138 @end smallexample
13139 @noindent
13140 We see that there is one partial symbol table whose filename contains
13141 the string @samp{dwarf2read}, belonging to the @samp{gdb} executable;
13142 and we see that @value{GDBN} has not read in any symtabs yet at all.
13143 If we set a breakpoint on a function, that will cause @value{GDBN} to
13144 read the symtab for the compilation unit containing that function:
13145
13146 @smallexample
13147 (@value{GDBP}) break dwarf2_psymtab_to_symtab
13148 Breakpoint 1 at 0x814e5da: file /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c,
13149 line 1574.
13150 (@value{GDBP}) maint info symtabs
13151 @{ objfile /home/gnu/build/gdb/gdb
13152 ((struct objfile *) 0x82e69d0)
13153 @{ symtab /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c
13154 ((struct symtab *) 0x86c1f38)
13155 dirname (null)
13156 fullname (null)
13157 blockvector ((struct blockvector *) 0x86c1bd0) (primary)
13158 linetable ((struct linetable *) 0x8370fa0)
13159 debugformat DWARF 2
13160 @}
13161 @}
13162 (@value{GDBP})
13163 @end smallexample
13164 @end table
13165
13166
13167 @node Altering
13168 @chapter Altering Execution
13169
13170 Once you think you have found an error in your program, you might want to
13171 find out for certain whether correcting the apparent error would lead to
13172 correct results in the rest of the run. You can find the answer by
13173 experiment, using the @value{GDBN} features for altering execution of the
13174 program.
13175
13176 For example, you can store new values into variables or memory
13177 locations, give your program a signal, restart it at a different
13178 address, or even return prematurely from a function.
13179
13180 @menu
13181 * Assignment:: Assignment to variables
13182 * Jumping:: Continuing at a different address
13183 * Signaling:: Giving your program a signal
13184 * Returning:: Returning from a function
13185 * Calling:: Calling your program's functions
13186 * Patching:: Patching your program
13187 @end menu
13188
13189 @node Assignment
13190 @section Assignment to Variables
13191
13192 @cindex assignment
13193 @cindex setting variables
13194 To alter the value of a variable, evaluate an assignment expression.
13195 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}. For example,
13196
13197 @smallexample
13198 print x=4
13199 @end smallexample
13200
13201 @noindent
13202 stores the value 4 into the variable @code{x}, and then prints the
13203 value of the assignment expression (which is 4).
13204 @xref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages}, for more
13205 information on operators in supported languages.
13206
13207 @kindex set variable
13208 @cindex variables, setting
13209 If you are not interested in seeing the value of the assignment, use the
13210 @code{set} command instead of the @code{print} command. @code{set} is
13211 really the same as @code{print} except that the expression's value is
13212 not printed and is not put in the value history (@pxref{Value History,
13213 ,Value History}). The expression is evaluated only for its effects.
13214
13215 If the beginning of the argument string of the @code{set} command
13216 appears identical to a @code{set} subcommand, use the @code{set
13217 variable} command instead of just @code{set}. This command is identical
13218 to @code{set} except for its lack of subcommands. For example, if your
13219 program has a variable @code{width}, you get an error if you try to set
13220 a new value with just @samp{set width=13}, because @value{GDBN} has the
13221 command @code{set width}:
13222
13223 @smallexample
13224 (@value{GDBP}) whatis width
13225 type = double
13226 (@value{GDBP}) p width
13227 $4 = 13
13228 (@value{GDBP}) set width=47
13229 Invalid syntax in expression.
13230 @end smallexample
13231
13232 @noindent
13233 The invalid expression, of course, is @samp{=47}. In
13234 order to actually set the program's variable @code{width}, use
13235
13236 @smallexample
13237 (@value{GDBP}) set var width=47
13238 @end smallexample
13239
13240 Because the @code{set} command has many subcommands that can conflict
13241 with the names of program variables, it is a good idea to use the
13242 @code{set variable} command instead of just @code{set}. For example, if
13243 your program has a variable @code{g}, you run into problems if you try
13244 to set a new value with just @samp{set g=4}, because @value{GDBN} has
13245 the command @code{set gnutarget}, abbreviated @code{set g}:
13246
13247 @smallexample
13248 @group
13249 (@value{GDBP}) whatis g
13250 type = double
13251 (@value{GDBP}) p g
13252 $1 = 1
13253 (@value{GDBP}) set g=4
13254 (@value{GDBP}) p g
13255 $2 = 1
13256 (@value{GDBP}) r
13257 The program being debugged has been started already.
13258 Start it from the beginning? (y or n) y
13259 Starting program: /home/smith/cc_progs/a.out
13260 "/home/smith/cc_progs/a.out": can't open to read symbols:
13261 Invalid bfd target.
13262 (@value{GDBP}) show g
13263 The current BFD target is "=4".
13264 @end group
13265 @end smallexample
13266
13267 @noindent
13268 The program variable @code{g} did not change, and you silently set the
13269 @code{gnutarget} to an invalid value. In order to set the variable
13270 @code{g}, use
13271
13272 @smallexample
13273 (@value{GDBP}) set var g=4
13274 @end smallexample
13275
13276 @value{GDBN} allows more implicit conversions in assignments than C; you can
13277 freely store an integer value into a pointer variable or vice versa,
13278 and you can convert any structure to any other structure that is the
13279 same length or shorter.
13280 @comment FIXME: how do structs align/pad in these conversions?
13281 @comment /doc@cygnus.com 18dec1990
13282
13283 To store values into arbitrary places in memory, use the @samp{@{@dots{}@}}
13284 construct to generate a value of specified type at a specified address
13285 (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). For example, @code{@{int@}0x83040} refers
13286 to memory location @code{0x83040} as an integer (which implies a certain size
13287 and representation in memory), and
13288
13289 @smallexample
13290 set @{int@}0x83040 = 4
13291 @end smallexample
13292
13293 @noindent
13294 stores the value 4 into that memory location.
13295
13296 @node Jumping
13297 @section Continuing at a Different Address
13298
13299 Ordinarily, when you continue your program, you do so at the place where
13300 it stopped, with the @code{continue} command. You can instead continue at
13301 an address of your own choosing, with the following commands:
13302
13303 @table @code
13304 @kindex jump
13305 @item jump @var{linespec}
13306 @itemx jump @var{location}
13307 Resume execution at line @var{linespec} or at address given by
13308 @var{location}. Execution stops again immediately if there is a
13309 breakpoint there. @xref{Specify Location}, for a description of the
13310 different forms of @var{linespec} and @var{location}. It is common
13311 practice to use the @code{tbreak} command in conjunction with
13312 @code{jump}. @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}.
13313
13314 The @code{jump} command does not change the current stack frame, or
13315 the stack pointer, or the contents of any memory location or any
13316 register other than the program counter. If line @var{linespec} is in
13317 a different function from the one currently executing, the results may
13318 be bizarre if the two functions expect different patterns of arguments or
13319 of local variables. For this reason, the @code{jump} command requests
13320 confirmation if the specified line is not in the function currently
13321 executing. However, even bizarre results are predictable if you are
13322 well acquainted with the machine-language code of your program.
13323 @end table
13324
13325 @c Doesn't work on HP-UX; have to set $pcoqh and $pcoqt.
13326 On many systems, you can get much the same effect as the @code{jump}
13327 command by storing a new value into the register @code{$pc}. The
13328 difference is that this does not start your program running; it only
13329 changes the address of where it @emph{will} run when you continue. For
13330 example,
13331
13332 @smallexample
13333 set $pc = 0x485
13334 @end smallexample
13335
13336 @noindent
13337 makes the next @code{continue} command or stepping command execute at
13338 address @code{0x485}, rather than at the address where your program stopped.
13339 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and Stepping}.
13340
13341 The most common occasion to use the @code{jump} command is to back
13342 up---perhaps with more breakpoints set---over a portion of a program
13343 that has already executed, in order to examine its execution in more
13344 detail.
13345
13346 @c @group
13347 @node Signaling
13348 @section Giving your Program a Signal
13349 @cindex deliver a signal to a program
13350
13351 @table @code
13352 @kindex signal
13353 @item signal @var{signal}
13354 Resume execution where your program stopped, but immediately give it the
13355 signal @var{signal}. @var{signal} can be the name or the number of a
13356 signal. For example, on many systems @code{signal 2} and @code{signal
13357 SIGINT} are both ways of sending an interrupt signal.
13358
13359 Alternatively, if @var{signal} is zero, continue execution without
13360 giving a signal. This is useful when your program stopped on account of
13361 a signal and would ordinary see the signal when resumed with the
13362 @code{continue} command; @samp{signal 0} causes it to resume without a
13363 signal.
13364
13365 @code{signal} does not repeat when you press @key{RET} a second time
13366 after executing the command.
13367 @end table
13368 @c @end group
13369
13370 Invoking the @code{signal} command is not the same as invoking the
13371 @code{kill} utility from the shell. Sending a signal with @code{kill}
13372 causes @value{GDBN} to decide what to do with the signal depending on
13373 the signal handling tables (@pxref{Signals}). The @code{signal} command
13374 passes the signal directly to your program.
13375
13376
13377 @node Returning
13378 @section Returning from a Function
13379
13380 @table @code
13381 @cindex returning from a function
13382 @kindex return
13383 @item return
13384 @itemx return @var{expression}
13385 You can cancel execution of a function call with the @code{return}
13386 command. If you give an
13387 @var{expression} argument, its value is used as the function's return
13388 value.
13389 @end table
13390
13391 When you use @code{return}, @value{GDBN} discards the selected stack frame
13392 (and all frames within it). You can think of this as making the
13393 discarded frame return prematurely. If you wish to specify a value to
13394 be returned, give that value as the argument to @code{return}.
13395
13396 This pops the selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a
13397 Frame}), and any other frames inside of it, leaving its caller as the
13398 innermost remaining frame. That frame becomes selected. The
13399 specified value is stored in the registers used for returning values
13400 of functions.
13401
13402 The @code{return} command does not resume execution; it leaves the
13403 program stopped in the state that would exist if the function had just
13404 returned. In contrast, the @code{finish} command (@pxref{Continuing
13405 and Stepping, ,Continuing and Stepping}) resumes execution until the
13406 selected stack frame returns naturally.
13407
13408 @value{GDBN} needs to know how the @var{expression} argument should be set for
13409 the inferior. The concrete registers assignment depends on the OS ABI and the
13410 type being returned by the selected stack frame. For example it is common for
13411 OS ABI to return floating point values in FPU registers while integer values in
13412 CPU registers. Still some ABIs return even floating point values in CPU
13413 registers. Larger integer widths (such as @code{long long int}) also have
13414 specific placement rules. @value{GDBN} already knows the OS ABI from its
13415 current target so it needs to find out also the type being returned to make the
13416 assignment into the right register(s).
13417
13418 Normally, the selected stack frame has debug info. @value{GDBN} will always
13419 use the debug info instead of the implicit type of @var{expression} when the
13420 debug info is available. For example, if you type @kbd{return -1}, and the
13421 function in the current stack frame is declared to return a @code{long long
13422 int}, @value{GDBN} transparently converts the implicit @code{int} value of -1
13423 into a @code{long long int}:
13424
13425 @smallexample
13426 Breakpoint 1, func () at gdb.base/return-nodebug.c:29
13427 29 return 31;
13428 (@value{GDBP}) return -1
13429 Make func return now? (y or n) y
13430 #0 0x004004f6 in main () at gdb.base/return-nodebug.c:43
13431 43 printf ("result=%lld\n", func ());
13432 (@value{GDBP})
13433 @end smallexample
13434
13435 However, if the selected stack frame does not have a debug info, e.g., if the
13436 function was compiled without debug info, @value{GDBN} has to find out the type
13437 to return from user. Specifying a different type by mistake may set the value
13438 in different inferior registers than the caller code expects. For example,
13439 typing @kbd{return -1} with its implicit type @code{int} would set only a part
13440 of a @code{long long int} result for a debug info less function (on 32-bit
13441 architectures). Therefore the user is required to specify the return type by
13442 an appropriate cast explicitly:
13443
13444 @smallexample
13445 Breakpoint 2, 0x0040050b in func ()
13446 (@value{GDBP}) return -1
13447 Return value type not available for selected stack frame.
13448 Please use an explicit cast of the value to return.
13449 (@value{GDBP}) return (long long int) -1
13450 Make selected stack frame return now? (y or n) y
13451 #0 0x00400526 in main ()
13452 (@value{GDBP})
13453 @end smallexample
13454
13455 @node Calling
13456 @section Calling Program Functions
13457
13458 @table @code
13459 @cindex calling functions
13460 @cindex inferior functions, calling
13461 @item print @var{expr}
13462 Evaluate the expression @var{expr} and display the resulting value.
13463 @var{expr} may include calls to functions in the program being
13464 debugged.
13465
13466 @kindex call
13467 @item call @var{expr}
13468 Evaluate the expression @var{expr} without displaying @code{void}
13469 returned values.
13470
13471 You can use this variant of the @code{print} command if you want to
13472 execute a function from your program that does not return anything
13473 (a.k.a.@: @dfn{a void function}), but without cluttering the output
13474 with @code{void} returned values that @value{GDBN} will otherwise
13475 print. If the result is not void, it is printed and saved in the
13476 value history.
13477 @end table
13478
13479 It is possible for the function you call via the @code{print} or
13480 @code{call} command to generate a signal (e.g., if there's a bug in
13481 the function, or if you passed it incorrect arguments). What happens
13482 in that case is controlled by the @code{set unwindonsignal} command.
13483
13484 Similarly, with a C@t{++} program it is possible for the function you
13485 call via the @code{print} or @code{call} command to generate an
13486 exception that is not handled due to the constraints of the dummy
13487 frame. In this case, any exception that is raised in the frame, but has
13488 an out-of-frame exception handler will not be found. GDB builds a
13489 dummy-frame for the inferior function call, and the unwinder cannot
13490 seek for exception handlers outside of this dummy-frame. What happens
13491 in that case is controlled by the
13492 @code{set unwind-on-terminating-exception} command.
13493
13494 @table @code
13495 @item set unwindonsignal
13496 @kindex set unwindonsignal
13497 @cindex unwind stack in called functions
13498 @cindex call dummy stack unwinding
13499 Set unwinding of the stack if a signal is received while in a function
13500 that @value{GDBN} called in the program being debugged. If set to on,
13501 @value{GDBN} unwinds the stack it created for the call and restores
13502 the context to what it was before the call. If set to off (the
13503 default), @value{GDBN} stops in the frame where the signal was
13504 received.
13505
13506 @item show unwindonsignal
13507 @kindex show unwindonsignal
13508 Show the current setting of stack unwinding in the functions called by
13509 @value{GDBN}.
13510
13511 @item set unwind-on-terminating-exception
13512 @kindex set unwind-on-terminating-exception
13513 @cindex unwind stack in called functions with unhandled exceptions
13514 @cindex call dummy stack unwinding on unhandled exception.
13515 Set unwinding of the stack if a C@t{++} exception is raised, but left
13516 unhandled while in a function that @value{GDBN} called in the program being
13517 debugged. If set to on (the default), @value{GDBN} unwinds the stack
13518 it created for the call and restores the context to what it was before
13519 the call. If set to off, @value{GDBN} the exception is delivered to
13520 the default C@t{++} exception handler and the inferior terminated.
13521
13522 @item show unwind-on-terminating-exception
13523 @kindex show unwind-on-terminating-exception
13524 Show the current setting of stack unwinding in the functions called by
13525 @value{GDBN}.
13526
13527 @end table
13528
13529 @cindex weak alias functions
13530 Sometimes, a function you wish to call is actually a @dfn{weak alias}
13531 for another function. In such case, @value{GDBN} might not pick up
13532 the type information, including the types of the function arguments,
13533 which causes @value{GDBN} to call the inferior function incorrectly.
13534 As a result, the called function will function erroneously and may
13535 even crash. A solution to that is to use the name of the aliased
13536 function instead.
13537
13538 @node Patching
13539 @section Patching Programs
13540
13541 @cindex patching binaries
13542 @cindex writing into executables
13543 @cindex writing into corefiles
13544
13545 By default, @value{GDBN} opens the file containing your program's
13546 executable code (or the corefile) read-only. This prevents accidental
13547 alterations to machine code; but it also prevents you from intentionally
13548 patching your program's binary.
13549
13550 If you'd like to be able to patch the binary, you can specify that
13551 explicitly with the @code{set write} command. For example, you might
13552 want to turn on internal debugging flags, or even to make emergency
13553 repairs.
13554
13555 @table @code
13556 @kindex set write
13557 @item set write on
13558 @itemx set write off
13559 If you specify @samp{set write on}, @value{GDBN} opens executable and
13560 core files for both reading and writing; if you specify @kbd{set write
13561 off} (the default), @value{GDBN} opens them read-only.
13562
13563 If you have already loaded a file, you must load it again (using the
13564 @code{exec-file} or @code{core-file} command) after changing @code{set
13565 write}, for your new setting to take effect.
13566
13567 @item show write
13568 @kindex show write
13569 Display whether executable files and core files are opened for writing
13570 as well as reading.
13571 @end table
13572
13573 @node GDB Files
13574 @chapter @value{GDBN} Files
13575
13576 @value{GDBN} needs to know the file name of the program to be debugged,
13577 both in order to read its symbol table and in order to start your
13578 program. To debug a core dump of a previous run, you must also tell
13579 @value{GDBN} the name of the core dump file.
13580
13581 @menu
13582 * Files:: Commands to specify files
13583 * Separate Debug Files:: Debugging information in separate files
13584 * Symbol Errors:: Errors reading symbol files
13585 * Data Files:: GDB data files
13586 @end menu
13587
13588 @node Files
13589 @section Commands to Specify Files
13590
13591 @cindex symbol table
13592 @cindex core dump file
13593
13594 You may want to specify executable and core dump file names. The usual
13595 way to do this is at start-up time, using the arguments to
13596 @value{GDBN}'s start-up commands (@pxref{Invocation, , Getting In and
13597 Out of @value{GDBN}}).
13598
13599 Occasionally it is necessary to change to a different file during a
13600 @value{GDBN} session. Or you may run @value{GDBN} and forget to
13601 specify a file you want to use. Or you are debugging a remote target
13602 via @code{gdbserver} (@pxref{Server, file, Using the @code{gdbserver}
13603 Program}). In these situations the @value{GDBN} commands to specify
13604 new files are useful.
13605
13606 @table @code
13607 @cindex executable file
13608 @kindex file
13609 @item file @var{filename}
13610 Use @var{filename} as the program to be debugged. It is read for its
13611 symbols and for the contents of pure memory. It is also the program
13612 executed when you use the @code{run} command. If you do not specify a
13613 directory and the file is not found in the @value{GDBN} working directory,
13614 @value{GDBN} uses the environment variable @code{PATH} as a list of
13615 directories to search, just as the shell does when looking for a program
13616 to run. You can change the value of this variable, for both @value{GDBN}
13617 and your program, using the @code{path} command.
13618
13619 @cindex unlinked object files
13620 @cindex patching object files
13621 You can load unlinked object @file{.o} files into @value{GDBN} using
13622 the @code{file} command. You will not be able to ``run'' an object
13623 file, but you can disassemble functions and inspect variables. Also,
13624 if the underlying BFD functionality supports it, you could use
13625 @kbd{gdb -write} to patch object files using this technique. Note
13626 that @value{GDBN} can neither interpret nor modify relocations in this
13627 case, so branches and some initialized variables will appear to go to
13628 the wrong place. But this feature is still handy from time to time.
13629
13630 @item file
13631 @code{file} with no argument makes @value{GDBN} discard any information it
13632 has on both executable file and the symbol table.
13633
13634 @kindex exec-file
13635 @item exec-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
13636 Specify that the program to be run (but not the symbol table) is found
13637 in @var{filename}. @value{GDBN} searches the environment variable @code{PATH}
13638 if necessary to locate your program. Omitting @var{filename} means to
13639 discard information on the executable file.
13640
13641 @kindex symbol-file
13642 @item symbol-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
13643 Read symbol table information from file @var{filename}. @code{PATH} is
13644 searched when necessary. Use the @code{file} command to get both symbol
13645 table and program to run from the same file.
13646
13647 @code{symbol-file} with no argument clears out @value{GDBN} information on your
13648 program's symbol table.
13649
13650 The @code{symbol-file} command causes @value{GDBN} to forget the contents of
13651 some breakpoints and auto-display expressions. This is because they may
13652 contain pointers to the internal data recording symbols and data types,
13653 which are part of the old symbol table data being discarded inside
13654 @value{GDBN}.
13655
13656 @code{symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
13657 executing it once.
13658
13659 When @value{GDBN} is configured for a particular environment, it
13660 understands debugging information in whatever format is the standard
13661 generated for that environment; you may use either a @sc{gnu} compiler, or
13662 other compilers that adhere to the local conventions.
13663 Best results are usually obtained from @sc{gnu} compilers; for example,
13664 using @code{@value{NGCC}} you can generate debugging information for
13665 optimized code.
13666
13667 For most kinds of object files, with the exception of old SVR3 systems
13668 using COFF, the @code{symbol-file} command does not normally read the
13669 symbol table in full right away. Instead, it scans the symbol table
13670 quickly to find which source files and which symbols are present. The
13671 details are read later, one source file at a time, as they are needed.
13672
13673 The purpose of this two-stage reading strategy is to make @value{GDBN}
13674 start up faster. For the most part, it is invisible except for
13675 occasional pauses while the symbol table details for a particular source
13676 file are being read. (The @code{set verbose} command can turn these
13677 pauses into messages if desired. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional
13678 Warnings and Messages}.)
13679
13680 We have not implemented the two-stage strategy for COFF yet. When the
13681 symbol table is stored in COFF format, @code{symbol-file} reads the
13682 symbol table data in full right away. Note that ``stabs-in-COFF''
13683 still does the two-stage strategy, since the debug info is actually
13684 in stabs format.
13685
13686 @kindex readnow
13687 @cindex reading symbols immediately
13688 @cindex symbols, reading immediately
13689 @item symbol-file @var{filename} @r{[} -readnow @r{]}
13690 @itemx file @var{filename} @r{[} -readnow @r{]}
13691 You can override the @value{GDBN} two-stage strategy for reading symbol
13692 tables by using the @samp{-readnow} option with any of the commands that
13693 load symbol table information, if you want to be sure @value{GDBN} has the
13694 entire symbol table available.
13695
13696 @c FIXME: for now no mention of directories, since this seems to be in
13697 @c flux. 13mar1992 status is that in theory GDB would look either in
13698 @c current dir or in same dir as myprog; but issues like competing
13699 @c GDB's, or clutter in system dirs, mean that in practice right now
13700 @c only current dir is used. FFish says maybe a special GDB hierarchy
13701 @c (eg rooted in val of env var GDBSYMS) could exist for mappable symbol
13702 @c files.
13703
13704 @kindex core-file
13705 @item core-file @r{[}@var{filename}@r{]}
13706 @itemx core
13707 Specify the whereabouts of a core dump file to be used as the ``contents
13708 of memory''. Traditionally, core files contain only some parts of the
13709 address space of the process that generated them; @value{GDBN} can access the
13710 executable file itself for other parts.
13711
13712 @code{core-file} with no argument specifies that no core file is
13713 to be used.
13714
13715 Note that the core file is ignored when your program is actually running
13716 under @value{GDBN}. So, if you have been running your program and you
13717 wish to debug a core file instead, you must kill the subprocess in which
13718 the program is running. To do this, use the @code{kill} command
13719 (@pxref{Kill Process, ,Killing the Child Process}).
13720
13721 @kindex add-symbol-file
13722 @cindex dynamic linking
13723 @item add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address}
13724 @itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address} @r{[} -readnow @r{]}
13725 @itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @r{-s}@var{section} @var{address} @dots{}
13726 The @code{add-symbol-file} command reads additional symbol table
13727 information from the file @var{filename}. You would use this command
13728 when @var{filename} has been dynamically loaded (by some other means)
13729 into the program that is running. @var{address} should be the memory
13730 address at which the file has been loaded; @value{GDBN} cannot figure
13731 this out for itself. You can additionally specify an arbitrary number
13732 of @samp{@r{-s}@var{section} @var{address}} pairs, to give an explicit
13733 section name and base address for that section. You can specify any
13734 @var{address} as an expression.
13735
13736 The symbol table of the file @var{filename} is added to the symbol table
13737 originally read with the @code{symbol-file} command. You can use the
13738 @code{add-symbol-file} command any number of times; the new symbol data
13739 thus read keeps adding to the old. To discard all old symbol data
13740 instead, use the @code{symbol-file} command without any arguments.
13741
13742 @cindex relocatable object files, reading symbols from
13743 @cindex object files, relocatable, reading symbols from
13744 @cindex reading symbols from relocatable object files
13745 @cindex symbols, reading from relocatable object files
13746 @cindex @file{.o} files, reading symbols from
13747 Although @var{filename} is typically a shared library file, an
13748 executable file, or some other object file which has been fully
13749 relocated for loading into a process, you can also load symbolic
13750 information from relocatable @file{.o} files, as long as:
13751
13752 @itemize @bullet
13753 @item
13754 the file's symbolic information refers only to linker symbols defined in
13755 that file, not to symbols defined by other object files,
13756 @item
13757 every section the file's symbolic information refers to has actually
13758 been loaded into the inferior, as it appears in the file, and
13759 @item
13760 you can determine the address at which every section was loaded, and
13761 provide these to the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
13762 @end itemize
13763
13764 @noindent
13765 Some embedded operating systems, like Sun Chorus and VxWorks, can load
13766 relocatable files into an already running program; such systems
13767 typically make the requirements above easy to meet. However, it's
13768 important to recognize that many native systems use complex link
13769 procedures (@code{.linkonce} section factoring and C@t{++} constructor table
13770 assembly, for example) that make the requirements difficult to meet. In
13771 general, one cannot assume that using @code{add-symbol-file} to read a
13772 relocatable object file's symbolic information will have the same effect
13773 as linking the relocatable object file into the program in the normal
13774 way.
13775
13776 @code{add-symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
13777
13778 @kindex add-symbol-file-from-memory
13779 @cindex @code{syscall DSO}
13780 @cindex load symbols from memory
13781 @item add-symbol-file-from-memory @var{address}
13782 Load symbols from the given @var{address} in a dynamically loaded
13783 object file whose image is mapped directly into the inferior's memory.
13784 For example, the Linux kernel maps a @code{syscall DSO} into each
13785 process's address space; this DSO provides kernel-specific code for
13786 some system calls. The argument can be any expression whose
13787 evaluation yields the address of the file's shared object file header.
13788 For this command to work, you must have used @code{symbol-file} or
13789 @code{exec-file} commands in advance.
13790
13791 @kindex add-shared-symbol-files
13792 @kindex assf
13793 @item add-shared-symbol-files @var{library-file}
13794 @itemx assf @var{library-file}
13795 The @code{add-shared-symbol-files} command can currently be used only
13796 in the Cygwin build of @value{GDBN} on MS-Windows OS, where it is an
13797 alias for the @code{dll-symbols} command (@pxref{Cygwin Native}).
13798 @value{GDBN} automatically looks for shared libraries, however if
13799 @value{GDBN} does not find yours, you can invoke
13800 @code{add-shared-symbol-files}. It takes one argument: the shared
13801 library's file name. @code{assf} is a shorthand alias for
13802 @code{add-shared-symbol-files}.
13803
13804 @kindex section
13805 @item section @var{section} @var{addr}
13806 The @code{section} command changes the base address of the named
13807 @var{section} of the exec file to @var{addr}. This can be used if the
13808 exec file does not contain section addresses, (such as in the
13809 @code{a.out} format), or when the addresses specified in the file
13810 itself are wrong. Each section must be changed separately. The
13811 @code{info files} command, described below, lists all the sections and
13812 their addresses.
13813
13814 @kindex info files
13815 @kindex info target
13816 @item info files
13817 @itemx info target
13818 @code{info files} and @code{info target} are synonymous; both print the
13819 current target (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}),
13820 including the names of the executable and core dump files currently in
13821 use by @value{GDBN}, and the files from which symbols were loaded. The
13822 command @code{help target} lists all possible targets rather than
13823 current ones.
13824
13825 @kindex maint info sections
13826 @item maint info sections
13827 Another command that can give you extra information about program sections
13828 is @code{maint info sections}. In addition to the section information
13829 displayed by @code{info files}, this command displays the flags and file
13830 offset of each section in the executable and core dump files. In addition,
13831 @code{maint info sections} provides the following command options (which
13832 may be arbitrarily combined):
13833
13834 @table @code
13835 @item ALLOBJ
13836 Display sections for all loaded object files, including shared libraries.
13837 @item @var{sections}
13838 Display info only for named @var{sections}.
13839 @item @var{section-flags}
13840 Display info only for sections for which @var{section-flags} are true.
13841 The section flags that @value{GDBN} currently knows about are:
13842 @table @code
13843 @item ALLOC
13844 Section will have space allocated in the process when loaded.
13845 Set for all sections except those containing debug information.
13846 @item LOAD
13847 Section will be loaded from the file into the child process memory.
13848 Set for pre-initialized code and data, clear for @code{.bss} sections.
13849 @item RELOC
13850 Section needs to be relocated before loading.
13851 @item READONLY
13852 Section cannot be modified by the child process.
13853 @item CODE
13854 Section contains executable code only.
13855 @item DATA
13856 Section contains data only (no executable code).
13857 @item ROM
13858 Section will reside in ROM.
13859 @item CONSTRUCTOR
13860 Section contains data for constructor/destructor lists.
13861 @item HAS_CONTENTS
13862 Section is not empty.
13863 @item NEVER_LOAD
13864 An instruction to the linker to not output the section.
13865 @item COFF_SHARED_LIBRARY
13866 A notification to the linker that the section contains
13867 COFF shared library information.
13868 @item IS_COMMON
13869 Section contains common symbols.
13870 @end table
13871 @end table
13872 @kindex set trust-readonly-sections
13873 @cindex read-only sections
13874 @item set trust-readonly-sections on
13875 Tell @value{GDBN} that readonly sections in your object file
13876 really are read-only (i.e.@: that their contents will not change).
13877 In that case, @value{GDBN} can fetch values from these sections
13878 out of the object file, rather than from the target program.
13879 For some targets (notably embedded ones), this can be a significant
13880 enhancement to debugging performance.
13881
13882 The default is off.
13883
13884 @item set trust-readonly-sections off
13885 Tell @value{GDBN} not to trust readonly sections. This means that
13886 the contents of the section might change while the program is running,
13887 and must therefore be fetched from the target when needed.
13888
13889 @item show trust-readonly-sections
13890 Show the current setting of trusting readonly sections.
13891 @end table
13892
13893 All file-specifying commands allow both absolute and relative file names
13894 as arguments. @value{GDBN} always converts the file name to an absolute file
13895 name and remembers it that way.
13896
13897 @cindex shared libraries
13898 @anchor{Shared Libraries}
13899 @value{GDBN} supports @sc{gnu}/Linux, MS-Windows, HP-UX, SunOS, SVr4, Irix,
13900 and IBM RS/6000 AIX shared libraries.
13901
13902 On MS-Windows @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support
13903 shared libraries. @xref{Expat}.
13904
13905 @value{GDBN} automatically loads symbol definitions from shared libraries
13906 when you use the @code{run} command, or when you examine a core file.
13907 (Before you issue the @code{run} command, @value{GDBN} does not understand
13908 references to a function in a shared library, however---unless you are
13909 debugging a core file).
13910
13911 On HP-UX, if the program loads a library explicitly, @value{GDBN}
13912 automatically loads the symbols at the time of the @code{shl_load} call.
13913
13914 @c FIXME: some @value{GDBN} release may permit some refs to undef
13915 @c FIXME...symbols---eg in a break cmd---assuming they are from a shared
13916 @c FIXME...lib; check this from time to time when updating manual
13917
13918 There are times, however, when you may wish to not automatically load
13919 symbol definitions from shared libraries, such as when they are
13920 particularly large or there are many of them.
13921
13922 To control the automatic loading of shared library symbols, use the
13923 commands:
13924
13925 @table @code
13926 @kindex set auto-solib-add
13927 @item set auto-solib-add @var{mode}
13928 If @var{mode} is @code{on}, symbols from all shared object libraries
13929 will be loaded automatically when the inferior begins execution, you
13930 attach to an independently started inferior, or when the dynamic linker
13931 informs @value{GDBN} that a new library has been loaded. If @var{mode}
13932 is @code{off}, symbols must be loaded manually, using the
13933 @code{sharedlibrary} command. The default value is @code{on}.
13934
13935 @cindex memory used for symbol tables
13936 If your program uses lots of shared libraries with debug info that
13937 takes large amounts of memory, you can decrease the @value{GDBN}
13938 memory footprint by preventing it from automatically loading the
13939 symbols from shared libraries. To that end, type @kbd{set
13940 auto-solib-add off} before running the inferior, then load each
13941 library whose debug symbols you do need with @kbd{sharedlibrary
13942 @var{regexp}}, where @var{regexp} is a regular expression that matches
13943 the libraries whose symbols you want to be loaded.
13944
13945 @kindex show auto-solib-add
13946 @item show auto-solib-add
13947 Display the current autoloading mode.
13948 @end table
13949
13950 @cindex load shared library
13951 To explicitly load shared library symbols, use the @code{sharedlibrary}
13952 command:
13953
13954 @table @code
13955 @kindex info sharedlibrary
13956 @kindex info share
13957 @item info share @var{regex}
13958 @itemx info sharedlibrary @var{regex}
13959 Print the names of the shared libraries which are currently loaded
13960 that match @var{regex}. If @var{regex} is omitted then print
13961 all shared libraries that are loaded.
13962
13963 @kindex sharedlibrary
13964 @kindex share
13965 @item sharedlibrary @var{regex}
13966 @itemx share @var{regex}
13967 Load shared object library symbols for files matching a
13968 Unix regular expression.
13969 As with files loaded automatically, it only loads shared libraries
13970 required by your program for a core file or after typing @code{run}. If
13971 @var{regex} is omitted all shared libraries required by your program are
13972 loaded.
13973
13974 @item nosharedlibrary
13975 @kindex nosharedlibrary
13976 @cindex unload symbols from shared libraries
13977 Unload all shared object library symbols. This discards all symbols
13978 that have been loaded from all shared libraries. Symbols from shared
13979 libraries that were loaded by explicit user requests are not
13980 discarded.
13981 @end table
13982
13983 Sometimes you may wish that @value{GDBN} stops and gives you control
13984 when any of shared library events happen. Use the @code{set
13985 stop-on-solib-events} command for this:
13986
13987 @table @code
13988 @item set stop-on-solib-events
13989 @kindex set stop-on-solib-events
13990 This command controls whether @value{GDBN} should give you control
13991 when the dynamic linker notifies it about some shared library event.
13992 The most common event of interest is loading or unloading of a new
13993 shared library.
13994
13995 @item show stop-on-solib-events
13996 @kindex show stop-on-solib-events
13997 Show whether @value{GDBN} stops and gives you control when shared
13998 library events happen.
13999 @end table
14000
14001 Shared libraries are also supported in many cross or remote debugging
14002 configurations. @value{GDBN} needs to have access to the target's libraries;
14003 this can be accomplished either by providing copies of the libraries
14004 on the host system, or by asking @value{GDBN} to automatically retrieve the
14005 libraries from the target. If copies of the target libraries are
14006 provided, they need to be the same as the target libraries, although the
14007 copies on the target can be stripped as long as the copies on the host are
14008 not.
14009
14010 @cindex where to look for shared libraries
14011 For remote debugging, you need to tell @value{GDBN} where the target
14012 libraries are, so that it can load the correct copies---otherwise, it
14013 may try to load the host's libraries. @value{GDBN} has two variables
14014 to specify the search directories for target libraries.
14015
14016 @table @code
14017 @cindex prefix for shared library file names
14018 @cindex system root, alternate
14019 @kindex set solib-absolute-prefix
14020 @kindex set sysroot
14021 @item set sysroot @var{path}
14022 Use @var{path} as the system root for the program being debugged. Any
14023 absolute shared library paths will be prefixed with @var{path}; many
14024 runtime loaders store the absolute paths to the shared library in the
14025 target program's memory. If you use @code{set sysroot} to find shared
14026 libraries, they need to be laid out in the same way that they are on
14027 the target, with e.g.@: a @file{/lib} and @file{/usr/lib} hierarchy
14028 under @var{path}.
14029
14030 If @var{path} starts with the sequence @file{remote:}, @value{GDBN} will
14031 retrieve the target libraries from the remote system. This is only
14032 supported when using a remote target that supports the @code{remote get}
14033 command (@pxref{File Transfer,,Sending files to a remote system}).
14034 The part of @var{path} following the initial @file{remote:}
14035 (if present) is used as system root prefix on the remote file system.
14036 @footnote{If you want to specify a local system root using a directory
14037 that happens to be named @file{remote:}, you need to use some equivalent
14038 variant of the name like @file{./remote:}.}
14039
14040 The @code{set solib-absolute-prefix} command is an alias for @code{set
14041 sysroot}.
14042
14043 @cindex default system root
14044 @cindex @samp{--with-sysroot}
14045 You can set the default system root by using the configure-time
14046 @samp{--with-sysroot} option. If the system root is inside
14047 @value{GDBN}'s configured binary prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or
14048 @samp{--exec-prefix}), then the default system root will be updated
14049 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
14050 location.
14051
14052 @kindex show sysroot
14053 @item show sysroot
14054 Display the current shared library prefix.
14055
14056 @kindex set solib-search-path
14057 @item set solib-search-path @var{path}
14058 If this variable is set, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
14059 directories to search for shared libraries. @samp{solib-search-path}
14060 is used after @samp{sysroot} fails to locate the library, or if the
14061 path to the library is relative instead of absolute. If you want to
14062 use @samp{solib-search-path} instead of @samp{sysroot}, be sure to set
14063 @samp{sysroot} to a nonexistent directory to prevent @value{GDBN} from
14064 finding your host's libraries. @samp{sysroot} is preferred; setting
14065 it to a nonexistent directory may interfere with automatic loading
14066 of shared library symbols.
14067
14068 @kindex show solib-search-path
14069 @item show solib-search-path
14070 Display the current shared library search path.
14071 @end table
14072
14073
14074 @node Separate Debug Files
14075 @section Debugging Information in Separate Files
14076 @cindex separate debugging information files
14077 @cindex debugging information in separate files
14078 @cindex @file{.debug} subdirectories
14079 @cindex debugging information directory, global
14080 @cindex global debugging information directory
14081 @cindex build ID, and separate debugging files
14082 @cindex @file{.build-id} directory
14083
14084 @value{GDBN} allows you to put a program's debugging information in a
14085 file separate from the executable itself, in a way that allows
14086 @value{GDBN} to find and load the debugging information automatically.
14087 Since debugging information can be very large---sometimes larger
14088 than the executable code itself---some systems distribute debugging
14089 information for their executables in separate files, which users can
14090 install only when they need to debug a problem.
14091
14092 @value{GDBN} supports two ways of specifying the separate debug info
14093 file:
14094
14095 @itemize @bullet
14096 @item
14097 The executable contains a @dfn{debug link} that specifies the name of
14098 the separate debug info file. The separate debug file's name is
14099 usually @file{@var{executable}.debug}, where @var{executable} is the
14100 name of the corresponding executable file without leading directories
14101 (e.g., @file{ls.debug} for @file{/usr/bin/ls}). In addition, the
14102 debug link specifies a 32-bit @dfn{Cyclic Redundancy Check} (CRC)
14103 checksum for the debug file, which @value{GDBN} uses to validate that
14104 the executable and the debug file came from the same build.
14105
14106 @item
14107 The executable contains a @dfn{build ID}, a unique bit string that is
14108 also present in the corresponding debug info file. (This is supported
14109 only on some operating systems, notably those which use the ELF format
14110 for binary files and the @sc{gnu} Binutils.) For more details about
14111 this feature, see the description of the @option{--build-id}
14112 command-line option in @ref{Options, , Command Line Options, ld.info,
14113 The GNU Linker}. The debug info file's name is not specified
14114 explicitly by the build ID, but can be computed from the build ID, see
14115 below.
14116 @end itemize
14117
14118 Depending on the way the debug info file is specified, @value{GDBN}
14119 uses two different methods of looking for the debug file:
14120
14121 @itemize @bullet
14122 @item
14123 For the ``debug link'' method, @value{GDBN} looks up the named file in
14124 the directory of the executable file, then in a subdirectory of that
14125 directory named @file{.debug}, and finally under the global debug
14126 directory, in a subdirectory whose name is identical to the leading
14127 directories of the executable's absolute file name.
14128
14129 @item
14130 For the ``build ID'' method, @value{GDBN} looks in the
14131 @file{.build-id} subdirectory of the global debug directory for a file
14132 named @file{@var{nn}/@var{nnnnnnnn}.debug}, where @var{nn} are the
14133 first 2 hex characters of the build ID bit string, and @var{nnnnnnnn}
14134 are the rest of the bit string. (Real build ID strings are 32 or more
14135 hex characters, not 10.)
14136 @end itemize
14137
14138 So, for example, suppose you ask @value{GDBN} to debug
14139 @file{/usr/bin/ls}, which has a debug link that specifies the
14140 file @file{ls.debug}, and a build ID whose value in hex is
14141 @code{abcdef1234}. If the global debug directory is
14142 @file{/usr/lib/debug}, then @value{GDBN} will look for the following
14143 debug information files, in the indicated order:
14144
14145 @itemize @minus
14146 @item
14147 @file{/usr/lib/debug/.build-id/ab/cdef1234.debug}
14148 @item
14149 @file{/usr/bin/ls.debug}
14150 @item
14151 @file{/usr/bin/.debug/ls.debug}
14152 @item
14153 @file{/usr/lib/debug/usr/bin/ls.debug}.
14154 @end itemize
14155
14156 You can set the global debugging info directory's name, and view the
14157 name @value{GDBN} is currently using.
14158
14159 @table @code
14160
14161 @kindex set debug-file-directory
14162 @item set debug-file-directory @var{directories}
14163 Set the directories which @value{GDBN} searches for separate debugging
14164 information files to @var{directory}. Multiple directory components can be set
14165 concatenating them by a directory separator.
14166
14167 @kindex show debug-file-directory
14168 @item show debug-file-directory
14169 Show the directories @value{GDBN} searches for separate debugging
14170 information files.
14171
14172 @end table
14173
14174 @cindex @code{.gnu_debuglink} sections
14175 @cindex debug link sections
14176 A debug link is a special section of the executable file named
14177 @code{.gnu_debuglink}. The section must contain:
14178
14179 @itemize
14180 @item
14181 A filename, with any leading directory components removed, followed by
14182 a zero byte,
14183 @item
14184 zero to three bytes of padding, as needed to reach the next four-byte
14185 boundary within the section, and
14186 @item
14187 a four-byte CRC checksum, stored in the same endianness used for the
14188 executable file itself. The checksum is computed on the debugging
14189 information file's full contents by the function given below, passing
14190 zero as the @var{crc} argument.
14191 @end itemize
14192
14193 Any executable file format can carry a debug link, as long as it can
14194 contain a section named @code{.gnu_debuglink} with the contents
14195 described above.
14196
14197 @cindex @code{.note.gnu.build-id} sections
14198 @cindex build ID sections
14199 The build ID is a special section in the executable file (and in other
14200 ELF binary files that @value{GDBN} may consider). This section is
14201 often named @code{.note.gnu.build-id}, but that name is not mandatory.
14202 It contains unique identification for the built files---the ID remains
14203 the same across multiple builds of the same build tree. The default
14204 algorithm SHA1 produces 160 bits (40 hexadecimal characters) of the
14205 content for the build ID string. The same section with an identical
14206 value is present in the original built binary with symbols, in its
14207 stripped variant, and in the separate debugging information file.
14208
14209 The debugging information file itself should be an ordinary
14210 executable, containing a full set of linker symbols, sections, and
14211 debugging information. The sections of the debugging information file
14212 should have the same names, addresses, and sizes as the original file,
14213 but they need not contain any data---much like a @code{.bss} section
14214 in an ordinary executable.
14215
14216 The @sc{gnu} binary utilities (Binutils) package includes the
14217 @samp{objcopy} utility that can produce
14218 the separated executable / debugging information file pairs using the
14219 following commands:
14220
14221 @smallexample
14222 @kbd{objcopy --only-keep-debug foo foo.debug}
14223 @kbd{strip -g foo}
14224 @end smallexample
14225
14226 @noindent
14227 These commands remove the debugging
14228 information from the executable file @file{foo} and place it in the file
14229 @file{foo.debug}. You can use the first, second or both methods to link the
14230 two files:
14231
14232 @itemize @bullet
14233 @item
14234 The debug link method needs the following additional command to also leave
14235 behind a debug link in @file{foo}:
14236
14237 @smallexample
14238 @kbd{objcopy --add-gnu-debuglink=foo.debug foo}
14239 @end smallexample
14240
14241 Ulrich Drepper's @file{elfutils} package, starting with version 0.53, contains
14242 a version of the @code{strip} command such that the command @kbd{strip foo -f
14243 foo.debug} has the same functionality as the two @code{objcopy} commands and
14244 the @code{ln -s} command above, together.
14245
14246 @item
14247 Build ID gets embedded into the main executable using @code{ld --build-id} or
14248 the @value{NGCC} counterpart @code{gcc -Wl,--build-id}. Build ID support plus
14249 compatibility fixes for debug files separation are present in @sc{gnu} binary
14250 utilities (Binutils) package since version 2.18.
14251 @end itemize
14252
14253 @noindent
14254
14255 @cindex CRC algorithm definition
14256 The CRC used in @code{.gnu_debuglink} is the CRC-32 defined in
14257 IEEE 802.3 using the polynomial:
14258
14259 @c TexInfo requires naked braces for multi-digit exponents for Tex
14260 @c output, but this causes HTML output to barf. HTML has to be set using
14261 @c raw commands. So we end up having to specify this equation in 2
14262 @c different ways!
14263 @ifhtml
14264 @display
14265 @html
14266 <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>
14267 + <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
14268 @end html
14269 @end display
14270 @end ifhtml
14271 @ifnothtml
14272 @display
14273 @math{x^{32} + x^{26} + x^{23} + x^{22} + x^{16} + x^{12} + x^{11}}
14274 @math{+ x^{10} + x^8 + x^7 + x^5 + x^4 + x^2 + x + 1}
14275 @end display
14276 @end ifnothtml
14277
14278 The function is computed byte at a time, taking the least
14279 significant bit of each byte first. The initial pattern
14280 @code{0xffffffff} is used, to ensure leading zeros affect the CRC and
14281 the final result is inverted to ensure trailing zeros also affect the
14282 CRC.
14283
14284 @emph{Note:} This is the same CRC polynomial as used in handling the
14285 @dfn{Remote Serial Protocol} @code{qCRC} packet (@pxref{Remote Protocol,
14286 , @value{GDBN} Remote Serial Protocol}). However in the
14287 case of the Remote Serial Protocol, the CRC is computed @emph{most}
14288 significant bit first, and the result is not inverted, so trailing
14289 zeros have no effect on the CRC value.
14290
14291 To complete the description, we show below the code of the function
14292 which produces the CRC used in @code{.gnu_debuglink}. Inverting the
14293 initially supplied @code{crc} argument means that an initial call to
14294 this function passing in zero will start computing the CRC using
14295 @code{0xffffffff}.
14296
14297 @kindex gnu_debuglink_crc32
14298 @smallexample
14299 unsigned long
14300 gnu_debuglink_crc32 (unsigned long crc,
14301 unsigned char *buf, size_t len)
14302 @{
14303 static const unsigned long crc32_table[256] =
14304 @{
14305 0x00000000, 0x77073096, 0xee0e612c, 0x990951ba, 0x076dc419,
14306 0x706af48f, 0xe963a535, 0x9e6495a3, 0x0edb8832, 0x79dcb8a4,
14307 0xe0d5e91e, 0x97d2d988, 0x09b64c2b, 0x7eb17cbd, 0xe7b82d07,
14308 0x90bf1d91, 0x1db71064, 0x6ab020f2, 0xf3b97148, 0x84be41de,
14309 0x1adad47d, 0x6ddde4eb, 0xf4d4b551, 0x83d385c7, 0x136c9856,
14310 0x646ba8c0, 0xfd62f97a, 0x8a65c9ec, 0x14015c4f, 0x63066cd9,
14311 0xfa0f3d63, 0x8d080df5, 0x3b6e20c8, 0x4c69105e, 0xd56041e4,
14312 0xa2677172, 0x3c03e4d1, 0x4b04d447, 0xd20d85fd, 0xa50ab56b,
14313 0x35b5a8fa, 0x42b2986c, 0xdbbbc9d6, 0xacbcf940, 0x32d86ce3,
14314 0x45df5c75, 0xdcd60dcf, 0xabd13d59, 0x26d930ac, 0x51de003a,
14315 0xc8d75180, 0xbfd06116, 0x21b4f4b5, 0x56b3c423, 0xcfba9599,
14316 0xb8bda50f, 0x2802b89e, 0x5f058808, 0xc60cd9b2, 0xb10be924,
14317 0x2f6f7c87, 0x58684c11, 0xc1611dab, 0xb6662d3d, 0x76dc4190,
14318 0x01db7106, 0x98d220bc, 0xefd5102a, 0x71b18589, 0x06b6b51f,
14319 0x9fbfe4a5, 0xe8b8d433, 0x7807c9a2, 0x0f00f934, 0x9609a88e,
14320 0xe10e9818, 0x7f6a0dbb, 0x086d3d2d, 0x91646c97, 0xe6635c01,
14321 0x6b6b51f4, 0x1c6c6162, 0x856530d8, 0xf262004e, 0x6c0695ed,
14322 0x1b01a57b, 0x8208f4c1, 0xf50fc457, 0x65b0d9c6, 0x12b7e950,
14323 0x8bbeb8ea, 0xfcb9887c, 0x62dd1ddf, 0x15da2d49, 0x8cd37cf3,
14324 0xfbd44c65, 0x4db26158, 0x3ab551ce, 0xa3bc0074, 0xd4bb30e2,
14325 0x4adfa541, 0x3dd895d7, 0xa4d1c46d, 0xd3d6f4fb, 0x4369e96a,
14326 0x346ed9fc, 0xad678846, 0xda60b8d0, 0x44042d73, 0x33031de5,
14327 0xaa0a4c5f, 0xdd0d7cc9, 0x5005713c, 0x270241aa, 0xbe0b1010,
14328 0xc90c2086, 0x5768b525, 0x206f85b3, 0xb966d409, 0xce61e49f,
14329 0x5edef90e, 0x29d9c998, 0xb0d09822, 0xc7d7a8b4, 0x59b33d17,
14330 0x2eb40d81, 0xb7bd5c3b, 0xc0ba6cad, 0xedb88320, 0x9abfb3b6,
14331 0x03b6e20c, 0x74b1d29a, 0xead54739, 0x9dd277af, 0x04db2615,
14332 0x73dc1683, 0xe3630b12, 0x94643b84, 0x0d6d6a3e, 0x7a6a5aa8,
14333 0xe40ecf0b, 0x9309ff9d, 0x0a00ae27, 0x7d079eb1, 0xf00f9344,
14334 0x8708a3d2, 0x1e01f268, 0x6906c2fe, 0xf762575d, 0x806567cb,
14335 0x196c3671, 0x6e6b06e7, 0xfed41b76, 0x89d32be0, 0x10da7a5a,
14336 0x67dd4acc, 0xf9b9df6f, 0x8ebeeff9, 0x17b7be43, 0x60b08ed5,
14337 0xd6d6a3e8, 0xa1d1937e, 0x38d8c2c4, 0x4fdff252, 0xd1bb67f1,
14338 0xa6bc5767, 0x3fb506dd, 0x48b2364b, 0xd80d2bda, 0xaf0a1b4c,
14339 0x36034af6, 0x41047a60, 0xdf60efc3, 0xa867df55, 0x316e8eef,
14340 0x4669be79, 0xcb61b38c, 0xbc66831a, 0x256fd2a0, 0x5268e236,
14341 0xcc0c7795, 0xbb0b4703, 0x220216b9, 0x5505262f, 0xc5ba3bbe,
14342 0xb2bd0b28, 0x2bb45a92, 0x5cb36a04, 0xc2d7ffa7, 0xb5d0cf31,
14343 0x2cd99e8b, 0x5bdeae1d, 0x9b64c2b0, 0xec63f226, 0x756aa39c,
14344 0x026d930a, 0x9c0906a9, 0xeb0e363f, 0x72076785, 0x05005713,
14345 0x95bf4a82, 0xe2b87a14, 0x7bb12bae, 0x0cb61b38, 0x92d28e9b,
14346 0xe5d5be0d, 0x7cdcefb7, 0x0bdbdf21, 0x86d3d2d4, 0xf1d4e242,
14347 0x68ddb3f8, 0x1fda836e, 0x81be16cd, 0xf6b9265b, 0x6fb077e1,
14348 0x18b74777, 0x88085ae6, 0xff0f6a70, 0x66063bca, 0x11010b5c,
14349 0x8f659eff, 0xf862ae69, 0x616bffd3, 0x166ccf45, 0xa00ae278,
14350 0xd70dd2ee, 0x4e048354, 0x3903b3c2, 0xa7672661, 0xd06016f7,
14351 0x4969474d, 0x3e6e77db, 0xaed16a4a, 0xd9d65adc, 0x40df0b66,
14352 0x37d83bf0, 0xa9bcae53, 0xdebb9ec5, 0x47b2cf7f, 0x30b5ffe9,
14353 0xbdbdf21c, 0xcabac28a, 0x53b39330, 0x24b4a3a6, 0xbad03605,
14354 0xcdd70693, 0x54de5729, 0x23d967bf, 0xb3667a2e, 0xc4614ab8,
14355 0x5d681b02, 0x2a6f2b94, 0xb40bbe37, 0xc30c8ea1, 0x5a05df1b,
14356 0x2d02ef8d
14357 @};
14358 unsigned char *end;
14359
14360 crc = ~crc & 0xffffffff;
14361 for (end = buf + len; buf < end; ++buf)
14362 crc = crc32_table[(crc ^ *buf) & 0xff] ^ (crc >> 8);
14363 return ~crc & 0xffffffff;
14364 @}
14365 @end smallexample
14366
14367 @noindent
14368 This computation does not apply to the ``build ID'' method.
14369
14370
14371 @node Symbol Errors
14372 @section Errors Reading Symbol Files
14373
14374 While reading a symbol file, @value{GDBN} occasionally encounters problems,
14375 such as symbol types it does not recognize, or known bugs in compiler
14376 output. By default, @value{GDBN} does not notify you of such problems, since
14377 they are relatively common and primarily of interest to people
14378 debugging compilers. If you are interested in seeing information
14379 about ill-constructed symbol tables, you can either ask @value{GDBN} to print
14380 only one message about each such type of problem, no matter how many
14381 times the problem occurs; or you can ask @value{GDBN} to print more messages,
14382 to see how many times the problems occur, with the @code{set
14383 complaints} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
14384 Messages}).
14385
14386 The messages currently printed, and their meanings, include:
14387
14388 @table @code
14389 @item inner block not inside outer block in @var{symbol}
14390
14391 The symbol information shows where symbol scopes begin and end
14392 (such as at the start of a function or a block of statements). This
14393 error indicates that an inner scope block is not fully contained
14394 in its outer scope blocks.
14395
14396 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the inner block as if it had
14397 the same scope as the outer block. In the error message, @var{symbol}
14398 may be shown as ``@code{(don't know)}'' if the outer block is not a
14399 function.
14400
14401 @item block at @var{address} out of order
14402
14403 The symbol information for symbol scope blocks should occur in
14404 order of increasing addresses. This error indicates that it does not
14405 do so.
14406
14407 @value{GDBN} does not circumvent this problem, and has trouble
14408 locating symbols in the source file whose symbols it is reading. (You
14409 can often determine what source file is affected by specifying
14410 @code{set verbose on}. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
14411 Messages}.)
14412
14413 @item bad block start address patched
14414
14415 The symbol information for a symbol scope block has a start address
14416 smaller than the address of the preceding source line. This is known
14417 to occur in the SunOS 4.1.1 (and earlier) C compiler.
14418
14419 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the symbol scope block as
14420 starting on the previous source line.
14421
14422 @item bad string table offset in symbol @var{n}
14423
14424 @cindex foo
14425 Symbol number @var{n} contains a pointer into the string table which is
14426 larger than the size of the string table.
14427
14428 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by considering the symbol to have the
14429 name @code{foo}, which may cause other problems if many symbols end up
14430 with this name.
14431
14432 @item unknown symbol type @code{0x@var{nn}}
14433
14434 The symbol information contains new data types that @value{GDBN} does
14435 not yet know how to read. @code{0x@var{nn}} is the symbol type of the
14436 uncomprehended information, in hexadecimal.
14437
14438 @value{GDBN} circumvents the error by ignoring this symbol information.
14439 This usually allows you to debug your program, though certain symbols
14440 are not accessible. If you encounter such a problem and feel like
14441 debugging it, you can debug @code{@value{GDBP}} with itself, breakpoint
14442 on @code{complain}, then go up to the function @code{read_dbx_symtab}
14443 and examine @code{*bufp} to see the symbol.
14444
14445 @item stub type has NULL name
14446
14447 @value{GDBN} could not find the full definition for a struct or class.
14448
14449 @item const/volatile indicator missing (ok if using g++ v1.x), got@dots{}
14450 The symbol information for a C@t{++} member function is missing some
14451 information that recent versions of the compiler should have output for
14452 it.
14453
14454 @item info mismatch between compiler and debugger
14455
14456 @value{GDBN} could not parse a type specification output by the compiler.
14457
14458 @end table
14459
14460 @node Data Files
14461 @section GDB Data Files
14462
14463 @cindex prefix for data files
14464 @value{GDBN} will sometimes read an auxiliary data file. These files
14465 are kept in a directory known as the @dfn{data directory}.
14466
14467 You can set the data directory's name, and view the name @value{GDBN}
14468 is currently using.
14469
14470 @table @code
14471 @kindex set data-directory
14472 @item set data-directory @var{directory}
14473 Set the directory which @value{GDBN} searches for auxiliary data files
14474 to @var{directory}.
14475
14476 @kindex show data-directory
14477 @item show data-directory
14478 Show the directory @value{GDBN} searches for auxiliary data files.
14479 @end table
14480
14481 @cindex default data directory
14482 @cindex @samp{--with-gdb-datadir}
14483 You can set the default data directory by using the configure-time
14484 @samp{--with-gdb-datadir} option. If the data directory is inside
14485 @value{GDBN}'s configured binary prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or
14486 @samp{--exec-prefix}), then the default data directory will be updated
14487 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
14488 location.
14489
14490 @node Targets
14491 @chapter Specifying a Debugging Target
14492
14493 @cindex debugging target
14494 A @dfn{target} is the execution environment occupied by your program.
14495
14496 Often, @value{GDBN} runs in the same host environment as your program;
14497 in that case, the debugging target is specified as a side effect when
14498 you use the @code{file} or @code{core} commands. When you need more
14499 flexibility---for example, running @value{GDBN} on a physically separate
14500 host, or controlling a standalone system over a serial port or a
14501 realtime system over a TCP/IP connection---you can use the @code{target}
14502 command to specify one of the target types configured for @value{GDBN}
14503 (@pxref{Target Commands, ,Commands for Managing Targets}).
14504
14505 @cindex target architecture
14506 It is possible to build @value{GDBN} for several different @dfn{target
14507 architectures}. When @value{GDBN} is built like that, you can choose
14508 one of the available architectures with the @kbd{set architecture}
14509 command.
14510
14511 @table @code
14512 @kindex set architecture
14513 @kindex show architecture
14514 @item set architecture @var{arch}
14515 This command sets the current target architecture to @var{arch}. The
14516 value of @var{arch} can be @code{"auto"}, in addition to one of the
14517 supported architectures.
14518
14519 @item show architecture
14520 Show the current target architecture.
14521
14522 @item set processor
14523 @itemx processor
14524 @kindex set processor
14525 @kindex show processor
14526 These are alias commands for, respectively, @code{set architecture}
14527 and @code{show architecture}.
14528 @end table
14529
14530 @menu
14531 * Active Targets:: Active targets
14532 * Target Commands:: Commands for managing targets
14533 * Byte Order:: Choosing target byte order
14534 @end menu
14535
14536 @node Active Targets
14537 @section Active Targets
14538
14539 @cindex stacking targets
14540 @cindex active targets
14541 @cindex multiple targets
14542
14543 There are three classes of targets: processes, core files, and
14544 executable files. @value{GDBN} can work concurrently on up to three
14545 active targets, one in each class. This allows you to (for example)
14546 start a process and inspect its activity without abandoning your work on
14547 a core file.
14548
14549 For example, if you execute @samp{gdb a.out}, then the executable file
14550 @code{a.out} is the only active target. If you designate a core file as
14551 well---presumably from a prior run that crashed and coredumped---then
14552 @value{GDBN} has two active targets and uses them in tandem, looking
14553 first in the corefile target, then in the executable file, to satisfy
14554 requests for memory addresses. (Typically, these two classes of target
14555 are complementary, since core files contain only a program's
14556 read-write memory---variables and so on---plus machine status, while
14557 executable files contain only the program text and initialized data.)
14558
14559 When you type @code{run}, your executable file becomes an active process
14560 target as well. When a process target is active, all @value{GDBN}
14561 commands requesting memory addresses refer to that target; addresses in
14562 an active core file or executable file target are obscured while the
14563 process target is active.
14564
14565 Use the @code{core-file} and @code{exec-file} commands to select a new
14566 core file or executable target (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify
14567 Files}). To specify as a target a process that is already running, use
14568 the @code{attach} command (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an Already-running
14569 Process}).
14570
14571 @node Target Commands
14572 @section Commands for Managing Targets
14573
14574 @table @code
14575 @item target @var{type} @var{parameters}
14576 Connects the @value{GDBN} host environment to a target machine or
14577 process. A target is typically a protocol for talking to debugging
14578 facilities. You use the argument @var{type} to specify the type or
14579 protocol of the target machine.
14580
14581 Further @var{parameters} are interpreted by the target protocol, but
14582 typically include things like device names or host names to connect
14583 with, process numbers, and baud rates.
14584
14585 The @code{target} command does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again
14586 after executing the command.
14587
14588 @kindex help target
14589 @item help target
14590 Displays the names of all targets available. To display targets
14591 currently selected, use either @code{info target} or @code{info files}
14592 (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
14593
14594 @item help target @var{name}
14595 Describe a particular target, including any parameters necessary to
14596 select it.
14597
14598 @kindex set gnutarget
14599 @item set gnutarget @var{args}
14600 @value{GDBN} uses its own library BFD to read your files. @value{GDBN}
14601 knows whether it is reading an @dfn{executable},
14602 a @dfn{core}, or a @dfn{.o} file; however, you can specify the file format
14603 with the @code{set gnutarget} command. Unlike most @code{target} commands,
14604 with @code{gnutarget} the @code{target} refers to a program, not a machine.
14605
14606 @quotation
14607 @emph{Warning:} To specify a file format with @code{set gnutarget},
14608 you must know the actual BFD name.
14609 @end quotation
14610
14611 @noindent
14612 @xref{Files, , Commands to Specify Files}.
14613
14614 @kindex show gnutarget
14615 @item show gnutarget
14616 Use the @code{show gnutarget} command to display what file format
14617 @code{gnutarget} is set to read. If you have not set @code{gnutarget},
14618 @value{GDBN} will determine the file format for each file automatically,
14619 and @code{show gnutarget} displays @samp{The current BDF target is "auto"}.
14620 @end table
14621
14622 @cindex common targets
14623 Here are some common targets (available, or not, depending on the GDB
14624 configuration):
14625
14626 @table @code
14627 @kindex target
14628 @item target exec @var{program}
14629 @cindex executable file target
14630 An executable file. @samp{target exec @var{program}} is the same as
14631 @samp{exec-file @var{program}}.
14632
14633 @item target core @var{filename}
14634 @cindex core dump file target
14635 A core dump file. @samp{target core @var{filename}} is the same as
14636 @samp{core-file @var{filename}}.
14637
14638 @item target remote @var{medium}
14639 @cindex remote target
14640 A remote system connected to @value{GDBN} via a serial line or network
14641 connection. This command tells @value{GDBN} to use its own remote
14642 protocol over @var{medium} for debugging. @xref{Remote Debugging}.
14643
14644 For example, if you have a board connected to @file{/dev/ttya} on the
14645 machine running @value{GDBN}, you could say:
14646
14647 @smallexample
14648 target remote /dev/ttya
14649 @end smallexample
14650
14651 @code{target remote} supports the @code{load} command. This is only
14652 useful if you have some other way of getting the stub to the target
14653 system, and you can put it somewhere in memory where it won't get
14654 clobbered by the download.
14655
14656 @item target sim
14657 @cindex built-in simulator target
14658 Builtin CPU simulator. @value{GDBN} includes simulators for most architectures.
14659 In general,
14660 @smallexample
14661 target sim
14662 load
14663 run
14664 @end smallexample
14665 @noindent
14666 works; however, you cannot assume that a specific memory map, device
14667 drivers, or even basic I/O is available, although some simulators do
14668 provide these. For info about any processor-specific simulator details,
14669 see the appropriate section in @ref{Embedded Processors, ,Embedded
14670 Processors}.
14671
14672 @end table
14673
14674 Some configurations may include these targets as well:
14675
14676 @table @code
14677
14678 @item target nrom @var{dev}
14679 @cindex NetROM ROM emulator target
14680 NetROM ROM emulator. This target only supports downloading.
14681
14682 @end table
14683
14684 Different targets are available on different configurations of @value{GDBN};
14685 your configuration may have more or fewer targets.
14686
14687 Many remote targets require you to download the executable's code once
14688 you've successfully established a connection. You may wish to control
14689 various aspects of this process.
14690
14691 @table @code
14692
14693 @item set hash
14694 @kindex set hash@r{, for remote monitors}
14695 @cindex hash mark while downloading
14696 This command controls whether a hash mark @samp{#} is displayed while
14697 downloading a file to the remote monitor. If on, a hash mark is
14698 displayed after each S-record is successfully downloaded to the
14699 monitor.
14700
14701 @item show hash
14702 @kindex show hash@r{, for remote monitors}
14703 Show the current status of displaying the hash mark.
14704
14705 @item set debug monitor
14706 @kindex set debug monitor
14707 @cindex display remote monitor communications
14708 Enable or disable display of communications messages between
14709 @value{GDBN} and the remote monitor.
14710
14711 @item show debug monitor
14712 @kindex show debug monitor
14713 Show the current status of displaying communications between
14714 @value{GDBN} and the remote monitor.
14715 @end table
14716
14717 @table @code
14718
14719 @kindex load @var{filename}
14720 @item load @var{filename}
14721 @anchor{load}
14722 Depending on what remote debugging facilities are configured into
14723 @value{GDBN}, the @code{load} command may be available. Where it exists, it
14724 is meant to make @var{filename} (an executable) available for debugging
14725 on the remote system---by downloading, or dynamic linking, for example.
14726 @code{load} also records the @var{filename} symbol table in @value{GDBN}, like
14727 the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
14728
14729 If your @value{GDBN} does not have a @code{load} command, attempting to
14730 execute it gets the error message ``@code{You can't do that when your
14731 target is @dots{}}''
14732
14733 The file is loaded at whatever address is specified in the executable.
14734 For some object file formats, you can specify the load address when you
14735 link the program; for other formats, like a.out, the object file format
14736 specifies a fixed address.
14737 @c FIXME! This would be a good place for an xref to the GNU linker doc.
14738
14739 Depending on the remote side capabilities, @value{GDBN} may be able to
14740 load programs into flash memory.
14741
14742 @code{load} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
14743 @end table
14744
14745 @node Byte Order
14746 @section Choosing Target Byte Order
14747
14748 @cindex choosing target byte order
14749 @cindex target byte order
14750
14751 Some types of processors, such as the MIPS, PowerPC, and Renesas SH,
14752 offer the ability to run either big-endian or little-endian byte
14753 orders. Usually the executable or symbol will include a bit to
14754 designate the endian-ness, and you will not need to worry about
14755 which to use. However, you may still find it useful to adjust
14756 @value{GDBN}'s idea of processor endian-ness manually.
14757
14758 @table @code
14759 @kindex set endian
14760 @item set endian big
14761 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is big-endian.
14762
14763 @item set endian little
14764 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is little-endian.
14765
14766 @item set endian auto
14767 Instruct @value{GDBN} to use the byte order associated with the
14768 executable.
14769
14770 @item show endian
14771 Display @value{GDBN}'s current idea of the target byte order.
14772
14773 @end table
14774
14775 Note that these commands merely adjust interpretation of symbolic
14776 data on the host, and that they have absolutely no effect on the
14777 target system.
14778
14779
14780 @node Remote Debugging
14781 @chapter Debugging Remote Programs
14782 @cindex remote debugging
14783
14784 If you are trying to debug a program running on a machine that cannot run
14785 @value{GDBN} in the usual way, it is often useful to use remote debugging.
14786 For example, you might use remote debugging on an operating system kernel,
14787 or on a small system which does not have a general purpose operating system
14788 powerful enough to run a full-featured debugger.
14789
14790 Some configurations of @value{GDBN} have special serial or TCP/IP interfaces
14791 to make this work with particular debugging targets. In addition,
14792 @value{GDBN} comes with a generic serial protocol (specific to @value{GDBN},
14793 but not specific to any particular target system) which you can use if you
14794 write the remote stubs---the code that runs on the remote system to
14795 communicate with @value{GDBN}.
14796
14797 Other remote targets may be available in your
14798 configuration of @value{GDBN}; use @code{help target} to list them.
14799
14800 @menu
14801 * Connecting:: Connecting to a remote target
14802 * File Transfer:: Sending files to a remote system
14803 * Server:: Using the gdbserver program
14804 * Remote Configuration:: Remote configuration
14805 * Remote Stub:: Implementing a remote stub
14806 @end menu
14807
14808 @node Connecting
14809 @section Connecting to a Remote Target
14810
14811 On the @value{GDBN} host machine, you will need an unstripped copy of
14812 your program, since @value{GDBN} needs symbol and debugging information.
14813 Start up @value{GDBN} as usual, using the name of the local copy of your
14814 program as the first argument.
14815
14816 @cindex @code{target remote}
14817 @value{GDBN} can communicate with the target over a serial line, or
14818 over an @acronym{IP} network using @acronym{TCP} or @acronym{UDP}. In
14819 each case, @value{GDBN} uses the same protocol for debugging your
14820 program; only the medium carrying the debugging packets varies. The
14821 @code{target remote} command establishes a connection to the target.
14822 Its arguments indicate which medium to use:
14823
14824 @table @code
14825
14826 @item target remote @var{serial-device}
14827 @cindex serial line, @code{target remote}
14828 Use @var{serial-device} to communicate with the target. For example,
14829 to use a serial line connected to the device named @file{/dev/ttyb}:
14830
14831 @smallexample
14832 target remote /dev/ttyb
14833 @end smallexample
14834
14835 If you're using a serial line, you may want to give @value{GDBN} the
14836 @w{@samp{--baud}} option, or use the @code{set remotebaud} command
14837 (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remotebaud}) before the
14838 @code{target} command.
14839
14840 @item target remote @code{@var{host}:@var{port}}
14841 @itemx target remote @code{tcp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
14842 @cindex @acronym{TCP} port, @code{target remote}
14843 Debug using a @acronym{TCP} connection to @var{port} on @var{host}.
14844 The @var{host} may be either a host name or a numeric @acronym{IP}
14845 address; @var{port} must be a decimal number. The @var{host} could be
14846 the target machine itself, if it is directly connected to the net, or
14847 it might be a terminal server which in turn has a serial line to the
14848 target.
14849
14850 For example, to connect to port 2828 on a terminal server named
14851 @code{manyfarms}:
14852
14853 @smallexample
14854 target remote manyfarms:2828
14855 @end smallexample
14856
14857 If your remote target is actually running on the same machine as your
14858 debugger session (e.g.@: a simulator for your target running on the
14859 same host), you can omit the hostname. For example, to connect to
14860 port 1234 on your local machine:
14861
14862 @smallexample
14863 target remote :1234
14864 @end smallexample
14865 @noindent
14866
14867 Note that the colon is still required here.
14868
14869 @item target remote @code{udp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
14870 @cindex @acronym{UDP} port, @code{target remote}
14871 Debug using @acronym{UDP} packets to @var{port} on @var{host}. For example, to
14872 connect to @acronym{UDP} port 2828 on a terminal server named @code{manyfarms}:
14873
14874 @smallexample
14875 target remote udp:manyfarms:2828
14876 @end smallexample
14877
14878 When using a @acronym{UDP} connection for remote debugging, you should
14879 keep in mind that the `U' stands for ``Unreliable''. @acronym{UDP}
14880 can silently drop packets on busy or unreliable networks, which will
14881 cause havoc with your debugging session.
14882
14883 @item target remote | @var{command}
14884 @cindex pipe, @code{target remote} to
14885 Run @var{command} in the background and communicate with it using a
14886 pipe. The @var{command} is a shell command, to be parsed and expanded
14887 by the system's command shell, @code{/bin/sh}; it should expect remote
14888 protocol packets on its standard input, and send replies on its
14889 standard output. You could use this to run a stand-alone simulator
14890 that speaks the remote debugging protocol, to make net connections
14891 using programs like @code{ssh}, or for other similar tricks.
14892
14893 If @var{command} closes its standard output (perhaps by exiting),
14894 @value{GDBN} will try to send it a @code{SIGTERM} signal. (If the
14895 program has already exited, this will have no effect.)
14896
14897 @end table
14898
14899 Once the connection has been established, you can use all the usual
14900 commands to examine and change data. The remote program is already
14901 running; you can use @kbd{step} and @kbd{continue}, and you do not
14902 need to use @kbd{run}.
14903
14904 @cindex interrupting remote programs
14905 @cindex remote programs, interrupting
14906 Whenever @value{GDBN} is waiting for the remote program, if you type the
14907 interrupt character (often @kbd{Ctrl-c}), @value{GDBN} attempts to stop the
14908 program. This may or may not succeed, depending in part on the hardware
14909 and the serial drivers the remote system uses. If you type the
14910 interrupt character once again, @value{GDBN} displays this prompt:
14911
14912 @smallexample
14913 Interrupted while waiting for the program.
14914 Give up (and stop debugging it)? (y or n)
14915 @end smallexample
14916
14917 If you type @kbd{y}, @value{GDBN} abandons the remote debugging session.
14918 (If you decide you want to try again later, you can use @samp{target
14919 remote} again to connect once more.) If you type @kbd{n}, @value{GDBN}
14920 goes back to waiting.
14921
14922 @table @code
14923 @kindex detach (remote)
14924 @item detach
14925 When you have finished debugging the remote program, you can use the
14926 @code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control.
14927 Detaching from the target normally resumes its execution, but the results
14928 will depend on your particular remote stub. After the @code{detach}
14929 command, @value{GDBN} is free to connect to another target.
14930
14931 @kindex disconnect
14932 @item disconnect
14933 The @code{disconnect} command behaves like @code{detach}, except that
14934 the target is generally not resumed. It will wait for @value{GDBN}
14935 (this instance or another one) to connect and continue debugging. After
14936 the @code{disconnect} command, @value{GDBN} is again free to connect to
14937 another target.
14938
14939 @cindex send command to remote monitor
14940 @cindex extend @value{GDBN} for remote targets
14941 @cindex add new commands for external monitor
14942 @kindex monitor
14943 @item monitor @var{cmd}
14944 This command allows you to send arbitrary commands directly to the
14945 remote monitor. Since @value{GDBN} doesn't care about the commands it
14946 sends like this, this command is the way to extend @value{GDBN}---you
14947 can add new commands that only the external monitor will understand
14948 and implement.
14949 @end table
14950
14951 @node File Transfer
14952 @section Sending files to a remote system
14953 @cindex remote target, file transfer
14954 @cindex file transfer
14955 @cindex sending files to remote systems
14956
14957 Some remote targets offer the ability to transfer files over the same
14958 connection used to communicate with @value{GDBN}. This is convenient
14959 for targets accessible through other means, e.g.@: @sc{gnu}/Linux systems
14960 running @code{gdbserver} over a network interface. For other targets,
14961 e.g.@: embedded devices with only a single serial port, this may be
14962 the only way to upload or download files.
14963
14964 Not all remote targets support these commands.
14965
14966 @table @code
14967 @kindex remote put
14968 @item remote put @var{hostfile} @var{targetfile}
14969 Copy file @var{hostfile} from the host system (the machine running
14970 @value{GDBN}) to @var{targetfile} on the target system.
14971
14972 @kindex remote get
14973 @item remote get @var{targetfile} @var{hostfile}
14974 Copy file @var{targetfile} from the target system to @var{hostfile}
14975 on the host system.
14976
14977 @kindex remote delete
14978 @item remote delete @var{targetfile}
14979 Delete @var{targetfile} from the target system.
14980
14981 @end table
14982
14983 @node Server
14984 @section Using the @code{gdbserver} Program
14985
14986 @kindex gdbserver
14987 @cindex remote connection without stubs
14988 @code{gdbserver} is a control program for Unix-like systems, which
14989 allows you to connect your program with a remote @value{GDBN} via
14990 @code{target remote}---but without linking in the usual debugging stub.
14991
14992 @code{gdbserver} is not a complete replacement for the debugging stubs,
14993 because it requires essentially the same operating-system facilities
14994 that @value{GDBN} itself does. In fact, a system that can run
14995 @code{gdbserver} to connect to a remote @value{GDBN} could also run
14996 @value{GDBN} locally! @code{gdbserver} is sometimes useful nevertheless,
14997 because it is a much smaller program than @value{GDBN} itself. It is
14998 also easier to port than all of @value{GDBN}, so you may be able to get
14999 started more quickly on a new system by using @code{gdbserver}.
15000 Finally, if you develop code for real-time systems, you may find that
15001 the tradeoffs involved in real-time operation make it more convenient to
15002 do as much development work as possible on another system, for example
15003 by cross-compiling. You can use @code{gdbserver} to make a similar
15004 choice for debugging.
15005
15006 @value{GDBN} and @code{gdbserver} communicate via either a serial line
15007 or a TCP connection, using the standard @value{GDBN} remote serial
15008 protocol.
15009
15010 @quotation
15011 @emph{Warning:} @code{gdbserver} does not have any built-in security.
15012 Do not run @code{gdbserver} connected to any public network; a
15013 @value{GDBN} connection to @code{gdbserver} provides access to the
15014 target system with the same privileges as the user running
15015 @code{gdbserver}.
15016 @end quotation
15017
15018 @subsection Running @code{gdbserver}
15019 @cindex arguments, to @code{gdbserver}
15020
15021 Run @code{gdbserver} on the target system. You need a copy of the
15022 program you want to debug, including any libraries it requires.
15023 @code{gdbserver} does not need your program's symbol table, so you can
15024 strip the program if necessary to save space. @value{GDBN} on the host
15025 system does all the symbol handling.
15026
15027 To use the server, you must tell it how to communicate with @value{GDBN};
15028 the name of your program; and the arguments for your program. The usual
15029 syntax is:
15030
15031 @smallexample
15032 target> gdbserver @var{comm} @var{program} [ @var{args} @dots{} ]
15033 @end smallexample
15034
15035 @var{comm} is either a device name (to use a serial line) or a TCP
15036 hostname and portnumber. For example, to debug Emacs with the argument
15037 @samp{foo.txt} and communicate with @value{GDBN} over the serial port
15038 @file{/dev/com1}:
15039
15040 @smallexample
15041 target> gdbserver /dev/com1 emacs foo.txt
15042 @end smallexample
15043
15044 @code{gdbserver} waits passively for the host @value{GDBN} to communicate
15045 with it.
15046
15047 To use a TCP connection instead of a serial line:
15048
15049 @smallexample
15050 target> gdbserver host:2345 emacs foo.txt
15051 @end smallexample
15052
15053 The only difference from the previous example is the first argument,
15054 specifying that you are communicating with the host @value{GDBN} via
15055 TCP. The @samp{host:2345} argument means that @code{gdbserver} is to
15056 expect a TCP connection from machine @samp{host} to local TCP port 2345.
15057 (Currently, the @samp{host} part is ignored.) You can choose any number
15058 you want for the port number as long as it does not conflict with any
15059 TCP ports already in use on the target system (for example, @code{23} is
15060 reserved for @code{telnet}).@footnote{If you choose a port number that
15061 conflicts with another service, @code{gdbserver} prints an error message
15062 and exits.} You must use the same port number with the host @value{GDBN}
15063 @code{target remote} command.
15064
15065 @subsubsection Attaching to a Running Program
15066
15067 On some targets, @code{gdbserver} can also attach to running programs.
15068 This is accomplished via the @code{--attach} argument. The syntax is:
15069
15070 @smallexample
15071 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
15072 @end smallexample
15073
15074 @var{pid} is the process ID of a currently running process. It isn't necessary
15075 to point @code{gdbserver} at a binary for the running process.
15076
15077 @pindex pidof
15078 @cindex attach to a program by name
15079 You can debug processes by name instead of process ID if your target has the
15080 @code{pidof} utility:
15081
15082 @smallexample
15083 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} `pidof @var{program}`
15084 @end smallexample
15085
15086 In case more than one copy of @var{program} is running, or @var{program}
15087 has multiple threads, most versions of @code{pidof} support the
15088 @code{-s} option to only return the first process ID.
15089
15090 @subsubsection Multi-Process Mode for @code{gdbserver}
15091 @cindex gdbserver, multiple processes
15092 @cindex multiple processes with gdbserver
15093
15094 When you connect to @code{gdbserver} using @code{target remote},
15095 @code{gdbserver} debugs the specified program only once. When the
15096 program exits, or you detach from it, @value{GDBN} closes the connection
15097 and @code{gdbserver} exits.
15098
15099 If you connect using @kbd{target extended-remote}, @code{gdbserver}
15100 enters multi-process mode. When the debugged program exits, or you
15101 detach from it, @value{GDBN} stays connected to @code{gdbserver} even
15102 though no program is running. The @code{run} and @code{attach}
15103 commands instruct @code{gdbserver} to run or attach to a new program.
15104 The @code{run} command uses @code{set remote exec-file} (@pxref{set
15105 remote exec-file}) to select the program to run. Command line
15106 arguments are supported, except for wildcard expansion and I/O
15107 redirection (@pxref{Arguments}).
15108
15109 To start @code{gdbserver} without supplying an initial command to run
15110 or process ID to attach, use the @option{--multi} command line option.
15111 Then you can connect using @kbd{target extended-remote} and start
15112 the program you want to debug.
15113
15114 @code{gdbserver} does not automatically exit in multi-process mode.
15115 You can terminate it by using @code{monitor exit}
15116 (@pxref{Monitor Commands for gdbserver}).
15117
15118 @subsubsection Other Command-Line Arguments for @code{gdbserver}
15119
15120 The @option{--debug} option tells @code{gdbserver} to display extra
15121 status information about the debugging process. The
15122 @option{--remote-debug} option tells @code{gdbserver} to display
15123 remote protocol debug output. These options are intended for
15124 @code{gdbserver} development and for bug reports to the developers.
15125
15126 The @option{--wrapper} option specifies a wrapper to launch programs
15127 for debugging. The option should be followed by the name of the
15128 wrapper, then any command-line arguments to pass to the wrapper, then
15129 @kbd{--} indicating the end of the wrapper arguments.
15130
15131 @code{gdbserver} runs the specified wrapper program with a combined
15132 command line including the wrapper arguments, then the name of the
15133 program to debug, then any arguments to the program. The wrapper
15134 runs until it executes your program, and then @value{GDBN} gains control.
15135
15136 You can use any program that eventually calls @code{execve} with
15137 its arguments as a wrapper. Several standard Unix utilities do
15138 this, e.g.@: @code{env} and @code{nohup}. Any Unix shell script ending
15139 with @code{exec "$@@"} will also work.
15140
15141 For example, you can use @code{env} to pass an environment variable to
15142 the debugged program, without setting the variable in @code{gdbserver}'s
15143 environment:
15144
15145 @smallexample
15146 $ gdbserver --wrapper env LD_PRELOAD=libtest.so -- :2222 ./testprog
15147 @end smallexample
15148
15149 @subsection Connecting to @code{gdbserver}
15150
15151 Run @value{GDBN} on the host system.
15152
15153 First make sure you have the necessary symbol files. Load symbols for
15154 your application using the @code{file} command before you connect. Use
15155 @code{set sysroot} to locate target libraries (unless your @value{GDBN}
15156 was compiled with the correct sysroot using @code{--with-sysroot}).
15157
15158 The symbol file and target libraries must exactly match the executable
15159 and libraries on the target, with one exception: the files on the host
15160 system should not be stripped, even if the files on the target system
15161 are. Mismatched or missing files will lead to confusing results
15162 during debugging. On @sc{gnu}/Linux targets, mismatched or missing
15163 files may also prevent @code{gdbserver} from debugging multi-threaded
15164 programs.
15165
15166 Connect to your target (@pxref{Connecting,,Connecting to a Remote Target}).
15167 For TCP connections, you must start up @code{gdbserver} prior to using
15168 the @code{target remote} command. Otherwise you may get an error whose
15169 text depends on the host system, but which usually looks something like
15170 @samp{Connection refused}. Don't use the @code{load}
15171 command in @value{GDBN} when using @code{gdbserver}, since the program is
15172 already on the target.
15173
15174 @subsection Monitor Commands for @code{gdbserver}
15175 @cindex monitor commands, for @code{gdbserver}
15176 @anchor{Monitor Commands for gdbserver}
15177
15178 During a @value{GDBN} session using @code{gdbserver}, you can use the
15179 @code{monitor} command to send special requests to @code{gdbserver}.
15180 Here are the available commands.
15181
15182 @table @code
15183 @item monitor help
15184 List the available monitor commands.
15185
15186 @item monitor set debug 0
15187 @itemx monitor set debug 1
15188 Disable or enable general debugging messages.
15189
15190 @item monitor set remote-debug 0
15191 @itemx monitor set remote-debug 1
15192 Disable or enable specific debugging messages associated with the remote
15193 protocol (@pxref{Remote Protocol}).
15194
15195 @item monitor set libthread-db-search-path [PATH]
15196 @cindex gdbserver, search path for @code{libthread_db}
15197 When this command is issued, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
15198 directories to search for @code{libthread_db} (@pxref{Threads,,set
15199 libthread-db-search-path}). If you omit @var{path},
15200 @samp{libthread-db-search-path} will be reset to an empty list.
15201
15202 @item monitor exit
15203 Tell gdbserver to exit immediately. This command should be followed by
15204 @code{disconnect} to close the debugging session. @code{gdbserver} will
15205 detach from any attached processes and kill any processes it created.
15206 Use @code{monitor exit} to terminate @code{gdbserver} at the end
15207 of a multi-process mode debug session.
15208
15209 @end table
15210
15211 @node Remote Configuration
15212 @section Remote Configuration
15213
15214 @kindex set remote
15215 @kindex show remote
15216 This section documents the configuration options available when
15217 debugging remote programs. For the options related to the File I/O
15218 extensions of the remote protocol, see @ref{system,
15219 system-call-allowed}.
15220
15221 @table @code
15222 @item set remoteaddresssize @var{bits}
15223 @cindex address size for remote targets
15224 @cindex bits in remote address
15225 Set the maximum size of address in a memory packet to the specified
15226 number of bits. @value{GDBN} will mask off the address bits above
15227 that number, when it passes addresses to the remote target. The
15228 default value is the number of bits in the target's address.
15229
15230 @item show remoteaddresssize
15231 Show the current value of remote address size in bits.
15232
15233 @item set remotebaud @var{n}
15234 @cindex baud rate for remote targets
15235 Set the baud rate for the remote serial I/O to @var{n} baud. The
15236 value is used to set the speed of the serial port used for debugging
15237 remote targets.
15238
15239 @item show remotebaud
15240 Show the current speed of the remote connection.
15241
15242 @item set remotebreak
15243 @cindex interrupt remote programs
15244 @cindex BREAK signal instead of Ctrl-C
15245 @anchor{set remotebreak}
15246 If set to on, @value{GDBN} sends a @code{BREAK} signal to the remote
15247 when you type @kbd{Ctrl-c} to interrupt the program running
15248 on the remote. If set to off, @value{GDBN} sends the @samp{Ctrl-C}
15249 character instead. The default is off, since most remote systems
15250 expect to see @samp{Ctrl-C} as the interrupt signal.
15251
15252 @item show remotebreak
15253 Show whether @value{GDBN} sends @code{BREAK} or @samp{Ctrl-C} to
15254 interrupt the remote program.
15255
15256 @item set remoteflow on
15257 @itemx set remoteflow off
15258 @kindex set remoteflow
15259 Enable or disable hardware flow control (@code{RTS}/@code{CTS})
15260 on the serial port used to communicate to the remote target.
15261
15262 @item show remoteflow
15263 @kindex show remoteflow
15264 Show the current setting of hardware flow control.
15265
15266 @item set remotelogbase @var{base}
15267 Set the base (a.k.a.@: radix) of logging serial protocol
15268 communications to @var{base}. Supported values of @var{base} are:
15269 @code{ascii}, @code{octal}, and @code{hex}. The default is
15270 @code{ascii}.
15271
15272 @item show remotelogbase
15273 Show the current setting of the radix for logging remote serial
15274 protocol.
15275
15276 @item set remotelogfile @var{file}
15277 @cindex record serial communications on file
15278 Record remote serial communications on the named @var{file}. The
15279 default is not to record at all.
15280
15281 @item show remotelogfile.
15282 Show the current setting of the file name on which to record the
15283 serial communications.
15284
15285 @item set remotetimeout @var{num}
15286 @cindex timeout for serial communications
15287 @cindex remote timeout
15288 Set the timeout limit to wait for the remote target to respond to
15289 @var{num} seconds. The default is 2 seconds.
15290
15291 @item show remotetimeout
15292 Show the current number of seconds to wait for the remote target
15293 responses.
15294
15295 @cindex limit hardware breakpoints and watchpoints
15296 @cindex remote target, limit break- and watchpoints
15297 @anchor{set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit}
15298 @anchor{set remote hardware-breakpoint-limit}
15299 @item set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit @var{limit}
15300 @itemx set remote hardware-breakpoint-limit @var{limit}
15301 Restrict @value{GDBN} to using @var{limit} remote hardware breakpoint or
15302 watchpoints. A limit of -1, the default, is treated as unlimited.
15303
15304 @item set remote exec-file @var{filename}
15305 @itemx show remote exec-file
15306 @anchor{set remote exec-file}
15307 @cindex executable file, for remote target
15308 Select the file used for @code{run} with @code{target
15309 extended-remote}. This should be set to a filename valid on the
15310 target system. If it is not set, the target will use a default
15311 filename (e.g.@: the last program run).
15312
15313 @item set remote interrupt-sequence
15314 @cindex interrupt remote programs
15315 @cindex select Ctrl-C, BREAK or BREAK-g
15316 Allow the user to select one of @samp{Ctrl-C}, a @code{BREAK} or
15317 @samp{BREAK-g} as the
15318 sequence to the remote target in order to interrupt the execution.
15319 @samp{Ctrl-C} is a default. Some system prefers @code{BREAK} which
15320 is high level of serial line for some certain time.
15321 Linux kernel prefers @samp{BREAK-g}, a.k.a Magic SysRq g.
15322 It is @code{BREAK} signal followed by character @code{g}.
15323
15324 @item show interrupt-sequence
15325 Show which of @samp{Ctrl-C}, @code{BREAK} or @code{BREAK-g}
15326 is sent by @value{GDBN} to interrupt the remote program.
15327 @code{BREAK-g} is BREAK signal followed by @code{g} and
15328 also known as Magic SysRq g.
15329
15330 @item set remote interrupt-on-connect
15331 @cindex send interrupt-sequence on start
15332 Specify whether interrupt-sequence is sent to remote target when
15333 @value{GDBN} connects to it. This is mostly needed when you debug
15334 Linux kernel. Linux kernel expects @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g}
15335 which is known as Magic SysRq g in order to connect @value{GDBN}.
15336
15337 @item show interrupt-on-connect
15338 Show whether interrupt-sequence is sent
15339 to remote target when @value{GDBN} connects to it.
15340
15341 @kindex set tcp
15342 @kindex show tcp
15343 @item set tcp auto-retry on
15344 @cindex auto-retry, for remote TCP target
15345 Enable auto-retry for remote TCP connections. This is useful if the remote
15346 debugging agent is launched in parallel with @value{GDBN}; there is a race
15347 condition because the agent may not become ready to accept the connection
15348 before @value{GDBN} attempts to connect. When auto-retry is
15349 enabled, if the initial attempt to connect fails, @value{GDBN} reattempts
15350 to establish the connection using the timeout specified by
15351 @code{set tcp connect-timeout}.
15352
15353 @item set tcp auto-retry off
15354 Do not auto-retry failed TCP connections.
15355
15356 @item show tcp auto-retry
15357 Show the current auto-retry setting.
15358
15359 @item set tcp connect-timeout @var{seconds}
15360 @cindex connection timeout, for remote TCP target
15361 @cindex timeout, for remote target connection
15362 Set the timeout for establishing a TCP connection to the remote target to
15363 @var{seconds}. The timeout affects both polling to retry failed connections
15364 (enabled by @code{set tcp auto-retry on}) and waiting for connections
15365 that are merely slow to complete, and represents an approximate cumulative
15366 value.
15367
15368 @item show tcp connect-timeout
15369 Show the current connection timeout setting.
15370 @end table
15371
15372 @cindex remote packets, enabling and disabling
15373 The @value{GDBN} remote protocol autodetects the packets supported by
15374 your debugging stub. If you need to override the autodetection, you
15375 can use these commands to enable or disable individual packets. Each
15376 packet can be set to @samp{on} (the remote target supports this
15377 packet), @samp{off} (the remote target does not support this packet),
15378 or @samp{auto} (detect remote target support for this packet). They
15379 all default to @samp{auto}. For more information about each packet,
15380 see @ref{Remote Protocol}.
15381
15382 During normal use, you should not have to use any of these commands.
15383 If you do, that may be a bug in your remote debugging stub, or a bug
15384 in @value{GDBN}. You may want to report the problem to the
15385 @value{GDBN} developers.
15386
15387 For each packet @var{name}, the command to enable or disable the
15388 packet is @code{set remote @var{name}-packet}. The available settings
15389 are:
15390
15391 @multitable @columnfractions 0.28 0.32 0.25
15392 @item Command Name
15393 @tab Remote Packet
15394 @tab Related Features
15395
15396 @item @code{fetch-register}
15397 @tab @code{p}
15398 @tab @code{info registers}
15399
15400 @item @code{set-register}
15401 @tab @code{P}
15402 @tab @code{set}
15403
15404 @item @code{binary-download}
15405 @tab @code{X}
15406 @tab @code{load}, @code{set}
15407
15408 @item @code{read-aux-vector}
15409 @tab @code{qXfer:auxv:read}
15410 @tab @code{info auxv}
15411
15412 @item @code{symbol-lookup}
15413 @tab @code{qSymbol}
15414 @tab Detecting multiple threads
15415
15416 @item @code{attach}
15417 @tab @code{vAttach}
15418 @tab @code{attach}
15419
15420 @item @code{verbose-resume}
15421 @tab @code{vCont}
15422 @tab Stepping or resuming multiple threads
15423
15424 @item @code{run}
15425 @tab @code{vRun}
15426 @tab @code{run}
15427
15428 @item @code{software-breakpoint}
15429 @tab @code{Z0}
15430 @tab @code{break}
15431
15432 @item @code{hardware-breakpoint}
15433 @tab @code{Z1}
15434 @tab @code{hbreak}
15435
15436 @item @code{write-watchpoint}
15437 @tab @code{Z2}
15438 @tab @code{watch}
15439
15440 @item @code{read-watchpoint}
15441 @tab @code{Z3}
15442 @tab @code{rwatch}
15443
15444 @item @code{access-watchpoint}
15445 @tab @code{Z4}
15446 @tab @code{awatch}
15447
15448 @item @code{target-features}
15449 @tab @code{qXfer:features:read}
15450 @tab @code{set architecture}
15451
15452 @item @code{library-info}
15453 @tab @code{qXfer:libraries:read}
15454 @tab @code{info sharedlibrary}
15455
15456 @item @code{memory-map}
15457 @tab @code{qXfer:memory-map:read}
15458 @tab @code{info mem}
15459
15460 @item @code{read-spu-object}
15461 @tab @code{qXfer:spu:read}
15462 @tab @code{info spu}
15463
15464 @item @code{write-spu-object}
15465 @tab @code{qXfer:spu:write}
15466 @tab @code{info spu}
15467
15468 @item @code{read-siginfo-object}
15469 @tab @code{qXfer:siginfo:read}
15470 @tab @code{print $_siginfo}
15471
15472 @item @code{write-siginfo-object}
15473 @tab @code{qXfer:siginfo:write}
15474 @tab @code{set $_siginfo}
15475
15476 @item @code{get-thread-local-@*storage-address}
15477 @tab @code{qGetTLSAddr}
15478 @tab Displaying @code{__thread} variables
15479
15480 @item @code{search-memory}
15481 @tab @code{qSearch:memory}
15482 @tab @code{find}
15483
15484 @item @code{supported-packets}
15485 @tab @code{qSupported}
15486 @tab Remote communications parameters
15487
15488 @item @code{pass-signals}
15489 @tab @code{QPassSignals}
15490 @tab @code{handle @var{signal}}
15491
15492 @item @code{hostio-close-packet}
15493 @tab @code{vFile:close}
15494 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
15495
15496 @item @code{hostio-open-packet}
15497 @tab @code{vFile:open}
15498 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
15499
15500 @item @code{hostio-pread-packet}
15501 @tab @code{vFile:pread}
15502 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
15503
15504 @item @code{hostio-pwrite-packet}
15505 @tab @code{vFile:pwrite}
15506 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
15507
15508 @item @code{hostio-unlink-packet}
15509 @tab @code{vFile:unlink}
15510 @tab @code{remote delete}
15511
15512 @item @code{noack-packet}
15513 @tab @code{QStartNoAckMode}
15514 @tab Packet acknowledgment
15515
15516 @item @code{osdata}
15517 @tab @code{qXfer:osdata:read}
15518 @tab @code{info os}
15519
15520 @item @code{query-attached}
15521 @tab @code{qAttached}
15522 @tab Querying remote process attach state.
15523 @end multitable
15524
15525 @node Remote Stub
15526 @section Implementing a Remote Stub
15527
15528 @cindex debugging stub, example
15529 @cindex remote stub, example
15530 @cindex stub example, remote debugging
15531 The stub files provided with @value{GDBN} implement the target side of the
15532 communication protocol, and the @value{GDBN} side is implemented in the
15533 @value{GDBN} source file @file{remote.c}. Normally, you can simply allow
15534 these subroutines to communicate, and ignore the details. (If you're
15535 implementing your own stub file, you can still ignore the details: start
15536 with one of the existing stub files. @file{sparc-stub.c} is the best
15537 organized, and therefore the easiest to read.)
15538
15539 @cindex remote serial debugging, overview
15540 To debug a program running on another machine (the debugging
15541 @dfn{target} machine), you must first arrange for all the usual
15542 prerequisites for the program to run by itself. For example, for a C
15543 program, you need:
15544
15545 @enumerate
15546 @item
15547 A startup routine to set up the C runtime environment; these usually
15548 have a name like @file{crt0}. The startup routine may be supplied by
15549 your hardware supplier, or you may have to write your own.
15550
15551 @item
15552 A C subroutine library to support your program's
15553 subroutine calls, notably managing input and output.
15554
15555 @item
15556 A way of getting your program to the other machine---for example, a
15557 download program. These are often supplied by the hardware
15558 manufacturer, but you may have to write your own from hardware
15559 documentation.
15560 @end enumerate
15561
15562 The next step is to arrange for your program to use a serial port to
15563 communicate with the machine where @value{GDBN} is running (the @dfn{host}
15564 machine). In general terms, the scheme looks like this:
15565
15566 @table @emph
15567 @item On the host,
15568 @value{GDBN} already understands how to use this protocol; when everything
15569 else is set up, you can simply use the @samp{target remote} command
15570 (@pxref{Targets,,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
15571
15572 @item On the target,
15573 you must link with your program a few special-purpose subroutines that
15574 implement the @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol. The file containing these
15575 subroutines is called a @dfn{debugging stub}.
15576
15577 On certain remote targets, you can use an auxiliary program
15578 @code{gdbserver} instead of linking a stub into your program.
15579 @xref{Server,,Using the @code{gdbserver} Program}, for details.
15580 @end table
15581
15582 The debugging stub is specific to the architecture of the remote
15583 machine; for example, use @file{sparc-stub.c} to debug programs on
15584 @sc{sparc} boards.
15585
15586 @cindex remote serial stub list
15587 These working remote stubs are distributed with @value{GDBN}:
15588
15589 @table @code
15590
15591 @item i386-stub.c
15592 @cindex @file{i386-stub.c}
15593 @cindex Intel
15594 @cindex i386
15595 For Intel 386 and compatible architectures.
15596
15597 @item m68k-stub.c
15598 @cindex @file{m68k-stub.c}
15599 @cindex Motorola 680x0
15600 @cindex m680x0
15601 For Motorola 680x0 architectures.
15602
15603 @item sh-stub.c
15604 @cindex @file{sh-stub.c}
15605 @cindex Renesas
15606 @cindex SH
15607 For Renesas SH architectures.
15608
15609 @item sparc-stub.c
15610 @cindex @file{sparc-stub.c}
15611 @cindex Sparc
15612 For @sc{sparc} architectures.
15613
15614 @item sparcl-stub.c
15615 @cindex @file{sparcl-stub.c}
15616 @cindex Fujitsu
15617 @cindex SparcLite
15618 For Fujitsu @sc{sparclite} architectures.
15619
15620 @end table
15621
15622 The @file{README} file in the @value{GDBN} distribution may list other
15623 recently added stubs.
15624
15625 @menu
15626 * Stub Contents:: What the stub can do for you
15627 * Bootstrapping:: What you must do for the stub
15628 * Debug Session:: Putting it all together
15629 @end menu
15630
15631 @node Stub Contents
15632 @subsection What the Stub Can Do for You
15633
15634 @cindex remote serial stub
15635 The debugging stub for your architecture supplies these three
15636 subroutines:
15637
15638 @table @code
15639 @item set_debug_traps
15640 @findex set_debug_traps
15641 @cindex remote serial stub, initialization
15642 This routine arranges for @code{handle_exception} to run when your
15643 program stops. You must call this subroutine explicitly near the
15644 beginning of your program.
15645
15646 @item handle_exception
15647 @findex handle_exception
15648 @cindex remote serial stub, main routine
15649 This is the central workhorse, but your program never calls it
15650 explicitly---the setup code arranges for @code{handle_exception} to
15651 run when a trap is triggered.
15652
15653 @code{handle_exception} takes control when your program stops during
15654 execution (for example, on a breakpoint), and mediates communications
15655 with @value{GDBN} on the host machine. This is where the communications
15656 protocol is implemented; @code{handle_exception} acts as the @value{GDBN}
15657 representative on the target machine. It begins by sending summary
15658 information on the state of your program, then continues to execute,
15659 retrieving and transmitting any information @value{GDBN} needs, until you
15660 execute a @value{GDBN} command that makes your program resume; at that point,
15661 @code{handle_exception} returns control to your own code on the target
15662 machine.
15663
15664 @item breakpoint
15665 @cindex @code{breakpoint} subroutine, remote
15666 Use this auxiliary subroutine to make your program contain a
15667 breakpoint. Depending on the particular situation, this may be the only
15668 way for @value{GDBN} to get control. For instance, if your target
15669 machine has some sort of interrupt button, you won't need to call this;
15670 pressing the interrupt button transfers control to
15671 @code{handle_exception}---in effect, to @value{GDBN}. On some machines,
15672 simply receiving characters on the serial port may also trigger a trap;
15673 again, in that situation, you don't need to call @code{breakpoint} from
15674 your own program---simply running @samp{target remote} from the host
15675 @value{GDBN} session gets control.
15676
15677 Call @code{breakpoint} if none of these is true, or if you simply want
15678 to make certain your program stops at a predetermined point for the
15679 start of your debugging session.
15680 @end table
15681
15682 @node Bootstrapping
15683 @subsection What You Must Do for the Stub
15684
15685 @cindex remote stub, support routines
15686 The debugging stubs that come with @value{GDBN} are set up for a particular
15687 chip architecture, but they have no information about the rest of your
15688 debugging target machine.
15689
15690 First of all you need to tell the stub how to communicate with the
15691 serial port.
15692
15693 @table @code
15694 @item int getDebugChar()
15695 @findex getDebugChar
15696 Write this subroutine to read a single character from the serial port.
15697 It may be identical to @code{getchar} for your target system; a
15698 different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
15699
15700 @item void putDebugChar(int)
15701 @findex putDebugChar
15702 Write this subroutine to write a single character to the serial port.
15703 It may be identical to @code{putchar} for your target system; a
15704 different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
15705 @end table
15706
15707 @cindex control C, and remote debugging
15708 @cindex interrupting remote targets
15709 If you want @value{GDBN} to be able to stop your program while it is
15710 running, you need to use an interrupt-driven serial driver, and arrange
15711 for it to stop when it receives a @code{^C} (@samp{\003}, the control-C
15712 character). That is the character which @value{GDBN} uses to tell the
15713 remote system to stop.
15714
15715 Getting the debugging target to return the proper status to @value{GDBN}
15716 probably requires changes to the standard stub; one quick and dirty way
15717 is to just execute a breakpoint instruction (the ``dirty'' part is that
15718 @value{GDBN} reports a @code{SIGTRAP} instead of a @code{SIGINT}).
15719
15720 Other routines you need to supply are:
15721
15722 @table @code
15723 @item void exceptionHandler (int @var{exception_number}, void *@var{exception_address})
15724 @findex exceptionHandler
15725 Write this function to install @var{exception_address} in the exception
15726 handling tables. You need to do this because the stub does not have any
15727 way of knowing what the exception handling tables on your target system
15728 are like (for example, the processor's table might be in @sc{rom},
15729 containing entries which point to a table in @sc{ram}).
15730 @var{exception_number} is the exception number which should be changed;
15731 its meaning is architecture-dependent (for example, different numbers
15732 might represent divide by zero, misaligned access, etc). When this
15733 exception occurs, control should be transferred directly to
15734 @var{exception_address}, and the processor state (stack, registers,
15735 and so on) should be just as it is when a processor exception occurs. So if
15736 you want to use a jump instruction to reach @var{exception_address}, it
15737 should be a simple jump, not a jump to subroutine.
15738
15739 For the 386, @var{exception_address} should be installed as an interrupt
15740 gate so that interrupts are masked while the handler runs. The gate
15741 should be at privilege level 0 (the most privileged level). The
15742 @sc{sparc} and 68k stubs are able to mask interrupts themselves without
15743 help from @code{exceptionHandler}.
15744
15745 @item void flush_i_cache()
15746 @findex flush_i_cache
15747 On @sc{sparc} and @sc{sparclite} only, write this subroutine to flush the
15748 instruction cache, if any, on your target machine. If there is no
15749 instruction cache, this subroutine may be a no-op.
15750
15751 On target machines that have instruction caches, @value{GDBN} requires this
15752 function to make certain that the state of your program is stable.
15753 @end table
15754
15755 @noindent
15756 You must also make sure this library routine is available:
15757
15758 @table @code
15759 @item void *memset(void *, int, int)
15760 @findex memset
15761 This is the standard library function @code{memset} that sets an area of
15762 memory to a known value. If you have one of the free versions of
15763 @code{libc.a}, @code{memset} can be found there; otherwise, you must
15764 either obtain it from your hardware manufacturer, or write your own.
15765 @end table
15766
15767 If you do not use the GNU C compiler, you may need other standard
15768 library subroutines as well; this varies from one stub to another,
15769 but in general the stubs are likely to use any of the common library
15770 subroutines which @code{@value{NGCC}} generates as inline code.
15771
15772
15773 @node Debug Session
15774 @subsection Putting it All Together
15775
15776 @cindex remote serial debugging summary
15777 In summary, when your program is ready to debug, you must follow these
15778 steps.
15779
15780 @enumerate
15781 @item
15782 Make sure you have defined the supporting low-level routines
15783 (@pxref{Bootstrapping,,What You Must Do for the Stub}):
15784 @display
15785 @code{getDebugChar}, @code{putDebugChar},
15786 @code{flush_i_cache}, @code{memset}, @code{exceptionHandler}.
15787 @end display
15788
15789 @item
15790 Insert these lines near the top of your program:
15791
15792 @smallexample
15793 set_debug_traps();
15794 breakpoint();
15795 @end smallexample
15796
15797 @item
15798 For the 680x0 stub only, you need to provide a variable called
15799 @code{exceptionHook}. Normally you just use:
15800
15801 @smallexample
15802 void (*exceptionHook)() = 0;
15803 @end smallexample
15804
15805 @noindent
15806 but if before calling @code{set_debug_traps}, you set it to point to a
15807 function in your program, that function is called when
15808 @code{@value{GDBN}} continues after stopping on a trap (for example, bus
15809 error). The function indicated by @code{exceptionHook} is called with
15810 one parameter: an @code{int} which is the exception number.
15811
15812 @item
15813 Compile and link together: your program, the @value{GDBN} debugging stub for
15814 your target architecture, and the supporting subroutines.
15815
15816 @item
15817 Make sure you have a serial connection between your target machine and
15818 the @value{GDBN} host, and identify the serial port on the host.
15819
15820 @item
15821 @c The "remote" target now provides a `load' command, so we should
15822 @c document that. FIXME.
15823 Download your program to your target machine (or get it there by
15824 whatever means the manufacturer provides), and start it.
15825
15826 @item
15827 Start @value{GDBN} on the host, and connect to the target
15828 (@pxref{Connecting,,Connecting to a Remote Target}).
15829
15830 @end enumerate
15831
15832 @node Configurations
15833 @chapter Configuration-Specific Information
15834
15835 While nearly all @value{GDBN} commands are available for all native and
15836 cross versions of the debugger, there are some exceptions. This chapter
15837 describes things that are only available in certain configurations.
15838
15839 There are three major categories of configurations: native
15840 configurations, where the host and target are the same, embedded
15841 operating system configurations, which are usually the same for several
15842 different processor architectures, and bare embedded processors, which
15843 are quite different from each other.
15844
15845 @menu
15846 * Native::
15847 * Embedded OS::
15848 * Embedded Processors::
15849 * Architectures::
15850 @end menu
15851
15852 @node Native
15853 @section Native
15854
15855 This section describes details specific to particular native
15856 configurations.
15857
15858 @menu
15859 * HP-UX:: HP-UX
15860 * BSD libkvm Interface:: Debugging BSD kernel memory images
15861 * SVR4 Process Information:: SVR4 process information
15862 * DJGPP Native:: Features specific to the DJGPP port
15863 * Cygwin Native:: Features specific to the Cygwin port
15864 * Hurd Native:: Features specific to @sc{gnu} Hurd
15865 * Neutrino:: Features specific to QNX Neutrino
15866 * Darwin:: Features specific to Darwin
15867 @end menu
15868
15869 @node HP-UX
15870 @subsection HP-UX
15871
15872 On HP-UX systems, if you refer to a function or variable name that
15873 begins with a dollar sign, @value{GDBN} searches for a user or system
15874 name first, before it searches for a convenience variable.
15875
15876
15877 @node BSD libkvm Interface
15878 @subsection BSD libkvm Interface
15879
15880 @cindex libkvm
15881 @cindex kernel memory image
15882 @cindex kernel crash dump
15883
15884 BSD-derived systems (FreeBSD/NetBSD/OpenBSD) have a kernel memory
15885 interface that provides a uniform interface for accessing kernel virtual
15886 memory images, including live systems and crash dumps. @value{GDBN}
15887 uses this interface to allow you to debug live kernels and kernel crash
15888 dumps on many native BSD configurations. This is implemented as a
15889 special @code{kvm} debugging target. For debugging a live system, load
15890 the currently running kernel into @value{GDBN} and connect to the
15891 @code{kvm} target:
15892
15893 @smallexample
15894 (@value{GDBP}) @b{target kvm}
15895 @end smallexample
15896
15897 For debugging crash dumps, provide the file name of the crash dump as an
15898 argument:
15899
15900 @smallexample
15901 (@value{GDBP}) @b{target kvm /var/crash/bsd.0}
15902 @end smallexample
15903
15904 Once connected to the @code{kvm} target, the following commands are
15905 available:
15906
15907 @table @code
15908 @kindex kvm
15909 @item kvm pcb
15910 Set current context from the @dfn{Process Control Block} (PCB) address.
15911
15912 @item kvm proc
15913 Set current context from proc address. This command isn't available on
15914 modern FreeBSD systems.
15915 @end table
15916
15917 @node SVR4 Process Information
15918 @subsection SVR4 Process Information
15919 @cindex /proc
15920 @cindex examine process image
15921 @cindex process info via @file{/proc}
15922
15923 Many versions of SVR4 and compatible systems provide a facility called
15924 @samp{/proc} that can be used to examine the image of a running
15925 process using file-system subroutines. If @value{GDBN} is configured
15926 for an operating system with this facility, the command @code{info
15927 proc} is available to report information about the process running
15928 your program, or about any process running on your system. @code{info
15929 proc} works only on SVR4 systems that include the @code{procfs} code.
15930 This includes, as of this writing, @sc{gnu}/Linux, OSF/1 (Digital
15931 Unix), Solaris, Irix, and Unixware, but not HP-UX, for example.
15932
15933 @table @code
15934 @kindex info proc
15935 @cindex process ID
15936 @item info proc
15937 @itemx info proc @var{process-id}
15938 Summarize available information about any running process. If a
15939 process ID is specified by @var{process-id}, display information about
15940 that process; otherwise display information about the program being
15941 debugged. The summary includes the debugged process ID, the command
15942 line used to invoke it, its current working directory, and its
15943 executable file's absolute file name.
15944
15945 On some systems, @var{process-id} can be of the form
15946 @samp{[@var{pid}]/@var{tid}} which specifies a certain thread ID
15947 within a process. If the optional @var{pid} part is missing, it means
15948 a thread from the process being debugged (the leading @samp{/} still
15949 needs to be present, or else @value{GDBN} will interpret the number as
15950 a process ID rather than a thread ID).
15951
15952 @item info proc mappings
15953 @cindex memory address space mappings
15954 Report the memory address space ranges accessible in the program, with
15955 information on whether the process has read, write, or execute access
15956 rights to each range. On @sc{gnu}/Linux systems, each memory range
15957 includes the object file which is mapped to that range, instead of the
15958 memory access rights to that range.
15959
15960 @item info proc stat
15961 @itemx info proc status
15962 @cindex process detailed status information
15963 These subcommands are specific to @sc{gnu}/Linux systems. They show
15964 the process-related information, including the user ID and group ID;
15965 how many threads are there in the process; its virtual memory usage;
15966 the signals that are pending, blocked, and ignored; its TTY; its
15967 consumption of system and user time; its stack size; its @samp{nice}
15968 value; etc. For more information, see the @samp{proc} man page
15969 (type @kbd{man 5 proc} from your shell prompt).
15970
15971 @item info proc all
15972 Show all the information about the process described under all of the
15973 above @code{info proc} subcommands.
15974
15975 @ignore
15976 @comment These sub-options of 'info proc' were not included when
15977 @comment procfs.c was re-written. Keep their descriptions around
15978 @comment against the day when someone finds the time to put them back in.
15979 @kindex info proc times
15980 @item info proc times
15981 Starting time, user CPU time, and system CPU time for your program and
15982 its children.
15983
15984 @kindex info proc id
15985 @item info proc id
15986 Report on the process IDs related to your program: its own process ID,
15987 the ID of its parent, the process group ID, and the session ID.
15988 @end ignore
15989
15990 @item set procfs-trace
15991 @kindex set procfs-trace
15992 @cindex @code{procfs} API calls
15993 This command enables and disables tracing of @code{procfs} API calls.
15994
15995 @item show procfs-trace
15996 @kindex show procfs-trace
15997 Show the current state of @code{procfs} API call tracing.
15998
15999 @item set procfs-file @var{file}
16000 @kindex set procfs-file
16001 Tell @value{GDBN} to write @code{procfs} API trace to the named
16002 @var{file}. @value{GDBN} appends the trace info to the previous
16003 contents of the file. The default is to display the trace on the
16004 standard output.
16005
16006 @item show procfs-file
16007 @kindex show procfs-file
16008 Show the file to which @code{procfs} API trace is written.
16009
16010 @item proc-trace-entry
16011 @itemx proc-trace-exit
16012 @itemx proc-untrace-entry
16013 @itemx proc-untrace-exit
16014 @kindex proc-trace-entry
16015 @kindex proc-trace-exit
16016 @kindex proc-untrace-entry
16017 @kindex proc-untrace-exit
16018 These commands enable and disable tracing of entries into and exits
16019 from the @code{syscall} interface.
16020
16021 @item info pidlist
16022 @kindex info pidlist
16023 @cindex process list, QNX Neutrino
16024 For QNX Neutrino only, this command displays the list of all the
16025 processes and all the threads within each process.
16026
16027 @item info meminfo
16028 @kindex info meminfo
16029 @cindex mapinfo list, QNX Neutrino
16030 For QNX Neutrino only, this command displays the list of all mapinfos.
16031 @end table
16032
16033 @node DJGPP Native
16034 @subsection Features for Debugging @sc{djgpp} Programs
16035 @cindex @sc{djgpp} debugging
16036 @cindex native @sc{djgpp} debugging
16037 @cindex MS-DOS-specific commands
16038
16039 @cindex DPMI
16040 @sc{djgpp} is a port of the @sc{gnu} development tools to MS-DOS and
16041 MS-Windows. @sc{djgpp} programs are 32-bit protected-mode programs
16042 that use the @dfn{DPMI} (DOS Protected-Mode Interface) API to run on
16043 top of real-mode DOS systems and their emulations.
16044
16045 @value{GDBN} supports native debugging of @sc{djgpp} programs, and
16046 defines a few commands specific to the @sc{djgpp} port. This
16047 subsection describes those commands.
16048
16049 @table @code
16050 @kindex info dos
16051 @item info dos
16052 This is a prefix of @sc{djgpp}-specific commands which print
16053 information about the target system and important OS structures.
16054
16055 @kindex sysinfo
16056 @cindex MS-DOS system info
16057 @cindex free memory information (MS-DOS)
16058 @item info dos sysinfo
16059 This command displays assorted information about the underlying
16060 platform: the CPU type and features, the OS version and flavor, the
16061 DPMI version, and the available conventional and DPMI memory.
16062
16063 @cindex GDT
16064 @cindex LDT
16065 @cindex IDT
16066 @cindex segment descriptor tables
16067 @cindex descriptor tables display
16068 @item info dos gdt
16069 @itemx info dos ldt
16070 @itemx info dos idt
16071 These 3 commands display entries from, respectively, Global, Local,
16072 and Interrupt Descriptor Tables (GDT, LDT, and IDT). The descriptor
16073 tables are data structures which store a descriptor for each segment
16074 that is currently in use. The segment's selector is an index into a
16075 descriptor table; the table entry for that index holds the
16076 descriptor's base address and limit, and its attributes and access
16077 rights.
16078
16079 A typical @sc{djgpp} program uses 3 segments: a code segment, a data
16080 segment (used for both data and the stack), and a DOS segment (which
16081 allows access to DOS/BIOS data structures and absolute addresses in
16082 conventional memory). However, the DPMI host will usually define
16083 additional segments in order to support the DPMI environment.
16084
16085 @cindex garbled pointers
16086 These commands allow to display entries from the descriptor tables.
16087 Without an argument, all entries from the specified table are
16088 displayed. An argument, which should be an integer expression, means
16089 display a single entry whose index is given by the argument. For
16090 example, here's a convenient way to display information about the
16091 debugged program's data segment:
16092
16093 @smallexample
16094 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos ldt $ds}
16095 @exdent @code{0x13f: base=0x11970000 limit=0x0009ffff 32-Bit Data (Read/Write, Exp-up)}
16096 @end smallexample
16097
16098 @noindent
16099 This comes in handy when you want to see whether a pointer is outside
16100 the data segment's limit (i.e.@: @dfn{garbled}).
16101
16102 @cindex page tables display (MS-DOS)
16103 @item info dos pde
16104 @itemx info dos pte
16105 These two commands display entries from, respectively, the Page
16106 Directory and the Page Tables. Page Directories and Page Tables are
16107 data structures which control how virtual memory addresses are mapped
16108 into physical addresses. A Page Table includes an entry for every
16109 page of memory that is mapped into the program's address space; there
16110 may be several Page Tables, each one holding up to 4096 entries. A
16111 Page Directory has up to 4096 entries, one each for every Page Table
16112 that is currently in use.
16113
16114 Without an argument, @kbd{info dos pde} displays the entire Page
16115 Directory, and @kbd{info dos pte} displays all the entries in all of
16116 the Page Tables. An argument, an integer expression, given to the
16117 @kbd{info dos pde} command means display only that entry from the Page
16118 Directory table. An argument given to the @kbd{info dos pte} command
16119 means display entries from a single Page Table, the one pointed to by
16120 the specified entry in the Page Directory.
16121
16122 @cindex direct memory access (DMA) on MS-DOS
16123 These commands are useful when your program uses @dfn{DMA} (Direct
16124 Memory Access), which needs physical addresses to program the DMA
16125 controller.
16126
16127 These commands are supported only with some DPMI servers.
16128
16129 @cindex physical address from linear address
16130 @item info dos address-pte @var{addr}
16131 This command displays the Page Table entry for a specified linear
16132 address. The argument @var{addr} is a linear address which should
16133 already have the appropriate segment's base address added to it,
16134 because this command accepts addresses which may belong to @emph{any}
16135 segment. For example, here's how to display the Page Table entry for
16136 the page where a variable @code{i} is stored:
16137
16138 @smallexample
16139 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte __djgpp_base_address + (char *)&i}
16140 @exdent @code{Page Table entry for address 0x11a00d30:}
16141 @exdent @code{Base=0x02698000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0xd30}
16142 @end smallexample
16143
16144 @noindent
16145 This says that @code{i} is stored at offset @code{0xd30} from the page
16146 whose physical base address is @code{0x02698000}, and shows all the
16147 attributes of that page.
16148
16149 Note that you must cast the addresses of variables to a @code{char *},
16150 since otherwise the value of @code{__djgpp_base_address}, the base
16151 address of all variables and functions in a @sc{djgpp} program, will
16152 be added using the rules of C pointer arithmetics: if @code{i} is
16153 declared an @code{int}, @value{GDBN} will add 4 times the value of
16154 @code{__djgpp_base_address} to the address of @code{i}.
16155
16156 Here's another example, it displays the Page Table entry for the
16157 transfer buffer:
16158
16159 @smallexample
16160 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte *((unsigned *)&_go32_info_block + 3)}
16161 @exdent @code{Page Table entry for address 0x29110:}
16162 @exdent @code{Base=0x00029000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0x110}
16163 @end smallexample
16164
16165 @noindent
16166 (The @code{+ 3} offset is because the transfer buffer's address is the
16167 3rd member of the @code{_go32_info_block} structure.) The output
16168 clearly shows that this DPMI server maps the addresses in conventional
16169 memory 1:1, i.e.@: the physical (@code{0x00029000} + @code{0x110}) and
16170 linear (@code{0x29110}) addresses are identical.
16171
16172 This command is supported only with some DPMI servers.
16173 @end table
16174
16175 @cindex DOS serial data link, remote debugging
16176 In addition to native debugging, the DJGPP port supports remote
16177 debugging via a serial data link. The following commands are specific
16178 to remote serial debugging in the DJGPP port of @value{GDBN}.
16179
16180 @table @code
16181 @kindex set com1base
16182 @kindex set com1irq
16183 @kindex set com2base
16184 @kindex set com2irq
16185 @kindex set com3base
16186 @kindex set com3irq
16187 @kindex set com4base
16188 @kindex set com4irq
16189 @item set com1base @var{addr}
16190 This command sets the base I/O port address of the @file{COM1} serial
16191 port.
16192
16193 @item set com1irq @var{irq}
16194 This command sets the @dfn{Interrupt Request} (@code{IRQ}) line to use
16195 for the @file{COM1} serial port.
16196
16197 There are similar commands @samp{set com2base}, @samp{set com3irq},
16198 etc.@: for setting the port address and the @code{IRQ} lines for the
16199 other 3 COM ports.
16200
16201 @kindex show com1base
16202 @kindex show com1irq
16203 @kindex show com2base
16204 @kindex show com2irq
16205 @kindex show com3base
16206 @kindex show com3irq
16207 @kindex show com4base
16208 @kindex show com4irq
16209 The related commands @samp{show com1base}, @samp{show com1irq} etc.@:
16210 display the current settings of the base address and the @code{IRQ}
16211 lines used by the COM ports.
16212
16213 @item info serial
16214 @kindex info serial
16215 @cindex DOS serial port status
16216 This command prints the status of the 4 DOS serial ports. For each
16217 port, it prints whether it's active or not, its I/O base address and
16218 IRQ number, whether it uses a 16550-style FIFO, its baudrate, and the
16219 counts of various errors encountered so far.
16220 @end table
16221
16222
16223 @node Cygwin Native
16224 @subsection Features for Debugging MS Windows PE Executables
16225 @cindex MS Windows debugging
16226 @cindex native Cygwin debugging
16227 @cindex Cygwin-specific commands
16228
16229 @value{GDBN} supports native debugging of MS Windows programs, including
16230 DLLs with and without symbolic debugging information.
16231
16232 @cindex Ctrl-BREAK, MS-Windows
16233 @cindex interrupt debuggee on MS-Windows
16234 MS-Windows programs that call @code{SetConsoleMode} to switch off the
16235 special meaning of the @samp{Ctrl-C} keystroke cannot be interrupted
16236 by typing @kbd{C-c}. For this reason, @value{GDBN} on MS-Windows
16237 supports @kbd{C-@key{BREAK}} as an alternative interrupt key
16238 sequence, which can be used to interrupt the debuggee even if it
16239 ignores @kbd{C-c}.
16240
16241 There are various additional Cygwin-specific commands, described in
16242 this section. Working with DLLs that have no debugging symbols is
16243 described in @ref{Non-debug DLL Symbols}.
16244
16245 @table @code
16246 @kindex info w32
16247 @item info w32
16248 This is a prefix of MS Windows-specific commands which print
16249 information about the target system and important OS structures.
16250
16251 @item info w32 selector
16252 This command displays information returned by
16253 the Win32 API @code{GetThreadSelectorEntry} function.
16254 It takes an optional argument that is evaluated to
16255 a long value to give the information about this given selector.
16256 Without argument, this command displays information
16257 about the six segment registers.
16258
16259 @kindex info dll
16260 @item info dll
16261 This is a Cygwin-specific alias of @code{info shared}.
16262
16263 @kindex dll-symbols
16264 @item dll-symbols
16265 This command loads symbols from a dll similarly to
16266 add-sym command but without the need to specify a base address.
16267
16268 @kindex set cygwin-exceptions
16269 @cindex debugging the Cygwin DLL
16270 @cindex Cygwin DLL, debugging
16271 @item set cygwin-exceptions @var{mode}
16272 If @var{mode} is @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will break on exceptions that
16273 happen inside the Cygwin DLL. If @var{mode} is @code{off},
16274 @value{GDBN} will delay recognition of exceptions, and may ignore some
16275 exceptions which seem to be caused by internal Cygwin DLL
16276 ``bookkeeping''. This option is meant primarily for debugging the
16277 Cygwin DLL itself; the default value is @code{off} to avoid annoying
16278 @value{GDBN} users with false @code{SIGSEGV} signals.
16279
16280 @kindex show cygwin-exceptions
16281 @item show cygwin-exceptions
16282 Displays whether @value{GDBN} will break on exceptions that happen
16283 inside the Cygwin DLL itself.
16284
16285 @kindex set new-console
16286 @item set new-console @var{mode}
16287 If @var{mode} is @code{on} the debuggee will
16288 be started in a new console on next start.
16289 If @var{mode} is @code{off}i, the debuggee will
16290 be started in the same console as the debugger.
16291
16292 @kindex show new-console
16293 @item show new-console
16294 Displays whether a new console is used
16295 when the debuggee is started.
16296
16297 @kindex set new-group
16298 @item set new-group @var{mode}
16299 This boolean value controls whether the debuggee should
16300 start a new group or stay in the same group as the debugger.
16301 This affects the way the Windows OS handles
16302 @samp{Ctrl-C}.
16303
16304 @kindex show new-group
16305 @item show new-group
16306 Displays current value of new-group boolean.
16307
16308 @kindex set debugevents
16309 @item set debugevents
16310 This boolean value adds debug output concerning kernel events related
16311 to the debuggee seen by the debugger. This includes events that
16312 signal thread and process creation and exit, DLL loading and
16313 unloading, console interrupts, and debugging messages produced by the
16314 Windows @code{OutputDebugString} API call.
16315
16316 @kindex set debugexec
16317 @item set debugexec
16318 This boolean value adds debug output concerning execute events
16319 (such as resume thread) seen by the debugger.
16320
16321 @kindex set debugexceptions
16322 @item set debugexceptions
16323 This boolean value adds debug output concerning exceptions in the
16324 debuggee seen by the debugger.
16325
16326 @kindex set debugmemory
16327 @item set debugmemory
16328 This boolean value adds debug output concerning debuggee memory reads
16329 and writes by the debugger.
16330
16331 @kindex set shell
16332 @item set shell
16333 This boolean values specifies whether the debuggee is called
16334 via a shell or directly (default value is on).
16335
16336 @kindex show shell
16337 @item show shell
16338 Displays if the debuggee will be started with a shell.
16339
16340 @end table
16341
16342 @menu
16343 * Non-debug DLL Symbols:: Support for DLLs without debugging symbols
16344 @end menu
16345
16346 @node Non-debug DLL Symbols
16347 @subsubsection Support for DLLs without Debugging Symbols
16348 @cindex DLLs with no debugging symbols
16349 @cindex Minimal symbols and DLLs
16350
16351 Very often on windows, some of the DLLs that your program relies on do
16352 not include symbolic debugging information (for example,
16353 @file{kernel32.dll}). When @value{GDBN} doesn't recognize any debugging
16354 symbols in a DLL, it relies on the minimal amount of symbolic
16355 information contained in the DLL's export table. This section
16356 describes working with such symbols, known internally to @value{GDBN} as
16357 ``minimal symbols''.
16358
16359 Note that before the debugged program has started execution, no DLLs
16360 will have been loaded. The easiest way around this problem is simply to
16361 start the program --- either by setting a breakpoint or letting the
16362 program run once to completion. It is also possible to force
16363 @value{GDBN} to load a particular DLL before starting the executable ---
16364 see the shared library information in @ref{Files}, or the
16365 @code{dll-symbols} command in @ref{Cygwin Native}. Currently,
16366 explicitly loading symbols from a DLL with no debugging information will
16367 cause the symbol names to be duplicated in @value{GDBN}'s lookup table,
16368 which may adversely affect symbol lookup performance.
16369
16370 @subsubsection DLL Name Prefixes
16371
16372 In keeping with the naming conventions used by the Microsoft debugging
16373 tools, DLL export symbols are made available with a prefix based on the
16374 DLL name, for instance @code{KERNEL32!CreateFileA}. The plain name is
16375 also entered into the symbol table, so @code{CreateFileA} is often
16376 sufficient. In some cases there will be name clashes within a program
16377 (particularly if the executable itself includes full debugging symbols)
16378 necessitating the use of the fully qualified name when referring to the
16379 contents of the DLL. Use single-quotes around the name to avoid the
16380 exclamation mark (``!'') being interpreted as a language operator.
16381
16382 Note that the internal name of the DLL may be all upper-case, even
16383 though the file name of the DLL is lower-case, or vice-versa. Since
16384 symbols within @value{GDBN} are @emph{case-sensitive} this may cause
16385 some confusion. If in doubt, try the @code{info functions} and
16386 @code{info variables} commands or even @code{maint print msymbols}
16387 (@pxref{Symbols}). Here's an example:
16388
16389 @smallexample
16390 (@value{GDBP}) info function CreateFileA
16391 All functions matching regular expression "CreateFileA":
16392
16393 Non-debugging symbols:
16394 0x77e885f4 CreateFileA
16395 0x77e885f4 KERNEL32!CreateFileA
16396 @end smallexample
16397
16398 @smallexample
16399 (@value{GDBP}) info function !
16400 All functions matching regular expression "!":
16401
16402 Non-debugging symbols:
16403 0x6100114c cygwin1!__assert
16404 0x61004034 cygwin1!_dll_crt0@@0
16405 0x61004240 cygwin1!dll_crt0(per_process *)
16406 [etc...]
16407 @end smallexample
16408
16409 @subsubsection Working with Minimal Symbols
16410
16411 Symbols extracted from a DLL's export table do not contain very much
16412 type information. All that @value{GDBN} can do is guess whether a symbol
16413 refers to a function or variable depending on the linker section that
16414 contains the symbol. Also note that the actual contents of the memory
16415 contained in a DLL are not available unless the program is running. This
16416 means that you cannot examine the contents of a variable or disassemble
16417 a function within a DLL without a running program.
16418
16419 Variables are generally treated as pointers and dereferenced
16420 automatically. For this reason, it is often necessary to prefix a
16421 variable name with the address-of operator (``&'') and provide explicit
16422 type information in the command. Here's an example of the type of
16423 problem:
16424
16425 @smallexample
16426 (@value{GDBP}) print 'cygwin1!__argv'
16427 $1 = 268572168
16428 @end smallexample
16429
16430 @smallexample
16431 (@value{GDBP}) x 'cygwin1!__argv'
16432 0x10021610: "\230y\""
16433 @end smallexample
16434
16435 And two possible solutions:
16436
16437 @smallexample
16438 (@value{GDBP}) print ((char **)'cygwin1!__argv')[0]
16439 $2 = 0x22fd98 "/cygdrive/c/mydirectory/myprogram"
16440 @end smallexample
16441
16442 @smallexample
16443 (@value{GDBP}) x/2x &'cygwin1!__argv'
16444 0x610c0aa8 <cygwin1!__argv>: 0x10021608 0x00000000
16445 (@value{GDBP}) x/x 0x10021608
16446 0x10021608: 0x0022fd98
16447 (@value{GDBP}) x/s 0x0022fd98
16448 0x22fd98: "/cygdrive/c/mydirectory/myprogram"
16449 @end smallexample
16450
16451 Setting a break point within a DLL is possible even before the program
16452 starts execution. However, under these circumstances, @value{GDBN} can't
16453 examine the initial instructions of the function in order to skip the
16454 function's frame set-up code. You can work around this by using ``*&''
16455 to set the breakpoint at a raw memory address:
16456
16457 @smallexample
16458 (@value{GDBP}) break *&'python22!PyOS_Readline'
16459 Breakpoint 1 at 0x1e04eff0
16460 @end smallexample
16461
16462 The author of these extensions is not entirely convinced that setting a
16463 break point within a shared DLL like @file{kernel32.dll} is completely
16464 safe.
16465
16466 @node Hurd Native
16467 @subsection Commands Specific to @sc{gnu} Hurd Systems
16468 @cindex @sc{gnu} Hurd debugging
16469
16470 This subsection describes @value{GDBN} commands specific to the
16471 @sc{gnu} Hurd native debugging.
16472
16473 @table @code
16474 @item set signals
16475 @itemx set sigs
16476 @kindex set signals@r{, Hurd command}
16477 @kindex set sigs@r{, Hurd command}
16478 This command toggles the state of inferior signal interception by
16479 @value{GDBN}. Mach exceptions, such as breakpoint traps, are not
16480 affected by this command. @code{sigs} is a shorthand alias for
16481 @code{signals}.
16482
16483 @item show signals
16484 @itemx show sigs
16485 @kindex show signals@r{, Hurd command}
16486 @kindex show sigs@r{, Hurd command}
16487 Show the current state of intercepting inferior's signals.
16488
16489 @item set signal-thread
16490 @itemx set sigthread
16491 @kindex set signal-thread
16492 @kindex set sigthread
16493 This command tells @value{GDBN} which thread is the @code{libc} signal
16494 thread. That thread is run when a signal is delivered to a running
16495 process. @code{set sigthread} is the shorthand alias of @code{set
16496 signal-thread}.
16497
16498 @item show signal-thread
16499 @itemx show sigthread
16500 @kindex show signal-thread
16501 @kindex show sigthread
16502 These two commands show which thread will run when the inferior is
16503 delivered a signal.
16504
16505 @item set stopped
16506 @kindex set stopped@r{, Hurd command}
16507 This commands tells @value{GDBN} that the inferior process is stopped,
16508 as with the @code{SIGSTOP} signal. The stopped process can be
16509 continued by delivering a signal to it.
16510
16511 @item show stopped
16512 @kindex show stopped@r{, Hurd command}
16513 This command shows whether @value{GDBN} thinks the debuggee is
16514 stopped.
16515
16516 @item set exceptions
16517 @kindex set exceptions@r{, Hurd command}
16518 Use this command to turn off trapping of exceptions in the inferior.
16519 When exception trapping is off, neither breakpoints nor
16520 single-stepping will work. To restore the default, set exception
16521 trapping on.
16522
16523 @item show exceptions
16524 @kindex show exceptions@r{, Hurd command}
16525 Show the current state of trapping exceptions in the inferior.
16526
16527 @item set task pause
16528 @kindex set task@r{, Hurd commands}
16529 @cindex task attributes (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
16530 @cindex pause current task (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
16531 This command toggles task suspension when @value{GDBN} has control.
16532 Setting it to on takes effect immediately, and the task is suspended
16533 whenever @value{GDBN} gets control. Setting it to off will take
16534 effect the next time the inferior is continued. If this option is set
16535 to off, you can use @code{set thread default pause on} or @code{set
16536 thread pause on} (see below) to pause individual threads.
16537
16538 @item show task pause
16539 @kindex show task@r{, Hurd commands}
16540 Show the current state of task suspension.
16541
16542 @item set task detach-suspend-count
16543 @cindex task suspend count
16544 @cindex detach from task, @sc{gnu} Hurd
16545 This command sets the suspend count the task will be left with when
16546 @value{GDBN} detaches from it.
16547
16548 @item show task detach-suspend-count
16549 Show the suspend count the task will be left with when detaching.
16550
16551 @item set task exception-port
16552 @itemx set task excp
16553 @cindex task exception port, @sc{gnu} Hurd
16554 This command sets the task exception port to which @value{GDBN} will
16555 forward exceptions. The argument should be the value of the @dfn{send
16556 rights} of the task. @code{set task excp} is a shorthand alias.
16557
16558 @item set noninvasive
16559 @cindex noninvasive task options
16560 This command switches @value{GDBN} to a mode that is the least
16561 invasive as far as interfering with the inferior is concerned. This
16562 is the same as using @code{set task pause}, @code{set exceptions}, and
16563 @code{set signals} to values opposite to the defaults.
16564
16565 @item info send-rights
16566 @itemx info receive-rights
16567 @itemx info port-rights
16568 @itemx info port-sets
16569 @itemx info dead-names
16570 @itemx info ports
16571 @itemx info psets
16572 @cindex send rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
16573 @cindex receive rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
16574 @cindex port rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
16575 @cindex port sets, @sc{gnu} Hurd
16576 @cindex dead names, @sc{gnu} Hurd
16577 These commands display information about, respectively, send rights,
16578 receive rights, port rights, port sets, and dead names of a task.
16579 There are also shorthand aliases: @code{info ports} for @code{info
16580 port-rights} and @code{info psets} for @code{info port-sets}.
16581
16582 @item set thread pause
16583 @kindex set thread@r{, Hurd command}
16584 @cindex thread properties, @sc{gnu} Hurd
16585 @cindex pause current thread (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
16586 This command toggles current thread suspension when @value{GDBN} has
16587 control. Setting it to on takes effect immediately, and the current
16588 thread is suspended whenever @value{GDBN} gets control. Setting it to
16589 off will take effect the next time the inferior is continued.
16590 Normally, this command has no effect, since when @value{GDBN} has
16591 control, the whole task is suspended. However, if you used @code{set
16592 task pause off} (see above), this command comes in handy to suspend
16593 only the current thread.
16594
16595 @item show thread pause
16596 @kindex show thread@r{, Hurd command}
16597 This command shows the state of current thread suspension.
16598
16599 @item set thread run
16600 This command sets whether the current thread is allowed to run.
16601
16602 @item show thread run
16603 Show whether the current thread is allowed to run.
16604
16605 @item set thread detach-suspend-count
16606 @cindex thread suspend count, @sc{gnu} Hurd
16607 @cindex detach from thread, @sc{gnu} Hurd
16608 This command sets the suspend count @value{GDBN} will leave on a
16609 thread when detaching. This number is relative to the suspend count
16610 found by @value{GDBN} when it notices the thread; use @code{set thread
16611 takeover-suspend-count} to force it to an absolute value.
16612
16613 @item show thread detach-suspend-count
16614 Show the suspend count @value{GDBN} will leave on the thread when
16615 detaching.
16616
16617 @item set thread exception-port
16618 @itemx set thread excp
16619 Set the thread exception port to which to forward exceptions. This
16620 overrides the port set by @code{set task exception-port} (see above).
16621 @code{set thread excp} is the shorthand alias.
16622
16623 @item set thread takeover-suspend-count
16624 Normally, @value{GDBN}'s thread suspend counts are relative to the
16625 value @value{GDBN} finds when it notices each thread. This command
16626 changes the suspend counts to be absolute instead.
16627
16628 @item set thread default
16629 @itemx show thread default
16630 @cindex thread default settings, @sc{gnu} Hurd
16631 Each of the above @code{set thread} commands has a @code{set thread
16632 default} counterpart (e.g., @code{set thread default pause}, @code{set
16633 thread default exception-port}, etc.). The @code{thread default}
16634 variety of commands sets the default thread properties for all
16635 threads; you can then change the properties of individual threads with
16636 the non-default commands.
16637 @end table
16638
16639
16640 @node Neutrino
16641 @subsection QNX Neutrino
16642 @cindex QNX Neutrino
16643
16644 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands specific to the QNX
16645 Neutrino target:
16646
16647 @table @code
16648 @item set debug nto-debug
16649 @kindex set debug nto-debug
16650 When set to on, enables debugging messages specific to the QNX
16651 Neutrino support.
16652
16653 @item show debug nto-debug
16654 @kindex show debug nto-debug
16655 Show the current state of QNX Neutrino messages.
16656 @end table
16657
16658 @node Darwin
16659 @subsection Darwin
16660 @cindex Darwin
16661
16662 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands specific to the Darwin target:
16663
16664 @table @code
16665 @item set debug darwin @var{num}
16666 @kindex set debug darwin
16667 When set to a non zero value, enables debugging messages specific to
16668 the Darwin support. Higher values produce more verbose output.
16669
16670 @item show debug darwin
16671 @kindex show debug darwin
16672 Show the current state of Darwin messages.
16673
16674 @item set debug mach-o @var{num}
16675 @kindex set debug mach-o
16676 When set to a non zero value, enables debugging messages while
16677 @value{GDBN} is reading Darwin object files. (@dfn{Mach-O} is the
16678 file format used on Darwin for object and executable files.) Higher
16679 values produce more verbose output. This is a command to diagnose
16680 problems internal to @value{GDBN} and should not be needed in normal
16681 usage.
16682
16683 @item show debug mach-o
16684 @kindex show debug mach-o
16685 Show the current state of Mach-O file messages.
16686
16687 @item set mach-exceptions on
16688 @itemx set mach-exceptions off
16689 @kindex set mach-exceptions
16690 On Darwin, faults are first reported as a Mach exception and are then
16691 mapped to a Posix signal. Use this command to turn on trapping of
16692 Mach exceptions in the inferior. This might be sometimes useful to
16693 better understand the cause of a fault. The default is off.
16694
16695 @item show mach-exceptions
16696 @kindex show mach-exceptions
16697 Show the current state of exceptions trapping.
16698 @end table
16699
16700
16701 @node Embedded OS
16702 @section Embedded Operating Systems
16703
16704 This section describes configurations involving the debugging of
16705 embedded operating systems that are available for several different
16706 architectures.
16707
16708 @menu
16709 * VxWorks:: Using @value{GDBN} with VxWorks
16710 @end menu
16711
16712 @value{GDBN} includes the ability to debug programs running on
16713 various real-time operating systems.
16714
16715 @node VxWorks
16716 @subsection Using @value{GDBN} with VxWorks
16717
16718 @cindex VxWorks
16719
16720 @table @code
16721
16722 @kindex target vxworks
16723 @item target vxworks @var{machinename}
16724 A VxWorks system, attached via TCP/IP. The argument @var{machinename}
16725 is the target system's machine name or IP address.
16726
16727 @end table
16728
16729 On VxWorks, @code{load} links @var{filename} dynamically on the
16730 current target system as well as adding its symbols in @value{GDBN}.
16731
16732 @value{GDBN} enables developers to spawn and debug tasks running on networked
16733 VxWorks targets from a Unix host. Already-running tasks spawned from
16734 the VxWorks shell can also be debugged. @value{GDBN} uses code that runs on
16735 both the Unix host and on the VxWorks target. The program
16736 @code{@value{GDBP}} is installed and executed on the Unix host. (It may be
16737 installed with the name @code{vxgdb}, to distinguish it from a
16738 @value{GDBN} for debugging programs on the host itself.)
16739
16740 @table @code
16741 @item VxWorks-timeout @var{args}
16742 @kindex vxworks-timeout
16743 All VxWorks-based targets now support the option @code{vxworks-timeout}.
16744 This option is set by the user, and @var{args} represents the number of
16745 seconds @value{GDBN} waits for responses to rpc's. You might use this if
16746 your VxWorks target is a slow software simulator or is on the far side
16747 of a thin network line.
16748 @end table
16749
16750 The following information on connecting to VxWorks was current when
16751 this manual was produced; newer releases of VxWorks may use revised
16752 procedures.
16753
16754 @findex INCLUDE_RDB
16755 To use @value{GDBN} with VxWorks, you must rebuild your VxWorks kernel
16756 to include the remote debugging interface routines in the VxWorks
16757 library @file{rdb.a}. To do this, define @code{INCLUDE_RDB} in the
16758 VxWorks configuration file @file{configAll.h} and rebuild your VxWorks
16759 kernel. The resulting kernel contains @file{rdb.a}, and spawns the
16760 source debugging task @code{tRdbTask} when VxWorks is booted. For more
16761 information on configuring and remaking VxWorks, see the manufacturer's
16762 manual.
16763 @c VxWorks, see the @cite{VxWorks Programmer's Guide}.
16764
16765 Once you have included @file{rdb.a} in your VxWorks system image and set
16766 your Unix execution search path to find @value{GDBN}, you are ready to
16767 run @value{GDBN}. From your Unix host, run @code{@value{GDBP}} (or
16768 @code{vxgdb}, depending on your installation).
16769
16770 @value{GDBN} comes up showing the prompt:
16771
16772 @smallexample
16773 (vxgdb)
16774 @end smallexample
16775
16776 @menu
16777 * VxWorks Connection:: Connecting to VxWorks
16778 * VxWorks Download:: VxWorks download
16779 * VxWorks Attach:: Running tasks
16780 @end menu
16781
16782 @node VxWorks Connection
16783 @subsubsection Connecting to VxWorks
16784
16785 The @value{GDBN} command @code{target} lets you connect to a VxWorks target on the
16786 network. To connect to a target whose host name is ``@code{tt}'', type:
16787
16788 @smallexample
16789 (vxgdb) target vxworks tt
16790 @end smallexample
16791
16792 @need 750
16793 @value{GDBN} displays messages like these:
16794
16795 @smallexample
16796 Attaching remote machine across net...
16797 Connected to tt.
16798 @end smallexample
16799
16800 @need 1000
16801 @value{GDBN} then attempts to read the symbol tables of any object modules
16802 loaded into the VxWorks target since it was last booted. @value{GDBN} locates
16803 these files by searching the directories listed in the command search
16804 path (@pxref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}); if it fails
16805 to find an object file, it displays a message such as:
16806
16807 @smallexample
16808 prog.o: No such file or directory.
16809 @end smallexample
16810
16811 When this happens, add the appropriate directory to the search path with
16812 the @value{GDBN} command @code{path}, and execute the @code{target}
16813 command again.
16814
16815 @node VxWorks Download
16816 @subsubsection VxWorks Download
16817
16818 @cindex download to VxWorks
16819 If you have connected to the VxWorks target and you want to debug an
16820 object that has not yet been loaded, you can use the @value{GDBN}
16821 @code{load} command to download a file from Unix to VxWorks
16822 incrementally. The object file given as an argument to the @code{load}
16823 command is actually opened twice: first by the VxWorks target in order
16824 to download the code, then by @value{GDBN} in order to read the symbol
16825 table. This can lead to problems if the current working directories on
16826 the two systems differ. If both systems have NFS mounted the same
16827 filesystems, you can avoid these problems by using absolute paths.
16828 Otherwise, it is simplest to set the working directory on both systems
16829 to the directory in which the object file resides, and then to reference
16830 the file by its name, without any path. For instance, a program
16831 @file{prog.o} may reside in @file{@var{vxpath}/vw/demo/rdb} in VxWorks
16832 and in @file{@var{hostpath}/vw/demo/rdb} on the host. To load this
16833 program, type this on VxWorks:
16834
16835 @smallexample
16836 -> cd "@var{vxpath}/vw/demo/rdb"
16837 @end smallexample
16838
16839 @noindent
16840 Then, in @value{GDBN}, type:
16841
16842 @smallexample
16843 (vxgdb) cd @var{hostpath}/vw/demo/rdb
16844 (vxgdb) load prog.o
16845 @end smallexample
16846
16847 @value{GDBN} displays a response similar to this:
16848
16849 @smallexample
16850 Reading symbol data from wherever/vw/demo/rdb/prog.o... done.
16851 @end smallexample
16852
16853 You can also use the @code{load} command to reload an object module
16854 after editing and recompiling the corresponding source file. Note that
16855 this makes @value{GDBN} delete all currently-defined breakpoints,
16856 auto-displays, and convenience variables, and to clear the value
16857 history. (This is necessary in order to preserve the integrity of
16858 debugger's data structures that reference the target system's symbol
16859 table.)
16860
16861 @node VxWorks Attach
16862 @subsubsection Running Tasks
16863
16864 @cindex running VxWorks tasks
16865 You can also attach to an existing task using the @code{attach} command as
16866 follows:
16867
16868 @smallexample
16869 (vxgdb) attach @var{task}
16870 @end smallexample
16871
16872 @noindent
16873 where @var{task} is the VxWorks hexadecimal task ID. The task can be running
16874 or suspended when you attach to it. Running tasks are suspended at
16875 the time of attachment.
16876
16877 @node Embedded Processors
16878 @section Embedded Processors
16879
16880 This section goes into details specific to particular embedded
16881 configurations.
16882
16883 @cindex send command to simulator
16884 Whenever a specific embedded processor has a simulator, @value{GDBN}
16885 allows to send an arbitrary command to the simulator.
16886
16887 @table @code
16888 @item sim @var{command}
16889 @kindex sim@r{, a command}
16890 Send an arbitrary @var{command} string to the simulator. Consult the
16891 documentation for the specific simulator in use for information about
16892 acceptable commands.
16893 @end table
16894
16895
16896 @menu
16897 * ARM:: ARM RDI
16898 * M32R/D:: Renesas M32R/D
16899 * M68K:: Motorola M68K
16900 * MicroBlaze:: Xilinx MicroBlaze
16901 * MIPS Embedded:: MIPS Embedded
16902 * OpenRISC 1000:: OpenRisc 1000
16903 * PA:: HP PA Embedded
16904 * PowerPC Embedded:: PowerPC Embedded
16905 * Sparclet:: Tsqware Sparclet
16906 * Sparclite:: Fujitsu Sparclite
16907 * Z8000:: Zilog Z8000
16908 * AVR:: Atmel AVR
16909 * CRIS:: CRIS
16910 * Super-H:: Renesas Super-H
16911 @end menu
16912
16913 @node ARM
16914 @subsection ARM
16915 @cindex ARM RDI
16916
16917 @table @code
16918 @kindex target rdi
16919 @item target rdi @var{dev}
16920 ARM Angel monitor, via RDI library interface to ADP protocol. You may
16921 use this target to communicate with both boards running the Angel
16922 monitor, or with the EmbeddedICE JTAG debug device.
16923
16924 @kindex target rdp
16925 @item target rdp @var{dev}
16926 ARM Demon monitor.
16927
16928 @end table
16929
16930 @value{GDBN} provides the following ARM-specific commands:
16931
16932 @table @code
16933 @item set arm disassembler
16934 @kindex set arm
16935 This commands selects from a list of disassembly styles. The
16936 @code{"std"} style is the standard style.
16937
16938 @item show arm disassembler
16939 @kindex show arm
16940 Show the current disassembly style.
16941
16942 @item set arm apcs32
16943 @cindex ARM 32-bit mode
16944 This command toggles ARM operation mode between 32-bit and 26-bit.
16945
16946 @item show arm apcs32
16947 Display the current usage of the ARM 32-bit mode.
16948
16949 @item set arm fpu @var{fputype}
16950 This command sets the ARM floating-point unit (FPU) type. The
16951 argument @var{fputype} can be one of these:
16952
16953 @table @code
16954 @item auto
16955 Determine the FPU type by querying the OS ABI.
16956 @item softfpa
16957 Software FPU, with mixed-endian doubles on little-endian ARM
16958 processors.
16959 @item fpa
16960 GCC-compiled FPA co-processor.
16961 @item softvfp
16962 Software FPU with pure-endian doubles.
16963 @item vfp
16964 VFP co-processor.
16965 @end table
16966
16967 @item show arm fpu
16968 Show the current type of the FPU.
16969
16970 @item set arm abi
16971 This command forces @value{GDBN} to use the specified ABI.
16972
16973 @item show arm abi
16974 Show the currently used ABI.
16975
16976 @item set arm fallback-mode (arm|thumb|auto)
16977 @value{GDBN} uses the symbol table, when available, to determine
16978 whether instructions are ARM or Thumb. This command controls
16979 @value{GDBN}'s default behavior when the symbol table is not
16980 available. The default is @samp{auto}, which causes @value{GDBN} to
16981 use the current execution mode (from the @code{T} bit in the @code{CPSR}
16982 register).
16983
16984 @item show arm fallback-mode
16985 Show the current fallback instruction mode.
16986
16987 @item set arm force-mode (arm|thumb|auto)
16988 This command overrides use of the symbol table to determine whether
16989 instructions are ARM or Thumb. The default is @samp{auto}, which
16990 causes @value{GDBN} to use the symbol table and then the setting
16991 of @samp{set arm fallback-mode}.
16992
16993 @item show arm force-mode
16994 Show the current forced instruction mode.
16995
16996 @item set debug arm
16997 Toggle whether to display ARM-specific debugging messages from the ARM
16998 target support subsystem.
16999
17000 @item show debug arm
17001 Show whether ARM-specific debugging messages are enabled.
17002 @end table
17003
17004 The following commands are available when an ARM target is debugged
17005 using the RDI interface:
17006
17007 @table @code
17008 @item rdilogfile @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
17009 @kindex rdilogfile
17010 @cindex ADP (Angel Debugger Protocol) logging
17011 Set the filename for the ADP (Angel Debugger Protocol) packet log.
17012 With an argument, sets the log file to the specified @var{file}. With
17013 no argument, show the current log file name. The default log file is
17014 @file{rdi.log}.
17015
17016 @item rdilogenable @r{[}@var{arg}@r{]}
17017 @kindex rdilogenable
17018 Control logging of ADP packets. With an argument of 1 or @code{"yes"}
17019 enables logging, with an argument 0 or @code{"no"} disables it. With
17020 no arguments displays the current setting. When logging is enabled,
17021 ADP packets exchanged between @value{GDBN} and the RDI target device
17022 are logged to a file.
17023
17024 @item set rdiromatzero
17025 @kindex set rdiromatzero
17026 @cindex ROM at zero address, RDI
17027 Tell @value{GDBN} whether the target has ROM at address 0. If on,
17028 vector catching is disabled, so that zero address can be used. If off
17029 (the default), vector catching is enabled. For this command to take
17030 effect, it needs to be invoked prior to the @code{target rdi} command.
17031
17032 @item show rdiromatzero
17033 @kindex show rdiromatzero
17034 Show the current setting of ROM at zero address.
17035
17036 @item set rdiheartbeat
17037 @kindex set rdiheartbeat
17038 @cindex RDI heartbeat
17039 Enable or disable RDI heartbeat packets. It is not recommended to
17040 turn on this option, since it confuses ARM and EPI JTAG interface, as
17041 well as the Angel monitor.
17042
17043 @item show rdiheartbeat
17044 @kindex show rdiheartbeat
17045 Show the setting of RDI heartbeat packets.
17046 @end table
17047
17048
17049 @node M32R/D
17050 @subsection Renesas M32R/D and M32R/SDI
17051
17052 @table @code
17053 @kindex target m32r
17054 @item target m32r @var{dev}
17055 Renesas M32R/D ROM monitor.
17056
17057 @kindex target m32rsdi
17058 @item target m32rsdi @var{dev}
17059 Renesas M32R SDI server, connected via parallel port to the board.
17060 @end table
17061
17062 The following @value{GDBN} commands are specific to the M32R monitor:
17063
17064 @table @code
17065 @item set download-path @var{path}
17066 @kindex set download-path
17067 @cindex find downloadable @sc{srec} files (M32R)
17068 Set the default path for finding downloadable @sc{srec} files.
17069
17070 @item show download-path
17071 @kindex show download-path
17072 Show the default path for downloadable @sc{srec} files.
17073
17074 @item set board-address @var{addr}
17075 @kindex set board-address
17076 @cindex M32-EVA target board address
17077 Set the IP address for the M32R-EVA target board.
17078
17079 @item show board-address
17080 @kindex show board-address
17081 Show the current IP address of the target board.
17082
17083 @item set server-address @var{addr}
17084 @kindex set server-address
17085 @cindex download server address (M32R)
17086 Set the IP address for the download server, which is the @value{GDBN}'s
17087 host machine.
17088
17089 @item show server-address
17090 @kindex show server-address
17091 Display the IP address of the download server.
17092
17093 @item upload @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
17094 @kindex upload@r{, M32R}
17095 Upload the specified @sc{srec} @var{file} via the monitor's Ethernet
17096 upload capability. If no @var{file} argument is given, the current
17097 executable file is uploaded.
17098
17099 @item tload @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
17100 @kindex tload@r{, M32R}
17101 Test the @code{upload} command.
17102 @end table
17103
17104 The following commands are available for M32R/SDI:
17105
17106 @table @code
17107 @item sdireset
17108 @kindex sdireset
17109 @cindex reset SDI connection, M32R
17110 This command resets the SDI connection.
17111
17112 @item sdistatus
17113 @kindex sdistatus
17114 This command shows the SDI connection status.
17115
17116 @item debug_chaos
17117 @kindex debug_chaos
17118 @cindex M32R/Chaos debugging
17119 Instructs the remote that M32R/Chaos debugging is to be used.
17120
17121 @item use_debug_dma
17122 @kindex use_debug_dma
17123 Instructs the remote to use the DEBUG_DMA method of accessing memory.
17124
17125 @item use_mon_code
17126 @kindex use_mon_code
17127 Instructs the remote to use the MON_CODE method of accessing memory.
17128
17129 @item use_ib_break
17130 @kindex use_ib_break
17131 Instructs the remote to set breakpoints by IB break.
17132
17133 @item use_dbt_break
17134 @kindex use_dbt_break
17135 Instructs the remote to set breakpoints by DBT.
17136 @end table
17137
17138 @node M68K
17139 @subsection M68k
17140
17141 The Motorola m68k configuration includes ColdFire support, and a
17142 target command for the following ROM monitor.
17143
17144 @table @code
17145
17146 @kindex target dbug
17147 @item target dbug @var{dev}
17148 dBUG ROM monitor for Motorola ColdFire.
17149
17150 @end table
17151
17152 @node MicroBlaze
17153 @subsection MicroBlaze
17154 @cindex Xilinx MicroBlaze
17155 @cindex XMD, Xilinx Microprocessor Debugger
17156
17157 The MicroBlaze is a soft-core processor supported on various Xilinx
17158 FPGAs, such as Spartan or Virtex series. Boards with these processors
17159 usually have JTAG ports which connect to a host system running the Xilinx
17160 Embedded Development Kit (EDK) or Software Development Kit (SDK).
17161 This host system is used to download the configuration bitstream to
17162 the target FPGA. The Xilinx Microprocessor Debugger (XMD) program
17163 communicates with the target board using the JTAG interface and
17164 presents a @code{gdbserver} interface to the board. By default
17165 @code{xmd} uses port @code{1234}. (While it is possible to change
17166 this default port, it requires the use of undocumented @code{xmd}
17167 commands. Contact Xilinx support if you need to do this.)
17168
17169 Use these GDB commands to connect to the MicroBlaze target processor.
17170
17171 @table @code
17172 @item target remote :1234
17173 Use this command to connect to the target if you are running @value{GDBN}
17174 on the same system as @code{xmd}.
17175
17176 @item target remote @var{xmd-host}:1234
17177 Use this command to connect to the target if it is connected to @code{xmd}
17178 running on a different system named @var{xmd-host}.
17179
17180 @item load
17181 Use this command to download a program to the MicroBlaze target.
17182
17183 @item set debug microblaze @var{n}
17184 Enable MicroBlaze-specific debugging messages if non-zero.
17185
17186 @item show debug microblaze @var{n}
17187 Show MicroBlaze-specific debugging level.
17188 @end table
17189
17190 @node MIPS Embedded
17191 @subsection MIPS Embedded
17192
17193 @cindex MIPS boards
17194 @value{GDBN} can use the MIPS remote debugging protocol to talk to a
17195 MIPS board attached to a serial line. This is available when
17196 you configure @value{GDBN} with @samp{--target=mips-idt-ecoff}.
17197
17198 @need 1000
17199 Use these @value{GDBN} commands to specify the connection to your target board:
17200
17201 @table @code
17202 @item target mips @var{port}
17203 @kindex target mips @var{port}
17204 To run a program on the board, start up @code{@value{GDBP}} with the
17205 name of your program as the argument. To connect to the board, use the
17206 command @samp{target mips @var{port}}, where @var{port} is the name of
17207 the serial port connected to the board. If the program has not already
17208 been downloaded to the board, you may use the @code{load} command to
17209 download it. You can then use all the usual @value{GDBN} commands.
17210
17211 For example, this sequence connects to the target board through a serial
17212 port, and loads and runs a program called @var{prog} through the
17213 debugger:
17214
17215 @smallexample
17216 host$ @value{GDBP} @var{prog}
17217 @value{GDBN} is free software and @dots{}
17218 (@value{GDBP}) target mips /dev/ttyb
17219 (@value{GDBP}) load @var{prog}
17220 (@value{GDBP}) run
17221 @end smallexample
17222
17223 @item target mips @var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}
17224 On some @value{GDBN} host configurations, you can specify a TCP
17225 connection (for instance, to a serial line managed by a terminal
17226 concentrator) instead of a serial port, using the syntax
17227 @samp{@var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}}.
17228
17229 @item target pmon @var{port}
17230 @kindex target pmon @var{port}
17231 PMON ROM monitor.
17232
17233 @item target ddb @var{port}
17234 @kindex target ddb @var{port}
17235 NEC's DDB variant of PMON for Vr4300.
17236
17237 @item target lsi @var{port}
17238 @kindex target lsi @var{port}
17239 LSI variant of PMON.
17240
17241 @kindex target r3900
17242 @item target r3900 @var{dev}
17243 Densan DVE-R3900 ROM monitor for Toshiba R3900 Mips.
17244
17245 @kindex target array
17246 @item target array @var{dev}
17247 Array Tech LSI33K RAID controller board.
17248
17249 @end table
17250
17251
17252 @noindent
17253 @value{GDBN} also supports these special commands for MIPS targets:
17254
17255 @table @code
17256 @item set mipsfpu double
17257 @itemx set mipsfpu single
17258 @itemx set mipsfpu none
17259 @itemx set mipsfpu auto
17260 @itemx show mipsfpu
17261 @kindex set mipsfpu
17262 @kindex show mipsfpu
17263 @cindex MIPS remote floating point
17264 @cindex floating point, MIPS remote
17265 If your target board does not support the MIPS floating point
17266 coprocessor, you should use the command @samp{set mipsfpu none} (if you
17267 need this, you may wish to put the command in your @value{GDBN} init
17268 file). This tells @value{GDBN} how to find the return value of
17269 functions which return floating point values. It also allows
17270 @value{GDBN} to avoid saving the floating point registers when calling
17271 functions on the board. If you are using a floating point coprocessor
17272 with only single precision floating point support, as on the @sc{r4650}
17273 processor, use the command @samp{set mipsfpu single}. The default
17274 double precision floating point coprocessor may be selected using
17275 @samp{set mipsfpu double}.
17276
17277 In previous versions the only choices were double precision or no
17278 floating point, so @samp{set mipsfpu on} will select double precision
17279 and @samp{set mipsfpu off} will select no floating point.
17280
17281 As usual, you can inquire about the @code{mipsfpu} variable with
17282 @samp{show mipsfpu}.
17283
17284 @item set timeout @var{seconds}
17285 @itemx set retransmit-timeout @var{seconds}
17286 @itemx show timeout
17287 @itemx show retransmit-timeout
17288 @cindex @code{timeout}, MIPS protocol
17289 @cindex @code{retransmit-timeout}, MIPS protocol
17290 @kindex set timeout
17291 @kindex show timeout
17292 @kindex set retransmit-timeout
17293 @kindex show retransmit-timeout
17294 You can control the timeout used while waiting for a packet, in the MIPS
17295 remote protocol, with the @code{set timeout @var{seconds}} command. The
17296 default is 5 seconds. Similarly, you can control the timeout used while
17297 waiting for an acknowledgment of a packet with the @code{set
17298 retransmit-timeout @var{seconds}} command. The default is 3 seconds.
17299 You can inspect both values with @code{show timeout} and @code{show
17300 retransmit-timeout}. (These commands are @emph{only} available when
17301 @value{GDBN} is configured for @samp{--target=mips-idt-ecoff}.)
17302
17303 The timeout set by @code{set timeout} does not apply when @value{GDBN}
17304 is waiting for your program to stop. In that case, @value{GDBN} waits
17305 forever because it has no way of knowing how long the program is going
17306 to run before stopping.
17307
17308 @item set syn-garbage-limit @var{num}
17309 @kindex set syn-garbage-limit@r{, MIPS remote}
17310 @cindex synchronize with remote MIPS target
17311 Limit the maximum number of characters @value{GDBN} should ignore when
17312 it tries to synchronize with the remote target. The default is 10
17313 characters. Setting the limit to -1 means there's no limit.
17314
17315 @item show syn-garbage-limit
17316 @kindex show syn-garbage-limit@r{, MIPS remote}
17317 Show the current limit on the number of characters to ignore when
17318 trying to synchronize with the remote system.
17319
17320 @item set monitor-prompt @var{prompt}
17321 @kindex set monitor-prompt@r{, MIPS remote}
17322 @cindex remote monitor prompt
17323 Tell @value{GDBN} to expect the specified @var{prompt} string from the
17324 remote monitor. The default depends on the target:
17325 @table @asis
17326 @item pmon target
17327 @samp{PMON}
17328 @item ddb target
17329 @samp{NEC010}
17330 @item lsi target
17331 @samp{PMON>}
17332 @end table
17333
17334 @item show monitor-prompt
17335 @kindex show monitor-prompt@r{, MIPS remote}
17336 Show the current strings @value{GDBN} expects as the prompt from the
17337 remote monitor.
17338
17339 @item set monitor-warnings
17340 @kindex set monitor-warnings@r{, MIPS remote}
17341 Enable or disable monitor warnings about hardware breakpoints. This
17342 has effect only for the @code{lsi} target. When on, @value{GDBN} will
17343 display warning messages whose codes are returned by the @code{lsi}
17344 PMON monitor for breakpoint commands.
17345
17346 @item show monitor-warnings
17347 @kindex show monitor-warnings@r{, MIPS remote}
17348 Show the current setting of printing monitor warnings.
17349
17350 @item pmon @var{command}
17351 @kindex pmon@r{, MIPS remote}
17352 @cindex send PMON command
17353 This command allows sending an arbitrary @var{command} string to the
17354 monitor. The monitor must be in debug mode for this to work.
17355 @end table
17356
17357 @node OpenRISC 1000
17358 @subsection OpenRISC 1000
17359 @cindex OpenRISC 1000
17360
17361 @cindex or1k boards
17362 See OR1k Architecture document (@uref{www.opencores.org}) for more information
17363 about platform and commands.
17364
17365 @table @code
17366
17367 @kindex target jtag
17368 @item target jtag jtag://@var{host}:@var{port}
17369
17370 Connects to remote JTAG server.
17371 JTAG remote server can be either an or1ksim or JTAG server,
17372 connected via parallel port to the board.
17373
17374 Example: @code{target jtag jtag://localhost:9999}
17375
17376 @kindex or1ksim
17377 @item or1ksim @var{command}
17378 If connected to @code{or1ksim} OpenRISC 1000 Architectural
17379 Simulator, proprietary commands can be executed.
17380
17381 @kindex info or1k spr
17382 @item info or1k spr
17383 Displays spr groups.
17384
17385 @item info or1k spr @var{group}
17386 @itemx info or1k spr @var{groupno}
17387 Displays register names in selected group.
17388
17389 @item info or1k spr @var{group} @var{register}
17390 @itemx info or1k spr @var{register}
17391 @itemx info or1k spr @var{groupno} @var{registerno}
17392 @itemx info or1k spr @var{registerno}
17393 Shows information about specified spr register.
17394
17395 @kindex spr
17396 @item spr @var{group} @var{register} @var{value}
17397 @itemx spr @var{register @var{value}}
17398 @itemx spr @var{groupno} @var{registerno @var{value}}
17399 @itemx spr @var{registerno @var{value}}
17400 Writes @var{value} to specified spr register.
17401 @end table
17402
17403 Some implementations of OpenRISC 1000 Architecture also have hardware trace.
17404 It is very similar to @value{GDBN} trace, except it does not interfere with normal
17405 program execution and is thus much faster. Hardware breakpoints/watchpoint
17406 triggers can be set using:
17407 @table @code
17408 @item $LEA/$LDATA
17409 Load effective address/data
17410 @item $SEA/$SDATA
17411 Store effective address/data
17412 @item $AEA/$ADATA
17413 Access effective address ($SEA or $LEA) or data ($SDATA/$LDATA)
17414 @item $FETCH
17415 Fetch data
17416 @end table
17417
17418 When triggered, it can capture low level data, like: @code{PC}, @code{LSEA},
17419 @code{LDATA}, @code{SDATA}, @code{READSPR}, @code{WRITESPR}, @code{INSTR}.
17420
17421 @code{htrace} commands:
17422 @cindex OpenRISC 1000 htrace
17423 @table @code
17424 @kindex hwatch
17425 @item hwatch @var{conditional}
17426 Set hardware watchpoint on combination of Load/Store Effective Address(es)
17427 or Data. For example:
17428
17429 @code{hwatch ($LEA == my_var) && ($LDATA < 50) || ($SEA == my_var) && ($SDATA >= 50)}
17430
17431 @code{hwatch ($LEA == my_var) && ($LDATA < 50) || ($SEA == my_var) && ($SDATA >= 50)}
17432
17433 @kindex htrace
17434 @item htrace info
17435 Display information about current HW trace configuration.
17436
17437 @item htrace trigger @var{conditional}
17438 Set starting criteria for HW trace.
17439
17440 @item htrace qualifier @var{conditional}
17441 Set acquisition qualifier for HW trace.
17442
17443 @item htrace stop @var{conditional}
17444 Set HW trace stopping criteria.
17445
17446 @item htrace record [@var{data}]*
17447 Selects the data to be recorded, when qualifier is met and HW trace was
17448 triggered.
17449
17450 @item htrace enable
17451 @itemx htrace disable
17452 Enables/disables the HW trace.
17453
17454 @item htrace rewind [@var{filename}]
17455 Clears currently recorded trace data.
17456
17457 If filename is specified, new trace file is made and any newly collected data
17458 will be written there.
17459
17460 @item htrace print [@var{start} [@var{len}]]
17461 Prints trace buffer, using current record configuration.
17462
17463 @item htrace mode continuous
17464 Set continuous trace mode.
17465
17466 @item htrace mode suspend
17467 Set suspend trace mode.
17468
17469 @end table
17470
17471 @node PowerPC Embedded
17472 @subsection PowerPC Embedded
17473
17474 @value{GDBN} provides the following PowerPC-specific commands:
17475
17476 @table @code
17477 @kindex set powerpc
17478 @item set powerpc soft-float
17479 @itemx show powerpc soft-float
17480 Force @value{GDBN} to use (or not use) a software floating point calling
17481 convention. By default, @value{GDBN} selects the calling convention based
17482 on the selected architecture and the provided executable file.
17483
17484 @item set powerpc vector-abi
17485 @itemx show powerpc vector-abi
17486 Force @value{GDBN} to use the specified calling convention for vector
17487 arguments and return values. The valid options are @samp{auto};
17488 @samp{generic}, to avoid vector registers even if they are present;
17489 @samp{altivec}, to use AltiVec registers; and @samp{spe} to use SPE
17490 registers. By default, @value{GDBN} selects the calling convention
17491 based on the selected architecture and the provided executable file.
17492
17493 @kindex target dink32
17494 @item target dink32 @var{dev}
17495 DINK32 ROM monitor.
17496
17497 @kindex target ppcbug
17498 @item target ppcbug @var{dev}
17499 @kindex target ppcbug1
17500 @item target ppcbug1 @var{dev}
17501 PPCBUG ROM monitor for PowerPC.
17502
17503 @kindex target sds
17504 @item target sds @var{dev}
17505 SDS monitor, running on a PowerPC board (such as Motorola's ADS).
17506 @end table
17507
17508 @cindex SDS protocol
17509 The following commands specific to the SDS protocol are supported
17510 by @value{GDBN}:
17511
17512 @table @code
17513 @item set sdstimeout @var{nsec}
17514 @kindex set sdstimeout
17515 Set the timeout for SDS protocol reads to be @var{nsec} seconds. The
17516 default is 2 seconds.
17517
17518 @item show sdstimeout
17519 @kindex show sdstimeout
17520 Show the current value of the SDS timeout.
17521
17522 @item sds @var{command}
17523 @kindex sds@r{, a command}
17524 Send the specified @var{command} string to the SDS monitor.
17525 @end table
17526
17527
17528 @node PA
17529 @subsection HP PA Embedded
17530
17531 @table @code
17532
17533 @kindex target op50n
17534 @item target op50n @var{dev}
17535 OP50N monitor, running on an OKI HPPA board.
17536
17537 @kindex target w89k
17538 @item target w89k @var{dev}
17539 W89K monitor, running on a Winbond HPPA board.
17540
17541 @end table
17542
17543 @node Sparclet
17544 @subsection Tsqware Sparclet
17545
17546 @cindex Sparclet
17547
17548 @value{GDBN} enables developers to debug tasks running on
17549 Sparclet targets from a Unix host.
17550 @value{GDBN} uses code that runs on
17551 both the Unix host and on the Sparclet target. The program
17552 @code{@value{GDBP}} is installed and executed on the Unix host.
17553
17554 @table @code
17555 @item remotetimeout @var{args}
17556 @kindex remotetimeout
17557 @value{GDBN} supports the option @code{remotetimeout}.
17558 This option is set by the user, and @var{args} represents the number of
17559 seconds @value{GDBN} waits for responses.
17560 @end table
17561
17562 @cindex compiling, on Sparclet
17563 When compiling for debugging, include the options @samp{-g} to get debug
17564 information and @samp{-Ttext} to relocate the program to where you wish to
17565 load it on the target. You may also want to add the options @samp{-n} or
17566 @samp{-N} in order to reduce the size of the sections. Example:
17567
17568 @smallexample
17569 sparclet-aout-gcc prog.c -Ttext 0x12010000 -g -o prog -N
17570 @end smallexample
17571
17572 You can use @code{objdump} to verify that the addresses are what you intended:
17573
17574 @smallexample
17575 sparclet-aout-objdump --headers --syms prog
17576 @end smallexample
17577
17578 @cindex running, on Sparclet
17579 Once you have set
17580 your Unix execution search path to find @value{GDBN}, you are ready to
17581 run @value{GDBN}. From your Unix host, run @code{@value{GDBP}}
17582 (or @code{sparclet-aout-gdb}, depending on your installation).
17583
17584 @value{GDBN} comes up showing the prompt:
17585
17586 @smallexample
17587 (gdbslet)
17588 @end smallexample
17589
17590 @menu
17591 * Sparclet File:: Setting the file to debug
17592 * Sparclet Connection:: Connecting to Sparclet
17593 * Sparclet Download:: Sparclet download
17594 * Sparclet Execution:: Running and debugging
17595 @end menu
17596
17597 @node Sparclet File
17598 @subsubsection Setting File to Debug
17599
17600 The @value{GDBN} command @code{file} lets you choose with program to debug.
17601
17602 @smallexample
17603 (gdbslet) file prog
17604 @end smallexample
17605
17606 @need 1000
17607 @value{GDBN} then attempts to read the symbol table of @file{prog}.
17608 @value{GDBN} locates
17609 the file by searching the directories listed in the command search
17610 path.
17611 If the file was compiled with debug information (option @samp{-g}), source
17612 files will be searched as well.
17613 @value{GDBN} locates
17614 the source files by searching the directories listed in the directory search
17615 path (@pxref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}).
17616 If it fails
17617 to find a file, it displays a message such as:
17618
17619 @smallexample
17620 prog: No such file or directory.
17621 @end smallexample
17622
17623 When this happens, add the appropriate directories to the search paths with
17624 the @value{GDBN} commands @code{path} and @code{dir}, and execute the
17625 @code{target} command again.
17626
17627 @node Sparclet Connection
17628 @subsubsection Connecting to Sparclet
17629
17630 The @value{GDBN} command @code{target} lets you connect to a Sparclet target.
17631 To connect to a target on serial port ``@code{ttya}'', type:
17632
17633 @smallexample
17634 (gdbslet) target sparclet /dev/ttya
17635 Remote target sparclet connected to /dev/ttya
17636 main () at ../prog.c:3
17637 @end smallexample
17638
17639 @need 750
17640 @value{GDBN} displays messages like these:
17641
17642 @smallexample
17643 Connected to ttya.
17644 @end smallexample
17645
17646 @node Sparclet Download
17647 @subsubsection Sparclet Download
17648
17649 @cindex download to Sparclet
17650 Once connected to the Sparclet target,
17651 you can use the @value{GDBN}
17652 @code{load} command to download the file from the host to the target.
17653 The file name and load offset should be given as arguments to the @code{load}
17654 command.
17655 Since the file format is aout, the program must be loaded to the starting
17656 address. You can use @code{objdump} to find out what this value is. The load
17657 offset is an offset which is added to the VMA (virtual memory address)
17658 of each of the file's sections.
17659 For instance, if the program
17660 @file{prog} was linked to text address 0x1201000, with data at 0x12010160
17661 and bss at 0x12010170, in @value{GDBN}, type:
17662
17663 @smallexample
17664 (gdbslet) load prog 0x12010000
17665 Loading section .text, size 0xdb0 vma 0x12010000
17666 @end smallexample
17667
17668 If the code is loaded at a different address then what the program was linked
17669 to, you may need to use the @code{section} and @code{add-symbol-file} commands
17670 to tell @value{GDBN} where to map the symbol table.
17671
17672 @node Sparclet Execution
17673 @subsubsection Running and Debugging
17674
17675 @cindex running and debugging Sparclet programs
17676 You can now begin debugging the task using @value{GDBN}'s execution control
17677 commands, @code{b}, @code{step}, @code{run}, etc. See the @value{GDBN}
17678 manual for the list of commands.
17679
17680 @smallexample
17681 (gdbslet) b main
17682 Breakpoint 1 at 0x12010000: file prog.c, line 3.
17683 (gdbslet) run
17684 Starting program: prog
17685 Breakpoint 1, main (argc=1, argv=0xeffff21c) at prog.c:3
17686 3 char *symarg = 0;
17687 (gdbslet) step
17688 4 char *execarg = "hello!";
17689 (gdbslet)
17690 @end smallexample
17691
17692 @node Sparclite
17693 @subsection Fujitsu Sparclite
17694
17695 @table @code
17696
17697 @kindex target sparclite
17698 @item target sparclite @var{dev}
17699 Fujitsu sparclite boards, used only for the purpose of loading.
17700 You must use an additional command to debug the program.
17701 For example: target remote @var{dev} using @value{GDBN} standard
17702 remote protocol.
17703
17704 @end table
17705
17706 @node Z8000
17707 @subsection Zilog Z8000
17708
17709 @cindex Z8000
17710 @cindex simulator, Z8000
17711 @cindex Zilog Z8000 simulator
17712
17713 When configured for debugging Zilog Z8000 targets, @value{GDBN} includes
17714 a Z8000 simulator.
17715
17716 For the Z8000 family, @samp{target sim} simulates either the Z8002 (the
17717 unsegmented variant of the Z8000 architecture) or the Z8001 (the
17718 segmented variant). The simulator recognizes which architecture is
17719 appropriate by inspecting the object code.
17720
17721 @table @code
17722 @item target sim @var{args}
17723 @kindex sim
17724 @kindex target sim@r{, with Z8000}
17725 Debug programs on a simulated CPU. If the simulator supports setup
17726 options, specify them via @var{args}.
17727 @end table
17728
17729 @noindent
17730 After specifying this target, you can debug programs for the simulated
17731 CPU in the same style as programs for your host computer; use the
17732 @code{file} command to load a new program image, the @code{run} command
17733 to run your program, and so on.
17734
17735 As well as making available all the usual machine registers
17736 (@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}), the Z8000 simulator provides three
17737 additional items of information as specially named registers:
17738
17739 @table @code
17740
17741 @item cycles
17742 Counts clock-ticks in the simulator.
17743
17744 @item insts
17745 Counts instructions run in the simulator.
17746
17747 @item time
17748 Execution time in 60ths of a second.
17749
17750 @end table
17751
17752 You can refer to these values in @value{GDBN} expressions with the usual
17753 conventions; for example, @w{@samp{b fputc if $cycles>5000}} sets a
17754 conditional breakpoint that suspends only after at least 5000
17755 simulated clock ticks.
17756
17757 @node AVR
17758 @subsection Atmel AVR
17759 @cindex AVR
17760
17761 When configured for debugging the Atmel AVR, @value{GDBN} supports the
17762 following AVR-specific commands:
17763
17764 @table @code
17765 @item info io_registers
17766 @kindex info io_registers@r{, AVR}
17767 @cindex I/O registers (Atmel AVR)
17768 This command displays information about the AVR I/O registers. For
17769 each register, @value{GDBN} prints its number and value.
17770 @end table
17771
17772 @node CRIS
17773 @subsection CRIS
17774 @cindex CRIS
17775
17776 When configured for debugging CRIS, @value{GDBN} provides the
17777 following CRIS-specific commands:
17778
17779 @table @code
17780 @item set cris-version @var{ver}
17781 @cindex CRIS version
17782 Set the current CRIS version to @var{ver}, either @samp{10} or @samp{32}.
17783 The CRIS version affects register names and sizes. This command is useful in
17784 case autodetection of the CRIS version fails.
17785
17786 @item show cris-version
17787 Show the current CRIS version.
17788
17789 @item set cris-dwarf2-cfi
17790 @cindex DWARF-2 CFI and CRIS
17791 Set the usage of DWARF-2 CFI for CRIS debugging. The default is @samp{on}.
17792 Change to @samp{off} when using @code{gcc-cris} whose version is below
17793 @code{R59}.
17794
17795 @item show cris-dwarf2-cfi
17796 Show the current state of using DWARF-2 CFI.
17797
17798 @item set cris-mode @var{mode}
17799 @cindex CRIS mode
17800 Set the current CRIS mode to @var{mode}. It should only be changed when
17801 debugging in guru mode, in which case it should be set to
17802 @samp{guru} (the default is @samp{normal}).
17803
17804 @item show cris-mode
17805 Show the current CRIS mode.
17806 @end table
17807
17808 @node Super-H
17809 @subsection Renesas Super-H
17810 @cindex Super-H
17811
17812 For the Renesas Super-H processor, @value{GDBN} provides these
17813 commands:
17814
17815 @table @code
17816 @item regs
17817 @kindex regs@r{, Super-H}
17818 Show the values of all Super-H registers.
17819
17820 @item set sh calling-convention @var{convention}
17821 @kindex set sh calling-convention
17822 Set the calling-convention used when calling functions from @value{GDBN}.
17823 Allowed values are @samp{gcc}, which is the default setting, and @samp{renesas}.
17824 With the @samp{gcc} setting, functions are called using the @value{NGCC} calling
17825 convention. If the DWARF-2 information of the called function specifies
17826 that the function follows the Renesas calling convention, the function
17827 is called using the Renesas calling convention. If the calling convention
17828 is set to @samp{renesas}, the Renesas calling convention is always used,
17829 regardless of the DWARF-2 information. This can be used to override the
17830 default of @samp{gcc} if debug information is missing, or the compiler
17831 does not emit the DWARF-2 calling convention entry for a function.
17832
17833 @item show sh calling-convention
17834 @kindex show sh calling-convention
17835 Show the current calling convention setting.
17836
17837 @end table
17838
17839
17840 @node Architectures
17841 @section Architectures
17842
17843 This section describes characteristics of architectures that affect
17844 all uses of @value{GDBN} with the architecture, both native and cross.
17845
17846 @menu
17847 * i386::
17848 * A29K::
17849 * Alpha::
17850 * MIPS::
17851 * HPPA:: HP PA architecture
17852 * SPU:: Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture
17853 * PowerPC::
17854 @end menu
17855
17856 @node i386
17857 @subsection x86 Architecture-specific Issues
17858
17859 @table @code
17860 @item set struct-convention @var{mode}
17861 @kindex set struct-convention
17862 @cindex struct return convention
17863 @cindex struct/union returned in registers
17864 Set the convention used by the inferior to return @code{struct}s and
17865 @code{union}s from functions to @var{mode}. Possible values of
17866 @var{mode} are @code{"pcc"}, @code{"reg"}, and @code{"default"} (the
17867 default). @code{"default"} or @code{"pcc"} means that @code{struct}s
17868 are returned on the stack, while @code{"reg"} means that a
17869 @code{struct} or a @code{union} whose size is 1, 2, 4, or 8 bytes will
17870 be returned in a register.
17871
17872 @item show struct-convention
17873 @kindex show struct-convention
17874 Show the current setting of the convention to return @code{struct}s
17875 from functions.
17876 @end table
17877
17878 @node A29K
17879 @subsection A29K
17880
17881 @table @code
17882
17883 @kindex set rstack_high_address
17884 @cindex AMD 29K register stack
17885 @cindex register stack, AMD29K
17886 @item set rstack_high_address @var{address}
17887 On AMD 29000 family processors, registers are saved in a separate
17888 @dfn{register stack}. There is no way for @value{GDBN} to determine the
17889 extent of this stack. Normally, @value{GDBN} just assumes that the
17890 stack is ``large enough''. This may result in @value{GDBN} referencing
17891 memory locations that do not exist. If necessary, you can get around
17892 this problem by specifying the ending address of the register stack with
17893 the @code{set rstack_high_address} command. The argument should be an
17894 address, which you probably want to precede with @samp{0x} to specify in
17895 hexadecimal.
17896
17897 @kindex show rstack_high_address
17898 @item show rstack_high_address
17899 Display the current limit of the register stack, on AMD 29000 family
17900 processors.
17901
17902 @end table
17903
17904 @node Alpha
17905 @subsection Alpha
17906
17907 See the following section.
17908
17909 @node MIPS
17910 @subsection MIPS
17911
17912 @cindex stack on Alpha
17913 @cindex stack on MIPS
17914 @cindex Alpha stack
17915 @cindex MIPS stack
17916 Alpha- and MIPS-based computers use an unusual stack frame, which
17917 sometimes requires @value{GDBN} to search backward in the object code to
17918 find the beginning of a function.
17919
17920 @cindex response time, MIPS debugging
17921 To improve response time (especially for embedded applications, where
17922 @value{GDBN} may be restricted to a slow serial line for this search)
17923 you may want to limit the size of this search, using one of these
17924 commands:
17925
17926 @table @code
17927 @cindex @code{heuristic-fence-post} (Alpha, MIPS)
17928 @item set heuristic-fence-post @var{limit}
17929 Restrict @value{GDBN} to examining at most @var{limit} bytes in its
17930 search for the beginning of a function. A value of @var{0} (the
17931 default) means there is no limit. However, except for @var{0}, the
17932 larger the limit the more bytes @code{heuristic-fence-post} must search
17933 and therefore the longer it takes to run. You should only need to use
17934 this command when debugging a stripped executable.
17935
17936 @item show heuristic-fence-post
17937 Display the current limit.
17938 @end table
17939
17940 @noindent
17941 These commands are available @emph{only} when @value{GDBN} is configured
17942 for debugging programs on Alpha or MIPS processors.
17943
17944 Several MIPS-specific commands are available when debugging MIPS
17945 programs:
17946
17947 @table @code
17948 @item set mips abi @var{arg}
17949 @kindex set mips abi
17950 @cindex set ABI for MIPS
17951 Tell @value{GDBN} which MIPS ABI is used by the inferior. Possible
17952 values of @var{arg} are:
17953
17954 @table @samp
17955 @item auto
17956 The default ABI associated with the current binary (this is the
17957 default).
17958 @item o32
17959 @item o64
17960 @item n32
17961 @item n64
17962 @item eabi32
17963 @item eabi64
17964 @item auto
17965 @end table
17966
17967 @item show mips abi
17968 @kindex show mips abi
17969 Show the MIPS ABI used by @value{GDBN} to debug the inferior.
17970
17971 @item set mipsfpu
17972 @itemx show mipsfpu
17973 @xref{MIPS Embedded, set mipsfpu}.
17974
17975 @item set mips mask-address @var{arg}
17976 @kindex set mips mask-address
17977 @cindex MIPS addresses, masking
17978 This command determines whether the most-significant 32 bits of 64-bit
17979 MIPS addresses are masked off. The argument @var{arg} can be
17980 @samp{on}, @samp{off}, or @samp{auto}. The latter is the default
17981 setting, which lets @value{GDBN} determine the correct value.
17982
17983 @item show mips mask-address
17984 @kindex show mips mask-address
17985 Show whether the upper 32 bits of MIPS addresses are masked off or
17986 not.
17987
17988 @item set remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
17989 @kindex set remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
17990 This command controls compatibility with 64-bit MIPS targets that
17991 transfer data in 32-bit quantities. If you have an old MIPS 64 target
17992 that transfers 32 bits for some registers, like @sc{sr} and @sc{fsr},
17993 and 64 bits for other registers, set this option to @samp{on}.
17994
17995 @item show remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
17996 @kindex show remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
17997 Show the current setting of compatibility with older MIPS 64 targets.
17998
17999 @item set debug mips
18000 @kindex set debug mips
18001 This command turns on and off debugging messages for the MIPS-specific
18002 target code in @value{GDBN}.
18003
18004 @item show debug mips
18005 @kindex show debug mips
18006 Show the current setting of MIPS debugging messages.
18007 @end table
18008
18009
18010 @node HPPA
18011 @subsection HPPA
18012 @cindex HPPA support
18013
18014 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the HP PA architecture, it provides the
18015 following special commands:
18016
18017 @table @code
18018 @item set debug hppa
18019 @kindex set debug hppa
18020 This command determines whether HPPA architecture-specific debugging
18021 messages are to be displayed.
18022
18023 @item show debug hppa
18024 Show whether HPPA debugging messages are displayed.
18025
18026 @item maint print unwind @var{address}
18027 @kindex maint print unwind@r{, HPPA}
18028 This command displays the contents of the unwind table entry at the
18029 given @var{address}.
18030
18031 @end table
18032
18033
18034 @node SPU
18035 @subsection Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture
18036 @cindex Cell Broadband Engine
18037 @cindex SPU
18038
18039 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture,
18040 it provides the following special commands:
18041
18042 @table @code
18043 @item info spu event
18044 @kindex info spu
18045 Display SPU event facility status. Shows current event mask
18046 and pending event status.
18047
18048 @item info spu signal
18049 Display SPU signal notification facility status. Shows pending
18050 signal-control word and signal notification mode of both signal
18051 notification channels.
18052
18053 @item info spu mailbox
18054 Display SPU mailbox facility status. Shows all pending entries,
18055 in order of processing, in each of the SPU Write Outbound,
18056 SPU Write Outbound Interrupt, and SPU Read Inbound mailboxes.
18057
18058 @item info spu dma
18059 Display MFC DMA status. Shows all pending commands in the MFC
18060 DMA queue. For each entry, opcode, tag, class IDs, effective
18061 and local store addresses and transfer size are shown.
18062
18063 @item info spu proxydma
18064 Display MFC Proxy-DMA status. Shows all pending commands in the MFC
18065 Proxy-DMA queue. For each entry, opcode, tag, class IDs, effective
18066 and local store addresses and transfer size are shown.
18067
18068 @end table
18069
18070 When @value{GDBN} is debugging a combined PowerPC/SPU application
18071 on the Cell Broadband Engine, it provides in addition the following
18072 special commands:
18073
18074 @table @code
18075 @item set spu stop-on-load @var{arg}
18076 @kindex set spu
18077 Set whether to stop for new SPE threads. When set to @code{on}, @value{GDBN}
18078 will give control to the user when a new SPE thread enters its @code{main}
18079 function. The default is @code{off}.
18080
18081 @item show spu stop-on-load
18082 @kindex show spu
18083 Show whether to stop for new SPE threads.
18084
18085 @item set spu auto-flush-cache @var{arg}
18086 Set whether to automatically flush the software-managed cache. When set to
18087 @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will automatically cause the SPE software-managed
18088 cache to be flushed whenever SPE execution stops. This provides a consistent
18089 view of PowerPC memory that is accessed via the cache. If an application
18090 does not use the software-managed cache, this option has no effect.
18091
18092 @item show spu auto-flush-cache
18093 Show whether to automatically flush the software-managed cache.
18094
18095 @end table
18096
18097 @node PowerPC
18098 @subsection PowerPC
18099 @cindex PowerPC architecture
18100
18101 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the PowerPC architecture, it provides a set of
18102 pseudo-registers to enable inspection of 128-bit wide Decimal Floating Point
18103 numbers stored in the floating point registers. These values must be stored
18104 in two consecutive registers, always starting at an even register like
18105 @code{f0} or @code{f2}.
18106
18107 The pseudo-registers go from @code{$dl0} through @code{$dl15}, and are formed
18108 by joining the even/odd register pairs @code{f0} and @code{f1} for @code{$dl0},
18109 @code{f2} and @code{f3} for @code{$dl1} and so on.
18110
18111 For POWER7 processors, @value{GDBN} provides a set of pseudo-registers, the 64-bit
18112 wide Extended Floating Point Registers (@samp{f32} through @samp{f63}).
18113
18114
18115 @node Controlling GDB
18116 @chapter Controlling @value{GDBN}
18117
18118 You can alter the way @value{GDBN} interacts with you by using the
18119 @code{set} command. For commands controlling how @value{GDBN} displays
18120 data, see @ref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}. Other settings are
18121 described here.
18122
18123 @menu
18124 * Prompt:: Prompt
18125 * Editing:: Command editing
18126 * Command History:: Command history
18127 * Screen Size:: Screen size
18128 * Numbers:: Numbers
18129 * ABI:: Configuring the current ABI
18130 * Messages/Warnings:: Optional warnings and messages
18131 * Debugging Output:: Optional messages about internal happenings
18132 * Other Misc Settings:: Other Miscellaneous Settings
18133 @end menu
18134
18135 @node Prompt
18136 @section Prompt
18137
18138 @cindex prompt
18139
18140 @value{GDBN} indicates its readiness to read a command by printing a string
18141 called the @dfn{prompt}. This string is normally @samp{(@value{GDBP})}. You
18142 can change the prompt string with the @code{set prompt} command. For
18143 instance, when debugging @value{GDBN} with @value{GDBN}, it is useful to change
18144 the prompt in one of the @value{GDBN} sessions so that you can always tell
18145 which one you are talking to.
18146
18147 @emph{Note:} @code{set prompt} does not add a space for you after the
18148 prompt you set. This allows you to set a prompt which ends in a space
18149 or a prompt that does not.
18150
18151 @table @code
18152 @kindex set prompt
18153 @item set prompt @var{newprompt}
18154 Directs @value{GDBN} to use @var{newprompt} as its prompt string henceforth.
18155
18156 @kindex show prompt
18157 @item show prompt
18158 Prints a line of the form: @samp{Gdb's prompt is: @var{your-prompt}}
18159 @end table
18160
18161 @node Editing
18162 @section Command Editing
18163 @cindex readline
18164 @cindex command line editing
18165
18166 @value{GDBN} reads its input commands via the @dfn{Readline} interface. This
18167 @sc{gnu} library provides consistent behavior for programs which provide a
18168 command line interface to the user. Advantages are @sc{gnu} Emacs-style
18169 or @dfn{vi}-style inline editing of commands, @code{csh}-like history
18170 substitution, and a storage and recall of command history across
18171 debugging sessions.
18172
18173 You may control the behavior of command line editing in @value{GDBN} with the
18174 command @code{set}.
18175
18176 @table @code
18177 @kindex set editing
18178 @cindex editing
18179 @item set editing
18180 @itemx set editing on
18181 Enable command line editing (enabled by default).
18182
18183 @item set editing off
18184 Disable command line editing.
18185
18186 @kindex show editing
18187 @item show editing
18188 Show whether command line editing is enabled.
18189 @end table
18190
18191 @xref{Command Line Editing}, for more details about the Readline
18192 interface. Users unfamiliar with @sc{gnu} Emacs or @code{vi} are
18193 encouraged to read that chapter.
18194
18195 @node Command History
18196 @section Command History
18197 @cindex command history
18198
18199 @value{GDBN} can keep track of the commands you type during your
18200 debugging sessions, so that you can be certain of precisely what
18201 happened. Use these commands to manage the @value{GDBN} command
18202 history facility.
18203
18204 @value{GDBN} uses the @sc{gnu} History library, a part of the Readline
18205 package, to provide the history facility. @xref{Using History
18206 Interactively}, for the detailed description of the History library.
18207
18208 To issue a command to @value{GDBN} without affecting certain aspects of
18209 the state which is seen by users, prefix it with @samp{server }
18210 (@pxref{Server Prefix}). This
18211 means that this command will not affect the command history, nor will it
18212 affect @value{GDBN}'s notion of which command to repeat if @key{RET} is
18213 pressed on a line by itself.
18214
18215 @cindex @code{server}, command prefix
18216 The server prefix does not affect the recording of values into the value
18217 history; to print a value without recording it into the value history,
18218 use the @code{output} command instead of the @code{print} command.
18219
18220 Here is the description of @value{GDBN} commands related to command
18221 history.
18222
18223 @table @code
18224 @cindex history substitution
18225 @cindex history file
18226 @kindex set history filename
18227 @cindex @env{GDBHISTFILE}, environment variable
18228 @item set history filename @var{fname}
18229 Set the name of the @value{GDBN} command history file to @var{fname}.
18230 This is the file where @value{GDBN} reads an initial command history
18231 list, and where it writes the command history from this session when it
18232 exits. You can access this list through history expansion or through
18233 the history command editing characters listed below. This file defaults
18234 to the value of the environment variable @code{GDBHISTFILE}, or to
18235 @file{./.gdb_history} (@file{./_gdb_history} on MS-DOS) if this variable
18236 is not set.
18237
18238 @cindex save command history
18239 @kindex set history save
18240 @item set history save
18241 @itemx set history save on
18242 Record command history in a file, whose name may be specified with the
18243 @code{set history filename} command. By default, this option is disabled.
18244
18245 @item set history save off
18246 Stop recording command history in a file.
18247
18248 @cindex history size
18249 @kindex set history size
18250 @cindex @env{HISTSIZE}, environment variable
18251 @item set history size @var{size}
18252 Set the number of commands which @value{GDBN} keeps in its history list.
18253 This defaults to the value of the environment variable
18254 @code{HISTSIZE}, or to 256 if this variable is not set.
18255 @end table
18256
18257 History expansion assigns special meaning to the character @kbd{!}.
18258 @xref{Event Designators}, for more details.
18259
18260 @cindex history expansion, turn on/off
18261 Since @kbd{!} is also the logical not operator in C, history expansion
18262 is off by default. If you decide to enable history expansion with the
18263 @code{set history expansion on} command, you may sometimes need to
18264 follow @kbd{!} (when it is used as logical not, in an expression) with
18265 a space or a tab to prevent it from being expanded. The readline
18266 history facilities do not attempt substitution on the strings
18267 @kbd{!=} and @kbd{!(}, even when history expansion is enabled.
18268
18269 The commands to control history expansion are:
18270
18271 @table @code
18272 @item set history expansion on
18273 @itemx set history expansion
18274 @kindex set history expansion
18275 Enable history expansion. History expansion is off by default.
18276
18277 @item set history expansion off
18278 Disable history expansion.
18279
18280 @c @group
18281 @kindex show history
18282 @item show history
18283 @itemx show history filename
18284 @itemx show history save
18285 @itemx show history size
18286 @itemx show history expansion
18287 These commands display the state of the @value{GDBN} history parameters.
18288 @code{show history} by itself displays all four states.
18289 @c @end group
18290 @end table
18291
18292 @table @code
18293 @kindex show commands
18294 @cindex show last commands
18295 @cindex display command history
18296 @item show commands
18297 Display the last ten commands in the command history.
18298
18299 @item show commands @var{n}
18300 Print ten commands centered on command number @var{n}.
18301
18302 @item show commands +
18303 Print ten commands just after the commands last printed.
18304 @end table
18305
18306 @node Screen Size
18307 @section Screen Size
18308 @cindex size of screen
18309 @cindex pauses in output
18310
18311 Certain commands to @value{GDBN} may produce large amounts of
18312 information output to the screen. To help you read all of it,
18313 @value{GDBN} pauses and asks you for input at the end of each page of
18314 output. Type @key{RET} when you want to continue the output, or @kbd{q}
18315 to discard the remaining output. Also, the screen width setting
18316 determines when to wrap lines of output. Depending on what is being
18317 printed, @value{GDBN} tries to break the line at a readable place,
18318 rather than simply letting it overflow onto the following line.
18319
18320 Normally @value{GDBN} knows the size of the screen from the terminal
18321 driver software. For example, on Unix @value{GDBN} uses the termcap data base
18322 together with the value of the @code{TERM} environment variable and the
18323 @code{stty rows} and @code{stty cols} settings. If this is not correct,
18324 you can override it with the @code{set height} and @code{set
18325 width} commands:
18326
18327 @table @code
18328 @kindex set height
18329 @kindex set width
18330 @kindex show width
18331 @kindex show height
18332 @item set height @var{lpp}
18333 @itemx show height
18334 @itemx set width @var{cpl}
18335 @itemx show width
18336 These @code{set} commands specify a screen height of @var{lpp} lines and
18337 a screen width of @var{cpl} characters. The associated @code{show}
18338 commands display the current settings.
18339
18340 If you specify a height of zero lines, @value{GDBN} does not pause during
18341 output no matter how long the output is. This is useful if output is to a
18342 file or to an editor buffer.
18343
18344 Likewise, you can specify @samp{set width 0} to prevent @value{GDBN}
18345 from wrapping its output.
18346
18347 @item set pagination on
18348 @itemx set pagination off
18349 @kindex set pagination
18350 Turn the output pagination on or off; the default is on. Turning
18351 pagination off is the alternative to @code{set height 0}.
18352
18353 @item show pagination
18354 @kindex show pagination
18355 Show the current pagination mode.
18356 @end table
18357
18358 @node Numbers
18359 @section Numbers
18360 @cindex number representation
18361 @cindex entering numbers
18362
18363 You can always enter numbers in octal, decimal, or hexadecimal in
18364 @value{GDBN} by the usual conventions: octal numbers begin with
18365 @samp{0}, decimal numbers end with @samp{.}, and hexadecimal numbers
18366 begin with @samp{0x}. Numbers that neither begin with @samp{0} or
18367 @samp{0x}, nor end with a @samp{.} are, by default, entered in base
18368 10; likewise, the default display for numbers---when no particular
18369 format is specified---is base 10. You can change the default base for
18370 both input and output with the commands described below.
18371
18372 @table @code
18373 @kindex set input-radix
18374 @item set input-radix @var{base}
18375 Set the default base for numeric input. Supported choices
18376 for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. @var{base} must itself be
18377 specified either unambiguously or using the current input radix; for
18378 example, any of
18379
18380 @smallexample
18381 set input-radix 012
18382 set input-radix 10.
18383 set input-radix 0xa
18384 @end smallexample
18385
18386 @noindent
18387 sets the input base to decimal. On the other hand, @samp{set input-radix 10}
18388 leaves the input radix unchanged, no matter what it was, since
18389 @samp{10}, being without any leading or trailing signs of its base, is
18390 interpreted in the current radix. Thus, if the current radix is 16,
18391 @samp{10} is interpreted in hex, i.e.@: as 16 decimal, which doesn't
18392 change the radix.
18393
18394 @kindex set output-radix
18395 @item set output-radix @var{base}
18396 Set the default base for numeric display. Supported choices
18397 for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. @var{base} must itself be
18398 specified either unambiguously or using the current input radix.
18399
18400 @kindex show input-radix
18401 @item show input-radix
18402 Display the current default base for numeric input.
18403
18404 @kindex show output-radix
18405 @item show output-radix
18406 Display the current default base for numeric display.
18407
18408 @item set radix @r{[}@var{base}@r{]}
18409 @itemx show radix
18410 @kindex set radix
18411 @kindex show radix
18412 These commands set and show the default base for both input and output
18413 of numbers. @code{set radix} sets the radix of input and output to
18414 the same base; without an argument, it resets the radix back to its
18415 default value of 10.
18416
18417 @end table
18418
18419 @node ABI
18420 @section Configuring the Current ABI
18421
18422 @value{GDBN} can determine the @dfn{ABI} (Application Binary Interface) of your
18423 application automatically. However, sometimes you need to override its
18424 conclusions. Use these commands to manage @value{GDBN}'s view of the
18425 current ABI.
18426
18427 @cindex OS ABI
18428 @kindex set osabi
18429 @kindex show osabi
18430
18431 One @value{GDBN} configuration can debug binaries for multiple operating
18432 system targets, either via remote debugging or native emulation.
18433 @value{GDBN} will autodetect the @dfn{OS ABI} (Operating System ABI) in use,
18434 but you can override its conclusion using the @code{set osabi} command.
18435 One example where this is useful is in debugging of binaries which use
18436 an alternate C library (e.g.@: @sc{uClibc} for @sc{gnu}/Linux) which does
18437 not have the same identifying marks that the standard C library for your
18438 platform provides.
18439
18440 @table @code
18441 @item show osabi
18442 Show the OS ABI currently in use.
18443
18444 @item set osabi
18445 With no argument, show the list of registered available OS ABI's.
18446
18447 @item set osabi @var{abi}
18448 Set the current OS ABI to @var{abi}.
18449 @end table
18450
18451 @cindex float promotion
18452
18453 Generally, the way that an argument of type @code{float} is passed to a
18454 function depends on whether the function is prototyped. For a prototyped
18455 (i.e.@: ANSI/ISO style) function, @code{float} arguments are passed unchanged,
18456 according to the architecture's convention for @code{float}. For unprototyped
18457 (i.e.@: K&R style) functions, @code{float} arguments are first promoted to type
18458 @code{double} and then passed.
18459
18460 Unfortunately, some forms of debug information do not reliably indicate whether
18461 a function is prototyped. If @value{GDBN} calls a function that is not marked
18462 as prototyped, it consults @kbd{set coerce-float-to-double}.
18463
18464 @table @code
18465 @kindex set coerce-float-to-double
18466 @item set coerce-float-to-double
18467 @itemx set coerce-float-to-double on
18468 Arguments of type @code{float} will be promoted to @code{double} when passed
18469 to an unprototyped function. This is the default setting.
18470
18471 @item set coerce-float-to-double off
18472 Arguments of type @code{float} will be passed directly to unprototyped
18473 functions.
18474
18475 @kindex show coerce-float-to-double
18476 @item show coerce-float-to-double
18477 Show the current setting of promoting @code{float} to @code{double}.
18478 @end table
18479
18480 @kindex set cp-abi
18481 @kindex show cp-abi
18482 @value{GDBN} needs to know the ABI used for your program's C@t{++}
18483 objects. The correct C@t{++} ABI depends on which C@t{++} compiler was
18484 used to build your application. @value{GDBN} only fully supports
18485 programs with a single C@t{++} ABI; if your program contains code using
18486 multiple C@t{++} ABI's or if @value{GDBN} can not identify your
18487 program's ABI correctly, you can tell @value{GDBN} which ABI to use.
18488 Currently supported ABI's include ``gnu-v2'', for @code{g++} versions
18489 before 3.0, ``gnu-v3'', for @code{g++} versions 3.0 and later, and
18490 ``hpaCC'' for the HP ANSI C@t{++} compiler. Other C@t{++} compilers may
18491 use the ``gnu-v2'' or ``gnu-v3'' ABI's as well. The default setting is
18492 ``auto''.
18493
18494 @table @code
18495 @item show cp-abi
18496 Show the C@t{++} ABI currently in use.
18497
18498 @item set cp-abi
18499 With no argument, show the list of supported C@t{++} ABI's.
18500
18501 @item set cp-abi @var{abi}
18502 @itemx set cp-abi auto
18503 Set the current C@t{++} ABI to @var{abi}, or return to automatic detection.
18504 @end table
18505
18506 @node Messages/Warnings
18507 @section Optional Warnings and Messages
18508
18509 @cindex verbose operation
18510 @cindex optional warnings
18511 By default, @value{GDBN} is silent about its inner workings. If you are
18512 running on a slow machine, you may want to use the @code{set verbose}
18513 command. This makes @value{GDBN} tell you when it does a lengthy
18514 internal operation, so you will not think it has crashed.
18515
18516 Currently, the messages controlled by @code{set verbose} are those
18517 which announce that the symbol table for a source file is being read;
18518 see @code{symbol-file} in @ref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}.
18519
18520 @table @code
18521 @kindex set verbose
18522 @item set verbose on
18523 Enables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
18524
18525 @item set verbose off
18526 Disables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
18527
18528 @kindex show verbose
18529 @item show verbose
18530 Displays whether @code{set verbose} is on or off.
18531 @end table
18532
18533 By default, if @value{GDBN} encounters bugs in the symbol table of an
18534 object file, it is silent; but if you are debugging a compiler, you may
18535 find this information useful (@pxref{Symbol Errors, ,Errors Reading
18536 Symbol Files}).
18537
18538 @table @code
18539
18540 @kindex set complaints
18541 @item set complaints @var{limit}
18542 Permits @value{GDBN} to output @var{limit} complaints about each type of
18543 unusual symbols before becoming silent about the problem. Set
18544 @var{limit} to zero to suppress all complaints; set it to a large number
18545 to prevent complaints from being suppressed.
18546
18547 @kindex show complaints
18548 @item show complaints
18549 Displays how many symbol complaints @value{GDBN} is permitted to produce.
18550
18551 @end table
18552
18553 @anchor{confirmation requests}
18554 By default, @value{GDBN} is cautious, and asks what sometimes seems to be a
18555 lot of stupid questions to confirm certain commands. For example, if
18556 you try to run a program which is already running:
18557
18558 @smallexample
18559 (@value{GDBP}) run
18560 The program being debugged has been started already.
18561 Start it from the beginning? (y or n)
18562 @end smallexample
18563
18564 If you are willing to unflinchingly face the consequences of your own
18565 commands, you can disable this ``feature'':
18566
18567 @table @code
18568
18569 @kindex set confirm
18570 @cindex flinching
18571 @cindex confirmation
18572 @cindex stupid questions
18573 @item set confirm off
18574 Disables confirmation requests.
18575
18576 @item set confirm on
18577 Enables confirmation requests (the default).
18578
18579 @kindex show confirm
18580 @item show confirm
18581 Displays state of confirmation requests.
18582
18583 @end table
18584
18585 @cindex command tracing
18586 If you need to debug user-defined commands or sourced files you may find it
18587 useful to enable @dfn{command tracing}. In this mode each command will be
18588 printed as it is executed, prefixed with one or more @samp{+} symbols, the
18589 quantity denoting the call depth of each command.
18590
18591 @table @code
18592 @kindex set trace-commands
18593 @cindex command scripts, debugging
18594 @item set trace-commands on
18595 Enable command tracing.
18596 @item set trace-commands off
18597 Disable command tracing.
18598 @item show trace-commands
18599 Display the current state of command tracing.
18600 @end table
18601
18602 @node Debugging Output
18603 @section Optional Messages about Internal Happenings
18604 @cindex optional debugging messages
18605
18606 @value{GDBN} has commands that enable optional debugging messages from
18607 various @value{GDBN} subsystems; normally these commands are of
18608 interest to @value{GDBN} maintainers, or when reporting a bug. This
18609 section documents those commands.
18610
18611 @table @code
18612 @kindex set exec-done-display
18613 @item set exec-done-display
18614 Turns on or off the notification of asynchronous commands'
18615 completion. When on, @value{GDBN} will print a message when an
18616 asynchronous command finishes its execution. The default is off.
18617 @kindex show exec-done-display
18618 @item show exec-done-display
18619 Displays the current setting of asynchronous command completion
18620 notification.
18621 @kindex set debug
18622 @cindex gdbarch debugging info
18623 @cindex architecture debugging info
18624 @item set debug arch
18625 Turns on or off display of gdbarch debugging info. The default is off
18626 @kindex show debug
18627 @item show debug arch
18628 Displays the current state of displaying gdbarch debugging info.
18629 @item set debug aix-thread
18630 @cindex AIX threads
18631 Display debugging messages about inner workings of the AIX thread
18632 module.
18633 @item show debug aix-thread
18634 Show the current state of AIX thread debugging info display.
18635 @item set debug dwarf2-die
18636 @cindex DWARF2 DIEs
18637 Dump DWARF2 DIEs after they are read in.
18638 The value is the number of nesting levels to print.
18639 A value of zero turns off the display.
18640 @item show debug dwarf2-die
18641 Show the current state of DWARF2 DIE debugging.
18642 @item set debug displaced
18643 @cindex displaced stepping debugging info
18644 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} debugging info for the
18645 displaced stepping support. The default is off.
18646 @item show debug displaced
18647 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} debugging info
18648 related to displaced stepping.
18649 @item set debug event
18650 @cindex event debugging info
18651 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} event debugging info. The
18652 default is off.
18653 @item show debug event
18654 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} event debugging
18655 info.
18656 @item set debug expression
18657 @cindex expression debugging info
18658 Turns on or off display of debugging info about @value{GDBN}
18659 expression parsing. The default is off.
18660 @item show debug expression
18661 Displays the current state of displaying debugging info about
18662 @value{GDBN} expression parsing.
18663 @item set debug frame
18664 @cindex frame debugging info
18665 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} frame debugging info. The
18666 default is off.
18667 @item show debug frame
18668 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} frame debugging
18669 info.
18670 @item set debug gnu-nat
18671 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Hurd debug messages
18672 Turns on or off debugging messages from the @sc{gnu}/Hurd debug support.
18673 @item show debug gnu-nat
18674 Show the current state of @sc{gnu}/Hurd debugging messages.
18675 @item set debug infrun
18676 @cindex inferior debugging info
18677 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} debugging info for running the inferior.
18678 The default is off. @file{infrun.c} contains GDB's runtime state machine used
18679 for implementing operations such as single-stepping the inferior.
18680 @item show debug infrun
18681 Displays the current state of @value{GDBN} inferior debugging.
18682 @item set debug lin-lwp
18683 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Linux LWP debug messages
18684 @cindex Linux lightweight processes
18685 Turns on or off debugging messages from the Linux LWP debug support.
18686 @item show debug lin-lwp
18687 Show the current state of Linux LWP debugging messages.
18688 @item set debug lin-lwp-async
18689 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Linux LWP async debug messages
18690 @cindex Linux lightweight processes
18691 Turns on or off debugging messages from the Linux LWP async debug support.
18692 @item show debug lin-lwp-async
18693 Show the current state of Linux LWP async debugging messages.
18694 @item set debug observer
18695 @cindex observer debugging info
18696 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} observer debugging. This
18697 includes info such as the notification of observable events.
18698 @item show debug observer
18699 Displays the current state of observer debugging.
18700 @item set debug overload
18701 @cindex C@t{++} overload debugging info
18702 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload debugging
18703 info. This includes info such as ranking of functions, etc. The default
18704 is off.
18705 @item show debug overload
18706 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload
18707 debugging info.
18708 @cindex packets, reporting on stdout
18709 @cindex serial connections, debugging
18710 @cindex debug remote protocol
18711 @cindex remote protocol debugging
18712 @cindex display remote packets
18713 @item set debug remote
18714 Turns on or off display of reports on all packets sent back and forth across
18715 the serial line to the remote machine. The info is printed on the
18716 @value{GDBN} standard output stream. The default is off.
18717 @item show debug remote
18718 Displays the state of display of remote packets.
18719 @item set debug serial
18720 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} serial debugging info. The
18721 default is off.
18722 @item show debug serial
18723 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} serial debugging
18724 info.
18725 @item set debug solib-frv
18726 @cindex FR-V shared-library debugging
18727 Turns on or off debugging messages for FR-V shared-library code.
18728 @item show debug solib-frv
18729 Display the current state of FR-V shared-library code debugging
18730 messages.
18731 @item set debug target
18732 @cindex target debugging info
18733 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} target debugging info. This info
18734 includes what is going on at the target level of GDB, as it happens. The
18735 default is 0. Set it to 1 to track events, and to 2 to also track the
18736 value of large memory transfers. Changes to this flag do not take effect
18737 until the next time you connect to a target or use the @code{run} command.
18738 @item show debug target
18739 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} target debugging
18740 info.
18741 @item set debug timestamp
18742 @cindex timestampping debugging info
18743 Turns on or off display of timestamps with @value{GDBN} debugging info.
18744 When enabled, seconds and microseconds are displayed before each debugging
18745 message.
18746 @item show debug timestamp
18747 Displays the current state of displaying timestamps with @value{GDBN}
18748 debugging info.
18749 @item set debugvarobj
18750 @cindex variable object debugging info
18751 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} variable object debugging
18752 info. The default is off.
18753 @item show debugvarobj
18754 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} variable object
18755 debugging info.
18756 @item set debug xml
18757 @cindex XML parser debugging
18758 Turns on or off debugging messages for built-in XML parsers.
18759 @item show debug xml
18760 Displays the current state of XML debugging messages.
18761 @end table
18762
18763 @node Other Misc Settings
18764 @section Other Miscellaneous Settings
18765 @cindex miscellaneous settings
18766
18767 @table @code
18768 @kindex set interactive-mode
18769 @item set interactive-mode
18770 If @code{on}, forces @value{GDBN} to operate interactively.
18771 If @code{off}, forces @value{GDBN} to operate non-interactively,
18772 If @code{auto} (the default), @value{GDBN} guesses which mode to use,
18773 based on whether the debugger was started in a terminal or not.
18774
18775 In the vast majority of cases, the debugger should be able to guess
18776 correctly which mode should be used. But this setting can be useful
18777 in certain specific cases, such as running a MinGW @value{GDBN}
18778 inside a cygwin window.
18779
18780 @kindex show interactive-mode
18781 @item show interactive-mode
18782 Displays whether the debugger is operating in interactive mode or not.
18783 @end table
18784
18785 @node Extending GDB
18786 @chapter Extending @value{GDBN}
18787 @cindex extending GDB
18788
18789 @value{GDBN} provides two mechanisms for extension. The first is based
18790 on composition of @value{GDBN} commands, and the second is based on the
18791 Python scripting language.
18792
18793 @menu
18794 * Sequences:: Canned Sequences of Commands
18795 * Python:: Scripting @value{GDBN} using Python
18796 @end menu
18797
18798 @node Sequences
18799 @section Canned Sequences of Commands
18800
18801 Aside from breakpoint commands (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint
18802 Command Lists}), @value{GDBN} provides two ways to store sequences of
18803 commands for execution as a unit: user-defined commands and command
18804 files.
18805
18806 @menu
18807 * Define:: How to define your own commands
18808 * Hooks:: Hooks for user-defined commands
18809 * Command Files:: How to write scripts of commands to be stored in a file
18810 * Output:: Commands for controlled output
18811 @end menu
18812
18813 @node Define
18814 @subsection User-defined Commands
18815
18816 @cindex user-defined command
18817 @cindex arguments, to user-defined commands
18818 A @dfn{user-defined command} is a sequence of @value{GDBN} commands to
18819 which you assign a new name as a command. This is done with the
18820 @code{define} command. User commands may accept up to 10 arguments
18821 separated by whitespace. Arguments are accessed within the user command
18822 via @code{$arg0@dots{}$arg9}. A trivial example:
18823
18824 @smallexample
18825 define adder
18826 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
18827 end
18828 @end smallexample
18829
18830 @noindent
18831 To execute the command use:
18832
18833 @smallexample
18834 adder 1 2 3
18835 @end smallexample
18836
18837 @noindent
18838 This defines the command @code{adder}, which prints the sum of
18839 its three arguments. Note the arguments are text substitutions, so they may
18840 reference variables, use complex expressions, or even perform inferior
18841 functions calls.
18842
18843 @cindex argument count in user-defined commands
18844 @cindex how many arguments (user-defined commands)
18845 In addition, @code{$argc} may be used to find out how many arguments have
18846 been passed. This expands to a number in the range 0@dots{}10.
18847
18848 @smallexample
18849 define adder
18850 if $argc == 2
18851 print $arg0 + $arg1
18852 end
18853 if $argc == 3
18854 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
18855 end
18856 end
18857 @end smallexample
18858
18859 @table @code
18860
18861 @kindex define
18862 @item define @var{commandname}
18863 Define a command named @var{commandname}. If there is already a command
18864 by that name, you are asked to confirm that you want to redefine it.
18865 @var{commandname} may be a bare command name consisting of letters,
18866 numbers, dashes, and underscores. It may also start with any predefined
18867 prefix command. For example, @samp{define target my-target} creates
18868 a user-defined @samp{target my-target} command.
18869
18870 The definition of the command is made up of other @value{GDBN} command lines,
18871 which are given following the @code{define} command. The end of these
18872 commands is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
18873
18874 @kindex document
18875 @kindex end@r{ (user-defined commands)}
18876 @item document @var{commandname}
18877 Document the user-defined command @var{commandname}, so that it can be
18878 accessed by @code{help}. The command @var{commandname} must already be
18879 defined. This command reads lines of documentation just as @code{define}
18880 reads the lines of the command definition, ending with @code{end}.
18881 After the @code{document} command is finished, @code{help} on command
18882 @var{commandname} displays the documentation you have written.
18883
18884 You may use the @code{document} command again to change the
18885 documentation of a command. Redefining the command with @code{define}
18886 does not change the documentation.
18887
18888 @kindex dont-repeat
18889 @cindex don't repeat command
18890 @item dont-repeat
18891 Used inside a user-defined command, this tells @value{GDBN} that this
18892 command should not be repeated when the user hits @key{RET}
18893 (@pxref{Command Syntax, repeat last command}).
18894
18895 @kindex help user-defined
18896 @item help user-defined
18897 List all user-defined commands, with the first line of the documentation
18898 (if any) for each.
18899
18900 @kindex show user
18901 @item show user
18902 @itemx show user @var{commandname}
18903 Display the @value{GDBN} commands used to define @var{commandname} (but
18904 not its documentation). If no @var{commandname} is given, display the
18905 definitions for all user-defined commands.
18906
18907 @cindex infinite recursion in user-defined commands
18908 @kindex show max-user-call-depth
18909 @kindex set max-user-call-depth
18910 @item show max-user-call-depth
18911 @itemx set max-user-call-depth
18912 The value of @code{max-user-call-depth} controls how many recursion
18913 levels are allowed in user-defined commands before @value{GDBN} suspects an
18914 infinite recursion and aborts the command.
18915 @end table
18916
18917 In addition to the above commands, user-defined commands frequently
18918 use control flow commands, described in @ref{Command Files}.
18919
18920 When user-defined commands are executed, the
18921 commands of the definition are not printed. An error in any command
18922 stops execution of the user-defined command.
18923
18924 If used interactively, commands that would ask for confirmation proceed
18925 without asking when used inside a user-defined command. Many @value{GDBN}
18926 commands that normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the
18927 messages when used in a user-defined command.
18928
18929 @node Hooks
18930 @subsection User-defined Command Hooks
18931 @cindex command hooks
18932 @cindex hooks, for commands
18933 @cindex hooks, pre-command
18934
18935 @kindex hook
18936 You may define @dfn{hooks}, which are a special kind of user-defined
18937 command. Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined
18938 command @samp{hook-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments)
18939 before that command.
18940
18941 @cindex hooks, post-command
18942 @kindex hookpost
18943 A hook may also be defined which is run after the command you executed.
18944 Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined command
18945 @samp{hookpost-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments) after
18946 that command. Post-execution hooks may exist simultaneously with
18947 pre-execution hooks, for the same command.
18948
18949 It is valid for a hook to call the command which it hooks. If this
18950 occurs, the hook is not re-executed, thereby avoiding infinite recursion.
18951
18952 @c It would be nice if hookpost could be passed a parameter indicating
18953 @c if the command it hooks executed properly or not. FIXME!
18954
18955 @kindex stop@r{, a pseudo-command}
18956 In addition, a pseudo-command, @samp{stop} exists. Defining
18957 (@samp{hook-stop}) makes the associated commands execute every time
18958 execution stops in your program: before breakpoint commands are run,
18959 displays are printed, or the stack frame is printed.
18960
18961 For example, to ignore @code{SIGALRM} signals while
18962 single-stepping, but treat them normally during normal execution,
18963 you could define:
18964
18965 @smallexample
18966 define hook-stop
18967 handle SIGALRM nopass
18968 end
18969
18970 define hook-run
18971 handle SIGALRM pass
18972 end
18973
18974 define hook-continue
18975 handle SIGALRM pass
18976 end
18977 @end smallexample
18978
18979 As a further example, to hook at the beginning and end of the @code{echo}
18980 command, and to add extra text to the beginning and end of the message,
18981 you could define:
18982
18983 @smallexample
18984 define hook-echo
18985 echo <<<---
18986 end
18987
18988 define hookpost-echo
18989 echo --->>>\n
18990 end
18991
18992 (@value{GDBP}) echo Hello World
18993 <<<---Hello World--->>>
18994 (@value{GDBP})
18995
18996 @end smallexample
18997
18998 You can define a hook for any single-word command in @value{GDBN}, but
18999 not for command aliases; you should define a hook for the basic command
19000 name, e.g.@: @code{backtrace} rather than @code{bt}.
19001 @c FIXME! So how does Joe User discover whether a command is an alias
19002 @c or not?
19003 You can hook a multi-word command by adding @code{hook-} or
19004 @code{hookpost-} to the last word of the command, e.g.@:
19005 @samp{define target hook-remote} to add a hook to @samp{target remote}.
19006
19007 If an error occurs during the execution of your hook, execution of
19008 @value{GDBN} commands stops and @value{GDBN} issues a prompt
19009 (before the command that you actually typed had a chance to run).
19010
19011 If you try to define a hook which does not match any known command, you
19012 get a warning from the @code{define} command.
19013
19014 @node Command Files
19015 @subsection Command Files
19016
19017 @cindex command files
19018 @cindex scripting commands
19019 A command file for @value{GDBN} is a text file made of lines that are
19020 @value{GDBN} commands. Comments (lines starting with @kbd{#}) may
19021 also be included. An empty line in a command file does nothing; it
19022 does not mean to repeat the last command, as it would from the
19023 terminal.
19024
19025 You can request the execution of a command file with the @code{source}
19026 command:
19027
19028 @table @code
19029 @kindex source
19030 @cindex execute commands from a file
19031 @item source [@code{-v}] @var{filename}
19032 Execute the command file @var{filename}.
19033 @end table
19034
19035 The lines in a command file are generally executed sequentially,
19036 unless the order of execution is changed by one of the
19037 @emph{flow-control commands} described below. The commands are not
19038 printed as they are executed. An error in any command terminates
19039 execution of the command file and control is returned to the console.
19040
19041 @value{GDBN} searches for @var{filename} in the current directory and then
19042 on the search path (specified with the @samp{directory} command).
19043
19044 If @code{-v}, for verbose mode, is given then @value{GDBN} displays
19045 each command as it is executed. The option must be given before
19046 @var{filename}, and is interpreted as part of the filename anywhere else.
19047
19048 Commands that would ask for confirmation if used interactively proceed
19049 without asking when used in a command file. Many @value{GDBN} commands that
19050 normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the messages
19051 when called from command files.
19052
19053 @value{GDBN} also accepts command input from standard input. In this
19054 mode, normal output goes to standard output and error output goes to
19055 standard error. Errors in a command file supplied on standard input do
19056 not terminate execution of the command file---execution continues with
19057 the next command.
19058
19059 @smallexample
19060 gdb < cmds > log 2>&1
19061 @end smallexample
19062
19063 (The syntax above will vary depending on the shell used.) This example
19064 will execute commands from the file @file{cmds}. All output and errors
19065 would be directed to @file{log}.
19066
19067 Since commands stored on command files tend to be more general than
19068 commands typed interactively, they frequently need to deal with
19069 complicated situations, such as different or unexpected values of
19070 variables and symbols, changes in how the program being debugged is
19071 built, etc. @value{GDBN} provides a set of flow-control commands to
19072 deal with these complexities. Using these commands, you can write
19073 complex scripts that loop over data structures, execute commands
19074 conditionally, etc.
19075
19076 @table @code
19077 @kindex if
19078 @kindex else
19079 @item if
19080 @itemx else
19081 This command allows to include in your script conditionally executed
19082 commands. The @code{if} command takes a single argument, which is an
19083 expression to evaluate. It is followed by a series of commands that
19084 are executed only if the expression is true (its value is nonzero).
19085 There can then optionally be an @code{else} line, followed by a series
19086 of commands that are only executed if the expression was false. The
19087 end of the list is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
19088
19089 @kindex while
19090 @item while
19091 This command allows to write loops. Its syntax is similar to
19092 @code{if}: the command takes a single argument, which is an expression
19093 to evaluate, and must be followed by the commands to execute, one per
19094 line, terminated by an @code{end}. These commands are called the
19095 @dfn{body} of the loop. The commands in the body of @code{while} are
19096 executed repeatedly as long as the expression evaluates to true.
19097
19098 @kindex loop_break
19099 @item loop_break
19100 This command exits the @code{while} loop in whose body it is included.
19101 Execution of the script continues after that @code{while}s @code{end}
19102 line.
19103
19104 @kindex loop_continue
19105 @item loop_continue
19106 This command skips the execution of the rest of the body of commands
19107 in the @code{while} loop in whose body it is included. Execution
19108 branches to the beginning of the @code{while} loop, where it evaluates
19109 the controlling expression.
19110
19111 @kindex end@r{ (if/else/while commands)}
19112 @item end
19113 Terminate the block of commands that are the body of @code{if},
19114 @code{else}, or @code{while} flow-control commands.
19115 @end table
19116
19117
19118 @node Output
19119 @subsection Commands for Controlled Output
19120
19121 During the execution of a command file or a user-defined command, normal
19122 @value{GDBN} output is suppressed; the only output that appears is what is
19123 explicitly printed by the commands in the definition. This section
19124 describes three commands useful for generating exactly the output you
19125 want.
19126
19127 @table @code
19128 @kindex echo
19129 @item echo @var{text}
19130 @c I do not consider backslash-space a standard C escape sequence
19131 @c because it is not in ANSI.
19132 Print @var{text}. Nonprinting characters can be included in
19133 @var{text} using C escape sequences, such as @samp{\n} to print a
19134 newline. @strong{No newline is printed unless you specify one.}
19135 In addition to the standard C escape sequences, a backslash followed
19136 by a space stands for a space. This is useful for displaying a
19137 string with spaces at the beginning or the end, since leading and
19138 trailing spaces are otherwise trimmed from all arguments.
19139 To print @samp{@w{ }and foo =@w{ }}, use the command
19140 @samp{echo \@w{ }and foo = \@w{ }}.
19141
19142 A backslash at the end of @var{text} can be used, as in C, to continue
19143 the command onto subsequent lines. For example,
19144
19145 @smallexample
19146 echo This is some text\n\
19147 which is continued\n\
19148 onto several lines.\n
19149 @end smallexample
19150
19151 produces the same output as
19152
19153 @smallexample
19154 echo This is some text\n
19155 echo which is continued\n
19156 echo onto several lines.\n
19157 @end smallexample
19158
19159 @kindex output
19160 @item output @var{expression}
19161 Print the value of @var{expression} and nothing but that value: no
19162 newlines, no @samp{$@var{nn} = }. The value is not entered in the
19163 value history either. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information
19164 on expressions.
19165
19166 @item output/@var{fmt} @var{expression}
19167 Print the value of @var{expression} in format @var{fmt}. You can use
19168 the same formats as for @code{print}. @xref{Output Formats,,Output
19169 Formats}, for more information.
19170
19171 @kindex printf
19172 @item printf @var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{}
19173 Print the values of one or more @var{expressions} under the control of
19174 the string @var{template}. To print several values, make
19175 @var{expressions} be a comma-separated list of individual expressions,
19176 which may be either numbers or pointers. Their values are printed as
19177 specified by @var{template}, exactly as a C program would do by
19178 executing the code below:
19179
19180 @smallexample
19181 printf (@var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{});
19182 @end smallexample
19183
19184 As in @code{C} @code{printf}, ordinary characters in @var{template}
19185 are printed verbatim, while @dfn{conversion specification} introduced
19186 by the @samp{%} character cause subsequent @var{expressions} to be
19187 evaluated, their values converted and formatted according to type and
19188 style information encoded in the conversion specifications, and then
19189 printed.
19190
19191 For example, you can print two values in hex like this:
19192
19193 @smallexample
19194 printf "foo, bar-foo = 0x%x, 0x%x\n", foo, bar-foo
19195 @end smallexample
19196
19197 @code{printf} supports all the standard @code{C} conversion
19198 specifications, including the flags and modifiers between the @samp{%}
19199 character and the conversion letter, with the following exceptions:
19200
19201 @itemize @bullet
19202 @item
19203 The argument-ordering modifiers, such as @samp{2$}, are not supported.
19204
19205 @item
19206 The modifier @samp{*} is not supported for specifying precision or
19207 width.
19208
19209 @item
19210 The @samp{'} flag (for separation of digits into groups according to
19211 @code{LC_NUMERIC'}) is not supported.
19212
19213 @item
19214 The type modifiers @samp{hh}, @samp{j}, @samp{t}, and @samp{z} are not
19215 supported.
19216
19217 @item
19218 The conversion letter @samp{n} (as in @samp{%n}) is not supported.
19219
19220 @item
19221 The conversion letters @samp{a} and @samp{A} are not supported.
19222 @end itemize
19223
19224 @noindent
19225 Note that the @samp{ll} type modifier is supported only if the
19226 underlying @code{C} implementation used to build @value{GDBN} supports
19227 the @code{long long int} type, and the @samp{L} type modifier is
19228 supported only if @code{long double} type is available.
19229
19230 As in @code{C}, @code{printf} supports simple backslash-escape
19231 sequences, such as @code{\n}, @samp{\t}, @samp{\\}, @samp{\"},
19232 @samp{\a}, and @samp{\f}, that consist of backslash followed by a
19233 single character. Octal and hexadecimal escape sequences are not
19234 supported.
19235
19236 Additionally, @code{printf} supports conversion specifications for DFP
19237 (@dfn{Decimal Floating Point}) types using the following length modifiers
19238 together with a floating point specifier.
19239 letters:
19240
19241 @itemize @bullet
19242 @item
19243 @samp{H} for printing @code{Decimal32} types.
19244
19245 @item
19246 @samp{D} for printing @code{Decimal64} types.
19247
19248 @item
19249 @samp{DD} for printing @code{Decimal128} types.
19250 @end itemize
19251
19252 If the underlying @code{C} implementation used to build @value{GDBN} has
19253 support for the three length modifiers for DFP types, other modifiers
19254 such as width and precision will also be available for @value{GDBN} to use.
19255
19256 In case there is no such @code{C} support, no additional modifiers will be
19257 available and the value will be printed in the standard way.
19258
19259 Here's an example of printing DFP types using the above conversion letters:
19260 @smallexample
19261 printf "D32: %Hf - D64: %Df - D128: %DDf\n",1.2345df,1.2E10dd,1.2E1dl
19262 @end smallexample
19263
19264 @end table
19265
19266 @node Python
19267 @section Scripting @value{GDBN} using Python
19268 @cindex python scripting
19269 @cindex scripting with python
19270
19271 You can script @value{GDBN} using the @uref{http://www.python.org/,
19272 Python programming language}. This feature is available only if
19273 @value{GDBN} was configured using @option{--with-python}.
19274
19275 @menu
19276 * Python Commands:: Accessing Python from @value{GDBN}.
19277 * Python API:: Accessing @value{GDBN} from Python.
19278 @end menu
19279
19280 @node Python Commands
19281 @subsection Python Commands
19282 @cindex python commands
19283 @cindex commands to access python
19284
19285 @value{GDBN} provides one command for accessing the Python interpreter,
19286 and one related setting:
19287
19288 @table @code
19289 @kindex python
19290 @item python @r{[}@var{code}@r{]}
19291 The @code{python} command can be used to evaluate Python code.
19292
19293 If given an argument, the @code{python} command will evaluate the
19294 argument as a Python command. For example:
19295
19296 @smallexample
19297 (@value{GDBP}) python print 23
19298 23
19299 @end smallexample
19300
19301 If you do not provide an argument to @code{python}, it will act as a
19302 multi-line command, like @code{define}. In this case, the Python
19303 script is made up of subsequent command lines, given after the
19304 @code{python} command. This command list is terminated using a line
19305 containing @code{end}. For example:
19306
19307 @smallexample
19308 (@value{GDBP}) python
19309 Type python script
19310 End with a line saying just "end".
19311 >print 23
19312 >end
19313 23
19314 @end smallexample
19315
19316 @kindex maint set python print-stack
19317 @item maint set python print-stack
19318 By default, @value{GDBN} will print a stack trace when an error occurs
19319 in a Python script. This can be controlled using @code{maint set
19320 python print-stack}: if @code{on}, the default, then Python stack
19321 printing is enabled; if @code{off}, then Python stack printing is
19322 disabled.
19323 @end table
19324
19325 @node Python API
19326 @subsection Python API
19327 @cindex python api
19328 @cindex programming in python
19329
19330 @cindex python stdout
19331 @cindex python pagination
19332 At startup, @value{GDBN} overrides Python's @code{sys.stdout} and
19333 @code{sys.stderr} to print using @value{GDBN}'s output-paging streams.
19334 A Python program which outputs to one of these streams may have its
19335 output interrupted by the user (@pxref{Screen Size}). In this
19336 situation, a Python @code{KeyboardInterrupt} exception is thrown.
19337
19338 @menu
19339 * Basic Python:: Basic Python Functions.
19340 * Exception Handling::
19341 * Auto-loading:: Automatically loading Python code.
19342 * Values From Inferior::
19343 * Types In Python:: Python representation of types.
19344 * Pretty Printing:: Pretty-printing values.
19345 * Selecting Pretty-Printers:: How GDB chooses a pretty-printer.
19346 * Commands In Python:: Implementing new commands in Python.
19347 * Functions In Python:: Writing new convenience functions.
19348 * Objfiles In Python:: Object files.
19349 * Frames In Python:: Acessing inferior stack frames from Python.
19350 @end menu
19351
19352 @node Basic Python
19353 @subsubsection Basic Python
19354
19355 @cindex python functions
19356 @cindex python module
19357 @cindex gdb module
19358 @value{GDBN} introduces a new Python module, named @code{gdb}. All
19359 methods and classes added by @value{GDBN} are placed in this module.
19360 @value{GDBN} automatically @code{import}s the @code{gdb} module for
19361 use in all scripts evaluated by the @code{python} command.
19362
19363 @findex gdb.execute
19364 @defun execute command [from_tty]
19365 Evaluate @var{command}, a string, as a @value{GDBN} CLI command.
19366 If a GDB exception happens while @var{command} runs, it is
19367 translated as described in @ref{Exception Handling,,Exception Handling}.
19368 If no exceptions occur, this function returns @code{None}.
19369
19370 @var{from_tty} specifies whether @value{GDBN} ought to consider this
19371 command as having originated from the user invoking it interactively.
19372 It must be a boolean value. If omitted, it defaults to @code{False}.
19373 @end defun
19374
19375 @findex gdb.parameter
19376 @defun parameter parameter
19377 Return the value of a @value{GDBN} parameter. @var{parameter} is a
19378 string naming the parameter to look up; @var{parameter} may contain
19379 spaces if the parameter has a multi-part name. For example,
19380 @samp{print object} is a valid parameter name.
19381
19382 If the named parameter does not exist, this function throws a
19383 @code{RuntimeError}. Otherwise, the parameter's value is converted to
19384 a Python value of the appropriate type, and returned.
19385 @end defun
19386
19387 @findex gdb.history
19388 @defun history number
19389 Return a value from @value{GDBN}'s value history (@pxref{Value
19390 History}). @var{number} indicates which history element to return.
19391 If @var{number} is negative, then @value{GDBN} will take its absolute value
19392 and count backward from the last element (i.e., the most recent element) to
19393 find the value to return. If @var{number} is zero, then @value{GDBN} will
19394 return the most recent element. If the element specified by @var{number}
19395 doesn't exist in the value history, a @code{RuntimeError} exception will be
19396 raised.
19397
19398 If no exception is raised, the return value is always an instance of
19399 @code{gdb.Value} (@pxref{Values From Inferior}).
19400 @end defun
19401
19402 @findex gdb.parse_and_eval
19403 @defun parse_and_eval expression
19404 Parse @var{expression} as an expression in the current language,
19405 evaluate it, and return the result as a @code{gdb.Value}.
19406 @var{expression} must be a string.
19407
19408 This function can be useful when implementing a new command
19409 (@pxref{Commands In Python}), as it provides a way to parse the
19410 command's argument as an expression. It is also useful simply to
19411 compute values, for example, it is the only way to get the value of a
19412 convenience variable (@pxref{Convenience Vars}) as a @code{gdb.Value}.
19413 @end defun
19414
19415 @findex gdb.write
19416 @defun write string
19417 Print a string to @value{GDBN}'s paginated standard output stream.
19418 Writing to @code{sys.stdout} or @code{sys.stderr} will automatically
19419 call this function.
19420 @end defun
19421
19422 @findex gdb.flush
19423 @defun flush
19424 Flush @value{GDBN}'s paginated standard output stream. Flushing
19425 @code{sys.stdout} or @code{sys.stderr} will automatically call this
19426 function.
19427 @end defun
19428
19429 @node Exception Handling
19430 @subsubsection Exception Handling
19431 @cindex python exceptions
19432 @cindex exceptions, python
19433
19434 When executing the @code{python} command, Python exceptions
19435 uncaught within the Python code are translated to calls to
19436 @value{GDBN} error-reporting mechanism. If the command that called
19437 @code{python} does not handle the error, @value{GDBN} will
19438 terminate it and print an error message containing the Python
19439 exception name, the associated value, and the Python call stack
19440 backtrace at the point where the exception was raised. Example:
19441
19442 @smallexample
19443 (@value{GDBP}) python print foo
19444 Traceback (most recent call last):
19445 File "<string>", line 1, in <module>
19446 NameError: name 'foo' is not defined
19447 @end smallexample
19448
19449 @value{GDBN} errors that happen in @value{GDBN} commands invoked by Python
19450 code are converted to Python @code{RuntimeError} exceptions. User
19451 interrupt (via @kbd{C-c} or by typing @kbd{q} at a pagination
19452 prompt) is translated to a Python @code{KeyboardInterrupt}
19453 exception. If you catch these exceptions in your Python code, your
19454 exception handler will see @code{RuntimeError} or
19455 @code{KeyboardInterrupt} as the exception type, the @value{GDBN} error
19456 message as its value, and the Python call stack backtrace at the
19457 Python statement closest to where the @value{GDBN} error occured as the
19458 traceback.
19459
19460 @node Auto-loading
19461 @subsubsection Auto-loading
19462 @cindex auto-loading, Python
19463
19464 When a new object file is read (for example, due to the @code{file}
19465 command, or because the inferior has loaded a shared library),
19466 @value{GDBN} will look for a file named @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py},
19467 where @var{objfile} is the object file's real name, formed by ensuring
19468 that the file name is absolute, following all symlinks, and resolving
19469 @code{.} and @code{..} components. If this file exists and is
19470 readable, @value{GDBN} will evaluate it as a Python script.
19471
19472 If this file does not exist, and if the parameter
19473 @code{debug-file-directory} is set (@pxref{Separate Debug Files}),
19474 then @value{GDBN} will use for its each separated directory component
19475 @code{component} the file named @file{@code{component}/@var{real-name}}, where
19476 @var{real-name} is the object file's real name, as described above.
19477
19478 Finally, if this file does not exist, then @value{GDBN} will look for
19479 a file named @file{@var{data-directory}/python/auto-load/@var{real-name}}, where
19480 @var{data-directory} is @value{GDBN}'s data directory (available via
19481 @code{show data-directory}, @pxref{Data Files}), and @var{real-name}
19482 is the object file's real name, as described above.
19483
19484 When reading an auto-loaded file, @value{GDBN} sets the ``current
19485 objfile''. This is available via the @code{gdb.current_objfile}
19486 function (@pxref{Objfiles In Python}). This can be useful for
19487 registering objfile-specific pretty-printers.
19488
19489 The auto-loading feature is useful for supplying application-specific
19490 debugging commands and scripts. You can enable or disable this
19491 feature, and view its current state.
19492
19493 @table @code
19494 @kindex maint set python auto-load
19495 @item maint set python auto-load [yes|no]
19496 Enable or disable the Python auto-loading feature.
19497
19498 @kindex show python auto-load
19499 @item show python auto-load
19500 Show whether Python auto-loading is enabled or disabled.
19501 @end table
19502
19503 @value{GDBN} does not track which files it has already auto-loaded.
19504 So, your @samp{-gdb.py} file should take care to ensure that it may be
19505 evaluated multiple times without error.
19506
19507 @node Values From Inferior
19508 @subsubsection Values From Inferior
19509 @cindex values from inferior, with Python
19510 @cindex python, working with values from inferior
19511
19512 @cindex @code{gdb.Value}
19513 @value{GDBN} provides values it obtains from the inferior program in
19514 an object of type @code{gdb.Value}. @value{GDBN} uses this object
19515 for its internal bookkeeping of the inferior's values, and for
19516 fetching values when necessary.
19517
19518 Inferior values that are simple scalars can be used directly in
19519 Python expressions that are valid for the value's data type. Here's
19520 an example for an integer or floating-point value @code{some_val}:
19521
19522 @smallexample
19523 bar = some_val + 2
19524 @end smallexample
19525
19526 @noindent
19527 As result of this, @code{bar} will also be a @code{gdb.Value} object
19528 whose values are of the same type as those of @code{some_val}.
19529
19530 Inferior values that are structures or instances of some class can
19531 be accessed using the Python @dfn{dictionary syntax}. For example, if
19532 @code{some_val} is a @code{gdb.Value} instance holding a structure, you
19533 can access its @code{foo} element with:
19534
19535 @smallexample
19536 bar = some_val['foo']
19537 @end smallexample
19538
19539 Again, @code{bar} will also be a @code{gdb.Value} object.
19540
19541 The following attributes are provided:
19542
19543 @table @code
19544 @defivar Value address
19545 If this object is addressable, this read-only attribute holds a
19546 @code{gdb.Value} object representing the address. Otherwise,
19547 this attribute holds @code{None}.
19548 @end defivar
19549
19550 @cindex optimized out value in Python
19551 @defivar Value is_optimized_out
19552 This read-only boolean attribute is true if the compiler optimized out
19553 this value, thus it is not available for fetching from the inferior.
19554 @end defivar
19555
19556 @defivar Value type
19557 The type of this @code{gdb.Value}. The value of this attribute is a
19558 @code{gdb.Type} object.
19559 @end defivar
19560 @end table
19561
19562 The following methods are provided:
19563
19564 @table @code
19565 @defmethod Value cast type
19566 Return a new instance of @code{gdb.Value} that is the result of
19567 casting this instance to the type described by @var{type}, which must
19568 be a @code{gdb.Type} object. If the cast cannot be performed for some
19569 reason, this method throws an exception.
19570 @end defmethod
19571
19572 @defmethod Value dereference
19573 For pointer data types, this method returns a new @code{gdb.Value} object
19574 whose contents is the object pointed to by the pointer. For example, if
19575 @code{foo} is a C pointer to an @code{int}, declared in your C program as
19576
19577 @smallexample
19578 int *foo;
19579 @end smallexample
19580
19581 @noindent
19582 then you can use the corresponding @code{gdb.Value} to access what
19583 @code{foo} points to like this:
19584
19585 @smallexample
19586 bar = foo.dereference ()
19587 @end smallexample
19588
19589 The result @code{bar} will be a @code{gdb.Value} object holding the
19590 value pointed to by @code{foo}.
19591 @end defmethod
19592
19593 @defmethod Value string @r{[}encoding@r{]} @r{[}errors@r{]} @r{[}length@r{]}
19594 If this @code{gdb.Value} represents a string, then this method
19595 converts the contents to a Python string. Otherwise, this method will
19596 throw an exception.
19597
19598 Strings are recognized in a language-specific way; whether a given
19599 @code{gdb.Value} represents a string is determined by the current
19600 language.
19601
19602 For C-like languages, a value is a string if it is a pointer to or an
19603 array of characters or ints. The string is assumed to be terminated
19604 by a zero of the appropriate width. However if the optional length
19605 argument is given, the string will be converted to that given length,
19606 ignoring any embedded zeros that the string may contain.
19607
19608 If the optional @var{encoding} argument is given, it must be a string
19609 naming the encoding of the string in the @code{gdb.Value}, such as
19610 @code{"ascii"}, @code{"iso-8859-6"} or @code{"utf-8"}. It accepts
19611 the same encodings as the corresponding argument to Python's
19612 @code{string.decode} method, and the Python codec machinery will be used
19613 to convert the string. If @var{encoding} is not given, or if
19614 @var{encoding} is the empty string, then either the @code{target-charset}
19615 (@pxref{Character Sets}) will be used, or a language-specific encoding
19616 will be used, if the current language is able to supply one.
19617
19618 The optional @var{errors} argument is the same as the corresponding
19619 argument to Python's @code{string.decode} method.
19620
19621 If the optional @var{length} argument is given, the string will be
19622 fetched and converted to the given length.
19623 @end defmethod
19624 @end table
19625
19626 @node Types In Python
19627 @subsubsection Types In Python
19628 @cindex types in Python
19629 @cindex Python, working with types
19630
19631 @tindex gdb.Type
19632 @value{GDBN} represents types from the inferior using the class
19633 @code{gdb.Type}.
19634
19635 The following type-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
19636 module:
19637
19638 @findex gdb.lookup_type
19639 @defun lookup_type name [block]
19640 This function looks up a type by name. @var{name} is the name of the
19641 type to look up. It must be a string.
19642
19643 Ordinarily, this function will return an instance of @code{gdb.Type}.
19644 If the named type cannot be found, it will throw an exception.
19645 @end defun
19646
19647 An instance of @code{Type} has the following attributes:
19648
19649 @table @code
19650 @defivar Type code
19651 The type code for this type. The type code will be one of the
19652 @code{TYPE_CODE_} constants defined below.
19653 @end defivar
19654
19655 @defivar Type sizeof
19656 The size of this type, in target @code{char} units. Usually, a
19657 target's @code{char} type will be an 8-bit byte. However, on some
19658 unusual platforms, this type may have a different size.
19659 @end defivar
19660
19661 @defivar Type tag
19662 The tag name for this type. The tag name is the name after
19663 @code{struct}, @code{union}, or @code{enum} in C and C@t{++}; not all
19664 languages have this concept. If this type has no tag name, then
19665 @code{None} is returned.
19666 @end defivar
19667 @end table
19668
19669 The following methods are provided:
19670
19671 @table @code
19672 @defmethod Type fields
19673 For structure and union types, this method returns the fields. Range
19674 types have two fields, the minimum and maximum values. Enum types
19675 have one field per enum constant. Function and method types have one
19676 field per parameter. The base types of C@t{++} classes are also
19677 represented as fields. If the type has no fields, or does not fit
19678 into one of these categories, an empty sequence will be returned.
19679
19680 Each field is an object, with some pre-defined attributes:
19681 @table @code
19682 @item bitpos
19683 This attribute is not available for @code{static} fields (as in
19684 C@t{++} or Java). For non-@code{static} fields, the value is the bit
19685 position of the field.
19686
19687 @item name
19688 The name of the field, or @code{None} for anonymous fields.
19689
19690 @item artificial
19691 This is @code{True} if the field is artificial, usually meaning that
19692 it was provided by the compiler and not the user. This attribute is
19693 always provided, and is @code{False} if the field is not artificial.
19694
19695 @item is_base_class
19696 This is @code{True} if the field represents a base class of a C@t{++}
19697 structure. This attribute is always provided, and is @code{False}
19698 if the field is not a base class of the type that is the argument of
19699 @code{fields}, or if that type was not a C@t{++} class.
19700
19701 @item bitsize
19702 If the field is packed, or is a bitfield, then this will have a
19703 non-zero value, which is the size of the field in bits. Otherwise,
19704 this will be zero; in this case the field's size is given by its type.
19705
19706 @item type
19707 The type of the field. This is usually an instance of @code{Type},
19708 but it can be @code{None} in some situations.
19709 @end table
19710 @end defmethod
19711
19712 @defmethod Type const
19713 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a
19714 @code{const}-qualified variant of this type.
19715 @end defmethod
19716
19717 @defmethod Type volatile
19718 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a
19719 @code{volatile}-qualified variant of this type.
19720 @end defmethod
19721
19722 @defmethod Type unqualified
19723 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents an unqualified
19724 variant of this type. That is, the result is neither @code{const} nor
19725 @code{volatile}.
19726 @end defmethod
19727
19728 @defmethod Type range
19729 Return a Python @code{Tuple} object that contains two elements: the
19730 low bound of the argument type and the high bound of that type. If
19731 the type does not have a range, @value{GDBN} will raise a
19732 @code{RuntimeError} exception.
19733 @end defmethod
19734
19735 @defmethod Type reference
19736 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a reference to this
19737 type.
19738 @end defmethod
19739
19740 @defmethod Type pointer
19741 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a pointer to this
19742 type.
19743 @end defmethod
19744
19745 @defmethod Type strip_typedefs
19746 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} that represents the real type,
19747 after removing all layers of typedefs.
19748 @end defmethod
19749
19750 @defmethod Type target
19751 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents the target type
19752 of this type.
19753
19754 For a pointer type, the target type is the type of the pointed-to
19755 object. For an array type (meaning C-like arrays), the target type is
19756 the type of the elements of the array. For a function or method type,
19757 the target type is the type of the return value. For a complex type,
19758 the target type is the type of the elements. For a typedef, the
19759 target type is the aliased type.
19760
19761 If the type does not have a target, this method will throw an
19762 exception.
19763 @end defmethod
19764
19765 @defmethod Type template_argument n
19766 If this @code{gdb.Type} is an instantiation of a template, this will
19767 return a new @code{gdb.Type} which represents the type of the
19768 @var{n}th template argument.
19769
19770 If this @code{gdb.Type} is not a template type, this will throw an
19771 exception. Ordinarily, only C@t{++} code will have template types.
19772
19773 @var{name} is searched for globally.
19774 @end defmethod
19775 @end table
19776
19777
19778 Each type has a code, which indicates what category this type falls
19779 into. The available type categories are represented by constants
19780 defined in the @code{gdb} module:
19781
19782 @table @code
19783 @findex TYPE_CODE_PTR
19784 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_PTR
19785 @item TYPE_CODE_PTR
19786 The type is a pointer.
19787
19788 @findex TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
19789 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
19790 @item TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
19791 The type is an array.
19792
19793 @findex TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
19794 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
19795 @item TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
19796 The type is a structure.
19797
19798 @findex TYPE_CODE_UNION
19799 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_UNION
19800 @item TYPE_CODE_UNION
19801 The type is a union.
19802
19803 @findex TYPE_CODE_ENUM
19804 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ENUM
19805 @item TYPE_CODE_ENUM
19806 The type is an enum.
19807
19808 @findex TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
19809 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
19810 @item TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
19811 A bit flags type, used for things such as status registers.
19812
19813 @findex TYPE_CODE_FUNC
19814 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FUNC
19815 @item TYPE_CODE_FUNC
19816 The type is a function.
19817
19818 @findex TYPE_CODE_INT
19819 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_INT
19820 @item TYPE_CODE_INT
19821 The type is an integer type.
19822
19823 @findex TYPE_CODE_FLT
19824 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLT
19825 @item TYPE_CODE_FLT
19826 A floating point type.
19827
19828 @findex TYPE_CODE_VOID
19829 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_VOID
19830 @item TYPE_CODE_VOID
19831 The special type @code{void}.
19832
19833 @findex TYPE_CODE_SET
19834 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_SET
19835 @item TYPE_CODE_SET
19836 A Pascal set type.
19837
19838 @findex TYPE_CODE_RANGE
19839 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_RANGE
19840 @item TYPE_CODE_RANGE
19841 A range type, that is, an integer type with bounds.
19842
19843 @findex TYPE_CODE_STRING
19844 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRING
19845 @item TYPE_CODE_STRING
19846 A string type. Note that this is only used for certain languages with
19847 language-defined string types; C strings are not represented this way.
19848
19849 @findex TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
19850 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
19851 @item TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
19852 A string of bits.
19853
19854 @findex TYPE_CODE_ERROR
19855 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ERROR
19856 @item TYPE_CODE_ERROR
19857 An unknown or erroneous type.
19858
19859 @findex TYPE_CODE_METHOD
19860 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHOD
19861 @item TYPE_CODE_METHOD
19862 A method type, as found in C@t{++} or Java.
19863
19864 @findex TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
19865 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
19866 @item TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
19867 A pointer-to-member-function.
19868
19869 @findex TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
19870 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
19871 @item TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
19872 A pointer-to-member.
19873
19874 @findex TYPE_CODE_REF
19875 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_REF
19876 @item TYPE_CODE_REF
19877 A reference type.
19878
19879 @findex TYPE_CODE_CHAR
19880 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_CHAR
19881 @item TYPE_CODE_CHAR
19882 A character type.
19883
19884 @findex TYPE_CODE_BOOL
19885 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_BOOL
19886 @item TYPE_CODE_BOOL
19887 A boolean type.
19888
19889 @findex TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
19890 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
19891 @item TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
19892 A complex float type.
19893
19894 @findex TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
19895 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
19896 @item TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
19897 A typedef to some other type.
19898
19899 @findex TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
19900 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
19901 @item TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
19902 A C@t{++} namespace.
19903
19904 @findex TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
19905 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
19906 @item TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
19907 A decimal floating point type.
19908
19909 @findex TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
19910 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
19911 @item TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
19912 A function internal to @value{GDBN}. This is the type used to represent
19913 convenience functions.
19914 @end table
19915
19916 @node Pretty Printing
19917 @subsubsection Pretty Printing
19918
19919 @value{GDBN} provides a mechanism to allow pretty-printing of values
19920 using Python code. The pretty-printer API allows application-specific
19921 code to greatly simplify the display of complex objects. This
19922 mechanism works for both MI and the CLI.
19923
19924 For example, here is how a C@t{++} @code{std::string} looks without a
19925 pretty-printer:
19926
19927 @smallexample
19928 (@value{GDBP}) print s
19929 $1 = @{
19930 static npos = 4294967295,
19931 _M_dataplus = @{
19932 <std::allocator<char>> = @{
19933 <__gnu_cxx::new_allocator<char>> = @{<No data fields>@}, <No data fields>@},
19934 members of std::basic_string<char, std::char_traits<char>, std::allocator<char> >::_Alloc_hider:
19935 _M_p = 0x804a014 "abcd"
19936 @}
19937 @}
19938 @end smallexample
19939
19940 After a pretty-printer for @code{std::string} has been installed, only
19941 the contents are printed:
19942
19943 @smallexample
19944 (@value{GDBP}) print s
19945 $2 = "abcd"
19946 @end smallexample
19947
19948 A pretty-printer is just an object that holds a value and implements a
19949 specific interface, defined here.
19950
19951 @defop Operation {pretty printer} children (self)
19952 @value{GDBN} will call this method on a pretty-printer to compute the
19953 children of the pretty-printer's value.
19954
19955 This method must return an object conforming to the Python iterator
19956 protocol. Each item returned by the iterator must be a tuple holding
19957 two elements. The first element is the ``name'' of the child; the
19958 second element is the child's value. The value can be any Python
19959 object which is convertible to a @value{GDBN} value.
19960
19961 This method is optional. If it does not exist, @value{GDBN} will act
19962 as though the value has no children.
19963 @end defop
19964
19965 @defop Operation {pretty printer} display_hint (self)
19966 The CLI may call this method and use its result to change the
19967 formatting of a value. The result will also be supplied to an MI
19968 consumer as a @samp{displayhint} attribute of the variable being
19969 printed.
19970
19971 This method is optional. If it does exist, this method must return a
19972 string.
19973
19974 Some display hints are predefined by @value{GDBN}:
19975
19976 @table @samp
19977 @item array
19978 Indicate that the object being printed is ``array-like''. The CLI
19979 uses this to respect parameters such as @code{set print elements} and
19980 @code{set print array}.
19981
19982 @item map
19983 Indicate that the object being printed is ``map-like'', and that the
19984 children of this value can be assumed to alternate between keys and
19985 values.
19986
19987 @item string
19988 Indicate that the object being printed is ``string-like''. If the
19989 printer's @code{to_string} method returns a Python string of some
19990 kind, then @value{GDBN} will call its internal language-specific
19991 string-printing function to format the string. For the CLI this means
19992 adding quotation marks, possibly escaping some characters, respecting
19993 @code{set print elements}, and the like.
19994 @end table
19995 @end defop
19996
19997 @defop Operation {pretty printer} to_string (self)
19998 @value{GDBN} will call this method to display the string
19999 representation of the value passed to the object's constructor.
20000
20001 When printing from the CLI, if the @code{to_string} method exists,
20002 then @value{GDBN} will prepend its result to the values returned by
20003 @code{children}. Exactly how this formatting is done is dependent on
20004 the display hint, and may change as more hints are added. Also,
20005 depending on the print settings (@pxref{Print Settings}), the CLI may
20006 print just the result of @code{to_string} in a stack trace, omitting
20007 the result of @code{children}.
20008
20009 If this method returns a string, it is printed verbatim.
20010
20011 Otherwise, if this method returns an instance of @code{gdb.Value},
20012 then @value{GDBN} prints this value. This may result in a call to
20013 another pretty-printer.
20014
20015 If instead the method returns a Python value which is convertible to a
20016 @code{gdb.Value}, then @value{GDBN} performs the conversion and prints
20017 the resulting value. Again, this may result in a call to another
20018 pretty-printer. Python scalars (integers, floats, and booleans) and
20019 strings are convertible to @code{gdb.Value}; other types are not.
20020
20021 If the result is not one of these types, an exception is raised.
20022 @end defop
20023
20024 @node Selecting Pretty-Printers
20025 @subsubsection Selecting Pretty-Printers
20026
20027 The Python list @code{gdb.pretty_printers} contains an array of
20028 functions that have been registered via addition as a pretty-printer.
20029 Each @code{gdb.Objfile} also contains a @code{pretty_printers}
20030 attribute.
20031
20032 A function on one of these lists is passed a single @code{gdb.Value}
20033 argument and should return a pretty-printer object conforming to the
20034 interface definition above (@pxref{Pretty Printing}). If a function
20035 cannot create a pretty-printer for the value, it should return
20036 @code{None}.
20037
20038 @value{GDBN} first checks the @code{pretty_printers} attribute of each
20039 @code{gdb.Objfile} and iteratively calls each function in the list for
20040 that @code{gdb.Objfile} until it receives a pretty-printer object.
20041 After these lists have been exhausted, it tries the global
20042 @code{gdb.pretty-printers} list, again calling each function until an
20043 object is returned.
20044
20045 The order in which the objfiles are searched is not specified. For a
20046 given list, functions are always invoked from the head of the list,
20047 and iterated over sequentially until the end of the list, or a printer
20048 object is returned.
20049
20050 Here is an example showing how a @code{std::string} printer might be
20051 written:
20052
20053 @smallexample
20054 class StdStringPrinter:
20055 "Print a std::string"
20056
20057 def __init__ (self, val):
20058 self.val = val
20059
20060 def to_string (self):
20061 return self.val['_M_dataplus']['_M_p']
20062
20063 def display_hint (self):
20064 return 'string'
20065 @end smallexample
20066
20067 And here is an example showing how a lookup function for the printer
20068 example above might be written.
20069
20070 @smallexample
20071 def str_lookup_function (val):
20072
20073 lookup_tag = val.type.tag
20074 regex = re.compile ("^std::basic_string<char,.*>$")
20075 if lookup_tag == None:
20076 return None
20077 if regex.match (lookup_tag):
20078 return StdStringPrinter (val)
20079
20080 return None
20081 @end smallexample
20082
20083 The example lookup function extracts the value's type, and attempts to
20084 match it to a type that it can pretty-print. If it is a type the
20085 printer can pretty-print, it will return a printer object. If not, it
20086 returns @code{None}.
20087
20088 We recommend that you put your core pretty-printers into a Python
20089 package. If your pretty-printers are for use with a library, we
20090 further recommend embedding a version number into the package name.
20091 This practice will enable @value{GDBN} to load multiple versions of
20092 your pretty-printers at the same time, because they will have
20093 different names.
20094
20095 You should write auto-loaded code (@pxref{Auto-loading}) such that it
20096 can be evaluated multiple times without changing its meaning. An
20097 ideal auto-load file will consist solely of @code{import}s of your
20098 printer modules, followed by a call to a register pretty-printers with
20099 the current objfile.
20100
20101 Taken as a whole, this approach will scale nicely to multiple
20102 inferiors, each potentially using a different library version.
20103 Embedding a version number in the Python package name will ensure that
20104 @value{GDBN} is able to load both sets of printers simultaneously.
20105 Then, because the search for pretty-printers is done by objfile, and
20106 because your auto-loaded code took care to register your library's
20107 printers with a specific objfile, @value{GDBN} will find the correct
20108 printers for the specific version of the library used by each
20109 inferior.
20110
20111 To continue the @code{std::string} example (@pxref{Pretty Printing}),
20112 this code might appear in @code{gdb.libstdcxx.v6}:
20113
20114 @smallexample
20115 def register_printers (objfile):
20116 objfile.pretty_printers.add (str_lookup_function)
20117 @end smallexample
20118
20119 @noindent
20120 And then the corresponding contents of the auto-load file would be:
20121
20122 @smallexample
20123 import gdb.libstdcxx.v6
20124 gdb.libstdcxx.v6.register_printers (gdb.current_objfile ())
20125 @end smallexample
20126
20127 @node Commands In Python
20128 @subsubsection Commands In Python
20129
20130 @cindex commands in python
20131 @cindex python commands
20132 You can implement new @value{GDBN} CLI commands in Python. A CLI
20133 command is implemented using an instance of the @code{gdb.Command}
20134 class, most commonly using a subclass.
20135
20136 @defmethod Command __init__ name @var{command_class} @r{[}@var{completer_class}@r{]} @r{[}@var{prefix}@r{]}
20137 The object initializer for @code{Command} registers the new command
20138 with @value{GDBN}. This initializer is normally invoked from the
20139 subclass' own @code{__init__} method.
20140
20141 @var{name} is the name of the command. If @var{name} consists of
20142 multiple words, then the initial words are looked for as prefix
20143 commands. In this case, if one of the prefix commands does not exist,
20144 an exception is raised.
20145
20146 There is no support for multi-line commands.
20147
20148 @var{command_class} should be one of the @samp{COMMAND_} constants
20149 defined below. This argument tells @value{GDBN} how to categorize the
20150 new command in the help system.
20151
20152 @var{completer_class} is an optional argument. If given, it should be
20153 one of the @samp{COMPLETE_} constants defined below. This argument
20154 tells @value{GDBN} how to perform completion for this command. If not
20155 given, @value{GDBN} will attempt to complete using the object's
20156 @code{complete} method (see below); if no such method is found, an
20157 error will occur when completion is attempted.
20158
20159 @var{prefix} is an optional argument. If @code{True}, then the new
20160 command is a prefix command; sub-commands of this command may be
20161 registered.
20162
20163 The help text for the new command is taken from the Python
20164 documentation string for the command's class, if there is one. If no
20165 documentation string is provided, the default value ``This command is
20166 not documented.'' is used.
20167 @end defmethod
20168
20169 @cindex don't repeat Python command
20170 @defmethod Command dont_repeat
20171 By default, a @value{GDBN} command is repeated when the user enters a
20172 blank line at the command prompt. A command can suppress this
20173 behavior by invoking the @code{dont_repeat} method. This is similar
20174 to the user command @code{dont-repeat}, see @ref{Define, dont-repeat}.
20175 @end defmethod
20176
20177 @defmethod Command invoke argument from_tty
20178 This method is called by @value{GDBN} when this command is invoked.
20179
20180 @var{argument} is a string. It is the argument to the command, after
20181 leading and trailing whitespace has been stripped.
20182
20183 @var{from_tty} is a boolean argument. When true, this means that the
20184 command was entered by the user at the terminal; when false it means
20185 that the command came from elsewhere.
20186
20187 If this method throws an exception, it is turned into a @value{GDBN}
20188 @code{error} call. Otherwise, the return value is ignored.
20189 @end defmethod
20190
20191 @cindex completion of Python commands
20192 @defmethod Command complete text word
20193 This method is called by @value{GDBN} when the user attempts
20194 completion on this command. All forms of completion are handled by
20195 this method, that is, the @key{TAB} and @key{M-?} key bindings
20196 (@pxref{Completion}), and the @code{complete} command (@pxref{Help,
20197 complete}).
20198
20199 The arguments @var{text} and @var{word} are both strings. @var{text}
20200 holds the complete command line up to the cursor's location.
20201 @var{word} holds the last word of the command line; this is computed
20202 using a word-breaking heuristic.
20203
20204 The @code{complete} method can return several values:
20205 @itemize @bullet
20206 @item
20207 If the return value is a sequence, the contents of the sequence are
20208 used as the completions. It is up to @code{complete} to ensure that the
20209 contents actually do complete the word. A zero-length sequence is
20210 allowed, it means that there were no completions available. Only
20211 string elements of the sequence are used; other elements in the
20212 sequence are ignored.
20213
20214 @item
20215 If the return value is one of the @samp{COMPLETE_} constants defined
20216 below, then the corresponding @value{GDBN}-internal completion
20217 function is invoked, and its result is used.
20218
20219 @item
20220 All other results are treated as though there were no available
20221 completions.
20222 @end itemize
20223 @end defmethod
20224
20225 When a new command is registered, it must be declared as a member of
20226 some general class of commands. This is used to classify top-level
20227 commands in the on-line help system; note that prefix commands are not
20228 listed under their own category but rather that of their top-level
20229 command. The available classifications are represented by constants
20230 defined in the @code{gdb} module:
20231
20232 @table @code
20233 @findex COMMAND_NONE
20234 @findex gdb.COMMAND_NONE
20235 @item COMMAND_NONE
20236 The command does not belong to any particular class. A command in
20237 this category will not be displayed in any of the help categories.
20238
20239 @findex COMMAND_RUNNING
20240 @findex gdb.COMMAND_RUNNING
20241 @item COMMAND_RUNNING
20242 The command is related to running the inferior. For example,
20243 @code{start}, @code{step}, and @code{continue} are in this category.
20244 Type @kbd{help running} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
20245 commands in this category.
20246
20247 @findex COMMAND_DATA
20248 @findex gdb.COMMAND_DATA
20249 @item COMMAND_DATA
20250 The command is related to data or variables. For example,
20251 @code{call}, @code{find}, and @code{print} are in this category. Type
20252 @kbd{help data} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands
20253 in this category.
20254
20255 @findex COMMAND_STACK
20256 @findex gdb.COMMAND_STACK
20257 @item COMMAND_STACK
20258 The command has to do with manipulation of the stack. For example,
20259 @code{backtrace}, @code{frame}, and @code{return} are in this
20260 category. Type @kbd{help stack} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a
20261 list of commands in this category.
20262
20263 @findex COMMAND_FILES
20264 @findex gdb.COMMAND_FILES
20265 @item COMMAND_FILES
20266 This class is used for file-related commands. For example,
20267 @code{file}, @code{list} and @code{section} are in this category.
20268 Type @kbd{help files} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
20269 commands in this category.
20270
20271 @findex COMMAND_SUPPORT
20272 @findex gdb.COMMAND_SUPPORT
20273 @item COMMAND_SUPPORT
20274 This should be used for ``support facilities'', generally meaning
20275 things that are useful to the user when interacting with @value{GDBN},
20276 but not related to the state of the inferior. For example,
20277 @code{help}, @code{make}, and @code{shell} are in this category. Type
20278 @kbd{help support} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
20279 commands in this category.
20280
20281 @findex COMMAND_STATUS
20282 @findex gdb.COMMAND_STATUS
20283 @item COMMAND_STATUS
20284 The command is an @samp{info}-related command, that is, related to the
20285 state of @value{GDBN} itself. For example, @code{info}, @code{macro},
20286 and @code{show} are in this category. Type @kbd{help status} at the
20287 @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in this category.
20288
20289 @findex COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
20290 @findex gdb.COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
20291 @item COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
20292 The command has to do with breakpoints. For example, @code{break},
20293 @code{clear}, and @code{delete} are in this category. Type @kbd{help
20294 breakpoints} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in
20295 this category.
20296
20297 @findex COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
20298 @findex gdb.COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
20299 @item COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
20300 The command has to do with tracepoints. For example, @code{trace},
20301 @code{actions}, and @code{tfind} are in this category. Type
20302 @kbd{help tracepoints} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
20303 commands in this category.
20304
20305 @findex COMMAND_OBSCURE
20306 @findex gdb.COMMAND_OBSCURE
20307 @item COMMAND_OBSCURE
20308 The command is only used in unusual circumstances, or is not of
20309 general interest to users. For example, @code{checkpoint},
20310 @code{fork}, and @code{stop} are in this category. Type @kbd{help
20311 obscure} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in this
20312 category.
20313
20314 @findex COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
20315 @findex gdb.COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
20316 @item COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
20317 The command is only useful to @value{GDBN} maintainers. The
20318 @code{maintenance} and @code{flushregs} commands are in this category.
20319 Type @kbd{help internals} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
20320 commands in this category.
20321 @end table
20322
20323 A new command can use a predefined completion function, either by
20324 specifying it via an argument at initialization, or by returning it
20325 from the @code{complete} method. These predefined completion
20326 constants are all defined in the @code{gdb} module:
20327
20328 @table @code
20329 @findex COMPLETE_NONE
20330 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_NONE
20331 @item COMPLETE_NONE
20332 This constant means that no completion should be done.
20333
20334 @findex COMPLETE_FILENAME
20335 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_FILENAME
20336 @item COMPLETE_FILENAME
20337 This constant means that filename completion should be performed.
20338
20339 @findex COMPLETE_LOCATION
20340 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_LOCATION
20341 @item COMPLETE_LOCATION
20342 This constant means that location completion should be done.
20343 @xref{Specify Location}.
20344
20345 @findex COMPLETE_COMMAND
20346 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_COMMAND
20347 @item COMPLETE_COMMAND
20348 This constant means that completion should examine @value{GDBN}
20349 command names.
20350
20351 @findex COMPLETE_SYMBOL
20352 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_SYMBOL
20353 @item COMPLETE_SYMBOL
20354 This constant means that completion should be done using symbol names
20355 as the source.
20356 @end table
20357
20358 The following code snippet shows how a trivial CLI command can be
20359 implemented in Python:
20360
20361 @smallexample
20362 class HelloWorld (gdb.Command):
20363 """Greet the whole world."""
20364
20365 def __init__ (self):
20366 super (HelloWorld, self).__init__ ("hello-world", gdb.COMMAND_OBSCURE)
20367
20368 def invoke (self, arg, from_tty):
20369 print "Hello, World!"
20370
20371 HelloWorld ()
20372 @end smallexample
20373
20374 The last line instantiates the class, and is necessary to trigger the
20375 registration of the command with @value{GDBN}. Depending on how the
20376 Python code is read into @value{GDBN}, you may need to import the
20377 @code{gdb} module explicitly.
20378
20379 @node Functions In Python
20380 @subsubsection Writing new convenience functions
20381
20382 @cindex writing convenience functions
20383 @cindex convenience functions in python
20384 @cindex python convenience functions
20385 @tindex gdb.Function
20386 @tindex Function
20387 You can implement new convenience functions (@pxref{Convenience Vars})
20388 in Python. A convenience function is an instance of a subclass of the
20389 class @code{gdb.Function}.
20390
20391 @defmethod Function __init__ name
20392 The initializer for @code{Function} registers the new function with
20393 @value{GDBN}. The argument @var{name} is the name of the function,
20394 a string. The function will be visible to the user as a convenience
20395 variable of type @code{internal function}, whose name is the same as
20396 the given @var{name}.
20397
20398 The documentation for the new function is taken from the documentation
20399 string for the new class.
20400 @end defmethod
20401
20402 @defmethod Function invoke @var{*args}
20403 When a convenience function is evaluated, its arguments are converted
20404 to instances of @code{gdb.Value}, and then the function's
20405 @code{invoke} method is called. Note that @value{GDBN} does not
20406 predetermine the arity of convenience functions. Instead, all
20407 available arguments are passed to @code{invoke}, following the
20408 standard Python calling convention. In particular, a convenience
20409 function can have default values for parameters without ill effect.
20410
20411 The return value of this method is used as its value in the enclosing
20412 expression. If an ordinary Python value is returned, it is converted
20413 to a @code{gdb.Value} following the usual rules.
20414 @end defmethod
20415
20416 The following code snippet shows how a trivial convenience function can
20417 be implemented in Python:
20418
20419 @smallexample
20420 class Greet (gdb.Function):
20421 """Return string to greet someone.
20422 Takes a name as argument."""
20423
20424 def __init__ (self):
20425 super (Greet, self).__init__ ("greet")
20426
20427 def invoke (self, name):
20428 return "Hello, %s!" % name.string ()
20429
20430 Greet ()
20431 @end smallexample
20432
20433 The last line instantiates the class, and is necessary to trigger the
20434 registration of the function with @value{GDBN}. Depending on how the
20435 Python code is read into @value{GDBN}, you may need to import the
20436 @code{gdb} module explicitly.
20437
20438 @node Objfiles In Python
20439 @subsubsection Objfiles In Python
20440
20441 @cindex objfiles in python
20442 @tindex gdb.Objfile
20443 @tindex Objfile
20444 @value{GDBN} loads symbols for an inferior from various
20445 symbol-containing files (@pxref{Files}). These include the primary
20446 executable file, any shared libraries used by the inferior, and any
20447 separate debug info files (@pxref{Separate Debug Files}).
20448 @value{GDBN} calls these symbol-containing files @dfn{objfiles}.
20449
20450 The following objfile-related functions are available in the
20451 @code{gdb} module:
20452
20453 @findex gdb.current_objfile
20454 @defun current_objfile
20455 When auto-loading a Python script (@pxref{Auto-loading}), @value{GDBN}
20456 sets the ``current objfile'' to the corresponding objfile. This
20457 function returns the current objfile. If there is no current objfile,
20458 this function returns @code{None}.
20459 @end defun
20460
20461 @findex gdb.objfiles
20462 @defun objfiles
20463 Return a sequence of all the objfiles current known to @value{GDBN}.
20464 @xref{Objfiles In Python}.
20465 @end defun
20466
20467 Each objfile is represented by an instance of the @code{gdb.Objfile}
20468 class.
20469
20470 @defivar Objfile filename
20471 The file name of the objfile as a string.
20472 @end defivar
20473
20474 @defivar Objfile pretty_printers
20475 The @code{pretty_printers} attribute is a list of functions. It is
20476 used to look up pretty-printers. A @code{Value} is passed to each
20477 function in order; if the function returns @code{None}, then the
20478 search continues. Otherwise, the return value should be an object
20479 which is used to format the value. @xref{Pretty Printing}, for more
20480 information.
20481 @end defivar
20482
20483 @node Frames In Python
20484 @subsubsection Acessing inferior stack frames from Python.
20485
20486 @cindex frames in python
20487 When the debugged program stops, @value{GDBN} is able to analyze its call
20488 stack (@pxref{Frames,,Stack frames}). The @code{gdb.Frame} class
20489 represents a frame in the stack. A @code{gdb.Frame} object is only valid
20490 while its corresponding frame exists in the inferior's stack. If you try
20491 to use an invalid frame object, @value{GDBN} will throw a @code{RuntimeError}
20492 exception.
20493
20494 Two @code{gdb.Frame} objects can be compared for equality with the @code{==}
20495 operator, like:
20496
20497 @smallexample
20498 (@value{GDBP}) python print gdb.newest_frame() == gdb.selected_frame ()
20499 True
20500 @end smallexample
20501
20502 The following frame-related functions are available in the @code{gdb} module:
20503
20504 @findex gdb.selected_frame
20505 @defun selected_frame
20506 Return the selected frame object. (@pxref{Selection,,Selecting a Frame}).
20507 @end defun
20508
20509 @defun frame_stop_reason_string reason
20510 Return a string explaining the reason why @value{GDBN} stopped unwinding
20511 frames, as expressed by the given @var{reason} code (an integer, see the
20512 @code{unwind_stop_reason} method further down in this section).
20513 @end defun
20514
20515 A @code{gdb.Frame} object has the following methods:
20516
20517 @table @code
20518 @defmethod Frame is_valid
20519 Returns true if the @code{gdb.Frame} object is valid, false if not.
20520 A frame object can become invalid if the frame it refers to doesn't
20521 exist anymore in the inferior. All @code{gdb.Frame} methods will throw
20522 an exception if it is invalid at the time the method is called.
20523 @end defmethod
20524
20525 @defmethod Frame name
20526 Returns the function name of the frame, or @code{None} if it can't be
20527 obtained.
20528 @end defmethod
20529
20530 @defmethod Frame type
20531 Returns the type of the frame. The value can be one of
20532 @code{gdb.NORMAL_FRAME}, @code{gdb.DUMMY_FRAME}, @code{gdb.SIGTRAMP_FRAME}
20533 or @code{gdb.SENTINEL_FRAME}.
20534 @end defmethod
20535
20536 @defmethod Frame unwind_stop_reason
20537 Return an integer representing the reason why it's not possible to find
20538 more frames toward the outermost frame. Use
20539 @code{gdb.frame_stop_reason_string} to convert the value returned by this
20540 function to a string.
20541 @end defmethod
20542
20543 @defmethod Frame pc
20544 Returns the frame's resume address.
20545 @end defmethod
20546
20547 @defmethod Frame older
20548 Return the frame that called this frame.
20549 @end defmethod
20550
20551 @defmethod Frame newer
20552 Return the frame called by this frame.
20553 @end defmethod
20554
20555 @defmethod Frame read_var variable
20556 Return the value of the given variable in this frame. @var{variable} must
20557 be a string.
20558 @end defmethod
20559 @end table
20560
20561 @node Interpreters
20562 @chapter Command Interpreters
20563 @cindex command interpreters
20564
20565 @value{GDBN} supports multiple command interpreters, and some command
20566 infrastructure to allow users or user interface writers to switch
20567 between interpreters or run commands in other interpreters.
20568
20569 @value{GDBN} currently supports two command interpreters, the console
20570 interpreter (sometimes called the command-line interpreter or @sc{cli})
20571 and the machine interface interpreter (or @sc{gdb/mi}). This manual
20572 describes both of these interfaces in great detail.
20573
20574 By default, @value{GDBN} will start with the console interpreter.
20575 However, the user may choose to start @value{GDBN} with another
20576 interpreter by specifying the @option{-i} or @option{--interpreter}
20577 startup options. Defined interpreters include:
20578
20579 @table @code
20580 @item console
20581 @cindex console interpreter
20582 The traditional console or command-line interpreter. This is the most often
20583 used interpreter with @value{GDBN}. With no interpreter specified at runtime,
20584 @value{GDBN} will use this interpreter.
20585
20586 @item mi
20587 @cindex mi interpreter
20588 The newest @sc{gdb/mi} interface (currently @code{mi2}). Used primarily
20589 by programs wishing to use @value{GDBN} as a backend for a debugger GUI
20590 or an IDE. For more information, see @ref{GDB/MI, ,The @sc{gdb/mi}
20591 Interface}.
20592
20593 @item mi2
20594 @cindex mi2 interpreter
20595 The current @sc{gdb/mi} interface.
20596
20597 @item mi1
20598 @cindex mi1 interpreter
20599 The @sc{gdb/mi} interface included in @value{GDBN} 5.1, 5.2, and 5.3.
20600
20601 @end table
20602
20603 @cindex invoke another interpreter
20604 The interpreter being used by @value{GDBN} may not be dynamically
20605 switched at runtime. Although possible, this could lead to a very
20606 precarious situation. Consider an IDE using @sc{gdb/mi}. If a user
20607 enters the command "interpreter-set console" in a console view,
20608 @value{GDBN} would switch to using the console interpreter, rendering
20609 the IDE inoperable!
20610
20611 @kindex interpreter-exec
20612 Although you may only choose a single interpreter at startup, you may execute
20613 commands in any interpreter from the current interpreter using the appropriate
20614 command. If you are running the console interpreter, simply use the
20615 @code{interpreter-exec} command:
20616
20617 @smallexample
20618 interpreter-exec mi "-data-list-register-names"
20619 @end smallexample
20620
20621 @sc{gdb/mi} has a similar command, although it is only available in versions of
20622 @value{GDBN} which support @sc{gdb/mi} version 2 (or greater).
20623
20624 @node TUI
20625 @chapter @value{GDBN} Text User Interface
20626 @cindex TUI
20627 @cindex Text User Interface
20628
20629 @menu
20630 * TUI Overview:: TUI overview
20631 * TUI Keys:: TUI key bindings
20632 * TUI Single Key Mode:: TUI single key mode
20633 * TUI Commands:: TUI-specific commands
20634 * TUI Configuration:: TUI configuration variables
20635 @end menu
20636
20637 The @value{GDBN} Text User Interface (TUI) is a terminal
20638 interface which uses the @code{curses} library to show the source
20639 file, the assembly output, the program registers and @value{GDBN}
20640 commands in separate text windows. The TUI mode is supported only
20641 on platforms where a suitable version of the @code{curses} library
20642 is available.
20643
20644 @pindex @value{GDBTUI}
20645 The TUI mode is enabled by default when you invoke @value{GDBN} as
20646 either @samp{@value{GDBTUI}} or @samp{@value{GDBP} -tui}.
20647 You can also switch in and out of TUI mode while @value{GDBN} runs by
20648 using various TUI commands and key bindings, such as @kbd{C-x C-a}.
20649 @xref{TUI Keys, ,TUI Key Bindings}.
20650
20651 @node TUI Overview
20652 @section TUI Overview
20653
20654 In TUI mode, @value{GDBN} can display several text windows:
20655
20656 @table @emph
20657 @item command
20658 This window is the @value{GDBN} command window with the @value{GDBN}
20659 prompt and the @value{GDBN} output. The @value{GDBN} input is still
20660 managed using readline.
20661
20662 @item source
20663 The source window shows the source file of the program. The current
20664 line and active breakpoints are displayed in this window.
20665
20666 @item assembly
20667 The assembly window shows the disassembly output of the program.
20668
20669 @item register
20670 This window shows the processor registers. Registers are highlighted
20671 when their values change.
20672 @end table
20673
20674 The source and assembly windows show the current program position
20675 by highlighting the current line and marking it with a @samp{>} marker.
20676 Breakpoints are indicated with two markers. The first marker
20677 indicates the breakpoint type:
20678
20679 @table @code
20680 @item B
20681 Breakpoint which was hit at least once.
20682
20683 @item b
20684 Breakpoint which was never hit.
20685
20686 @item H
20687 Hardware breakpoint which was hit at least once.
20688
20689 @item h
20690 Hardware breakpoint which was never hit.
20691 @end table
20692
20693 The second marker indicates whether the breakpoint is enabled or not:
20694
20695 @table @code
20696 @item +
20697 Breakpoint is enabled.
20698
20699 @item -
20700 Breakpoint is disabled.
20701 @end table
20702
20703 The source, assembly and register windows are updated when the current
20704 thread changes, when the frame changes, or when the program counter
20705 changes.
20706
20707 These windows are not all visible at the same time. The command
20708 window is always visible. The others can be arranged in several
20709 layouts:
20710
20711 @itemize @bullet
20712 @item
20713 source only,
20714
20715 @item
20716 assembly only,
20717
20718 @item
20719 source and assembly,
20720
20721 @item
20722 source and registers, or
20723
20724 @item
20725 assembly and registers.
20726 @end itemize
20727
20728 A status line above the command window shows the following information:
20729
20730 @table @emph
20731 @item target
20732 Indicates the current @value{GDBN} target.
20733 (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
20734
20735 @item process
20736 Gives the current process or thread number.
20737 When no process is being debugged, this field is set to @code{No process}.
20738
20739 @item function
20740 Gives the current function name for the selected frame.
20741 The name is demangled if demangling is turned on (@pxref{Print Settings}).
20742 When there is no symbol corresponding to the current program counter,
20743 the string @code{??} is displayed.
20744
20745 @item line
20746 Indicates the current line number for the selected frame.
20747 When the current line number is not known, the string @code{??} is displayed.
20748
20749 @item pc
20750 Indicates the current program counter address.
20751 @end table
20752
20753 @node TUI Keys
20754 @section TUI Key Bindings
20755 @cindex TUI key bindings
20756
20757 The TUI installs several key bindings in the readline keymaps
20758 (@pxref{Command Line Editing}). The following key bindings
20759 are installed for both TUI mode and the @value{GDBN} standard mode.
20760
20761 @table @kbd
20762 @kindex C-x C-a
20763 @item C-x C-a
20764 @kindex C-x a
20765 @itemx C-x a
20766 @kindex C-x A
20767 @itemx C-x A
20768 Enter or leave the TUI mode. When leaving the TUI mode,
20769 the curses window management stops and @value{GDBN} operates using
20770 its standard mode, writing on the terminal directly. When reentering
20771 the TUI mode, control is given back to the curses windows.
20772 The screen is then refreshed.
20773
20774 @kindex C-x 1
20775 @item C-x 1
20776 Use a TUI layout with only one window. The layout will
20777 either be @samp{source} or @samp{assembly}. When the TUI mode
20778 is not active, it will switch to the TUI mode.
20779
20780 Think of this key binding as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 1} binding.
20781
20782 @kindex C-x 2
20783 @item C-x 2
20784 Use a TUI layout with at least two windows. When the current
20785 layout already has two windows, the next layout with two windows is used.
20786 When a new layout is chosen, one window will always be common to the
20787 previous layout and the new one.
20788
20789 Think of it as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 2} binding.
20790
20791 @kindex C-x o
20792 @item C-x o
20793 Change the active window. The TUI associates several key bindings
20794 (like scrolling and arrow keys) with the active window. This command
20795 gives the focus to the next TUI window.
20796
20797 Think of it as the Emacs @kbd{C-x o} binding.
20798
20799 @kindex C-x s
20800 @item C-x s
20801 Switch in and out of the TUI SingleKey mode that binds single
20802 keys to @value{GDBN} commands (@pxref{TUI Single Key Mode}).
20803 @end table
20804
20805 The following key bindings only work in the TUI mode:
20806
20807 @table @asis
20808 @kindex PgUp
20809 @item @key{PgUp}
20810 Scroll the active window one page up.
20811
20812 @kindex PgDn
20813 @item @key{PgDn}
20814 Scroll the active window one page down.
20815
20816 @kindex Up
20817 @item @key{Up}
20818 Scroll the active window one line up.
20819
20820 @kindex Down
20821 @item @key{Down}
20822 Scroll the active window one line down.
20823
20824 @kindex Left
20825 @item @key{Left}
20826 Scroll the active window one column left.
20827
20828 @kindex Right
20829 @item @key{Right}
20830 Scroll the active window one column right.
20831
20832 @kindex C-L
20833 @item @kbd{C-L}
20834 Refresh the screen.
20835 @end table
20836
20837 Because the arrow keys scroll the active window in the TUI mode, they
20838 are not available for their normal use by readline unless the command
20839 window has the focus. When another window is active, you must use
20840 other readline key bindings such as @kbd{C-p}, @kbd{C-n}, @kbd{C-b}
20841 and @kbd{C-f} to control the command window.
20842
20843 @node TUI Single Key Mode
20844 @section TUI Single Key Mode
20845 @cindex TUI single key mode
20846
20847 The TUI also provides a @dfn{SingleKey} mode, which binds several
20848 frequently used @value{GDBN} commands to single keys. Type @kbd{C-x s} to
20849 switch into this mode, where the following key bindings are used:
20850
20851 @table @kbd
20852 @kindex c @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
20853 @item c
20854 continue
20855
20856 @kindex d @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
20857 @item d
20858 down
20859
20860 @kindex f @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
20861 @item f
20862 finish
20863
20864 @kindex n @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
20865 @item n
20866 next
20867
20868 @kindex q @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
20869 @item q
20870 exit the SingleKey mode.
20871
20872 @kindex r @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
20873 @item r
20874 run
20875
20876 @kindex s @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
20877 @item s
20878 step
20879
20880 @kindex u @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
20881 @item u
20882 up
20883
20884 @kindex v @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
20885 @item v
20886 info locals
20887
20888 @kindex w @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
20889 @item w
20890 where
20891 @end table
20892
20893 Other keys temporarily switch to the @value{GDBN} command prompt.
20894 The key that was pressed is inserted in the editing buffer so that
20895 it is possible to type most @value{GDBN} commands without interaction
20896 with the TUI SingleKey mode. Once the command is entered the TUI
20897 SingleKey mode is restored. The only way to permanently leave
20898 this mode is by typing @kbd{q} or @kbd{C-x s}.
20899
20900
20901 @node TUI Commands
20902 @section TUI-specific Commands
20903 @cindex TUI commands
20904
20905 The TUI has specific commands to control the text windows.
20906 These commands are always available, even when @value{GDBN} is not in
20907 the TUI mode. When @value{GDBN} is in the standard mode, most
20908 of these commands will automatically switch to the TUI mode.
20909
20910 @table @code
20911 @item info win
20912 @kindex info win
20913 List and give the size of all displayed windows.
20914
20915 @item layout next
20916 @kindex layout
20917 Display the next layout.
20918
20919 @item layout prev
20920 Display the previous layout.
20921
20922 @item layout src
20923 Display the source window only.
20924
20925 @item layout asm
20926 Display the assembly window only.
20927
20928 @item layout split
20929 Display the source and assembly window.
20930
20931 @item layout regs
20932 Display the register window together with the source or assembly window.
20933
20934 @item focus next
20935 @kindex focus
20936 Make the next window active for scrolling.
20937
20938 @item focus prev
20939 Make the previous window active for scrolling.
20940
20941 @item focus src
20942 Make the source window active for scrolling.
20943
20944 @item focus asm
20945 Make the assembly window active for scrolling.
20946
20947 @item focus regs
20948 Make the register window active for scrolling.
20949
20950 @item focus cmd
20951 Make the command window active for scrolling.
20952
20953 @item refresh
20954 @kindex refresh
20955 Refresh the screen. This is similar to typing @kbd{C-L}.
20956
20957 @item tui reg float
20958 @kindex tui reg
20959 Show the floating point registers in the register window.
20960
20961 @item tui reg general
20962 Show the general registers in the register window.
20963
20964 @item tui reg next
20965 Show the next register group. The list of register groups as well as
20966 their order is target specific. The predefined register groups are the
20967 following: @code{general}, @code{float}, @code{system}, @code{vector},
20968 @code{all}, @code{save}, @code{restore}.
20969
20970 @item tui reg system
20971 Show the system registers in the register window.
20972
20973 @item update
20974 @kindex update
20975 Update the source window and the current execution point.
20976
20977 @item winheight @var{name} +@var{count}
20978 @itemx winheight @var{name} -@var{count}
20979 @kindex winheight
20980 Change the height of the window @var{name} by @var{count}
20981 lines. Positive counts increase the height, while negative counts
20982 decrease it.
20983
20984 @item tabset @var{nchars}
20985 @kindex tabset
20986 Set the width of tab stops to be @var{nchars} characters.
20987 @end table
20988
20989 @node TUI Configuration
20990 @section TUI Configuration Variables
20991 @cindex TUI configuration variables
20992
20993 Several configuration variables control the appearance of TUI windows.
20994
20995 @table @code
20996 @item set tui border-kind @var{kind}
20997 @kindex set tui border-kind
20998 Select the border appearance for the source, assembly and register windows.
20999 The possible values are the following:
21000 @table @code
21001 @item space
21002 Use a space character to draw the border.
21003
21004 @item ascii
21005 Use @sc{ascii} characters @samp{+}, @samp{-} and @samp{|} to draw the border.
21006
21007 @item acs
21008 Use the Alternate Character Set to draw the border. The border is
21009 drawn using character line graphics if the terminal supports them.
21010 @end table
21011
21012 @item set tui border-mode @var{mode}
21013 @kindex set tui border-mode
21014 @itemx set tui active-border-mode @var{mode}
21015 @kindex set tui active-border-mode
21016 Select the display attributes for the borders of the inactive windows
21017 or the active window. The @var{mode} can be one of the following:
21018 @table @code
21019 @item normal
21020 Use normal attributes to display the border.
21021
21022 @item standout
21023 Use standout mode.
21024
21025 @item reverse
21026 Use reverse video mode.
21027
21028 @item half
21029 Use half bright mode.
21030
21031 @item half-standout
21032 Use half bright and standout mode.
21033
21034 @item bold
21035 Use extra bright or bold mode.
21036
21037 @item bold-standout
21038 Use extra bright or bold and standout mode.
21039 @end table
21040 @end table
21041
21042 @node Emacs
21043 @chapter Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
21044
21045 @cindex Emacs
21046 @cindex @sc{gnu} Emacs
21047 A special interface allows you to use @sc{gnu} Emacs to view (and
21048 edit) the source files for the program you are debugging with
21049 @value{GDBN}.
21050
21051 To use this interface, use the command @kbd{M-x gdb} in Emacs. Give the
21052 executable file you want to debug as an argument. This command starts
21053 @value{GDBN} as a subprocess of Emacs, with input and output through a newly
21054 created Emacs buffer.
21055 @c (Do not use the @code{-tui} option to run @value{GDBN} from Emacs.)
21056
21057 Running @value{GDBN} under Emacs can be just like running @value{GDBN} normally except for two
21058 things:
21059
21060 @itemize @bullet
21061 @item
21062 All ``terminal'' input and output goes through an Emacs buffer, called
21063 the GUD buffer.
21064
21065 This applies both to @value{GDBN} commands and their output, and to the input
21066 and output done by the program you are debugging.
21067
21068 This is useful because it means that you can copy the text of previous
21069 commands and input them again; you can even use parts of the output
21070 in this way.
21071
21072 All the facilities of Emacs' Shell mode are available for interacting
21073 with your program. In particular, you can send signals the usual
21074 way---for example, @kbd{C-c C-c} for an interrupt, @kbd{C-c C-z} for a
21075 stop.
21076
21077 @item
21078 @value{GDBN} displays source code through Emacs.
21079
21080 Each time @value{GDBN} displays a stack frame, Emacs automatically finds the
21081 source file for that frame and puts an arrow (@samp{=>}) at the
21082 left margin of the current line. Emacs uses a separate buffer for
21083 source display, and splits the screen to show both your @value{GDBN} session
21084 and the source.
21085
21086 Explicit @value{GDBN} @code{list} or search commands still produce output as
21087 usual, but you probably have no reason to use them from Emacs.
21088 @end itemize
21089
21090 We call this @dfn{text command mode}. Emacs 22.1, and later, also uses
21091 a graphical mode, enabled by default, which provides further buffers
21092 that can control the execution and describe the state of your program.
21093 @xref{GDB Graphical Interface,,, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}.
21094
21095 If you specify an absolute file name when prompted for the @kbd{M-x
21096 gdb} argument, then Emacs sets your current working directory to where
21097 your program resides. If you only specify the file name, then Emacs
21098 sets your current working directory to to the directory associated
21099 with the previous buffer. In this case, @value{GDBN} may find your
21100 program by searching your environment's @code{PATH} variable, but on
21101 some operating systems it might not find the source. So, although the
21102 @value{GDBN} input and output session proceeds normally, the auxiliary
21103 buffer does not display the current source and line of execution.
21104
21105 The initial working directory of @value{GDBN} is printed on the top
21106 line of the GUD buffer and this serves as a default for the commands
21107 that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate on. @xref{Files,
21108 ,Commands to Specify Files}.
21109
21110 By default, @kbd{M-x gdb} calls the program called @file{gdb}. If you
21111 need to call @value{GDBN} by a different name (for example, if you
21112 keep several configurations around, with different names) you can
21113 customize the Emacs variable @code{gud-gdb-command-name} to run the
21114 one you want.
21115
21116 In the GUD buffer, you can use these special Emacs commands in
21117 addition to the standard Shell mode commands:
21118
21119 @table @kbd
21120 @item C-h m
21121 Describe the features of Emacs' GUD Mode.
21122
21123 @item C-c C-s
21124 Execute to another source line, like the @value{GDBN} @code{step} command; also
21125 update the display window to show the current file and location.
21126
21127 @item C-c C-n
21128 Execute to next source line in this function, skipping all function
21129 calls, like the @value{GDBN} @code{next} command. Then update the display window
21130 to show the current file and location.
21131
21132 @item C-c C-i
21133 Execute one instruction, like the @value{GDBN} @code{stepi} command; update
21134 display window accordingly.
21135
21136 @item C-c C-f
21137 Execute until exit from the selected stack frame, like the @value{GDBN}
21138 @code{finish} command.
21139
21140 @item C-c C-r
21141 Continue execution of your program, like the @value{GDBN} @code{continue}
21142 command.
21143
21144 @item C-c <
21145 Go up the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument
21146 (@pxref{Arguments, , Numeric Arguments, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}),
21147 like the @value{GDBN} @code{up} command.
21148
21149 @item C-c >
21150 Go down the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument, like the
21151 @value{GDBN} @code{down} command.
21152 @end table
21153
21154 In any source file, the Emacs command @kbd{C-x @key{SPC}} (@code{gud-break})
21155 tells @value{GDBN} to set a breakpoint on the source line point is on.
21156
21157 In text command mode, if you type @kbd{M-x speedbar}, Emacs displays a
21158 separate frame which shows a backtrace when the GUD buffer is current.
21159 Move point to any frame in the stack and type @key{RET} to make it
21160 become the current frame and display the associated source in the
21161 source buffer. Alternatively, click @kbd{Mouse-2} to make the
21162 selected frame become the current one. In graphical mode, the
21163 speedbar displays watch expressions.
21164
21165 If you accidentally delete the source-display buffer, an easy way to get
21166 it back is to type the command @code{f} in the @value{GDBN} buffer, to
21167 request a frame display; when you run under Emacs, this recreates
21168 the source buffer if necessary to show you the context of the current
21169 frame.
21170
21171 The source files displayed in Emacs are in ordinary Emacs buffers
21172 which are visiting the source files in the usual way. You can edit
21173 the files with these buffers if you wish; but keep in mind that @value{GDBN}
21174 communicates with Emacs in terms of line numbers. If you add or
21175 delete lines from the text, the line numbers that @value{GDBN} knows cease
21176 to correspond properly with the code.
21177
21178 A more detailed description of Emacs' interaction with @value{GDBN} is
21179 given in the Emacs manual (@pxref{Debuggers,,, Emacs, The @sc{gnu}
21180 Emacs Manual}).
21181
21182 @c The following dropped because Epoch is nonstandard. Reactivate
21183 @c if/when v19 does something similar. ---doc@cygnus.com 19dec1990
21184 @ignore
21185 @kindex Emacs Epoch environment
21186 @kindex Epoch
21187 @kindex inspect
21188
21189 Version 18 of @sc{gnu} Emacs has a built-in window system
21190 called the @code{epoch}
21191 environment. Users of this environment can use a new command,
21192 @code{inspect} which performs identically to @code{print} except that
21193 each value is printed in its own window.
21194 @end ignore
21195
21196
21197 @node GDB/MI
21198 @chapter The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface
21199
21200 @unnumberedsec Function and Purpose
21201
21202 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, its purpose
21203 @sc{gdb/mi} is a line based machine oriented text interface to
21204 @value{GDBN} and is activated by specifying using the
21205 @option{--interpreter} command line option (@pxref{Mode Options}). It
21206 is specifically intended to support the development of systems which
21207 use the debugger as just one small component of a larger system.
21208
21209 This chapter is a specification of the @sc{gdb/mi} interface. It is written
21210 in the form of a reference manual.
21211
21212 Note that @sc{gdb/mi} is still under construction, so some of the
21213 features described below are incomplete and subject to change
21214 (@pxref{GDB/MI Development and Front Ends, , @sc{gdb/mi} Development and Front Ends}).
21215
21216 @unnumberedsec Notation and Terminology
21217
21218 @cindex notational conventions, for @sc{gdb/mi}
21219 This chapter uses the following notation:
21220
21221 @itemize @bullet
21222 @item
21223 @code{|} separates two alternatives.
21224
21225 @item
21226 @code{[ @var{something} ]} indicates that @var{something} is optional:
21227 it may or may not be given.
21228
21229 @item
21230 @code{( @var{group} )*} means that @var{group} inside the parentheses
21231 may repeat zero or more times.
21232
21233 @item
21234 @code{( @var{group} )+} means that @var{group} inside the parentheses
21235 may repeat one or more times.
21236
21237 @item
21238 @code{"@var{string}"} means a literal @var{string}.
21239 @end itemize
21240
21241 @ignore
21242 @heading Dependencies
21243 @end ignore
21244
21245 @menu
21246 * GDB/MI General Design::
21247 * GDB/MI Command Syntax::
21248 * GDB/MI Compatibility with CLI::
21249 * GDB/MI Development and Front Ends::
21250 * GDB/MI Output Records::
21251 * GDB/MI Simple Examples::
21252 * GDB/MI Command Description Format::
21253 * GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands::
21254 * GDB/MI Program Context::
21255 * GDB/MI Thread Commands::
21256 * GDB/MI Program Execution::
21257 * GDB/MI Stack Manipulation::
21258 * GDB/MI Variable Objects::
21259 * GDB/MI Data Manipulation::
21260 * GDB/MI Tracepoint Commands::
21261 * GDB/MI Symbol Query::
21262 * GDB/MI File Commands::
21263 @ignore
21264 * GDB/MI Kod Commands::
21265 * GDB/MI Memory Overlay Commands::
21266 * GDB/MI Signal Handling Commands::
21267 @end ignore
21268 * GDB/MI Target Manipulation::
21269 * GDB/MI File Transfer Commands::
21270 * GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands::
21271 @end menu
21272
21273 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
21274 @node GDB/MI General Design
21275 @section @sc{gdb/mi} General Design
21276 @cindex GDB/MI General Design
21277
21278 Interaction of a @sc{GDB/MI} frontend with @value{GDBN} involves three
21279 parts---commands sent to @value{GDBN}, responses to those commands
21280 and notifications. Each command results in exactly one response,
21281 indicating either successful completion of the command, or an error.
21282 For the commands that do not resume the target, the response contains the
21283 requested information. For the commands that resume the target, the
21284 response only indicates whether the target was successfully resumed.
21285 Notifications is the mechanism for reporting changes in the state of the
21286 target, or in @value{GDBN} state, that cannot conveniently be associated with
21287 a command and reported as part of that command response.
21288
21289 The important examples of notifications are:
21290 @itemize @bullet
21291
21292 @item
21293 Exec notifications. These are used to report changes in
21294 target state---when a target is resumed, or stopped. It would not
21295 be feasible to include this information in response of resuming
21296 commands, because one resume commands can result in multiple events in
21297 different threads. Also, quite some time may pass before any event
21298 happens in the target, while a frontend needs to know whether the resuming
21299 command itself was successfully executed.
21300
21301 @item
21302 Console output, and status notifications. Console output
21303 notifications are used to report output of CLI commands, as well as
21304 diagnostics for other commands. Status notifications are used to
21305 report the progress of a long-running operation. Naturally, including
21306 this information in command response would mean no output is produced
21307 until the command is finished, which is undesirable.
21308
21309 @item
21310 General notifications. Commands may have various side effects on
21311 the @value{GDBN} or target state beyond their official purpose. For example,
21312 a command may change the selected thread. Although such changes can
21313 be included in command response, using notification allows for more
21314 orthogonal frontend design.
21315
21316 @end itemize
21317
21318 There's no guarantee that whenever an MI command reports an error,
21319 @value{GDBN} or the target are in any specific state, and especially,
21320 the state is not reverted to the state before the MI command was
21321 processed. Therefore, whenever an MI command results in an error,
21322 we recommend that the frontend refreshes all the information shown in
21323 the user interface.
21324
21325
21326 @menu
21327 * Context management::
21328 * Asynchronous and non-stop modes::
21329 * Thread groups::
21330 @end menu
21331
21332 @node Context management
21333 @subsection Context management
21334
21335 In most cases when @value{GDBN} accesses the target, this access is
21336 done in context of a specific thread and frame (@pxref{Frames}).
21337 Often, even when accessing global data, the target requires that a thread
21338 be specified. The CLI interface maintains the selected thread and frame,
21339 and supplies them to target on each command. This is convenient,
21340 because a command line user would not want to specify that information
21341 explicitly on each command, and because user interacts with
21342 @value{GDBN} via a single terminal, so no confusion is possible as
21343 to what thread and frame are the current ones.
21344
21345 In the case of MI, the concept of selected thread and frame is less
21346 useful. First, a frontend can easily remember this information
21347 itself. Second, a graphical frontend can have more than one window,
21348 each one used for debugging a different thread, and the frontend might
21349 want to access additional threads for internal purposes. This
21350 increases the risk that by relying on implicitly selected thread, the
21351 frontend may be operating on a wrong one. Therefore, each MI command
21352 should explicitly specify which thread and frame to operate on. To
21353 make it possible, each MI command accepts the @samp{--thread} and
21354 @samp{--frame} options, the value to each is @value{GDBN} identifier
21355 for thread and frame to operate on.
21356
21357 Usually, each top-level window in a frontend allows the user to select
21358 a thread and a frame, and remembers the user selection for further
21359 operations. However, in some cases @value{GDBN} may suggest that the
21360 current thread be changed. For example, when stopping on a breakpoint
21361 it is reasonable to switch to the thread where breakpoint is hit. For
21362 another example, if the user issues the CLI @samp{thread} command via
21363 the frontend, it is desirable to change the frontend's selected thread to the
21364 one specified by user. @value{GDBN} communicates the suggestion to
21365 change current thread using the @samp{=thread-selected} notification.
21366 No such notification is available for the selected frame at the moment.
21367
21368 Note that historically, MI shares the selected thread with CLI, so
21369 frontends used the @code{-thread-select} to execute commands in the
21370 right context. However, getting this to work right is cumbersome. The
21371 simplest way is for frontend to emit @code{-thread-select} command
21372 before every command. This doubles the number of commands that need
21373 to be sent. The alternative approach is to suppress @code{-thread-select}
21374 if the selected thread in @value{GDBN} is supposed to be identical to the
21375 thread the frontend wants to operate on. However, getting this
21376 optimization right can be tricky. In particular, if the frontend
21377 sends several commands to @value{GDBN}, and one of the commands changes the
21378 selected thread, then the behaviour of subsequent commands will
21379 change. So, a frontend should either wait for response from such
21380 problematic commands, or explicitly add @code{-thread-select} for
21381 all subsequent commands. No frontend is known to do this exactly
21382 right, so it is suggested to just always pass the @samp{--thread} and
21383 @samp{--frame} options.
21384
21385 @node Asynchronous and non-stop modes
21386 @subsection Asynchronous command execution and non-stop mode
21387
21388 On some targets, @value{GDBN} is capable of processing MI commands
21389 even while the target is running. This is called @dfn{asynchronous
21390 command execution} (@pxref{Background Execution}). The frontend may
21391 specify a preferrence for asynchronous execution using the
21392 @code{-gdb-set target-async 1} command, which should be emitted before
21393 either running the executable or attaching to the target. After the
21394 frontend has started the executable or attached to the target, it can
21395 find if asynchronous execution is enabled using the
21396 @code{-list-target-features} command.
21397
21398 Even if @value{GDBN} can accept a command while target is running,
21399 many commands that access the target do not work when the target is
21400 running. Therefore, asynchronous command execution is most useful
21401 when combined with non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}). Then,
21402 it is possible to examine the state of one thread, while other threads
21403 are running.
21404
21405 When a given thread is running, MI commands that try to access the
21406 target in the context of that thread may not work, or may work only on
21407 some targets. In particular, commands that try to operate on thread's
21408 stack will not work, on any target. Commands that read memory, or
21409 modify breakpoints, may work or not work, depending on the target. Note
21410 that even commands that operate on global state, such as @code{print},
21411 @code{set}, and breakpoint commands, still access the target in the
21412 context of a specific thread, so frontend should try to find a
21413 stopped thread and perform the operation on that thread (using the
21414 @samp{--thread} option).
21415
21416 Which commands will work in the context of a running thread is
21417 highly target dependent. However, the two commands
21418 @code{-exec-interrupt}, to stop a thread, and @code{-thread-info},
21419 to find the state of a thread, will always work.
21420
21421 @node Thread groups
21422 @subsection Thread groups
21423 @value{GDBN} may be used to debug several processes at the same time.
21424 On some platfroms, @value{GDBN} may support debugging of several
21425 hardware systems, each one having several cores with several different
21426 processes running on each core. This section describes the MI
21427 mechanism to support such debugging scenarios.
21428
21429 The key observation is that regardless of the structure of the
21430 target, MI can have a global list of threads, because most commands that
21431 accept the @samp{--thread} option do not need to know what process that
21432 thread belongs to. Therefore, it is not necessary to introduce
21433 neither additional @samp{--process} option, nor an notion of the
21434 current process in the MI interface. The only strictly new feature
21435 that is required is the ability to find how the threads are grouped
21436 into processes.
21437
21438 To allow the user to discover such grouping, and to support arbitrary
21439 hierarchy of machines/cores/processes, MI introduces the concept of a
21440 @dfn{thread group}. Thread group is a collection of threads and other
21441 thread groups. A thread group always has a string identifier, a type,
21442 and may have additional attributes specific to the type. A new
21443 command, @code{-list-thread-groups}, returns the list of top-level
21444 thread groups, which correspond to processes that @value{GDBN} is
21445 debugging at the moment. By passing an identifier of a thread group
21446 to the @code{-list-thread-groups} command, it is possible to obtain
21447 the members of specific thread group.
21448
21449 To allow the user to easily discover processes, and other objects, he
21450 wishes to debug, a concept of @dfn{available thread group} is
21451 introduced. Available thread group is an thread group that
21452 @value{GDBN} is not debugging, but that can be attached to, using the
21453 @code{-target-attach} command. The list of available top-level thread
21454 groups can be obtained using @samp{-list-thread-groups --available}.
21455 In general, the content of a thread group may be only retrieved only
21456 after attaching to that thread group.
21457
21458 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
21459 @node GDB/MI Command Syntax
21460 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Command Syntax
21461
21462 @menu
21463 * GDB/MI Input Syntax::
21464 * GDB/MI Output Syntax::
21465 @end menu
21466
21467 @node GDB/MI Input Syntax
21468 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Input Syntax
21469
21470 @cindex input syntax for @sc{gdb/mi}
21471 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, input syntax
21472 @table @code
21473 @item @var{command} @expansion{}
21474 @code{@var{cli-command} | @var{mi-command}}
21475
21476 @item @var{cli-command} @expansion{}
21477 @code{[ @var{token} ] @var{cli-command} @var{nl}}, where
21478 @var{cli-command} is any existing @value{GDBN} CLI command.
21479
21480 @item @var{mi-command} @expansion{}
21481 @code{[ @var{token} ] "-" @var{operation} ( " " @var{option} )*
21482 @code{[} " --" @code{]} ( " " @var{parameter} )* @var{nl}}
21483
21484 @item @var{token} @expansion{}
21485 "any sequence of digits"
21486
21487 @item @var{option} @expansion{}
21488 @code{"-" @var{parameter} [ " " @var{parameter} ]}
21489
21490 @item @var{parameter} @expansion{}
21491 @code{@var{non-blank-sequence} | @var{c-string}}
21492
21493 @item @var{operation} @expansion{}
21494 @emph{any of the operations described in this chapter}
21495
21496 @item @var{non-blank-sequence} @expansion{}
21497 @emph{anything, provided it doesn't contain special characters such as
21498 "-", @var{nl}, """ and of course " "}
21499
21500 @item @var{c-string} @expansion{}
21501 @code{""" @var{seven-bit-iso-c-string-content} """}
21502
21503 @item @var{nl} @expansion{}
21504 @code{CR | CR-LF}
21505 @end table
21506
21507 @noindent
21508 Notes:
21509
21510 @itemize @bullet
21511 @item
21512 The CLI commands are still handled by the @sc{mi} interpreter; their
21513 output is described below.
21514
21515 @item
21516 The @code{@var{token}}, when present, is passed back when the command
21517 finishes.
21518
21519 @item
21520 Some @sc{mi} commands accept optional arguments as part of the parameter
21521 list. Each option is identified by a leading @samp{-} (dash) and may be
21522 followed by an optional argument parameter. Options occur first in the
21523 parameter list and can be delimited from normal parameters using
21524 @samp{--} (this is useful when some parameters begin with a dash).
21525 @end itemize
21526
21527 Pragmatics:
21528
21529 @itemize @bullet
21530 @item
21531 We want easy access to the existing CLI syntax (for debugging).
21532
21533 @item
21534 We want it to be easy to spot a @sc{mi} operation.
21535 @end itemize
21536
21537 @node GDB/MI Output Syntax
21538 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Output Syntax
21539
21540 @cindex output syntax of @sc{gdb/mi}
21541 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, output syntax
21542 The output from @sc{gdb/mi} consists of zero or more out-of-band records
21543 followed, optionally, by a single result record. This result record
21544 is for the most recent command. The sequence of output records is
21545 terminated by @samp{(gdb)}.
21546
21547 If an input command was prefixed with a @code{@var{token}} then the
21548 corresponding output for that command will also be prefixed by that same
21549 @var{token}.
21550
21551 @table @code
21552 @item @var{output} @expansion{}
21553 @code{( @var{out-of-band-record} )* [ @var{result-record} ] "(gdb)" @var{nl}}
21554
21555 @item @var{result-record} @expansion{}
21556 @code{ [ @var{token} ] "^" @var{result-class} ( "," @var{result} )* @var{nl}}
21557
21558 @item @var{out-of-band-record} @expansion{}
21559 @code{@var{async-record} | @var{stream-record}}
21560
21561 @item @var{async-record} @expansion{}
21562 @code{@var{exec-async-output} | @var{status-async-output} | @var{notify-async-output}}
21563
21564 @item @var{exec-async-output} @expansion{}
21565 @code{[ @var{token} ] "*" @var{async-output}}
21566
21567 @item @var{status-async-output} @expansion{}
21568 @code{[ @var{token} ] "+" @var{async-output}}
21569
21570 @item @var{notify-async-output} @expansion{}
21571 @code{[ @var{token} ] "=" @var{async-output}}
21572
21573 @item @var{async-output} @expansion{}
21574 @code{@var{async-class} ( "," @var{result} )* @var{nl}}
21575
21576 @item @var{result-class} @expansion{}
21577 @code{"done" | "running" | "connected" | "error" | "exit"}
21578
21579 @item @var{async-class} @expansion{}
21580 @code{"stopped" | @var{others}} (where @var{others} will be added
21581 depending on the needs---this is still in development).
21582
21583 @item @var{result} @expansion{}
21584 @code{ @var{variable} "=" @var{value}}
21585
21586 @item @var{variable} @expansion{}
21587 @code{ @var{string} }
21588
21589 @item @var{value} @expansion{}
21590 @code{ @var{const} | @var{tuple} | @var{list} }
21591
21592 @item @var{const} @expansion{}
21593 @code{@var{c-string}}
21594
21595 @item @var{tuple} @expansion{}
21596 @code{ "@{@}" | "@{" @var{result} ( "," @var{result} )* "@}" }
21597
21598 @item @var{list} @expansion{}
21599 @code{ "[]" | "[" @var{value} ( "," @var{value} )* "]" | "["
21600 @var{result} ( "," @var{result} )* "]" }
21601
21602 @item @var{stream-record} @expansion{}
21603 @code{@var{console-stream-output} | @var{target-stream-output} | @var{log-stream-output}}
21604
21605 @item @var{console-stream-output} @expansion{}
21606 @code{"~" @var{c-string}}
21607
21608 @item @var{target-stream-output} @expansion{}
21609 @code{"@@" @var{c-string}}
21610
21611 @item @var{log-stream-output} @expansion{}
21612 @code{"&" @var{c-string}}
21613
21614 @item @var{nl} @expansion{}
21615 @code{CR | CR-LF}
21616
21617 @item @var{token} @expansion{}
21618 @emph{any sequence of digits}.
21619 @end table
21620
21621 @noindent
21622 Notes:
21623
21624 @itemize @bullet
21625 @item
21626 All output sequences end in a single line containing a period.
21627
21628 @item
21629 The @code{@var{token}} is from the corresponding request. Note that
21630 for all async output, while the token is allowed by the grammar and
21631 may be output by future versions of @value{GDBN} for select async
21632 output messages, it is generally omitted. Frontends should treat
21633 all async output as reporting general changes in the state of the
21634 target and there should be no need to associate async output to any
21635 prior command.
21636
21637 @item
21638 @cindex status output in @sc{gdb/mi}
21639 @var{status-async-output} contains on-going status information about the
21640 progress of a slow operation. It can be discarded. All status output is
21641 prefixed by @samp{+}.
21642
21643 @item
21644 @cindex async output in @sc{gdb/mi}
21645 @var{exec-async-output} contains asynchronous state change on the target
21646 (stopped, started, disappeared). All async output is prefixed by
21647 @samp{*}.
21648
21649 @item
21650 @cindex notify output in @sc{gdb/mi}
21651 @var{notify-async-output} contains supplementary information that the
21652 client should handle (e.g., a new breakpoint information). All notify
21653 output is prefixed by @samp{=}.
21654
21655 @item
21656 @cindex console output in @sc{gdb/mi}
21657 @var{console-stream-output} is output that should be displayed as is in the
21658 console. It is the textual response to a CLI command. All the console
21659 output is prefixed by @samp{~}.
21660
21661 @item
21662 @cindex target output in @sc{gdb/mi}
21663 @var{target-stream-output} is the output produced by the target program.
21664 All the target output is prefixed by @samp{@@}.
21665
21666 @item
21667 @cindex log output in @sc{gdb/mi}
21668 @var{log-stream-output} is output text coming from @value{GDBN}'s internals, for
21669 instance messages that should be displayed as part of an error log. All
21670 the log output is prefixed by @samp{&}.
21671
21672 @item
21673 @cindex list output in @sc{gdb/mi}
21674 New @sc{gdb/mi} commands should only output @var{lists} containing
21675 @var{values}.
21676
21677
21678 @end itemize
21679
21680 @xref{GDB/MI Stream Records, , @sc{gdb/mi} Stream Records}, for more
21681 details about the various output records.
21682
21683 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
21684 @node GDB/MI Compatibility with CLI
21685 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Compatibility with CLI
21686
21687 @cindex compatibility, @sc{gdb/mi} and CLI
21688 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, compatibility with CLI
21689
21690 For the developers convenience CLI commands can be entered directly,
21691 but there may be some unexpected behaviour. For example, commands
21692 that query the user will behave as if the user replied yes, breakpoint
21693 command lists are not executed and some CLI commands, such as
21694 @code{if}, @code{when} and @code{define}, prompt for further input with
21695 @samp{>}, which is not valid MI output.
21696
21697 This feature may be removed at some stage in the future and it is
21698 recommended that front ends use the @code{-interpreter-exec} command
21699 (@pxref{-interpreter-exec}).
21700
21701 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
21702 @node GDB/MI Development and Front Ends
21703 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Development and Front Ends
21704 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi} development
21705
21706 The application which takes the MI output and presents the state of the
21707 program being debugged to the user is called a @dfn{front end}.
21708
21709 Although @sc{gdb/mi} is still incomplete, it is currently being used
21710 by a variety of front ends to @value{GDBN}. This makes it difficult
21711 to introduce new functionality without breaking existing usage. This
21712 section tries to minimize the problems by describing how the protocol
21713 might change.
21714
21715 Some changes in MI need not break a carefully designed front end, and
21716 for these the MI version will remain unchanged. The following is a
21717 list of changes that may occur within one level, so front ends should
21718 parse MI output in a way that can handle them:
21719
21720 @itemize @bullet
21721 @item
21722 New MI commands may be added.
21723
21724 @item
21725 New fields may be added to the output of any MI command.
21726
21727 @item
21728 The range of values for fields with specified values, e.g.,
21729 @code{in_scope} (@pxref{-var-update}) may be extended.
21730
21731 @c The format of field's content e.g type prefix, may change so parse it
21732 @c at your own risk. Yes, in general?
21733
21734 @c The order of fields may change? Shouldn't really matter but it might
21735 @c resolve inconsistencies.
21736 @end itemize
21737
21738 If the changes are likely to break front ends, the MI version level
21739 will be increased by one. This will allow the front end to parse the
21740 output according to the MI version. Apart from mi0, new versions of
21741 @value{GDBN} will not support old versions of MI and it will be the
21742 responsibility of the front end to work with the new one.
21743
21744 @c Starting with mi3, add a new command -mi-version that prints the MI
21745 @c version?
21746
21747 The best way to avoid unexpected changes in MI that might break your front
21748 end is to make your project known to @value{GDBN} developers and
21749 follow development on @email{gdb@@sourceware.org} and
21750 @email{gdb-patches@@sourceware.org}.
21751 @cindex mailing lists
21752
21753 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
21754 @node GDB/MI Output Records
21755 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Output Records
21756
21757 @menu
21758 * GDB/MI Result Records::
21759 * GDB/MI Stream Records::
21760 * GDB/MI Async Records::
21761 * GDB/MI Frame Information::
21762 @end menu
21763
21764 @node GDB/MI Result Records
21765 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Result Records
21766
21767 @cindex result records in @sc{gdb/mi}
21768 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, result records
21769 In addition to a number of out-of-band notifications, the response to a
21770 @sc{gdb/mi} command includes one of the following result indications:
21771
21772 @table @code
21773 @findex ^done
21774 @item "^done" [ "," @var{results} ]
21775 The synchronous operation was successful, @code{@var{results}} are the return
21776 values.
21777
21778 @item "^running"
21779 @findex ^running
21780 @c Is this one correct? Should it be an out-of-band notification?
21781 The asynchronous operation was successfully started. The target is
21782 running.
21783
21784 @item "^connected"
21785 @findex ^connected
21786 @value{GDBN} has connected to a remote target.
21787
21788 @item "^error" "," @var{c-string}
21789 @findex ^error
21790 The operation failed. The @code{@var{c-string}} contains the corresponding
21791 error message.
21792
21793 @item "^exit"
21794 @findex ^exit
21795 @value{GDBN} has terminated.
21796
21797 @end table
21798
21799 @node GDB/MI Stream Records
21800 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Stream Records
21801
21802 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, stream records
21803 @cindex stream records in @sc{gdb/mi}
21804 @value{GDBN} internally maintains a number of output streams: the console, the
21805 target, and the log. The output intended for each of these streams is
21806 funneled through the @sc{gdb/mi} interface using @dfn{stream records}.
21807
21808 Each stream record begins with a unique @dfn{prefix character} which
21809 identifies its stream (@pxref{GDB/MI Output Syntax, , @sc{gdb/mi} Output
21810 Syntax}). In addition to the prefix, each stream record contains a
21811 @code{@var{string-output}}. This is either raw text (with an implicit new
21812 line) or a quoted C string (which does not contain an implicit newline).
21813
21814 @table @code
21815 @item "~" @var{string-output}
21816 The console output stream contains text that should be displayed in the
21817 CLI console window. It contains the textual responses to CLI commands.
21818
21819 @item "@@" @var{string-output}
21820 The target output stream contains any textual output from the running
21821 target. This is only present when GDB's event loop is truly
21822 asynchronous, which is currently only the case for remote targets.
21823
21824 @item "&" @var{string-output}
21825 The log stream contains debugging messages being produced by @value{GDBN}'s
21826 internals.
21827 @end table
21828
21829 @node GDB/MI Async Records
21830 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Async Records
21831
21832 @cindex async records in @sc{gdb/mi}
21833 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, async records
21834 @dfn{Async} records are used to notify the @sc{gdb/mi} client of
21835 additional changes that have occurred. Those changes can either be a
21836 consequence of @sc{gdb/mi} commands (e.g., a breakpoint modified) or a result of
21837 target activity (e.g., target stopped).
21838
21839 The following is the list of possible async records:
21840
21841 @table @code
21842
21843 @item *running,thread-id="@var{thread}"
21844 The target is now running. The @var{thread} field tells which
21845 specific thread is now running, and can be @samp{all} if all threads
21846 are running. The frontend should assume that no interaction with a
21847 running thread is possible after this notification is produced.
21848 The frontend should not assume that this notification is output
21849 only once for any command. @value{GDBN} may emit this notification
21850 several times, either for different threads, because it cannot resume
21851 all threads together, or even for a single thread, if the thread must
21852 be stepped though some code before letting it run freely.
21853
21854 @item *stopped,reason="@var{reason}",thread-id="@var{id}",stopped-threads="@var{stopped}"
21855 The target has stopped. The @var{reason} field can have one of the
21856 following values:
21857
21858 @table @code
21859 @item breakpoint-hit
21860 A breakpoint was reached.
21861 @item watchpoint-trigger
21862 A watchpoint was triggered.
21863 @item read-watchpoint-trigger
21864 A read watchpoint was triggered.
21865 @item access-watchpoint-trigger
21866 An access watchpoint was triggered.
21867 @item function-finished
21868 An -exec-finish or similar CLI command was accomplished.
21869 @item location-reached
21870 An -exec-until or similar CLI command was accomplished.
21871 @item watchpoint-scope
21872 A watchpoint has gone out of scope.
21873 @item end-stepping-range
21874 An -exec-next, -exec-next-instruction, -exec-step, -exec-step-instruction or
21875 similar CLI command was accomplished.
21876 @item exited-signalled
21877 The inferior exited because of a signal.
21878 @item exited
21879 The inferior exited.
21880 @item exited-normally
21881 The inferior exited normally.
21882 @item signal-received
21883 A signal was received by the inferior.
21884 @end table
21885
21886 The @var{id} field identifies the thread that directly caused the stop
21887 -- for example by hitting a breakpoint. Depending on whether all-stop
21888 mode is in effect (@pxref{All-Stop Mode}), @value{GDBN} may either
21889 stop all threads, or only the thread that directly triggered the stop.
21890 If all threads are stopped, the @var{stopped} field will have the
21891 value of @code{"all"}. Otherwise, the value of the @var{stopped}
21892 field will be a list of thread identifiers. Presently, this list will
21893 always include a single thread, but frontend should be prepared to see
21894 several threads in the list.
21895
21896 @item =thread-group-created,id="@var{id}"
21897 @itemx =thread-group-exited,id="@var{id}"
21898 A thread thread group either was attached to, or has exited/detached
21899 from. The @var{id} field contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the
21900 thread group.
21901
21902 @item =thread-created,id="@var{id}",group-id="@var{gid}"
21903 @itemx =thread-exited,id="@var{id}",group-id="@var{gid}"
21904 A thread either was created, or has exited. The @var{id} field
21905 contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread. The @var{gid}
21906 field identifies the thread group this thread belongs to.
21907
21908 @item =thread-selected,id="@var{id}"
21909 Informs that the selected thread was changed as result of the last
21910 command. This notification is not emitted as result of @code{-thread-select}
21911 command but is emitted whenever an MI command that is not documented
21912 to change the selected thread actually changes it. In particular,
21913 invoking, directly or indirectly (via user-defined command), the CLI
21914 @code{thread} command, will generate this notification.
21915
21916 We suggest that in response to this notification, front ends
21917 highlight the selected thread and cause subsequent commands to apply to
21918 that thread.
21919
21920 @item =library-loaded,...
21921 Reports that a new library file was loaded by the program. This
21922 notification has 4 fields---@var{id}, @var{target-name},
21923 @var{host-name}, and @var{symbols-loaded}. The @var{id} field is an
21924 opaque identifier of the library. For remote debugging case,
21925 @var{target-name} and @var{host-name} fields give the name of the
21926 library file on the target, and on the host respectively. For native
21927 debugging, both those fields have the same value. The
21928 @var{symbols-loaded} field reports if the debug symbols for this
21929 library are loaded.
21930
21931 @item =library-unloaded,...
21932 Reports that a library was unloaded by the program. This notification
21933 has 3 fields---@var{id}, @var{target-name} and @var{host-name} with
21934 the same meaning as for the @code{=library-loaded} notification
21935
21936 @end table
21937
21938 @node GDB/MI Frame Information
21939 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Frame Information
21940
21941 Response from many MI commands includes an information about stack
21942 frame. This information is a tuple that may have the following
21943 fields:
21944
21945 @table @code
21946 @item level
21947 The level of the stack frame. The innermost frame has the level of
21948 zero. This field is always present.
21949
21950 @item func
21951 The name of the function corresponding to the frame. This field may
21952 be absent if @value{GDBN} is unable to determine the function name.
21953
21954 @item addr
21955 The code address for the frame. This field is always present.
21956
21957 @item file
21958 The name of the source files that correspond to the frame's code
21959 address. This field may be absent.
21960
21961 @item line
21962 The source line corresponding to the frames' code address. This field
21963 may be absent.
21964
21965 @item from
21966 The name of the binary file (either executable or shared library) the
21967 corresponds to the frame's code address. This field may be absent.
21968
21969 @end table
21970
21971
21972 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
21973 @node GDB/MI Simple Examples
21974 @section Simple Examples of @sc{gdb/mi} Interaction
21975 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, simple examples
21976
21977 This subsection presents several simple examples of interaction using
21978 the @sc{gdb/mi} interface. In these examples, @samp{->} means that the
21979 following line is passed to @sc{gdb/mi} as input, while @samp{<-} means
21980 the output received from @sc{gdb/mi}.
21981
21982 Note the line breaks shown in the examples are here only for
21983 readability, they don't appear in the real output.
21984
21985 @subheading Setting a Breakpoint
21986
21987 Setting a breakpoint generates synchronous output which contains detailed
21988 information of the breakpoint.
21989
21990 @smallexample
21991 -> -break-insert main
21992 <- ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
21993 enabled="y",addr="0x08048564",func="main",file="myprog.c",
21994 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68",times="0"@}
21995 <- (gdb)
21996 @end smallexample
21997
21998 @subheading Program Execution
21999
22000 Program execution generates asynchronous records and MI gives the
22001 reason that execution stopped.
22002
22003 @smallexample
22004 -> -exec-run
22005 <- ^running
22006 <- (gdb)
22007 <- *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",thread-id="0",
22008 frame=@{addr="0x08048564",func="main",
22009 args=[@{name="argc",value="1"@},@{name="argv",value="0xbfc4d4d4"@}],
22010 file="myprog.c",fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68"@}
22011 <- (gdb)
22012 -> -exec-continue
22013 <- ^running
22014 <- (gdb)
22015 <- *stopped,reason="exited-normally"
22016 <- (gdb)
22017 @end smallexample
22018
22019 @subheading Quitting @value{GDBN}
22020
22021 Quitting @value{GDBN} just prints the result class @samp{^exit}.
22022
22023 @smallexample
22024 -> (gdb)
22025 <- -gdb-exit
22026 <- ^exit
22027 @end smallexample
22028
22029 Please note that @samp{^exit} is printed immediately, but it might
22030 take some time for @value{GDBN} to actually exit. During that time, @value{GDBN}
22031 performs necessary cleanups, including killing programs being debugged
22032 or disconnecting from debug hardware, so the frontend should wait till
22033 @value{GDBN} exits and should only forcibly kill @value{GDBN} if it
22034 fails to exit in reasonable time.
22035
22036 @subheading A Bad Command
22037
22038 Here's what happens if you pass a non-existent command:
22039
22040 @smallexample
22041 -> -rubbish
22042 <- ^error,msg="Undefined MI command: rubbish"
22043 <- (gdb)
22044 @end smallexample
22045
22046
22047 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
22048 @node GDB/MI Command Description Format
22049 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Command Description Format
22050
22051 The remaining sections describe blocks of commands. Each block of
22052 commands is laid out in a fashion similar to this section.
22053
22054 @subheading Motivation
22055
22056 The motivation for this collection of commands.
22057
22058 @subheading Introduction
22059
22060 A brief introduction to this collection of commands as a whole.
22061
22062 @subheading Commands
22063
22064 For each command in the block, the following is described:
22065
22066 @subsubheading Synopsis
22067
22068 @smallexample
22069 -command @var{args}@dots{}
22070 @end smallexample
22071
22072 @subsubheading Result
22073
22074 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22075
22076 The corresponding @value{GDBN} CLI command(s), if any.
22077
22078 @subsubheading Example
22079
22080 Example(s) formatted for readability. Some of the described commands have
22081 not been implemented yet and these are labeled N.A.@: (not available).
22082
22083
22084 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
22085 @node GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands
22086 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Breakpoint Commands
22087
22088 @cindex breakpoint commands for @sc{gdb/mi}
22089 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, breakpoint commands
22090 This section documents @sc{gdb/mi} commands for manipulating
22091 breakpoints.
22092
22093 @subheading The @code{-break-after} Command
22094 @findex -break-after
22095
22096 @subsubheading Synopsis
22097
22098 @smallexample
22099 -break-after @var{number} @var{count}
22100 @end smallexample
22101
22102 The breakpoint number @var{number} is not in effect until it has been
22103 hit @var{count} times. To see how this is reflected in the output of
22104 the @samp{-break-list} command, see the description of the
22105 @samp{-break-list} command below.
22106
22107 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22108
22109 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{ignore}.
22110
22111 @subsubheading Example
22112
22113 @smallexample
22114 (gdb)
22115 -break-insert main
22116 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
22117 enabled="y",addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",
22118 fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",line="5",times="0"@}
22119 (gdb)
22120 -break-after 1 3
22121 ~
22122 ^done
22123 (gdb)
22124 -break-list
22125 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
22126 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
22127 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
22128 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
22129 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
22130 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
22131 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
22132 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
22133 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
22134 line="5",times="0",ignore="3"@}]@}
22135 (gdb)
22136 @end smallexample
22137
22138 @ignore
22139 @subheading The @code{-break-catch} Command
22140 @findex -break-catch
22141 @end ignore
22142
22143 @subheading The @code{-break-commands} Command
22144 @findex -break-commands
22145
22146 @subsubheading Synopsis
22147
22148 @smallexample
22149 -break-commands @var{number} [ @var{command1} ... @var{commandN} ]
22150 @end smallexample
22151
22152 Specifies the CLI commands that should be executed when breakpoint
22153 @var{number} is hit. The parameters @var{command1} to @var{commandN}
22154 are the commands. If no command is specified, any previously-set
22155 commands are cleared. @xref{Break Commands}. Typical use of this
22156 functionality is tracing a program, that is, printing of values of
22157 some variables whenever breakpoint is hit and then continuing.
22158
22159 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22160
22161 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{commands}.
22162
22163 @subsubheading Example
22164
22165 @smallexample
22166 (gdb)
22167 -break-insert main
22168 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
22169 enabled="y",addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",
22170 fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",line="5",times="0"@}
22171 (gdb)
22172 -break-commands 1 "print v" "continue"
22173 ^done
22174 (gdb)
22175 @end smallexample
22176
22177 @subheading The @code{-break-condition} Command
22178 @findex -break-condition
22179
22180 @subsubheading Synopsis
22181
22182 @smallexample
22183 -break-condition @var{number} @var{expr}
22184 @end smallexample
22185
22186 Breakpoint @var{number} will stop the program only if the condition in
22187 @var{expr} is true. The condition becomes part of the
22188 @samp{-break-list} output (see the description of the @samp{-break-list}
22189 command below).
22190
22191 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22192
22193 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{condition}.
22194
22195 @subsubheading Example
22196
22197 @smallexample
22198 (gdb)
22199 -break-condition 1 1
22200 ^done
22201 (gdb)
22202 -break-list
22203 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
22204 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
22205 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
22206 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
22207 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
22208 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
22209 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
22210 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
22211 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
22212 line="5",cond="1",times="0",ignore="3"@}]@}
22213 (gdb)
22214 @end smallexample
22215
22216 @subheading The @code{-break-delete} Command
22217 @findex -break-delete
22218
22219 @subsubheading Synopsis
22220
22221 @smallexample
22222 -break-delete ( @var{breakpoint} )+
22223 @end smallexample
22224
22225 Delete the breakpoint(s) whose number(s) are specified in the argument
22226 list. This is obviously reflected in the breakpoint list.
22227
22228 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22229
22230 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{delete}.
22231
22232 @subsubheading Example
22233
22234 @smallexample
22235 (gdb)
22236 -break-delete 1
22237 ^done
22238 (gdb)
22239 -break-list
22240 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="0",nr_cols="6",
22241 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
22242 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
22243 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
22244 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
22245 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
22246 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
22247 body=[]@}
22248 (gdb)
22249 @end smallexample
22250
22251 @subheading The @code{-break-disable} Command
22252 @findex -break-disable
22253
22254 @subsubheading Synopsis
22255
22256 @smallexample
22257 -break-disable ( @var{breakpoint} )+
22258 @end smallexample
22259
22260 Disable the named @var{breakpoint}(s). The field @samp{enabled} in the
22261 break list is now set to @samp{n} for the named @var{breakpoint}(s).
22262
22263 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22264
22265 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disable}.
22266
22267 @subsubheading Example
22268
22269 @smallexample
22270 (gdb)
22271 -break-disable 2
22272 ^done
22273 (gdb)
22274 -break-list
22275 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
22276 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
22277 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
22278 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
22279 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
22280 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
22281 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
22282 body=[bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="n",
22283 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
22284 line="5",times="0"@}]@}
22285 (gdb)
22286 @end smallexample
22287
22288 @subheading The @code{-break-enable} Command
22289 @findex -break-enable
22290
22291 @subsubheading Synopsis
22292
22293 @smallexample
22294 -break-enable ( @var{breakpoint} )+
22295 @end smallexample
22296
22297 Enable (previously disabled) @var{breakpoint}(s).
22298
22299 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22300
22301 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{enable}.
22302
22303 @subsubheading Example
22304
22305 @smallexample
22306 (gdb)
22307 -break-enable 2
22308 ^done
22309 (gdb)
22310 -break-list
22311 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
22312 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
22313 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
22314 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
22315 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
22316 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
22317 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
22318 body=[bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
22319 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
22320 line="5",times="0"@}]@}
22321 (gdb)
22322 @end smallexample
22323
22324 @subheading The @code{-break-info} Command
22325 @findex -break-info
22326
22327 @subsubheading Synopsis
22328
22329 @smallexample
22330 -break-info @var{breakpoint}
22331 @end smallexample
22332
22333 @c REDUNDANT???
22334 Get information about a single breakpoint.
22335
22336 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22337
22338 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info break @var{breakpoint}}.
22339
22340 @subsubheading Example
22341 N.A.
22342
22343 @subheading The @code{-break-insert} Command
22344 @findex -break-insert
22345
22346 @subsubheading Synopsis
22347
22348 @smallexample
22349 -break-insert [ -t ] [ -h ] [ -f ] [ -d ]
22350 [ -c @var{condition} ] [ -i @var{ignore-count} ]
22351 [ -p @var{thread} ] [ @var{location} ]
22352 @end smallexample
22353
22354 @noindent
22355 If specified, @var{location}, can be one of:
22356
22357 @itemize @bullet
22358 @item function
22359 @c @item +offset
22360 @c @item -offset
22361 @c @item linenum
22362 @item filename:linenum
22363 @item filename:function
22364 @item *address
22365 @end itemize
22366
22367 The possible optional parameters of this command are:
22368
22369 @table @samp
22370 @item -t
22371 Insert a temporary breakpoint.
22372 @item -h
22373 Insert a hardware breakpoint.
22374 @item -c @var{condition}
22375 Make the breakpoint conditional on @var{condition}.
22376 @item -i @var{ignore-count}
22377 Initialize the @var{ignore-count}.
22378 @item -f
22379 If @var{location} cannot be parsed (for example if it
22380 refers to unknown files or functions), create a pending
22381 breakpoint. Without this flag, @value{GDBN} will report
22382 an error, and won't create a breakpoint, if @var{location}
22383 cannot be parsed.
22384 @item -d
22385 Create a disabled breakpoint.
22386 @end table
22387
22388 @subsubheading Result
22389
22390 The result is in the form:
22391
22392 @smallexample
22393 ^done,bkpt=@{number="@var{number}",type="@var{type}",disp="del"|"keep",
22394 enabled="y"|"n",addr="@var{hex}",func="@var{funcname}",file="@var{filename}",
22395 fullname="@var{full_filename}",line="@var{lineno}",[thread="@var{threadno},]
22396 times="@var{times}"@}
22397 @end smallexample
22398
22399 @noindent
22400 where @var{number} is the @value{GDBN} number for this breakpoint,
22401 @var{funcname} is the name of the function where the breakpoint was
22402 inserted, @var{filename} is the name of the source file which contains
22403 this function, @var{lineno} is the source line number within that file
22404 and @var{times} the number of times that the breakpoint has been hit
22405 (always 0 for -break-insert but may be greater for -break-info or -break-list
22406 which use the same output).
22407
22408 Note: this format is open to change.
22409 @c An out-of-band breakpoint instead of part of the result?
22410
22411 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22412
22413 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{break}, @samp{tbreak},
22414 @samp{hbreak}, @samp{thbreak}, and @samp{rbreak}.
22415
22416 @subsubheading Example
22417
22418 @smallexample
22419 (gdb)
22420 -break-insert main
22421 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x0001072c",file="recursive2.c",
22422 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,line="4",times="0"@}
22423 (gdb)
22424 -break-insert -t foo
22425 ^done,bkpt=@{number="2",addr="0x00010774",file="recursive2.c",
22426 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,line="11",times="0"@}
22427 (gdb)
22428 -break-list
22429 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
22430 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
22431 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
22432 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
22433 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
22434 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
22435 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
22436 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
22437 addr="0x0001072c", func="main",file="recursive2.c",
22438 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,"line="4",times="0"@},
22439 bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="del",enabled="y",
22440 addr="0x00010774",func="foo",file="recursive2.c",
22441 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c",line="11",times="0"@}]@}
22442 (gdb)
22443 -break-insert -r foo.*
22444 ~int foo(int, int);
22445 ^done,bkpt=@{number="3",addr="0x00010774",file="recursive2.c,
22446 "fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c",line="11",times="0"@}
22447 (gdb)
22448 @end smallexample
22449
22450 @subheading The @code{-break-list} Command
22451 @findex -break-list
22452
22453 @subsubheading Synopsis
22454
22455 @smallexample
22456 -break-list
22457 @end smallexample
22458
22459 Displays the list of inserted breakpoints, showing the following fields:
22460
22461 @table @samp
22462 @item Number
22463 number of the breakpoint
22464 @item Type
22465 type of the breakpoint: @samp{breakpoint} or @samp{watchpoint}
22466 @item Disposition
22467 should the breakpoint be deleted or disabled when it is hit: @samp{keep}
22468 or @samp{nokeep}
22469 @item Enabled
22470 is the breakpoint enabled or no: @samp{y} or @samp{n}
22471 @item Address
22472 memory location at which the breakpoint is set
22473 @item What
22474 logical location of the breakpoint, expressed by function name, file
22475 name, line number
22476 @item Times
22477 number of times the breakpoint has been hit
22478 @end table
22479
22480 If there are no breakpoints or watchpoints, the @code{BreakpointTable}
22481 @code{body} field is an empty list.
22482
22483 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22484
22485 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info break}.
22486
22487 @subsubheading Example
22488
22489 @smallexample
22490 (gdb)
22491 -break-list
22492 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
22493 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
22494 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
22495 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
22496 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
22497 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
22498 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
22499 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
22500 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",line="5",times="0"@},
22501 bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
22502 addr="0x00010114",func="foo",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
22503 line="13",times="0"@}]@}
22504 (gdb)
22505 @end smallexample
22506
22507 Here's an example of the result when there are no breakpoints:
22508
22509 @smallexample
22510 (gdb)
22511 -break-list
22512 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="0",nr_cols="6",
22513 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
22514 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
22515 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
22516 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
22517 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
22518 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
22519 body=[]@}
22520 (gdb)
22521 @end smallexample
22522
22523 @subheading The @code{-break-watch} Command
22524 @findex -break-watch
22525
22526 @subsubheading Synopsis
22527
22528 @smallexample
22529 -break-watch [ -a | -r ]
22530 @end smallexample
22531
22532 Create a watchpoint. With the @samp{-a} option it will create an
22533 @dfn{access} watchpoint, i.e., a watchpoint that triggers either on a
22534 read from or on a write to the memory location. With the @samp{-r}
22535 option, the watchpoint created is a @dfn{read} watchpoint, i.e., it will
22536 trigger only when the memory location is accessed for reading. Without
22537 either of the options, the watchpoint created is a regular watchpoint,
22538 i.e., it will trigger when the memory location is accessed for writing.
22539 @xref{Set Watchpoints, , Setting Watchpoints}.
22540
22541 Note that @samp{-break-list} will report a single list of watchpoints and
22542 breakpoints inserted.
22543
22544 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22545
22546 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{watch}, @samp{awatch}, and
22547 @samp{rwatch}.
22548
22549 @subsubheading Example
22550
22551 Setting a watchpoint on a variable in the @code{main} function:
22552
22553 @smallexample
22554 (gdb)
22555 -break-watch x
22556 ^done,wpt=@{number="2",exp="x"@}
22557 (gdb)
22558 -exec-continue
22559 ^running
22560 (gdb)
22561 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",wpt=@{number="2",exp="x"@},
22562 value=@{old="-268439212",new="55"@},
22563 frame=@{func="main",args=[],file="recursive2.c",
22564 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="5"@}
22565 (gdb)
22566 @end smallexample
22567
22568 Setting a watchpoint on a variable local to a function. @value{GDBN} will stop
22569 the program execution twice: first for the variable changing value, then
22570 for the watchpoint going out of scope.
22571
22572 @smallexample
22573 (gdb)
22574 -break-watch C
22575 ^done,wpt=@{number="5",exp="C"@}
22576 (gdb)
22577 -exec-continue
22578 ^running
22579 (gdb)
22580 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",
22581 wpt=@{number="5",exp="C"@},value=@{old="-276895068",new="3"@},
22582 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
22583 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
22584 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="13"@}
22585 (gdb)
22586 -exec-continue
22587 ^running
22588 (gdb)
22589 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-scope",wpnum="5",
22590 frame=@{func="callee3",args=[@{name="strarg",
22591 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
22592 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
22593 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
22594 (gdb)
22595 @end smallexample
22596
22597 Listing breakpoints and watchpoints, at different points in the program
22598 execution. Note that once the watchpoint goes out of scope, it is
22599 deleted.
22600
22601 @smallexample
22602 (gdb)
22603 -break-watch C
22604 ^done,wpt=@{number="2",exp="C"@}
22605 (gdb)
22606 -break-list
22607 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
22608 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
22609 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
22610 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
22611 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
22612 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
22613 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
22614 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
22615 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
22616 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
22617 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c"line="8",times="1"@},
22618 bkpt=@{number="2",type="watchpoint",disp="keep",
22619 enabled="y",addr="",what="C",times="0"@}]@}
22620 (gdb)
22621 -exec-continue
22622 ^running
22623 (gdb)
22624 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",wpt=@{number="2",exp="C"@},
22625 value=@{old="-276895068",new="3"@},
22626 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
22627 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
22628 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="13"@}
22629 (gdb)
22630 -break-list
22631 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
22632 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
22633 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
22634 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
22635 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
22636 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
22637 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
22638 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
22639 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
22640 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
22641 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",times="1"@},
22642 bkpt=@{number="2",type="watchpoint",disp="keep",
22643 enabled="y",addr="",what="C",times="-5"@}]@}
22644 (gdb)
22645 -exec-continue
22646 ^running
22647 ^done,reason="watchpoint-scope",wpnum="2",
22648 frame=@{func="callee3",args=[@{name="strarg",
22649 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
22650 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
22651 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
22652 (gdb)
22653 -break-list
22654 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
22655 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
22656 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
22657 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
22658 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
22659 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
22660 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
22661 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
22662 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
22663 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
22664 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",
22665 times="1"@}]@}
22666 (gdb)
22667 @end smallexample
22668
22669 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
22670 @node GDB/MI Program Context
22671 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Program Context
22672
22673 @subheading The @code{-exec-arguments} Command
22674 @findex -exec-arguments
22675
22676
22677 @subsubheading Synopsis
22678
22679 @smallexample
22680 -exec-arguments @var{args}
22681 @end smallexample
22682
22683 Set the inferior program arguments, to be used in the next
22684 @samp{-exec-run}.
22685
22686 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22687
22688 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set args}.
22689
22690 @subsubheading Example
22691
22692 @smallexample
22693 (gdb)
22694 -exec-arguments -v word
22695 ^done
22696 (gdb)
22697 @end smallexample
22698
22699
22700 @ignore
22701 @subheading The @code{-exec-show-arguments} Command
22702 @findex -exec-show-arguments
22703
22704 @subsubheading Synopsis
22705
22706 @smallexample
22707 -exec-show-arguments
22708 @end smallexample
22709
22710 Print the arguments of the program.
22711
22712 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22713
22714 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show args}.
22715
22716 @subsubheading Example
22717 N.A.
22718 @end ignore
22719
22720
22721 @subheading The @code{-environment-cd} Command
22722 @findex -environment-cd
22723
22724 @subsubheading Synopsis
22725
22726 @smallexample
22727 -environment-cd @var{pathdir}
22728 @end smallexample
22729
22730 Set @value{GDBN}'s working directory.
22731
22732 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22733
22734 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{cd}.
22735
22736 @subsubheading Example
22737
22738 @smallexample
22739 (gdb)
22740 -environment-cd /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb
22741 ^done
22742 (gdb)
22743 @end smallexample
22744
22745
22746 @subheading The @code{-environment-directory} Command
22747 @findex -environment-directory
22748
22749 @subsubheading Synopsis
22750
22751 @smallexample
22752 -environment-directory [ -r ] [ @var{pathdir} ]+
22753 @end smallexample
22754
22755 Add directories @var{pathdir} to beginning of search path for source files.
22756 If the @samp{-r} option is used, the search path is reset to the default
22757 search path. If directories @var{pathdir} are supplied in addition to the
22758 @samp{-r} option, the search path is first reset and then addition
22759 occurs as normal.
22760 Multiple directories may be specified, separated by blanks. Specifying
22761 multiple directories in a single command
22762 results in the directories added to the beginning of the
22763 search path in the same order they were presented in the command.
22764 If blanks are needed as
22765 part of a directory name, double-quotes should be used around
22766 the name. In the command output, the path will show up separated
22767 by the system directory-separator character. The directory-separator
22768 character must not be used
22769 in any directory name.
22770 If no directories are specified, the current search path is displayed.
22771
22772 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22773
22774 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{dir}.
22775
22776 @subsubheading Example
22777
22778 @smallexample
22779 (gdb)
22780 -environment-directory /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb
22781 ^done,source-path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb:$cdir:$cwd"
22782 (gdb)
22783 -environment-directory ""
22784 ^done,source-path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb:$cdir:$cwd"
22785 (gdb)
22786 -environment-directory -r /home/jjohnstn/src/gdb /usr/src
22787 ^done,source-path="/home/jjohnstn/src/gdb:/usr/src:$cdir:$cwd"
22788 (gdb)
22789 -environment-directory -r
22790 ^done,source-path="$cdir:$cwd"
22791 (gdb)
22792 @end smallexample
22793
22794
22795 @subheading The @code{-environment-path} Command
22796 @findex -environment-path
22797
22798 @subsubheading Synopsis
22799
22800 @smallexample
22801 -environment-path [ -r ] [ @var{pathdir} ]+
22802 @end smallexample
22803
22804 Add directories @var{pathdir} to beginning of search path for object files.
22805 If the @samp{-r} option is used, the search path is reset to the original
22806 search path that existed at gdb start-up. If directories @var{pathdir} are
22807 supplied in addition to the
22808 @samp{-r} option, the search path is first reset and then addition
22809 occurs as normal.
22810 Multiple directories may be specified, separated by blanks. Specifying
22811 multiple directories in a single command
22812 results in the directories added to the beginning of the
22813 search path in the same order they were presented in the command.
22814 If blanks are needed as
22815 part of a directory name, double-quotes should be used around
22816 the name. In the command output, the path will show up separated
22817 by the system directory-separator character. The directory-separator
22818 character must not be used
22819 in any directory name.
22820 If no directories are specified, the current path is displayed.
22821
22822
22823 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22824
22825 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{path}.
22826
22827 @subsubheading Example
22828
22829 @smallexample
22830 (gdb)
22831 -environment-path
22832 ^done,path="/usr/bin"
22833 (gdb)
22834 -environment-path /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/ppc-eabi/gdb /bin
22835 ^done,path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/ppc-eabi/gdb:/bin:/usr/bin"
22836 (gdb)
22837 -environment-path -r /usr/local/bin
22838 ^done,path="/usr/local/bin:/usr/bin"
22839 (gdb)
22840 @end smallexample
22841
22842
22843 @subheading The @code{-environment-pwd} Command
22844 @findex -environment-pwd
22845
22846 @subsubheading Synopsis
22847
22848 @smallexample
22849 -environment-pwd
22850 @end smallexample
22851
22852 Show the current working directory.
22853
22854 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22855
22856 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{pwd}.
22857
22858 @subsubheading Example
22859
22860 @smallexample
22861 (gdb)
22862 -environment-pwd
22863 ^done,cwd="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb"
22864 (gdb)
22865 @end smallexample
22866
22867 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
22868 @node GDB/MI Thread Commands
22869 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Thread Commands
22870
22871
22872 @subheading The @code{-thread-info} Command
22873 @findex -thread-info
22874
22875 @subsubheading Synopsis
22876
22877 @smallexample
22878 -thread-info [ @var{thread-id} ]
22879 @end smallexample
22880
22881 Reports information about either a specific thread, if
22882 the @var{thread-id} parameter is present, or about all
22883 threads. When printing information about all threads,
22884 also reports the current thread.
22885
22886 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22887
22888 The @samp{info thread} command prints the same information
22889 about all threads.
22890
22891 @subsubheading Example
22892
22893 @smallexample
22894 -thread-info
22895 ^done,threads=[
22896 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90 (LWP 21257)",
22897 frame=@{level="0",addr="0xffffe410",func="__kernel_vsyscall",args=[]@},state="running"@},
22898 @{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e156b0 (LWP 21254)",
22899 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0804891f",func="foo",args=[@{name="i",value="10"@}],
22900 file="/tmp/a.c",fullname="/tmp/a.c",line="158"@},state="running"@}],
22901 current-thread-id="1"
22902 (gdb)
22903 @end smallexample
22904
22905 The @samp{state} field may have the following values:
22906
22907 @table @code
22908 @item stopped
22909 The thread is stopped. Frame information is available for stopped
22910 threads.
22911
22912 @item running
22913 The thread is running. There's no frame information for running
22914 threads.
22915
22916 @end table
22917
22918 @subheading The @code{-thread-list-ids} Command
22919 @findex -thread-list-ids
22920
22921 @subsubheading Synopsis
22922
22923 @smallexample
22924 -thread-list-ids
22925 @end smallexample
22926
22927 Produces a list of the currently known @value{GDBN} thread ids. At the
22928 end of the list it also prints the total number of such threads.
22929
22930 This command is retained for historical reasons, the
22931 @code{-thread-info} command should be used instead.
22932
22933 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22934
22935 Part of @samp{info threads} supplies the same information.
22936
22937 @subsubheading Example
22938
22939 @smallexample
22940 (gdb)
22941 -thread-list-ids
22942 ^done,thread-ids=@{thread-id="3",thread-id="2",thread-id="1"@},
22943 current-thread-id="1",number-of-threads="3"
22944 (gdb)
22945 @end smallexample
22946
22947
22948 @subheading The @code{-thread-select} Command
22949 @findex -thread-select
22950
22951 @subsubheading Synopsis
22952
22953 @smallexample
22954 -thread-select @var{threadnum}
22955 @end smallexample
22956
22957 Make @var{threadnum} the current thread. It prints the number of the new
22958 current thread, and the topmost frame for that thread.
22959
22960 This command is deprecated in favor of explicitly using the
22961 @samp{--thread} option to each command.
22962
22963 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22964
22965 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{thread}.
22966
22967 @subsubheading Example
22968
22969 @smallexample
22970 (gdb)
22971 -exec-next
22972 ^running
22973 (gdb)
22974 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",thread-id="2",line="187",
22975 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.threads/linux-dp.c"
22976 (gdb)
22977 -thread-list-ids
22978 ^done,
22979 thread-ids=@{thread-id="3",thread-id="2",thread-id="1"@},
22980 number-of-threads="3"
22981 (gdb)
22982 -thread-select 3
22983 ^done,new-thread-id="3",
22984 frame=@{level="0",func="vprintf",
22985 args=[@{name="format",value="0x8048e9c \"%*s%c %d %c\\n\""@},
22986 @{name="arg",value="0x2"@}],file="vprintf.c",line="31"@}
22987 (gdb)
22988 @end smallexample
22989
22990 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
22991 @node GDB/MI Program Execution
22992 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Program Execution
22993
22994 These are the asynchronous commands which generate the out-of-band
22995 record @samp{*stopped}. Currently @value{GDBN} only really executes
22996 asynchronously with remote targets and this interaction is mimicked in
22997 other cases.
22998
22999 @subheading The @code{-exec-continue} Command
23000 @findex -exec-continue
23001
23002 @subsubheading Synopsis
23003
23004 @smallexample
23005 -exec-continue [--all|--thread-group N]
23006 @end smallexample
23007
23008 Resumes the execution of the inferior program until a breakpoint is
23009 encountered, or until the inferior exits. In all-stop mode
23010 (@pxref{All-Stop Mode}), may resume only one thread, or all threads,
23011 depending on the value of the @samp{scheduler-locking} variable. In
23012 non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}), if the @samp{--all} is not
23013 specified, only the thread specified with the @samp{--thread} option
23014 (or current thread, if no @samp{--thread} is provided) is resumed. If
23015 @samp{--all} is specified, all threads will be resumed. The
23016 @samp{--all} option is ignored in all-stop mode. If the
23017 @samp{--thread-group} options is specified, then all threads in that
23018 thread group are resumed.
23019
23020 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23021
23022 The corresponding @value{GDBN} corresponding is @samp{continue}.
23023
23024 @subsubheading Example
23025
23026 @smallexample
23027 -exec-continue
23028 ^running
23029 (gdb)
23030 @@Hello world
23031 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="2",frame=@{
23032 func="foo",args=[],file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/hello.c",
23033 line="13"@}
23034 (gdb)
23035 @end smallexample
23036
23037
23038 @subheading The @code{-exec-finish} Command
23039 @findex -exec-finish
23040
23041 @subsubheading Synopsis
23042
23043 @smallexample
23044 -exec-finish
23045 @end smallexample
23046
23047 Resumes the execution of the inferior program until the current
23048 function is exited. Displays the results returned by the function.
23049
23050 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23051
23052 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{finish}.
23053
23054 @subsubheading Example
23055
23056 Function returning @code{void}.
23057
23058 @smallexample
23059 -exec-finish
23060 ^running
23061 (gdb)
23062 @@hello from foo
23063 *stopped,reason="function-finished",frame=@{func="main",args=[],
23064 file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/hello.c",line="7"@}
23065 (gdb)
23066 @end smallexample
23067
23068 Function returning other than @code{void}. The name of the internal
23069 @value{GDBN} variable storing the result is printed, together with the
23070 value itself.
23071
23072 @smallexample
23073 -exec-finish
23074 ^running
23075 (gdb)
23076 *stopped,reason="function-finished",frame=@{addr="0x000107b0",func="foo",
23077 args=[@{name="a",value="1"],@{name="b",value="9"@}@},
23078 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
23079 gdb-result-var="$1",return-value="0"
23080 (gdb)
23081 @end smallexample
23082
23083
23084 @subheading The @code{-exec-interrupt} Command
23085 @findex -exec-interrupt
23086
23087 @subsubheading Synopsis
23088
23089 @smallexample
23090 -exec-interrupt [--all|--thread-group N]
23091 @end smallexample
23092
23093 Interrupts the background execution of the target. Note how the token
23094 associated with the stop message is the one for the execution command
23095 that has been interrupted. The token for the interrupt itself only
23096 appears in the @samp{^done} output. If the user is trying to
23097 interrupt a non-running program, an error message will be printed.
23098
23099 Note that when asynchronous execution is enabled, this command is
23100 asynchronous just like other execution commands. That is, first the
23101 @samp{^done} response will be printed, and the target stop will be
23102 reported after that using the @samp{*stopped} notification.
23103
23104 In non-stop mode, only the context thread is interrupted by default.
23105 All threads will be interrupted if the @samp{--all} option is
23106 specified. If the @samp{--thread-group} option is specified, all
23107 threads in that group will be interrupted.
23108
23109 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23110
23111 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{interrupt}.
23112
23113 @subsubheading Example
23114
23115 @smallexample
23116 (gdb)
23117 111-exec-continue
23118 111^running
23119
23120 (gdb)
23121 222-exec-interrupt
23122 222^done
23123 (gdb)
23124 111*stopped,signal-name="SIGINT",signal-meaning="Interrupt",
23125 frame=@{addr="0x00010140",func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
23126 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="13"@}
23127 (gdb)
23128
23129 (gdb)
23130 -exec-interrupt
23131 ^error,msg="mi_cmd_exec_interrupt: Inferior not executing."
23132 (gdb)
23133 @end smallexample
23134
23135 @subheading The @code{-exec-jump} Command
23136 @findex -exec-jump
23137
23138 @subsubheading Synopsis
23139
23140 @smallexample
23141 -exec-jump @var{location}
23142 @end smallexample
23143
23144 Resumes execution of the inferior program at the location specified by
23145 parameter. @xref{Specify Location}, for a description of the
23146 different forms of @var{location}.
23147
23148 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23149
23150 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{jump}.
23151
23152 @subsubheading Example
23153
23154 @smallexample
23155 -exec-jump foo.c:10
23156 *running,thread-id="all"
23157 ^running
23158 @end smallexample
23159
23160
23161 @subheading The @code{-exec-next} Command
23162 @findex -exec-next
23163
23164 @subsubheading Synopsis
23165
23166 @smallexample
23167 -exec-next
23168 @end smallexample
23169
23170 Resumes execution of the inferior program, stopping when the beginning
23171 of the next source line is reached.
23172
23173 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23174
23175 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{next}.
23176
23177 @subsubheading Example
23178
23179 @smallexample
23180 -exec-next
23181 ^running
23182 (gdb)
23183 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",line="8",file="hello.c"
23184 (gdb)
23185 @end smallexample
23186
23187
23188 @subheading The @code{-exec-next-instruction} Command
23189 @findex -exec-next-instruction
23190
23191 @subsubheading Synopsis
23192
23193 @smallexample
23194 -exec-next-instruction
23195 @end smallexample
23196
23197 Executes one machine instruction. If the instruction is a function
23198 call, continues until the function returns. If the program stops at an
23199 instruction in the middle of a source line, the address will be
23200 printed as well.
23201
23202 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23203
23204 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{nexti}.
23205
23206 @subsubheading Example
23207
23208 @smallexample
23209 (gdb)
23210 -exec-next-instruction
23211 ^running
23212
23213 (gdb)
23214 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
23215 addr="0x000100d4",line="5",file="hello.c"
23216 (gdb)
23217 @end smallexample
23218
23219
23220 @subheading The @code{-exec-return} Command
23221 @findex -exec-return
23222
23223 @subsubheading Synopsis
23224
23225 @smallexample
23226 -exec-return
23227 @end smallexample
23228
23229 Makes current function return immediately. Doesn't execute the inferior.
23230 Displays the new current frame.
23231
23232 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23233
23234 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{return}.
23235
23236 @subsubheading Example
23237
23238 @smallexample
23239 (gdb)
23240 200-break-insert callee4
23241 200^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x00010734",
23242 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@}
23243 (gdb)
23244 000-exec-run
23245 000^running
23246 (gdb)
23247 000*stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",
23248 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
23249 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
23250 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@}
23251 (gdb)
23252 205-break-delete
23253 205^done
23254 (gdb)
23255 111-exec-return
23256 111^done,frame=@{level="0",func="callee3",
23257 args=[@{name="strarg",
23258 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
23259 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
23260 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
23261 (gdb)
23262 @end smallexample
23263
23264
23265 @subheading The @code{-exec-run} Command
23266 @findex -exec-run
23267
23268 @subsubheading Synopsis
23269
23270 @smallexample
23271 -exec-run
23272 @end smallexample
23273
23274 Starts execution of the inferior from the beginning. The inferior
23275 executes until either a breakpoint is encountered or the program
23276 exits. In the latter case the output will include an exit code, if
23277 the program has exited exceptionally.
23278
23279 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23280
23281 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{run}.
23282
23283 @subsubheading Examples
23284
23285 @smallexample
23286 (gdb)
23287 -break-insert main
23288 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x0001072c",file="recursive2.c",line="4"@}
23289 (gdb)
23290 -exec-run
23291 ^running
23292 (gdb)
23293 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",
23294 frame=@{func="main",args=[],file="recursive2.c",
23295 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="4"@}
23296 (gdb)
23297 @end smallexample
23298
23299 @noindent
23300 Program exited normally:
23301
23302 @smallexample
23303 (gdb)
23304 -exec-run
23305 ^running
23306 (gdb)
23307 x = 55
23308 *stopped,reason="exited-normally"
23309 (gdb)
23310 @end smallexample
23311
23312 @noindent
23313 Program exited exceptionally:
23314
23315 @smallexample
23316 (gdb)
23317 -exec-run
23318 ^running
23319 (gdb)
23320 x = 55
23321 *stopped,reason="exited",exit-code="01"
23322 (gdb)
23323 @end smallexample
23324
23325 Another way the program can terminate is if it receives a signal such as
23326 @code{SIGINT}. In this case, @sc{gdb/mi} displays this:
23327
23328 @smallexample
23329 (gdb)
23330 *stopped,reason="exited-signalled",signal-name="SIGINT",
23331 signal-meaning="Interrupt"
23332 @end smallexample
23333
23334
23335 @c @subheading -exec-signal
23336
23337
23338 @subheading The @code{-exec-step} Command
23339 @findex -exec-step
23340
23341 @subsubheading Synopsis
23342
23343 @smallexample
23344 -exec-step
23345 @end smallexample
23346
23347 Resumes execution of the inferior program, stopping when the beginning
23348 of the next source line is reached, if the next source line is not a
23349 function call. If it is, stop at the first instruction of the called
23350 function.
23351
23352 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23353
23354 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{step}.
23355
23356 @subsubheading Example
23357
23358 Stepping into a function:
23359
23360 @smallexample
23361 -exec-step
23362 ^running
23363 (gdb)
23364 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
23365 frame=@{func="foo",args=[@{name="a",value="10"@},
23366 @{name="b",value="0"@}],file="recursive2.c",
23367 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="11"@}
23368 (gdb)
23369 @end smallexample
23370
23371 Regular stepping:
23372
23373 @smallexample
23374 -exec-step
23375 ^running
23376 (gdb)
23377 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",line="14",file="recursive2.c"
23378 (gdb)
23379 @end smallexample
23380
23381
23382 @subheading The @code{-exec-step-instruction} Command
23383 @findex -exec-step-instruction
23384
23385 @subsubheading Synopsis
23386
23387 @smallexample
23388 -exec-step-instruction
23389 @end smallexample
23390
23391 Resumes the inferior which executes one machine instruction. The
23392 output, once @value{GDBN} has stopped, will vary depending on whether
23393 we have stopped in the middle of a source line or not. In the former
23394 case, the address at which the program stopped will be printed as
23395 well.
23396
23397 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23398
23399 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{stepi}.
23400
23401 @subsubheading Example
23402
23403 @smallexample
23404 (gdb)
23405 -exec-step-instruction
23406 ^running
23407
23408 (gdb)
23409 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
23410 frame=@{func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
23411 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="10"@}
23412 (gdb)
23413 -exec-step-instruction
23414 ^running
23415
23416 (gdb)
23417 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
23418 frame=@{addr="0x000100f4",func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
23419 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="10"@}
23420 (gdb)
23421 @end smallexample
23422
23423
23424 @subheading The @code{-exec-until} Command
23425 @findex -exec-until
23426
23427 @subsubheading Synopsis
23428
23429 @smallexample
23430 -exec-until [ @var{location} ]
23431 @end smallexample
23432
23433 Executes the inferior until the @var{location} specified in the
23434 argument is reached. If there is no argument, the inferior executes
23435 until a source line greater than the current one is reached. The
23436 reason for stopping in this case will be @samp{location-reached}.
23437
23438 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23439
23440 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{until}.
23441
23442 @subsubheading Example
23443
23444 @smallexample
23445 (gdb)
23446 -exec-until recursive2.c:6
23447 ^running
23448 (gdb)
23449 x = 55
23450 *stopped,reason="location-reached",frame=@{func="main",args=[],
23451 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="6"@}
23452 (gdb)
23453 @end smallexample
23454
23455 @ignore
23456 @subheading -file-clear
23457 Is this going away????
23458 @end ignore
23459
23460 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
23461 @node GDB/MI Stack Manipulation
23462 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Stack Manipulation Commands
23463
23464
23465 @subheading The @code{-stack-info-frame} Command
23466 @findex -stack-info-frame
23467
23468 @subsubheading Synopsis
23469
23470 @smallexample
23471 -stack-info-frame
23472 @end smallexample
23473
23474 Get info on the selected frame.
23475
23476 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23477
23478 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info frame} or @samp{frame}
23479 (without arguments).
23480
23481 @subsubheading Example
23482
23483 @smallexample
23484 (gdb)
23485 -stack-info-frame
23486 ^done,frame=@{level="1",addr="0x0001076c",func="callee3",
23487 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
23488 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="17"@}
23489 (gdb)
23490 @end smallexample
23491
23492 @subheading The @code{-stack-info-depth} Command
23493 @findex -stack-info-depth
23494
23495 @subsubheading Synopsis
23496
23497 @smallexample
23498 -stack-info-depth [ @var{max-depth} ]
23499 @end smallexample
23500
23501 Return the depth of the stack. If the integer argument @var{max-depth}
23502 is specified, do not count beyond @var{max-depth} frames.
23503
23504 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23505
23506 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command.
23507
23508 @subsubheading Example
23509
23510 For a stack with frame levels 0 through 11:
23511
23512 @smallexample
23513 (gdb)
23514 -stack-info-depth
23515 ^done,depth="12"
23516 (gdb)
23517 -stack-info-depth 4
23518 ^done,depth="4"
23519 (gdb)
23520 -stack-info-depth 12
23521 ^done,depth="12"
23522 (gdb)
23523 -stack-info-depth 11
23524 ^done,depth="11"
23525 (gdb)
23526 -stack-info-depth 13
23527 ^done,depth="12"
23528 (gdb)
23529 @end smallexample
23530
23531 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-arguments} Command
23532 @findex -stack-list-arguments
23533
23534 @subsubheading Synopsis
23535
23536 @smallexample
23537 -stack-list-arguments @var{print-values}
23538 [ @var{low-frame} @var{high-frame} ]
23539 @end smallexample
23540
23541 Display a list of the arguments for the frames between @var{low-frame}
23542 and @var{high-frame} (inclusive). If @var{low-frame} and
23543 @var{high-frame} are not provided, list the arguments for the whole
23544 call stack. If the two arguments are equal, show the single frame
23545 at the corresponding level. It is an error if @var{low-frame} is
23546 larger than the actual number of frames. On the other hand,
23547 @var{high-frame} may be larger than the actual number of frames, in
23548 which case only existing frames will be returned.
23549
23550 If @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
23551 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
23552 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
23553 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
23554 structures and unions.
23555
23556 Use of this command to obtain arguments in a single frame is
23557 deprecated in favor of the @samp{-stack-list-variables} command.
23558
23559 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23560
23561 @value{GDBN} does not have an equivalent command. @code{gdbtk} has a
23562 @samp{gdb_get_args} command which partially overlaps with the
23563 functionality of @samp{-stack-list-arguments}.
23564
23565 @subsubheading Example
23566
23567 @smallexample
23568 (gdb)
23569 -stack-list-frames
23570 ^done,
23571 stack=[
23572 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
23573 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
23574 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@},
23575 frame=@{level="1",addr="0x0001076c",func="callee3",
23576 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
23577 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="17"@},
23578 frame=@{level="2",addr="0x0001078c",func="callee2",
23579 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
23580 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="22"@},
23581 frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107b4",func="callee1",
23582 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
23583 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="27"@},
23584 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107e0",func="main",
23585 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
23586 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="32"@}]
23587 (gdb)
23588 -stack-list-arguments 0
23589 ^done,
23590 stack-args=[
23591 frame=@{level="0",args=[]@},
23592 frame=@{level="1",args=[name="strarg"]@},
23593 frame=@{level="2",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg"]@},
23594 frame=@{level="3",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg",name="fltarg"]@},
23595 frame=@{level="4",args=[]@}]
23596 (gdb)
23597 -stack-list-arguments 1
23598 ^done,
23599 stack-args=[
23600 frame=@{level="0",args=[]@},
23601 frame=@{level="1",
23602 args=[@{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@},
23603 frame=@{level="2",args=[
23604 @{name="intarg",value="2"@},
23605 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@},
23606 @{frame=@{level="3",args=[
23607 @{name="intarg",value="2"@},
23608 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@},
23609 @{name="fltarg",value="3.5"@}]@},
23610 frame=@{level="4",args=[]@}]
23611 (gdb)
23612 -stack-list-arguments 0 2 2
23613 ^done,stack-args=[frame=@{level="2",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg"]@}]
23614 (gdb)
23615 -stack-list-arguments 1 2 2
23616 ^done,stack-args=[frame=@{level="2",
23617 args=[@{name="intarg",value="2"@},
23618 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@}]
23619 (gdb)
23620 @end smallexample
23621
23622 @c @subheading -stack-list-exception-handlers
23623
23624
23625 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-frames} Command
23626 @findex -stack-list-frames
23627
23628 @subsubheading Synopsis
23629
23630 @smallexample
23631 -stack-list-frames [ @var{low-frame} @var{high-frame} ]
23632 @end smallexample
23633
23634 List the frames currently on the stack. For each frame it displays the
23635 following info:
23636
23637 @table @samp
23638 @item @var{level}
23639 The frame number, 0 being the topmost frame, i.e., the innermost function.
23640 @item @var{addr}
23641 The @code{$pc} value for that frame.
23642 @item @var{func}
23643 Function name.
23644 @item @var{file}
23645 File name of the source file where the function lives.
23646 @item @var{line}
23647 Line number corresponding to the @code{$pc}.
23648 @end table
23649
23650 If invoked without arguments, this command prints a backtrace for the
23651 whole stack. If given two integer arguments, it shows the frames whose
23652 levels are between the two arguments (inclusive). If the two arguments
23653 are equal, it shows the single frame at the corresponding level. It is
23654 an error if @var{low-frame} is larger than the actual number of
23655 frames. On the other hand, @var{high-frame} may be larger than the
23656 actual number of frames, in which case only existing frames will be returned.
23657
23658 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23659
23660 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{backtrace} and @samp{where}.
23661
23662 @subsubheading Example
23663
23664 Full stack backtrace:
23665
23666 @smallexample
23667 (gdb)
23668 -stack-list-frames
23669 ^done,stack=
23670 [frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0001076c",func="foo",
23671 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="11"@},
23672 frame=@{level="1",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
23673 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
23674 frame=@{level="2",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
23675 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
23676 frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
23677 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
23678 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
23679 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
23680 frame=@{level="5",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
23681 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
23682 frame=@{level="6",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
23683 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
23684 frame=@{level="7",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
23685 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
23686 frame=@{level="8",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
23687 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
23688 frame=@{level="9",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
23689 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
23690 frame=@{level="10",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
23691 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
23692 frame=@{level="11",addr="0x00010738",func="main",
23693 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="4"@}]
23694 (gdb)
23695 @end smallexample
23696
23697 Show frames between @var{low_frame} and @var{high_frame}:
23698
23699 @smallexample
23700 (gdb)
23701 -stack-list-frames 3 5
23702 ^done,stack=
23703 [frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
23704 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
23705 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
23706 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
23707 frame=@{level="5",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
23708 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@}]
23709 (gdb)
23710 @end smallexample
23711
23712 Show a single frame:
23713
23714 @smallexample
23715 (gdb)
23716 -stack-list-frames 3 3
23717 ^done,stack=
23718 [frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
23719 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@}]
23720 (gdb)
23721 @end smallexample
23722
23723
23724 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-locals} Command
23725 @findex -stack-list-locals
23726
23727 @subsubheading Synopsis
23728
23729 @smallexample
23730 -stack-list-locals @var{print-values}
23731 @end smallexample
23732
23733 Display the local variable names for the selected frame. If
23734 @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
23735 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
23736 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
23737 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
23738 structures and unions. In this last case, a frontend can immediately
23739 display the value of simple data types and create variable objects for
23740 other data types when the user wishes to explore their values in
23741 more detail.
23742
23743 This command is deprecated in favor of the
23744 @samp{-stack-list-variables} command.
23745
23746 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23747
23748 @samp{info locals} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_get_locals} in @code{gdbtk}.
23749
23750 @subsubheading Example
23751
23752 @smallexample
23753 (gdb)
23754 -stack-list-locals 0
23755 ^done,locals=[name="A",name="B",name="C"]
23756 (gdb)
23757 -stack-list-locals --all-values
23758 ^done,locals=[@{name="A",value="1"@},@{name="B",value="2"@},
23759 @{name="C",value="@{1, 2, 3@}"@}]
23760 -stack-list-locals --simple-values
23761 ^done,locals=[@{name="A",type="int",value="1"@},
23762 @{name="B",type="int",value="2"@},@{name="C",type="int [3]"@}]
23763 (gdb)
23764 @end smallexample
23765
23766 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-variables} Command
23767 @findex -stack-list-variables
23768
23769 @subsubheading Synopsis
23770
23771 @smallexample
23772 -stack-list-variables @var{print-values}
23773 @end smallexample
23774
23775 Display the names of local variables and function arguments for the selected frame. If
23776 @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
23777 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
23778 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
23779 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
23780 structures and unions.
23781
23782 @subsubheading Example
23783
23784 @smallexample
23785 (gdb)
23786 -stack-list-variables --thread 1 --frame 0 --all-values
23787 ^done,variables=[@{name="x",value="11"@},@{name="s",value="@{a = 1, b = 2@}"@}]
23788 (gdb)
23789 @end smallexample
23790
23791
23792 @subheading The @code{-stack-select-frame} Command
23793 @findex -stack-select-frame
23794
23795 @subsubheading Synopsis
23796
23797 @smallexample
23798 -stack-select-frame @var{framenum}
23799 @end smallexample
23800
23801 Change the selected frame. Select a different frame @var{framenum} on
23802 the stack.
23803
23804 This command in deprecated in favor of passing the @samp{--frame}
23805 option to every command.
23806
23807 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23808
23809 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{frame}, @samp{up},
23810 @samp{down}, @samp{select-frame}, @samp{up-silent}, and @samp{down-silent}.
23811
23812 @subsubheading Example
23813
23814 @smallexample
23815 (gdb)
23816 -stack-select-frame 2
23817 ^done
23818 (gdb)
23819 @end smallexample
23820
23821 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
23822 @node GDB/MI Variable Objects
23823 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Variable Objects
23824
23825 @ignore
23826
23827 @subheading Motivation for Variable Objects in @sc{gdb/mi}
23828
23829 For the implementation of a variable debugger window (locals, watched
23830 expressions, etc.), we are proposing the adaptation of the existing code
23831 used by @code{Insight}.
23832
23833 The two main reasons for that are:
23834
23835 @enumerate 1
23836 @item
23837 It has been proven in practice (it is already on its second generation).
23838
23839 @item
23840 It will shorten development time (needless to say how important it is
23841 now).
23842 @end enumerate
23843
23844 The original interface was designed to be used by Tcl code, so it was
23845 slightly changed so it could be used through @sc{gdb/mi}. This section
23846 describes the @sc{gdb/mi} operations that will be available and gives some
23847 hints about their use.
23848
23849 @emph{Note}: In addition to the set of operations described here, we
23850 expect the @sc{gui} implementation of a variable window to require, at
23851 least, the following operations:
23852
23853 @itemize @bullet
23854 @item @code{-gdb-show} @code{output-radix}
23855 @item @code{-stack-list-arguments}
23856 @item @code{-stack-list-locals}
23857 @item @code{-stack-select-frame}
23858 @end itemize
23859
23860 @end ignore
23861
23862 @subheading Introduction to Variable Objects
23863
23864 @cindex variable objects in @sc{gdb/mi}
23865
23866 Variable objects are "object-oriented" MI interface for examining and
23867 changing values of expressions. Unlike some other MI interfaces that
23868 work with expressions, variable objects are specifically designed for
23869 simple and efficient presentation in the frontend. A variable object
23870 is identified by string name. When a variable object is created, the
23871 frontend specifies the expression for that variable object. The
23872 expression can be a simple variable, or it can be an arbitrary complex
23873 expression, and can even involve CPU registers. After creating a
23874 variable object, the frontend can invoke other variable object
23875 operations---for example to obtain or change the value of a variable
23876 object, or to change display format.
23877
23878 Variable objects have hierarchical tree structure. Any variable object
23879 that corresponds to a composite type, such as structure in C, has
23880 a number of child variable objects, for example corresponding to each
23881 element of a structure. A child variable object can itself have
23882 children, recursively. Recursion ends when we reach
23883 leaf variable objects, which always have built-in types. Child variable
23884 objects are created only by explicit request, so if a frontend
23885 is not interested in the children of a particular variable object, no
23886 child will be created.
23887
23888 For a leaf variable object it is possible to obtain its value as a
23889 string, or set the value from a string. String value can be also
23890 obtained for a non-leaf variable object, but it's generally a string
23891 that only indicates the type of the object, and does not list its
23892 contents. Assignment to a non-leaf variable object is not allowed.
23893
23894 A frontend does not need to read the values of all variable objects each time
23895 the program stops. Instead, MI provides an update command that lists all
23896 variable objects whose values has changed since the last update
23897 operation. This considerably reduces the amount of data that must
23898 be transferred to the frontend. As noted above, children variable
23899 objects are created on demand, and only leaf variable objects have a
23900 real value. As result, gdb will read target memory only for leaf
23901 variables that frontend has created.
23902
23903 The automatic update is not always desirable. For example, a frontend
23904 might want to keep a value of some expression for future reference,
23905 and never update it. For another example, fetching memory is
23906 relatively slow for embedded targets, so a frontend might want
23907 to disable automatic update for the variables that are either not
23908 visible on the screen, or ``closed''. This is possible using so
23909 called ``frozen variable objects''. Such variable objects are never
23910 implicitly updated.
23911
23912 Variable objects can be either @dfn{fixed} or @dfn{floating}. For the
23913 fixed variable object, the expression is parsed when the variable
23914 object is created, including associating identifiers to specific
23915 variables. The meaning of expression never changes. For a floating
23916 variable object the values of variables whose names appear in the
23917 expressions are re-evaluated every time in the context of the current
23918 frame. Consider this example:
23919
23920 @smallexample
23921 void do_work(...)
23922 @{
23923 struct work_state state;
23924
23925 if (...)
23926 do_work(...);
23927 @}
23928 @end smallexample
23929
23930 If a fixed variable object for the @code{state} variable is created in
23931 this function, and we enter the recursive call, the the variable
23932 object will report the value of @code{state} in the top-level
23933 @code{do_work} invocation. On the other hand, a floating variable
23934 object will report the value of @code{state} in the current frame.
23935
23936 If an expression specified when creating a fixed variable object
23937 refers to a local variable, the variable object becomes bound to the
23938 thread and frame in which the variable object is created. When such
23939 variable object is updated, @value{GDBN} makes sure that the
23940 thread/frame combination the variable object is bound to still exists,
23941 and re-evaluates the variable object in context of that thread/frame.
23942
23943 The following is the complete set of @sc{gdb/mi} operations defined to
23944 access this functionality:
23945
23946 @multitable @columnfractions .4 .6
23947 @item @strong{Operation}
23948 @tab @strong{Description}
23949
23950 @item @code{-enable-pretty-printing}
23951 @tab enable Python-based pretty-printing
23952 @item @code{-var-create}
23953 @tab create a variable object
23954 @item @code{-var-delete}
23955 @tab delete the variable object and/or its children
23956 @item @code{-var-set-format}
23957 @tab set the display format of this variable
23958 @item @code{-var-show-format}
23959 @tab show the display format of this variable
23960 @item @code{-var-info-num-children}
23961 @tab tells how many children this object has
23962 @item @code{-var-list-children}
23963 @tab return a list of the object's children
23964 @item @code{-var-info-type}
23965 @tab show the type of this variable object
23966 @item @code{-var-info-expression}
23967 @tab print parent-relative expression that this variable object represents
23968 @item @code{-var-info-path-expression}
23969 @tab print full expression that this variable object represents
23970 @item @code{-var-show-attributes}
23971 @tab is this variable editable? does it exist here?
23972 @item @code{-var-evaluate-expression}
23973 @tab get the value of this variable
23974 @item @code{-var-assign}
23975 @tab set the value of this variable
23976 @item @code{-var-update}
23977 @tab update the variable and its children
23978 @item @code{-var-set-frozen}
23979 @tab set frozeness attribute
23980 @item @code{-var-set-update-range}
23981 @tab set range of children to display on update
23982 @end multitable
23983
23984 In the next subsection we describe each operation in detail and suggest
23985 how it can be used.
23986
23987 @subheading Description And Use of Operations on Variable Objects
23988
23989 @subheading The @code{-enable-pretty-printing} Command
23990 @findex -enable-pretty-printing
23991
23992 @smallexample
23993 -enable-pretty-printing
23994 @end smallexample
23995
23996 @value{GDBN} allows Python-based visualizers to affect the output of the
23997 MI variable object commands. However, because there was no way to
23998 implement this in a fully backward-compatible way, a front end must
23999 request that this functionality be enabled.
24000
24001 Once enabled, this feature cannot be disabled.
24002
24003 Note that if Python support has not been compiled into @value{GDBN},
24004 this command will still succeed (and do nothing).
24005
24006 This feature is currently (as of @value{GDBN} 7.0) experimental, and
24007 may work differently in future versions of @value{GDBN}.
24008
24009 @subheading The @code{-var-create} Command
24010 @findex -var-create
24011
24012 @subsubheading Synopsis
24013
24014 @smallexample
24015 -var-create @{@var{name} | "-"@}
24016 @{@var{frame-addr} | "*" | "@@"@} @var{expression}
24017 @end smallexample
24018
24019 This operation creates a variable object, which allows the monitoring of
24020 a variable, the result of an expression, a memory cell or a CPU
24021 register.
24022
24023 The @var{name} parameter is the string by which the object can be
24024 referenced. It must be unique. If @samp{-} is specified, the varobj
24025 system will generate a string ``varNNNNNN'' automatically. It will be
24026 unique provided that one does not specify @var{name} of that format.
24027 The command fails if a duplicate name is found.
24028
24029 The frame under which the expression should be evaluated can be
24030 specified by @var{frame-addr}. A @samp{*} indicates that the current
24031 frame should be used. A @samp{@@} indicates that a floating variable
24032 object must be created.
24033
24034 @var{expression} is any expression valid on the current language set (must not
24035 begin with a @samp{*}), or one of the following:
24036
24037 @itemize @bullet
24038 @item
24039 @samp{*@var{addr}}, where @var{addr} is the address of a memory cell
24040
24041 @item
24042 @samp{*@var{addr}-@var{addr}} --- a memory address range (TBD)
24043
24044 @item
24045 @samp{$@var{regname}} --- a CPU register name
24046 @end itemize
24047
24048 @cindex dynamic varobj
24049 A varobj's contents may be provided by a Python-based pretty-printer. In this
24050 case the varobj is known as a @dfn{dynamic varobj}. Dynamic varobjs
24051 have slightly different semantics in some cases. If the
24052 @code{-enable-pretty-printing} command is not sent, then @value{GDBN}
24053 will never create a dynamic varobj. This ensures backward
24054 compatibility for existing clients.
24055
24056 @subsubheading Result
24057
24058 This operation returns attributes of the newly-created varobj. These
24059 are:
24060
24061 @table @samp
24062 @item name
24063 The name of the varobj.
24064
24065 @item numchild
24066 The number of children of the varobj. This number is not necessarily
24067 reliable for a dynamic varobj. Instead, you must examine the
24068 @samp{has_more} attribute.
24069
24070 @item value
24071 The varobj's scalar value. For a varobj whose type is some sort of
24072 aggregate (e.g., a @code{struct}), or for a dynamic varobj, this value
24073 will not be interesting.
24074
24075 @item type
24076 The varobj's type. This is a string representation of the type, as
24077 would be printed by the @value{GDBN} CLI.
24078
24079 @item thread-id
24080 If a variable object is bound to a specific thread, then this is the
24081 thread's identifier.
24082
24083 @item has_more
24084 For a dynamic varobj, this indicates whether there appear to be any
24085 children available. For a non-dynamic varobj, this will be 0.
24086
24087 @item dynamic
24088 This attribute will be present and have the value @samp{1} if the
24089 varobj is a dynamic varobj. If the varobj is not a dynamic varobj,
24090 then this attribute will not be present.
24091
24092 @item displayhint
24093 A dynamic varobj can supply a display hint to the front end. The
24094 value comes directly from the Python pretty-printer object's
24095 @code{display_hint} method. @xref{Pretty Printing}.
24096 @end table
24097
24098 Typical output will look like this:
24099
24100 @smallexample
24101 name="@var{name}",numchild="@var{N}",type="@var{type}",thread-id="@var{M}",
24102 has_more="@var{has_more}"
24103 @end smallexample
24104
24105
24106 @subheading The @code{-var-delete} Command
24107 @findex -var-delete
24108
24109 @subsubheading Synopsis
24110
24111 @smallexample
24112 -var-delete [ -c ] @var{name}
24113 @end smallexample
24114
24115 Deletes a previously created variable object and all of its children.
24116 With the @samp{-c} option, just deletes the children.
24117
24118 Returns an error if the object @var{name} is not found.
24119
24120
24121 @subheading The @code{-var-set-format} Command
24122 @findex -var-set-format
24123
24124 @subsubheading Synopsis
24125
24126 @smallexample
24127 -var-set-format @var{name} @var{format-spec}
24128 @end smallexample
24129
24130 Sets the output format for the value of the object @var{name} to be
24131 @var{format-spec}.
24132
24133 @anchor{-var-set-format}
24134 The syntax for the @var{format-spec} is as follows:
24135
24136 @smallexample
24137 @var{format-spec} @expansion{}
24138 @{binary | decimal | hexadecimal | octal | natural@}
24139 @end smallexample
24140
24141 The natural format is the default format choosen automatically
24142 based on the variable type (like decimal for an @code{int}, hex
24143 for pointers, etc.).
24144
24145 For a variable with children, the format is set only on the
24146 variable itself, and the children are not affected.
24147
24148 @subheading The @code{-var-show-format} Command
24149 @findex -var-show-format
24150
24151 @subsubheading Synopsis
24152
24153 @smallexample
24154 -var-show-format @var{name}
24155 @end smallexample
24156
24157 Returns the format used to display the value of the object @var{name}.
24158
24159 @smallexample
24160 @var{format} @expansion{}
24161 @var{format-spec}
24162 @end smallexample
24163
24164
24165 @subheading The @code{-var-info-num-children} Command
24166 @findex -var-info-num-children
24167
24168 @subsubheading Synopsis
24169
24170 @smallexample
24171 -var-info-num-children @var{name}
24172 @end smallexample
24173
24174 Returns the number of children of a variable object @var{name}:
24175
24176 @smallexample
24177 numchild=@var{n}
24178 @end smallexample
24179
24180 Note that this number is not completely reliable for a dynamic varobj.
24181 It will return the current number of children, but more children may
24182 be available.
24183
24184
24185 @subheading The @code{-var-list-children} Command
24186 @findex -var-list-children
24187
24188 @subsubheading Synopsis
24189
24190 @smallexample
24191 -var-list-children [@var{print-values}] @var{name} [@var{from} @var{to}]
24192 @end smallexample
24193 @anchor{-var-list-children}
24194
24195 Return a list of the children of the specified variable object and
24196 create variable objects for them, if they do not already exist. With
24197 a single argument or if @var{print-values} has a value for of 0 or
24198 @code{--no-values}, print only the names of the variables; if
24199 @var{print-values} is 1 or @code{--all-values}, also print their
24200 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values} print the name and
24201 value for simple data types and just the name for arrays, structures
24202 and unions.
24203
24204 @var{from} and @var{to}, if specified, indicate the range of children
24205 to report. If @var{from} or @var{to} is less than zero, the range is
24206 reset and all children will be reported. Otherwise, children starting
24207 at @var{from} (zero-based) and up to and excluding @var{to} will be
24208 reported.
24209
24210 If a child range is requested, it will only affect the current call to
24211 @code{-var-list-children}, but not future calls to @code{-var-update}.
24212 For this, you must instead use @code{-var-set-update-range}. The
24213 intent of this approach is to enable a front end to implement any
24214 update approach it likes; for example, scrolling a view may cause the
24215 front end to request more children with @code{-var-list-children}, and
24216 then the front end could call @code{-var-set-update-range} with a
24217 different range to ensure that future updates are restricted to just
24218 the visible items.
24219
24220 For each child the following results are returned:
24221
24222 @table @var
24223
24224 @item name
24225 Name of the variable object created for this child.
24226
24227 @item exp
24228 The expression to be shown to the user by the front end to designate this child.
24229 For example this may be the name of a structure member.
24230
24231 For a dynamic varobj, this value cannot be used to form an
24232 expression. There is no way to do this at all with a dynamic varobj.
24233
24234 For C/C@t{++} structures there are several pseudo children returned to
24235 designate access qualifiers. For these pseudo children @var{exp} is
24236 @samp{public}, @samp{private}, or @samp{protected}. In this case the
24237 type and value are not present.
24238
24239 A dynamic varobj will not report the access qualifying
24240 pseudo-children, regardless of the language. This information is not
24241 available at all with a dynamic varobj.
24242
24243 @item numchild
24244 Number of children this child has. For a dynamic varobj, this will be
24245 0.
24246
24247 @item type
24248 The type of the child.
24249
24250 @item value
24251 If values were requested, this is the value.
24252
24253 @item thread-id
24254 If this variable object is associated with a thread, this is the thread id.
24255 Otherwise this result is not present.
24256
24257 @item frozen
24258 If the variable object is frozen, this variable will be present with a value of 1.
24259 @end table
24260
24261 The result may have its own attributes:
24262
24263 @table @samp
24264 @item displayhint
24265 A dynamic varobj can supply a display hint to the front end. The
24266 value comes directly from the Python pretty-printer object's
24267 @code{display_hint} method. @xref{Pretty Printing}.
24268
24269 @item has_more
24270 This is an integer attribute which is nonzero if there are children
24271 remaining after the end of the selected range.
24272 @end table
24273
24274 @subsubheading Example
24275
24276 @smallexample
24277 (gdb)
24278 -var-list-children n
24279 ^done,numchild=@var{n},children=[child=@{name=@var{name},exp=@var{exp},
24280 numchild=@var{n},type=@var{type}@},@r{(repeats N times)}]
24281 (gdb)
24282 -var-list-children --all-values n
24283 ^done,numchild=@var{n},children=[child=@{name=@var{name},exp=@var{exp},
24284 numchild=@var{n},value=@var{value},type=@var{type}@},@r{(repeats N times)}]
24285 @end smallexample
24286
24287
24288 @subheading The @code{-var-info-type} Command
24289 @findex -var-info-type
24290
24291 @subsubheading Synopsis
24292
24293 @smallexample
24294 -var-info-type @var{name}
24295 @end smallexample
24296
24297 Returns the type of the specified variable @var{name}. The type is
24298 returned as a string in the same format as it is output by the
24299 @value{GDBN} CLI:
24300
24301 @smallexample
24302 type=@var{typename}
24303 @end smallexample
24304
24305
24306 @subheading The @code{-var-info-expression} Command
24307 @findex -var-info-expression
24308
24309 @subsubheading Synopsis
24310
24311 @smallexample
24312 -var-info-expression @var{name}
24313 @end smallexample
24314
24315 Returns a string that is suitable for presenting this
24316 variable object in user interface. The string is generally
24317 not valid expression in the current language, and cannot be evaluated.
24318
24319 For example, if @code{a} is an array, and variable object
24320 @code{A} was created for @code{a}, then we'll get this output:
24321
24322 @smallexample
24323 (gdb) -var-info-expression A.1
24324 ^done,lang="C",exp="1"
24325 @end smallexample
24326
24327 @noindent
24328 Here, the values of @code{lang} can be @code{@{"C" | "C++" | "Java"@}}.
24329
24330 Note that the output of the @code{-var-list-children} command also
24331 includes those expressions, so the @code{-var-info-expression} command
24332 is of limited use.
24333
24334 @subheading The @code{-var-info-path-expression} Command
24335 @findex -var-info-path-expression
24336
24337 @subsubheading Synopsis
24338
24339 @smallexample
24340 -var-info-path-expression @var{name}
24341 @end smallexample
24342
24343 Returns an expression that can be evaluated in the current
24344 context and will yield the same value that a variable object has.
24345 Compare this with the @code{-var-info-expression} command, which
24346 result can be used only for UI presentation. Typical use of
24347 the @code{-var-info-path-expression} command is creating a
24348 watchpoint from a variable object.
24349
24350 This command is currently not valid for children of a dynamic varobj,
24351 and will give an error when invoked on one.
24352
24353 For example, suppose @code{C} is a C@t{++} class, derived from class
24354 @code{Base}, and that the @code{Base} class has a member called
24355 @code{m_size}. Assume a variable @code{c} is has the type of
24356 @code{C} and a variable object @code{C} was created for variable
24357 @code{c}. Then, we'll get this output:
24358 @smallexample
24359 (gdb) -var-info-path-expression C.Base.public.m_size
24360 ^done,path_expr=((Base)c).m_size)
24361 @end smallexample
24362
24363 @subheading The @code{-var-show-attributes} Command
24364 @findex -var-show-attributes
24365
24366 @subsubheading Synopsis
24367
24368 @smallexample
24369 -var-show-attributes @var{name}
24370 @end smallexample
24371
24372 List attributes of the specified variable object @var{name}:
24373
24374 @smallexample
24375 status=@var{attr} [ ( ,@var{attr} )* ]
24376 @end smallexample
24377
24378 @noindent
24379 where @var{attr} is @code{@{ @{ editable | noneditable @} | TBD @}}.
24380
24381 @subheading The @code{-var-evaluate-expression} Command
24382 @findex -var-evaluate-expression
24383
24384 @subsubheading Synopsis
24385
24386 @smallexample
24387 -var-evaluate-expression [-f @var{format-spec}] @var{name}
24388 @end smallexample
24389
24390 Evaluates the expression that is represented by the specified variable
24391 object and returns its value as a string. The format of the string
24392 can be specified with the @samp{-f} option. The possible values of
24393 this option are the same as for @code{-var-set-format}
24394 (@pxref{-var-set-format}). If the @samp{-f} option is not specified,
24395 the current display format will be used. The current display format
24396 can be changed using the @code{-var-set-format} command.
24397
24398 @smallexample
24399 value=@var{value}
24400 @end smallexample
24401
24402 Note that one must invoke @code{-var-list-children} for a variable
24403 before the value of a child variable can be evaluated.
24404
24405 @subheading The @code{-var-assign} Command
24406 @findex -var-assign
24407
24408 @subsubheading Synopsis
24409
24410 @smallexample
24411 -var-assign @var{name} @var{expression}
24412 @end smallexample
24413
24414 Assigns the value of @var{expression} to the variable object specified
24415 by @var{name}. The object must be @samp{editable}. If the variable's
24416 value is altered by the assign, the variable will show up in any
24417 subsequent @code{-var-update} list.
24418
24419 @subsubheading Example
24420
24421 @smallexample
24422 (gdb)
24423 -var-assign var1 3
24424 ^done,value="3"
24425 (gdb)
24426 -var-update *
24427 ^done,changelist=[@{name="var1",in_scope="true",type_changed="false"@}]
24428 (gdb)
24429 @end smallexample
24430
24431 @subheading The @code{-var-update} Command
24432 @findex -var-update
24433
24434 @subsubheading Synopsis
24435
24436 @smallexample
24437 -var-update [@var{print-values}] @{@var{name} | "*"@}
24438 @end smallexample
24439
24440 Reevaluate the expressions corresponding to the variable object
24441 @var{name} and all its direct and indirect children, and return the
24442 list of variable objects whose values have changed; @var{name} must
24443 be a root variable object. Here, ``changed'' means that the result of
24444 @code{-var-evaluate-expression} before and after the
24445 @code{-var-update} is different. If @samp{*} is used as the variable
24446 object names, all existing variable objects are updated, except
24447 for frozen ones (@pxref{-var-set-frozen}). The option
24448 @var{print-values} determines whether both names and values, or just
24449 names are printed. The possible values of this option are the same
24450 as for @code{-var-list-children} (@pxref{-var-list-children}). It is
24451 recommended to use the @samp{--all-values} option, to reduce the
24452 number of MI commands needed on each program stop.
24453
24454 With the @samp{*} parameter, if a variable object is bound to a
24455 currently running thread, it will not be updated, without any
24456 diagnostic.
24457
24458 If @code{-var-set-update-range} was previously used on a varobj, then
24459 only the selected range of children will be reported.
24460
24461 @code{-var-update} reports all the changed varobjs in a tuple named
24462 @samp{changelist}.
24463
24464 Each item in the change list is itself a tuple holding:
24465
24466 @table @samp
24467 @item name
24468 The name of the varobj.
24469
24470 @item value
24471 If values were requested for this update, then this field will be
24472 present and will hold the value of the varobj.
24473
24474 @item in_scope
24475 @anchor{-var-update}
24476 This field is a string which may take one of three values:
24477
24478 @table @code
24479 @item "true"
24480 The variable object's current value is valid.
24481
24482 @item "false"
24483 The variable object does not currently hold a valid value but it may
24484 hold one in the future if its associated expression comes back into
24485 scope.
24486
24487 @item "invalid"
24488 The variable object no longer holds a valid value.
24489 This can occur when the executable file being debugged has changed,
24490 either through recompilation or by using the @value{GDBN} @code{file}
24491 command. The front end should normally choose to delete these variable
24492 objects.
24493 @end table
24494
24495 In the future new values may be added to this list so the front should
24496 be prepared for this possibility. @xref{GDB/MI Development and Front Ends, ,@sc{GDB/MI} Development and Front Ends}.
24497
24498 @item type_changed
24499 This is only present if the varobj is still valid. If the type
24500 changed, then this will be the string @samp{true}; otherwise it will
24501 be @samp{false}.
24502
24503 @item new_type
24504 If the varobj's type changed, then this field will be present and will
24505 hold the new type.
24506
24507 @item new_num_children
24508 For a dynamic varobj, if the number of children changed, or if the
24509 type changed, this will be the new number of children.
24510
24511 The @samp{numchild} field in other varobj responses is generally not
24512 valid for a dynamic varobj -- it will show the number of children that
24513 @value{GDBN} knows about, but because dynamic varobjs lazily
24514 instantiate their children, this will not reflect the number of
24515 children which may be available.
24516
24517 The @samp{new_num_children} attribute only reports changes to the
24518 number of children known by @value{GDBN}. This is the only way to
24519 detect whether an update has removed children (which necessarily can
24520 only happen at the end of the update range).
24521
24522 @item displayhint
24523 The display hint, if any.
24524
24525 @item has_more
24526 This is an integer value, which will be 1 if there are more children
24527 available outside the varobj's update range.
24528
24529 @item dynamic
24530 This attribute will be present and have the value @samp{1} if the
24531 varobj is a dynamic varobj. If the varobj is not a dynamic varobj,
24532 then this attribute will not be present.
24533
24534 @item new_children
24535 If new children were added to a dynamic varobj within the selected
24536 update range (as set by @code{-var-set-update-range}), then they will
24537 be listed in this attribute.
24538 @end table
24539
24540 @subsubheading Example
24541
24542 @smallexample
24543 (gdb)
24544 -var-assign var1 3
24545 ^done,value="3"
24546 (gdb)
24547 -var-update --all-values var1
24548 ^done,changelist=[@{name="var1",value="3",in_scope="true",
24549 type_changed="false"@}]
24550 (gdb)
24551 @end smallexample
24552
24553 @subheading The @code{-var-set-frozen} Command
24554 @findex -var-set-frozen
24555 @anchor{-var-set-frozen}
24556
24557 @subsubheading Synopsis
24558
24559 @smallexample
24560 -var-set-frozen @var{name} @var{flag}
24561 @end smallexample
24562
24563 Set the frozenness flag on the variable object @var{name}. The
24564 @var{flag} parameter should be either @samp{1} to make the variable
24565 frozen or @samp{0} to make it unfrozen. If a variable object is
24566 frozen, then neither itself, nor any of its children, are
24567 implicitly updated by @code{-var-update} of
24568 a parent variable or by @code{-var-update *}. Only
24569 @code{-var-update} of the variable itself will update its value and
24570 values of its children. After a variable object is unfrozen, it is
24571 implicitly updated by all subsequent @code{-var-update} operations.
24572 Unfreezing a variable does not update it, only subsequent
24573 @code{-var-update} does.
24574
24575 @subsubheading Example
24576
24577 @smallexample
24578 (gdb)
24579 -var-set-frozen V 1
24580 ^done
24581 (gdb)
24582 @end smallexample
24583
24584 @subheading The @code{-var-set-update-range} command
24585 @findex -var-set-update-range
24586 @anchor{-var-set-update-range}
24587
24588 @subsubheading Synopsis
24589
24590 @smallexample
24591 -var-set-update-range @var{name} @var{from} @var{to}
24592 @end smallexample
24593
24594 Set the range of children to be returned by future invocations of
24595 @code{-var-update}.
24596
24597 @var{from} and @var{to} indicate the range of children to report. If
24598 @var{from} or @var{to} is less than zero, the range is reset and all
24599 children will be reported. Otherwise, children starting at @var{from}
24600 (zero-based) and up to and excluding @var{to} will be reported.
24601
24602 @subsubheading Example
24603
24604 @smallexample
24605 (gdb)
24606 -var-set-update-range V 1 2
24607 ^done
24608 @end smallexample
24609
24610 @subheading The @code{-var-set-visualizer} command
24611 @findex -var-set-visualizer
24612 @anchor{-var-set-visualizer}
24613
24614 @subsubheading Synopsis
24615
24616 @smallexample
24617 -var-set-visualizer @var{name} @var{visualizer}
24618 @end smallexample
24619
24620 Set a visualizer for the variable object @var{name}.
24621
24622 @var{visualizer} is the visualizer to use. The special value
24623 @samp{None} means to disable any visualizer in use.
24624
24625 If not @samp{None}, @var{visualizer} must be a Python expression.
24626 This expression must evaluate to a callable object which accepts a
24627 single argument. @value{GDBN} will call this object with the value of
24628 the varobj @var{name} as an argument (this is done so that the same
24629 Python pretty-printing code can be used for both the CLI and MI).
24630 When called, this object must return an object which conforms to the
24631 pretty-printing interface (@pxref{Pretty Printing}).
24632
24633 The pre-defined function @code{gdb.default_visualizer} may be used to
24634 select a visualizer by following the built-in process
24635 (@pxref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}). This is done automatically when
24636 a varobj is created, and so ordinarily is not needed.
24637
24638 This feature is only available if Python support is enabled. The MI
24639 command @code{-list-features} (@pxref{GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands})
24640 can be used to check this.
24641
24642 @subsubheading Example
24643
24644 Resetting the visualizer:
24645
24646 @smallexample
24647 (gdb)
24648 -var-set-visualizer V None
24649 ^done
24650 @end smallexample
24651
24652 Reselecting the default (type-based) visualizer:
24653
24654 @smallexample
24655 (gdb)
24656 -var-set-visualizer V gdb.default_visualizer
24657 ^done
24658 @end smallexample
24659
24660 Suppose @code{SomeClass} is a visualizer class. A lambda expression
24661 can be used to instantiate this class for a varobj:
24662
24663 @smallexample
24664 (gdb)
24665 -var-set-visualizer V "lambda val: SomeClass()"
24666 ^done
24667 @end smallexample
24668
24669 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
24670 @node GDB/MI Data Manipulation
24671 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Data Manipulation
24672
24673 @cindex data manipulation, in @sc{gdb/mi}
24674 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, data manipulation
24675 This section describes the @sc{gdb/mi} commands that manipulate data:
24676 examine memory and registers, evaluate expressions, etc.
24677
24678 @c REMOVED FROM THE INTERFACE.
24679 @c @subheading -data-assign
24680 @c Change the value of a program variable. Plenty of side effects.
24681 @c @subsubheading GDB Command
24682 @c set variable
24683 @c @subsubheading Example
24684 @c N.A.
24685
24686 @subheading The @code{-data-disassemble} Command
24687 @findex -data-disassemble
24688
24689 @subsubheading Synopsis
24690
24691 @smallexample
24692 -data-disassemble
24693 [ -s @var{start-addr} -e @var{end-addr} ]
24694 | [ -f @var{filename} -l @var{linenum} [ -n @var{lines} ] ]
24695 -- @var{mode}
24696 @end smallexample
24697
24698 @noindent
24699 Where:
24700
24701 @table @samp
24702 @item @var{start-addr}
24703 is the beginning address (or @code{$pc})
24704 @item @var{end-addr}
24705 is the end address
24706 @item @var{filename}
24707 is the name of the file to disassemble
24708 @item @var{linenum}
24709 is the line number to disassemble around
24710 @item @var{lines}
24711 is the number of disassembly lines to be produced. If it is -1,
24712 the whole function will be disassembled, in case no @var{end-addr} is
24713 specified. If @var{end-addr} is specified as a non-zero value, and
24714 @var{lines} is lower than the number of disassembly lines between
24715 @var{start-addr} and @var{end-addr}, only @var{lines} lines are
24716 displayed; if @var{lines} is higher than the number of lines between
24717 @var{start-addr} and @var{end-addr}, only the lines up to @var{end-addr}
24718 are displayed.
24719 @item @var{mode}
24720 is either 0 (meaning only disassembly) or 1 (meaning mixed source and
24721 disassembly).
24722 @end table
24723
24724 @subsubheading Result
24725
24726 The output for each instruction is composed of four fields:
24727
24728 @itemize @bullet
24729 @item Address
24730 @item Func-name
24731 @item Offset
24732 @item Instruction
24733 @end itemize
24734
24735 Note that whatever included in the instruction field, is not manipulated
24736 directly by @sc{gdb/mi}, i.e., it is not possible to adjust its format.
24737
24738 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24739
24740 There's no direct mapping from this command to the CLI.
24741
24742 @subsubheading Example
24743
24744 Disassemble from the current value of @code{$pc} to @code{$pc + 20}:
24745
24746 @smallexample
24747 (gdb)
24748 -data-disassemble -s $pc -e "$pc + 20" -- 0
24749 ^done,
24750 asm_insns=[
24751 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
24752 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
24753 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
24754 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
24755 @{address="0x000107c8",func-name="main",offset="12",
24756 inst="or %o2, 0x140, %o1\t! 0x11940 <_lib_version+8>"@},
24757 @{address="0x000107cc",func-name="main",offset="16",
24758 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
24759 @{address="0x000107d0",func-name="main",offset="20",
24760 inst="or %o2, 0x168, %o4\t! 0x11968 <_lib_version+48>"@}]
24761 (gdb)
24762 @end smallexample
24763
24764 Disassemble the whole @code{main} function. Line 32 is part of
24765 @code{main}.
24766
24767 @smallexample
24768 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -- 0
24769 ^done,asm_insns=[
24770 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
24771 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@},
24772 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
24773 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
24774 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
24775 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
24776 [@dots{}]
24777 @{address="0x0001081c",func-name="main",offset="96",inst="ret "@},
24778 @{address="0x00010820",func-name="main",offset="100",inst="restore "@}]
24779 (gdb)
24780 @end smallexample
24781
24782 Disassemble 3 instructions from the start of @code{main}:
24783
24784 @smallexample
24785 (gdb)
24786 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -n 3 -- 0
24787 ^done,asm_insns=[
24788 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
24789 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@},
24790 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
24791 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
24792 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
24793 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@}]
24794 (gdb)
24795 @end smallexample
24796
24797 Disassemble 3 instructions from the start of @code{main} in mixed mode:
24798
24799 @smallexample
24800 (gdb)
24801 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -n 3 -- 1
24802 ^done,asm_insns=[
24803 src_and_asm_line=@{line="31",
24804 file="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb/ \
24805 testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line_asm_insn=[
24806 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
24807 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@}]@},
24808 src_and_asm_line=@{line="32",
24809 file="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb/ \
24810 testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line_asm_insn=[
24811 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
24812 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
24813 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
24814 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@}]@}]
24815 (gdb)
24816 @end smallexample
24817
24818
24819 @subheading The @code{-data-evaluate-expression} Command
24820 @findex -data-evaluate-expression
24821
24822 @subsubheading Synopsis
24823
24824 @smallexample
24825 -data-evaluate-expression @var{expr}
24826 @end smallexample
24827
24828 Evaluate @var{expr} as an expression. The expression could contain an
24829 inferior function call. The function call will execute synchronously.
24830 If the expression contains spaces, it must be enclosed in double quotes.
24831
24832 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24833
24834 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{print}, @samp{output}, and
24835 @samp{call}. In @code{gdbtk} only, there's a corresponding
24836 @samp{gdb_eval} command.
24837
24838 @subsubheading Example
24839
24840 In the following example, the numbers that precede the commands are the
24841 @dfn{tokens} described in @ref{GDB/MI Command Syntax, ,@sc{gdb/mi}
24842 Command Syntax}. Notice how @sc{gdb/mi} returns the same tokens in its
24843 output.
24844
24845 @smallexample
24846 211-data-evaluate-expression A
24847 211^done,value="1"
24848 (gdb)
24849 311-data-evaluate-expression &A
24850 311^done,value="0xefffeb7c"
24851 (gdb)
24852 411-data-evaluate-expression A+3
24853 411^done,value="4"
24854 (gdb)
24855 511-data-evaluate-expression "A + 3"
24856 511^done,value="4"
24857 (gdb)
24858 @end smallexample
24859
24860
24861 @subheading The @code{-data-list-changed-registers} Command
24862 @findex -data-list-changed-registers
24863
24864 @subsubheading Synopsis
24865
24866 @smallexample
24867 -data-list-changed-registers
24868 @end smallexample
24869
24870 Display a list of the registers that have changed.
24871
24872 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24873
24874 @value{GDBN} doesn't have a direct analog for this command; @code{gdbtk}
24875 has the corresponding command @samp{gdb_changed_register_list}.
24876
24877 @subsubheading Example
24878
24879 On a PPC MBX board:
24880
24881 @smallexample
24882 (gdb)
24883 -exec-continue
24884 ^running
24885
24886 (gdb)
24887 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",frame=@{
24888 func="main",args=[],file="try.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",
24889 line="5"@}
24890 (gdb)
24891 -data-list-changed-registers
24892 ^done,changed-registers=["0","1","2","4","5","6","7","8","9",
24893 "10","11","13","14","15","16","17","18","19","20","21","22","23",
24894 "24","25","26","27","28","30","31","64","65","66","67","69"]
24895 (gdb)
24896 @end smallexample
24897
24898
24899 @subheading The @code{-data-list-register-names} Command
24900 @findex -data-list-register-names
24901
24902 @subsubheading Synopsis
24903
24904 @smallexample
24905 -data-list-register-names [ ( @var{regno} )+ ]
24906 @end smallexample
24907
24908 Show a list of register names for the current target. If no arguments
24909 are given, it shows a list of the names of all the registers. If
24910 integer numbers are given as arguments, it will print a list of the
24911 names of the registers corresponding to the arguments. To ensure
24912 consistency between a register name and its number, the output list may
24913 include empty register names.
24914
24915 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24916
24917 @value{GDBN} does not have a command which corresponds to
24918 @samp{-data-list-register-names}. In @code{gdbtk} there is a
24919 corresponding command @samp{gdb_regnames}.
24920
24921 @subsubheading Example
24922
24923 For the PPC MBX board:
24924 @smallexample
24925 (gdb)
24926 -data-list-register-names
24927 ^done,register-names=["r0","r1","r2","r3","r4","r5","r6","r7",
24928 "r8","r9","r10","r11","r12","r13","r14","r15","r16","r17","r18",
24929 "r19","r20","r21","r22","r23","r24","r25","r26","r27","r28","r29",
24930 "r30","r31","f0","f1","f2","f3","f4","f5","f6","f7","f8","f9",
24931 "f10","f11","f12","f13","f14","f15","f16","f17","f18","f19","f20",
24932 "f21","f22","f23","f24","f25","f26","f27","f28","f29","f30","f31",
24933 "", "pc","ps","cr","lr","ctr","xer"]
24934 (gdb)
24935 -data-list-register-names 1 2 3
24936 ^done,register-names=["r1","r2","r3"]
24937 (gdb)
24938 @end smallexample
24939
24940 @subheading The @code{-data-list-register-values} Command
24941 @findex -data-list-register-values
24942
24943 @subsubheading Synopsis
24944
24945 @smallexample
24946 -data-list-register-values @var{fmt} [ ( @var{regno} )*]
24947 @end smallexample
24948
24949 Display the registers' contents. @var{fmt} is the format according to
24950 which the registers' contents are to be returned, followed by an optional
24951 list of numbers specifying the registers to display. A missing list of
24952 numbers indicates that the contents of all the registers must be returned.
24953
24954 Allowed formats for @var{fmt} are:
24955
24956 @table @code
24957 @item x
24958 Hexadecimal
24959 @item o
24960 Octal
24961 @item t
24962 Binary
24963 @item d
24964 Decimal
24965 @item r
24966 Raw
24967 @item N
24968 Natural
24969 @end table
24970
24971 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24972
24973 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{info reg}, @samp{info
24974 all-reg}, and (in @code{gdbtk}) @samp{gdb_fetch_registers}.
24975
24976 @subsubheading Example
24977
24978 For a PPC MBX board (note: line breaks are for readability only, they
24979 don't appear in the actual output):
24980
24981 @smallexample
24982 (gdb)
24983 -data-list-register-values r 64 65
24984 ^done,register-values=[@{number="64",value="0xfe00a300"@},
24985 @{number="65",value="0x00029002"@}]
24986 (gdb)
24987 -data-list-register-values x
24988 ^done,register-values=[@{number="0",value="0xfe0043c8"@},
24989 @{number="1",value="0x3fff88"@},@{number="2",value="0xfffffffe"@},
24990 @{number="3",value="0x0"@},@{number="4",value="0xa"@},
24991 @{number="5",value="0x3fff68"@},@{number="6",value="0x3fff58"@},
24992 @{number="7",value="0xfe011e98"@},@{number="8",value="0x2"@},
24993 @{number="9",value="0xfa202820"@},@{number="10",value="0xfa202808"@},
24994 @{number="11",value="0x1"@},@{number="12",value="0x0"@},
24995 @{number="13",value="0x4544"@},@{number="14",value="0xffdfffff"@},
24996 @{number="15",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="16",value="0xfffffeff"@},
24997 @{number="17",value="0xefffffed"@},@{number="18",value="0xfffffffe"@},
24998 @{number="19",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="20",value="0xffffffff"@},
24999 @{number="21",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="22",value="0xfffffff7"@},
25000 @{number="23",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="24",value="0xffffffff"@},
25001 @{number="25",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="26",value="0xfffffffb"@},
25002 @{number="27",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="28",value="0xf7bfffff"@},
25003 @{number="29",value="0x0"@},@{number="30",value="0xfe010000"@},
25004 @{number="31",value="0x0"@},@{number="32",value="0x0"@},
25005 @{number="33",value="0x0"@},@{number="34",value="0x0"@},
25006 @{number="35",value="0x0"@},@{number="36",value="0x0"@},
25007 @{number="37",value="0x0"@},@{number="38",value="0x0"@},
25008 @{number="39",value="0x0"@},@{number="40",value="0x0"@},
25009 @{number="41",value="0x0"@},@{number="42",value="0x0"@},
25010 @{number="43",value="0x0"@},@{number="44",value="0x0"@},
25011 @{number="45",value="0x0"@},@{number="46",value="0x0"@},
25012 @{number="47",value="0x0"@},@{number="48",value="0x0"@},
25013 @{number="49",value="0x0"@},@{number="50",value="0x0"@},
25014 @{number="51",value="0x0"@},@{number="52",value="0x0"@},
25015 @{number="53",value="0x0"@},@{number="54",value="0x0"@},
25016 @{number="55",value="0x0"@},@{number="56",value="0x0"@},
25017 @{number="57",value="0x0"@},@{number="58",value="0x0"@},
25018 @{number="59",value="0x0"@},@{number="60",value="0x0"@},
25019 @{number="61",value="0x0"@},@{number="62",value="0x0"@},
25020 @{number="63",value="0x0"@},@{number="64",value="0xfe00a300"@},
25021 @{number="65",value="0x29002"@},@{number="66",value="0x202f04b5"@},
25022 @{number="67",value="0xfe0043b0"@},@{number="68",value="0xfe00b3e4"@},
25023 @{number="69",value="0x20002b03"@}]
25024 (gdb)
25025 @end smallexample
25026
25027
25028 @subheading The @code{-data-read-memory} Command
25029 @findex -data-read-memory
25030
25031 @subsubheading Synopsis
25032
25033 @smallexample
25034 -data-read-memory [ -o @var{byte-offset} ]
25035 @var{address} @var{word-format} @var{word-size}
25036 @var{nr-rows} @var{nr-cols} [ @var{aschar} ]
25037 @end smallexample
25038
25039 @noindent
25040 where:
25041
25042 @table @samp
25043 @item @var{address}
25044 An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
25045 read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
25046 quoted using the C convention.
25047
25048 @item @var{word-format}
25049 The format to be used to print the memory words. The notation is the
25050 same as for @value{GDBN}'s @code{print} command (@pxref{Output Formats,
25051 ,Output Formats}).
25052
25053 @item @var{word-size}
25054 The size of each memory word in bytes.
25055
25056 @item @var{nr-rows}
25057 The number of rows in the output table.
25058
25059 @item @var{nr-cols}
25060 The number of columns in the output table.
25061
25062 @item @var{aschar}
25063 If present, indicates that each row should include an @sc{ascii} dump. The
25064 value of @var{aschar} is used as a padding character when a byte is not a
25065 member of the printable @sc{ascii} character set (printable @sc{ascii}
25066 characters are those whose code is between 32 and 126, inclusively).
25067
25068 @item @var{byte-offset}
25069 An offset to add to the @var{address} before fetching memory.
25070 @end table
25071
25072 This command displays memory contents as a table of @var{nr-rows} by
25073 @var{nr-cols} words, each word being @var{word-size} bytes. In total,
25074 @code{@var{nr-rows} * @var{nr-cols} * @var{word-size}} bytes are read
25075 (returned as @samp{total-bytes}). Should less than the requested number
25076 of bytes be returned by the target, the missing words are identified
25077 using @samp{N/A}. The number of bytes read from the target is returned
25078 in @samp{nr-bytes} and the starting address used to read memory in
25079 @samp{addr}.
25080
25081 The address of the next/previous row or page is available in
25082 @samp{next-row} and @samp{prev-row}, @samp{next-page} and
25083 @samp{prev-page}.
25084
25085 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25086
25087 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{x}. @code{gdbtk} has
25088 @samp{gdb_get_mem} memory read command.
25089
25090 @subsubheading Example
25091
25092 Read six bytes of memory starting at @code{bytes+6} but then offset by
25093 @code{-6} bytes. Format as three rows of two columns. One byte per
25094 word. Display each word in hex.
25095
25096 @smallexample
25097 (gdb)
25098 9-data-read-memory -o -6 -- bytes+6 x 1 3 2
25099 9^done,addr="0x00001390",nr-bytes="6",total-bytes="6",
25100 next-row="0x00001396",prev-row="0x0000138e",next-page="0x00001396",
25101 prev-page="0x0000138a",memory=[
25102 @{addr="0x00001390",data=["0x00","0x01"]@},
25103 @{addr="0x00001392",data=["0x02","0x03"]@},
25104 @{addr="0x00001394",data=["0x04","0x05"]@}]
25105 (gdb)
25106 @end smallexample
25107
25108 Read two bytes of memory starting at address @code{shorts + 64} and
25109 display as a single word formatted in decimal.
25110
25111 @smallexample
25112 (gdb)
25113 5-data-read-memory shorts+64 d 2 1 1
25114 5^done,addr="0x00001510",nr-bytes="2",total-bytes="2",
25115 next-row="0x00001512",prev-row="0x0000150e",
25116 next-page="0x00001512",prev-page="0x0000150e",memory=[
25117 @{addr="0x00001510",data=["128"]@}]
25118 (gdb)
25119 @end smallexample
25120
25121 Read thirty two bytes of memory starting at @code{bytes+16} and format
25122 as eight rows of four columns. Include a string encoding with @samp{x}
25123 used as the non-printable character.
25124
25125 @smallexample
25126 (gdb)
25127 4-data-read-memory bytes+16 x 1 8 4 x
25128 4^done,addr="0x000013a0",nr-bytes="32",total-bytes="32",
25129 next-row="0x000013c0",prev-row="0x0000139c",
25130 next-page="0x000013c0",prev-page="0x00001380",memory=[
25131 @{addr="0x000013a0",data=["0x10","0x11","0x12","0x13"],ascii="xxxx"@},
25132 @{addr="0x000013a4",data=["0x14","0x15","0x16","0x17"],ascii="xxxx"@},
25133 @{addr="0x000013a8",data=["0x18","0x19","0x1a","0x1b"],ascii="xxxx"@},
25134 @{addr="0x000013ac",data=["0x1c","0x1d","0x1e","0x1f"],ascii="xxxx"@},
25135 @{addr="0x000013b0",data=["0x20","0x21","0x22","0x23"],ascii=" !\"#"@},
25136 @{addr="0x000013b4",data=["0x24","0x25","0x26","0x27"],ascii="$%&'"@},
25137 @{addr="0x000013b8",data=["0x28","0x29","0x2a","0x2b"],ascii="()*+"@},
25138 @{addr="0x000013bc",data=["0x2c","0x2d","0x2e","0x2f"],ascii=",-./"@}]
25139 (gdb)
25140 @end smallexample
25141
25142 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25143 @node GDB/MI Tracepoint Commands
25144 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Tracepoint Commands
25145
25146 The tracepoint commands are not yet implemented.
25147
25148 @c @subheading -trace-actions
25149
25150 @c @subheading -trace-delete
25151
25152 @c @subheading -trace-disable
25153
25154 @c @subheading -trace-dump
25155
25156 @c @subheading -trace-enable
25157
25158 @c @subheading -trace-exists
25159
25160 @c @subheading -trace-find
25161
25162 @c @subheading -trace-frame-number
25163
25164 @c @subheading -trace-info
25165
25166 @c @subheading -trace-insert
25167
25168 @c @subheading -trace-list
25169
25170 @c @subheading -trace-pass-count
25171
25172 @c @subheading -trace-save
25173
25174 @c @subheading -trace-start
25175
25176 @c @subheading -trace-stop
25177
25178
25179 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25180 @node GDB/MI Symbol Query
25181 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Symbol Query Commands
25182
25183
25184 @ignore
25185 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-address} Command
25186 @findex -symbol-info-address
25187
25188 @subsubheading Synopsis
25189
25190 @smallexample
25191 -symbol-info-address @var{symbol}
25192 @end smallexample
25193
25194 Describe where @var{symbol} is stored.
25195
25196 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25197
25198 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info address}.
25199
25200 @subsubheading Example
25201 N.A.
25202
25203
25204 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-file} Command
25205 @findex -symbol-info-file
25206
25207 @subsubheading Synopsis
25208
25209 @smallexample
25210 -symbol-info-file
25211 @end smallexample
25212
25213 Show the file for the symbol.
25214
25215 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25216
25217 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command. @code{gdbtk} has
25218 @samp{gdb_find_file}.
25219
25220 @subsubheading Example
25221 N.A.
25222
25223
25224 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-function} Command
25225 @findex -symbol-info-function
25226
25227 @subsubheading Synopsis
25228
25229 @smallexample
25230 -symbol-info-function
25231 @end smallexample
25232
25233 Show which function the symbol lives in.
25234
25235 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25236
25237 @samp{gdb_get_function} in @code{gdbtk}.
25238
25239 @subsubheading Example
25240 N.A.
25241
25242
25243 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-line} Command
25244 @findex -symbol-info-line
25245
25246 @subsubheading Synopsis
25247
25248 @smallexample
25249 -symbol-info-line
25250 @end smallexample
25251
25252 Show the core addresses of the code for a source line.
25253
25254 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25255
25256 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info line}.
25257 @code{gdbtk} has the @samp{gdb_get_line} and @samp{gdb_get_file} commands.
25258
25259 @subsubheading Example
25260 N.A.
25261
25262
25263 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-symbol} Command
25264 @findex -symbol-info-symbol
25265
25266 @subsubheading Synopsis
25267
25268 @smallexample
25269 -symbol-info-symbol @var{addr}
25270 @end smallexample
25271
25272 Describe what symbol is at location @var{addr}.
25273
25274 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25275
25276 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info symbol}.
25277
25278 @subsubheading Example
25279 N.A.
25280
25281
25282 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-functions} Command
25283 @findex -symbol-list-functions
25284
25285 @subsubheading Synopsis
25286
25287 @smallexample
25288 -symbol-list-functions
25289 @end smallexample
25290
25291 List the functions in the executable.
25292
25293 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25294
25295 @samp{info functions} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_listfunc} and
25296 @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
25297
25298 @subsubheading Example
25299 N.A.
25300 @end ignore
25301
25302
25303 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-lines} Command
25304 @findex -symbol-list-lines
25305
25306 @subsubheading Synopsis
25307
25308 @smallexample
25309 -symbol-list-lines @var{filename}
25310 @end smallexample
25311
25312 Print the list of lines that contain code and their associated program
25313 addresses for the given source filename. The entries are sorted in
25314 ascending PC order.
25315
25316 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25317
25318 There is no corresponding @value{GDBN} command.
25319
25320 @subsubheading Example
25321 @smallexample
25322 (gdb)
25323 -symbol-list-lines basics.c
25324 ^done,lines=[@{pc="0x08048554",line="7"@},@{pc="0x0804855a",line="8"@}]
25325 (gdb)
25326 @end smallexample
25327
25328
25329 @ignore
25330 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-types} Command
25331 @findex -symbol-list-types
25332
25333 @subsubheading Synopsis
25334
25335 @smallexample
25336 -symbol-list-types
25337 @end smallexample
25338
25339 List all the type names.
25340
25341 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25342
25343 The corresponding commands are @samp{info types} in @value{GDBN},
25344 @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
25345
25346 @subsubheading Example
25347 N.A.
25348
25349
25350 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-variables} Command
25351 @findex -symbol-list-variables
25352
25353 @subsubheading Synopsis
25354
25355 @smallexample
25356 -symbol-list-variables
25357 @end smallexample
25358
25359 List all the global and static variable names.
25360
25361 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25362
25363 @samp{info variables} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
25364
25365 @subsubheading Example
25366 N.A.
25367
25368
25369 @subheading The @code{-symbol-locate} Command
25370 @findex -symbol-locate
25371
25372 @subsubheading Synopsis
25373
25374 @smallexample
25375 -symbol-locate
25376 @end smallexample
25377
25378 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25379
25380 @samp{gdb_loc} in @code{gdbtk}.
25381
25382 @subsubheading Example
25383 N.A.
25384
25385
25386 @subheading The @code{-symbol-type} Command
25387 @findex -symbol-type
25388
25389 @subsubheading Synopsis
25390
25391 @smallexample
25392 -symbol-type @var{variable}
25393 @end smallexample
25394
25395 Show type of @var{variable}.
25396
25397 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25398
25399 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{ptype}, @code{gdbtk} has
25400 @samp{gdb_obj_variable}.
25401
25402 @subsubheading Example
25403 N.A.
25404 @end ignore
25405
25406
25407 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25408 @node GDB/MI File Commands
25409 @section @sc{gdb/mi} File Commands
25410
25411 This section describes the GDB/MI commands to specify executable file names
25412 and to read in and obtain symbol table information.
25413
25414 @subheading The @code{-file-exec-and-symbols} Command
25415 @findex -file-exec-and-symbols
25416
25417 @subsubheading Synopsis
25418
25419 @smallexample
25420 -file-exec-and-symbols @var{file}
25421 @end smallexample
25422
25423 Specify the executable file to be debugged. This file is the one from
25424 which the symbol table is also read. If no file is specified, the
25425 command clears the executable and symbol information. If breakpoints
25426 are set when using this command with no arguments, @value{GDBN} will produce
25427 error messages. Otherwise, no output is produced, except a completion
25428 notification.
25429
25430 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25431
25432 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{file}.
25433
25434 @subsubheading Example
25435
25436 @smallexample
25437 (gdb)
25438 -file-exec-and-symbols /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
25439 ^done
25440 (gdb)
25441 @end smallexample
25442
25443
25444 @subheading The @code{-file-exec-file} Command
25445 @findex -file-exec-file
25446
25447 @subsubheading Synopsis
25448
25449 @smallexample
25450 -file-exec-file @var{file}
25451 @end smallexample
25452
25453 Specify the executable file to be debugged. Unlike
25454 @samp{-file-exec-and-symbols}, the symbol table is @emph{not} read
25455 from this file. If used without argument, @value{GDBN} clears the information
25456 about the executable file. No output is produced, except a completion
25457 notification.
25458
25459 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25460
25461 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{exec-file}.
25462
25463 @subsubheading Example
25464
25465 @smallexample
25466 (gdb)
25467 -file-exec-file /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
25468 ^done
25469 (gdb)
25470 @end smallexample
25471
25472
25473 @ignore
25474 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-sections} Command
25475 @findex -file-list-exec-sections
25476
25477 @subsubheading Synopsis
25478
25479 @smallexample
25480 -file-list-exec-sections
25481 @end smallexample
25482
25483 List the sections of the current executable file.
25484
25485 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25486
25487 The @value{GDBN} command @samp{info file} shows, among the rest, the same
25488 information as this command. @code{gdbtk} has a corresponding command
25489 @samp{gdb_load_info}.
25490
25491 @subsubheading Example
25492 N.A.
25493 @end ignore
25494
25495
25496 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-source-file} Command
25497 @findex -file-list-exec-source-file
25498
25499 @subsubheading Synopsis
25500
25501 @smallexample
25502 -file-list-exec-source-file
25503 @end smallexample
25504
25505 List the line number, the current source file, and the absolute path
25506 to the current source file for the current executable. The macro
25507 information field has a value of @samp{1} or @samp{0} depending on
25508 whether or not the file includes preprocessor macro information.
25509
25510 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25511
25512 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{info source}
25513
25514 @subsubheading Example
25515
25516 @smallexample
25517 (gdb)
25518 123-file-list-exec-source-file
25519 123^done,line="1",file="foo.c",fullname="/home/bar/foo.c,macro-info="1"
25520 (gdb)
25521 @end smallexample
25522
25523
25524 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-source-files} Command
25525 @findex -file-list-exec-source-files
25526
25527 @subsubheading Synopsis
25528
25529 @smallexample
25530 -file-list-exec-source-files
25531 @end smallexample
25532
25533 List the source files for the current executable.
25534
25535 It will always output the filename, but only when @value{GDBN} can find
25536 the absolute file name of a source file, will it output the fullname.
25537
25538 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25539
25540 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{info sources}.
25541 @code{gdbtk} has an analogous command @samp{gdb_listfiles}.
25542
25543 @subsubheading Example
25544 @smallexample
25545 (gdb)
25546 -file-list-exec-source-files
25547 ^done,files=[
25548 @{file=foo.c,fullname=/home/foo.c@},
25549 @{file=/home/bar.c,fullname=/home/bar.c@},
25550 @{file=gdb_could_not_find_fullpath.c@}]
25551 (gdb)
25552 @end smallexample
25553
25554 @ignore
25555 @subheading The @code{-file-list-shared-libraries} Command
25556 @findex -file-list-shared-libraries
25557
25558 @subsubheading Synopsis
25559
25560 @smallexample
25561 -file-list-shared-libraries
25562 @end smallexample
25563
25564 List the shared libraries in the program.
25565
25566 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25567
25568 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info shared}.
25569
25570 @subsubheading Example
25571 N.A.
25572
25573
25574 @subheading The @code{-file-list-symbol-files} Command
25575 @findex -file-list-symbol-files
25576
25577 @subsubheading Synopsis
25578
25579 @smallexample
25580 -file-list-symbol-files
25581 @end smallexample
25582
25583 List symbol files.
25584
25585 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25586
25587 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info file} (part of it).
25588
25589 @subsubheading Example
25590 N.A.
25591 @end ignore
25592
25593
25594 @subheading The @code{-file-symbol-file} Command
25595 @findex -file-symbol-file
25596
25597 @subsubheading Synopsis
25598
25599 @smallexample
25600 -file-symbol-file @var{file}
25601 @end smallexample
25602
25603 Read symbol table info from the specified @var{file} argument. When
25604 used without arguments, clears @value{GDBN}'s symbol table info. No output is
25605 produced, except for a completion notification.
25606
25607 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25608
25609 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{symbol-file}.
25610
25611 @subsubheading Example
25612
25613 @smallexample
25614 (gdb)
25615 -file-symbol-file /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
25616 ^done
25617 (gdb)
25618 @end smallexample
25619
25620 @ignore
25621 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25622 @node GDB/MI Memory Overlay Commands
25623 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Memory Overlay Commands
25624
25625 The memory overlay commands are not implemented.
25626
25627 @c @subheading -overlay-auto
25628
25629 @c @subheading -overlay-list-mapping-state
25630
25631 @c @subheading -overlay-list-overlays
25632
25633 @c @subheading -overlay-map
25634
25635 @c @subheading -overlay-off
25636
25637 @c @subheading -overlay-on
25638
25639 @c @subheading -overlay-unmap
25640
25641 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25642 @node GDB/MI Signal Handling Commands
25643 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Signal Handling Commands
25644
25645 Signal handling commands are not implemented.
25646
25647 @c @subheading -signal-handle
25648
25649 @c @subheading -signal-list-handle-actions
25650
25651 @c @subheading -signal-list-signal-types
25652 @end ignore
25653
25654
25655 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25656 @node GDB/MI Target Manipulation
25657 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Target Manipulation Commands
25658
25659
25660 @subheading The @code{-target-attach} Command
25661 @findex -target-attach
25662
25663 @subsubheading Synopsis
25664
25665 @smallexample
25666 -target-attach @var{pid} | @var{gid} | @var{file}
25667 @end smallexample
25668
25669 Attach to a process @var{pid} or a file @var{file} outside of
25670 @value{GDBN}, or a thread group @var{gid}. If attaching to a thread
25671 group, the id previously returned by
25672 @samp{-list-thread-groups --available} must be used.
25673
25674 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25675
25676 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{attach}.
25677
25678 @subsubheading Example
25679 @smallexample
25680 (gdb)
25681 -target-attach 34
25682 =thread-created,id="1"
25683 *stopped,thread-id="1",frame=@{addr="0xb7f7e410",func="bar",args=[]@}
25684 ^done
25685 (gdb)
25686 @end smallexample
25687
25688 @ignore
25689 @subheading The @code{-target-compare-sections} Command
25690 @findex -target-compare-sections
25691
25692 @subsubheading Synopsis
25693
25694 @smallexample
25695 -target-compare-sections [ @var{section} ]
25696 @end smallexample
25697
25698 Compare data of section @var{section} on target to the exec file.
25699 Without the argument, all sections are compared.
25700
25701 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25702
25703 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{compare-sections}.
25704
25705 @subsubheading Example
25706 N.A.
25707 @end ignore
25708
25709
25710 @subheading The @code{-target-detach} Command
25711 @findex -target-detach
25712
25713 @subsubheading Synopsis
25714
25715 @smallexample
25716 -target-detach [ @var{pid} | @var{gid} ]
25717 @end smallexample
25718
25719 Detach from the remote target which normally resumes its execution.
25720 If either @var{pid} or @var{gid} is specified, detaches from either
25721 the specified process, or specified thread group. There's no output.
25722
25723 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25724
25725 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{detach}.
25726
25727 @subsubheading Example
25728
25729 @smallexample
25730 (gdb)
25731 -target-detach
25732 ^done
25733 (gdb)
25734 @end smallexample
25735
25736
25737 @subheading The @code{-target-disconnect} Command
25738 @findex -target-disconnect
25739
25740 @subsubheading Synopsis
25741
25742 @smallexample
25743 -target-disconnect
25744 @end smallexample
25745
25746 Disconnect from the remote target. There's no output and the target is
25747 generally not resumed.
25748
25749 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25750
25751 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disconnect}.
25752
25753 @subsubheading Example
25754
25755 @smallexample
25756 (gdb)
25757 -target-disconnect
25758 ^done
25759 (gdb)
25760 @end smallexample
25761
25762
25763 @subheading The @code{-target-download} Command
25764 @findex -target-download
25765
25766 @subsubheading Synopsis
25767
25768 @smallexample
25769 -target-download
25770 @end smallexample
25771
25772 Loads the executable onto the remote target.
25773 It prints out an update message every half second, which includes the fields:
25774
25775 @table @samp
25776 @item section
25777 The name of the section.
25778 @item section-sent
25779 The size of what has been sent so far for that section.
25780 @item section-size
25781 The size of the section.
25782 @item total-sent
25783 The total size of what was sent so far (the current and the previous sections).
25784 @item total-size
25785 The size of the overall executable to download.
25786 @end table
25787
25788 @noindent
25789 Each message is sent as status record (@pxref{GDB/MI Output Syntax, ,
25790 @sc{gdb/mi} Output Syntax}).
25791
25792 In addition, it prints the name and size of the sections, as they are
25793 downloaded. These messages include the following fields:
25794
25795 @table @samp
25796 @item section
25797 The name of the section.
25798 @item section-size
25799 The size of the section.
25800 @item total-size
25801 The size of the overall executable to download.
25802 @end table
25803
25804 @noindent
25805 At the end, a summary is printed.
25806
25807 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25808
25809 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{load}.
25810
25811 @subsubheading Example
25812
25813 Note: each status message appears on a single line. Here the messages
25814 have been broken down so that they can fit onto a page.
25815
25816 @smallexample
25817 (gdb)
25818 -target-download
25819 +download,@{section=".text",section-size="6668",total-size="9880"@}
25820 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="512",section-size="6668",
25821 total-sent="512",total-size="9880"@}
25822 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="1024",section-size="6668",
25823 total-sent="1024",total-size="9880"@}
25824 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="1536",section-size="6668",
25825 total-sent="1536",total-size="9880"@}
25826 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="2048",section-size="6668",
25827 total-sent="2048",total-size="9880"@}
25828 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="2560",section-size="6668",
25829 total-sent="2560",total-size="9880"@}
25830 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="3072",section-size="6668",
25831 total-sent="3072",total-size="9880"@}
25832 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="3584",section-size="6668",
25833 total-sent="3584",total-size="9880"@}
25834 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="4096",section-size="6668",
25835 total-sent="4096",total-size="9880"@}
25836 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="4608",section-size="6668",
25837 total-sent="4608",total-size="9880"@}
25838 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="5120",section-size="6668",
25839 total-sent="5120",total-size="9880"@}
25840 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="5632",section-size="6668",
25841 total-sent="5632",total-size="9880"@}
25842 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="6144",section-size="6668",
25843 total-sent="6144",total-size="9880"@}
25844 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="6656",section-size="6668",
25845 total-sent="6656",total-size="9880"@}
25846 +download,@{section=".init",section-size="28",total-size="9880"@}
25847 +download,@{section=".fini",section-size="28",total-size="9880"@}
25848 +download,@{section=".data",section-size="3156",total-size="9880"@}
25849 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="512",section-size="3156",
25850 total-sent="7236",total-size="9880"@}
25851 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="1024",section-size="3156",
25852 total-sent="7748",total-size="9880"@}
25853 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="1536",section-size="3156",
25854 total-sent="8260",total-size="9880"@}
25855 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="2048",section-size="3156",
25856 total-sent="8772",total-size="9880"@}
25857 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="2560",section-size="3156",
25858 total-sent="9284",total-size="9880"@}
25859 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="3072",section-size="3156",
25860 total-sent="9796",total-size="9880"@}
25861 ^done,address="0x10004",load-size="9880",transfer-rate="6586",
25862 write-rate="429"
25863 (gdb)
25864 @end smallexample
25865
25866
25867 @ignore
25868 @subheading The @code{-target-exec-status} Command
25869 @findex -target-exec-status
25870
25871 @subsubheading Synopsis
25872
25873 @smallexample
25874 -target-exec-status
25875 @end smallexample
25876
25877 Provide information on the state of the target (whether it is running or
25878 not, for instance).
25879
25880 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25881
25882 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command.
25883
25884 @subsubheading Example
25885 N.A.
25886
25887
25888 @subheading The @code{-target-list-available-targets} Command
25889 @findex -target-list-available-targets
25890
25891 @subsubheading Synopsis
25892
25893 @smallexample
25894 -target-list-available-targets
25895 @end smallexample
25896
25897 List the possible targets to connect to.
25898
25899 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25900
25901 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{help target}.
25902
25903 @subsubheading Example
25904 N.A.
25905
25906
25907 @subheading The @code{-target-list-current-targets} Command
25908 @findex -target-list-current-targets
25909
25910 @subsubheading Synopsis
25911
25912 @smallexample
25913 -target-list-current-targets
25914 @end smallexample
25915
25916 Describe the current target.
25917
25918 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25919
25920 The corresponding information is printed by @samp{info file} (among
25921 other things).
25922
25923 @subsubheading Example
25924 N.A.
25925
25926
25927 @subheading The @code{-target-list-parameters} Command
25928 @findex -target-list-parameters
25929
25930 @subsubheading Synopsis
25931
25932 @smallexample
25933 -target-list-parameters
25934 @end smallexample
25935
25936 @c ????
25937 @end ignore
25938
25939 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25940
25941 No equivalent.
25942
25943 @subsubheading Example
25944 N.A.
25945
25946
25947 @subheading The @code{-target-select} Command
25948 @findex -target-select
25949
25950 @subsubheading Synopsis
25951
25952 @smallexample
25953 -target-select @var{type} @var{parameters @dots{}}
25954 @end smallexample
25955
25956 Connect @value{GDBN} to the remote target. This command takes two args:
25957
25958 @table @samp
25959 @item @var{type}
25960 The type of target, for instance @samp{remote}, etc.
25961 @item @var{parameters}
25962 Device names, host names and the like. @xref{Target Commands, ,
25963 Commands for Managing Targets}, for more details.
25964 @end table
25965
25966 The output is a connection notification, followed by the address at
25967 which the target program is, in the following form:
25968
25969 @smallexample
25970 ^connected,addr="@var{address}",func="@var{function name}",
25971 args=[@var{arg list}]
25972 @end smallexample
25973
25974 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25975
25976 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{target}.
25977
25978 @subsubheading Example
25979
25980 @smallexample
25981 (gdb)
25982 -target-select remote /dev/ttya
25983 ^connected,addr="0xfe00a300",func="??",args=[]
25984 (gdb)
25985 @end smallexample
25986
25987 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25988 @node GDB/MI File Transfer Commands
25989 @section @sc{gdb/mi} File Transfer Commands
25990
25991
25992 @subheading The @code{-target-file-put} Command
25993 @findex -target-file-put
25994
25995 @subsubheading Synopsis
25996
25997 @smallexample
25998 -target-file-put @var{hostfile} @var{targetfile}
25999 @end smallexample
26000
26001 Copy file @var{hostfile} from the host system (the machine running
26002 @value{GDBN}) to @var{targetfile} on the target system.
26003
26004 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26005
26006 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote put}.
26007
26008 @subsubheading Example
26009
26010 @smallexample
26011 (gdb)
26012 -target-file-put localfile remotefile
26013 ^done
26014 (gdb)
26015 @end smallexample
26016
26017
26018 @subheading The @code{-target-file-get} Command
26019 @findex -target-file-get
26020
26021 @subsubheading Synopsis
26022
26023 @smallexample
26024 -target-file-get @var{targetfile} @var{hostfile}
26025 @end smallexample
26026
26027 Copy file @var{targetfile} from the target system to @var{hostfile}
26028 on the host system.
26029
26030 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26031
26032 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote get}.
26033
26034 @subsubheading Example
26035
26036 @smallexample
26037 (gdb)
26038 -target-file-get remotefile localfile
26039 ^done
26040 (gdb)
26041 @end smallexample
26042
26043
26044 @subheading The @code{-target-file-delete} Command
26045 @findex -target-file-delete
26046
26047 @subsubheading Synopsis
26048
26049 @smallexample
26050 -target-file-delete @var{targetfile}
26051 @end smallexample
26052
26053 Delete @var{targetfile} from the target system.
26054
26055 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26056
26057 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote delete}.
26058
26059 @subsubheading Example
26060
26061 @smallexample
26062 (gdb)
26063 -target-file-delete remotefile
26064 ^done
26065 (gdb)
26066 @end smallexample
26067
26068
26069 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
26070 @node GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands
26071 @section Miscellaneous @sc{gdb/mi} Commands
26072
26073 @c @subheading -gdb-complete
26074
26075 @subheading The @code{-gdb-exit} Command
26076 @findex -gdb-exit
26077
26078 @subsubheading Synopsis
26079
26080 @smallexample
26081 -gdb-exit
26082 @end smallexample
26083
26084 Exit @value{GDBN} immediately.
26085
26086 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26087
26088 Approximately corresponds to @samp{quit}.
26089
26090 @subsubheading Example
26091
26092 @smallexample
26093 (gdb)
26094 -gdb-exit
26095 ^exit
26096 @end smallexample
26097
26098
26099 @ignore
26100 @subheading The @code{-exec-abort} Command
26101 @findex -exec-abort
26102
26103 @subsubheading Synopsis
26104
26105 @smallexample
26106 -exec-abort
26107 @end smallexample
26108
26109 Kill the inferior running program.
26110
26111 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26112
26113 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{kill}.
26114
26115 @subsubheading Example
26116 N.A.
26117 @end ignore
26118
26119
26120 @subheading The @code{-gdb-set} Command
26121 @findex -gdb-set
26122
26123 @subsubheading Synopsis
26124
26125 @smallexample
26126 -gdb-set
26127 @end smallexample
26128
26129 Set an internal @value{GDBN} variable.
26130 @c IS THIS A DOLLAR VARIABLE? OR SOMETHING LIKE ANNOTATE ?????
26131
26132 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26133
26134 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set}.
26135
26136 @subsubheading Example
26137
26138 @smallexample
26139 (gdb)
26140 -gdb-set $foo=3
26141 ^done
26142 (gdb)
26143 @end smallexample
26144
26145
26146 @subheading The @code{-gdb-show} Command
26147 @findex -gdb-show
26148
26149 @subsubheading Synopsis
26150
26151 @smallexample
26152 -gdb-show
26153 @end smallexample
26154
26155 Show the current value of a @value{GDBN} variable.
26156
26157 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26158
26159 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show}.
26160
26161 @subsubheading Example
26162
26163 @smallexample
26164 (gdb)
26165 -gdb-show annotate
26166 ^done,value="0"
26167 (gdb)
26168 @end smallexample
26169
26170 @c @subheading -gdb-source
26171
26172
26173 @subheading The @code{-gdb-version} Command
26174 @findex -gdb-version
26175
26176 @subsubheading Synopsis
26177
26178 @smallexample
26179 -gdb-version
26180 @end smallexample
26181
26182 Show version information for @value{GDBN}. Used mostly in testing.
26183
26184 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26185
26186 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{show version}. @value{GDBN} by
26187 default shows this information when you start an interactive session.
26188
26189 @subsubheading Example
26190
26191 @c This example modifies the actual output from GDB to avoid overfull
26192 @c box in TeX.
26193 @smallexample
26194 (gdb)
26195 -gdb-version
26196 ~GNU gdb 5.2.1
26197 ~Copyright 2000 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
26198 ~GDB is free software, covered by the GNU General Public License, and
26199 ~you are welcome to change it and/or distribute copies of it under
26200 ~ certain conditions.
26201 ~Type "show copying" to see the conditions.
26202 ~There is absolutely no warranty for GDB. Type "show warranty" for
26203 ~ details.
26204 ~This GDB was configured as
26205 "--host=sparc-sun-solaris2.5.1 --target=ppc-eabi".
26206 ^done
26207 (gdb)
26208 @end smallexample
26209
26210 @subheading The @code{-list-features} Command
26211 @findex -list-features
26212
26213 Returns a list of particular features of the MI protocol that
26214 this version of gdb implements. A feature can be a command,
26215 or a new field in an output of some command, or even an
26216 important bugfix. While a frontend can sometimes detect presence
26217 of a feature at runtime, it is easier to perform detection at debugger
26218 startup.
26219
26220 The command returns a list of strings, with each string naming an
26221 available feature. Each returned string is just a name, it does not
26222 have any internal structure. The list of possible feature names
26223 is given below.
26224
26225 Example output:
26226
26227 @smallexample
26228 (gdb) -list-features
26229 ^done,result=["feature1","feature2"]
26230 @end smallexample
26231
26232 The current list of features is:
26233
26234 @table @samp
26235 @item frozen-varobjs
26236 Indicates presence of the @code{-var-set-frozen} command, as well
26237 as possible presense of the @code{frozen} field in the output
26238 of @code{-varobj-create}.
26239 @item pending-breakpoints
26240 Indicates presence of the @option{-f} option to the @code{-break-insert} command.
26241 @item python
26242 Indicates presence of Python scripting support, Python-based
26243 pretty-printing commands, and possible presence of the
26244 @samp{display_hint} field in the output of @code{-var-list-children}
26245 @item thread-info
26246 Indicates presence of the @code{-thread-info} command.
26247
26248 @end table
26249
26250 @subheading The @code{-list-target-features} Command
26251 @findex -list-target-features
26252
26253 Returns a list of particular features that are supported by the
26254 target. Those features affect the permitted MI commands, but
26255 unlike the features reported by the @code{-list-features} command, the
26256 features depend on which target GDB is using at the moment. Whenever
26257 a target can change, due to commands such as @code{-target-select},
26258 @code{-target-attach} or @code{-exec-run}, the list of target features
26259 may change, and the frontend should obtain it again.
26260 Example output:
26261
26262 @smallexample
26263 (gdb) -list-features
26264 ^done,result=["async"]
26265 @end smallexample
26266
26267 The current list of features is:
26268
26269 @table @samp
26270 @item async
26271 Indicates that the target is capable of asynchronous command
26272 execution, which means that @value{GDBN} will accept further commands
26273 while the target is running.
26274
26275 @end table
26276
26277 @subheading The @code{-list-thread-groups} Command
26278 @findex -list-thread-groups
26279
26280 @subheading Synopsis
26281
26282 @smallexample
26283 -list-thread-groups [ --available ] [ @var{group} ]
26284 @end smallexample
26285
26286 When used without the @var{group} parameter, lists top-level thread
26287 groups that are being debugged. When used with the @var{group}
26288 parameter, the children of the specified group are listed. The
26289 children can be either threads, or other groups. At present,
26290 @value{GDBN} will not report both threads and groups as children at
26291 the same time, but it may change in future.
26292
26293 With the @samp{--available} option, instead of reporting groups that
26294 are been debugged, GDB will report all thread groups available on the
26295 target. Using the @samp{--available} option together with @var{group}
26296 is not allowed.
26297
26298 @subheading Example
26299
26300 @smallexample
26301 @value{GDBP}
26302 -list-thread-groups
26303 ^done,groups=[@{id="17",type="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2"@}]
26304 -list-thread-groups 17
26305 ^done,threads=[@{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90 (LWP 21257)",
26306 frame=@{level="0",addr="0xffffe410",func="__kernel_vsyscall",args=[]@},state="running"@},
26307 @{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e156b0 (LWP 21254)",
26308 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0804891f",func="foo",args=[@{name="i",value="10"@}],
26309 file="/tmp/a.c",fullname="/tmp/a.c",line="158"@},state="running"@}]]
26310 @end smallexample
26311
26312 @subheading The @code{-interpreter-exec} Command
26313 @findex -interpreter-exec
26314
26315 @subheading Synopsis
26316
26317 @smallexample
26318 -interpreter-exec @var{interpreter} @var{command}
26319 @end smallexample
26320 @anchor{-interpreter-exec}
26321
26322 Execute the specified @var{command} in the given @var{interpreter}.
26323
26324 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
26325
26326 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{interpreter-exec}.
26327
26328 @subheading Example
26329
26330 @smallexample
26331 (gdb)
26332 -interpreter-exec console "break main"
26333 &"During symbol reading, couldn't parse type; debugger out of date?.\n"
26334 &"During symbol reading, bad structure-type format.\n"
26335 ~"Breakpoint 1 at 0x8074fc6: file ../../src/gdb/main.c, line 743.\n"
26336 ^done
26337 (gdb)
26338 @end smallexample
26339
26340 @subheading The @code{-inferior-tty-set} Command
26341 @findex -inferior-tty-set
26342
26343 @subheading Synopsis
26344
26345 @smallexample
26346 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
26347 @end smallexample
26348
26349 Set terminal for future runs of the program being debugged.
26350
26351 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
26352
26353 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set inferior-tty} /dev/pts/1.
26354
26355 @subheading Example
26356
26357 @smallexample
26358 (gdb)
26359 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
26360 ^done
26361 (gdb)
26362 @end smallexample
26363
26364 @subheading The @code{-inferior-tty-show} Command
26365 @findex -inferior-tty-show
26366
26367 @subheading Synopsis
26368
26369 @smallexample
26370 -inferior-tty-show
26371 @end smallexample
26372
26373 Show terminal for future runs of program being debugged.
26374
26375 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
26376
26377 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show inferior-tty}.
26378
26379 @subheading Example
26380
26381 @smallexample
26382 (gdb)
26383 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
26384 ^done
26385 (gdb)
26386 -inferior-tty-show
26387 ^done,inferior_tty_terminal="/dev/pts/1"
26388 (gdb)
26389 @end smallexample
26390
26391 @subheading The @code{-enable-timings} Command
26392 @findex -enable-timings
26393
26394 @subheading Synopsis
26395
26396 @smallexample
26397 -enable-timings [yes | no]
26398 @end smallexample
26399
26400 Toggle the printing of the wallclock, user and system times for an MI
26401 command as a field in its output. This command is to help frontend
26402 developers optimize the performance of their code. No argument is
26403 equivalent to @samp{yes}.
26404
26405 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
26406
26407 No equivalent.
26408
26409 @subheading Example
26410
26411 @smallexample
26412 (gdb)
26413 -enable-timings
26414 ^done
26415 (gdb)
26416 -break-insert main
26417 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
26418 addr="0x080484ed",func="main",file="myprog.c",
26419 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="73",times="0"@},
26420 time=@{wallclock="0.05185",user="0.00800",system="0.00000"@}
26421 (gdb)
26422 -enable-timings no
26423 ^done
26424 (gdb)
26425 -exec-run
26426 ^running
26427 (gdb)
26428 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",thread-id="0",
26429 frame=@{addr="0x080484ed",func="main",args=[@{name="argc",value="1"@},
26430 @{name="argv",value="0xbfb60364"@}],file="myprog.c",
26431 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="73"@}
26432 (gdb)
26433 @end smallexample
26434
26435 @node Annotations
26436 @chapter @value{GDBN} Annotations
26437
26438 This chapter describes annotations in @value{GDBN}. Annotations were
26439 designed to interface @value{GDBN} to graphical user interfaces or other
26440 similar programs which want to interact with @value{GDBN} at a
26441 relatively high level.
26442
26443 The annotation mechanism has largely been superseded by @sc{gdb/mi}
26444 (@pxref{GDB/MI}).
26445
26446 @ignore
26447 This is Edition @value{EDITION}, @value{DATE}.
26448 @end ignore
26449
26450 @menu
26451 * Annotations Overview:: What annotations are; the general syntax.
26452 * Server Prefix:: Issuing a command without affecting user state.
26453 * Prompting:: Annotations marking @value{GDBN}'s need for input.
26454 * Errors:: Annotations for error messages.
26455 * Invalidation:: Some annotations describe things now invalid.
26456 * Annotations for Running::
26457 Whether the program is running, how it stopped, etc.
26458 * Source Annotations:: Annotations describing source code.
26459 @end menu
26460
26461 @node Annotations Overview
26462 @section What is an Annotation?
26463 @cindex annotations
26464
26465 Annotations start with a newline character, two @samp{control-z}
26466 characters, and the name of the annotation. If there is no additional
26467 information associated with this annotation, the name of the annotation
26468 is followed immediately by a newline. If there is additional
26469 information, the name of the annotation is followed by a space, the
26470 additional information, and a newline. The additional information
26471 cannot contain newline characters.
26472
26473 Any output not beginning with a newline and two @samp{control-z}
26474 characters denotes literal output from @value{GDBN}. Currently there is
26475 no need for @value{GDBN} to output a newline followed by two
26476 @samp{control-z} characters, but if there was such a need, the
26477 annotations could be extended with an @samp{escape} annotation which
26478 means those three characters as output.
26479
26480 The annotation @var{level}, which is specified using the
26481 @option{--annotate} command line option (@pxref{Mode Options}), controls
26482 how much information @value{GDBN} prints together with its prompt,
26483 values of expressions, source lines, and other types of output. Level 0
26484 is for no annotations, level 1 is for use when @value{GDBN} is run as a
26485 subprocess of @sc{gnu} Emacs, level 3 is the maximum annotation suitable
26486 for programs that control @value{GDBN}, and level 2 annotations have
26487 been made obsolete (@pxref{Limitations, , Limitations of the Annotation
26488 Interface, annotate, GDB's Obsolete Annotations}).
26489
26490 @table @code
26491 @kindex set annotate
26492 @item set annotate @var{level}
26493 The @value{GDBN} command @code{set annotate} sets the level of
26494 annotations to the specified @var{level}.
26495
26496 @item show annotate
26497 @kindex show annotate
26498 Show the current annotation level.
26499 @end table
26500
26501 This chapter describes level 3 annotations.
26502
26503 A simple example of starting up @value{GDBN} with annotations is:
26504
26505 @smallexample
26506 $ @kbd{gdb --annotate=3}
26507 GNU gdb 6.0
26508 Copyright 2003 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
26509 GDB is free software, covered by the GNU General Public License,
26510 and you are welcome to change it and/or distribute copies of it
26511 under certain conditions.
26512 Type "show copying" to see the conditions.
26513 There is absolutely no warranty for GDB. Type "show warranty"
26514 for details.
26515 This GDB was configured as "i386-pc-linux-gnu"
26516
26517 ^Z^Zpre-prompt
26518 (@value{GDBP})
26519 ^Z^Zprompt
26520 @kbd{quit}
26521
26522 ^Z^Zpost-prompt
26523 $
26524 @end smallexample
26525
26526 Here @samp{quit} is input to @value{GDBN}; the rest is output from
26527 @value{GDBN}. The three lines beginning @samp{^Z^Z} (where @samp{^Z}
26528 denotes a @samp{control-z} character) are annotations; the rest is
26529 output from @value{GDBN}.
26530
26531 @node Server Prefix
26532 @section The Server Prefix
26533 @cindex server prefix
26534
26535 If you prefix a command with @samp{server } then it will not affect
26536 the command history, nor will it affect @value{GDBN}'s notion of which
26537 command to repeat if @key{RET} is pressed on a line by itself. This
26538 means that commands can be run behind a user's back by a front-end in
26539 a transparent manner.
26540
26541 The @code{server } prefix does not affect the recording of values into
26542 the value history; to print a value without recording it into the
26543 value history, use the @code{output} command instead of the
26544 @code{print} command.
26545
26546 Using this prefix also disables confirmation requests
26547 (@pxref{confirmation requests}).
26548
26549 @node Prompting
26550 @section Annotation for @value{GDBN} Input
26551
26552 @cindex annotations for prompts
26553 When @value{GDBN} prompts for input, it annotates this fact so it is possible
26554 to know when to send output, when the output from a given command is
26555 over, etc.
26556
26557 Different kinds of input each have a different @dfn{input type}. Each
26558 input type has three annotations: a @code{pre-} annotation, which
26559 denotes the beginning of any prompt which is being output, a plain
26560 annotation, which denotes the end of the prompt, and then a @code{post-}
26561 annotation which denotes the end of any echo which may (or may not) be
26562 associated with the input. For example, the @code{prompt} input type
26563 features the following annotations:
26564
26565 @smallexample
26566 ^Z^Zpre-prompt
26567 ^Z^Zprompt
26568 ^Z^Zpost-prompt
26569 @end smallexample
26570
26571 The input types are
26572
26573 @table @code
26574 @findex pre-prompt annotation
26575 @findex prompt annotation
26576 @findex post-prompt annotation
26577 @item prompt
26578 When @value{GDBN} is prompting for a command (the main @value{GDBN} prompt).
26579
26580 @findex pre-commands annotation
26581 @findex commands annotation
26582 @findex post-commands annotation
26583 @item commands
26584 When @value{GDBN} prompts for a set of commands, like in the @code{commands}
26585 command. The annotations are repeated for each command which is input.
26586
26587 @findex pre-overload-choice annotation
26588 @findex overload-choice annotation
26589 @findex post-overload-choice annotation
26590 @item overload-choice
26591 When @value{GDBN} wants the user to select between various overloaded functions.
26592
26593 @findex pre-query annotation
26594 @findex query annotation
26595 @findex post-query annotation
26596 @item query
26597 When @value{GDBN} wants the user to confirm a potentially dangerous operation.
26598
26599 @findex pre-prompt-for-continue annotation
26600 @findex prompt-for-continue annotation
26601 @findex post-prompt-for-continue annotation
26602 @item prompt-for-continue
26603 When @value{GDBN} is asking the user to press return to continue. Note: Don't
26604 expect this to work well; instead use @code{set height 0} to disable
26605 prompting. This is because the counting of lines is buggy in the
26606 presence of annotations.
26607 @end table
26608
26609 @node Errors
26610 @section Errors
26611 @cindex annotations for errors, warnings and interrupts
26612
26613 @findex quit annotation
26614 @smallexample
26615 ^Z^Zquit
26616 @end smallexample
26617
26618 This annotation occurs right before @value{GDBN} responds to an interrupt.
26619
26620 @findex error annotation
26621 @smallexample
26622 ^Z^Zerror
26623 @end smallexample
26624
26625 This annotation occurs right before @value{GDBN} responds to an error.
26626
26627 Quit and error annotations indicate that any annotations which @value{GDBN} was
26628 in the middle of may end abruptly. For example, if a
26629 @code{value-history-begin} annotation is followed by a @code{error}, one
26630 cannot expect to receive the matching @code{value-history-end}. One
26631 cannot expect not to receive it either, however; an error annotation
26632 does not necessarily mean that @value{GDBN} is immediately returning all the way
26633 to the top level.
26634
26635 @findex error-begin annotation
26636 A quit or error annotation may be preceded by
26637
26638 @smallexample
26639 ^Z^Zerror-begin
26640 @end smallexample
26641
26642 Any output between that and the quit or error annotation is the error
26643 message.
26644
26645 Warning messages are not yet annotated.
26646 @c If we want to change that, need to fix warning(), type_error(),
26647 @c range_error(), and possibly other places.
26648
26649 @node Invalidation
26650 @section Invalidation Notices
26651
26652 @cindex annotations for invalidation messages
26653 The following annotations say that certain pieces of state may have
26654 changed.
26655
26656 @table @code
26657 @findex frames-invalid annotation
26658 @item ^Z^Zframes-invalid
26659
26660 The frames (for example, output from the @code{backtrace} command) may
26661 have changed.
26662
26663 @findex breakpoints-invalid annotation
26664 @item ^Z^Zbreakpoints-invalid
26665
26666 The breakpoints may have changed. For example, the user just added or
26667 deleted a breakpoint.
26668 @end table
26669
26670 @node Annotations for Running
26671 @section Running the Program
26672 @cindex annotations for running programs
26673
26674 @findex starting annotation
26675 @findex stopping annotation
26676 When the program starts executing due to a @value{GDBN} command such as
26677 @code{step} or @code{continue},
26678
26679 @smallexample
26680 ^Z^Zstarting
26681 @end smallexample
26682
26683 is output. When the program stops,
26684
26685 @smallexample
26686 ^Z^Zstopped
26687 @end smallexample
26688
26689 is output. Before the @code{stopped} annotation, a variety of
26690 annotations describe how the program stopped.
26691
26692 @table @code
26693 @findex exited annotation
26694 @item ^Z^Zexited @var{exit-status}
26695 The program exited, and @var{exit-status} is the exit status (zero for
26696 successful exit, otherwise nonzero).
26697
26698 @findex signalled annotation
26699 @findex signal-name annotation
26700 @findex signal-name-end annotation
26701 @findex signal-string annotation
26702 @findex signal-string-end annotation
26703 @item ^Z^Zsignalled
26704 The program exited with a signal. After the @code{^Z^Zsignalled}, the
26705 annotation continues:
26706
26707 @smallexample
26708 @var{intro-text}
26709 ^Z^Zsignal-name
26710 @var{name}
26711 ^Z^Zsignal-name-end
26712 @var{middle-text}
26713 ^Z^Zsignal-string
26714 @var{string}
26715 ^Z^Zsignal-string-end
26716 @var{end-text}
26717 @end smallexample
26718
26719 @noindent
26720 where @var{name} is the name of the signal, such as @code{SIGILL} or
26721 @code{SIGSEGV}, and @var{string} is the explanation of the signal, such
26722 as @code{Illegal Instruction} or @code{Segmentation fault}.
26723 @var{intro-text}, @var{middle-text}, and @var{end-text} are for the
26724 user's benefit and have no particular format.
26725
26726 @findex signal annotation
26727 @item ^Z^Zsignal
26728 The syntax of this annotation is just like @code{signalled}, but @value{GDBN} is
26729 just saying that the program received the signal, not that it was
26730 terminated with it.
26731
26732 @findex breakpoint annotation
26733 @item ^Z^Zbreakpoint @var{number}
26734 The program hit breakpoint number @var{number}.
26735
26736 @findex watchpoint annotation
26737 @item ^Z^Zwatchpoint @var{number}
26738 The program hit watchpoint number @var{number}.
26739 @end table
26740
26741 @node Source Annotations
26742 @section Displaying Source
26743 @cindex annotations for source display
26744
26745 @findex source annotation
26746 The following annotation is used instead of displaying source code:
26747
26748 @smallexample
26749 ^Z^Zsource @var{filename}:@var{line}:@var{character}:@var{middle}:@var{addr}
26750 @end smallexample
26751
26752 where @var{filename} is an absolute file name indicating which source
26753 file, @var{line} is the line number within that file (where 1 is the
26754 first line in the file), @var{character} is the character position
26755 within the file (where 0 is the first character in the file) (for most
26756 debug formats this will necessarily point to the beginning of a line),
26757 @var{middle} is @samp{middle} if @var{addr} is in the middle of the
26758 line, or @samp{beg} if @var{addr} is at the beginning of the line, and
26759 @var{addr} is the address in the target program associated with the
26760 source which is being displayed. @var{addr} is in the form @samp{0x}
26761 followed by one or more lowercase hex digits (note that this does not
26762 depend on the language).
26763
26764 @node JIT Interface
26765 @chapter JIT Compilation Interface
26766 @cindex just-in-time compilation
26767 @cindex JIT compilation interface
26768
26769 This chapter documents @value{GDBN}'s @dfn{just-in-time} (JIT) compilation
26770 interface. A JIT compiler is a program or library that generates native
26771 executable code at runtime and executes it, usually in order to achieve good
26772 performance while maintaining platform independence.
26773
26774 Programs that use JIT compilation are normally difficult to debug because
26775 portions of their code are generated at runtime, instead of being loaded from
26776 object files, which is where @value{GDBN} normally finds the program's symbols
26777 and debug information. In order to debug programs that use JIT compilation,
26778 @value{GDBN} has an interface that allows the program to register in-memory
26779 symbol files with @value{GDBN} at runtime.
26780
26781 If you are using @value{GDBN} to debug a program that uses this interface, then
26782 it should work transparently so long as you have not stripped the binary. If
26783 you are developing a JIT compiler, then the interface is documented in the rest
26784 of this chapter. At this time, the only known client of this interface is the
26785 LLVM JIT.
26786
26787 Broadly speaking, the JIT interface mirrors the dynamic loader interface. The
26788 JIT compiler communicates with @value{GDBN} by writing data into a global
26789 variable and calling a fuction at a well-known symbol. When @value{GDBN}
26790 attaches, it reads a linked list of symbol files from the global variable to
26791 find existing code, and puts a breakpoint in the function so that it can find
26792 out about additional code.
26793
26794 @menu
26795 * Declarations:: Relevant C struct declarations
26796 * Registering Code:: Steps to register code
26797 * Unregistering Code:: Steps to unregister code
26798 @end menu
26799
26800 @node Declarations
26801 @section JIT Declarations
26802
26803 These are the relevant struct declarations that a C program should include to
26804 implement the interface:
26805
26806 @smallexample
26807 typedef enum
26808 @{
26809 JIT_NOACTION = 0,
26810 JIT_REGISTER_FN,
26811 JIT_UNREGISTER_FN
26812 @} jit_actions_t;
26813
26814 struct jit_code_entry
26815 @{
26816 struct jit_code_entry *next_entry;
26817 struct jit_code_entry *prev_entry;
26818 const char *symfile_addr;
26819 uint64_t symfile_size;
26820 @};
26821
26822 struct jit_descriptor
26823 @{
26824 uint32_t version;
26825 /* This type should be jit_actions_t, but we use uint32_t
26826 to be explicit about the bitwidth. */
26827 uint32_t action_flag;
26828 struct jit_code_entry *relevant_entry;
26829 struct jit_code_entry *first_entry;
26830 @};
26831
26832 /* GDB puts a breakpoint in this function. */
26833 void __attribute__((noinline)) __jit_debug_register_code() @{ @};
26834
26835 /* Make sure to specify the version statically, because the
26836 debugger may check the version before we can set it. */
26837 struct jit_descriptor __jit_debug_descriptor = @{ 1, 0, 0, 0 @};
26838 @end smallexample
26839
26840 If the JIT is multi-threaded, then it is important that the JIT synchronize any
26841 modifications to this global data properly, which can easily be done by putting
26842 a global mutex around modifications to these structures.
26843
26844 @node Registering Code
26845 @section Registering Code
26846
26847 To register code with @value{GDBN}, the JIT should follow this protocol:
26848
26849 @itemize @bullet
26850 @item
26851 Generate an object file in memory with symbols and other desired debug
26852 information. The file must include the virtual addresses of the sections.
26853
26854 @item
26855 Create a code entry for the file, which gives the start and size of the symbol
26856 file.
26857
26858 @item
26859 Add it to the linked list in the JIT descriptor.
26860
26861 @item
26862 Point the relevant_entry field of the descriptor at the entry.
26863
26864 @item
26865 Set @code{action_flag} to @code{JIT_REGISTER} and call
26866 @code{__jit_debug_register_code}.
26867 @end itemize
26868
26869 When @value{GDBN} is attached and the breakpoint fires, @value{GDBN} uses the
26870 @code{relevant_entry} pointer so it doesn't have to walk the list looking for
26871 new code. However, the linked list must still be maintained in order to allow
26872 @value{GDBN} to attach to a running process and still find the symbol files.
26873
26874 @node Unregistering Code
26875 @section Unregistering Code
26876
26877 If code is freed, then the JIT should use the following protocol:
26878
26879 @itemize @bullet
26880 @item
26881 Remove the code entry corresponding to the code from the linked list.
26882
26883 @item
26884 Point the @code{relevant_entry} field of the descriptor at the code entry.
26885
26886 @item
26887 Set @code{action_flag} to @code{JIT_UNREGISTER} and call
26888 @code{__jit_debug_register_code}.
26889 @end itemize
26890
26891 If the JIT frees or recompiles code without unregistering it, then @value{GDBN}
26892 and the JIT will leak the memory used for the associated symbol files.
26893
26894 @node GDB Bugs
26895 @chapter Reporting Bugs in @value{GDBN}
26896 @cindex bugs in @value{GDBN}
26897 @cindex reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
26898
26899 Your bug reports play an essential role in making @value{GDBN} reliable.
26900
26901 Reporting a bug may help you by bringing a solution to your problem, or it
26902 may not. But in any case the principal function of a bug report is to help
26903 the entire community by making the next version of @value{GDBN} work better. Bug
26904 reports are your contribution to the maintenance of @value{GDBN}.
26905
26906 In order for a bug report to serve its purpose, you must include the
26907 information that enables us to fix the bug.
26908
26909 @menu
26910 * Bug Criteria:: Have you found a bug?
26911 * Bug Reporting:: How to report bugs
26912 @end menu
26913
26914 @node Bug Criteria
26915 @section Have You Found a Bug?
26916 @cindex bug criteria
26917
26918 If you are not sure whether you have found a bug, here are some guidelines:
26919
26920 @itemize @bullet
26921 @cindex fatal signal
26922 @cindex debugger crash
26923 @cindex crash of debugger
26924 @item
26925 If the debugger gets a fatal signal, for any input whatever, that is a
26926 @value{GDBN} bug. Reliable debuggers never crash.
26927
26928 @cindex error on valid input
26929 @item
26930 If @value{GDBN} produces an error message for valid input, that is a
26931 bug. (Note that if you're cross debugging, the problem may also be
26932 somewhere in the connection to the target.)
26933
26934 @cindex invalid input
26935 @item
26936 If @value{GDBN} does not produce an error message for invalid input,
26937 that is a bug. However, you should note that your idea of
26938 ``invalid input'' might be our idea of ``an extension'' or ``support
26939 for traditional practice''.
26940
26941 @item
26942 If you are an experienced user of debugging tools, your suggestions
26943 for improvement of @value{GDBN} are welcome in any case.
26944 @end itemize
26945
26946 @node Bug Reporting
26947 @section How to Report Bugs
26948 @cindex bug reports
26949 @cindex @value{GDBN} bugs, reporting
26950
26951 A number of companies and individuals offer support for @sc{gnu} products.
26952 If you obtained @value{GDBN} from a support organization, we recommend you
26953 contact that organization first.
26954
26955 You can find contact information for many support companies and
26956 individuals in the file @file{etc/SERVICE} in the @sc{gnu} Emacs
26957 distribution.
26958 @c should add a web page ref...
26959
26960 @ifset BUGURL
26961 @ifset BUGURL_DEFAULT
26962 In any event, we also recommend that you submit bug reports for
26963 @value{GDBN}. The preferred method is to submit them directly using
26964 @uref{http://www.gnu.org/software/gdb/bugs/, @value{GDBN}'s Bugs web
26965 page}. Alternatively, the @email{bug-gdb@@gnu.org, e-mail gateway} can
26966 be used.
26967
26968 @strong{Do not send bug reports to @samp{info-gdb}, or to
26969 @samp{help-gdb}, or to any newsgroups.} Most users of @value{GDBN} do
26970 not want to receive bug reports. Those that do have arranged to receive
26971 @samp{bug-gdb}.
26972
26973 The mailing list @samp{bug-gdb} has a newsgroup @samp{gnu.gdb.bug} which
26974 serves as a repeater. The mailing list and the newsgroup carry exactly
26975 the same messages. Often people think of posting bug reports to the
26976 newsgroup instead of mailing them. This appears to work, but it has one
26977 problem which can be crucial: a newsgroup posting often lacks a mail
26978 path back to the sender. Thus, if we need to ask for more information,
26979 we may be unable to reach you. For this reason, it is better to send
26980 bug reports to the mailing list.
26981 @end ifset
26982 @ifclear BUGURL_DEFAULT
26983 In any event, we also recommend that you submit bug reports for
26984 @value{GDBN} to @value{BUGURL}.
26985 @end ifclear
26986 @end ifset
26987
26988 The fundamental principle of reporting bugs usefully is this:
26989 @strong{report all the facts}. If you are not sure whether to state a
26990 fact or leave it out, state it!
26991
26992 Often people omit facts because they think they know what causes the
26993 problem and assume that some details do not matter. Thus, you might
26994 assume that the name of the variable you use in an example does not matter.
26995 Well, probably it does not, but one cannot be sure. Perhaps the bug is a
26996 stray memory reference which happens to fetch from the location where that
26997 name is stored in memory; perhaps, if the name were different, the contents
26998 of that location would fool the debugger into doing the right thing despite
26999 the bug. Play it safe and give a specific, complete example. That is the
27000 easiest thing for you to do, and the most helpful.
27001
27002 Keep in mind that the purpose of a bug report is to enable us to fix the
27003 bug. It may be that the bug has been reported previously, but neither
27004 you nor we can know that unless your bug report is complete and
27005 self-contained.
27006
27007 Sometimes people give a few sketchy facts and ask, ``Does this ring a
27008 bell?'' Those bug reports are useless, and we urge everyone to
27009 @emph{refuse to respond to them} except to chide the sender to report
27010 bugs properly.
27011
27012 To enable us to fix the bug, you should include all these things:
27013
27014 @itemize @bullet
27015 @item
27016 The version of @value{GDBN}. @value{GDBN} announces it if you start
27017 with no arguments; you can also print it at any time using @code{show
27018 version}.
27019
27020 Without this, we will not know whether there is any point in looking for
27021 the bug in the current version of @value{GDBN}.
27022
27023 @item
27024 The type of machine you are using, and the operating system name and
27025 version number.
27026
27027 @item
27028 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile @value{GDBN}---e.g.@:
27029 ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1''.
27030
27031 @item
27032 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile the program you are
27033 debugging---e.g.@: ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1'', or ``HP92453-01 A.10.32.03 HP
27034 C Compiler''. For @value{NGCC}, you can say @kbd{@value{GCC} --version}
27035 to get this information; for other compilers, see the documentation for
27036 those compilers.
27037
27038 @item
27039 The command arguments you gave the compiler to compile your example and
27040 observe the bug. For example, did you use @samp{-O}? To guarantee
27041 you will not omit something important, list them all. A copy of the
27042 Makefile (or the output from make) is sufficient.
27043
27044 If we were to try to guess the arguments, we would probably guess wrong
27045 and then we might not encounter the bug.
27046
27047 @item
27048 A complete input script, and all necessary source files, that will
27049 reproduce the bug.
27050
27051 @item
27052 A description of what behavior you observe that you believe is
27053 incorrect. For example, ``It gets a fatal signal.''
27054
27055 Of course, if the bug is that @value{GDBN} gets a fatal signal, then we
27056 will certainly notice it. But if the bug is incorrect output, we might
27057 not notice unless it is glaringly wrong. You might as well not give us
27058 a chance to make a mistake.
27059
27060 Even if the problem you experience is a fatal signal, you should still
27061 say so explicitly. Suppose something strange is going on, such as, your
27062 copy of @value{GDBN} is out of synch, or you have encountered a bug in
27063 the C library on your system. (This has happened!) Your copy might
27064 crash and ours would not. If you told us to expect a crash, then when
27065 ours fails to crash, we would know that the bug was not happening for
27066 us. If you had not told us to expect a crash, then we would not be able
27067 to draw any conclusion from our observations.
27068
27069 @pindex script
27070 @cindex recording a session script
27071 To collect all this information, you can use a session recording program
27072 such as @command{script}, which is available on many Unix systems.
27073 Just run your @value{GDBN} session inside @command{script} and then
27074 include the @file{typescript} file with your bug report.
27075
27076 Another way to record a @value{GDBN} session is to run @value{GDBN}
27077 inside Emacs and then save the entire buffer to a file.
27078
27079 @item
27080 If you wish to suggest changes to the @value{GDBN} source, send us context
27081 diffs. If you even discuss something in the @value{GDBN} source, refer to
27082 it by context, not by line number.
27083
27084 The line numbers in our development sources will not match those in your
27085 sources. Your line numbers would convey no useful information to us.
27086
27087 @end itemize
27088
27089 Here are some things that are not necessary:
27090
27091 @itemize @bullet
27092 @item
27093 A description of the envelope of the bug.
27094
27095 Often people who encounter a bug spend a lot of time investigating
27096 which changes to the input file will make the bug go away and which
27097 changes will not affect it.
27098
27099 This is often time consuming and not very useful, because the way we
27100 will find the bug is by running a single example under the debugger
27101 with breakpoints, not by pure deduction from a series of examples.
27102 We recommend that you save your time for something else.
27103
27104 Of course, if you can find a simpler example to report @emph{instead}
27105 of the original one, that is a convenience for us. Errors in the
27106 output will be easier to spot, running under the debugger will take
27107 less time, and so on.
27108
27109 However, simplification is not vital; if you do not want to do this,
27110 report the bug anyway and send us the entire test case you used.
27111
27112 @item
27113 A patch for the bug.
27114
27115 A patch for the bug does help us if it is a good one. But do not omit
27116 the necessary information, such as the test case, on the assumption that
27117 a patch is all we need. We might see problems with your patch and decide
27118 to fix the problem another way, or we might not understand it at all.
27119
27120 Sometimes with a program as complicated as @value{GDBN} it is very hard to
27121 construct an example that will make the program follow a certain path
27122 through the code. If you do not send us the example, we will not be able
27123 to construct one, so we will not be able to verify that the bug is fixed.
27124
27125 And if we cannot understand what bug you are trying to fix, or why your
27126 patch should be an improvement, we will not install it. A test case will
27127 help us to understand.
27128
27129 @item
27130 A guess about what the bug is or what it depends on.
27131
27132 Such guesses are usually wrong. Even we cannot guess right about such
27133 things without first using the debugger to find the facts.
27134 @end itemize
27135
27136 @c The readline documentation is distributed with the readline code
27137 @c and consists of the two following files:
27138 @c rluser.texinfo
27139 @c inc-hist.texinfo
27140 @c Use -I with makeinfo to point to the appropriate directory,
27141 @c environment var TEXINPUTS with TeX.
27142 @include rluser.texi
27143 @include inc-hist.texinfo
27144
27145
27146 @node Formatting Documentation
27147 @appendix Formatting Documentation
27148
27149 @cindex @value{GDBN} reference card
27150 @cindex reference card
27151 The @value{GDBN} 4 release includes an already-formatted reference card, ready
27152 for printing with PostScript or Ghostscript, in the @file{gdb}
27153 subdirectory of the main source directory@footnote{In
27154 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/refcard.ps} of the version @value{GDBVN}
27155 release.}. If you can use PostScript or Ghostscript with your printer,
27156 you can print the reference card immediately with @file{refcard.ps}.
27157
27158 The release also includes the source for the reference card. You
27159 can format it, using @TeX{}, by typing:
27160
27161 @smallexample
27162 make refcard.dvi
27163 @end smallexample
27164
27165 The @value{GDBN} reference card is designed to print in @dfn{landscape}
27166 mode on US ``letter'' size paper;
27167 that is, on a sheet 11 inches wide by 8.5 inches
27168 high. You will need to specify this form of printing as an option to
27169 your @sc{dvi} output program.
27170
27171 @cindex documentation
27172
27173 All the documentation for @value{GDBN} comes as part of the machine-readable
27174 distribution. The documentation is written in Texinfo format, which is
27175 a documentation system that uses a single source file to produce both
27176 on-line information and a printed manual. You can use one of the Info
27177 formatting commands to create the on-line version of the documentation
27178 and @TeX{} (or @code{texi2roff}) to typeset the printed version.
27179
27180 @value{GDBN} includes an already formatted copy of the on-line Info
27181 version of this manual in the @file{gdb} subdirectory. The main Info
27182 file is @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/gdb.info}, and it refers to
27183 subordinate files matching @samp{gdb.info*} in the same directory. If
27184 necessary, you can print out these files, or read them with any editor;
27185 but they are easier to read using the @code{info} subsystem in @sc{gnu}
27186 Emacs or the standalone @code{info} program, available as part of the
27187 @sc{gnu} Texinfo distribution.
27188
27189 If you want to format these Info files yourself, you need one of the
27190 Info formatting programs, such as @code{texinfo-format-buffer} or
27191 @code{makeinfo}.
27192
27193 If you have @code{makeinfo} installed, and are in the top level
27194 @value{GDBN} source directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, in the case of
27195 version @value{GDBVN}), you can make the Info file by typing:
27196
27197 @smallexample
27198 cd gdb
27199 make gdb.info
27200 @end smallexample
27201
27202 If you want to typeset and print copies of this manual, you need @TeX{},
27203 a program to print its @sc{dvi} output files, and @file{texinfo.tex}, the
27204 Texinfo definitions file.
27205
27206 @TeX{} is a typesetting program; it does not print files directly, but
27207 produces output files called @sc{dvi} files. To print a typeset
27208 document, you need a program to print @sc{dvi} files. If your system
27209 has @TeX{} installed, chances are it has such a program. The precise
27210 command to use depends on your system; @kbd{lpr -d} is common; another
27211 (for PostScript devices) is @kbd{dvips}. The @sc{dvi} print command may
27212 require a file name without any extension or a @samp{.dvi} extension.
27213
27214 @TeX{} also requires a macro definitions file called
27215 @file{texinfo.tex}. This file tells @TeX{} how to typeset a document
27216 written in Texinfo format. On its own, @TeX{} cannot either read or
27217 typeset a Texinfo file. @file{texinfo.tex} is distributed with GDB
27218 and is located in the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}/texinfo}
27219 directory.
27220
27221 If you have @TeX{} and a @sc{dvi} printer program installed, you can
27222 typeset and print this manual. First switch to the @file{gdb}
27223 subdirectory of the main source directory (for example, to
27224 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb}) and type:
27225
27226 @smallexample
27227 make gdb.dvi
27228 @end smallexample
27229
27230 Then give @file{gdb.dvi} to your @sc{dvi} printing program.
27231
27232 @node Installing GDB
27233 @appendix Installing @value{GDBN}
27234 @cindex installation
27235
27236 @menu
27237 * Requirements:: Requirements for building @value{GDBN}
27238 * Running Configure:: Invoking the @value{GDBN} @file{configure} script
27239 * Separate Objdir:: Compiling @value{GDBN} in another directory
27240 * Config Names:: Specifying names for hosts and targets
27241 * Configure Options:: Summary of options for configure
27242 * System-wide configuration:: Having a system-wide init file
27243 @end menu
27244
27245 @node Requirements
27246 @section Requirements for Building @value{GDBN}
27247 @cindex building @value{GDBN}, requirements for
27248
27249 Building @value{GDBN} requires various tools and packages to be available.
27250 Other packages will be used only if they are found.
27251
27252 @heading Tools/Packages Necessary for Building @value{GDBN}
27253 @table @asis
27254 @item ISO C90 compiler
27255 @value{GDBN} is written in ISO C90. It should be buildable with any
27256 working C90 compiler, e.g.@: GCC.
27257
27258 @end table
27259
27260 @heading Tools/Packages Optional for Building @value{GDBN}
27261 @table @asis
27262 @item Expat
27263 @anchor{Expat}
27264 @value{GDBN} can use the Expat XML parsing library. This library may be
27265 included with your operating system distribution; if it is not, you
27266 can get the latest version from @url{http://expat.sourceforge.net}.
27267 The @file{configure} script will search for this library in several
27268 standard locations; if it is installed in an unusual path, you can
27269 use the @option{--with-libexpat-prefix} option to specify its location.
27270
27271 Expat is used for:
27272
27273 @itemize @bullet
27274 @item
27275 Remote protocol memory maps (@pxref{Memory Map Format})
27276 @item
27277 Target descriptions (@pxref{Target Descriptions})
27278 @item
27279 Remote shared library lists (@pxref{Library List Format})
27280 @item
27281 MS-Windows shared libraries (@pxref{Shared Libraries})
27282 @end itemize
27283
27284 @item zlib
27285 @cindex compressed debug sections
27286 @value{GDBN} will use the @samp{zlib} library, if available, to read
27287 compressed debug sections. Some linkers, such as GNU gold, are capable
27288 of producing binaries with compressed debug sections. If @value{GDBN}
27289 is compiled with @samp{zlib}, it will be able to read the debug
27290 information in such binaries.
27291
27292 The @samp{zlib} library is likely included with your operating system
27293 distribution; if it is not, you can get the latest version from
27294 @url{http://zlib.net}.
27295
27296 @item iconv
27297 @value{GDBN}'s features related to character sets (@pxref{Character
27298 Sets}) require a functioning @code{iconv} implementation. If you are
27299 on a GNU system, then this is provided by the GNU C Library. Some
27300 other systems also provide a working @code{iconv}.
27301
27302 On systems with @code{iconv}, you can install GNU Libiconv. If you
27303 have previously installed Libiconv, you can use the
27304 @option{--with-libiconv-prefix} option to configure.
27305
27306 @value{GDBN}'s top-level @file{configure} and @file{Makefile} will
27307 arrange to build Libiconv if a directory named @file{libiconv} appears
27308 in the top-most source directory. If Libiconv is built this way, and
27309 if the operating system does not provide a suitable @code{iconv}
27310 implementation, then the just-built library will automatically be used
27311 by @value{GDBN}. One easy way to set this up is to download GNU
27312 Libiconv, unpack it, and then rename the directory holding the
27313 Libiconv source code to @samp{libiconv}.
27314 @end table
27315
27316 @node Running Configure
27317 @section Invoking the @value{GDBN} @file{configure} Script
27318 @cindex configuring @value{GDBN}
27319 @value{GDBN} comes with a @file{configure} script that automates the process
27320 of preparing @value{GDBN} for installation; you can then use @code{make} to
27321 build the @code{gdb} program.
27322 @iftex
27323 @c irrelevant in info file; it's as current as the code it lives with.
27324 @footnote{If you have a more recent version of @value{GDBN} than @value{GDBVN},
27325 look at the @file{README} file in the sources; we may have improved the
27326 installation procedures since publishing this manual.}
27327 @end iftex
27328
27329 The @value{GDBN} distribution includes all the source code you need for
27330 @value{GDBN} in a single directory, whose name is usually composed by
27331 appending the version number to @samp{gdb}.
27332
27333 For example, the @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN} distribution is in the
27334 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory. That directory contains:
27335
27336 @table @code
27337 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure @r{(and supporting files)}
27338 script for configuring @value{GDBN} and all its supporting libraries
27339
27340 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb
27341 the source specific to @value{GDBN} itself
27342
27343 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/bfd
27344 source for the Binary File Descriptor library
27345
27346 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/include
27347 @sc{gnu} include files
27348
27349 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/libiberty
27350 source for the @samp{-liberty} free software library
27351
27352 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/opcodes
27353 source for the library of opcode tables and disassemblers
27354
27355 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/readline
27356 source for the @sc{gnu} command-line interface
27357
27358 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/glob
27359 source for the @sc{gnu} filename pattern-matching subroutine
27360
27361 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/mmalloc
27362 source for the @sc{gnu} memory-mapped malloc package
27363 @end table
27364
27365 The simplest way to configure and build @value{GDBN} is to run @file{configure}
27366 from the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory, which in
27367 this example is the @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory.
27368
27369 First switch to the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory
27370 if you are not already in it; then run @file{configure}. Pass the
27371 identifier for the platform on which @value{GDBN} will run as an
27372 argument.
27373
27374 For example:
27375
27376 @smallexample
27377 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
27378 ./configure @var{host}
27379 make
27380 @end smallexample
27381
27382 @noindent
27383 where @var{host} is an identifier such as @samp{sun4} or
27384 @samp{decstation}, that identifies the platform where @value{GDBN} will run.
27385 (You can often leave off @var{host}; @file{configure} tries to guess the
27386 correct value by examining your system.)
27387
27388 Running @samp{configure @var{host}} and then running @code{make} builds the
27389 @file{bfd}, @file{readline}, @file{mmalloc}, and @file{libiberty}
27390 libraries, then @code{gdb} itself. The configured source files, and the
27391 binaries, are left in the corresponding source directories.
27392
27393 @need 750
27394 @file{configure} is a Bourne-shell (@code{/bin/sh}) script; if your
27395 system does not recognize this automatically when you run a different
27396 shell, you may need to run @code{sh} on it explicitly:
27397
27398 @smallexample
27399 sh configure @var{host}
27400 @end smallexample
27401
27402 If you run @file{configure} from a directory that contains source
27403 directories for multiple libraries or programs, such as the
27404 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} source directory for version @value{GDBVN},
27405 @file{configure}
27406 creates configuration files for every directory level underneath (unless
27407 you tell it not to, with the @samp{--norecursion} option).
27408
27409 You should run the @file{configure} script from the top directory in the
27410 source tree, the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} directory. If you run
27411 @file{configure} from one of the subdirectories, you will configure only
27412 that subdirectory. That is usually not what you want. In particular,
27413 if you run the first @file{configure} from the @file{gdb} subdirectory
27414 of the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} directory, you will omit the
27415 configuration of @file{bfd}, @file{readline}, and other sibling
27416 directories of the @file{gdb} subdirectory. This leads to build errors
27417 about missing include files such as @file{bfd/bfd.h}.
27418
27419 You can install @code{@value{GDBP}} anywhere; it has no hardwired paths.
27420 However, you should make sure that the shell on your path (named by
27421 the @samp{SHELL} environment variable) is publicly readable. Remember
27422 that @value{GDBN} uses the shell to start your program---some systems refuse to
27423 let @value{GDBN} debug child processes whose programs are not readable.
27424
27425 @node Separate Objdir
27426 @section Compiling @value{GDBN} in Another Directory
27427
27428 If you want to run @value{GDBN} versions for several host or target machines,
27429 you need a different @code{gdb} compiled for each combination of
27430 host and target. @file{configure} is designed to make this easy by
27431 allowing you to generate each configuration in a separate subdirectory,
27432 rather than in the source directory. If your @code{make} program
27433 handles the @samp{VPATH} feature (@sc{gnu} @code{make} does), running
27434 @code{make} in each of these directories builds the @code{gdb}
27435 program specified there.
27436
27437 To build @code{gdb} in a separate directory, run @file{configure}
27438 with the @samp{--srcdir} option to specify where to find the source.
27439 (You also need to specify a path to find @file{configure}
27440 itself from your working directory. If the path to @file{configure}
27441 would be the same as the argument to @samp{--srcdir}, you can leave out
27442 the @samp{--srcdir} option; it is assumed.)
27443
27444 For example, with version @value{GDBVN}, you can build @value{GDBN} in a
27445 separate directory for a Sun 4 like this:
27446
27447 @smallexample
27448 @group
27449 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
27450 mkdir ../gdb-sun4
27451 cd ../gdb-sun4
27452 ../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure sun4
27453 make
27454 @end group
27455 @end smallexample
27456
27457 When @file{configure} builds a configuration using a remote source
27458 directory, it creates a tree for the binaries with the same structure
27459 (and using the same names) as the tree under the source directory. In
27460 the example, you'd find the Sun 4 library @file{libiberty.a} in the
27461 directory @file{gdb-sun4/libiberty}, and @value{GDBN} itself in
27462 @file{gdb-sun4/gdb}.
27463
27464 Make sure that your path to the @file{configure} script has just one
27465 instance of @file{gdb} in it. If your path to @file{configure} looks
27466 like @file{../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/configure}, you are configuring only
27467 one subdirectory of @value{GDBN}, not the whole package. This leads to
27468 build errors about missing include files such as @file{bfd/bfd.h}.
27469
27470 One popular reason to build several @value{GDBN} configurations in separate
27471 directories is to configure @value{GDBN} for cross-compiling (where
27472 @value{GDBN} runs on one machine---the @dfn{host}---while debugging
27473 programs that run on another machine---the @dfn{target}).
27474 You specify a cross-debugging target by
27475 giving the @samp{--target=@var{target}} option to @file{configure}.
27476
27477 When you run @code{make} to build a program or library, you must run
27478 it in a configured directory---whatever directory you were in when you
27479 called @file{configure} (or one of its subdirectories).
27480
27481 The @code{Makefile} that @file{configure} generates in each source
27482 directory also runs recursively. If you type @code{make} in a source
27483 directory such as @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} (or in a separate configured
27484 directory configured with @samp{--srcdir=@var{dirname}/gdb-@value{GDBVN}}), you
27485 will build all the required libraries, and then build GDB.
27486
27487 When you have multiple hosts or targets configured in separate
27488 directories, you can run @code{make} on them in parallel (for example,
27489 if they are NFS-mounted on each of the hosts); they will not interfere
27490 with each other.
27491
27492 @node Config Names
27493 @section Specifying Names for Hosts and Targets
27494
27495 The specifications used for hosts and targets in the @file{configure}
27496 script are based on a three-part naming scheme, but some short predefined
27497 aliases are also supported. The full naming scheme encodes three pieces
27498 of information in the following pattern:
27499
27500 @smallexample
27501 @var{architecture}-@var{vendor}-@var{os}
27502 @end smallexample
27503
27504 For example, you can use the alias @code{sun4} as a @var{host} argument,
27505 or as the value for @var{target} in a @code{--target=@var{target}}
27506 option. The equivalent full name is @samp{sparc-sun-sunos4}.
27507
27508 The @file{configure} script accompanying @value{GDBN} does not provide
27509 any query facility to list all supported host and target names or
27510 aliases. @file{configure} calls the Bourne shell script
27511 @code{config.sub} to map abbreviations to full names; you can read the
27512 script, if you wish, or you can use it to test your guesses on
27513 abbreviations---for example:
27514
27515 @smallexample
27516 % sh config.sub i386-linux
27517 i386-pc-linux-gnu
27518 % sh config.sub alpha-linux
27519 alpha-unknown-linux-gnu
27520 % sh config.sub hp9k700
27521 hppa1.1-hp-hpux
27522 % sh config.sub sun4
27523 sparc-sun-sunos4.1.1
27524 % sh config.sub sun3
27525 m68k-sun-sunos4.1.1
27526 % sh config.sub i986v
27527 Invalid configuration `i986v': machine `i986v' not recognized
27528 @end smallexample
27529
27530 @noindent
27531 @code{config.sub} is also distributed in the @value{GDBN} source
27532 directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, for version @value{GDBVN}).
27533
27534 @node Configure Options
27535 @section @file{configure} Options
27536
27537 Here is a summary of the @file{configure} options and arguments that
27538 are most often useful for building @value{GDBN}. @file{configure} also has
27539 several other options not listed here. @inforef{What Configure
27540 Does,,configure.info}, for a full explanation of @file{configure}.
27541
27542 @smallexample
27543 configure @r{[}--help@r{]}
27544 @r{[}--prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
27545 @r{[}--exec-prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
27546 @r{[}--srcdir=@var{dirname}@r{]}
27547 @r{[}--norecursion@r{]} @r{[}--rm@r{]}
27548 @r{[}--target=@var{target}@r{]}
27549 @var{host}
27550 @end smallexample
27551
27552 @noindent
27553 You may introduce options with a single @samp{-} rather than
27554 @samp{--} if you prefer; but you may abbreviate option names if you use
27555 @samp{--}.
27556
27557 @table @code
27558 @item --help
27559 Display a quick summary of how to invoke @file{configure}.
27560
27561 @item --prefix=@var{dir}
27562 Configure the source to install programs and files under directory
27563 @file{@var{dir}}.
27564
27565 @item --exec-prefix=@var{dir}
27566 Configure the source to install programs under directory
27567 @file{@var{dir}}.
27568
27569 @c avoid splitting the warning from the explanation:
27570 @need 2000
27571 @item --srcdir=@var{dirname}
27572 @strong{Warning: using this option requires @sc{gnu} @code{make}, or another
27573 @code{make} that implements the @code{VPATH} feature.}@*
27574 Use this option to make configurations in directories separate from the
27575 @value{GDBN} source directories. Among other things, you can use this to
27576 build (or maintain) several configurations simultaneously, in separate
27577 directories. @file{configure} writes configuration-specific files in
27578 the current directory, but arranges for them to use the source in the
27579 directory @var{dirname}. @file{configure} creates directories under
27580 the working directory in parallel to the source directories below
27581 @var{dirname}.
27582
27583 @item --norecursion
27584 Configure only the directory level where @file{configure} is executed; do not
27585 propagate configuration to subdirectories.
27586
27587 @item --target=@var{target}
27588 Configure @value{GDBN} for cross-debugging programs running on the specified
27589 @var{target}. Without this option, @value{GDBN} is configured to debug
27590 programs that run on the same machine (@var{host}) as @value{GDBN} itself.
27591
27592 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available targets.
27593
27594 @item @var{host} @dots{}
27595 Configure @value{GDBN} to run on the specified @var{host}.
27596
27597 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available hosts.
27598 @end table
27599
27600 There are many other options available as well, but they are generally
27601 needed for special purposes only.
27602
27603 @node System-wide configuration
27604 @section System-wide configuration and settings
27605 @cindex system-wide init file
27606
27607 @value{GDBN} can be configured to have a system-wide init file;
27608 this file will be read and executed at startup (@pxref{Startup, , What
27609 @value{GDBN} does during startup}).
27610
27611 Here is the corresponding configure option:
27612
27613 @table @code
27614 @item --with-system-gdbinit=@var{file}
27615 Specify that the default location of the system-wide init file is
27616 @var{file}.
27617 @end table
27618
27619 If @value{GDBN} has been configured with the option @option{--prefix=$prefix},
27620 it may be subject to relocation. Two possible cases:
27621
27622 @itemize @bullet
27623 @item
27624 If the default location of this init file contains @file{$prefix},
27625 it will be subject to relocation. Suppose that the configure options
27626 are @option{--prefix=$prefix --with-system-gdbinit=$prefix/etc/gdbinit};
27627 if @value{GDBN} is moved from @file{$prefix} to @file{$install}, the system
27628 init file is looked for as @file{$install/etc/gdbinit} instead of
27629 @file{$prefix/etc/gdbinit}.
27630
27631 @item
27632 By contrast, if the default location does not contain the prefix,
27633 it will not be relocated. E.g.@: if @value{GDBN} has been configured with
27634 @option{--prefix=/usr/local --with-system-gdbinit=/usr/share/gdb/gdbinit},
27635 then @value{GDBN} will always look for @file{/usr/share/gdb/gdbinit},
27636 wherever @value{GDBN} is installed.
27637 @end itemize
27638
27639 @node Maintenance Commands
27640 @appendix Maintenance Commands
27641 @cindex maintenance commands
27642 @cindex internal commands
27643
27644 In addition to commands intended for @value{GDBN} users, @value{GDBN}
27645 includes a number of commands intended for @value{GDBN} developers,
27646 that are not documented elsewhere in this manual. These commands are
27647 provided here for reference. (For commands that turn on debugging
27648 messages, see @ref{Debugging Output}.)
27649
27650 @table @code
27651 @kindex maint agent
27652 @kindex maint agent-eval
27653 @item maint agent @var{expression}
27654 @itemx maint agent-eval @var{expression}
27655 Translate the given @var{expression} into remote agent bytecodes.
27656 This command is useful for debugging the Agent Expression mechanism
27657 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}). The @samp{agent} version produces an
27658 expression useful for data collection, such as by tracepoints, while
27659 @samp{maint agent-eval} produces an expression that evaluates directly
27660 to a result. For instance, a collection expression for @code{globa +
27661 globb} will include bytecodes to record four bytes of memory at each
27662 of the addresses of @code{globa} and @code{globb}, while discarding
27663 the result of the addition, while an evaluation expression will do the
27664 addition and return the sum.
27665
27666 @kindex maint info breakpoints
27667 @item @anchor{maint info breakpoints}maint info breakpoints
27668 Using the same format as @samp{info breakpoints}, display both the
27669 breakpoints you've set explicitly, and those @value{GDBN} is using for
27670 internal purposes. Internal breakpoints are shown with negative
27671 breakpoint numbers. The type column identifies what kind of breakpoint
27672 is shown:
27673
27674 @table @code
27675 @item breakpoint
27676 Normal, explicitly set breakpoint.
27677
27678 @item watchpoint
27679 Normal, explicitly set watchpoint.
27680
27681 @item longjmp
27682 Internal breakpoint, used to handle correctly stepping through
27683 @code{longjmp} calls.
27684
27685 @item longjmp resume
27686 Internal breakpoint at the target of a @code{longjmp}.
27687
27688 @item until
27689 Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{until} command.
27690
27691 @item finish
27692 Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{finish} command.
27693
27694 @item shlib events
27695 Shared library events.
27696
27697 @end table
27698
27699 @kindex set displaced-stepping
27700 @kindex show displaced-stepping
27701 @cindex displaced stepping support
27702 @cindex out-of-line single-stepping
27703 @item set displaced-stepping
27704 @itemx show displaced-stepping
27705 Control whether or not @value{GDBN} will do @dfn{displaced stepping}
27706 if the target supports it. Displaced stepping is a way to single-step
27707 over breakpoints without removing them from the inferior, by executing
27708 an out-of-line copy of the instruction that was originally at the
27709 breakpoint location. It is also known as out-of-line single-stepping.
27710
27711 @table @code
27712 @item set displaced-stepping on
27713 If the target architecture supports it, @value{GDBN} will use
27714 displaced stepping to step over breakpoints.
27715
27716 @item set displaced-stepping off
27717 @value{GDBN} will not use displaced stepping to step over breakpoints,
27718 even if such is supported by the target architecture.
27719
27720 @cindex non-stop mode, and @samp{set displaced-stepping}
27721 @item set displaced-stepping auto
27722 This is the default mode. @value{GDBN} will use displaced stepping
27723 only if non-stop mode is active (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}) and the target
27724 architecture supports displaced stepping.
27725 @end table
27726
27727 @kindex maint check-symtabs
27728 @item maint check-symtabs
27729 Check the consistency of psymtabs and symtabs.
27730
27731 @kindex maint cplus first_component
27732 @item maint cplus first_component @var{name}
27733 Print the first C@t{++} class/namespace component of @var{name}.
27734
27735 @kindex maint cplus namespace
27736 @item maint cplus namespace
27737 Print the list of possible C@t{++} namespaces.
27738
27739 @kindex maint demangle
27740 @item maint demangle @var{name}
27741 Demangle a C@t{++} or Objective-C mangled @var{name}.
27742
27743 @kindex maint deprecate
27744 @kindex maint undeprecate
27745 @cindex deprecated commands
27746 @item maint deprecate @var{command} @r{[}@var{replacement}@r{]}
27747 @itemx maint undeprecate @var{command}
27748 Deprecate or undeprecate the named @var{command}. Deprecated commands
27749 cause @value{GDBN} to issue a warning when you use them. The optional
27750 argument @var{replacement} says which newer command should be used in
27751 favor of the deprecated one; if it is given, @value{GDBN} will mention
27752 the replacement as part of the warning.
27753
27754 @kindex maint dump-me
27755 @item maint dump-me
27756 @cindex @code{SIGQUIT} signal, dump core of @value{GDBN}
27757 Cause a fatal signal in the debugger and force it to dump its core.
27758 This is supported only on systems which support aborting a program
27759 with the @code{SIGQUIT} signal.
27760
27761 @kindex maint internal-error
27762 @kindex maint internal-warning
27763 @item maint internal-error @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
27764 @itemx maint internal-warning @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
27765 Cause @value{GDBN} to call the internal function @code{internal_error}
27766 or @code{internal_warning} and hence behave as though an internal error
27767 or internal warning has been detected. In addition to reporting the
27768 internal problem, these functions give the user the opportunity to
27769 either quit @value{GDBN} or create a core file of the current
27770 @value{GDBN} session.
27771
27772 These commands take an optional parameter @var{message-text} that is
27773 used as the text of the error or warning message.
27774
27775 Here's an example of using @code{internal-error}:
27776
27777 @smallexample
27778 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint internal-error testing, 1, 2}
27779 @dots{}/maint.c:121: internal-error: testing, 1, 2
27780 A problem internal to GDB has been detected. Further
27781 debugging may prove unreliable.
27782 Quit this debugging session? (y or n) @kbd{n}
27783 Create a core file? (y or n) @kbd{n}
27784 (@value{GDBP})
27785 @end smallexample
27786
27787 @cindex @value{GDBN} internal error
27788 @cindex internal errors, control of @value{GDBN} behavior
27789
27790 @kindex maint set internal-error
27791 @kindex maint show internal-error
27792 @kindex maint set internal-warning
27793 @kindex maint show internal-warning
27794 @item maint set internal-error @var{action} [ask|yes|no]
27795 @itemx maint show internal-error @var{action}
27796 @itemx maint set internal-warning @var{action} [ask|yes|no]
27797 @itemx maint show internal-warning @var{action}
27798 When @value{GDBN} reports an internal problem (error or warning) it
27799 gives the user the opportunity to both quit @value{GDBN} and create a
27800 core file of the current @value{GDBN} session. These commands let you
27801 override the default behaviour for each particular @var{action},
27802 described in the table below.
27803
27804 @table @samp
27805 @item quit
27806 You can specify that @value{GDBN} should always (yes) or never (no)
27807 quit. The default is to ask the user what to do.
27808
27809 @item corefile
27810 You can specify that @value{GDBN} should always (yes) or never (no)
27811 create a core file. The default is to ask the user what to do.
27812 @end table
27813
27814 @kindex maint packet
27815 @item maint packet @var{text}
27816 If @value{GDBN} is talking to an inferior via the serial protocol,
27817 then this command sends the string @var{text} to the inferior, and
27818 displays the response packet. @value{GDBN} supplies the initial
27819 @samp{$} character, the terminating @samp{#} character, and the
27820 checksum.
27821
27822 @kindex maint print architecture
27823 @item maint print architecture @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
27824 Print the entire architecture configuration. The optional argument
27825 @var{file} names the file where the output goes.
27826
27827 @kindex maint print c-tdesc
27828 @item maint print c-tdesc
27829 Print the current target description (@pxref{Target Descriptions}) as
27830 a C source file. The created source file can be used in @value{GDBN}
27831 when an XML parser is not available to parse the description.
27832
27833 @kindex maint print dummy-frames
27834 @item maint print dummy-frames
27835 Prints the contents of @value{GDBN}'s internal dummy-frame stack.
27836
27837 @smallexample
27838 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{b add}
27839 @dots{}
27840 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{print add(2,3)}
27841 Breakpoint 2, add (a=2, b=3) at @dots{}
27842 58 return (a + b);
27843 The program being debugged stopped while in a function called from GDB.
27844 @dots{}
27845 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint print dummy-frames}
27846 0x1a57c80: pc=0x01014068 fp=0x0200bddc sp=0x0200bdd6
27847 top=0x0200bdd4 id=@{stack=0x200bddc,code=0x101405c@}
27848 call_lo=0x01014000 call_hi=0x01014001
27849 (@value{GDBP})
27850 @end smallexample
27851
27852 Takes an optional file parameter.
27853
27854 @kindex maint print registers
27855 @kindex maint print raw-registers
27856 @kindex maint print cooked-registers
27857 @kindex maint print register-groups
27858 @item maint print registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
27859 @itemx maint print raw-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
27860 @itemx maint print cooked-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
27861 @itemx maint print register-groups @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
27862 Print @value{GDBN}'s internal register data structures.
27863
27864 The command @code{maint print raw-registers} includes the contents of
27865 the raw register cache; the command @code{maint print cooked-registers}
27866 includes the (cooked) value of all registers; and the command
27867 @code{maint print register-groups} includes the groups that each
27868 register is a member of. @xref{Registers,, Registers, gdbint,
27869 @value{GDBN} Internals}.
27870
27871 These commands take an optional parameter, a file name to which to
27872 write the information.
27873
27874 @kindex maint print reggroups
27875 @item maint print reggroups @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
27876 Print @value{GDBN}'s internal register group data structures. The
27877 optional argument @var{file} tells to what file to write the
27878 information.
27879
27880 The register groups info looks like this:
27881
27882 @smallexample
27883 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint print reggroups}
27884 Group Type
27885 general user
27886 float user
27887 all user
27888 vector user
27889 system user
27890 save internal
27891 restore internal
27892 @end smallexample
27893
27894 @kindex flushregs
27895 @item flushregs
27896 This command forces @value{GDBN} to flush its internal register cache.
27897
27898 @kindex maint print objfiles
27899 @cindex info for known object files
27900 @item maint print objfiles
27901 Print a dump of all known object files. For each object file, this
27902 command prints its name, address in memory, and all of its psymtabs
27903 and symtabs.
27904
27905 @kindex maint print statistics
27906 @cindex bcache statistics
27907 @item maint print statistics
27908 This command prints, for each object file in the program, various data
27909 about that object file followed by the byte cache (@dfn{bcache})
27910 statistics for the object file. The objfile data includes the number
27911 of minimal, partial, full, and stabs symbols, the number of types
27912 defined by the objfile, the number of as yet unexpanded psym tables,
27913 the number of line tables and string tables, and the amount of memory
27914 used by the various tables. The bcache statistics include the counts,
27915 sizes, and counts of duplicates of all and unique objects, max,
27916 average, and median entry size, total memory used and its overhead and
27917 savings, and various measures of the hash table size and chain
27918 lengths.
27919
27920 @kindex maint print target-stack
27921 @cindex target stack description
27922 @item maint print target-stack
27923 A @dfn{target} is an interface between the debugger and a particular
27924 kind of file or process. Targets can be stacked in @dfn{strata},
27925 so that more than one target can potentially respond to a request.
27926 In particular, memory accesses will walk down the stack of targets
27927 until they find a target that is interested in handling that particular
27928 address.
27929
27930 This command prints a short description of each layer that was pushed on
27931 the @dfn{target stack}, starting from the top layer down to the bottom one.
27932
27933 @kindex maint print type
27934 @cindex type chain of a data type
27935 @item maint print type @var{expr}
27936 Print the type chain for a type specified by @var{expr}. The argument
27937 can be either a type name or a symbol. If it is a symbol, the type of
27938 that symbol is described. The type chain produced by this command is
27939 a recursive definition of the data type as stored in @value{GDBN}'s
27940 data structures, including its flags and contained types.
27941
27942 @kindex maint set dwarf2 max-cache-age
27943 @kindex maint show dwarf2 max-cache-age
27944 @item maint set dwarf2 max-cache-age
27945 @itemx maint show dwarf2 max-cache-age
27946 Control the DWARF 2 compilation unit cache.
27947
27948 @cindex DWARF 2 compilation units cache
27949 In object files with inter-compilation-unit references, such as those
27950 produced by the GCC option @samp{-feliminate-dwarf2-dups}, the DWARF 2
27951 reader needs to frequently refer to previously read compilation units.
27952 This setting controls how long a compilation unit will remain in the
27953 cache if it is not referenced. A higher limit means that cached
27954 compilation units will be stored in memory longer, and more total
27955 memory will be used. Setting it to zero disables caching, which will
27956 slow down @value{GDBN} startup, but reduce memory consumption.
27957
27958 @kindex maint set profile
27959 @kindex maint show profile
27960 @cindex profiling GDB
27961 @item maint set profile
27962 @itemx maint show profile
27963 Control profiling of @value{GDBN}.
27964
27965 Profiling will be disabled until you use the @samp{maint set profile}
27966 command to enable it. When you enable profiling, the system will begin
27967 collecting timing and execution count data; when you disable profiling or
27968 exit @value{GDBN}, the results will be written to a log file. Remember that
27969 if you use profiling, @value{GDBN} will overwrite the profiling log file
27970 (often called @file{gmon.out}). If you have a record of important profiling
27971 data in a @file{gmon.out} file, be sure to move it to a safe location.
27972
27973 Configuring with @samp{--enable-profiling} arranges for @value{GDBN} to be
27974 compiled with the @samp{-pg} compiler option.
27975
27976 @kindex maint set show-debug-regs
27977 @kindex maint show show-debug-regs
27978 @cindex hardware debug registers
27979 @item maint set show-debug-regs
27980 @itemx maint show show-debug-regs
27981 Control whether to show variables that mirror the hardware debug
27982 registers. Use @code{ON} to enable, @code{OFF} to disable. If
27983 enabled, the debug registers values are shown when @value{GDBN} inserts or
27984 removes a hardware breakpoint or watchpoint, and when the inferior
27985 triggers a hardware-assisted breakpoint or watchpoint.
27986
27987 @kindex maint space
27988 @cindex memory used by commands
27989 @item maint space
27990 Control whether to display memory usage for each command. If set to a
27991 nonzero value, @value{GDBN} will display how much memory each command
27992 took, following the command's own output. This can also be requested
27993 by invoking @value{GDBN} with the @option{--statistics} command-line
27994 switch (@pxref{Mode Options}).
27995
27996 @kindex maint time
27997 @cindex time of command execution
27998 @item maint time
27999 Control whether to display the execution time for each command. If
28000 set to a nonzero value, @value{GDBN} will display how much time it
28001 took to execute each command, following the command's own output.
28002 The time is not printed for the commands that run the target, since
28003 there's no mechanism currently to compute how much time was spend
28004 by @value{GDBN} and how much time was spend by the program been debugged.
28005 it's not possibly currently
28006 This can also be requested by invoking @value{GDBN} with the
28007 @option{--statistics} command-line switch (@pxref{Mode Options}).
28008
28009 @kindex maint translate-address
28010 @item maint translate-address @r{[}@var{section}@r{]} @var{addr}
28011 Find the symbol stored at the location specified by the address
28012 @var{addr} and an optional section name @var{section}. If found,
28013 @value{GDBN} prints the name of the closest symbol and an offset from
28014 the symbol's location to the specified address. This is similar to
28015 the @code{info address} command (@pxref{Symbols}), except that this
28016 command also allows to find symbols in other sections.
28017
28018 If section was not specified, the section in which the symbol was found
28019 is also printed. For dynamically linked executables, the name of
28020 executable or shared library containing the symbol is printed as well.
28021
28022 @end table
28023
28024 The following command is useful for non-interactive invocations of
28025 @value{GDBN}, such as in the test suite.
28026
28027 @table @code
28028 @item set watchdog @var{nsec}
28029 @kindex set watchdog
28030 @cindex watchdog timer
28031 @cindex timeout for commands
28032 Set the maximum number of seconds @value{GDBN} will wait for the
28033 target operation to finish. If this time expires, @value{GDBN}
28034 reports and error and the command is aborted.
28035
28036 @item show watchdog
28037 Show the current setting of the target wait timeout.
28038 @end table
28039
28040 @node Remote Protocol
28041 @appendix @value{GDBN} Remote Serial Protocol
28042
28043 @menu
28044 * Overview::
28045 * Packets::
28046 * Stop Reply Packets::
28047 * General Query Packets::
28048 * Register Packet Format::
28049 * Tracepoint Packets::
28050 * Host I/O Packets::
28051 * Interrupts::
28052 * Notification Packets::
28053 * Remote Non-Stop::
28054 * Packet Acknowledgment::
28055 * Examples::
28056 * File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension::
28057 * Library List Format::
28058 * Memory Map Format::
28059 @end menu
28060
28061 @node Overview
28062 @section Overview
28063
28064 There may be occasions when you need to know something about the
28065 protocol---for example, if there is only one serial port to your target
28066 machine, you might want your program to do something special if it
28067 recognizes a packet meant for @value{GDBN}.
28068
28069 In the examples below, @samp{->} and @samp{<-} are used to indicate
28070 transmitted and received data, respectively.
28071
28072 @cindex protocol, @value{GDBN} remote serial
28073 @cindex serial protocol, @value{GDBN} remote
28074 @cindex remote serial protocol
28075 All @value{GDBN} commands and responses (other than acknowledgments
28076 and notifications, see @ref{Notification Packets}) are sent as a
28077 @var{packet}. A @var{packet} is introduced with the character
28078 @samp{$}, the actual @var{packet-data}, and the terminating character
28079 @samp{#} followed by a two-digit @var{checksum}:
28080
28081 @smallexample
28082 @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
28083 @end smallexample
28084 @noindent
28085
28086 @cindex checksum, for @value{GDBN} remote
28087 @noindent
28088 The two-digit @var{checksum} is computed as the modulo 256 sum of all
28089 characters between the leading @samp{$} and the trailing @samp{#} (an
28090 eight bit unsigned checksum).
28091
28092 Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0 the protocol
28093 specification also included an optional two-digit @var{sequence-id}:
28094
28095 @smallexample
28096 @code{$}@var{sequence-id}@code{:}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
28097 @end smallexample
28098
28099 @cindex sequence-id, for @value{GDBN} remote
28100 @noindent
28101 That @var{sequence-id} was appended to the acknowledgment. @value{GDBN}
28102 has never output @var{sequence-id}s. Stubs that handle packets added
28103 since @value{GDBN} 5.0 must not accept @var{sequence-id}.
28104
28105 When either the host or the target machine receives a packet, the first
28106 response expected is an acknowledgment: either @samp{+} (to indicate
28107 the package was received correctly) or @samp{-} (to request
28108 retransmission):
28109
28110 @smallexample
28111 -> @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
28112 <- @code{+}
28113 @end smallexample
28114 @noindent
28115
28116 The @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments can be disabled
28117 once a connection is established.
28118 @xref{Packet Acknowledgment}, for details.
28119
28120 The host (@value{GDBN}) sends @var{command}s, and the target (the
28121 debugging stub incorporated in your program) sends a @var{response}. In
28122 the case of step and continue @var{command}s, the response is only sent
28123 when the operation has completed, and the target has again stopped all
28124 threads in all attached processes. This is the default all-stop mode
28125 behavior, but the remote protocol also supports @value{GDBN}'s non-stop
28126 execution mode; see @ref{Remote Non-Stop}, for details.
28127
28128 @var{packet-data} consists of a sequence of characters with the
28129 exception of @samp{#} and @samp{$} (see @samp{X} packet for additional
28130 exceptions).
28131
28132 @cindex remote protocol, field separator
28133 Fields within the packet should be separated using @samp{,} @samp{;} or
28134 @samp{:}. Except where otherwise noted all numbers are represented in
28135 @sc{hex} with leading zeros suppressed.
28136
28137 Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0, the character
28138 @samp{:} could not appear as the third character in a packet (as it
28139 would potentially conflict with the @var{sequence-id}).
28140
28141 @cindex remote protocol, binary data
28142 @anchor{Binary Data}
28143 Binary data in most packets is encoded either as two hexadecimal
28144 digits per byte of binary data. This allowed the traditional remote
28145 protocol to work over connections which were only seven-bit clean.
28146 Some packets designed more recently assume an eight-bit clean
28147 connection, and use a more efficient encoding to send and receive
28148 binary data.
28149
28150 The binary data representation uses @code{7d} (@sc{ascii} @samp{@}})
28151 as an escape character. Any escaped byte is transmitted as the escape
28152 character followed by the original character XORed with @code{0x20}.
28153 For example, the byte @code{0x7d} would be transmitted as the two
28154 bytes @code{0x7d 0x5d}. The bytes @code{0x23} (@sc{ascii} @samp{#}),
28155 @code{0x24} (@sc{ascii} @samp{$}), and @code{0x7d} (@sc{ascii}
28156 @samp{@}}) must always be escaped. Responses sent by the stub
28157 must also escape @code{0x2a} (@sc{ascii} @samp{*}), so that it
28158 is not interpreted as the start of a run-length encoded sequence
28159 (described next).
28160
28161 Response @var{data} can be run-length encoded to save space.
28162 Run-length encoding replaces runs of identical characters with one
28163 instance of the repeated character, followed by a @samp{*} and a
28164 repeat count. The repeat count is itself sent encoded, to avoid
28165 binary characters in @var{data}: a value of @var{n} is sent as
28166 @code{@var{n}+29}. For a repeat count greater or equal to 3, this
28167 produces a printable @sc{ascii} character, e.g.@: a space (@sc{ascii}
28168 code 32) for a repeat count of 3. (This is because run-length
28169 encoding starts to win for counts 3 or more.) Thus, for example,
28170 @samp{0* } is a run-length encoding of ``0000'': the space character
28171 after @samp{*} means repeat the leading @code{0} @w{@code{32 - 29 =
28172 3}} more times.
28173
28174 The printable characters @samp{#} and @samp{$} or with a numeric value
28175 greater than 126 must not be used. Runs of six repeats (@samp{#}) or
28176 seven repeats (@samp{$}) can be expanded using a repeat count of only
28177 five (@samp{"}). For example, @samp{00000000} can be encoded as
28178 @samp{0*"00}.
28179
28180 The error response returned for some packets includes a two character
28181 error number. That number is not well defined.
28182
28183 @cindex empty response, for unsupported packets
28184 For any @var{command} not supported by the stub, an empty response
28185 (@samp{$#00}) should be returned. That way it is possible to extend the
28186 protocol. A newer @value{GDBN} can tell if a packet is supported based
28187 on that response.
28188
28189 A stub is required to support the @samp{g}, @samp{G}, @samp{m}, @samp{M},
28190 @samp{c}, and @samp{s} @var{command}s. All other @var{command}s are
28191 optional.
28192
28193 @node Packets
28194 @section Packets
28195
28196 The following table provides a complete list of all currently defined
28197 @var{command}s and their corresponding response @var{data}.
28198 @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension}, for details about the File
28199 I/O extension of the remote protocol.
28200
28201 Each packet's description has a template showing the packet's overall
28202 syntax, followed by an explanation of the packet's meaning. We
28203 include spaces in some of the templates for clarity; these are not
28204 part of the packet's syntax. No @value{GDBN} packet uses spaces to
28205 separate its components. For example, a template like @samp{foo
28206 @var{bar} @var{baz}} describes a packet beginning with the three ASCII
28207 bytes @samp{foo}, followed by a @var{bar}, followed directly by a
28208 @var{baz}. @value{GDBN} does not transmit a space character between the
28209 @samp{foo} and the @var{bar}, or between the @var{bar} and the
28210 @var{baz}.
28211
28212 @cindex @var{thread-id}, in remote protocol
28213 @anchor{thread-id syntax}
28214 Several packets and replies include a @var{thread-id} field to identify
28215 a thread. Normally these are positive numbers with a target-specific
28216 interpretation, formatted as big-endian hex strings. A @var{thread-id}
28217 can also be a literal @samp{-1} to indicate all threads, or @samp{0} to
28218 pick any thread.
28219
28220 In addition, the remote protocol supports a multiprocess feature in
28221 which the @var{thread-id} syntax is extended to optionally include both
28222 process and thread ID fields, as @samp{p@var{pid}.@var{tid}}.
28223 The @var{pid} (process) and @var{tid} (thread) components each have the
28224 format described above: a positive number with target-specific
28225 interpretation formatted as a big-endian hex string, literal @samp{-1}
28226 to indicate all processes or threads (respectively), or @samp{0} to
28227 indicate an arbitrary process or thread. Specifying just a process, as
28228 @samp{p@var{pid}}, is equivalent to @samp{p@var{pid}.-1}. It is an
28229 error to specify all processes but a specific thread, such as
28230 @samp{p-1.@var{tid}}. Note that the @samp{p} prefix is @emph{not} used
28231 for those packets and replies explicitly documented to include a process
28232 ID, rather than a @var{thread-id}.
28233
28234 The multiprocess @var{thread-id} syntax extensions are only used if both
28235 @value{GDBN} and the stub report support for the @samp{multiprocess}
28236 feature using @samp{qSupported}. @xref{multiprocess extensions}, for
28237 more information.
28238
28239 Note that all packet forms beginning with an upper- or lower-case
28240 letter, other than those described here, are reserved for future use.
28241
28242 Here are the packet descriptions.
28243
28244 @table @samp
28245
28246 @item !
28247 @cindex @samp{!} packet
28248 @anchor{extended mode}
28249 Enable extended mode. In extended mode, the remote server is made
28250 persistent. The @samp{R} packet is used to restart the program being
28251 debugged.
28252
28253 Reply:
28254 @table @samp
28255 @item OK
28256 The remote target both supports and has enabled extended mode.
28257 @end table
28258
28259 @item ?
28260 @cindex @samp{?} packet
28261 Indicate the reason the target halted. The reply is the same as for
28262 step and continue. This packet has a special interpretation when the
28263 target is in non-stop mode; see @ref{Remote Non-Stop}.
28264
28265 Reply:
28266 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
28267
28268 @item A @var{arglen},@var{argnum},@var{arg},@dots{}
28269 @cindex @samp{A} packet
28270 Initialized @code{argv[]} array passed into program. @var{arglen}
28271 specifies the number of bytes in the hex encoded byte stream
28272 @var{arg}. See @code{gdbserver} for more details.
28273
28274 Reply:
28275 @table @samp
28276 @item OK
28277 The arguments were set.
28278 @item E @var{NN}
28279 An error occurred.
28280 @end table
28281
28282 @item b @var{baud}
28283 @cindex @samp{b} packet
28284 (Don't use this packet; its behavior is not well-defined.)
28285 Change the serial line speed to @var{baud}.
28286
28287 JTC: @emph{When does the transport layer state change? When it's
28288 received, or after the ACK is transmitted. In either case, there are
28289 problems if the command or the acknowledgment packet is dropped.}
28290
28291 Stan: @emph{If people really wanted to add something like this, and get
28292 it working for the first time, they ought to modify ser-unix.c to send
28293 some kind of out-of-band message to a specially-setup stub and have the
28294 switch happen "in between" packets, so that from remote protocol's point
28295 of view, nothing actually happened.}
28296
28297 @item B @var{addr},@var{mode}
28298 @cindex @samp{B} packet
28299 Set (@var{mode} is @samp{S}) or clear (@var{mode} is @samp{C}) a
28300 breakpoint at @var{addr}.
28301
28302 Don't use this packet. Use the @samp{Z} and @samp{z} packets instead
28303 (@pxref{insert breakpoint or watchpoint packet}).
28304
28305 @cindex @samp{bc} packet
28306 @anchor{bc}
28307 @item bc
28308 Backward continue. Execute the target system in reverse. No parameter.
28309 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
28310
28311 Reply:
28312 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
28313
28314 @cindex @samp{bs} packet
28315 @anchor{bs}
28316 @item bs
28317 Backward single step. Execute one instruction in reverse. No parameter.
28318 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
28319
28320 Reply:
28321 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
28322
28323 @item c @r{[}@var{addr}@r{]}
28324 @cindex @samp{c} packet
28325 Continue. @var{addr} is address to resume. If @var{addr} is omitted,
28326 resume at current address.
28327
28328 Reply:
28329 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
28330
28331 @item C @var{sig}@r{[};@var{addr}@r{]}
28332 @cindex @samp{C} packet
28333 Continue with signal @var{sig} (hex signal number). If
28334 @samp{;@var{addr}} is omitted, resume at same address.
28335
28336 Reply:
28337 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
28338
28339 @item d
28340 @cindex @samp{d} packet
28341 Toggle debug flag.
28342
28343 Don't use this packet; instead, define a general set packet
28344 (@pxref{General Query Packets}).
28345
28346 @item D
28347 @itemx D;@var{pid}
28348 @cindex @samp{D} packet
28349 The first form of the packet is used to detach @value{GDBN} from the
28350 remote system. It is sent to the remote target
28351 before @value{GDBN} disconnects via the @code{detach} command.
28352
28353 The second form, including a process ID, is used when multiprocess
28354 protocol extensions are enabled (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}), to
28355 detach only a specific process. The @var{pid} is specified as a
28356 big-endian hex string.
28357
28358 Reply:
28359 @table @samp
28360 @item OK
28361 for success
28362 @item E @var{NN}
28363 for an error
28364 @end table
28365
28366 @item F @var{RC},@var{EE},@var{CF};@var{XX}
28367 @cindex @samp{F} packet
28368 A reply from @value{GDBN} to an @samp{F} packet sent by the target.
28369 This is part of the File-I/O protocol extension. @xref{File-I/O
28370 Remote Protocol Extension}, for the specification.
28371
28372 @item g
28373 @anchor{read registers packet}
28374 @cindex @samp{g} packet
28375 Read general registers.
28376
28377 Reply:
28378 @table @samp
28379 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
28380 Each byte of register data is described by two hex digits. The bytes
28381 with the register are transmitted in target byte order. The size of
28382 each register and their position within the @samp{g} packet are
28383 determined by the @value{GDBN} internal gdbarch functions
28384 @code{DEPRECATED_REGISTER_RAW_SIZE} and @code{gdbarch_register_name}. The
28385 specification of several standard @samp{g} packets is specified below.
28386 @item E @var{NN}
28387 for an error.
28388 @end table
28389
28390 @item G @var{XX@dots{}}
28391 @cindex @samp{G} packet
28392 Write general registers. @xref{read registers packet}, for a
28393 description of the @var{XX@dots{}} data.
28394
28395 Reply:
28396 @table @samp
28397 @item OK
28398 for success
28399 @item E @var{NN}
28400 for an error
28401 @end table
28402
28403 @item H @var{c} @var{thread-id}
28404 @cindex @samp{H} packet
28405 Set thread for subsequent operations (@samp{m}, @samp{M}, @samp{g},
28406 @samp{G}, et.al.). @var{c} depends on the operation to be performed: it
28407 should be @samp{c} for step and continue operations, @samp{g} for other
28408 operations. The thread designator @var{thread-id} has the format and
28409 interpretation described in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
28410
28411 Reply:
28412 @table @samp
28413 @item OK
28414 for success
28415 @item E @var{NN}
28416 for an error
28417 @end table
28418
28419 @c FIXME: JTC:
28420 @c 'H': How restrictive (or permissive) is the thread model. If a
28421 @c thread is selected and stopped, are other threads allowed
28422 @c to continue to execute? As I mentioned above, I think the
28423 @c semantics of each command when a thread is selected must be
28424 @c described. For example:
28425 @c
28426 @c 'g': If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
28427 @c selected, returns the register block from that thread;
28428 @c otherwise returns current registers.
28429 @c
28430 @c 'G' If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
28431 @c selected, sets the registers of the register block of
28432 @c that thread; otherwise sets current registers.
28433
28434 @item i @r{[}@var{addr}@r{[},@var{nnn}@r{]]}
28435 @anchor{cycle step packet}
28436 @cindex @samp{i} packet
28437 Step the remote target by a single clock cycle. If @samp{,@var{nnn}} is
28438 present, cycle step @var{nnn} cycles. If @var{addr} is present, cycle
28439 step starting at that address.
28440
28441 @item I
28442 @cindex @samp{I} packet
28443 Signal, then cycle step. @xref{step with signal packet}. @xref{cycle
28444 step packet}.
28445
28446 @item k
28447 @cindex @samp{k} packet
28448 Kill request.
28449
28450 FIXME: @emph{There is no description of how to operate when a specific
28451 thread context has been selected (i.e.@: does 'k' kill only that
28452 thread?)}.
28453
28454 @item m @var{addr},@var{length}
28455 @cindex @samp{m} packet
28456 Read @var{length} bytes of memory starting at address @var{addr}.
28457 Note that @var{addr} may not be aligned to any particular boundary.
28458
28459 The stub need not use any particular size or alignment when gathering
28460 data from memory for the response; even if @var{addr} is word-aligned
28461 and @var{length} is a multiple of the word size, the stub is free to
28462 use byte accesses, or not. For this reason, this packet may not be
28463 suitable for accessing memory-mapped I/O devices.
28464 @cindex alignment of remote memory accesses
28465 @cindex size of remote memory accesses
28466 @cindex memory, alignment and size of remote accesses
28467
28468 Reply:
28469 @table @samp
28470 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
28471 Memory contents; each byte is transmitted as a two-digit hexadecimal
28472 number. The reply may contain fewer bytes than requested if the
28473 server was able to read only part of the region of memory.
28474 @item E @var{NN}
28475 @var{NN} is errno
28476 @end table
28477
28478 @item M @var{addr},@var{length}:@var{XX@dots{}}
28479 @cindex @samp{M} packet
28480 Write @var{length} bytes of memory starting at address @var{addr}.
28481 @var{XX@dots{}} is the data; each byte is transmitted as a two-digit
28482 hexadecimal number.
28483
28484 Reply:
28485 @table @samp
28486 @item OK
28487 for success
28488 @item E @var{NN}
28489 for an error (this includes the case where only part of the data was
28490 written).
28491 @end table
28492
28493 @item p @var{n}
28494 @cindex @samp{p} packet
28495 Read the value of register @var{n}; @var{n} is in hex.
28496 @xref{read registers packet}, for a description of how the returned
28497 register value is encoded.
28498
28499 Reply:
28500 @table @samp
28501 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
28502 the register's value
28503 @item E @var{NN}
28504 for an error
28505 @item
28506 Indicating an unrecognized @var{query}.
28507 @end table
28508
28509 @item P @var{n@dots{}}=@var{r@dots{}}
28510 @anchor{write register packet}
28511 @cindex @samp{P} packet
28512 Write register @var{n@dots{}} with value @var{r@dots{}}. The register
28513 number @var{n} is in hexadecimal, and @var{r@dots{}} contains two hex
28514 digits for each byte in the register (target byte order).
28515
28516 Reply:
28517 @table @samp
28518 @item OK
28519 for success
28520 @item E @var{NN}
28521 for an error
28522 @end table
28523
28524 @item q @var{name} @var{params}@dots{}
28525 @itemx Q @var{name} @var{params}@dots{}
28526 @cindex @samp{q} packet
28527 @cindex @samp{Q} packet
28528 General query (@samp{q}) and set (@samp{Q}). These packets are
28529 described fully in @ref{General Query Packets}.
28530
28531 @item r
28532 @cindex @samp{r} packet
28533 Reset the entire system.
28534
28535 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{R} packet instead.
28536
28537 @item R @var{XX}
28538 @cindex @samp{R} packet
28539 Restart the program being debugged. @var{XX}, while needed, is ignored.
28540 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
28541
28542 The @samp{R} packet has no reply.
28543
28544 @item s @r{[}@var{addr}@r{]}
28545 @cindex @samp{s} packet
28546 Single step. @var{addr} is the address at which to resume. If
28547 @var{addr} is omitted, resume at same address.
28548
28549 Reply:
28550 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
28551
28552 @item S @var{sig}@r{[};@var{addr}@r{]}
28553 @anchor{step with signal packet}
28554 @cindex @samp{S} packet
28555 Step with signal. This is analogous to the @samp{C} packet, but
28556 requests a single-step, rather than a normal resumption of execution.
28557
28558 Reply:
28559 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
28560
28561 @item t @var{addr}:@var{PP},@var{MM}
28562 @cindex @samp{t} packet
28563 Search backwards starting at address @var{addr} for a match with pattern
28564 @var{PP} and mask @var{MM}. @var{PP} and @var{MM} are 4 bytes.
28565 @var{addr} must be at least 3 digits.
28566
28567 @item T @var{thread-id}
28568 @cindex @samp{T} packet
28569 Find out if the thread @var{thread-id} is alive. @xref{thread-id syntax}.
28570
28571 Reply:
28572 @table @samp
28573 @item OK
28574 thread is still alive
28575 @item E @var{NN}
28576 thread is dead
28577 @end table
28578
28579 @item v
28580 Packets starting with @samp{v} are identified by a multi-letter name,
28581 up to the first @samp{;} or @samp{?} (or the end of the packet).
28582
28583 @item vAttach;@var{pid}
28584 @cindex @samp{vAttach} packet
28585 Attach to a new process with the specified process ID @var{pid}.
28586 The process ID is a
28587 hexadecimal integer identifying the process. In all-stop mode, all
28588 threads in the attached process are stopped; in non-stop mode, it may be
28589 attached without being stopped if that is supported by the target.
28590
28591 @c In non-stop mode, on a successful vAttach, the stub should set the
28592 @c current thread to a thread of the newly-attached process. After
28593 @c attaching, GDB queries for the attached process's thread ID with qC.
28594 @c Also note that, from a user perspective, whether or not the
28595 @c target is stopped on attach in non-stop mode depends on whether you
28596 @c use the foreground or background version of the attach command, not
28597 @c on what vAttach does; GDB does the right thing with respect to either
28598 @c stopping or restarting threads.
28599
28600 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
28601
28602 Reply:
28603 @table @samp
28604 @item E @var{nn}
28605 for an error
28606 @item @r{Any stop packet}
28607 for success in all-stop mode (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
28608 @item OK
28609 for success in non-stop mode (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop})
28610 @end table
28611
28612 @item vCont@r{[};@var{action}@r{[}:@var{thread-id}@r{]]}@dots{}
28613 @cindex @samp{vCont} packet
28614 Resume the inferior, specifying different actions for each thread.
28615 If an action is specified with no @var{thread-id}, then it is applied to any
28616 threads that don't have a specific action specified; if no default action is
28617 specified then other threads should remain stopped in all-stop mode and
28618 in their current state in non-stop mode.
28619 Specifying multiple
28620 default actions is an error; specifying no actions is also an error.
28621 Thread IDs are specified using the syntax described in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
28622
28623 Currently supported actions are:
28624
28625 @table @samp
28626 @item c
28627 Continue.
28628 @item C @var{sig}
28629 Continue with signal @var{sig}. The signal @var{sig} should be two hex digits.
28630 @item s
28631 Step.
28632 @item S @var{sig}
28633 Step with signal @var{sig}. The signal @var{sig} should be two hex digits.
28634 @item t
28635 Stop.
28636 @end table
28637
28638 The optional argument @var{addr} normally associated with the
28639 @samp{c}, @samp{C}, @samp{s}, and @samp{S} packets is
28640 not supported in @samp{vCont}.
28641
28642 The @samp{t} action is only relevant in non-stop mode
28643 (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop}) and may be ignored by the stub otherwise.
28644 A stop reply should be generated for any affected thread not already stopped.
28645 When a thread is stopped by means of a @samp{t} action,
28646 the corresponding stop reply should indicate that the thread has stopped with
28647 signal @samp{0}, regardless of whether the target uses some other signal
28648 as an implementation detail.
28649
28650 Reply:
28651 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
28652
28653 @item vCont?
28654 @cindex @samp{vCont?} packet
28655 Request a list of actions supported by the @samp{vCont} packet.
28656
28657 Reply:
28658 @table @samp
28659 @item vCont@r{[};@var{action}@dots{}@r{]}
28660 The @samp{vCont} packet is supported. Each @var{action} is a supported
28661 command in the @samp{vCont} packet.
28662 @item
28663 The @samp{vCont} packet is not supported.
28664 @end table
28665
28666 @item vFile:@var{operation}:@var{parameter}@dots{}
28667 @cindex @samp{vFile} packet
28668 Perform a file operation on the target system. For details,
28669 see @ref{Host I/O Packets}.
28670
28671 @item vFlashErase:@var{addr},@var{length}
28672 @cindex @samp{vFlashErase} packet
28673 Direct the stub to erase @var{length} bytes of flash starting at
28674 @var{addr}. The region may enclose any number of flash blocks, but
28675 its start and end must fall on block boundaries, as indicated by the
28676 flash block size appearing in the memory map (@pxref{Memory Map
28677 Format}). @value{GDBN} groups flash memory programming operations
28678 together, and sends a @samp{vFlashDone} request after each group; the
28679 stub is allowed to delay erase operation until the @samp{vFlashDone}
28680 packet is received.
28681
28682 The stub must support @samp{vCont} if it reports support for
28683 multiprocess extensions (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}). Note that in
28684 this case @samp{vCont} actions can be specified to apply to all threads
28685 in a process by using the @samp{p@var{pid}.-1} form of the
28686 @var{thread-id}.
28687
28688 Reply:
28689 @table @samp
28690 @item OK
28691 for success
28692 @item E @var{NN}
28693 for an error
28694 @end table
28695
28696 @item vFlashWrite:@var{addr}:@var{XX@dots{}}
28697 @cindex @samp{vFlashWrite} packet
28698 Direct the stub to write data to flash address @var{addr}. The data
28699 is passed in binary form using the same encoding as for the @samp{X}
28700 packet (@pxref{Binary Data}). The memory ranges specified by
28701 @samp{vFlashWrite} packets preceding a @samp{vFlashDone} packet must
28702 not overlap, and must appear in order of increasing addresses
28703 (although @samp{vFlashErase} packets for higher addresses may already
28704 have been received; the ordering is guaranteed only between
28705 @samp{vFlashWrite} packets). If a packet writes to an address that was
28706 neither erased by a preceding @samp{vFlashErase} packet nor by some other
28707 target-specific method, the results are unpredictable.
28708
28709
28710 Reply:
28711 @table @samp
28712 @item OK
28713 for success
28714 @item E.memtype
28715 for vFlashWrite addressing non-flash memory
28716 @item E @var{NN}
28717 for an error
28718 @end table
28719
28720 @item vFlashDone
28721 @cindex @samp{vFlashDone} packet
28722 Indicate to the stub that flash programming operation is finished.
28723 The stub is permitted to delay or batch the effects of a group of
28724 @samp{vFlashErase} and @samp{vFlashWrite} packets until a
28725 @samp{vFlashDone} packet is received. The contents of the affected
28726 regions of flash memory are unpredictable until the @samp{vFlashDone}
28727 request is completed.
28728
28729 @item vKill;@var{pid}
28730 @cindex @samp{vKill} packet
28731 Kill the process with the specified process ID. @var{pid} is a
28732 hexadecimal integer identifying the process. This packet is used in
28733 preference to @samp{k} when multiprocess protocol extensions are
28734 supported; see @ref{multiprocess extensions}.
28735
28736 Reply:
28737 @table @samp
28738 @item E @var{nn}
28739 for an error
28740 @item OK
28741 for success
28742 @end table
28743
28744 @item vRun;@var{filename}@r{[};@var{argument}@r{]}@dots{}
28745 @cindex @samp{vRun} packet
28746 Run the program @var{filename}, passing it each @var{argument} on its
28747 command line. The file and arguments are hex-encoded strings. If
28748 @var{filename} is an empty string, the stub may use a default program
28749 (e.g.@: the last program run). The program is created in the stopped
28750 state.
28751
28752 @c FIXME: What about non-stop mode?
28753
28754 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
28755
28756 Reply:
28757 @table @samp
28758 @item E @var{nn}
28759 for an error
28760 @item @r{Any stop packet}
28761 for success (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
28762 @end table
28763
28764 @item vStopped
28765 @anchor{vStopped packet}
28766 @cindex @samp{vStopped} packet
28767
28768 In non-stop mode (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop}), acknowledge a previous stop
28769 reply and prompt for the stub to report another one.
28770
28771 Reply:
28772 @table @samp
28773 @item @r{Any stop packet}
28774 if there is another unreported stop event (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
28775 @item OK
28776 if there are no unreported stop events
28777 @end table
28778
28779 @item X @var{addr},@var{length}:@var{XX@dots{}}
28780 @anchor{X packet}
28781 @cindex @samp{X} packet
28782 Write data to memory, where the data is transmitted in binary.
28783 @var{addr} is address, @var{length} is number of bytes,
28784 @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is binary data (@pxref{Binary Data}).
28785
28786 Reply:
28787 @table @samp
28788 @item OK
28789 for success
28790 @item E @var{NN}
28791 for an error
28792 @end table
28793
28794 @item z @var{type},@var{addr},@var{length}
28795 @itemx Z @var{type},@var{addr},@var{length}
28796 @anchor{insert breakpoint or watchpoint packet}
28797 @cindex @samp{z} packet
28798 @cindex @samp{Z} packets
28799 Insert (@samp{Z}) or remove (@samp{z}) a @var{type} breakpoint or
28800 watchpoint starting at address @var{address} and covering the next
28801 @var{length} bytes.
28802
28803 Each breakpoint and watchpoint packet @var{type} is documented
28804 separately.
28805
28806 @emph{Implementation notes: A remote target shall return an empty string
28807 for an unrecognized breakpoint or watchpoint packet @var{type}. A
28808 remote target shall support either both or neither of a given
28809 @samp{Z@var{type}@dots{}} and @samp{z@var{type}@dots{}} packet pair. To
28810 avoid potential problems with duplicate packets, the operations should
28811 be implemented in an idempotent way.}
28812
28813 @item z0,@var{addr},@var{length}
28814 @itemx Z0,@var{addr},@var{length}
28815 @cindex @samp{z0} packet
28816 @cindex @samp{Z0} packet
28817 Insert (@samp{Z0}) or remove (@samp{z0}) a memory breakpoint at address
28818 @var{addr} of size @var{length}.
28819
28820 A memory breakpoint is implemented by replacing the instruction at
28821 @var{addr} with a software breakpoint or trap instruction. The
28822 @var{length} is used by targets that indicates the size of the
28823 breakpoint (in bytes) that should be inserted (e.g., the @sc{arm} and
28824 @sc{mips} can insert either a 2 or 4 byte breakpoint).
28825
28826 @emph{Implementation note: It is possible for a target to copy or move
28827 code that contains memory breakpoints (e.g., when implementing
28828 overlays). The behavior of this packet, in the presence of such a
28829 target, is not defined.}
28830
28831 Reply:
28832 @table @samp
28833 @item OK
28834 success
28835 @item
28836 not supported
28837 @item E @var{NN}
28838 for an error
28839 @end table
28840
28841 @item z1,@var{addr},@var{length}
28842 @itemx Z1,@var{addr},@var{length}
28843 @cindex @samp{z1} packet
28844 @cindex @samp{Z1} packet
28845 Insert (@samp{Z1}) or remove (@samp{z1}) a hardware breakpoint at
28846 address @var{addr} of size @var{length}.
28847
28848 A hardware breakpoint is implemented using a mechanism that is not
28849 dependant on being able to modify the target's memory.
28850
28851 @emph{Implementation note: A hardware breakpoint is not affected by code
28852 movement.}
28853
28854 Reply:
28855 @table @samp
28856 @item OK
28857 success
28858 @item
28859 not supported
28860 @item E @var{NN}
28861 for an error
28862 @end table
28863
28864 @item z2,@var{addr},@var{length}
28865 @itemx Z2,@var{addr},@var{length}
28866 @cindex @samp{z2} packet
28867 @cindex @samp{Z2} packet
28868 Insert (@samp{Z2}) or remove (@samp{z2}) a write watchpoint.
28869
28870 Reply:
28871 @table @samp
28872 @item OK
28873 success
28874 @item
28875 not supported
28876 @item E @var{NN}
28877 for an error
28878 @end table
28879
28880 @item z3,@var{addr},@var{length}
28881 @itemx Z3,@var{addr},@var{length}
28882 @cindex @samp{z3} packet
28883 @cindex @samp{Z3} packet
28884 Insert (@samp{Z3}) or remove (@samp{z3}) a read watchpoint.
28885
28886 Reply:
28887 @table @samp
28888 @item OK
28889 success
28890 @item
28891 not supported
28892 @item E @var{NN}
28893 for an error
28894 @end table
28895
28896 @item z4,@var{addr},@var{length}
28897 @itemx Z4,@var{addr},@var{length}
28898 @cindex @samp{z4} packet
28899 @cindex @samp{Z4} packet
28900 Insert (@samp{Z4}) or remove (@samp{z4}) an access watchpoint.
28901
28902 Reply:
28903 @table @samp
28904 @item OK
28905 success
28906 @item
28907 not supported
28908 @item E @var{NN}
28909 for an error
28910 @end table
28911
28912 @end table
28913
28914 @node Stop Reply Packets
28915 @section Stop Reply Packets
28916 @cindex stop reply packets
28917
28918 The @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}, @samp{s}, @samp{vCont},
28919 @samp{vAttach}, @samp{vRun}, @samp{vStopped}, and @samp{?} packets can
28920 receive any of the below as a reply. Except for @samp{?}
28921 and @samp{vStopped}, that reply is only returned
28922 when the target halts. In the below the exact meaning of @dfn{signal
28923 number} is defined by the header @file{include/gdb/signals.h} in the
28924 @value{GDBN} source code.
28925
28926 As in the description of request packets, we include spaces in the
28927 reply templates for clarity; these are not part of the reply packet's
28928 syntax. No @value{GDBN} stop reply packet uses spaces to separate its
28929 components.
28930
28931 @table @samp
28932
28933 @item S @var{AA}
28934 The program received signal number @var{AA} (a two-digit hexadecimal
28935 number). This is equivalent to a @samp{T} response with no
28936 @var{n}:@var{r} pairs.
28937
28938 @item T @var{AA} @var{n1}:@var{r1};@var{n2}:@var{r2};@dots{}
28939 @cindex @samp{T} packet reply
28940 The program received signal number @var{AA} (a two-digit hexadecimal
28941 number). This is equivalent to an @samp{S} response, except that the
28942 @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pairs can carry values of important registers
28943 and other information directly in the stop reply packet, reducing
28944 round-trip latency. Single-step and breakpoint traps are reported
28945 this way. Each @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pair is interpreted as follows:
28946
28947 @itemize @bullet
28948 @item
28949 If @var{n} is a hexadecimal number, it is a register number, and the
28950 corresponding @var{r} gives that register's value. @var{r} is a
28951 series of bytes in target byte order, with each byte given by a
28952 two-digit hex number.
28953
28954 @item
28955 If @var{n} is @samp{thread}, then @var{r} is the @var{thread-id} of
28956 the stopped thread, as specified in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
28957
28958 @item
28959 If @var{n} is a recognized @dfn{stop reason}, it describes a more
28960 specific event that stopped the target. The currently defined stop
28961 reasons are listed below. @var{aa} should be @samp{05}, the trap
28962 signal. At most one stop reason should be present.
28963
28964 @item
28965 Otherwise, @value{GDBN} should ignore this @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pair
28966 and go on to the next; this allows us to extend the protocol in the
28967 future.
28968 @end itemize
28969
28970 The currently defined stop reasons are:
28971
28972 @table @samp
28973 @item watch
28974 @itemx rwatch
28975 @itemx awatch
28976 The packet indicates a watchpoint hit, and @var{r} is the data address, in
28977 hex.
28978
28979 @cindex shared library events, remote reply
28980 @item library
28981 The packet indicates that the loaded libraries have changed.
28982 @value{GDBN} should use @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} to fetch a new
28983 list of loaded libraries. @var{r} is ignored.
28984
28985 @cindex replay log events, remote reply
28986 @item replaylog
28987 The packet indicates that the target cannot continue replaying
28988 logged execution events, because it has reached the end (or the
28989 beginning when executing backward) of the log. The value of @var{r}
28990 will be either @samp{begin} or @samp{end}. @xref{Reverse Execution},
28991 for more information.
28992
28993
28994 @end table
28995
28996 @item W @var{AA}
28997 @itemx W @var{AA} ; process:@var{pid}
28998 The process exited, and @var{AA} is the exit status. This is only
28999 applicable to certain targets.
29000
29001 The second form of the response, including the process ID of the exited
29002 process, can be used only when @value{GDBN} has reported support for
29003 multiprocess protocol extensions; see @ref{multiprocess extensions}.
29004 The @var{pid} is formatted as a big-endian hex string.
29005
29006 @item X @var{AA}
29007 @itemx X @var{AA} ; process:@var{pid}
29008 The process terminated with signal @var{AA}.
29009
29010 The second form of the response, including the process ID of the
29011 terminated process, can be used only when @value{GDBN} has reported
29012 support for multiprocess protocol extensions; see @ref{multiprocess
29013 extensions}. The @var{pid} is formatted as a big-endian hex string.
29014
29015 @item O @var{XX}@dots{}
29016 @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data, to be
29017 written as the program's console output. This can happen at any time
29018 while the program is running and the debugger should continue to wait
29019 for @samp{W}, @samp{T}, etc. This reply is not permitted in non-stop mode.
29020
29021 @item F @var{call-id},@var{parameter}@dots{}
29022 @var{call-id} is the identifier which says which host system call should
29023 be called. This is just the name of the function. Translation into the
29024 correct system call is only applicable as it's defined in @value{GDBN}.
29025 @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension}, for a list of implemented
29026 system calls.
29027
29028 @samp{@var{parameter}@dots{}} is a list of parameters as defined for
29029 this very system call.
29030
29031 The target replies with this packet when it expects @value{GDBN} to
29032 call a host system call on behalf of the target. @value{GDBN} replies
29033 with an appropriate @samp{F} packet and keeps up waiting for the next
29034 reply packet from the target. The latest @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}
29035 or @samp{s} action is expected to be continued. @xref{File-I/O Remote
29036 Protocol Extension}, for more details.
29037
29038 @end table
29039
29040 @node General Query Packets
29041 @section General Query Packets
29042 @cindex remote query requests
29043
29044 Packets starting with @samp{q} are @dfn{general query packets};
29045 packets starting with @samp{Q} are @dfn{general set packets}. General
29046 query and set packets are a semi-unified form for retrieving and
29047 sending information to and from the stub.
29048
29049 The initial letter of a query or set packet is followed by a name
29050 indicating what sort of thing the packet applies to. For example,
29051 @value{GDBN} may use a @samp{qSymbol} packet to exchange symbol
29052 definitions with the stub. These packet names follow some
29053 conventions:
29054
29055 @itemize @bullet
29056 @item
29057 The name must not contain commas, colons or semicolons.
29058 @item
29059 Most @value{GDBN} query and set packets have a leading upper case
29060 letter.
29061 @item
29062 The names of custom vendor packets should use a company prefix, in
29063 lower case, followed by a period. For example, packets designed at
29064 the Acme Corporation might begin with @samp{qacme.foo} (for querying
29065 foos) or @samp{Qacme.bar} (for setting bars).
29066 @end itemize
29067
29068 The name of a query or set packet should be separated from any
29069 parameters by a @samp{:}; the parameters themselves should be
29070 separated by @samp{,} or @samp{;}. Stubs must be careful to match the
29071 full packet name, and check for a separator or the end of the packet,
29072 in case two packet names share a common prefix. New packets should not begin
29073 with @samp{qC}, @samp{qP}, or @samp{qL}@footnote{The @samp{qP} and @samp{qL}
29074 packets predate these conventions, and have arguments without any terminator
29075 for the packet name; we suspect they are in widespread use in places that
29076 are difficult to upgrade. The @samp{qC} packet has no arguments, but some
29077 existing stubs (e.g.@: RedBoot) are known to not check for the end of the
29078 packet.}.
29079
29080 Like the descriptions of the other packets, each description here
29081 has a template showing the packet's overall syntax, followed by an
29082 explanation of the packet's meaning. We include spaces in some of the
29083 templates for clarity; these are not part of the packet's syntax. No
29084 @value{GDBN} packet uses spaces to separate its components.
29085
29086 Here are the currently defined query and set packets:
29087
29088 @table @samp
29089
29090 @item qC
29091 @cindex current thread, remote request
29092 @cindex @samp{qC} packet
29093 Return the current thread ID.
29094
29095 Reply:
29096 @table @samp
29097 @item QC @var{thread-id}
29098 Where @var{thread-id} is a thread ID as documented in
29099 @ref{thread-id syntax}.
29100 @item @r{(anything else)}
29101 Any other reply implies the old thread ID.
29102 @end table
29103
29104 @item qCRC:@var{addr},@var{length}
29105 @cindex CRC of memory block, remote request
29106 @cindex @samp{qCRC} packet
29107 Compute the CRC checksum of a block of memory using CRC-32 defined in
29108 IEEE 802.3. The CRC is computed byte at a time, taking the most
29109 significant bit of each byte first. The initial pattern code
29110 @code{0xffffffff} is used to ensure leading zeros affect the CRC.
29111
29112 @emph{Note:} This is the same CRC used in validating separate debug
29113 files (@pxref{Separate Debug Files, , Debugging Information in Separate
29114 Files}). However the algorithm is slightly different. When validating
29115 separate debug files, the CRC is computed taking the @emph{least}
29116 significant bit of each byte first, and the final result is inverted to
29117 detect trailing zeros.
29118
29119 Reply:
29120 @table @samp
29121 @item E @var{NN}
29122 An error (such as memory fault)
29123 @item C @var{crc32}
29124 The specified memory region's checksum is @var{crc32}.
29125 @end table
29126
29127 @item qfThreadInfo
29128 @itemx qsThreadInfo
29129 @cindex list active threads, remote request
29130 @cindex @samp{qfThreadInfo} packet
29131 @cindex @samp{qsThreadInfo} packet
29132 Obtain a list of all active thread IDs from the target (OS). Since there
29133 may be too many active threads to fit into one reply packet, this query
29134 works iteratively: it may require more than one query/reply sequence to
29135 obtain the entire list of threads. The first query of the sequence will
29136 be the @samp{qfThreadInfo} query; subsequent queries in the
29137 sequence will be the @samp{qsThreadInfo} query.
29138
29139 NOTE: This packet replaces the @samp{qL} query (see below).
29140
29141 Reply:
29142 @table @samp
29143 @item m @var{thread-id}
29144 A single thread ID
29145 @item m @var{thread-id},@var{thread-id}@dots{}
29146 a comma-separated list of thread IDs
29147 @item l
29148 (lower case letter @samp{L}) denotes end of list.
29149 @end table
29150
29151 In response to each query, the target will reply with a list of one or
29152 more thread IDs, separated by commas.
29153 @value{GDBN} will respond to each reply with a request for more thread
29154 ids (using the @samp{qs} form of the query), until the target responds
29155 with @samp{l} (lower-case el, for @dfn{last}).
29156 Refer to @ref{thread-id syntax}, for the format of the @var{thread-id}
29157 fields.
29158
29159 @item qGetTLSAddr:@var{thread-id},@var{offset},@var{lm}
29160 @cindex get thread-local storage address, remote request
29161 @cindex @samp{qGetTLSAddr} packet
29162 Fetch the address associated with thread local storage specified
29163 by @var{thread-id}, @var{offset}, and @var{lm}.
29164
29165 @var{thread-id} is the thread ID associated with the
29166 thread for which to fetch the TLS address. @xref{thread-id syntax}.
29167
29168 @var{offset} is the (big endian, hex encoded) offset associated with the
29169 thread local variable. (This offset is obtained from the debug
29170 information associated with the variable.)
29171
29172 @var{lm} is the (big endian, hex encoded) OS/ABI-specific encoding of the
29173 the load module associated with the thread local storage. For example,
29174 a @sc{gnu}/Linux system will pass the link map address of the shared
29175 object associated with the thread local storage under consideration.
29176 Other operating environments may choose to represent the load module
29177 differently, so the precise meaning of this parameter will vary.
29178
29179 Reply:
29180 @table @samp
29181 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
29182 Hex encoded (big endian) bytes representing the address of the thread
29183 local storage requested.
29184
29185 @item E @var{nn}
29186 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
29187
29188 @item
29189 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qGetTLSAddr} is not supported by the stub.
29190 @end table
29191
29192 @item qL @var{startflag} @var{threadcount} @var{nextthread}
29193 Obtain thread information from RTOS. Where: @var{startflag} (one hex
29194 digit) is one to indicate the first query and zero to indicate a
29195 subsequent query; @var{threadcount} (two hex digits) is the maximum
29196 number of threads the response packet can contain; and @var{nextthread}
29197 (eight hex digits), for subsequent queries (@var{startflag} is zero), is
29198 returned in the response as @var{argthread}.
29199
29200 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{qfThreadInfo} query instead (see above).
29201
29202 Reply:
29203 @table @samp
29204 @item qM @var{count} @var{done} @var{argthread} @var{thread}@dots{}
29205 Where: @var{count} (two hex digits) is the number of threads being
29206 returned; @var{done} (one hex digit) is zero to indicate more threads
29207 and one indicates no further threads; @var{argthreadid} (eight hex
29208 digits) is @var{nextthread} from the request packet; @var{thread}@dots{}
29209 is a sequence of thread IDs from the target. @var{threadid} (eight hex
29210 digits). See @code{remote.c:parse_threadlist_response()}.
29211 @end table
29212
29213 @item qOffsets
29214 @cindex section offsets, remote request
29215 @cindex @samp{qOffsets} packet
29216 Get section offsets that the target used when relocating the downloaded
29217 image.
29218
29219 Reply:
29220 @table @samp
29221 @item Text=@var{xxx};Data=@var{yyy}@r{[};Bss=@var{zzz}@r{]}
29222 Relocate the @code{Text} section by @var{xxx} from its original address.
29223 Relocate the @code{Data} section by @var{yyy} from its original address.
29224 If the object file format provides segment information (e.g.@: @sc{elf}
29225 @samp{PT_LOAD} program headers), @value{GDBN} will relocate entire
29226 segments by the supplied offsets.
29227
29228 @emph{Note: while a @code{Bss} offset may be included in the response,
29229 @value{GDBN} ignores this and instead applies the @code{Data} offset
29230 to the @code{Bss} section.}
29231
29232 @item TextSeg=@var{xxx}@r{[};DataSeg=@var{yyy}@r{]}
29233 Relocate the first segment of the object file, which conventionally
29234 contains program code, to a starting address of @var{xxx}. If
29235 @samp{DataSeg} is specified, relocate the second segment, which
29236 conventionally contains modifiable data, to a starting address of
29237 @var{yyy}. @value{GDBN} will report an error if the object file
29238 does not contain segment information, or does not contain at least
29239 as many segments as mentioned in the reply. Extra segments are
29240 kept at fixed offsets relative to the last relocated segment.
29241 @end table
29242
29243 @item qP @var{mode} @var{thread-id}
29244 @cindex thread information, remote request
29245 @cindex @samp{qP} packet
29246 Returns information on @var{thread-id}. Where: @var{mode} is a hex
29247 encoded 32 bit mode; @var{thread-id} is a thread ID
29248 (@pxref{thread-id syntax}).
29249
29250 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{qThreadExtraInfo} query instead
29251 (see below).
29252
29253 Reply: see @code{remote.c:remote_unpack_thread_info_response()}.
29254
29255 @item QNonStop:1
29256 @item QNonStop:0
29257 @cindex non-stop mode, remote request
29258 @cindex @samp{QNonStop} packet
29259 @anchor{QNonStop}
29260 Enter non-stop (@samp{QNonStop:1}) or all-stop (@samp{QNonStop:0}) mode.
29261 @xref{Remote Non-Stop}, for more information.
29262
29263 Reply:
29264 @table @samp
29265 @item OK
29266 The request succeeded.
29267
29268 @item E @var{nn}
29269 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
29270
29271 @item
29272 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QNonStop} is not supported by
29273 the stub.
29274 @end table
29275
29276 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
29277 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
29278 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set non-stop} command;
29279 @pxref{Non-Stop Mode}.
29280
29281 @item QPassSignals: @var{signal} @r{[};@var{signal}@r{]}@dots{}
29282 @cindex pass signals to inferior, remote request
29283 @cindex @samp{QPassSignals} packet
29284 @anchor{QPassSignals}
29285 Each listed @var{signal} should be passed directly to the inferior process.
29286 Signals are numbered identically to continue packets and stop replies
29287 (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}). Each @var{signal} list item should be
29288 strictly greater than the previous item. These signals do not need to stop
29289 the inferior, or be reported to @value{GDBN}. All other signals should be
29290 reported to @value{GDBN}. Multiple @samp{QPassSignals} packets do not
29291 combine; any earlier @samp{QPassSignals} list is completely replaced by the
29292 new list. This packet improves performance when using @samp{handle
29293 @var{signal} nostop noprint pass}.
29294
29295 Reply:
29296 @table @samp
29297 @item OK
29298 The request succeeded.
29299
29300 @item E @var{nn}
29301 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
29302
29303 @item
29304 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QPassSignals} is not supported by
29305 the stub.
29306 @end table
29307
29308 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set remote pass-signals}
29309 command (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remote pass-signals}).
29310 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
29311 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
29312
29313 @item qRcmd,@var{command}
29314 @cindex execute remote command, remote request
29315 @cindex @samp{qRcmd} packet
29316 @var{command} (hex encoded) is passed to the local interpreter for
29317 execution. Invalid commands should be reported using the output
29318 string. Before the final result packet, the target may also respond
29319 with a number of intermediate @samp{O@var{output}} console output
29320 packets. @emph{Implementors should note that providing access to a
29321 stubs's interpreter may have security implications}.
29322
29323 Reply:
29324 @table @samp
29325 @item OK
29326 A command response with no output.
29327 @item @var{OUTPUT}
29328 A command response with the hex encoded output string @var{OUTPUT}.
29329 @item E @var{NN}
29330 Indicate a badly formed request.
29331 @item
29332 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qRcmd} is not recognized.
29333 @end table
29334
29335 (Note that the @code{qRcmd} packet's name is separated from the
29336 command by a @samp{,}, not a @samp{:}, contrary to the naming
29337 conventions above. Please don't use this packet as a model for new
29338 packets.)
29339
29340 @item qSearch:memory:@var{address};@var{length};@var{search-pattern}
29341 @cindex searching memory, in remote debugging
29342 @cindex @samp{qSearch:memory} packet
29343 @anchor{qSearch memory}
29344 Search @var{length} bytes at @var{address} for @var{search-pattern}.
29345 @var{address} and @var{length} are encoded in hex.
29346 @var{search-pattern} is a sequence of bytes, hex encoded.
29347
29348 Reply:
29349 @table @samp
29350 @item 0
29351 The pattern was not found.
29352 @item 1,address
29353 The pattern was found at @var{address}.
29354 @item E @var{NN}
29355 A badly formed request or an error was encountered while searching memory.
29356 @item
29357 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qSearch:memory} is not recognized.
29358 @end table
29359
29360 @item QStartNoAckMode
29361 @cindex @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet
29362 @anchor{QStartNoAckMode}
29363 Request that the remote stub disable the normal @samp{+}/@samp{-}
29364 protocol acknowledgments (@pxref{Packet Acknowledgment}).
29365
29366 Reply:
29367 @table @samp
29368 @item OK
29369 The stub has switched to no-acknowledgment mode.
29370 @value{GDBN} acknowledges this reponse,
29371 but neither the stub nor @value{GDBN} shall send or expect further
29372 @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments in the current connection.
29373 @item
29374 An empty reply indicates that the stub does not support no-acknowledgment mode.
29375 @end table
29376
29377 @item qSupported @r{[}:@var{gdbfeature} @r{[};@var{gdbfeature}@r{]}@dots{} @r{]}
29378 @cindex supported packets, remote query
29379 @cindex features of the remote protocol
29380 @cindex @samp{qSupported} packet
29381 @anchor{qSupported}
29382 Tell the remote stub about features supported by @value{GDBN}, and
29383 query the stub for features it supports. This packet allows
29384 @value{GDBN} and the remote stub to take advantage of each others'
29385 features. @samp{qSupported} also consolidates multiple feature probes
29386 at startup, to improve @value{GDBN} performance---a single larger
29387 packet performs better than multiple smaller probe packets on
29388 high-latency links. Some features may enable behavior which must not
29389 be on by default, e.g.@: because it would confuse older clients or
29390 stubs. Other features may describe packets which could be
29391 automatically probed for, but are not. These features must be
29392 reported before @value{GDBN} will use them. This ``default
29393 unsupported'' behavior is not appropriate for all packets, but it
29394 helps to keep the initial connection time under control with new
29395 versions of @value{GDBN} which support increasing numbers of packets.
29396
29397 Reply:
29398 @table @samp
29399 @item @var{stubfeature} @r{[};@var{stubfeature}@r{]}@dots{}
29400 The stub supports or does not support each returned @var{stubfeature},
29401 depending on the form of each @var{stubfeature} (see below for the
29402 possible forms).
29403 @item
29404 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qSupported} is not recognized,
29405 or that no features needed to be reported to @value{GDBN}.
29406 @end table
29407
29408 The allowed forms for each feature (either a @var{gdbfeature} in the
29409 @samp{qSupported} packet, or a @var{stubfeature} in the response)
29410 are:
29411
29412 @table @samp
29413 @item @var{name}=@var{value}
29414 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is supported, and associated
29415 with the specified @var{value}. The format of @var{value} depends
29416 on the feature, but it must not include a semicolon.
29417 @item @var{name}+
29418 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is supported, and does not
29419 need an associated value.
29420 @item @var{name}-
29421 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is not supported.
29422 @item @var{name}?
29423 The remote protocol feature @var{name} may be supported, and
29424 @value{GDBN} should auto-detect support in some other way when it is
29425 needed. This form will not be used for @var{gdbfeature} notifications,
29426 but may be used for @var{stubfeature} responses.
29427 @end table
29428
29429 Whenever the stub receives a @samp{qSupported} request, the
29430 supplied set of @value{GDBN} features should override any previous
29431 request. This allows @value{GDBN} to put the stub in a known
29432 state, even if the stub had previously been communicating with
29433 a different version of @value{GDBN}.
29434
29435 The following values of @var{gdbfeature} (for the packet sent by @value{GDBN})
29436 are defined:
29437
29438 @table @samp
29439 @item multiprocess
29440 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports multiprocess
29441 extensions to the remote protocol. @value{GDBN} does not use such
29442 extensions unless the stub also reports that it supports them by
29443 including @samp{multiprocess+} in its @samp{qSupported} reply.
29444 @xref{multiprocess extensions}, for details.
29445 @end table
29446
29447 Stubs should ignore any unknown values for
29448 @var{gdbfeature}. Any @value{GDBN} which sends a @samp{qSupported}
29449 packet supports receiving packets of unlimited length (earlier
29450 versions of @value{GDBN} may reject overly long responses). Additional values
29451 for @var{gdbfeature} may be defined in the future to let the stub take
29452 advantage of new features in @value{GDBN}, e.g.@: incompatible
29453 improvements in the remote protocol---the @samp{multiprocess} feature is
29454 an example of such a feature. The stub's reply should be independent
29455 of the @var{gdbfeature} entries sent by @value{GDBN}; first @value{GDBN}
29456 describes all the features it supports, and then the stub replies with
29457 all the features it supports.
29458
29459 Similarly, @value{GDBN} will silently ignore unrecognized stub feature
29460 responses, as long as each response uses one of the standard forms.
29461
29462 Some features are flags. A stub which supports a flag feature
29463 should respond with a @samp{+} form response. Other features
29464 require values, and the stub should respond with an @samp{=}
29465 form response.
29466
29467 Each feature has a default value, which @value{GDBN} will use if
29468 @samp{qSupported} is not available or if the feature is not mentioned
29469 in the @samp{qSupported} response. The default values are fixed; a
29470 stub is free to omit any feature responses that match the defaults.
29471
29472 Not all features can be probed, but for those which can, the probing
29473 mechanism is useful: in some cases, a stub's internal
29474 architecture may not allow the protocol layer to know some information
29475 about the underlying target in advance. This is especially common in
29476 stubs which may be configured for multiple targets.
29477
29478 These are the currently defined stub features and their properties:
29479
29480 @multitable @columnfractions 0.35 0.2 0.12 0.2
29481 @c NOTE: The first row should be @headitem, but we do not yet require
29482 @c a new enough version of Texinfo (4.7) to use @headitem.
29483 @item Feature Name
29484 @tab Value Required
29485 @tab Default
29486 @tab Probe Allowed
29487
29488 @item @samp{PacketSize}
29489 @tab Yes
29490 @tab @samp{-}
29491 @tab No
29492
29493 @item @samp{qXfer:auxv:read}
29494 @tab No
29495 @tab @samp{-}
29496 @tab Yes
29497
29498 @item @samp{qXfer:features:read}
29499 @tab No
29500 @tab @samp{-}
29501 @tab Yes
29502
29503 @item @samp{qXfer:libraries:read}
29504 @tab No
29505 @tab @samp{-}
29506 @tab Yes
29507
29508 @item @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read}
29509 @tab No
29510 @tab @samp{-}
29511 @tab Yes
29512
29513 @item @samp{qXfer:spu:read}
29514 @tab No
29515 @tab @samp{-}
29516 @tab Yes
29517
29518 @item @samp{qXfer:spu:write}
29519 @tab No
29520 @tab @samp{-}
29521 @tab Yes
29522
29523 @item @samp{qXfer:siginfo:read}
29524 @tab No
29525 @tab @samp{-}
29526 @tab Yes
29527
29528 @item @samp{qXfer:siginfo:write}
29529 @tab No
29530 @tab @samp{-}
29531 @tab Yes
29532
29533 @item @samp{QNonStop}
29534 @tab No
29535 @tab @samp{-}
29536 @tab Yes
29537
29538 @item @samp{QPassSignals}
29539 @tab No
29540 @tab @samp{-}
29541 @tab Yes
29542
29543 @item @samp{QStartNoAckMode}
29544 @tab No
29545 @tab @samp{-}
29546 @tab Yes
29547
29548 @item @samp{multiprocess}
29549 @tab No
29550 @tab @samp{-}
29551 @tab No
29552
29553 @item @samp{ConditionalTracepoints}
29554 @tab No
29555 @tab @samp{-}
29556 @tab No
29557
29558 @item @samp{ReverseContinue}
29559 @tab No
29560 @tab @samp{-}
29561 @tab No
29562
29563 @item @samp{ReverseStep}
29564 @tab No
29565 @tab @samp{-}
29566 @tab No
29567
29568 @end multitable
29569
29570 These are the currently defined stub features, in more detail:
29571
29572 @table @samp
29573 @cindex packet size, remote protocol
29574 @item PacketSize=@var{bytes}
29575 The remote stub can accept packets up to at least @var{bytes} in
29576 length. @value{GDBN} will send packets up to this size for bulk
29577 transfers, and will never send larger packets. This is a limit on the
29578 data characters in the packet, including the frame and checksum.
29579 There is no trailing NUL byte in a remote protocol packet; if the stub
29580 stores packets in a NUL-terminated format, it should allow an extra
29581 byte in its buffer for the NUL. If this stub feature is not supported,
29582 @value{GDBN} guesses based on the size of the @samp{g} packet response.
29583
29584 @item qXfer:auxv:read
29585 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:auxv:read} packet
29586 (@pxref{qXfer auxiliary vector read}).
29587
29588 @item qXfer:features:read
29589 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:features:read} packet
29590 (@pxref{qXfer target description read}).
29591
29592 @item qXfer:libraries:read
29593 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} packet
29594 (@pxref{qXfer library list read}).
29595
29596 @item qXfer:memory-map:read
29597 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read} packet
29598 (@pxref{qXfer memory map read}).
29599
29600 @item qXfer:spu:read
29601 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:spu:read} packet
29602 (@pxref{qXfer spu read}).
29603
29604 @item qXfer:spu:write
29605 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:spu:write} packet
29606 (@pxref{qXfer spu write}).
29607
29608 @item qXfer:siginfo:read
29609 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:siginfo:read} packet
29610 (@pxref{qXfer siginfo read}).
29611
29612 @item qXfer:siginfo:write
29613 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:siginfo:write} packet
29614 (@pxref{qXfer siginfo write}).
29615
29616 @item QNonStop
29617 The remote stub understands the @samp{QNonStop} packet
29618 (@pxref{QNonStop}).
29619
29620 @item QPassSignals
29621 The remote stub understands the @samp{QPassSignals} packet
29622 (@pxref{QPassSignals}).
29623
29624 @item QStartNoAckMode
29625 The remote stub understands the @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet and
29626 prefers to operate in no-acknowledgment mode. @xref{Packet Acknowledgment}.
29627
29628 @item multiprocess
29629 @anchor{multiprocess extensions}
29630 @cindex multiprocess extensions, in remote protocol
29631 The remote stub understands the multiprocess extensions to the remote
29632 protocol syntax. The multiprocess extensions affect the syntax of
29633 thread IDs in both packets and replies (@pxref{thread-id syntax}), and
29634 add process IDs to the @samp{D} packet and @samp{W} and @samp{X}
29635 replies. Note that reporting this feature indicates support for the
29636 syntactic extensions only, not that the stub necessarily supports
29637 debugging of more than one process at a time. The stub must not use
29638 multiprocess extensions in packet replies unless @value{GDBN} has also
29639 indicated it supports them in its @samp{qSupported} request.
29640
29641 @item qXfer:osdata:read
29642 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:osdata:read} packet
29643 ((@pxref{qXfer osdata read}).
29644
29645 @item ConditionalTracepoints
29646 The remote stub accepts and implements conditional expressions defined
29647 for tracepoints (@pxref{Tracepoint Conditions}).
29648
29649 @item ReverseContinue
29650 The remote stub accepts and implements the reverse continue packet
29651 (@pxref{bc}).
29652
29653 @item ReverseStep
29654 The remote stub accepts and implements the reverse step packet
29655 (@pxref{bs}).
29656
29657 @end table
29658
29659 @item qSymbol::
29660 @cindex symbol lookup, remote request
29661 @cindex @samp{qSymbol} packet
29662 Notify the target that @value{GDBN} is prepared to serve symbol lookup
29663 requests. Accept requests from the target for the values of symbols.
29664
29665 Reply:
29666 @table @samp
29667 @item OK
29668 The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
29669 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_name}
29670 The target requests the value of symbol @var{sym_name} (hex encoded).
29671 @value{GDBN} may provide the value by using the
29672 @samp{qSymbol:@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}} message, described
29673 below.
29674 @end table
29675
29676 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}
29677 Set the value of @var{sym_name} to @var{sym_value}.
29678
29679 @var{sym_name} (hex encoded) is the name of a symbol whose value the
29680 target has previously requested.
29681
29682 @var{sym_value} (hex) is the value for symbol @var{sym_name}. If
29683 @value{GDBN} cannot supply a value for @var{sym_name}, then this field
29684 will be empty.
29685
29686 Reply:
29687 @table @samp
29688 @item OK
29689 The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
29690 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_name}
29691 The target requests the value of a new symbol @var{sym_name} (hex
29692 encoded). @value{GDBN} will continue to supply the values of symbols
29693 (if available), until the target ceases to request them.
29694 @end table
29695
29696 @item QTDP
29697 @itemx QTFrame
29698 @xref{Tracepoint Packets}.
29699
29700 @item qThreadExtraInfo,@var{thread-id}
29701 @cindex thread attributes info, remote request
29702 @cindex @samp{qThreadExtraInfo} packet
29703 Obtain a printable string description of a thread's attributes from
29704 the target OS. @var{thread-id} is a thread ID;
29705 see @ref{thread-id syntax}. This
29706 string may contain anything that the target OS thinks is interesting
29707 for @value{GDBN} to tell the user about the thread. The string is
29708 displayed in @value{GDBN}'s @code{info threads} display. Some
29709 examples of possible thread extra info strings are @samp{Runnable}, or
29710 @samp{Blocked on Mutex}.
29711
29712 Reply:
29713 @table @samp
29714 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
29715 Where @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is a hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data,
29716 comprising the printable string containing the extra information about
29717 the thread's attributes.
29718 @end table
29719
29720 (Note that the @code{qThreadExtraInfo} packet's name is separated from
29721 the command by a @samp{,}, not a @samp{:}, contrary to the naming
29722 conventions above. Please don't use this packet as a model for new
29723 packets.)
29724
29725 @item QTStart
29726 @itemx QTStop
29727 @itemx QTinit
29728 @itemx QTro
29729 @itemx qTStatus
29730 @xref{Tracepoint Packets}.
29731
29732 @item qXfer:@var{object}:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
29733 @cindex read special object, remote request
29734 @cindex @samp{qXfer} packet
29735 @anchor{qXfer read}
29736 Read uninterpreted bytes from the target's special data area
29737 identified by the keyword @var{object}. Request @var{length} bytes
29738 starting at @var{offset} bytes into the data. The content and
29739 encoding of @var{annex} is specific to @var{object}; it can supply
29740 additional details about what data to access.
29741
29742 Here are the specific requests of this form defined so far. All
29743 @samp{qXfer:@var{object}:read:@dots{}} requests use the same reply
29744 formats, listed below.
29745
29746 @table @samp
29747 @item qXfer:auxv:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
29748 @anchor{qXfer auxiliary vector read}
29749 Access the target's @dfn{auxiliary vector}. @xref{OS Information,
29750 auxiliary vector}. Note @var{annex} must be empty.
29751
29752 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
29753 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
29754
29755 @item qXfer:features:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
29756 @anchor{qXfer target description read}
29757 Access the @dfn{target description}. @xref{Target Descriptions}. The
29758 annex specifies which XML document to access. The main description is
29759 always loaded from the @samp{target.xml} annex.
29760
29761 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
29762 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
29763
29764 @item qXfer:libraries:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
29765 @anchor{qXfer library list read}
29766 Access the target's list of loaded libraries. @xref{Library List Format}.
29767 The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
29768 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
29769
29770 Targets which maintain a list of libraries in the program's memory do
29771 not need to implement this packet; it is designed for platforms where
29772 the operating system manages the list of loaded libraries.
29773
29774 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
29775 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
29776
29777 @item qXfer:memory-map:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
29778 @anchor{qXfer memory map read}
29779 Access the target's @dfn{memory-map}. @xref{Memory Map Format}. The
29780 annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
29781 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
29782
29783 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
29784 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
29785
29786 @item qXfer:siginfo:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
29787 @anchor{qXfer siginfo read}
29788 Read contents of the extra signal information on the target
29789 system. The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be
29790 empty (@pxref{qXfer read}).
29791
29792 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
29793 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
29794 (@pxref{qSupported}).
29795
29796 @item qXfer:spu:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
29797 @anchor{qXfer spu read}
29798 Read contents of an @code{spufs} file on the target system. The
29799 annex specifies which file to read; it must be of the form
29800 @file{@var{id}/@var{name}}, where @var{id} specifies an SPU context ID
29801 in the target process, and @var{name} identifes the @code{spufs} file
29802 in that context to be accessed.
29803
29804 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
29805 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
29806 (@pxref{qSupported}).
29807
29808 @item qXfer:osdata:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
29809 @anchor{qXfer osdata read}
29810 Access the target's @dfn{operating system information}.
29811 @xref{Operating System Information}.
29812
29813 @end table
29814
29815 Reply:
29816 @table @samp
29817 @item m @var{data}
29818 Data @var{data} (@pxref{Binary Data}) has been read from the
29819 target. There may be more data at a higher address (although
29820 it is permitted to return @samp{m} even for the last valid
29821 block of data, as long as at least one byte of data was read).
29822 @var{data} may have fewer bytes than the @var{length} in the
29823 request.
29824
29825 @item l @var{data}
29826 Data @var{data} (@pxref{Binary Data}) has been read from the target.
29827 There is no more data to be read. @var{data} may have fewer bytes
29828 than the @var{length} in the request.
29829
29830 @item l
29831 The @var{offset} in the request is at the end of the data.
29832 There is no more data to be read.
29833
29834 @item E00
29835 The request was malformed, or @var{annex} was invalid.
29836
29837 @item E @var{nn}
29838 The offset was invalid, or there was an error encountered reading the data.
29839 @var{nn} is a hex-encoded @code{errno} value.
29840
29841 @item
29842 An empty reply indicates the @var{object} string was not recognized by
29843 the stub, or that the object does not support reading.
29844 @end table
29845
29846 @item qXfer:@var{object}:write:@var{annex}:@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
29847 @cindex write data into object, remote request
29848 @anchor{qXfer write}
29849 Write uninterpreted bytes into the target's special data area
29850 identified by the keyword @var{object}, starting at @var{offset} bytes
29851 into the data. @var{data}@dots{} is the binary-encoded data
29852 (@pxref{Binary Data}) to be written. The content and encoding of @var{annex}
29853 is specific to @var{object}; it can supply additional details about what data
29854 to access.
29855
29856 Here are the specific requests of this form defined so far. All
29857 @samp{qXfer:@var{object}:write:@dots{}} requests use the same reply
29858 formats, listed below.
29859
29860 @table @samp
29861 @item qXfer:siginfo:write::@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
29862 @anchor{qXfer siginfo write}
29863 Write @var{data} to the extra signal information on the target system.
29864 The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be
29865 empty (@pxref{qXfer write}).
29866
29867 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
29868 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
29869 (@pxref{qSupported}).
29870
29871 @item qXfer:spu:write:@var{annex}:@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
29872 @anchor{qXfer spu write}
29873 Write @var{data} to an @code{spufs} file on the target system. The
29874 annex specifies which file to write; it must be of the form
29875 @file{@var{id}/@var{name}}, where @var{id} specifies an SPU context ID
29876 in the target process, and @var{name} identifes the @code{spufs} file
29877 in that context to be accessed.
29878
29879 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
29880 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
29881 @end table
29882
29883 Reply:
29884 @table @samp
29885 @item @var{nn}
29886 @var{nn} (hex encoded) is the number of bytes written.
29887 This may be fewer bytes than supplied in the request.
29888
29889 @item E00
29890 The request was malformed, or @var{annex} was invalid.
29891
29892 @item E @var{nn}
29893 The offset was invalid, or there was an error encountered writing the data.
29894 @var{nn} is a hex-encoded @code{errno} value.
29895
29896 @item
29897 An empty reply indicates the @var{object} string was not
29898 recognized by the stub, or that the object does not support writing.
29899 @end table
29900
29901 @item qXfer:@var{object}:@var{operation}:@dots{}
29902 Requests of this form may be added in the future. When a stub does
29903 not recognize the @var{object} keyword, or its support for
29904 @var{object} does not recognize the @var{operation} keyword, the stub
29905 must respond with an empty packet.
29906
29907 @item qAttached:@var{pid}
29908 @cindex query attached, remote request
29909 @cindex @samp{qAttached} packet
29910 Return an indication of whether the remote server attached to an
29911 existing process or created a new process. When the multiprocess
29912 protocol extensions are supported (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}),
29913 @var{pid} is an integer in hexadecimal format identifying the target
29914 process. Otherwise, @value{GDBN} will omit the @var{pid} field and
29915 the query packet will be simplified as @samp{qAttached}.
29916
29917 This query is used, for example, to know whether the remote process
29918 should be detached or killed when a @value{GDBN} session is ended with
29919 the @code{quit} command.
29920
29921 Reply:
29922 @table @samp
29923 @item 1
29924 The remote server attached to an existing process.
29925 @item 0
29926 The remote server created a new process.
29927 @item E @var{NN}
29928 A badly formed request or an error was encountered.
29929 @end table
29930
29931 @end table
29932
29933 @node Register Packet Format
29934 @section Register Packet Format
29935
29936 The following @code{g}/@code{G} packets have previously been defined.
29937 In the below, some thirty-two bit registers are transferred as
29938 sixty-four bits. Those registers should be zero/sign extended (which?)
29939 to fill the space allocated. Register bytes are transferred in target
29940 byte order. The two nibbles within a register byte are transferred
29941 most-significant - least-significant.
29942
29943 @table @r
29944
29945 @item MIPS32
29946
29947 All registers are transferred as thirty-two bit quantities in the order:
29948 32 general-purpose; sr; lo; hi; bad; cause; pc; 32 floating-point
29949 registers; fsr; fir; fp.
29950
29951 @item MIPS64
29952
29953 All registers are transferred as sixty-four bit quantities (including
29954 thirty-two bit registers such as @code{sr}). The ordering is the same
29955 as @code{MIPS32}.
29956
29957 @end table
29958
29959 @node Tracepoint Packets
29960 @section Tracepoint Packets
29961 @cindex tracepoint packets
29962 @cindex packets, tracepoint
29963
29964 Here we describe the packets @value{GDBN} uses to implement
29965 tracepoints (@pxref{Tracepoints}).
29966
29967 @table @samp
29968
29969 @item QTDP:@var{n}:@var{addr}:@var{ena}:@var{step}:@var{pass}[:X@var{len},@var{bytes}]@r{[}-@r{]}
29970 Create a new tracepoint, number @var{n}, at @var{addr}. If @var{ena}
29971 is @samp{E}, then the tracepoint is enabled; if it is @samp{D}, then
29972 the tracepoint is disabled. @var{step} is the tracepoint's step
29973 count, and @var{pass} is its pass count. If an @samp{X} is present,
29974 it introduces a tracepoint condition, which consists of a hexadecimal
29975 length, followed by a comma and hex-encoded bytes, in a manner similar
29976 to action encodings as described below. If the trailing @samp{-} is
29977 present, further @samp{QTDP} packets will follow to specify this
29978 tracepoint's actions.
29979
29980 Replies:
29981 @table @samp
29982 @item OK
29983 The packet was understood and carried out.
29984 @item
29985 The packet was not recognized.
29986 @end table
29987
29988 @item QTDP:-@var{n}:@var{addr}:@r{[}S@r{]}@var{action}@dots{}@r{[}-@r{]}
29989 Define actions to be taken when a tracepoint is hit. @var{n} and
29990 @var{addr} must be the same as in the initial @samp{QTDP} packet for
29991 this tracepoint. This packet may only be sent immediately after
29992 another @samp{QTDP} packet that ended with a @samp{-}. If the
29993 trailing @samp{-} is present, further @samp{QTDP} packets will follow,
29994 specifying more actions for this tracepoint.
29995
29996 In the series of action packets for a given tracepoint, at most one
29997 can have an @samp{S} before its first @var{action}. If such a packet
29998 is sent, it and the following packets define ``while-stepping''
29999 actions. Any prior packets define ordinary actions --- that is, those
30000 taken when the tracepoint is first hit. If no action packet has an
30001 @samp{S}, then all the packets in the series specify ordinary
30002 tracepoint actions.
30003
30004 The @samp{@var{action}@dots{}} portion of the packet is a series of
30005 actions, concatenated without separators. Each action has one of the
30006 following forms:
30007
30008 @table @samp
30009
30010 @item R @var{mask}
30011 Collect the registers whose bits are set in @var{mask}. @var{mask} is
30012 a hexadecimal number whose @var{i}'th bit is set if register number
30013 @var{i} should be collected. (The least significant bit is numbered
30014 zero.) Note that @var{mask} may be any number of digits long; it may
30015 not fit in a 32-bit word.
30016
30017 @item M @var{basereg},@var{offset},@var{len}
30018 Collect @var{len} bytes of memory starting at the address in register
30019 number @var{basereg}, plus @var{offset}. If @var{basereg} is
30020 @samp{-1}, then the range has a fixed address: @var{offset} is the
30021 address of the lowest byte to collect. The @var{basereg},
30022 @var{offset}, and @var{len} parameters are all unsigned hexadecimal
30023 values (the @samp{-1} value for @var{basereg} is a special case).
30024
30025 @item X @var{len},@var{expr}
30026 Evaluate @var{expr}, whose length is @var{len}, and collect memory as
30027 it directs. @var{expr} is an agent expression, as described in
30028 @ref{Agent Expressions}. Each byte of the expression is encoded as a
30029 two-digit hex number in the packet; @var{len} is the number of bytes
30030 in the expression (and thus one-half the number of hex digits in the
30031 packet).
30032
30033 @end table
30034
30035 Any number of actions may be packed together in a single @samp{QTDP}
30036 packet, as long as the packet does not exceed the maximum packet
30037 length (400 bytes, for many stubs). There may be only one @samp{R}
30038 action per tracepoint, and it must precede any @samp{M} or @samp{X}
30039 actions. Any registers referred to by @samp{M} and @samp{X} actions
30040 must be collected by a preceding @samp{R} action. (The
30041 ``while-stepping'' actions are treated as if they were attached to a
30042 separate tracepoint, as far as these restrictions are concerned.)
30043
30044 Replies:
30045 @table @samp
30046 @item OK
30047 The packet was understood and carried out.
30048 @item
30049 The packet was not recognized.
30050 @end table
30051
30052 @item QTDV:@var{n}:@var{value}
30053 @cindex define trace state variable, remote request
30054 @cindex @samp{QTDV} packet
30055 Create a new trace state variable, number @var{n}, with an initial
30056 value of @var{value}, which is a 64-bit signed integer. Both @var{n}
30057 and @var{value} are encoded as hexadecimal values. @value{GDBN} has
30058 the option of not using this packet for initial values of zero; the
30059 target should simply create the trace state variables as they are
30060 mentioned in expressions.
30061
30062 @item QTFrame:@var{n}
30063 Select the @var{n}'th tracepoint frame from the buffer, and use the
30064 register and memory contents recorded there to answer subsequent
30065 request packets from @value{GDBN}.
30066
30067 A successful reply from the stub indicates that the stub has found the
30068 requested frame. The response is a series of parts, concatenated
30069 without separators, describing the frame we selected. Each part has
30070 one of the following forms:
30071
30072 @table @samp
30073 @item F @var{f}
30074 The selected frame is number @var{n} in the trace frame buffer;
30075 @var{f} is a hexadecimal number. If @var{f} is @samp{-1}, then there
30076 was no frame matching the criteria in the request packet.
30077
30078 @item T @var{t}
30079 The selected trace frame records a hit of tracepoint number @var{t};
30080 @var{t} is a hexadecimal number.
30081
30082 @end table
30083
30084 @item QTFrame:pc:@var{addr}
30085 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
30086 currently selected frame whose PC is @var{addr};
30087 @var{addr} is a hexadecimal number.
30088
30089 @item QTFrame:tdp:@var{t}
30090 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
30091 currently selected frame that is a hit of tracepoint @var{t}; @var{t}
30092 is a hexadecimal number.
30093
30094 @item QTFrame:range:@var{start}:@var{end}
30095 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
30096 currently selected frame whose PC is between @var{start} (inclusive)
30097 and @var{end} (exclusive); @var{start} and @var{end} are hexadecimal
30098 numbers.
30099
30100 @item QTFrame:outside:@var{start}:@var{end}
30101 Like @samp{QTFrame:range:@var{start}:@var{end}}, but select the first
30102 frame @emph{outside} the given range of addresses.
30103
30104 @item QTStart
30105 Begin the tracepoint experiment. Begin collecting data from tracepoint
30106 hits in the trace frame buffer.
30107
30108 @item QTStop
30109 End the tracepoint experiment. Stop collecting trace frames.
30110
30111 @item QTinit
30112 Clear the table of tracepoints, and empty the trace frame buffer.
30113
30114 @item QTro:@var{start1},@var{end1}:@var{start2},@var{end2}:@dots{}
30115 Establish the given ranges of memory as ``transparent''. The stub
30116 will answer requests for these ranges from memory's current contents,
30117 if they were not collected as part of the tracepoint hit.
30118
30119 @value{GDBN} uses this to mark read-only regions of memory, like those
30120 containing program code. Since these areas never change, they should
30121 still have the same contents they did when the tracepoint was hit, so
30122 there's no reason for the stub to refuse to provide their contents.
30123
30124 @item qTStatus
30125 Ask the stub if there is a trace experiment running right now.
30126
30127 Replies:
30128 @table @samp
30129 @item T0
30130 There is no trace experiment running.
30131 @item T1
30132 There is a trace experiment running.
30133 @end table
30134
30135 @item qTV:@var{var}
30136 @cindex trace state variable value, remote request
30137 @cindex @samp{qTV} packet
30138 Ask the stub for the value of the trace state variable number @var{var}.
30139
30140 Replies:
30141 @table @samp
30142 @item V@var{value}
30143 The value of the variable is @var{value}. This will be the current
30144 value of the variable if the user is examining a running target, or a
30145 saved value if the variable was collected in the trace frame that the
30146 user is looking at. Note that multiple requests may result in
30147 different reply values, such as when requesting values while the
30148 program is running.
30149
30150 @item U
30151 The value of the variable is unknown. This would occur, for example,
30152 if the user is examining a trace frame in which the requested variable
30153 was not collected.
30154 @end table
30155
30156 @end table
30157
30158 @node Host I/O Packets
30159 @section Host I/O Packets
30160 @cindex Host I/O, remote protocol
30161 @cindex file transfer, remote protocol
30162
30163 The @dfn{Host I/O} packets allow @value{GDBN} to perform I/O
30164 operations on the far side of a remote link. For example, Host I/O is
30165 used to upload and download files to a remote target with its own
30166 filesystem. Host I/O uses the same constant values and data structure
30167 layout as the target-initiated File-I/O protocol. However, the
30168 Host I/O packets are structured differently. The target-initiated
30169 protocol relies on target memory to store parameters and buffers.
30170 Host I/O requests are initiated by @value{GDBN}, and the
30171 target's memory is not involved. @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol
30172 Extension}, for more details on the target-initiated protocol.
30173
30174 The Host I/O request packets all encode a single operation along with
30175 its arguments. They have this format:
30176
30177 @table @samp
30178
30179 @item vFile:@var{operation}: @var{parameter}@dots{}
30180 @var{operation} is the name of the particular request; the target
30181 should compare the entire packet name up to the second colon when checking
30182 for a supported operation. The format of @var{parameter} depends on
30183 the operation. Numbers are always passed in hexadecimal. Negative
30184 numbers have an explicit minus sign (i.e.@: two's complement is not
30185 used). Strings (e.g.@: filenames) are encoded as a series of
30186 hexadecimal bytes. The last argument to a system call may be a
30187 buffer of escaped binary data (@pxref{Binary Data}).
30188
30189 @end table
30190
30191 The valid responses to Host I/O packets are:
30192
30193 @table @samp
30194
30195 @item F @var{result} [, @var{errno}] [; @var{attachment}]
30196 @var{result} is the integer value returned by this operation, usually
30197 non-negative for success and -1 for errors. If an error has occured,
30198 @var{errno} will be included in the result. @var{errno} will have a
30199 value defined by the File-I/O protocol (@pxref{Errno Values}). For
30200 operations which return data, @var{attachment} supplies the data as a
30201 binary buffer. Binary buffers in response packets are escaped in the
30202 normal way (@pxref{Binary Data}). See the individual packet
30203 documentation for the interpretation of @var{result} and
30204 @var{attachment}.
30205
30206 @item
30207 An empty response indicates that this operation is not recognized.
30208
30209 @end table
30210
30211 These are the supported Host I/O operations:
30212
30213 @table @samp
30214 @item vFile:open: @var{pathname}, @var{flags}, @var{mode}
30215 Open a file at @var{pathname} and return a file descriptor for it, or
30216 return -1 if an error occurs. @var{pathname} is a string,
30217 @var{flags} is an integer indicating a mask of open flags
30218 (@pxref{Open Flags}), and @var{mode} is an integer indicating a mask
30219 of mode bits to use if the file is created (@pxref{mode_t Values}).
30220 @xref{open}, for details of the open flags and mode values.
30221
30222 @item vFile:close: @var{fd}
30223 Close the open file corresponding to @var{fd} and return 0, or
30224 -1 if an error occurs.
30225
30226 @item vFile:pread: @var{fd}, @var{count}, @var{offset}
30227 Read data from the open file corresponding to @var{fd}. Up to
30228 @var{count} bytes will be read from the file, starting at @var{offset}
30229 relative to the start of the file. The target may read fewer bytes;
30230 common reasons include packet size limits and an end-of-file
30231 condition. The number of bytes read is returned. Zero should only be
30232 returned for a successful read at the end of the file, or if
30233 @var{count} was zero.
30234
30235 The data read should be returned as a binary attachment on success.
30236 If zero bytes were read, the response should include an empty binary
30237 attachment (i.e.@: a trailing semicolon). The return value is the
30238 number of target bytes read; the binary attachment may be longer if
30239 some characters were escaped.
30240
30241 @item vFile:pwrite: @var{fd}, @var{offset}, @var{data}
30242 Write @var{data} (a binary buffer) to the open file corresponding
30243 to @var{fd}. Start the write at @var{offset} from the start of the
30244 file. Unlike many @code{write} system calls, there is no
30245 separate @var{count} argument; the length of @var{data} in the
30246 packet is used. @samp{vFile:write} returns the number of bytes written,
30247 which may be shorter than the length of @var{data}, or -1 if an
30248 error occurred.
30249
30250 @item vFile:unlink: @var{pathname}
30251 Delete the file at @var{pathname} on the target. Return 0,
30252 or -1 if an error occurs. @var{pathname} is a string.
30253
30254 @end table
30255
30256 @node Interrupts
30257 @section Interrupts
30258 @cindex interrupts (remote protocol)
30259
30260 When a program on the remote target is running, @value{GDBN} may
30261 attempt to interrupt it by sending a @samp{Ctrl-C}, @code{BREAK} or
30262 a @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g},
30263 control of which is specified via @value{GDBN}'s @samp{interrupt-sequence}.
30264
30265 The precise meaning of @code{BREAK} is defined by the transport
30266 mechanism and may, in fact, be undefined. @value{GDBN} does not
30267 currently define a @code{BREAK} mechanism for any of the network
30268 interfaces except for TCP, in which case @value{GDBN} sends the
30269 @code{telnet} BREAK sequence.
30270
30271 @samp{Ctrl-C}, on the other hand, is defined and implemented for all
30272 transport mechanisms. It is represented by sending the single byte
30273 @code{0x03} without any of the usual packet overhead described in
30274 the Overview section (@pxref{Overview}). When a @code{0x03} byte is
30275 transmitted as part of a packet, it is considered to be packet data
30276 and does @emph{not} represent an interrupt. E.g., an @samp{X} packet
30277 (@pxref{X packet}), used for binary downloads, may include an unescaped
30278 @code{0x03} as part of its packet.
30279
30280 @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g} is also known as Magic SysRq g.
30281 When Linux kernel receives this sequence from serial port,
30282 it stops execution and connects to gdb.
30283
30284 Stubs are not required to recognize these interrupt mechanisms and the
30285 precise meaning associated with receipt of the interrupt is
30286 implementation defined. If the target supports debugging of multiple
30287 threads and/or processes, it should attempt to interrupt all
30288 currently-executing threads and processes.
30289 If the stub is successful at interrupting the
30290 running program, it should send one of the stop
30291 reply packets (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}) to @value{GDBN} as a result
30292 of successfully stopping the program in all-stop mode, and a stop reply
30293 for each stopped thread in non-stop mode.
30294 Interrupts received while the
30295 program is stopped are discarded.
30296
30297 @node Notification Packets
30298 @section Notification Packets
30299 @cindex notification packets
30300 @cindex packets, notification
30301
30302 The @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol includes @dfn{notifications},
30303 packets that require no acknowledgment. Both the GDB and the stub
30304 may send notifications (although the only notifications defined at
30305 present are sent by the stub). Notifications carry information
30306 without incurring the round-trip latency of an acknowledgment, and so
30307 are useful for low-impact communications where occasional packet loss
30308 is not a problem.
30309
30310 A notification packet has the form @samp{% @var{data} #
30311 @var{checksum}}, where @var{data} is the content of the notification,
30312 and @var{checksum} is a checksum of @var{data}, computed and formatted
30313 as for ordinary @value{GDBN} packets. A notification's @var{data}
30314 never contains @samp{$}, @samp{%} or @samp{#} characters. Upon
30315 receiving a notification, the recipient sends no @samp{+} or @samp{-}
30316 to acknowledge the notification's receipt or to report its corruption.
30317
30318 Every notification's @var{data} begins with a name, which contains no
30319 colon characters, followed by a colon character.
30320
30321 Recipients should silently ignore corrupted notifications and
30322 notifications they do not understand. Recipients should restart
30323 timeout periods on receipt of a well-formed notification, whether or
30324 not they understand it.
30325
30326 Senders should only send the notifications described here when this
30327 protocol description specifies that they are permitted. In the
30328 future, we may extend the protocol to permit existing notifications in
30329 new contexts; this rule helps older senders avoid confusing newer
30330 recipients.
30331
30332 (Older versions of @value{GDBN} ignore bytes received until they see
30333 the @samp{$} byte that begins an ordinary packet, so new stubs may
30334 transmit notifications without fear of confusing older clients. There
30335 are no notifications defined for @value{GDBN} to send at the moment, but we
30336 assume that most older stubs would ignore them, as well.)
30337
30338 The following notification packets from the stub to @value{GDBN} are
30339 defined:
30340
30341 @table @samp
30342 @item Stop: @var{reply}
30343 Report an asynchronous stop event in non-stop mode.
30344 The @var{reply} has the form of a stop reply, as
30345 described in @ref{Stop Reply Packets}. Refer to @ref{Remote Non-Stop},
30346 for information on how these notifications are acknowledged by
30347 @value{GDBN}.
30348 @end table
30349
30350 @node Remote Non-Stop
30351 @section Remote Protocol Support for Non-Stop Mode
30352
30353 @value{GDBN}'s remote protocol supports non-stop debugging of
30354 multi-threaded programs, as described in @ref{Non-Stop Mode}. If the stub
30355 supports non-stop mode, it should report that to @value{GDBN} by including
30356 @samp{QNonStop+} in its @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
30357
30358 @value{GDBN} typically sends a @samp{QNonStop} packet only when
30359 establishing a new connection with the stub. Entering non-stop mode
30360 does not alter the state of any currently-running threads, but targets
30361 must stop all threads in any already-attached processes when entering
30362 all-stop mode. @value{GDBN} uses the @samp{?} packet as necessary to
30363 probe the target state after a mode change.
30364
30365 In non-stop mode, when an attached process encounters an event that
30366 would otherwise be reported with a stop reply, it uses the
30367 asynchronous notification mechanism (@pxref{Notification Packets}) to
30368 inform @value{GDBN}. In contrast to all-stop mode, where all threads
30369 in all processes are stopped when a stop reply is sent, in non-stop
30370 mode only the thread reporting the stop event is stopped. That is,
30371 when reporting a @samp{S} or @samp{T} response to indicate completion
30372 of a step operation, hitting a breakpoint, or a fault, only the
30373 affected thread is stopped; any other still-running threads continue
30374 to run. When reporting a @samp{W} or @samp{X} response, all running
30375 threads belonging to other attached processes continue to run.
30376
30377 Only one stop reply notification at a time may be pending; if
30378 additional stop events occur before @value{GDBN} has acknowledged the
30379 previous notification, they must be queued by the stub for later
30380 synchronous transmission in response to @samp{vStopped} packets from
30381 @value{GDBN}. Because the notification mechanism is unreliable,
30382 the stub is permitted to resend a stop reply notification
30383 if it believes @value{GDBN} may not have received it. @value{GDBN}
30384 ignores additional stop reply notifications received before it has
30385 finished processing a previous notification and the stub has completed
30386 sending any queued stop events.
30387
30388 Otherwise, @value{GDBN} must be prepared to receive a stop reply
30389 notification at any time. Specifically, they may appear when
30390 @value{GDBN} is not otherwise reading input from the stub, or when
30391 @value{GDBN} is expecting to read a normal synchronous response or a
30392 @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgment to a packet it has sent.
30393 Notification packets are distinct from any other communication from
30394 the stub so there is no ambiguity.
30395
30396 After receiving a stop reply notification, @value{GDBN} shall
30397 acknowledge it by sending a @samp{vStopped} packet (@pxref{vStopped packet})
30398 as a regular, synchronous request to the stub. Such acknowledgment
30399 is not required to happen immediately, as @value{GDBN} is permitted to
30400 send other, unrelated packets to the stub first, which the stub should
30401 process normally.
30402
30403 Upon receiving a @samp{vStopped} packet, if the stub has other queued
30404 stop events to report to @value{GDBN}, it shall respond by sending a
30405 normal stop reply response. @value{GDBN} shall then send another
30406 @samp{vStopped} packet to solicit further responses; again, it is
30407 permitted to send other, unrelated packets as well which the stub
30408 should process normally.
30409
30410 If the stub receives a @samp{vStopped} packet and there are no
30411 additional stop events to report, the stub shall return an @samp{OK}
30412 response. At this point, if further stop events occur, the stub shall
30413 send a new stop reply notification, @value{GDBN} shall accept the
30414 notification, and the process shall be repeated.
30415
30416 In non-stop mode, the target shall respond to the @samp{?} packet as
30417 follows. First, any incomplete stop reply notification/@samp{vStopped}
30418 sequence in progress is abandoned. The target must begin a new
30419 sequence reporting stop events for all stopped threads, whether or not
30420 it has previously reported those events to @value{GDBN}. The first
30421 stop reply is sent as a synchronous reply to the @samp{?} packet, and
30422 subsequent stop replies are sent as responses to @samp{vStopped} packets
30423 using the mechanism described above. The target must not send
30424 asynchronous stop reply notifications until the sequence is complete.
30425 If all threads are running when the target receives the @samp{?} packet,
30426 or if the target is not attached to any process, it shall respond
30427 @samp{OK}.
30428
30429 @node Packet Acknowledgment
30430 @section Packet Acknowledgment
30431
30432 @cindex acknowledgment, for @value{GDBN} remote
30433 @cindex packet acknowledgment, for @value{GDBN} remote
30434 By default, when either the host or the target machine receives a packet,
30435 the first response expected is an acknowledgment: either @samp{+} (to indicate
30436 the package was received correctly) or @samp{-} (to request retransmission).
30437 This mechanism allows the @value{GDBN} remote protocol to operate over
30438 unreliable transport mechanisms, such as a serial line.
30439
30440 In cases where the transport mechanism is itself reliable (such as a pipe or
30441 TCP connection), the @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments are redundant.
30442 It may be desirable to disable them in that case to reduce communication
30443 overhead, or for other reasons. This can be accomplished by means of the
30444 @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet; @pxref{QStartNoAckMode}.
30445
30446 When in no-acknowledgment mode, neither the stub nor @value{GDBN} shall send or
30447 expect @samp{+}/@samp{-} protocol acknowledgments. The packet
30448 and response format still includes the normal checksum, as described in
30449 @ref{Overview}, but the checksum may be ignored by the receiver.
30450
30451 If the stub supports @samp{QStartNoAckMode} and prefers to operate in
30452 no-acknowledgment mode, it should report that to @value{GDBN}
30453 by including @samp{QStartNoAckMode+} in its response to @samp{qSupported};
30454 @pxref{qSupported}.
30455 If @value{GDBN} also supports @samp{QStartNoAckMode} and it has not been
30456 disabled via the @code{set remote noack-packet off} command
30457 (@pxref{Remote Configuration}),
30458 @value{GDBN} may then send a @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet to the stub.
30459 Only then may the stub actually turn off packet acknowledgments.
30460 @value{GDBN} sends a final @samp{+} acknowledgment of the stub's @samp{OK}
30461 response, which can be safely ignored by the stub.
30462
30463 Note that @code{set remote noack-packet} command only affects negotiation
30464 between @value{GDBN} and the stub when subsequent connections are made;
30465 it does not affect the protocol acknowledgment state for any current
30466 connection.
30467 Since @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments are enabled by default when a
30468 new connection is established,
30469 there is also no protocol request to re-enable the acknowledgments
30470 for the current connection, once disabled.
30471
30472 @node Examples
30473 @section Examples
30474
30475 Example sequence of a target being re-started. Notice how the restart
30476 does not get any direct output:
30477
30478 @smallexample
30479 -> @code{R00}
30480 <- @code{+}
30481 @emph{target restarts}
30482 -> @code{?}
30483 <- @code{+}
30484 <- @code{T001:1234123412341234}
30485 -> @code{+}
30486 @end smallexample
30487
30488 Example sequence of a target being stepped by a single instruction:
30489
30490 @smallexample
30491 -> @code{G1445@dots{}}
30492 <- @code{+}
30493 -> @code{s}
30494 <- @code{+}
30495 @emph{time passes}
30496 <- @code{T001:1234123412341234}
30497 -> @code{+}
30498 -> @code{g}
30499 <- @code{+}
30500 <- @code{1455@dots{}}
30501 -> @code{+}
30502 @end smallexample
30503
30504 @node File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension
30505 @section File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension
30506 @cindex File-I/O remote protocol extension
30507
30508 @menu
30509 * File-I/O Overview::
30510 * Protocol Basics::
30511 * The F Request Packet::
30512 * The F Reply Packet::
30513 * The Ctrl-C Message::
30514 * Console I/O::
30515 * List of Supported Calls::
30516 * Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes::
30517 * Constants::
30518 * File-I/O Examples::
30519 @end menu
30520
30521 @node File-I/O Overview
30522 @subsection File-I/O Overview
30523 @cindex file-i/o overview
30524
30525 The @dfn{File I/O remote protocol extension} (short: File-I/O) allows the
30526 target to use the host's file system and console I/O to perform various
30527 system calls. System calls on the target system are translated into a
30528 remote protocol packet to the host system, which then performs the needed
30529 actions and returns a response packet to the target system.
30530 This simulates file system operations even on targets that lack file systems.
30531
30532 The protocol is defined to be independent of both the host and target systems.
30533 It uses its own internal representation of datatypes and values. Both
30534 @value{GDBN} and the target's @value{GDBN} stub are responsible for
30535 translating the system-dependent value representations into the internal
30536 protocol representations when data is transmitted.
30537
30538 The communication is synchronous. A system call is possible only when
30539 @value{GDBN} is waiting for a response from the @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}
30540 or @samp{s} packets. While @value{GDBN} handles the request for a system call,
30541 the target is stopped to allow deterministic access to the target's
30542 memory. Therefore File-I/O is not interruptible by target signals. On
30543 the other hand, it is possible to interrupt File-I/O by a user interrupt
30544 (@samp{Ctrl-C}) within @value{GDBN}.
30545
30546 The target's request to perform a host system call does not finish
30547 the latest @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S} or @samp{s} action. That means,
30548 after finishing the system call, the target returns to continuing the
30549 previous activity (continue, step). No additional continue or step
30550 request from @value{GDBN} is required.
30551
30552 @smallexample
30553 (@value{GDBP}) continue
30554 <- target requests 'system call X'
30555 target is stopped, @value{GDBN} executes system call
30556 -> @value{GDBN} returns result
30557 ... target continues, @value{GDBN} returns to wait for the target
30558 <- target hits breakpoint and sends a Txx packet
30559 @end smallexample
30560
30561 The protocol only supports I/O on the console and to regular files on
30562 the host file system. Character or block special devices, pipes,
30563 named pipes, sockets or any other communication method on the host
30564 system are not supported by this protocol.
30565
30566 File I/O is not supported in non-stop mode.
30567
30568 @node Protocol Basics
30569 @subsection Protocol Basics
30570 @cindex protocol basics, file-i/o
30571
30572 The File-I/O protocol uses the @code{F} packet as the request as well
30573 as reply packet. Since a File-I/O system call can only occur when
30574 @value{GDBN} is waiting for a response from the continuing or stepping target,
30575 the File-I/O request is a reply that @value{GDBN} has to expect as a result
30576 of a previous @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S} or @samp{s} packet.
30577 This @code{F} packet contains all information needed to allow @value{GDBN}
30578 to call the appropriate host system call:
30579
30580 @itemize @bullet
30581 @item
30582 A unique identifier for the requested system call.
30583
30584 @item
30585 All parameters to the system call. Pointers are given as addresses
30586 in the target memory address space. Pointers to strings are given as
30587 pointer/length pair. Numerical values are given as they are.
30588 Numerical control flags are given in a protocol-specific representation.
30589
30590 @end itemize
30591
30592 At this point, @value{GDBN} has to perform the following actions.
30593
30594 @itemize @bullet
30595 @item
30596 If the parameters include pointer values to data needed as input to a
30597 system call, @value{GDBN} requests this data from the target with a
30598 standard @code{m} packet request. This additional communication has to be
30599 expected by the target implementation and is handled as any other @code{m}
30600 packet.
30601
30602 @item
30603 @value{GDBN} translates all value from protocol representation to host
30604 representation as needed. Datatypes are coerced into the host types.
30605
30606 @item
30607 @value{GDBN} calls the system call.
30608
30609 @item
30610 It then coerces datatypes back to protocol representation.
30611
30612 @item
30613 If the system call is expected to return data in buffer space specified
30614 by pointer parameters to the call, the data is transmitted to the
30615 target using a @code{M} or @code{X} packet. This packet has to be expected
30616 by the target implementation and is handled as any other @code{M} or @code{X}
30617 packet.
30618
30619 @end itemize
30620
30621 Eventually @value{GDBN} replies with another @code{F} packet which contains all
30622 necessary information for the target to continue. This at least contains
30623
30624 @itemize @bullet
30625 @item
30626 Return value.
30627
30628 @item
30629 @code{errno}, if has been changed by the system call.
30630
30631 @item
30632 ``Ctrl-C'' flag.
30633
30634 @end itemize
30635
30636 After having done the needed type and value coercion, the target continues
30637 the latest continue or step action.
30638
30639 @node The F Request Packet
30640 @subsection The @code{F} Request Packet
30641 @cindex file-i/o request packet
30642 @cindex @code{F} request packet
30643
30644 The @code{F} request packet has the following format:
30645
30646 @table @samp
30647 @item F@var{call-id},@var{parameter@dots{}}
30648
30649 @var{call-id} is the identifier to indicate the host system call to be called.
30650 This is just the name of the function.
30651
30652 @var{parameter@dots{}} are the parameters to the system call.
30653 Parameters are hexadecimal integer values, either the actual values in case
30654 of scalar datatypes, pointers to target buffer space in case of compound
30655 datatypes and unspecified memory areas, or pointer/length pairs in case
30656 of string parameters. These are appended to the @var{call-id} as a
30657 comma-delimited list. All values are transmitted in ASCII
30658 string representation, pointer/length pairs separated by a slash.
30659
30660 @end table
30661
30662
30663
30664 @node The F Reply Packet
30665 @subsection The @code{F} Reply Packet
30666 @cindex file-i/o reply packet
30667 @cindex @code{F} reply packet
30668
30669 The @code{F} reply packet has the following format:
30670
30671 @table @samp
30672
30673 @item F@var{retcode},@var{errno},@var{Ctrl-C flag};@var{call-specific attachment}
30674
30675 @var{retcode} is the return code of the system call as hexadecimal value.
30676
30677 @var{errno} is the @code{errno} set by the call, in protocol-specific
30678 representation.
30679 This parameter can be omitted if the call was successful.
30680
30681 @var{Ctrl-C flag} is only sent if the user requested a break. In this
30682 case, @var{errno} must be sent as well, even if the call was successful.
30683 The @var{Ctrl-C flag} itself consists of the character @samp{C}:
30684
30685 @smallexample
30686 F0,0,C
30687 @end smallexample
30688
30689 @noindent
30690 or, if the call was interrupted before the host call has been performed:
30691
30692 @smallexample
30693 F-1,4,C
30694 @end smallexample
30695
30696 @noindent
30697 assuming 4 is the protocol-specific representation of @code{EINTR}.
30698
30699 @end table
30700
30701
30702 @node The Ctrl-C Message
30703 @subsection The @samp{Ctrl-C} Message
30704 @cindex ctrl-c message, in file-i/o protocol
30705
30706 If the @samp{Ctrl-C} flag is set in the @value{GDBN}
30707 reply packet (@pxref{The F Reply Packet}),
30708 the target should behave as if it had
30709 gotten a break message. The meaning for the target is ``system call
30710 interrupted by @code{SIGINT}''. Consequentially, the target should actually stop
30711 (as with a break message) and return to @value{GDBN} with a @code{T02}
30712 packet.
30713
30714 It's important for the target to know in which
30715 state the system call was interrupted. There are two possible cases:
30716
30717 @itemize @bullet
30718 @item
30719 The system call hasn't been performed on the host yet.
30720
30721 @item
30722 The system call on the host has been finished.
30723
30724 @end itemize
30725
30726 These two states can be distinguished by the target by the value of the
30727 returned @code{errno}. If it's the protocol representation of @code{EINTR}, the system
30728 call hasn't been performed. This is equivalent to the @code{EINTR} handling
30729 on POSIX systems. In any other case, the target may presume that the
30730 system call has been finished --- successfully or not --- and should behave
30731 as if the break message arrived right after the system call.
30732
30733 @value{GDBN} must behave reliably. If the system call has not been called
30734 yet, @value{GDBN} may send the @code{F} reply immediately, setting @code{EINTR} as
30735 @code{errno} in the packet. If the system call on the host has been finished
30736 before the user requests a break, the full action must be finished by
30737 @value{GDBN}. This requires sending @code{M} or @code{X} packets as necessary.
30738 The @code{F} packet may only be sent when either nothing has happened
30739 or the full action has been completed.
30740
30741 @node Console I/O
30742 @subsection Console I/O
30743 @cindex console i/o as part of file-i/o
30744
30745 By default and if not explicitly closed by the target system, the file
30746 descriptors 0, 1 and 2 are connected to the @value{GDBN} console. Output
30747 on the @value{GDBN} console is handled as any other file output operation
30748 (@code{write(1, @dots{})} or @code{write(2, @dots{})}). Console input is handled
30749 by @value{GDBN} so that after the target read request from file descriptor
30750 0 all following typing is buffered until either one of the following
30751 conditions is met:
30752
30753 @itemize @bullet
30754 @item
30755 The user types @kbd{Ctrl-c}. The behaviour is as explained above, and the
30756 @code{read}
30757 system call is treated as finished.
30758
30759 @item
30760 The user presses @key{RET}. This is treated as end of input with a trailing
30761 newline.
30762
30763 @item
30764 The user types @kbd{Ctrl-d}. This is treated as end of input. No trailing
30765 character (neither newline nor @samp{Ctrl-D}) is appended to the input.
30766
30767 @end itemize
30768
30769 If the user has typed more characters than fit in the buffer given to
30770 the @code{read} call, the trailing characters are buffered in @value{GDBN} until
30771 either another @code{read(0, @dots{})} is requested by the target, or debugging
30772 is stopped at the user's request.
30773
30774
30775 @node List of Supported Calls
30776 @subsection List of Supported Calls
30777 @cindex list of supported file-i/o calls
30778
30779 @menu
30780 * open::
30781 * close::
30782 * read::
30783 * write::
30784 * lseek::
30785 * rename::
30786 * unlink::
30787 * stat/fstat::
30788 * gettimeofday::
30789 * isatty::
30790 * system::
30791 @end menu
30792
30793 @node open
30794 @unnumberedsubsubsec open
30795 @cindex open, file-i/o system call
30796
30797 @table @asis
30798 @item Synopsis:
30799 @smallexample
30800 int open(const char *pathname, int flags);
30801 int open(const char *pathname, int flags, mode_t mode);
30802 @end smallexample
30803
30804 @item Request:
30805 @samp{Fopen,@var{pathptr}/@var{len},@var{flags},@var{mode}}
30806
30807 @noindent
30808 @var{flags} is the bitwise @code{OR} of the following values:
30809
30810 @table @code
30811 @item O_CREAT
30812 If the file does not exist it will be created. The host
30813 rules apply as far as file ownership and time stamps
30814 are concerned.
30815
30816 @item O_EXCL
30817 When used with @code{O_CREAT}, if the file already exists it is
30818 an error and open() fails.
30819
30820 @item O_TRUNC
30821 If the file already exists and the open mode allows
30822 writing (@code{O_RDWR} or @code{O_WRONLY} is given) it will be
30823 truncated to zero length.
30824
30825 @item O_APPEND
30826 The file is opened in append mode.
30827
30828 @item O_RDONLY
30829 The file is opened for reading only.
30830
30831 @item O_WRONLY
30832 The file is opened for writing only.
30833
30834 @item O_RDWR
30835 The file is opened for reading and writing.
30836 @end table
30837
30838 @noindent
30839 Other bits are silently ignored.
30840
30841
30842 @noindent
30843 @var{mode} is the bitwise @code{OR} of the following values:
30844
30845 @table @code
30846 @item S_IRUSR
30847 User has read permission.
30848
30849 @item S_IWUSR
30850 User has write permission.
30851
30852 @item S_IRGRP
30853 Group has read permission.
30854
30855 @item S_IWGRP
30856 Group has write permission.
30857
30858 @item S_IROTH
30859 Others have read permission.
30860
30861 @item S_IWOTH
30862 Others have write permission.
30863 @end table
30864
30865 @noindent
30866 Other bits are silently ignored.
30867
30868
30869 @item Return value:
30870 @code{open} returns the new file descriptor or -1 if an error
30871 occurred.
30872
30873 @item Errors:
30874
30875 @table @code
30876 @item EEXIST
30877 @var{pathname} already exists and @code{O_CREAT} and @code{O_EXCL} were used.
30878
30879 @item EISDIR
30880 @var{pathname} refers to a directory.
30881
30882 @item EACCES
30883 The requested access is not allowed.
30884
30885 @item ENAMETOOLONG
30886 @var{pathname} was too long.
30887
30888 @item ENOENT
30889 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist.
30890
30891 @item ENODEV
30892 @var{pathname} refers to a device, pipe, named pipe or socket.
30893
30894 @item EROFS
30895 @var{pathname} refers to a file on a read-only filesystem and
30896 write access was requested.
30897
30898 @item EFAULT
30899 @var{pathname} is an invalid pointer value.
30900
30901 @item ENOSPC
30902 No space on device to create the file.
30903
30904 @item EMFILE
30905 The process already has the maximum number of files open.
30906
30907 @item ENFILE
30908 The limit on the total number of files open on the system
30909 has been reached.
30910
30911 @item EINTR
30912 The call was interrupted by the user.
30913 @end table
30914
30915 @end table
30916
30917 @node close
30918 @unnumberedsubsubsec close
30919 @cindex close, file-i/o system call
30920
30921 @table @asis
30922 @item Synopsis:
30923 @smallexample
30924 int close(int fd);
30925 @end smallexample
30926
30927 @item Request:
30928 @samp{Fclose,@var{fd}}
30929
30930 @item Return value:
30931 @code{close} returns zero on success, or -1 if an error occurred.
30932
30933 @item Errors:
30934
30935 @table @code
30936 @item EBADF
30937 @var{fd} isn't a valid open file descriptor.
30938
30939 @item EINTR
30940 The call was interrupted by the user.
30941 @end table
30942
30943 @end table
30944
30945 @node read
30946 @unnumberedsubsubsec read
30947 @cindex read, file-i/o system call
30948
30949 @table @asis
30950 @item Synopsis:
30951 @smallexample
30952 int read(int fd, void *buf, unsigned int count);
30953 @end smallexample
30954
30955 @item Request:
30956 @samp{Fread,@var{fd},@var{bufptr},@var{count}}
30957
30958 @item Return value:
30959 On success, the number of bytes read is returned.
30960 Zero indicates end of file. If count is zero, read
30961 returns zero as well. On error, -1 is returned.
30962
30963 @item Errors:
30964
30965 @table @code
30966 @item EBADF
30967 @var{fd} is not a valid file descriptor or is not open for
30968 reading.
30969
30970 @item EFAULT
30971 @var{bufptr} is an invalid pointer value.
30972
30973 @item EINTR
30974 The call was interrupted by the user.
30975 @end table
30976
30977 @end table
30978
30979 @node write
30980 @unnumberedsubsubsec write
30981 @cindex write, file-i/o system call
30982
30983 @table @asis
30984 @item Synopsis:
30985 @smallexample
30986 int write(int fd, const void *buf, unsigned int count);
30987 @end smallexample
30988
30989 @item Request:
30990 @samp{Fwrite,@var{fd},@var{bufptr},@var{count}}
30991
30992 @item Return value:
30993 On success, the number of bytes written are returned.
30994 Zero indicates nothing was written. On error, -1
30995 is returned.
30996
30997 @item Errors:
30998
30999 @table @code
31000 @item EBADF
31001 @var{fd} is not a valid file descriptor or is not open for
31002 writing.
31003
31004 @item EFAULT
31005 @var{bufptr} is an invalid pointer value.
31006
31007 @item EFBIG
31008 An attempt was made to write a file that exceeds the
31009 host-specific maximum file size allowed.
31010
31011 @item ENOSPC
31012 No space on device to write the data.
31013
31014 @item EINTR
31015 The call was interrupted by the user.
31016 @end table
31017
31018 @end table
31019
31020 @node lseek
31021 @unnumberedsubsubsec lseek
31022 @cindex lseek, file-i/o system call
31023
31024 @table @asis
31025 @item Synopsis:
31026 @smallexample
31027 long lseek (int fd, long offset, int flag);
31028 @end smallexample
31029
31030 @item Request:
31031 @samp{Flseek,@var{fd},@var{offset},@var{flag}}
31032
31033 @var{flag} is one of:
31034
31035 @table @code
31036 @item SEEK_SET
31037 The offset is set to @var{offset} bytes.
31038
31039 @item SEEK_CUR
31040 The offset is set to its current location plus @var{offset}
31041 bytes.
31042
31043 @item SEEK_END
31044 The offset is set to the size of the file plus @var{offset}
31045 bytes.
31046 @end table
31047
31048 @item Return value:
31049 On success, the resulting unsigned offset in bytes from
31050 the beginning of the file is returned. Otherwise, a
31051 value of -1 is returned.
31052
31053 @item Errors:
31054
31055 @table @code
31056 @item EBADF
31057 @var{fd} is not a valid open file descriptor.
31058
31059 @item ESPIPE
31060 @var{fd} is associated with the @value{GDBN} console.
31061
31062 @item EINVAL
31063 @var{flag} is not a proper value.
31064
31065 @item EINTR
31066 The call was interrupted by the user.
31067 @end table
31068
31069 @end table
31070
31071 @node rename
31072 @unnumberedsubsubsec rename
31073 @cindex rename, file-i/o system call
31074
31075 @table @asis
31076 @item Synopsis:
31077 @smallexample
31078 int rename(const char *oldpath, const char *newpath);
31079 @end smallexample
31080
31081 @item Request:
31082 @samp{Frename,@var{oldpathptr}/@var{len},@var{newpathptr}/@var{len}}
31083
31084 @item Return value:
31085 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
31086
31087 @item Errors:
31088
31089 @table @code
31090 @item EISDIR
31091 @var{newpath} is an existing directory, but @var{oldpath} is not a
31092 directory.
31093
31094 @item EEXIST
31095 @var{newpath} is a non-empty directory.
31096
31097 @item EBUSY
31098 @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} is a directory that is in use by some
31099 process.
31100
31101 @item EINVAL
31102 An attempt was made to make a directory a subdirectory
31103 of itself.
31104
31105 @item ENOTDIR
31106 A component used as a directory in @var{oldpath} or new
31107 path is not a directory. Or @var{oldpath} is a directory
31108 and @var{newpath} exists but is not a directory.
31109
31110 @item EFAULT
31111 @var{oldpathptr} or @var{newpathptr} are invalid pointer values.
31112
31113 @item EACCES
31114 No access to the file or the path of the file.
31115
31116 @item ENAMETOOLONG
31117
31118 @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} was too long.
31119
31120 @item ENOENT
31121 A directory component in @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} does not exist.
31122
31123 @item EROFS
31124 The file is on a read-only filesystem.
31125
31126 @item ENOSPC
31127 The device containing the file has no room for the new
31128 directory entry.
31129
31130 @item EINTR
31131 The call was interrupted by the user.
31132 @end table
31133
31134 @end table
31135
31136 @node unlink
31137 @unnumberedsubsubsec unlink
31138 @cindex unlink, file-i/o system call
31139
31140 @table @asis
31141 @item Synopsis:
31142 @smallexample
31143 int unlink(const char *pathname);
31144 @end smallexample
31145
31146 @item Request:
31147 @samp{Funlink,@var{pathnameptr}/@var{len}}
31148
31149 @item Return value:
31150 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
31151
31152 @item Errors:
31153
31154 @table @code
31155 @item EACCES
31156 No access to the file or the path of the file.
31157
31158 @item EPERM
31159 The system does not allow unlinking of directories.
31160
31161 @item EBUSY
31162 The file @var{pathname} cannot be unlinked because it's
31163 being used by another process.
31164
31165 @item EFAULT
31166 @var{pathnameptr} is an invalid pointer value.
31167
31168 @item ENAMETOOLONG
31169 @var{pathname} was too long.
31170
31171 @item ENOENT
31172 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist.
31173
31174 @item ENOTDIR
31175 A component of the path is not a directory.
31176
31177 @item EROFS
31178 The file is on a read-only filesystem.
31179
31180 @item EINTR
31181 The call was interrupted by the user.
31182 @end table
31183
31184 @end table
31185
31186 @node stat/fstat
31187 @unnumberedsubsubsec stat/fstat
31188 @cindex fstat, file-i/o system call
31189 @cindex stat, file-i/o system call
31190
31191 @table @asis
31192 @item Synopsis:
31193 @smallexample
31194 int stat(const char *pathname, struct stat *buf);
31195 int fstat(int fd, struct stat *buf);
31196 @end smallexample
31197
31198 @item Request:
31199 @samp{Fstat,@var{pathnameptr}/@var{len},@var{bufptr}}@*
31200 @samp{Ffstat,@var{fd},@var{bufptr}}
31201
31202 @item Return value:
31203 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
31204
31205 @item Errors:
31206
31207 @table @code
31208 @item EBADF
31209 @var{fd} is not a valid open file.
31210
31211 @item ENOENT
31212 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist or the
31213 path is an empty string.
31214
31215 @item ENOTDIR
31216 A component of the path is not a directory.
31217
31218 @item EFAULT
31219 @var{pathnameptr} is an invalid pointer value.
31220
31221 @item EACCES
31222 No access to the file or the path of the file.
31223
31224 @item ENAMETOOLONG
31225 @var{pathname} was too long.
31226
31227 @item EINTR
31228 The call was interrupted by the user.
31229 @end table
31230
31231 @end table
31232
31233 @node gettimeofday
31234 @unnumberedsubsubsec gettimeofday
31235 @cindex gettimeofday, file-i/o system call
31236
31237 @table @asis
31238 @item Synopsis:
31239 @smallexample
31240 int gettimeofday(struct timeval *tv, void *tz);
31241 @end smallexample
31242
31243 @item Request:
31244 @samp{Fgettimeofday,@var{tvptr},@var{tzptr}}
31245
31246 @item Return value:
31247 On success, 0 is returned, -1 otherwise.
31248
31249 @item Errors:
31250
31251 @table @code
31252 @item EINVAL
31253 @var{tz} is a non-NULL pointer.
31254
31255 @item EFAULT
31256 @var{tvptr} and/or @var{tzptr} is an invalid pointer value.
31257 @end table
31258
31259 @end table
31260
31261 @node isatty
31262 @unnumberedsubsubsec isatty
31263 @cindex isatty, file-i/o system call
31264
31265 @table @asis
31266 @item Synopsis:
31267 @smallexample
31268 int isatty(int fd);
31269 @end smallexample
31270
31271 @item Request:
31272 @samp{Fisatty,@var{fd}}
31273
31274 @item Return value:
31275 Returns 1 if @var{fd} refers to the @value{GDBN} console, 0 otherwise.
31276
31277 @item Errors:
31278
31279 @table @code
31280 @item EINTR
31281 The call was interrupted by the user.
31282 @end table
31283
31284 @end table
31285
31286 Note that the @code{isatty} call is treated as a special case: it returns
31287 1 to the target if the file descriptor is attached
31288 to the @value{GDBN} console, 0 otherwise. Implementing through system calls
31289 would require implementing @code{ioctl} and would be more complex than
31290 needed.
31291
31292
31293 @node system
31294 @unnumberedsubsubsec system
31295 @cindex system, file-i/o system call
31296
31297 @table @asis
31298 @item Synopsis:
31299 @smallexample
31300 int system(const char *command);
31301 @end smallexample
31302
31303 @item Request:
31304 @samp{Fsystem,@var{commandptr}/@var{len}}
31305
31306 @item Return value:
31307 If @var{len} is zero, the return value indicates whether a shell is
31308 available. A zero return value indicates a shell is not available.
31309 For non-zero @var{len}, the value returned is -1 on error and the
31310 return status of the command otherwise. Only the exit status of the
31311 command is returned, which is extracted from the host's @code{system}
31312 return value by calling @code{WEXITSTATUS(retval)}. In case
31313 @file{/bin/sh} could not be executed, 127 is returned.
31314
31315 @item Errors:
31316
31317 @table @code
31318 @item EINTR
31319 The call was interrupted by the user.
31320 @end table
31321
31322 @end table
31323
31324 @value{GDBN} takes over the full task of calling the necessary host calls
31325 to perform the @code{system} call. The return value of @code{system} on
31326 the host is simplified before it's returned
31327 to the target. Any termination signal information from the child process
31328 is discarded, and the return value consists
31329 entirely of the exit status of the called command.
31330
31331 Due to security concerns, the @code{system} call is by default refused
31332 by @value{GDBN}. The user has to allow this call explicitly with the
31333 @code{set remote system-call-allowed 1} command.
31334
31335 @table @code
31336 @item set remote system-call-allowed
31337 @kindex set remote system-call-allowed
31338 Control whether to allow the @code{system} calls in the File I/O
31339 protocol for the remote target. The default is zero (disabled).
31340
31341 @item show remote system-call-allowed
31342 @kindex show remote system-call-allowed
31343 Show whether the @code{system} calls are allowed in the File I/O
31344 protocol.
31345 @end table
31346
31347 @node Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes
31348 @subsection Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes
31349 @cindex protocol-specific representation of datatypes, in file-i/o protocol
31350
31351 @menu
31352 * Integral Datatypes::
31353 * Pointer Values::
31354 * Memory Transfer::
31355 * struct stat::
31356 * struct timeval::
31357 @end menu
31358
31359 @node Integral Datatypes
31360 @unnumberedsubsubsec Integral Datatypes
31361 @cindex integral datatypes, in file-i/o protocol
31362
31363 The integral datatypes used in the system calls are @code{int},
31364 @code{unsigned int}, @code{long}, @code{unsigned long},
31365 @code{mode_t}, and @code{time_t}.
31366
31367 @code{int}, @code{unsigned int}, @code{mode_t} and @code{time_t} are
31368 implemented as 32 bit values in this protocol.
31369
31370 @code{long} and @code{unsigned long} are implemented as 64 bit types.
31371
31372 @xref{Limits}, for corresponding MIN and MAX values (similar to those
31373 in @file{limits.h}) to allow range checking on host and target.
31374
31375 @code{time_t} datatypes are defined as seconds since the Epoch.
31376
31377 All integral datatypes transferred as part of a memory read or write of a
31378 structured datatype e.g.@: a @code{struct stat} have to be given in big endian
31379 byte order.
31380
31381 @node Pointer Values
31382 @unnumberedsubsubsec Pointer Values
31383 @cindex pointer values, in file-i/o protocol
31384
31385 Pointers to target data are transmitted as they are. An exception
31386 is made for pointers to buffers for which the length isn't
31387 transmitted as part of the function call, namely strings. Strings
31388 are transmitted as a pointer/length pair, both as hex values, e.g.@:
31389
31390 @smallexample
31391 @code{1aaf/12}
31392 @end smallexample
31393
31394 @noindent
31395 which is a pointer to data of length 18 bytes at position 0x1aaf.
31396 The length is defined as the full string length in bytes, including
31397 the trailing null byte. For example, the string @code{"hello world"}
31398 at address 0x123456 is transmitted as
31399
31400 @smallexample
31401 @code{123456/d}
31402 @end smallexample
31403
31404 @node Memory Transfer
31405 @unnumberedsubsubsec Memory Transfer
31406 @cindex memory transfer, in file-i/o protocol
31407
31408 Structured data which is transferred using a memory read or write (for
31409 example, a @code{struct stat}) is expected to be in a protocol-specific format
31410 with all scalar multibyte datatypes being big endian. Translation to
31411 this representation needs to be done both by the target before the @code{F}
31412 packet is sent, and by @value{GDBN} before
31413 it transfers memory to the target. Transferred pointers to structured
31414 data should point to the already-coerced data at any time.
31415
31416
31417 @node struct stat
31418 @unnumberedsubsubsec struct stat
31419 @cindex struct stat, in file-i/o protocol
31420
31421 The buffer of type @code{struct stat} used by the target and @value{GDBN}
31422 is defined as follows:
31423
31424 @smallexample
31425 struct stat @{
31426 unsigned int st_dev; /* device */
31427 unsigned int st_ino; /* inode */
31428 mode_t st_mode; /* protection */
31429 unsigned int st_nlink; /* number of hard links */
31430 unsigned int st_uid; /* user ID of owner */
31431 unsigned int st_gid; /* group ID of owner */
31432 unsigned int st_rdev; /* device type (if inode device) */
31433 unsigned long st_size; /* total size, in bytes */
31434 unsigned long st_blksize; /* blocksize for filesystem I/O */
31435 unsigned long st_blocks; /* number of blocks allocated */
31436 time_t st_atime; /* time of last access */
31437 time_t st_mtime; /* time of last modification */
31438 time_t st_ctime; /* time of last change */
31439 @};
31440 @end smallexample
31441
31442 The integral datatypes conform to the definitions given in the
31443 appropriate section (see @ref{Integral Datatypes}, for details) so this
31444 structure is of size 64 bytes.
31445
31446 The values of several fields have a restricted meaning and/or
31447 range of values.
31448
31449 @table @code
31450
31451 @item st_dev
31452 A value of 0 represents a file, 1 the console.
31453
31454 @item st_ino
31455 No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
31456
31457 @item st_mode
31458 Valid mode bits are described in @ref{Constants}. Any other
31459 bits have currently no meaning for the target.
31460
31461 @item st_uid
31462 @itemx st_gid
31463 @itemx st_rdev
31464 No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
31465
31466 @item st_atime
31467 @itemx st_mtime
31468 @itemx st_ctime
31469 These values have a host and file system dependent
31470 accuracy. Especially on Windows hosts, the file system may not
31471 support exact timing values.
31472 @end table
31473
31474 The target gets a @code{struct stat} of the above representation and is
31475 responsible for coercing it to the target representation before
31476 continuing.
31477
31478 Note that due to size differences between the host, target, and protocol
31479 representations of @code{struct stat} members, these members could eventually
31480 get truncated on the target.
31481
31482 @node struct timeval
31483 @unnumberedsubsubsec struct timeval
31484 @cindex struct timeval, in file-i/o protocol
31485
31486 The buffer of type @code{struct timeval} used by the File-I/O protocol
31487 is defined as follows:
31488
31489 @smallexample
31490 struct timeval @{
31491 time_t tv_sec; /* second */
31492 long tv_usec; /* microsecond */
31493 @};
31494 @end smallexample
31495
31496 The integral datatypes conform to the definitions given in the
31497 appropriate section (see @ref{Integral Datatypes}, for details) so this
31498 structure is of size 8 bytes.
31499
31500 @node Constants
31501 @subsection Constants
31502 @cindex constants, in file-i/o protocol
31503
31504 The following values are used for the constants inside of the
31505 protocol. @value{GDBN} and target are responsible for translating these
31506 values before and after the call as needed.
31507
31508 @menu
31509 * Open Flags::
31510 * mode_t Values::
31511 * Errno Values::
31512 * Lseek Flags::
31513 * Limits::
31514 @end menu
31515
31516 @node Open Flags
31517 @unnumberedsubsubsec Open Flags
31518 @cindex open flags, in file-i/o protocol
31519
31520 All values are given in hexadecimal representation.
31521
31522 @smallexample
31523 O_RDONLY 0x0
31524 O_WRONLY 0x1
31525 O_RDWR 0x2
31526 O_APPEND 0x8
31527 O_CREAT 0x200
31528 O_TRUNC 0x400
31529 O_EXCL 0x800
31530 @end smallexample
31531
31532 @node mode_t Values
31533 @unnumberedsubsubsec mode_t Values
31534 @cindex mode_t values, in file-i/o protocol
31535
31536 All values are given in octal representation.
31537
31538 @smallexample
31539 S_IFREG 0100000
31540 S_IFDIR 040000
31541 S_IRUSR 0400
31542 S_IWUSR 0200
31543 S_IXUSR 0100
31544 S_IRGRP 040
31545 S_IWGRP 020
31546 S_IXGRP 010
31547 S_IROTH 04
31548 S_IWOTH 02
31549 S_IXOTH 01
31550 @end smallexample
31551
31552 @node Errno Values
31553 @unnumberedsubsubsec Errno Values
31554 @cindex errno values, in file-i/o protocol
31555
31556 All values are given in decimal representation.
31557
31558 @smallexample
31559 EPERM 1
31560 ENOENT 2
31561 EINTR 4
31562 EBADF 9
31563 EACCES 13
31564 EFAULT 14
31565 EBUSY 16
31566 EEXIST 17
31567 ENODEV 19
31568 ENOTDIR 20
31569 EISDIR 21
31570 EINVAL 22
31571 ENFILE 23
31572 EMFILE 24
31573 EFBIG 27
31574 ENOSPC 28
31575 ESPIPE 29
31576 EROFS 30
31577 ENAMETOOLONG 91
31578 EUNKNOWN 9999
31579 @end smallexample
31580
31581 @code{EUNKNOWN} is used as a fallback error value if a host system returns
31582 any error value not in the list of supported error numbers.
31583
31584 @node Lseek Flags
31585 @unnumberedsubsubsec Lseek Flags
31586 @cindex lseek flags, in file-i/o protocol
31587
31588 @smallexample
31589 SEEK_SET 0
31590 SEEK_CUR 1
31591 SEEK_END 2
31592 @end smallexample
31593
31594 @node Limits
31595 @unnumberedsubsubsec Limits
31596 @cindex limits, in file-i/o protocol
31597
31598 All values are given in decimal representation.
31599
31600 @smallexample
31601 INT_MIN -2147483648
31602 INT_MAX 2147483647
31603 UINT_MAX 4294967295
31604 LONG_MIN -9223372036854775808
31605 LONG_MAX 9223372036854775807
31606 ULONG_MAX 18446744073709551615
31607 @end smallexample
31608
31609 @node File-I/O Examples
31610 @subsection File-I/O Examples
31611 @cindex file-i/o examples
31612
31613 Example sequence of a write call, file descriptor 3, buffer is at target
31614 address 0x1234, 6 bytes should be written:
31615
31616 @smallexample
31617 <- @code{Fwrite,3,1234,6}
31618 @emph{request memory read from target}
31619 -> @code{m1234,6}
31620 <- XXXXXX
31621 @emph{return "6 bytes written"}
31622 -> @code{F6}
31623 @end smallexample
31624
31625 Example sequence of a read call, file descriptor 3, buffer is at target
31626 address 0x1234, 6 bytes should be read:
31627
31628 @smallexample
31629 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
31630 @emph{request memory write to target}
31631 -> @code{X1234,6:XXXXXX}
31632 @emph{return "6 bytes read"}
31633 -> @code{F6}
31634 @end smallexample
31635
31636 Example sequence of a read call, call fails on the host due to invalid
31637 file descriptor (@code{EBADF}):
31638
31639 @smallexample
31640 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
31641 -> @code{F-1,9}
31642 @end smallexample
31643
31644 Example sequence of a read call, user presses @kbd{Ctrl-c} before syscall on
31645 host is called:
31646
31647 @smallexample
31648 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
31649 -> @code{F-1,4,C}
31650 <- @code{T02}
31651 @end smallexample
31652
31653 Example sequence of a read call, user presses @kbd{Ctrl-c} after syscall on
31654 host is called:
31655
31656 @smallexample
31657 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
31658 -> @code{X1234,6:XXXXXX}
31659 <- @code{T02}
31660 @end smallexample
31661
31662 @node Library List Format
31663 @section Library List Format
31664 @cindex library list format, remote protocol
31665
31666 On some platforms, a dynamic loader (e.g.@: @file{ld.so}) runs in the
31667 same process as your application to manage libraries. In this case,
31668 @value{GDBN} can use the loader's symbol table and normal memory
31669 operations to maintain a list of shared libraries. On other
31670 platforms, the operating system manages loaded libraries.
31671 @value{GDBN} can not retrieve the list of currently loaded libraries
31672 through memory operations, so it uses the @samp{qXfer:libraries:read}
31673 packet (@pxref{qXfer library list read}) instead. The remote stub
31674 queries the target's operating system and reports which libraries
31675 are loaded.
31676
31677 The @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} packet returns an XML document which
31678 lists loaded libraries and their offsets. Each library has an
31679 associated name and one or more segment or section base addresses,
31680 which report where the library was loaded in memory.
31681
31682 For the common case of libraries that are fully linked binaries, the
31683 library should have a list of segments. If the target supports
31684 dynamic linking of a relocatable object file, its library XML element
31685 should instead include a list of allocated sections. The segment or
31686 section bases are start addresses, not relocation offsets; they do not
31687 depend on the library's link-time base addresses.
31688
31689 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
31690 library lists. @xref{Expat}.
31691
31692 A simple memory map, with one loaded library relocated by a single
31693 offset, looks like this:
31694
31695 @smallexample
31696 <library-list>
31697 <library name="/lib/libc.so.6">
31698 <segment address="0x10000000"/>
31699 </library>
31700 </library-list>
31701 @end smallexample
31702
31703 Another simple memory map, with one loaded library with three
31704 allocated sections (.text, .data, .bss), looks like this:
31705
31706 @smallexample
31707 <library-list>
31708 <library name="sharedlib.o">
31709 <section address="0x10000000"/>
31710 <section address="0x20000000"/>
31711 <section address="0x30000000"/>
31712 </library>
31713 </library-list>
31714 @end smallexample
31715
31716 The format of a library list is described by this DTD:
31717
31718 @smallexample
31719 <!-- library-list: Root element with versioning -->
31720 <!ELEMENT library-list (library)*>
31721 <!ATTLIST library-list version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
31722 <!ELEMENT library (segment*, section*)>
31723 <!ATTLIST library name CDATA #REQUIRED>
31724 <!ELEMENT segment EMPTY>
31725 <!ATTLIST segment address CDATA #REQUIRED>
31726 <!ELEMENT section EMPTY>
31727 <!ATTLIST section address CDATA #REQUIRED>
31728 @end smallexample
31729
31730 In addition, segments and section descriptors cannot be mixed within a
31731 single library element, and you must supply at least one segment or
31732 section for each library.
31733
31734 @node Memory Map Format
31735 @section Memory Map Format
31736 @cindex memory map format
31737
31738 To be able to write into flash memory, @value{GDBN} needs to obtain a
31739 memory map from the target. This section describes the format of the
31740 memory map.
31741
31742 The memory map is obtained using the @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read}
31743 (@pxref{qXfer memory map read}) packet and is an XML document that
31744 lists memory regions.
31745
31746 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
31747 memory maps. @xref{Expat}.
31748
31749 The top-level structure of the document is shown below:
31750
31751 @smallexample
31752 <?xml version="1.0"?>
31753 <!DOCTYPE memory-map
31754 PUBLIC "+//IDN gnu.org//DTD GDB Memory Map V1.0//EN"
31755 "http://sourceware.org/gdb/gdb-memory-map.dtd">
31756 <memory-map>
31757 region...
31758 </memory-map>
31759 @end smallexample
31760
31761 Each region can be either:
31762
31763 @itemize
31764
31765 @item
31766 A region of RAM starting at @var{addr} and extending for @var{length}
31767 bytes from there:
31768
31769 @smallexample
31770 <memory type="ram" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
31771 @end smallexample
31772
31773
31774 @item
31775 A region of read-only memory:
31776
31777 @smallexample
31778 <memory type="rom" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
31779 @end smallexample
31780
31781
31782 @item
31783 A region of flash memory, with erasure blocks @var{blocksize}
31784 bytes in length:
31785
31786 @smallexample
31787 <memory type="flash" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}">
31788 <property name="blocksize">@var{blocksize}</property>
31789 </memory>
31790 @end smallexample
31791
31792 @end itemize
31793
31794 Regions must not overlap. @value{GDBN} assumes that areas of memory not covered
31795 by the memory map are RAM, and uses the ordinary @samp{M} and @samp{X}
31796 packets to write to addresses in such ranges.
31797
31798 The formal DTD for memory map format is given below:
31799
31800 @smallexample
31801 <!-- ................................................... -->
31802 <!-- Memory Map XML DTD ................................ -->
31803 <!-- File: memory-map.dtd .............................. -->
31804 <!-- .................................... .............. -->
31805 <!-- memory-map.dtd -->
31806 <!-- memory-map: Root element with versioning -->
31807 <!ELEMENT memory-map (memory | property)>
31808 <!ATTLIST memory-map version CDATA #FIXED "1.0.0">
31809 <!ELEMENT memory (property)>
31810 <!-- memory: Specifies a memory region,
31811 and its type, or device. -->
31812 <!ATTLIST memory type CDATA #REQUIRED
31813 start CDATA #REQUIRED
31814 length CDATA #REQUIRED
31815 device CDATA #IMPLIED>
31816 <!-- property: Generic attribute tag -->
31817 <!ELEMENT property (#PCDATA | property)*>
31818 <!ATTLIST property name CDATA #REQUIRED>
31819 @end smallexample
31820
31821 @include agentexpr.texi
31822
31823 @node Target Descriptions
31824 @appendix Target Descriptions
31825 @cindex target descriptions
31826
31827 @strong{Warning:} target descriptions are still under active development,
31828 and the contents and format may change between @value{GDBN} releases.
31829 The format is expected to stabilize in the future.
31830
31831 One of the challenges of using @value{GDBN} to debug embedded systems
31832 is that there are so many minor variants of each processor
31833 architecture in use. It is common practice for vendors to start with
31834 a standard processor core --- ARM, PowerPC, or MIPS, for example ---
31835 and then make changes to adapt it to a particular market niche. Some
31836 architectures have hundreds of variants, available from dozens of
31837 vendors. This leads to a number of problems:
31838
31839 @itemize @bullet
31840 @item
31841 With so many different customized processors, it is difficult for
31842 the @value{GDBN} maintainers to keep up with the changes.
31843 @item
31844 Since individual variants may have short lifetimes or limited
31845 audiences, it may not be worthwhile to carry information about every
31846 variant in the @value{GDBN} source tree.
31847 @item
31848 When @value{GDBN} does support the architecture of the embedded system
31849 at hand, the task of finding the correct architecture name to give the
31850 @command{set architecture} command can be error-prone.
31851 @end itemize
31852
31853 To address these problems, the @value{GDBN} remote protocol allows a
31854 target system to not only identify itself to @value{GDBN}, but to
31855 actually describe its own features. This lets @value{GDBN} support
31856 processor variants it has never seen before --- to the extent that the
31857 descriptions are accurate, and that @value{GDBN} understands them.
31858
31859 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
31860 target descriptions. @xref{Expat}.
31861
31862 @menu
31863 * Retrieving Descriptions:: How descriptions are fetched from a target.
31864 * Target Description Format:: The contents of a target description.
31865 * Predefined Target Types:: Standard types available for target
31866 descriptions.
31867 * Standard Target Features:: Features @value{GDBN} knows about.
31868 @end menu
31869
31870 @node Retrieving Descriptions
31871 @section Retrieving Descriptions
31872
31873 Target descriptions can be read from the target automatically, or
31874 specified by the user manually. The default behavior is to read the
31875 description from the target. @value{GDBN} retrieves it via the remote
31876 protocol using @samp{qXfer} requests (@pxref{General Query Packets,
31877 qXfer}). The @var{annex} in the @samp{qXfer} packet will be
31878 @samp{target.xml}. The contents of the @samp{target.xml} annex are an
31879 XML document, of the form described in @ref{Target Description
31880 Format}.
31881
31882 Alternatively, you can specify a file to read for the target description.
31883 If a file is set, the target will not be queried. The commands to
31884 specify a file are:
31885
31886 @table @code
31887 @cindex set tdesc filename
31888 @item set tdesc filename @var{path}
31889 Read the target description from @var{path}.
31890
31891 @cindex unset tdesc filename
31892 @item unset tdesc filename
31893 Do not read the XML target description from a file. @value{GDBN}
31894 will use the description supplied by the current target.
31895
31896 @cindex show tdesc filename
31897 @item show tdesc filename
31898 Show the filename to read for a target description, if any.
31899 @end table
31900
31901
31902 @node Target Description Format
31903 @section Target Description Format
31904 @cindex target descriptions, XML format
31905
31906 A target description annex is an @uref{http://www.w3.org/XML/, XML}
31907 document which complies with the Document Type Definition provided in
31908 the @value{GDBN} sources in @file{gdb/features/gdb-target.dtd}. This
31909 means you can use generally available tools like @command{xmllint} to
31910 check that your feature descriptions are well-formed and valid.
31911 However, to help people unfamiliar with XML write descriptions for
31912 their targets, we also describe the grammar here.
31913
31914 Target descriptions can identify the architecture of the remote target
31915 and (for some architectures) provide information about custom register
31916 sets. They can also identify the OS ABI of the remote target.
31917 @value{GDBN} can use this information to autoconfigure for your
31918 target, or to warn you if you connect to an unsupported target.
31919
31920 Here is a simple target description:
31921
31922 @smallexample
31923 <target version="1.0">
31924 <architecture>i386:x86-64</architecture>
31925 </target>
31926 @end smallexample
31927
31928 @noindent
31929 This minimal description only says that the target uses
31930 the x86-64 architecture.
31931
31932 A target description has the following overall form, with [ ] marking
31933 optional elements and @dots{} marking repeatable elements. The elements
31934 are explained further below.
31935
31936 @smallexample
31937 <?xml version="1.0"?>
31938 <!DOCTYPE target SYSTEM "gdb-target.dtd">
31939 <target version="1.0">
31940 @r{[}@var{architecture}@r{]}
31941 @r{[}@var{osabi}@r{]}
31942 @r{[}@var{compatible}@r{]}
31943 @r{[}@var{feature}@dots{}@r{]}
31944 </target>
31945 @end smallexample
31946
31947 @noindent
31948 The description is generally insensitive to whitespace and line
31949 breaks, under the usual common-sense rules. The XML version
31950 declaration and document type declaration can generally be omitted
31951 (@value{GDBN} does not require them), but specifying them may be
31952 useful for XML validation tools. The @samp{version} attribute for
31953 @samp{<target>} may also be omitted, but we recommend
31954 including it; if future versions of @value{GDBN} use an incompatible
31955 revision of @file{gdb-target.dtd}, they will detect and report
31956 the version mismatch.
31957
31958 @subsection Inclusion
31959 @cindex target descriptions, inclusion
31960 @cindex XInclude
31961 @ifnotinfo
31962 @cindex <xi:include>
31963 @end ifnotinfo
31964
31965 It can sometimes be valuable to split a target description up into
31966 several different annexes, either for organizational purposes, or to
31967 share files between different possible target descriptions. You can
31968 divide a description into multiple files by replacing any element of
31969 the target description with an inclusion directive of the form:
31970
31971 @smallexample
31972 <xi:include href="@var{document}"/>
31973 @end smallexample
31974
31975 @noindent
31976 When @value{GDBN} encounters an element of this form, it will retrieve
31977 the named XML @var{document}, and replace the inclusion directive with
31978 the contents of that document. If the current description was read
31979 using @samp{qXfer}, then so will be the included document;
31980 @var{document} will be interpreted as the name of an annex. If the
31981 current description was read from a file, @value{GDBN} will look for
31982 @var{document} as a file in the same directory where it found the
31983 original description.
31984
31985 @subsection Architecture
31986 @cindex <architecture>
31987
31988 An @samp{<architecture>} element has this form:
31989
31990 @smallexample
31991 <architecture>@var{arch}</architecture>
31992 @end smallexample
31993
31994 @var{arch} is one of the architectures from the set accepted by
31995 @code{set architecture} (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
31996
31997 @subsection OS ABI
31998 @cindex @code{<osabi>}
31999
32000 This optional field was introduced in @value{GDBN} version 7.0.
32001 Previous versions of @value{GDBN} ignore it.
32002
32003 An @samp{<osabi>} element has this form:
32004
32005 @smallexample
32006 <osabi>@var{abi-name}</osabi>
32007 @end smallexample
32008
32009 @var{abi-name} is an OS ABI name from the same selection accepted by
32010 @w{@code{set osabi}} (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the Current ABI}).
32011
32012 @subsection Compatible Architecture
32013 @cindex @code{<compatible>}
32014
32015 This optional field was introduced in @value{GDBN} version 7.0.
32016 Previous versions of @value{GDBN} ignore it.
32017
32018 A @samp{<compatible>} element has this form:
32019
32020 @smallexample
32021 <compatible>@var{arch}</compatible>
32022 @end smallexample
32023
32024 @var{arch} is one of the architectures from the set accepted by
32025 @code{set architecture} (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
32026
32027 A @samp{<compatible>} element is used to specify that the target
32028 is able to run binaries in some other than the main target architecture
32029 given by the @samp{<architecture>} element. For example, on the
32030 Cell Broadband Engine, the main architecture is @code{powerpc:common}
32031 or @code{powerpc:common64}, but the system is able to run binaries
32032 in the @code{spu} architecture as well. The way to describe this
32033 capability with @samp{<compatible>} is as follows:
32034
32035 @smallexample
32036 <architecture>powerpc:common</architecture>
32037 <compatible>spu</compatible>
32038 @end smallexample
32039
32040 @subsection Features
32041 @cindex <feature>
32042
32043 Each @samp{<feature>} describes some logical portion of the target
32044 system. Features are currently used to describe available CPU
32045 registers and the types of their contents. A @samp{<feature>} element
32046 has this form:
32047
32048 @smallexample
32049 <feature name="@var{name}">
32050 @r{[}@var{type}@dots{}@r{]}
32051 @var{reg}@dots{}
32052 </feature>
32053 @end smallexample
32054
32055 @noindent
32056 Each feature's name should be unique within the description. The name
32057 of a feature does not matter unless @value{GDBN} has some special
32058 knowledge of the contents of that feature; if it does, the feature
32059 should have its standard name. @xref{Standard Target Features}.
32060
32061 @subsection Types
32062
32063 Any register's value is a collection of bits which @value{GDBN} must
32064 interpret. The default interpretation is a two's complement integer,
32065 but other types can be requested by name in the register description.
32066 Some predefined types are provided by @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Predefined
32067 Target Types}), and the description can define additional composite types.
32068
32069 Each type element must have an @samp{id} attribute, which gives
32070 a unique (within the containing @samp{<feature>}) name to the type.
32071 Types must be defined before they are used.
32072
32073 @cindex <vector>
32074 Some targets offer vector registers, which can be treated as arrays
32075 of scalar elements. These types are written as @samp{<vector>} elements,
32076 specifying the array element type, @var{type}, and the number of elements,
32077 @var{count}:
32078
32079 @smallexample
32080 <vector id="@var{id}" type="@var{type}" count="@var{count}"/>
32081 @end smallexample
32082
32083 @cindex <union>
32084 If a register's value is usefully viewed in multiple ways, define it
32085 with a union type containing the useful representations. The
32086 @samp{<union>} element contains one or more @samp{<field>} elements,
32087 each of which has a @var{name} and a @var{type}:
32088
32089 @smallexample
32090 <union id="@var{id}">
32091 <field name="@var{name}" type="@var{type}"/>
32092 @dots{}
32093 </union>
32094 @end smallexample
32095
32096 @subsection Registers
32097 @cindex <reg>
32098
32099 Each register is represented as an element with this form:
32100
32101 @smallexample
32102 <reg name="@var{name}"
32103 bitsize="@var{size}"
32104 @r{[}regnum="@var{num}"@r{]}
32105 @r{[}save-restore="@var{save-restore}"@r{]}
32106 @r{[}type="@var{type}"@r{]}
32107 @r{[}group="@var{group}"@r{]}/>
32108 @end smallexample
32109
32110 @noindent
32111 The components are as follows:
32112
32113 @table @var
32114
32115 @item name
32116 The register's name; it must be unique within the target description.
32117
32118 @item bitsize
32119 The register's size, in bits.
32120
32121 @item regnum
32122 The register's number. If omitted, a register's number is one greater
32123 than that of the previous register (either in the current feature or in
32124 a preceeding feature); the first register in the target description
32125 defaults to zero. This register number is used to read or write
32126 the register; e.g.@: it is used in the remote @code{p} and @code{P}
32127 packets, and registers appear in the @code{g} and @code{G} packets
32128 in order of increasing register number.
32129
32130 @item save-restore
32131 Whether the register should be preserved across inferior function
32132 calls; this must be either @code{yes} or @code{no}. The default is
32133 @code{yes}, which is appropriate for most registers except for
32134 some system control registers; this is not related to the target's
32135 ABI.
32136
32137 @item type
32138 The type of the register. @var{type} may be a predefined type, a type
32139 defined in the current feature, or one of the special types @code{int}
32140 and @code{float}. @code{int} is an integer type of the correct size
32141 for @var{bitsize}, and @code{float} is a floating point type (in the
32142 architecture's normal floating point format) of the correct size for
32143 @var{bitsize}. The default is @code{int}.
32144
32145 @item group
32146 The register group to which this register belongs. @var{group} must
32147 be either @code{general}, @code{float}, or @code{vector}. If no
32148 @var{group} is specified, @value{GDBN} will not display the register
32149 in @code{info registers}.
32150
32151 @end table
32152
32153 @node Predefined Target Types
32154 @section Predefined Target Types
32155 @cindex target descriptions, predefined types
32156
32157 Type definitions in the self-description can build up composite types
32158 from basic building blocks, but can not define fundamental types. Instead,
32159 standard identifiers are provided by @value{GDBN} for the fundamental
32160 types. The currently supported types are:
32161
32162 @table @code
32163
32164 @item int8
32165 @itemx int16
32166 @itemx int32
32167 @itemx int64
32168 @itemx int128
32169 Signed integer types holding the specified number of bits.
32170
32171 @item uint8
32172 @itemx uint16
32173 @itemx uint32
32174 @itemx uint64
32175 @itemx uint128
32176 Unsigned integer types holding the specified number of bits.
32177
32178 @item code_ptr
32179 @itemx data_ptr
32180 Pointers to unspecified code and data. The program counter and
32181 any dedicated return address register may be marked as code
32182 pointers; printing a code pointer converts it into a symbolic
32183 address. The stack pointer and any dedicated address registers
32184 may be marked as data pointers.
32185
32186 @item ieee_single
32187 Single precision IEEE floating point.
32188
32189 @item ieee_double
32190 Double precision IEEE floating point.
32191
32192 @item arm_fpa_ext
32193 The 12-byte extended precision format used by ARM FPA registers.
32194
32195 @end table
32196
32197 @node Standard Target Features
32198 @section Standard Target Features
32199 @cindex target descriptions, standard features
32200
32201 A target description must contain either no registers or all the
32202 target's registers. If the description contains no registers, then
32203 @value{GDBN} will assume a default register layout, selected based on
32204 the architecture. If the description contains any registers, the
32205 default layout will not be used; the standard registers must be
32206 described in the target description, in such a way that @value{GDBN}
32207 can recognize them.
32208
32209 This is accomplished by giving specific names to feature elements
32210 which contain standard registers. @value{GDBN} will look for features
32211 with those names and verify that they contain the expected registers;
32212 if any known feature is missing required registers, or if any required
32213 feature is missing, @value{GDBN} will reject the target
32214 description. You can add additional registers to any of the
32215 standard features --- @value{GDBN} will display them just as if
32216 they were added to an unrecognized feature.
32217
32218 This section lists the known features and their expected contents.
32219 Sample XML documents for these features are included in the
32220 @value{GDBN} source tree, in the directory @file{gdb/features}.
32221
32222 Names recognized by @value{GDBN} should include the name of the
32223 company or organization which selected the name, and the overall
32224 architecture to which the feature applies; so e.g.@: the feature
32225 containing ARM core registers is named @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core}.
32226
32227 The names of registers are not case sensitive for the purpose
32228 of recognizing standard features, but @value{GDBN} will only display
32229 registers using the capitalization used in the description.
32230
32231 @menu
32232 * ARM Features::
32233 * MIPS Features::
32234 * M68K Features::
32235 * PowerPC Features::
32236 @end menu
32237
32238
32239 @node ARM Features
32240 @subsection ARM Features
32241 @cindex target descriptions, ARM features
32242
32243 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core} feature is required for ARM targets.
32244 It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r13}, @samp{sp},
32245 @samp{lr}, @samp{pc}, and @samp{cpsr}.
32246
32247 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.fpa} feature is optional. If present, it
32248 should contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f7} and @samp{fps}.
32249
32250 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.xscale.iwmmxt} feature is optional. If present,
32251 it should contain at least registers @samp{wR0} through @samp{wR15} and
32252 @samp{wCGR0} through @samp{wCGR3}. The @samp{wCID}, @samp{wCon},
32253 @samp{wCSSF}, and @samp{wCASF} registers are optional.
32254
32255 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.vfp} feature is optional. If present, it
32256 should contain at least registers @samp{d0} through @samp{d15}. If
32257 they are present, @samp{d16} through @samp{d31} should also be included.
32258 @value{GDBN} will synthesize the single-precision registers from
32259 halves of the double-precision registers.
32260
32261 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.neon} feature is optional. It does not
32262 need to contain registers; it instructs @value{GDBN} to display the
32263 VFP double-precision registers as vectors and to synthesize the
32264 quad-precision registers from pairs of double-precision registers.
32265 If this feature is present, @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.vfp} must also
32266 be present and include 32 double-precision registers.
32267
32268 @node MIPS Features
32269 @subsection MIPS Features
32270 @cindex target descriptions, MIPS features
32271
32272 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.cpu} feature is required for MIPS targets.
32273 It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r31}, @samp{lo},
32274 @samp{hi}, and @samp{pc}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending
32275 on the target.
32276
32277 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.cp0} feature is also required. It should
32278 contain at least the @samp{status}, @samp{badvaddr}, and @samp{cause}
32279 registers. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
32280
32281 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.fpu} feature is currently required, though
32282 it may be optional in a future version of @value{GDBN}. It should
32283 contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f31}, @samp{fcsr}, and
32284 @samp{fir}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
32285
32286 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.linux} feature is optional. It should
32287 contain a single register, @samp{restart}, which is used by the
32288 Linux kernel to control restartable syscalls.
32289
32290 @node M68K Features
32291 @subsection M68K Features
32292 @cindex target descriptions, M68K features
32293
32294 @table @code
32295 @item @samp{org.gnu.gdb.m68k.core}
32296 @itemx @samp{org.gnu.gdb.coldfire.core}
32297 @itemx @samp{org.gnu.gdb.fido.core}
32298 One of those features must be always present.
32299 The feature that is present determines which flavor of m68k is
32300 used. The feature that is present should contain registers
32301 @samp{d0} through @samp{d7}, @samp{a0} through @samp{a5}, @samp{fp},
32302 @samp{sp}, @samp{ps} and @samp{pc}.
32303
32304 @item @samp{org.gnu.gdb.coldfire.fp}
32305 This feature is optional. If present, it should contain registers
32306 @samp{fp0} through @samp{fp7}, @samp{fpcontrol}, @samp{fpstatus} and
32307 @samp{fpiaddr}.
32308 @end table
32309
32310 @node PowerPC Features
32311 @subsection PowerPC Features
32312 @cindex target descriptions, PowerPC features
32313
32314 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.core} feature is required for PowerPC
32315 targets. It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r31},
32316 @samp{pc}, @samp{msr}, @samp{cr}, @samp{lr}, @samp{ctr}, and
32317 @samp{xer}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
32318
32319 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.fpu} feature is optional. It should
32320 contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f31} and @samp{fpscr}.
32321
32322 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.altivec} feature is optional. It should
32323 contain registers @samp{vr0} through @samp{vr31}, @samp{vscr},
32324 and @samp{vrsave}.
32325
32326 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.vsx} feature is optional. It should
32327 contain registers @samp{vs0h} through @samp{vs31h}. @value{GDBN}
32328 will combine these registers with the floating point registers
32329 (@samp{f0} through @samp{f31}) and the altivec registers (@samp{vr0}
32330 through @samp{vr31}) to present the 128-bit wide registers @samp{vs0}
32331 through @samp{vs63}, the set of vector registers for POWER7.
32332
32333 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.spe} feature is optional. It should
32334 contain registers @samp{ev0h} through @samp{ev31h}, @samp{acc}, and
32335 @samp{spefscr}. SPE targets should provide 32-bit registers in
32336 @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.core} and provide the upper halves in
32337 @samp{ev0h} through @samp{ev31h}. @value{GDBN} will combine
32338 these to present registers @samp{ev0} through @samp{ev31} to the
32339 user.
32340
32341 @node Operating System Information
32342 @appendix Operating System Information
32343 @cindex operating system information
32344
32345 @menu
32346 * Process list::
32347 @end menu
32348
32349 Users of @value{GDBN} often wish to obtain information about the state of
32350 the operating system running on the target---for example the list of
32351 processes, or the list of open files. This section describes the
32352 mechanism that makes it possible. This mechanism is similar to the
32353 target features mechanism (@pxref{Target Descriptions}), but focuses
32354 on a different aspect of target.
32355
32356 Operating system information is retrived from the target via the
32357 remote protocol, using @samp{qXfer} requests (@pxref{qXfer osdata
32358 read}). The object name in the request should be @samp{osdata}, and
32359 the @var{annex} identifies the data to be fetched.
32360
32361 @node Process list
32362 @appendixsection Process list
32363 @cindex operating system information, process list
32364
32365 When requesting the process list, the @var{annex} field in the
32366 @samp{qXfer} request should be @samp{processes}. The returned data is
32367 an XML document. The formal syntax of this document is defined in
32368 @file{gdb/features/osdata.dtd}.
32369
32370 An example document is:
32371
32372 @smallexample
32373 <?xml version="1.0"?>
32374 <!DOCTYPE target SYSTEM "osdata.dtd">
32375 <osdata type="processes">
32376 <item>
32377 <column name="pid">1</column>
32378 <column name="user">root</column>
32379 <column name="command">/sbin/init</column>
32380 </item>
32381 </osdata>
32382 @end smallexample
32383
32384 Each item should include a column whose name is @samp{pid}. The value
32385 of that column should identify the process on the target. The
32386 @samp{user} and @samp{command} columns are optional, and will be
32387 displayed by @value{GDBN}. Target may provide additional columns,
32388 which @value{GDBN} currently ignores.
32389
32390 @include gpl.texi
32391
32392 @raisesections
32393 @include fdl.texi
32394 @lowersections
32395
32396 @node Index
32397 @unnumbered Index
32398
32399 @printindex cp
32400
32401 @tex
32402 % I think something like @colophon should be in texinfo. In the
32403 % meantime:
32404 \long\def\colophon{\hbox to0pt{}\vfill
32405 \centerline{The body of this manual is set in}
32406 \centerline{\fontname\tenrm,}
32407 \centerline{with headings in {\bf\fontname\tenbf}}
32408 \centerline{and examples in {\tt\fontname\tentt}.}
32409 \centerline{{\it\fontname\tenit\/},}
32410 \centerline{{\bf\fontname\tenbf}, and}
32411 \centerline{{\sl\fontname\tensl\/}}
32412 \centerline{are used for emphasis.}\vfill}
32413 \page\colophon
32414 % Blame: doc@cygnus.com, 1991.
32415 @end tex
32416
32417 @bye
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